if not today

Naturally, Jane was in her father's lap when Emily made it down to the basement where they lived just a few blocks from her house. She hated that she wasn't here every day. She went in bouts as it was trying her best to be a good friend and maybe a good auntie, as well.

"She's still up?" the baby ran to Emily who was shocked that she still remembered her. "Shouldn't she be in bed by now?"

"A lot you know about taking care of baby, Em." Gordy sighed with a yawn. "So what do we owe the honor of your presence?"

"Just checking up, I guess. No sniffles or other bugs, I take?" She carried her niece to the couch and played with her a bit.

"Healthy as a horse. Both of us." Gordy stared at her as if needed to know the real reason she was here.

"Good." She smiled at the baby, kissed the top of her bare round head and let Jane grab her finger.

"Spill it." He plopped himself down on the other side of the couch.

"Its nothing really." Emily shook her head, no.

"You wouldn't be here if it was nothing." He crossed his arms.

"I got a phone call from B," Emily finally let Jane down and she raced over to play with her toys.

"And?"

"And, it seems we don't send her enough pictures of Jane." She faked a smile.

"Oh, the horror-" mocked Gordy, but then he asked, "Where is she?"

"Texas."

"Texas." He sighed. "Well, if she'd pick up the damn phone and wanted to speak to her kid, then she could, but she won't."

"I don't know what to tell you." Emily shrugged.

"Tell her how mean I was to you."

"Come on, like she'd believe that." She smiled.

"Who knows what she believes now." He looked at Jane then.

"So anything new?"

"Should there be?" He bit his bottom lip then. "Mom is bitching about a cruise she can't go on all because of this one and me. I keep telling her we can take care of ourselves without her. But then she'll never believe that til we move out."

"Would you move out?" Emily hoped not. It was nice to be so close.

"Floyd wants us to move in with him, but I still think he needs to be baby proofed first." Gordy told her.

"You think you can baby proof that big baby?" Emily laughed.

"Very doubtful." Gordy nodded. "But maybe someday."

"Some day." Emily sighed thinking maybe she could be the one he could move in with, but of course, she was still in high school.