chapter 5

Vera's POV:

"Why do you have a baby?"

Lilly rose up and approached me, her upper body bowed downward, perhaps examining the small gift in my hands.

"Did you finally snap?" "Did you finally snap and kidnap a baby?"

"No. "I just found her."

She gasped, "Holy cra-"

"I'm joking. "A crazy lady told me to look after Marisa while she went to take care of some business." The baby bag slumps off my shoulder including the thin strap purse. I pass Lilly the child and kick off my annoying shoes, desperate to get into my twin-size bed.

"It didn't work so well, did it?" Lilly inquired, sliding into the counter chair and swaying Marisa back and forth. Surprisingly, Marisa is wonderful when it comes to strangers.

I shook my head and dragged my tired legs over to the couch. I buried my face on the pillow and started telling her about my day and my dramatic exit from the company. "Yeah, and then I thank them for their - are you seriously laughing?"

Lilly sat up and walked slowly towards me. Due to the limited space on the single couch, she sat on top of my buttocks. "I wished I was there instead of class because that sounds entertaining."

I exhaled into the pillow and let out a stifled scream, banging my hands against the couch's edge. When I was finished, I turned to face the television.

"What are you going to do now?"

"I'm going to swallow my pride and go home, perhaps get married to another man and stay with him. Forget about my inexperience and survival ski-"

"I was referring to the baby." "Aren't you going to take her to the police station?"

"And tell them what exactly? A psychotic mother gave me her child despite meeting her only twice. Mind you, she handed me the baby at our second meeting."

"We can't have a child here, Vera!" I can't make milk, and the last time I checked, you couldn't either. Unless-" her gaze fell to my boobs.

I lightly smack her arm, taking care not to injure Marisa. "There is a milk bot-" I sighed into the pillow once more, "I forgot about the milk bottles!"

"See? That's why I mention boob milk."

"You know I've only done it once," I complain.

"Oh, yes, with your asshole ex-husband." I can't believe you gave him your virginity and he didn't even sleep with you on your honeymoon."

Jackson Martinez threw the biggest farewell party during his final year of high school. Everyone in authority was invited. Jackson, much to my surprise, invited me. I went to the party with Lilly but ended up leaving with Sam. I don't remember anything other than waking up in bed with him naked beside me. I exited the room, embarrassed to stare at the blood-stained blankets.

No one knew Sam at the time, and I was engaged because it hadn't been publicly stated. Our marriage was kept very private and beneath the radar, so only a few people knew we were married. Sam was supposed to take me to events, and people would eventually learn about our relationship. But, he never did.

"He was drunk at the time," I chuckle. He probably wouldn't even poke me with a stick."

"He already pokes you with a-" Before she can finish, I slap her hard.

"I'll go to the police station tomorrow," I exhale. Tonight, we will relax."

The baby began to cry.

"Tonight. I relax." Lilly handed the baby to me. "Tomorrow. "I fail the test," she declared as she gathered all the books from the counter and dashed into the bedroom. I can hear the door lock suggesting that I am not permitted to seek assistance from her.

Marisa continued to cry.

I cried with her all night.

"Thank you for the milk Mrs.Orien." It's 2:32 a.m., and I needed milk from my upstairs neighbor. Mrs.Orien had a baby not long ago; I'm not sure how because she's...not very young.

"Vera, were you pregnant when you arrived h-"

"Good night, Mrs.Orien," I replied as I made my way down to my flat. I enter the small elevator and select my floor, then scoff, "Me? With a child? Do people fail to notice this body? How is it possible for this body to have a b-" I stopped talking when I noticed a man in the elevator with me, carrying a laundry basket.

"Why are you holding a basket of laundry?" I inquired of the strange man, hoping to alleviate the tension.

"Why are you holding a baby?" He responds, his voice deeper than I thought, and partially with his baby features.

"I'm forced to watch the baby by a crazy lady." I walked out of the elevator as it dingled.

"I'm being forced to do the laundry by a crazy lady," he muttered, his lips curling into a smile as the elevator door closed. "It appears that we have already have something in common."

I chuckled and shook my head before returning to the complex. I check the temperature of the milk on my wrist before giving it to Marisa. "Your mom better come soon before I go mad, la la laaaa. I'm already insane...laa." I sang to Marisa as I fed her the milk.

The sun decides to show up and blind everyone. I wanted to cry when the light slammed against my eyes as I curled up next to Marisa on the couch. However, it does not appear to bother Marisa in the least.

A searing alarm scowled inside my ears, and I heard Lilly exclaim, "Oh shit!" before item crashing down followed. I curl closer to the blanket; Lilly must have wrapped it over me last night, without a doubt.

Lilly lurched out with her books and baggage, slightly tilted upward. Her hair was in a bun, and she was wearing the same clothing she wore the night before. She grabbed an energy bar and dashed out the front door, slamming it shut. Looking around the quiet flat, I see how the mess from last night had vanished - lilly.

She probably checked in on us to make sure I didn't jump from the second floor or crush Marisa with my unpredictable sleeping habits.

I close my eyes to get some more rest, only to hear my phone ring. I stretch my arm lazily, scratching the coffee table a few times before reaching the phone. "Hello?"

"Miss Brown." It took a few moment for me to recognize her voice - Bitca, I mean Becca.

"Y-Yes?" Are they contacting to find out where I live so they can arrest me? That is the most illogical thing you can think of, Vera; they already have your address in their system.

In the background, I could hear some muttering and papers ruffling. "I'm going to be honest. You were not hired."

I exhale, a little body brushing up against my arm. Marisa's small hands wrap around my wrist, and I smile, feeling a little better.

"However-" Did she actually say what I believe she said? Is she introducing new possibilities? "We have this internship, and you can take it if you like? Accept it… don't accept it, I don't care."

My smile just grows wider.

"Really?" I attempted to respond calmly, but it came out as a squeak.

"Paid."

"Pardon?"

"It is a paid internship. You begin next week. There's also a childcare facility." Becca hangs up the phone.

I grabbed the pillow and buried my face in it, allowing the bliss to flow. I stare at Marisa, who blinks her small eyes slowly. "I got the job!" I squealed and leaned in for a brief hug. I grabbed her and dashed to the kitchen to get the broom. "I got the job, Oriens!" I screamed, slamming the broom against the ceiling. I got it! I got-"

A direct hit causes some of the ceiling paint to splatter. "Shut up! This is far too early! Vanessa, go back to sleep!"

I'm not even mad; he pronounced my name incorrectly.

I dropped the broom and swung Marisa around, which is probably not something you should do to a newborn. "I got it! I was hired! Marisa, I'm not a nobody! I'm not a nobody!

Marisa laughed, a genuine smile on her face.

I clutched her close to my chest, relishing the amazing moment. "Wait, what did she mean by childcare?"

When I eventually wake up, I decide to go out and get a cake for the occasion. However, I need to go somewhere first. I keep walking back and forth in front of the police station, unsure of what to do.

"I'll try one more time," I remarked as I walked back to the bus station. Bob arrived not long after with a full pledge grimace on his face. I've been waiting for Bob's bus for about a half-day.

He concealed the payment box. "I got this."

I smiled and sat in my customary spot, rocking Marisa. When the bus came to a stop, I peeked through the double doors and saw no one. I sigh "I'm sorry, Ma-"

"Please wait! Please!" Lisa's voice shook in the air. My eyes widened as she walked onto the bus, purple-blue bruises all over her face. She limped towards me with a bag and a cheerful smile after paying a shocked Bob.

Lisa came and sat next to me, "I'm so sorry mommy took so long." Marisa, her voice cracked, and I handed her baby back. She clutched it, tears streaming down her chin.

"Lisa, what happened?" I was relieved that there were only four of us on the bus.

"I took your advice and confronted my boyfriend," Lisa sniffed. I make the decision to leave him." That helps to explain the luggage.

"But what happened to you?"

"My boy...ex-boyfriend, isn't exactly the nicest guy." She licks her wounded lip, "he got angry and kind of-" she pauses, swallowing the weighty words down her throat. That explains Lisa's expression the other day. That's why she didn't bring Marisa; she knew what was going to happen.

"It's over now," Lisa said, rocking Marisa. Her gaze lowered, and tears streamed down her cheeks pouring all over Marisa's face. "Mommy finally broke the chain, baby girl." She clutched Marisa close to her lips.

I look at Bob, who was peering at the rearview mirror every now and again as his grip on the steering wheel tightened. He, too, was at a loss for words.

I sat there, chanting nonstop to myself.

Do not do it.

Do not do it.

Do not do it.

I knocked on the door when I arrived at the apartment. Lilly was revealed when the knob was turned. "Why are you knocking when you-" her voice fades off when she finds Lisa standing behind me, Marisa in her arms.

"Umm, is it okay if Lisa stays here for a while?"