The Baby Between You and Me

Chapter 2: Where Did You Come From, Little One? (Stacy's POV)

It was actually quite creepy. Hearing a baby's cry while going through a dark house is indeed creepy. I switched the lights as I went downstairs and I felt relieved as I saw no one in my house. Still, there was crying and I tried to figure out where that sound is coming from. It turned out to be in the direction of my door. Quite scared of supernatural phenomenas, I ran from the stairs straight to my door. I opened it and a basket was in my doormat. "Please don't be what I think you are." I said as I took a little peek on what's in the basket. And there it was- a tiny little baby covered in white cloth. It's eyes were closed and it was crying like it was hungry. There was also an empty feeding bottle in the basket so I knew it was hungry. I looked at the dark environment hoping I would see the prick who left this thing in my doormat. I scanned a place and there was none. "Who left a baby in porch?" I yelled hoping the prick would hear me. Still, no one came out of the dark. "I don't have breast milk so you can get this and take it with you!" Awkward, but I said it anyway.

Sadly, no one came to get the basket. The crying was getting louder and my sweet heart couldn't take seeing this poor little thing suffer from the cold. "Looks like someone really left you for good, huh?" I asked him. I bent down and took the basket in my arm and carried it. I stood for a moment, waiting that maybe the prick would change his or her mind and maybe take this little one back. But no one really came so I just entered the house with it and closed the door. I swayed to make the baby stop crying as I made my way to the kitchen. I placed the basket on the counter top and I opened the fridge to look for some milk. There was a carton of fresh milk and I took it. I shook it and I could tell that there's only few left. Then I remembered how broke I am and jobless. I unconsciously started to sulk again. "Oh my god! I'm sorry little one, but I can't take you in." I placed the carton of milk beside the basket. "I'm poor and I won't be able to feed you and watch you grow properly." I talked to the baby and he seemed to understand. "I'm jobless. So jobless I won't even be able to buy diapers." I said. "I'm sorry." I carried the basket and opened the door. I returned it to where I originally found it.

I heard the baby cry once again as I closed the door. Feeling a little bad that I couldn't help it, I opened the door once again and took the feeding bottle with me. I headed back to the kitchen and pre-heated a pot. Once it was hot, I poured the milk and stirred it continuously. When the milk was already warm, I transferred it to the feeding bottle. I waited for it to cool down for a while and when the temperature was already ok, I returned to the porch. I opened the door and bent down to give the baby the milk. "Here! Take it! Take it with you! It's the only thing I have you selfish baby! Take it." I was kinda heavy hearted to give it. But I couldn't take how this innocent thing is suffering just because the prick brought it to an empty household. Childish, I know. But I was relieved when the baby stop crying and started sucking on that feeding bottle. He even giggled. I really wanted to keep it but the fact that I won't be able to support it made me decide to abstain from it. I closed the door one last time, locked it before I went upstairs and snuggle to myself.

My phone suddenly rang. I took it and answered the call. "Hey." It was Steven. "Hey." I replied. "I already talked to my cousin." He said. This literally gave me hope. "And?" I asked, anticipating what he has to say. "The good news is he said yes. We can work in the museum." He said. "Really that's great!" I exclaimed. "The bad thing is, only two of us can work." That made my energy deflate. "What? But why?" I asked in disappointment. "My cousin said it's the only number of people the museum could hire as of the moment." He explained. "Is that so? Then go and tell Caitlyn." I said with a flat voice. "Are you sure? I'll let you know if she disapproves." He said. "Don't... Don't make her disapprove." I said. I know he gets what I mean so he just agreed before he hung up. I frowned to myself and returned to sulking. This time, I cried. I know how this would mean to Caitlyn so much and it isn't an issue if I have to sacrifice just for her. After all, it was my fault.

Feeling bad about everything, I went down. I just felt the need of releasing all my sentiments and hurt and thoughts and I needed someone to talk to. I opened the door and sat down. "I was hoping I could keep you if I had the job." I started sniffing. "I know, I'm such a loser." I started weeping. "I just need someone to talk to. Will you listen to me?" I asked. I took a look at the baby only to figure out that it was already sleeping. My tears stopped flowing and my mood changed. "Oh great! You're asleep." I said sarcastically. "I fed you. I gave you my milk and this is how you repay me?" I started sulking again. "Why is the world so cruel to me?" I was about to lose my mind. It felt like the world hates me so much. It felt like no one care. Knowing that crying wouldn't take me anywhere successful, I decided to be stronger. I harshly wiped the tears in my face and started to control my breathing. I stared at the baby and felt envious of it. "You're homeless yet you still sleep so soundly. How do you do that?" I sniffed as I asked the sleeping baby. His angelic face somehow made me smile. Something about it makes me happy and made him simply irresistible.

He looked so soft, so smooth. His skin was so inviting. Without further ado, I held his hand. It was warm. No wonder why he looked so cozy. I smiled even more when he moved. With his movement, a crumpling sound was made. He stretched his tiny legs upward then went back down only creating another crumpling noise. I slowly lifted his legs and took a good look on what was inside. Seeing nothing, I placed my hand in it to feel if there is something inside. After patting for seconds, I felt a very familiar texture of an object. "A paper?" I asked myself as I pulled it out. I gently returned his legs down and set my attention to the paper I got. Actually, it's an envelope. I turned it around and my eyes widened as I read the word written on it. "Kris." I said with a slightly cold voice. It was quite shocking. "You mean.. This baby is for.. Kris?" I talked to myself. I let out a syllable of laughter. "So the prick just got the wrong house." Even if it was only me, I acted like I'm happy. The truth is I'm not. I wanted to keep it for myself. But it wasn't for me. This is truly a cruel world. "Well then.. I have to give you to your real owner." I said and carried the basket. I crossed the yard until I got to Kris' property. I left it in his doorstep. Before I left it in there, I sat and took a good look at it for the last time. "It was nice meeting you." I said then stood up. Before I could even leave his porch, a bright light aimed at my direction. It was Kris' car's headlights. I watched him park his car in the lawn until he got out of it. "Hey you! What are you doing here?" He asked. Funny, he is sober tonight.