Adele had promised herself she’d be quick, in and out of the mall, just a few gifts for the family, nothing more. But oh the beauty displayed at the mall. She saw the perfect pajamas for her husband, then matching socks for the kids and a really fine discounted blender her mother absolutely didn’t need but would love anyway.
And just like that, two hours disappeared like magic.
By the time she drove back home, guilt was already sitting in the passenger seat beside her. She had left her newborn, Caelan, with her mother. “Just 90 minutes,” she’d said to her mom who immediately raised a brow. “ookay 60 minutes.” She pleaded and dashed out the door.
But, Christmas shopping was a beast of its own.
As soon as Adele walked through the door, wrapping paper bags hanging from her wrists, her toddler Mila ran up to her, pouting, eyes wide and dramatic.
“Mummy, Caelan cried and cried,” she announced, hands on her tiny hips like a miniature judge. “Abuela tried to make him stop but he cried plenty.” Mila’s words stabbed Adele right in the chest.
Her mother sighed from the sofa, rocking an almost sleeping Caelan.
“He is just hungry. You know how newborns are.”
But Adele was already overwhelmed with guilt.
“I stayed too long,” she whispered and hurried over, dropping the shopping bags with a thud, hands outstretched. “Give him to me, Mama. Let me feed him.”
Before her mother could stand up, Mila jumped in front of her like a tiny security guard.
“Mummy! Stop!” she shrieked.
Adele froze mid-step, curious. “What? What’s the problem?”
Mila pointed at her accusingly, eyes wide with absolute seriousness.
“You just came from shopping,” she declared. “You’d better santatize before carrying my brother”
The room went silent for one heartbeat as the adults exchanged glances.
Then everyone burst into laughter, Adele, her mother, even Auntie Rose in the kitchen who was halfly listening to the conversation. Mila looked around, a little confused but proud that she’d also reminded her mother to sanitize her hands before holding the baby.
Adele scooped her daughter into a hug first, “you’re right, my safety officer,” she said, tickling her belly. “Let Mummy santatize.”