Selina sat with her chin rested on the palm of her hand staring out at the sky. She was sitting in the apartment she shared with her friends Ella and Hebe. A month ago after graduating from university she’d departed from her parents with tears in her eyes. They were now living in Hong Kong while she was adapting to the Taipei life. It was a different place than Hong Kong but she enjoyed it.
Hebe worked at the nursing home nearby a Day Care center. She’d promised to take her to visit and see how she liked the place since Selina was planning on applying there.
Ella on the other hand was the manager of a small interior decorating business. 5 months from now she would be getting engaged to Calvin Chen, the rich man who owned about 4 famous hotels.
The stars were out filling the sky that night. Giving out a yawn Selina got up from the ground pulling the curtains closed and turned off the light then got into bed.
+++
The baby was stirring in the next room waking Chun up. Chun had come to develop good hearing after the baby arrived. Whenever Deshi cried in the middle of the night Chun helplessly got up from bed and made a bottle for him. Before he’d never imagined that having a baby would be so difficult, but after Deshi arrived he knew he was ready to be a responsible father.
Throwing off the covers Chun walked into the next room turning the light on. Deshi’s eyes were opened and he was rolling and moving around in his crib. Chun picked the baby up and turned off the light going into the living room of his small apartment to sit.
His parents lived in Australia. He held two jobs. He was an assistant clerk during the day and during the night he would help with the construction team that went around town. Though they’d offered to help him with money he’d refused. He felt better and more responsible if he was able to do things by himself. This was how he lived. In a small apartment with two small rooms, a couch, a TV, and a kitchen right next to it.
“What are you still awake for huh?” Chun asked as he looked down at the baby who looked back at him an amused look radiating in his eyes.
Chun shook the baby a little and before he realized it he’d drifted off into a slumber with the baby in his arms.
+++
“Selina hurry up will you?” Hebe asked from the doorway with her boots already on and all set to go.
Selina was still in her room fumbling with what to bring with her and what to wear. After 10 more minutes she was out and ready to go. Ella who had prepared breakfast for them had already left beforehand.
A while later Hebe stopped her car in front of the Day Care Center. Selina got out admiring its structure at once. It was a welcoming building made out of red and brown bricks. Its roof was the color of maroon and the doors thick brown with a little window at the top. A little play ground off to the left fenced in.
“It’s cute!” Selina exclaimed.
“Isn’t it?” Hebe agreed. “My friend is inside. I’ll introduce you to her.”
The inside was carpeted with different colored squares as patterns. Blocks and a bunch of toys were already scattered around. Toddlers and babies were already crawling all over the place. Selina couldn’t help, but marvel at how playful and fun everything seemed.
“Genie!” Hebe waved to her.
A woman dressed in a green overall walked over excitedly. She seemed to enjoy everyday of coming to the Day Care.
“She’s the boss,” Hebe whispered to Selina. “But very friendly.”
Genie smiled brightly extending a hand out to Selina, “You must be Selina. Hebe told me so much about you. You must be excited.”
Selina shook her hand, “I am.”
“Why don’t you stay here for today and you can come back starting tomorrow?” asked Genie.
“Really? I can start tomorrow?” Selina asked with wide eyes.
Genie laughed playfully, “Well if you can be patient with the kids. Wait till you see how horrible they can get.”
+++
Chun was running late again. Finding a quick outfit he’d undressed Deshi and dressed him. He had started a fit again that morning. Sometimes Chun wondered if he was that bad of a child.
He stopped at the Day Care and dropped of Deshi hurrying off to work. Running through the doors he apologized for being late and ran over to his desk to see a pile of binders with information he needed to store into the computer. Taking off his jacket he started with work.
+++
“Oh no not this kid again,” one of the girls whined.
Selina turned to look over to see a baby boy making a fit. His face was totally wet with tears and his loud cries echoed through the room.
“What’s the matter?” Genie asked walking over.
“This baby boy always cries,” the girl told, “I tried holding him and I checked his diaper. I guess he doesn’t like anyone here. Last week two of the other girls tried him, but he didn’t like them either.”
“Oh…Deshi it’s ok,” Genie tried to coax the baby but he cried even more.
Selina turned back to the toddlers and patted their back comfortingly. She was glad that they weren’t making a fit over the baby who was crying.
“Selina why don’t you try?” Genie asked.
Selina turned around surprised.
“Me? I don’t know…” came Selina’s unsure answer.
“Maybe he’ll like you,” Genie suggested.
Deciding to give it a try Selina got up and walked toward them.
“Should I try to pick him up first?” Selina questioned.
“Sure,” Genie replied.
Selina lifted the baby up and patted his back. Immediately he became silent as he clutched into her shirt with his small fists. He looked up at her with his big wet eyes and Selina quickly guessed he belonged to a very handsome father.
Genie and the girl looked at her shocked.
“No one’s been able to make him go quiet,” the girl gasped. “Are you sure you aren’t his mother?”
“What? No!” Selina protested. “I haven’t had a kid ever!”
Genie smiled, “He’s yours from now on.”
“What?” Selina questioned. “No way. Here take him.”
Both Genie and the girl backed away. Selina’s face filled with a helpless expression as Deshi leaned against her.
