In Search of What Was Lost

chapter 2: Unprepared, But Not Alone

Scene: The Superstore, 4 AM on a Tuesday

The superstore is dead quiet, save for the low hum of fluorescent lights and the squeak of a few carts echoing in the aisles. Tim stumbles in, clutching a small, squirming bundle against his chest. He's wearing last night's clothes, his hair sticking up in odd directions, and his eyes are rimmed red from the sleepless hours he's spent trying—and failing—to soothe the infant in his arms.

The baby lets out a wail, piercing and shrill, and Tim winces, tightening his arms around the little one wrapped in his too-thin jacket. He glances around in desperation, but it's 4 AM; only a handful of equally exhausted faces roam the store, mostly young moms in sweats and slippers, bags under their eyes, clutching lukewarm cups of coffee and half-filled carts.

A tired-looking woman with a toddler clinging to her leg spots Tim, her eyebrows shooting up in a mix of surprise and concern. She sidles over, her gaze darting from Tim's tear-streaked face to the wriggling infant. Her curiosity is palpable, but her voice is warm and quiet, softened by empathy.

Exhausted Mom #1: quietly, with a kind smile, "Hey there, sweetie. You, uh... need some help?"

Tim nods, blinking back tears. He glances down at his jacket, which is damp, the fabric darkened in spots where the baby has soaked through.

Tim: voice cracking, "I don't even... have a diaper. He... he just peed all over me, and I don't have... I don't know what I'm doing."

The mom's eyes widen, and she glances around. Another young mom, overhearing the commotion, pushes her cart over, holding a baby of her own who's fast asleep against her shoulder. She sizes up Tim and the soaked jacket and gives him a sympathetic nod.

Exhausted Mom #2: pulling out her diaper bag, "No worries, we've got you covered." She hands Tim a fresh diaper and a few wipes. "Here, I'll show you. It's easier with two hands, but we'll make it work."

They guide him down to the floor, right there in the middle of the aisle, the baby lying on a makeshift mat of wipes and a spare blanket. The moms make quick work of the diaper, showing Tim how to fasten it snugly and patting his shoulder as he fumbles his way through.

Tim: laughing shakily, feeling completely out of his element, "I don't even... I just found out about him tonight. I don't know anything about babies. The only stuff I know is from my friend Steph's baby books... and my little brother, but he skipped all this. The baby stuff, I mean."

The moms exchange glances, their curiosity intensifying, but they're careful not to ask too many questions. Instead, they smile, that same knowing smile all mothers share, and start plucking items off the shelves as they chat with him.

Exhausted Mom #1: "Don't worry, we all started just as clueless. You just need the basics—a good diaper bag, formula, wipes. And," she adds with a wink, "maybe some extra jackets."

The second mom chuckles, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear.

Exhausted Mom #2: "Oh, and a stroller, too. The new ones are like rolling beds. We should all put it on our wishlist for Santa," she jokes, a little laugh slipping through her tired voice.

Tim laughs too, the relief almost overwhelming, but then he pauses, an idea flickering through his mind. He's filthy rich—like, ridiculously rich. there are so many mothers out there unable to buy the best for their babies just like these exhausted moms.. His expression shifts, a mix of awe and disbelief.

Tim: voice a little awestruck, "I... I can actually get this stuff no need for any lists to santa. I don't think I mentioned it, but, uh, I'm Bruce Wayne's adopted son. And my dad, Jack Drake, he was... well, wealthy... If you help me figure all this out, I'll get anything you want. Anything, the best of the best of everything you can dream of for your kids...just please help me out  "