Free Her Two Dads by Ariel Tachna Page B

checking the timer on the rice.
     
    Nathaniel didn’t reply, but a moment later they heard the water running in the shower. Jaime rolled his eyes and refrained from mentioning again how much Nathaniel was getting on his nerves. Srikkanth knew already, and complaining didn’t do anything but spread negativity. His mother had lectured him repeatedly when he was younger about having a positive attitude and not adding negative energy to the world. “If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all” was still her favorite adage. He wasn’t completely convinced she was right, but he’d learned the lesson anyway. He found it hard to be negative verbally in all but the most extreme circumstances.
     
    About the time the rice was ready, Nathaniel came into the kitchen. “I’ll be moving out at the end of the month,” he announced. “I’ve found a new apartment where I’ll be more assured of peace and quiet. I can’t study with all the baby’s noise.”
     
    Srikkanth nodded silently, knowing it had only been a matter of time. He did some quick calculating, trying to figure out how long he could afford to make up Nathaniel’s portion of the mortgage before he’d be in trouble financially. He figured he could make it a couple of months before they absolutely had to have a new roommate again.
     
    “Thanks for letting me know early in the month,” he said finally. “The sooner I start looking for someone to move in, the better.”
     
    Nathaniel nodded in return, serving a plateful of rice and curry and returning to his room to study.
     
    “Do you really want to try to break in a new housemate with Sophie already here?” Jaime asked when Nathaniel’s door shut behind him.
     
    “It doesn’t matter what I want,” Srikkanth replied. “I have to pay the mortgage, and I can’t make up the difference for very many months without a third person chipping in.”
     
    “Can you pay half?” Jaime asked.
     
    Srikkanth calculated quickly. “Yes, but that isn’t fair to you. You moved in with the understanding that you’d pay five hundred a month in rent.”
     
    Jaime shrugged. “I can afford a bit extra, and we can use the extra room as a nursery. Sophie’s going to outgrow your room before too long. That way you’ll have a bit of privacy back as well.”
     
    Srikkanth shook his head and stared at Jaime in bemusement. “Why are you doing this?”
     
    “Because no one should have to raise a baby alone,” Jaime replied as if it were the most obvious answer in the world.
     
    “I appreciate the offer,” Srikkanth said slowly, “but I’d feel better if I at least look for someone to take Nathaniel’s room. I’ll put some ads out tomorrow and see what happens.”
     
    “Let me know if you have any interviews,” Jaime requested. “I’d like to meet whoever might be moving in.”
     
    “Of course!” Srikkanth exclaimed. “It wouldn’t be fair to you to have someone move in without your approval. Whatever we decide to do, we’ll decide it together.”
     
    Jaime left it at that as Srikkanth dished up a plate for him and set it on the table where he could reach it. Looking down at Sophie, Jaime smiled and kissed her forehead again before picking up his fork.
     
    As he started to eat, Jaime tried to imagine adding another person to their table. It was easy to imagine Sophie there in a few years, but the thought of sharing her attention with a third adult now did not appeal at all. He told himself that was ridiculous, but his head didn’t seem to have any control over his heart in this matter. He could accept it and move on or fight it and fail. He figured he might as well accept it and figure out how to make sure he didn’t end up in an untenable solution. He doubted Srikkanth would find many takers anyway, given that they’d have to share the condo with two men and a baby, but Jaime decided right then to find a reason to reject anyone who was seriously interested. Sophie needed her