Distanced

Part 22: In Which Max Makes A Statement

He was all snuggled up in the middle of the car and he could car less that it was moving or occasionally bumpy- he was more fascinated with Luna, who sat beside him- not so much Helen, who sat on his right.

He was peaceful- happy even. His little legs would kick and he'd reach for Luna- who would stroke his hand or leg nicely and babble to him as he would occasionally squeak.

It was by far the cutest thing either of us had ever witnessed. She loves him more than anyone else could it seems- though we know that's not true.

Getting Helen back to her apartment, I carry his car seat upstairs as Helen walks up behind me holding Luna's hand.

"I'm gonna go grab your bags out of the car." I say and kiss her lips quickly as I pass.

I think Helen's hormones have finally subsided. She hasn't been irrational or overly emotional. In fact I think she's back to her old self: which is a relief because dodging those episodes were hard.

Ring!!!!

"Hello?"

"Max—."

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing- I just wanted to catch you before you got inside. Could you do me a huge favor?" Helen asks quietly.

I will say though- she has become slightly more bashful and nervous though.

Like she expects herself to mess up if she says or does something.

"Of course, whatcha need?"

"I um...I need feminine products...I just...um...yeah...and I realize I don't...I don't have any—but I can go if you want me too and you can watch the kids- I don't..."

Seriously.

"Helen." I say with a strong tone behind it. She pauses herself. "What kind do you want? Regular or for heavy flow?"

She goes even more quiet and I can't help but smile.

"...Heavy....please..."

"You got it. I'll be back in a bit."

"Thank you." She says still a bit nervous.

"Of course. I love you." I sweetly say as I get back in the car.

"I love you too." We hang up and I head off to a convenience store. Parking the car on the street, I head inside after putting my mask on and I make my way through the aisles.

This isn't the first time I bought pads or tampons for that matter. Georgia would also need them, but half the time she just expected me to grab them when I was out.

And then when I didn't- cause how would I know she needed them- she would get angry.

Looking at all the different brands, I try to pick one that is rated the best.

Georgia always liked Kotex- don't know why. They never really seemed to work for her.

Grabbing a variety pack- a sampler platter as I like to call it- I grab the Always brand and an extra pack of heavy over night pads.

Georgia hated those.

Said it felt like a diaper in her pants.

But if it gets the job done- what's the problem?

Going down the freezer section, I find Rocky Road and Cookie Dough ice cream- two of Helen's top favorites, and I head to the check out.

"God bless you man." Turning, I look at an older black woman- the man shaking his head as I set my things up on the counter.

"Shirley... please."

"What?! You never did anything like that for me. This young man is buying his wife ice cream and pads: that's a real man." She says and I can't help but smile in my mask.

"Don't get started on this woman."

"Oh Imma get started." They continue to argue and the cashier lady smiles at me.

"Lucky woman. My fiancé and I have been together five years and he still won't pick me up pads if I ask him too."

"Well...I'm a doctor- so I guess it doesn't bother me."

"Your wife must appreciate that a lot."

"She's a doctor as well."

"Ooo...that sounds like an interesting love story." She smiles and hands me my receipt. Thanking her, I exit out to the car with my bags and begin driving back.

Wife.

I wish.

After parking the car, grabbing the bags, plus the ones I just got- I carrying everything upstairs. The apartment is quiet as I get inside.

"Hey, I'm ho...." Over on her bed all cuddled together, Helen sleeps with Maxie on her chest and Luna in her side. "Huh...here."

All I can do I put the ice cream away and set her bags near the couch. Looking in the center of her living room- a barely, poorly, half assed crib is in the process of being assembled.

Well.

I guess we're here again.

Sitting down, I begin to assemble the damn thing. Thankfully, having assembled Luna's crib- I have the basic knowledge of how it goes. It shouldn't take too long.

Should be able to finish it before she gets up.