never enough

Asa sensed he was coming down with something. Perhaps it was the arrival of the baby. It felt like a blatant cold. He didn't want to make the baby sick.

He'd watched the baby mainly behind glass as if that was where he should be. Soon enough, Asa was congested, yet there was a nasal drip and a cough. He never got sick. What in the world was going on?

"Well, its hospitals if you ask me." Camille made over him with hot tea and lemon at home. "I hear it all the time. Staff infections. Flesh eating viruses."

"Its just a cold." Maybe it was a good thing. Sort of put everything on hold. It wasn't that he wanted to take anything away from Josie nor Derrick.

Of course, Derrick was happy for about fifteen minutes, and he was ready to move on to something else. It felt that way. Perhaps, he was the instant Dad for a day or so, but he didn't dare tend to the baby in the middle of the night. Asa didn't think he'd changed a diaper yet.

Maybe it was Josie's doing. She could be pleasant enough, but she didn't have patience for Derrick.  He'd heard their squabbles long before the baby arrived. He guessed they continued. Hopefully, they'd work it out. But for now, he was feeding a cold. Camille made lots of chicken soup and bread. Even chocolate cake.

He was certain she made over him way too much. The baby needed to be here so she'd have something else to do. Really, he wanted to be left alone. He wasn't especially fond of being sick. Yet, a part of him hoped he might settle into some real sleep to at least dream of Amanda.

But that didn't happen. He'd call out Amanda's name in the middle of the night, just to find Camille ready with cold water, a box of Kleenex. Something to pacify him. He didn't like it very much, but he got used to it. Perhaps.

Still it was time for Josie to get adjusted to the baby. Maybe, he adjusted too. Yet, he began to wonder when Camille would go home. He didn't want to need her, but he did.