Daniel abandons Claire and Sophie, saying the baby is ‘too loud.’ Claire is shocked. Claire asks his mother for help, overwhelmed but not defeated. With Margaret by her side, she wants Jake to pay for his selfishness.
But how far will they go? Sophie, my daughter, breathed warmly on my chest as I held her. Except for my rocking chair creaking, the room was quiet.
I was exhausted after cleaning dishes, folding laundry, and trying to make dinner, but I treasured these calm times when I could hold Sophie and rock her to sleep. After barely a few weeks with her, life felt like a haze. No sleep, continuous feedings, constant diaper changes, and a house that seemed to fall apart no matter how hard I tried.
Despite weariness, beauty existed. Each coo and tiny finger stretch brought me thanks and affection. This was not true for my spouse, Daniel.
Since Sophie’s birth, he felt ghostly at home. He was there, but mentally tuned out, pacing the house, scanning his phone, or shutting himself in the bedroom. His interactions were impatient, as if parenting were a burden he hadn’t signed up for.
I heard a bedroom zipper while rocking Sophie that night. Heart skipped. Daniel was standing beside the bed with a half-packed duffel bag when I turned.
“What are you doing, Daniel?” I questioned, my voice catching. He added another shirt to the bag without glancing at me. “I’m staying at Alex’s for a few weeks.”
My stomach pitted.
“What? Why?”
Finally, he stared at me coldly. The baby is very loud.
This house keeps me awake. Chaos, Claire. When I return, you better make this house habitable.”
His words cut me.
Daniel, you can’t leave. Our baby is born. We should accomplish this together!”
He shrugged, casually carrying the luggage.
“I can’t handle this now. I need space.”
Tears obscured vision. “Don’t leave.
Sophie needs daddy. I need you.”
But he remained firm. He acted immediately.
Will return in a few weeks. Work things out.” After that, he left. He left a deafening stillness.
I looked down at Sophie’s little, calm face, oblivious that her father had left us. I hugged her closer, sad and furious. I wanted to shout but could only rock her and mutter, “It’s okay, my love.
I got you.”
I couldn’t do it alone. I needed aid. I called Margaret, Daniel’s mother, against my pride.
She hadn’t been around much after Sophie’s birth since we decided to give one other space, but now I had no alternative. She replied pleasantly. Hello Claire!
How are you and my darling granddaughter? “Hi, Margaret,” I called, shaking. “I’m sorry to bother you, but I need your help.”
Her tone changed instantly.
“What’s wrong, dear?”
“Daniel left. He requested time away. Sophie is too loud.
His presence with Alex has overwhelmed me.”
Silence, then her firm, resolute voice. ‘I’ll be there immediately, Claire. Do not face this alone.”
I felt relief after my panic.
“Thank you. I had no one else to call.”
Hold on. She said “I’m coming” before hanging up.
