Tie a Bow on the Baby

The wind awakened the water first, and it roared its welcome to the sun as it chased sandpipers up the beach. Diane turned over and stretched, squinting her eyes at the brightness. She inhaled deeply, surprised she could still smell the salty, moist air. The surf grew gradually louder as the daytime breezes picked up. She could hear the palm trees rustling happily outside. Yet, surrounded by all this natural sound, there was a stillness that frightened Diane. When she finally perceived it, she sat upright and spun around on the bed, searching the room.

“Michael? Michael!” Diane gasped, then screamed his name again. She pulled the sheet around her body and jumped out of bed, searching the crib and every corner of the room. She pulled out drawers, tossed aside clothing, opened closets, and tried to continue breathing long enough to find her little man.

“Diane?” Paul said from the door. “What are you doing? Why are you throwing my clothes everywhere?”

Diane spun around to look at him. Her eyes were wild with fear, and Paul jumped back in surprise. He held the baby protectively, staring at the crazy woman in his cottage.

“What were you thinking? You took my baby without telling me! I was scared to death!”

“Our baby,” Paul whispered.

“What?” Diane was still yelling.

“Our baby,” he repeated, quietly. Diane was mute for a moment and stared at the sleeping baby, trying to keep herself from grabbing him from Paul’s hands, which would only deepen the insult. She looked from the baby to Paul, and finally relaxed when she saw the hurt on his face.

“I’m sorry,” she said, hanging her head. “I just don’t remember the last time he didn’t wake me up himself. Or the last time I woke in a strange place.” Her hands were shaking, and she crossed her arms in front of her body to calm them. When she finally looked up at Paul’s face again, she found sympathy there.

“I’m sorry. I wanted to let you sleep. I should have told you where I was going,” he whispered.

“What did you do?” Diane said, eyeing the rolled straw mat tucked under his arm. “Take him to see your mother?”

His laughter was musical and healing.

“Come on. Let’s go get some breakfast. You must be starved.”

“I hadn’t noticed, but now that you mention it, I really am.” Diane took Paul’s hand and they walked inside the cottage.