Barely There

Chapter 15 - Broken Clock

You were lost and gone forever
Dreadful sorrow, Clementine

.

"It's a cat!" 

"Nooo...you're getting close."

"It's a... fox!"

"Yayyy! Good job Clem!"

Clementine jumped up and down on the wooden floorboard, squealing with delight. She plopped back down after the tiring action and gasped for breath. "Can I have water pleeease?"

"You sure can!"

Leda stood up and searched through the cupboards, finding the reusable pastel cups behind the stacked crystals and glasses. She filled the matte blue, plastic with water and moved back towards the previously clean and organized living room, smiling at the mess. Her sock covered feet slid forward on the polished floor as her arms flailed in an attempt to maintain her balance. The cup flew out of her unstable grip and the water rained down on her head, soaking her in a puddle of cold liquid. She gasped as she felt herself slip backwards and cringed at the pain that shot up her tailbone when she landed back on the cold, hard ground in front of Clementine. 

They stared at each other seriously before bursting out into a harmony of laughter. With giggles escaping their rosy lips, they rolled on the floor as the silliness and absurdity of the event set in. Behind the discord of their hysterics, a phone rang quietly with the promise of a change of mood. The impatient ringing cut through the joyful chuckling. 

Leda rolled towards the phone on the coffee table, holding her cramped stomach as a merry tear slid down her cheek. The strange number soothed the laughter and she breathed in deeply before answering. 

"Hello?"

"Hi."

The steady, deep voice reached her curious ears quickly. She felt her throat swell up.

"Grayson...how did you get my number?"

"Caleb," he answered easily.

"Oh right...Well..Clementine is at my place because Caleb couldn't pick her up. Don't worry she's safe and happy."

"I'm not worried. Sorry you had to pick her up. I- I just-... Work, you know?"

"Yeah I know," a somber smile drew upon her solemn face and she tried to keep her questions and remarks at bay, deep seated worry gnawing away at her battered heart.

He spoke out again, his voice empty of confidence. "Could you- Please look after Clem for a little longer. I'm at work still. This is my break."

"Yeah."

"I'm sorry."

"Don't be. We're having fun."

"Thank you Leda."

"Anytime Gray- Grayson."

"I gotta go. Thanks for looking after her."

"Oh no problem."

"Bye Leda."

She felt her heart pound against her rib cage and took a deep breath before moving back towards Clementine. 

"Sorry Clementine,  looks like you're stuck with me for a little longer." The brunette rubbed her back as she finally processed the aching pain of her fall. "I hope I'm not too boring!" 

"You're fun! I hope my mommy is like you!" the girl declared enthusiastically, looking up at Leda with a hopeful smile. Leda felt the bone cage within her chest tighten at the child's optimistic attitude. The doe-like eyes stared at her expectantly and she racked her brain for solutions to mediate the pressure that the child had placed upon her weary shoulders.