Against the Odds Read Free

she
smiles.   
    That’s enough for me to
buy the entire stock of stuffed animals for Jamie, if she were to
ask me. It’s so hard to say no to her. I pick her up and carry her
to the register and pay for her new purchase. Jamie runs into the
house to show her momma her new toy. It’s not just a toy, but her
new family member. I know from past experiences that this new
stuffed animal will be with us as a family twenty-four hours a day
and seven days a week.  
    I look on the bench, at the foot of the bed
and sure enough, there sits Jack. Jamie’s beloved stuffed animal
with big pink floppy ears. He doesn’t look new anymore but
resembles more of a rag doll, instead.  
    I remember the day she told me to take care
of Jack for her.  
    “ Daddy, I have to
go.”  
    “ Jamie, stay, I need to
make sure you are all right. We had an
accident.”  
    “ Daddy, I need to go. I
love you and mommy so much.”  
    “ Where are you going?” I
try to open my eyes, but they refuse to open.  
    “ I need to go with
grandma. Daddy, it is so pretty, and you should see all the pretty
flowers.”  
    “ Jamie, don’t leave me, I
love you,” I cry.  
    “ I love you, too, Daddy.
Grandma is waiting for me. Take care of Jack for
me.”  
    Jack is now dirty and he no longer smells of
Jamie. Leah and I couldn’t bring ourselves to wash him. Not after
the accident and not now. I stare and Jack and I hold Leah as I
pray for the best possible outcome there is.  
    Leah stirs and I still. I close my eyes to
appear to be sleeping. Leah doesn’t say anything and she doesn’t
move anymore either. I open one eye and she is watching me. “I knew
you weren’t asleep. I close my eyes and fake a snore. She tosses a
pillow at me and begins to laugh. Opening my eyes, I have to laugh,
too.  
    “ Why do you do that?” she
asks. 
    “ Because you’re
funny.” 
    “ No, not laugh. Why do you
act like you’re sleeping when you aren’t?” 
    “ I was sleeping.” Not just now, but I was sleeping last
night , I think to myself to justify my lie
to Leah. 
    “ Stop it, you’re a
terrible liar.” 
    I watch with a smile as my wife struggles to
get out of bed. Our baby is growing and it is making it difficult
for Leah to maneuver around. “Don’t smile, you’re carrying the next
one,” she says as she walks to the restroom. I cringe at just the
thought. I get out of bed and lay Leah’s robe on the bench for her.
I pick up Jack, Jamie’s stuffed animal and take him to the kitchen
with me.  
    I start breakfast and make Leah some hot tea.
She walks into the room wearing her robe I laid out for
her.  
    “ What are you doing with
Jack?” 
    I look at her and then the dingy stuffed
rabbit.  
    “ I think he needs a bath.
He looks dirty,” I say. 
    “ I noticed that the other
day. Maybe I can handwash him, I’m not sure he’ll survive a wash in
the washing machine.” 
    “ That’s a good idea. Let’s
not take a chance on it.” 
    After breakfast, Leah takes a bath. I go
downstairs and work out. I’m not sure how I can keep up the
positive attitude. This waiting game is killing me. 
    As soon as I think Leah is done, I shower and
go upstairs. I find Jack is washed and is sitting on the kitchen
counter, drying, I walk upstairs and I’m not surprised when I find
her in Jamie’s room. The ballerina music box is playing “Somewhere
Over the Rainbow.” Leah is holding it and singing softly to the
music. She is wearing a white robe and her hair is up in a white
towel. I cross my arms and lean into the doorframe and watch. Leah
wipes her tears and continues to sing. I wish there were something
I could say or do, but there isn’t. I wish I could take away her
pain, but I can’t. I just pray that God protects Leah and watches
over her for the both of us. It’s completely out of my
hands.  
    Leah
    When the song is finished, I close up the
music box and set it back on Jamie’s dresser. Robert is dressed and
leaning