04

4

"I'm going to mix up some formula. Vivienne, could you watch the little one for me?"

"Of course, Mom."

As my mother-in-law headed for the kitchen, my wife was about to pick up the baby.

"Vivienne, let me hold the little guy. He is my brother-in-law, after all."

My wife opened her mouth, hesitated, then finally nodded in agreement.

"Farrell, be careful. Don't hurt the sweetheart."

My wife's eyes were full of concern as she cautioned me.

Cradling the infant, I examined his eyes closely. They were almond-shaped.

But both my wife and mother-in-law had double eyelids. The baby must have taken after his father.

My mother-in-law returned with the bottle, looking at me in surprise.

"Farrell, give me the baby. I'll feed him."

The mother-daughter duo seemed uneasy with me holding the child, as if I might harm him.

In the morning, I offered to drive my wife to work, but she declined.