chapter 8

Vera's POV:

As I exited the bus, Bob assisted me in carrying the stroller. He leans forward and waves at Marisa. "Have a good day."

She screamed out in sobs, prompting me to freeze for a moment. "Why are you crying?" I unbuckle her belt and grab her.

Bob raised his arm and smelled his armpit. "I apologize. "Do I stink?"

I rock Marisa over my shoulder before reaching for the milk bottle in the back, hoping she's just hungry. Marisa sucks against the tip right away, and I sigh, "She's probably just hungry." She refused to drink Lisa's milk this morning."

Bob exhales and nods before wiping his brow with his sleeve. "Have a good day at work," he remarked as he jumped into the bus. I smile and close the door as I wave to Bob. The bus soon vanishes around the bend, along with the other soul-sucking corporate workers.

I exhale and set Marisa down, fasten her up, and walk her into the company. Marisa sits there, her eyes still teary, her cheeks sucking on the bottle. The bottle falls, and I