The walnut-sized nest (one of the smallest bird’s nest in creation), which is built by the female, will stretch to contain the growing nestlings, and may sometimes be reused throughout the following years.
So Portia and Alex cleaned a spot for Penny next to Alex’s old bed, creating a crib from an old dresser drawer. Portia was glad Alex was home, even if it was for all the wrong reasons.
“When do you want to get the rest of your stuff?”
“I’ll probably get it tomorrow after work. You want to come over with me?”
Portia nodded.
They sat with their backs against the side of the bed. Alex turned on the radio, adjusting it to its lowest volume. They sat in the darkness and talked while Penny slept.
“You think Ramona and her friends will come over toniht?”
“I’m not sure,” said Alex, “you can never tell with her.”
“I hope not. Mom might throw you and Penny out if she brings any of her drama. You know mom can’t stand her.”
Alex nodded, “I think mom cares for Penny too much to throw us out. We’ll worry about that when it happens. It’s getting late. We’d better get some sleep, too.”
Portia went to her room. Phoebe was there.
“Is that Alex’s truck outside?”
“He got into a fight with Ramona, so he’s staying here tonight.”
“What did mom say?”
“Nothing yet.”
Alex woke early the next morning and got Penny ready. He went outside and defrosted the car before getting Penny and fastened her into the car seat. , Mrs. Gatteau had not even known she had two additional guests the night before. When Portia came downstairs, her mother confronted her.
“What was Alex doing here?”
“He got in a fight with Ramona last night.”
“Where’s Penny?”
“I think she’s with Alex.”
“You think she’s with Alex? You don’t know if she’s with Alex?”
Mrs. Gatteau went downstairs and searched Alex’s room. She came back upstairs after finding his room empty.
“Give him a call.”
Portia called, but Alex didn’t answer. She left a message then she texted him.
“He’s not answering my calls or texts.”
“We should find out where she is.”
“I’m sure Alex has it under control.”
“We’d better make sure. Call his job.”
“I don’t know the number. I’m sure he’ll be home tonight after work.”
Mrs. Gatteau forced Portia to take the crosstown bus to school. She also forced Phoebe to skip school and take her to the construction site, where she confronted Alex.
“Penny’s safe at the nursery,” he told her.
“Nonsense! I’m her grandmother. I should be babysitting her, not some stranger.”
“I take Penny to this nursery all the time.”
“What a waste of money. You could pay me.”
Mrs. Gatteau went to the nursery, but was turned away. She was furious that the girl at the rudeness of the people at the nursery. She stormed out the front door and slammed Phoebe’s car door as she got in.
“Where’s Penny?”
“They won’t let me have my only grandchild!”
“They don’t know who you are. Maybe it’s for the best.”
“For the best? How is this for the best?”
“Let me take you home. You can talk to Alex about this tonight.”
Reluctantly, Mrs. Gatteau agreed. Phoebe went over to Alex’s house to see Ramona.
Ramona was stoned and drunk when she opened the door for Phoebe.
“Hey sis,” said Phoebe.
“How’s Alex?”
“I saw him at the building site today, but I haven’t gotten a chance to talk to him since he came over.”
Ramona left the door wide open as she returned to the living room. Several of Ramona and Phoebe’s mutual friends were there, drinking, smoking, and watching a daytime court show. Phoebe found an open spot next to Ramona’s cousin Jimmy and sat down.
“You want something to drink?”
“I’ll take whatever you have.”
Ramona handed her a half-string of beer cans. Phoebe took one can and handed the string back to Ramona. Phoebe stayed there until early evening and that was the extent of excitement at Alex’s old place.
At his new place, however, things were less settled. Portia took the crosstown bus home after school. Her mother gave her an earful as soon as she came in the front door.
“Why didn’t you tell me Penny was here?”
“Penny and Alex walked right by you last night. You were too busy watching t.v.”
“Don’t you accuse me of ignoring my grandchild. You should’ve said something.”
Portia rolled her eyes and went upstairs. She called Alex. This time, he answered.
“Hey, P.”
“Hey Alex…mom’s on a rampage.”
“I know. She came to the site today.”
“You’re kidding.”
“You know mom, always in your business when you don’t want her and never around when you need her.”
“I’m just warning you – she’s on the warpath today.”
“Thanks, sis.”
Portia spent the remainder of the afternoon as far away from her mother as possible – which was behind her closed bedroom door. Her mother left her alone to study and do homework. Usually, this wouldn’t bother Portia, but today, it felt like imprisonment. She didn’t even want to go downstairs to ask if she could go to the library or Marcus’ apartment. She thought it was all for the better.
Portia laid in bed and stared at the ceiling. She fell asleep, only to be wakened when her brother came home.
“No, mom, I’m taking Penny to a nursery.”
“That’s nonsense. I can watch her.”
Mrs. Gatteau snatched Penny into her arms. Alex took her back.
“Maybe I don’t want you to watch her.”
“Fine.”
She went to the couch and fiddled with the remote for several moments. When she was finished, she tossed it aside and folded her arms. Then, she stood up again and walked towards Alex.
“No…it’s not fine. There’s no reason on earth for you to take her away.”
“I don’t want to talk about this anymore,” said Alex.
He closed the basement door as he headed down to his old room.
“This conversation is not over!”
Alex ignored her as he put Penny to bed downstairs. He grabbed a bottle of beer from the downstairs fridge and sat on the couch next to his bed. He kicked off his work boots and turned on the television.
Meanwhile, mother argued her point to both Mr. Gatteau and Phoebe as soon as they came in the front door. However, everyone did not take her side. In mother’s opinion, it meant they were on Alex’s side. She pouted and ignored everyone. It still did not change the fact that Alex wanted to put Penny in the nursery during the week.
Mrs. Gatteau sat in front of the television to stew about Penny, Alex, and the strangers at the nursery.
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