If All Else Fails | [On Hold]

Chapter One: Tantrums and Baby Eaters?

"I want it! I want it! I. Want. It!" Screeched a little brunette girl, stomping and tugging on her dad's arm. She started to go for the blue teddy bear sweater. A middle-aged man-who I assumed was her father- picked her up in a swift movement. He carried an infant with his other arm. The little girl kicked and bent backwards, trying to slip out of his hold.

"You know daddy can't buy anything today. Next week, okay?"

"No! Nooo! You say that before! Now! Now! Get it NOW!"

She starts to kick harder and screeches even more. She could start a screamo band with that talent, I thought. Snot and tears drip from her face and onto her father's arm. I don't think he noticed.

By now, everyone in the store was staring at them. Maybe I should intervene?

"Want me to call mom? She's going to be very, very mad at you." He threatens.

They actually look alike when they're angry. Well, duh, they're related. I smacked my forehead.

His grip loosened and the girl falls to floor. She cries even louder; if that's even possible. I finally walk towards them.

"Sir?" My voice came out as a squeak. I clear my throat.

"Your child is being extremely loud and it's causing the customers-"

"Yeah, yeah. Hold him for a moment?" He shoves his baby at me then picks up the girl again and starts walking away, towards the dressing rooms. The baby starts to cry in my arms.

Did he really- you can't just hand over your baby to strangers! Is he stupid? I could be a freaking kidnapper or worse, a freaking baby eater for all he knows. If I didn't come up to him and some else did, they could literally walk away with this baby and sell him in the black market or raise the child themself. Like that MTV show- Finding whatever. Ugh. What am I supposed to do now?

I hold the baby up to my face and smile at him. He cries harder.

"Allison! What is going on? Why aren't you working? Is that your child? You know we have rules about bringing children to work." My supervisor shakes his shiny, bald head. Honestly, sometimes it's hard to take him serious when you see your reflection on his head. Now that I mentioned it, my brown curls look amazing today. Maybe I should cut it up to my shoulders one day. Wow, he's short; probably three inches less than me and I'm about 5'5". But he's noticeably muscular so I guess that makes up for his height. Is he still scolding me? And did he say 'your child'?

"What? Noooo. It's not mine- I mean- he's not mine. You see, what had happened... I-I tried to help some man who was struggling with his daughter, right? So-"

Before I could finish explaining the baby suddenly threw up all over my blue T-shirt. I gasped. The supervisor steps back then frowns at me.

"This is why teens shouldn't become mothers." He mumbled to himself. "Go change! " He turns around. "And this better be the last time you bring your child to work, Allison."

"But-"

"No buts! You're lucky I gave you a warning. Go, go, go!"

I gaped at him as he walks away. Ouch, his first comment really stung and I'm not even a mom. He wasn't even listening to me!

I sigh and look at the sobbing baby.

"I'm so sorry, hun. My husband is so careless! I was trying on a few clothes and this happens." A woman says behind me. I turn to her and she grabs the boy from my hands. She looks almost identical to the her other child, but an older version of course.