Two months ago

He peered around her shoulder, mouth pouting, then rounding into a perfect O as he began to sob.

I turned and rushed out, pausing a block away to quiet my pounding heart. They always cry at first. He’ll be fine.

Child-free Target held none of its usual joy. Worry clouded every thought. If this third try failed, where would Theo go while I worked?

Glancing at my watch every other moment, I returned early. He reached out, trembling, with red, tear-stained cheeks. I held him as he melted into me, my heart crying along with his.

We need another plan.

—————————————————————————————-
This week’s RemembeRED prompt from Write On Edge was to conjure something (object, feeling, etc.) in 100 words.

16 Responses to Two months ago
  1. Gramma
    October 4, 2011 | 6:28 am

    oh no! poor sad baby, poor sad mama. What do the teachers say? What strategies are available and what does their experience show with other little ones?

    Argh!! so very hard, mama. I’m sorry it is so difficult.

    • Gramma
      October 4, 2011 | 6:29 am

      ah, just read the prompt and realized the timeline wasn’t about yesterday’s events. feeling more hopeful that things went well.

      • Jessica@Team Rasler
        October 4, 2011 | 7:59 pm

        Yeah, that was the last time I tried to take him to AKP. No thanks for crying for a full hour! I couldn’t believe they didn’t even call me when they couldn’t calm him down. That place is good for Sebastian, but we’ll have to wait a while before trying it again with Theo. Update about this week coming soon!

  2. Barbara, via Write on Edge
    October 4, 2011 | 7:02 am

    Oh! Such a moment! Always a heart-break. You do well describing your anxiety over such a moment!

    🙂

  3. christina
    October 4, 2011 | 7:54 am

    oh boy. i’ve SO been in these exact shoes. going to try a child-free Target run. i think it was more painful on me than my Lovie…

  4. Karen Peterson
    October 4, 2011 | 11:49 am

    I’m sure that must be so difficult for a mom! I remember when I would watch my nephew and he would cry and cry when his parents left. But then, after awhile, he’d calm down and things were better. Now, he practically pushes them out the door.

  5. John
    October 4, 2011 | 11:51 am

    Simply, my heart aches for you.

  6. Megan (Best of Fates)
    October 4, 2011 | 12:07 pm

    A sad moment but beautifully written!

  7. Nicci @ Changing the Universe
    October 4, 2011 | 12:53 pm

    Oh, leaving a child can be so hard! My heart felt your pain!

  8. Galit Breen
    October 4, 2011 | 12:57 pm

    Oh my did my heart go out to both of you here! You so captured how hard it is to separate!

    Poor little guy, poor Mama!

  9. Natalie @MamaTrack
    October 4, 2011 | 4:37 pm

    My heart broke for you guys. Please tell me it got better. Or did you decide to wait?

    I went to the grocery story today while my guy was at school. I felt like I’d been unfaithful.

  10. angela
    October 4, 2011 | 6:46 pm

    Poor little guy and poor mama.

    I see that it is called Two Months Ago. How have things been going? You capture that separation anxiety (on both the mother and the child’s part) so well.

  11. Missy | The Literal Mom
    October 4, 2011 | 6:54 pm

    Wow – great writing job. Totally expressive. I agree with Angela though – how are things now? Update us!!!

    • Jessica@Team Rasler
      October 4, 2011 | 7:42 pm

      Things are better. Update is coming soon… : )

  12. Sorta Southern Single mom
    October 5, 2011 | 3:31 am

    Oh my heart went out to you! It’s so hard and I’m sure so many moms can relate!

  13. Rach @ This Italian Family
    October 6, 2011 | 2:34 pm

    Aww that is really so sad. I haven’t experienced that yet (no kiddos), but I imagine it would be heart breaking!