A New Life

    Marie sat on the bus, uncomfortable at the stares she was getting. It was uncommon to see a Mother outside with a child so young. She shifted nervously in her seat, and looked down at Baldr. He looked at her and cooed. Marie smiled before turning her attention out the window.
    She didn't know why she accepted this task. She didn't know what to do. Then, there was no one more qualified or less qualified than her to raise a male child in this society.
    “What's her name?”
    Someone addressed Marie. Marie made up a female name on the spot, not wanting too much unwarranted attention. The bus stopped a block from Marie's apartment. She quickly exited and went to her building.
    Once she entered her apartment, Marie put Baldr down, with some blocks the lab had given her for him to play with. She hurried to the phone to tell Candice the news. Candice freaked out on the phone, but kept from getting too loud and letting those around her know of the child.
    “How long?”
    “Until he's of age, or a little older.”
    There was a knock on the door. Marie apologized then told Candice goodbye and that she loved her before hanging up. She hurried to the door and opened it to find some women outside. One announced that they had a delivery, and Marie nodded showing them where to place everything.

    “WuaaaAAAAaahhhh!!!”
    Baldr was crying again. Marie got out of bed to check on him. She walked over to his crib, and started humming a song to help calm him. She checked to see if he needed changed, but he was clean.
    Baldr stopped crying and stared at her. He smiled weakly, and kicked his feet. Marie then noticed his blanket had tangled around his legs, and helped readjust it. She kept humming to him as she pet his head.
    Marie turned to go back to bed, only to see it empty. She looked around, and saw a light coming from the kitchen. She stepped out to see Candice brewing some coffee.
    “You know what time it is?”
    She sounded upset. She had the right to be anyway. Marie shook her head, and Candice pointed at the clock. It was six in the morning. It was time to get up anyway.
    “Is everything okay?”
    Marie looked at Candice. “Yes, he's back to sleep for the moment.”
    Candice nodded. She poured her coffee, and took a drink. It had been two weeks since Marie had brought Baldr home. Marie hasn't left the apartment in that time except to go for small walks, and Candice didn't know what to tell Amelia and Veronica. It wasn't uncommon for a Mother to be out of wedlock anymore, but this was different.
    Marie started heating some formula for Baldr. She felt tired, but she hadn't been getting a full nights sleep recently. She napped when Baldr would, but she wasn't feeling satisfied. As she started pouring the formula into a bottle, Baldr started crying, as though on cue.