Shorties: Number 11

Eleven month old Ola stood holding on to the chair in a furniture store.  As soon as his parents brought him into the store he wanted to crawl on the floor.  He had been crawling for some time and first attempted walking two weeks ago.  He had fallen and gotten up many times.  Each step of growth he took brought adoration from his parents.

Ola bounced up and down as he flexed and extended his legs.  His eyes were intently absorbing the new surroundings.  The store was exquisitely decorated and his mother wanted new fixtures for the living room.  The spotlights in the ceiling were his focus when a woman came to adjust some furniture in the display where he stood.  She said to Ola, “What a sweet boy you are?”

He remained still.  Her eyes and sweet voice burned into his memory.  He looked for his parents.  He wanted to hide behind them.  She spoke to him again, “Hey cutie!”  His face turned down in a shy display.  She continued, “Oh, you little cutie.  You’re gonna break hearts someday.”

Then Ola’s father and the woman briefly spoke about the lad when his mother joined in.  For the next hour while Ola’s parents shopped and narrowed down purchase options, the woman worked in the area near him.  Whenever he could, Ola tried to get her attention.  She would wink or smile at him.  Each time she did, he wanted to hide. 

Since Ola’s mom had the final say on the furniture, his father was charged with watching the youngster.  More than anything, Ola wanted to walk.  He clasped his father’s thumbs as they moved about the store.  When they neared his mother after a stroll across the hall, Ola reached for a couch to balance himself.  Once he had a hand upon it, he released his father’s thumb. 

At this time, the woman exited the back room.  Something was different about her manner.  She had a purse and another bag with her.  Immediately, Ola knew she was leaving.  Ola waved he free arm as she neared him.  She stopped and gazed at the toddler and said, “It’s time for me to go home now, little cutie.  You be a good boy, ok?”

Ola recognized the words.  He understood she was leaving but didn’t want her to go.  He began to remove the hand that steadied him but felt his balance go as the grip loosened.  He gripped the couch firmly.  Ola reached his free hand to her in an attempt to get to her.  His arm would not stretch to her.  He couldn’t reach her.  He had no verbal skills yet so he made incoherent noises to get her attention and explain his desire to be with her. 

His father didn’t know why but knew he wanted to be with the woman.  He said, “Let go of the couch, Ola.  It’s the only thing holding you back.  You gotta let go of it if you want her.”

Both adults stood there looking at the toddler.  Ola’s head oscillated between them.  Couldn’t they see the desperation in his eyes?  Didn’t they know how important this was to him?  She bent to his level and rubbed his shoulder.  She smiled as she said, “You are so cute.  I wish I could take you home with me but your mommy and daddy would never allow that.  Good bye little one.”

Ola cried as she exited the store.