Lullaby for An Anxious Child

Last One at the Daycare

I hadn't realized how late it had gotten until all of the parents arrived at the daycare to pick up their kids. I was sitting in a group of friends laughing and chatting. But as each minutes passed, more kids left. I was beginning to worry about where my parents were.

My whole day had been spent in the ball pit, exploring the playscape and playing hide and seek with Sundrop and my friends. He made sure that all of the kids had something to do so nobody felt bored or left out. Still, some of the kids were scared of him when they first arrived.

He had a habit of going up to new guest and asking "Are you having fun? Are you?? ARE YOU???" in an energetic voice. He loved making friends with everyone but his intensity made some of the younger kids cry.

Sundrop would always feel so bad afterwards. He did his best to give them toys or ask calmly if they wanted to color. After he spent some time with them, they'd be the best of friends. He was known to create exciting games and tell funny stories that got all of the kids excited.

Suddenly, Sundrop walked up to me with a curios look

"Hey kiddo! Any idea where your Mom and Dad could be?"

I looked down at the ground.
"I'm not sure. My parents are late alot".

Sundrop was quiet for a second after seeing the upset look on my face.

"Don't worry! As long as I'm here, everything will be okay!"

He lifted me up and spun me, I couldn't help but burst into giggles after that. It had been forever since anyone had lifted me up or spun me around.

Seeing that I was happier, Sundrop asked if I wanted to have something to eat. I guess it had been a while since I last had food.

"We have Freddy Chips, Fizzy Faz or Pizza! How do those sound?" He asked, twirling around while listing the options.

"Great! Could I have some Pizza and Fizzy Faz? I'm starving" I answered.

"Coming right up!"

Sundrop jumped up in excitement and ran to the "Staff Only" door in the back.

The events of the day were catching up with me. I had an amazing time but I was getting tired. I realized how empty and quiet it was when Sundrop was gone.

The daycare room felt huge with no one else in it but me. I looked over at the exits, trying to see if anyone was arriving. My parents STILL weren't back yet. What was taking them so long?

"Allllright! Everythings ready! Come and take a seat" Sundrop said, skipping happily over to me with a pizza box and Faz soda can in hand.

"Thanks!" I sat down at one of the art tables and started eating the warm Pizza.

While I ate, Sundrop began to color something on a paper left by another kid. It looked like a moon face with a bunch of yellow stars around it. I asked him what he was drawing.

Sundrop looked up at me "Oh, this? This is Moondrop! He helps kids get to sleep when they need a quick nap or a bedtime story".

He kept coloring the paper and adding new details to the face. That's strange. I knew he was all over the posters but this was my third time at the daycare and I hadn't met Moondrop yet.

I drank the last of the soda and gulped loudly. The food here was actually really great. If I ever came back I'd have to order the whole menu.

I listened to Sundrop talking but soon enough, my eyes began to droop. I was so tired..

Before I knew it, I was drifting off. Sundrop was still working on his masterpiece and didn't notice until after he finished that I'd fallen into a deep sleep.