Decker took a step away from the walless barrier. “I’d love to burp her, except I’m so tired I’m afraid I’d drop her. How’s she doing?”
“Great.”
Decker felt himself smiling. It must have been a reflex, because every muscle in his face was too numb to move voluntarily. “Thanks for taking care of her. As soon as Mrs. Elias comes here, I want you to go home and get some rest. I know you teens think you’re immortal, but you need sleep.”
Cindy stared at her father. “It’s not because you think I’m too attached to Hannah, is it?”
Decker paused. “Who gave you that idea?”
“Nurse Bellson,” Cindy said. “She thinks I am. She’s worried I’m going to feel jealous when Rina’s well enough to take care of Hannah. It’s not true. I’m only trying to help.”
“I know you are.”
“So you’re not upset with me?”
“No, sweetheart. I love you very much. Just if you could try to avoid butting heads with the staff—”
“You mean Nurse Bellson?”
“If that’s who you’re butting heads with, then yes, get along with Nurse Bellson. Even if it’s her problem.”
“Daddy, you’re dropping on your feet. You look real sick. I think you should sit down.”
“No, I’m okay.” Decker stifled a yawn. “I have to get back to Rina.”
“How is she?”
“Still sleeping.” Decker forced his eyes open. “Cynthia, I really do appreciate all your help. But you do need your rest.”
“Look, if you want me to go home now—”
“No.” Decker was surprised by the sudden strength of his voice. “No, you can wait until Mrs. Elias gets here. If you don’t mind.”
Cindy looked quizzically at her father. “Where did that come from?”
“What are you talking about?”
“Why do you want me to wait for Mrs. Elias?” Cindy widened her eyes. “You don’t trust Nurse Bellson either, do you, Daddy? Do you have something on her?”
Despite his fatigue, Decker laughed. “You’ve been watching too many bad movies, sweetheart.”
“You’re not being honest with me, Daddy. Why don’t you trust her?”
Decker sighed. “It’s not Marie Bellson. It’s the night nurse, Darlene—”
“Darlene? She’s a living angel.”
“Cindy, she left the babies alone to walk me to the elevator.”
“Are you sure, Daddy? Maybe there was someone in back, and you didn’t notice.”
“Oh.” Decker hesitated. “Shows you what I know. Is there someone in back now?”
It was Cindy’s turn to hesitate. “Well, Darlene kind of told me to wait for her specifically because she didn’t want the babies left alone. She and Lily—that’s her newest trainee—they were collecting the babies from the moms after the twelve o’clock feeding. It’s taking a little longer because Darlene volunteered to help out in the adjoining nursery. They’ve been shorthanded lately ’cause of budget cuts.”
“So Darlene left you in charge?”
Cindy’s eyes went to the ceiling. “She’s right here on the floor, Daddy. I have her beeper, but it isn’t even necessary. She comes back every few minutes. Says she’ll finish up real soon. She’s doing the best she can.”
“Cindy, you’re a peach, but Darlene doesn’t know that. You could be anybody. Did you ever see Marie leave the babies alone?”
Cindy shook her head. “I guess Darlene is very trusting.”
“It’s dumb. She’s asking for a tragedy and a lawsuit.” Decker put his hands in his pockets. “I’m very grateful that you’re watching Hannah. And truthfully, yes, Marie does tweak my nose. If Rina weren’t so … so laid-up, I’d check my whole family out of here. But as of now, I’m stuck. So if Mrs. Elias wants to take over for you for a while, let her. Marie’ll probably be more tolerant of her than you.”
“I ask you, Daddy, is that right?”
“No, it isn’t right, but frankly I don’t care. I’m looking for what’ll work. So help me out. You can come back when Mrs. Elias has to go home to tend to the boys. Okay?”
Cindy nodded.
“And please don’t make problems. I want you here in the nursery, Cindy, because I do trust you.”
“Thanks, Dad. It’s nice to hear that.”
“You’re welcome.” Decker rubbed his eyes. “Go burp your sister. Give her a kiss for me. Tell her I love her and hope to burp her very soon.”
“She’ll be waiting for you, Dad. Sorry if I’m being a bit of a pain.”
“Nah, you’re never a pain. You’re a great kid, Cynthia. The best. God knows, your mother and I have had differences, but she did a fabulous job.”
“You had a little to do with it.”
“Not as much as I should have.” Decker raised his brow. “Probably why you turned out so good.”
After she vomited, she felt much better. Mack was nice—helping her into a chair, then wiping her mouth. He took out a Rubbermaid quart container and peeled off the blue lid. Dipping a tablespoon into the hard plastic, he fished up some tan mush.
“Open up.”
“I’m sick.”
“Open up, Tandy. You need your calories.”
She didn’t move.
“You’re really infuriating, you know?”
Mack pried her jaws apart with his thumb and forefinger. She was fighting him, but it was a losing battle. Such unbelievable strength in two little fingers. She couldn’t help but be awed. He force-fed her some mush, pushing the oversized spoon into her mouth. In her different life, she would have gagged. But now she was in control.
Pureed chicken. Wasn’t half bad.
“Come on, Tandy, open all the way up.”
Passively, she complied.
“That’s a good girl.”
Another spoonful.
“How much do I have to eat?”
“The whole thing.”
“Mack—”
“If you want to look right, you have to eat right. Now shut up and open up!”
She paused. “I don’t think that’s physically possible.”
Mack laughed and fed her another spoonful. “You did fair tonight. I’ve seen you do better.”
“I wasn’t at my best.”
“Something on your mind?”
She shrugged.
“What?”
“It’s just work, I guess.”
“Bitches giving you problems?”
“Always.”
“Open up, Tandy. I refuse to let you leave until you’ve had your