A New Fantastic Point of View

 

Rennie knew it would be fine with the baby even if Jun was practically going in circles while she was practically in another world with Ethan. At least no one had protested about his American name. Jun's parents were quaint, yet to her side of the family they would have thought of them as being cold. But Rennie didn't mind. This was where she wanted to be, and Jun's friends brought plenty of food. Otherwise, she might have starved with Jun's cooking skills.

Still, it was fun to watch Jun tackle the laundry and grocery list. Truth be told, they did eat a lot of cereal these days, but the fruit was fresh, and hopefully, he'd get the hang of the Insta Pot. Sunny was trying to show him what could be done with pork.

Soon enough, her Auntie back in Missouri was calling, "Ethan? Where in the world did that come from?" Auntie Jean's voice crackled as if to wake Rennie up that this was not acceptable. "Nobody in the family has that name?"

"Precisely," Rennie didn't back down. "He's a new beginning for all of us." She watched the baby dreaming of nursing as she almost lost the phone in the crook of her neck. She handed him off to Jun, and the baby's hands lifted out as if maybe he thought he was falling, but he went back to slumber, all cozy in Jun's arms. Rennie liked what she saw. She didn't have time for all this nagging.

"Well, I just don't understand. I thought you could have at least named him after your father."

Rennie sighed. It felt like listening to the same old story. Although they seldom kept in contact. After all, the retired nurse was always bickering with her sister, and Rennie was glad she didn't have to hear about that grievance. 

"Auntie Jean, it's gonna be fine. Don't let it worry you. It's fine." Rennie gritted. Yes, she knew now why she was here instead of there.  "I love you." But she knew she didn't miss her. All her talk could put her in a sleepwalk state. Rennie told her she had to let her go.

She smiled to Jun, then. He had his own little dance going with the sleeping infant.

"Do you want him back?" Jun looked at her as if he was only here to take her orders.

"No, no," she grinned. "Take a load off." She told him he'd been on his feet far too long. She patted down the sofa. They needed to keep calm. Rennie wanted a calm life.