Milo

taking steps

Holding Milo's bag of medicines, I sat down in the front seat. Looking into my rear-view mirror seeing Milo's head leaning against the window. His nose flaring with each snore.

Pulling out of the parking spot, I drove home. Every time my eyes wandered to the mirror, my heart swelled and my brain raced.

Where did he come from? Was his face plastered all over the news? Where his parents drowning in stress trying to find him?

I couldn't help myself from thinking of the worst. Turning off of the motorway, I thought back to the neighborhood watch post.

If there was truly an abundance of gang activity, Milo could be an offspring from the erratic violence. That though set my mind off, what if they found me and brought me back to their abandoned building to set me through hours of relentless torture.

My hands grasped around the steering wheel, no Issac. I shook my head, although I didn't know Milo all too well.

His curiosity sparked my own and I really wanted to make him feel safe, even to try and help my house feel like a home. Even if my roommate only allows my creative juices to flow in my room.

I wouldn't mind. Thinking about decorations, I turned towards the nearest retail park. "Let's go shopping bud." Milo meekly peeled his eyelids open to look at me before closing his eyes again.

It would be more practical to go to a mall, however the queues, crazy teens and loud atmosphere would send me and Milo into an frenzy.

I do like an nice comforting atmosphere, but the only comforting thing back malls are the food halls. Scouring the parking lot, I finally found a spot. "You idiot." I muttered as some huge truck backed into the space.

The guy just nodded, as if he was doing me a favor. What a windup. After searching for a while more, I spotted a space close to some of the shops. Parking, I grabbed my phone opening up my notes app.

- Clothes/Pjs

-Kid Utensils

-Toys/Books

-Car seat

-Anything he likes.

With that and Milo in my arms, we walked into one of the nearest shops. I heard whining toddlers and saw drained mothers trying to wrangle their kids from the array of kids aisles.

Seems like the right shop.

"You okay?" I asked Milo whose eyes were wide, he looked a little bit scared but tried to mask it. By nodding quickly, as we stepped through the automatic doors and he immediately got flustered again.

His cheeks got red and he tried to cover his ears, I looked around hoping to buy some ear muffs. Spotting some red ones, I placed the fluffy balls over his ears and he eventually loosened up.

"That's better." His eyes landed on my lips, probably trying to lip read. Walking past the checkout area, we wandered down Aisle 7, it had plenty off stuffed animals and characters from various shows.

Milo looked around like his little brain brain was going to explode, his feet wiggled and waggled. "I can't put you down Milo, your leg is hurt." I gently tapped the slightly visible bandage.

He frowned but covered the disappointing glance quickly; just rested his head on my chest looking at all the different characters.

I slowly walked down the aisle before his eyes locked onto the Mario area. His small fingers pointed out towards the small plush star, with big somewhat scary eyes. "Do you want that one?" He meekly nodded and I gladly picked it up. It was very soft and cuddly, I'm sure Milo will love it.