#Chapter 242: A cruel joke

Nina insisted on giving me a hug first thing, but the crying baby demanded attention and that was what I needed my friend for more than anything in this moment. “I just can’t touch her right now, Nina, I…” “Say no more.” She rushed into the nursery and closed the door behind her. I heard her voice faintly, both through the door and echoing on the baby monitor on my bedside table. “It’s all good, lil’ b,” she was saying over the baby’s cries. “Shh. Auntie Nina’s here to help. I got you… let’s just check your diaper and see if you need…” I locked myself into the bathroom, started the shower, stripped my clothes off and got in. Once I sat down on the shower floor with the water streaming directly down onto my face and body, I knew why I’d been compelled to do this. Because the sounds of the water and the bathroom fan gave me at least a little privacy from the baby and Nina, and I needed to actually cry for real now. It only took a few seconds for a huge, heaving sobs to completely ta