But I’m not here during the day. Margaret is taking care of her. Then you’re causing trouble for mother. Michael’s tone became harsh. I’d like you to take more responsibility and become a proper mother. Emily wanted to argue back, but the words wouldn’t come. Certainly since returning to work, she didn’t spend as much time with Olivia as before.
Perhaps her daughter was sensing this. The next morning, Emily got up early to check on Olivia. Her daughter was already awake, moving her small hands. But when Emily approached, she began crying intensely again. When Emily tried to change Olivia’s clothes and undressed her, she noticed something.
Instead of the pale pink outfit she had put on her the night before, Olivia was wearing white clothes. She was certain she had dressed her in her favorite pink outfit last night. When Margaret arrived, Emily asked, “Did you change Olivia’s clothes last night?” “Yes, they were dirty.” Margaret answered matterof factly.
She spit up and soiled them, so I changed her into clean clothes. I see. Emily checked the laundry basket, but the pink outfit was nowhere to be found. “Where are the dirty clothes?” “Oh, I already put them in the washing machine,” Margaret answered efficiently. Emily felt uneasy, but thought it would be rude to doubt her mother-in-law’s kindness.
“Certainly, babies frequently soiled their clothes.” On her way to the office, Emily called her colleague, Jessica. Jessica had a 2-year-old son. Olivia’s condition has been strange lately, Emily spoke worriedly. “She cries intensely in the mornings, and my husband says, “My parenting is bad. The newborn period is tough,” Jessica said consolingly, but crying only in the mornings is a bit unusual.
“Normally, they cry regardless of the time.” “Really? My son was difficult at first, too, but his crying timing was more random. Maybe she’s reacting to some specific stimulus. That evening, Emily came home early. Margaret had already left and Olivia was alone in her crib. Michael hadn’t come home yet. Emily picked up Olivia. Strangely, her daughter was calm.
The intense crying from the morning wasn’t there. Rather, she showed a relieved expression. Why do you cry so much only in the mornings? Emily spoke to her daughter. Olivia grasped Emily’s finger with her small hand and stared at her intently. That night, when Michael came home, Olivia’s demeanor changed again.
As her husband approached, their daughter’s body gradually stiffened. And the moment Michael tried to hold her, she began crying intensely. Crying again, Michael didn’t hide his irritation. This is really troublesome. Emily carefully observed her husband’s reaction. Certainly, Olivia tended to cry when Michael approached.
But was this just coincidence or did it have some meaning? Before bedtime, Emily was thinking while soothing Olivia. There was some pattern to her daughter’s reactions. Michael’s presence in the morning, time with her mother-in-law during the day, and family time in the evening. Among these, Olivia seemed most at ease when she was alone with Emily.
However, Emily still didn’t understand what this meant. The waiting room at Boston Pediatric Clinic was bathed in gentle morning sunlight. Emily was holding Olivia, waiting for Michael’s arrival. He had promised to rush over after leaving a meeting, but hadn’t shown up yet. “Mrs. Hartwell, sorry to keep you waiting,” Nurse Carol called out with a smile.
“Dr. Johnson is ready for you. When they entered the examination room, Dr. Johnson welcomed them warmly. He was known as a respected pediatrici
