Wearing My Halo Tilted Read Online Free PDF Page B

because I handled it. No brain damage was done. We broke the crying for that matter. She was fine.
    I was so proud of myself as I held Starr and walked her around in circles. Saying sweet little lullabies in her ear made the noise dissipate. The problem was last month I told Dillon to let down her crib two notches ’cause she was now able to stand up. He kept putting it off. So if there was anybody he’d need to get on, it was himself.
    It didn’t matter. My oldest had gotten to my husband anyway. I heard him swiftly stomping up the stairs.
    Dillon barreled into Starr’s room and asked, “Why weren’t you watching the baby? Stori said she fell out of the crib while you were on the phone?”
    I couldn’t respond to that at first because I was still stuck on how in the world was I going to break the news to him that we wouldn’t be able to go out? That was until I looked in his empty hands and was a little dumbfounded that he held no flowers. Giving him the benefit of the doubt, I thought that they were downstairs or still in his car. So I walked over to him and tried to give him a kiss but he walked around me.
    â€œNo, no. I’m serious. Did she fall out of the crib, Shari?”
    I couldn’t believe that he had a little attitude with me. He was the Negro that didn’t let down the mattress. He could see she was fine. Let it go and tell me, happy birthday.
    â€œShe’s okay, baby,” I said, still trying to diffuse the situation.
    Dillon wasn’t having that though. “Answer my danggone question. Did she fall out of the crib or not?”
    â€œYes, she fell out,” I said quite rudely. “Because you didn’t let down the stupid mattress like I told you to. You said you’d get to it this weekend. Well, this weekend wasn’t soon enough.”
    His tail couldn’t say nothing then. He went ahead and grabbed the screwdriver that I’d had on her white-washed dresser since May. Knowing that I was right, he tried to let down the crib mattress. He had screwed the thing on so tight when she was born that he was struggling to undo the screws.
    Actually, I was happy he was straining himself. Shoot, I got no happy birthday words from him. He didn’t say I’ve got some place special to take you. He didn’t even tell me I looked really beautiful. Even though I hadn’t put on my spiffy outfit yet, he was still supposed to notice me. I was crushed when he didn’t do that.
    After he finished adjusting the crib, I handed him his daughter that he was so concerned about. He could see up close that his baby was okay. I walked down to the kitchen; Stori quickly followed behind me. When I got there, I was quite upset that I saw no flowers, presents, or anything. It appeared he hadn’t even made plans. No wonder he hadn’t mentioned them.
    I picked up my three-year-old in my arms and headed over to the TV in the family room. I found her favorite Barney tape, popped it in, and she danced around. I sat on the couch and let a few droplets fall from my face. A few moments later when Dillon appeared, I didn’t even see him staring at me. No part of me cared.
    Sensing my agitation, he calmly said, “I was a little rough on you, I’m sorry. You know how I am about those girls though. I didn’t mean to make you cry.”
    I stared like a zombie at the television. The little stuff he was talking about was a poor excuse. I was hurt, I couldn’t help but show it.
    â€œEvidently,” he said, “since you’re going to be mad at me, you’re probably not planning on cooking. Am I supposed to go and pick up dinner? I thought you’d have something ready, and I’m hungry.”
    â€œWhy? I thought you knew,” I finally said, peering over at him with very evil eyes. “It’s my birthday! I’ve just turned thirty. I guess it’s no big deal. ’Cause I thought you would’ve had plans