The attendant returned quickly and bent down to check that everything was okay with Rob. She knew he wanted her undivided attention, something she was used to seeing around the daycare. She also knew how to deal with such a situation. The attendant returned and bent down in front of Rob, placing a hand on his back. He immediately calmed down expecting her to pick him up. However the attendant deftly shook a set of oversized plastic keys in front of Rob, distracting him and causing into to grab the keys to investigate. Quickly the keys found a home in his mouth as he explored their texture with his lips and tongue. With his attention distracted he never realised the attendant had left to deal with another child. Rob was satisfied to remain on the carpet idly sucking and playing with his new toy.
A few minutes later Michelle came into the room to collect her son. She thanked the attendant for taking care of Rob and held out her arms for the little guy. Rob was very happy to finally be back in Michelle’s arms. He didn’t know why, nor did he care why he felt better in her arms but something about her feel and smell made him more secure. Especially in times of distress like now, Rob was happy to be held by her and only her.
Michelle cuddled her son close and prattled baby talk for a few seconds before looking at the clock on the wall. “Thank you for letting Benny play with the other children for a while, however I think he needs to come back more often to learn how to play with others. He hasn’t had as much experience playing with children other than Benny.”
Rob still had his thumb in his mouth but looked up at Michelle with a look of distain on his face at that comment. “How can she say that about me? Who does she think I am?” However he was willing to wait to discuss that with her, this was not the time nor the place to have that discussion.
Michelle thanked the manager for her help and left with Rob while Benny stayed at the daycare for the day. She walked out to the van and strapped Rob into his car seat before lowering the arm wrest. Michelle then jumped into the front seat and they were off. “Michelle. Dat wasn’t fair to claim I need to learn to socialize. I am 40, I think I have more than enough experience thank you.”
“Well hon, you didn’t handle that situation very well. You have to share with others and not have a tantrum when you don’t get your way. You are going to have to learn to play better with others or you are going to have an awfully rough time.” Rob just sat there and pouted. He told himself, “She doesn’t understand. Grown-ups never understand.” For the rest of the journey Rob sat is his seat and said nothing just stewing over his latest frustration.
Once Michelle pulled into the parking lot near Rob’s lab facilities his demeanor changed as his anticipation grew. By the time Michelle had parked Rob was a chatter box of excitement. At one point Rob realized his diaper was getting warm however it was quickly dismissed as he strained to see what was going on.
Michelle opened the side door of the van and unstrapped the baby standing him beside her. “Please baby, don’t move you are standing in the middle of the parking lot.” Rob nodded in agreement however it did not stop Michelle from worrying as she kept a close eye on Rob. He was impressed by the ease it took to unfold the stroller. As an adult it was simple, however in Rob’s position he could see everything from a new perspective. Rob did not struggle or complain when Michelle grabbed him under the arms and hoisted him into the stroller’s seat. As he was carefully placed in the seat, Rob could tell he was damp as the diaper seemed a bit cold against his skin however he didn’t feel like it was soaked.
They walked across the parking lot and to the main doors. Once they arrived he could hear Michelle grunting and struggling with the door. Although he couldn’t see he knew that having a diaper bag, purse and stroller to navigate through the large wooden doors of the physics building was no easy task. Why they had never installed a hydraulic handicap door all of a sudden seemed perplexing, he would have to discuss it with the administration once this crisis was over.
Then out of nowhere a familiar voice called out. “Let me get that door for you.” Michelle stopped struggling and smoothly passed through the entrance.
however it was readily He realized this as Michelle walked up to the front doors only to be met by a grad student who politely held the large wooden doors open for a mother and her son.