Page 7 of Hat Trick
Sippy cups
Baby bathtub
Baby body soap
Baby shampoo
Changing mat
"This will at least get us started. Anything else we decide we need we can order off of Amazon."
"How do you know all this stuff? Do you have a lot of younger siblings?"
"No, just an older brother. And I don't know, I've just always loved kids. I was working at the daycare to try to pay off some of my degree. Although, at this rate, I'll be getting a 10-year bachelors."
"What are you getting your degree in?"
"Pediatric behavioral science."
"What does that mean?"
She laughs and something in my chest lightens. I like that sound. I like it a lot. The boys laugh all the time, but it doesn't have this effect on me.
"Not much I guess. But I can take that degree and go in a couple different directions. I could become a pediatric nurse, child therapist, social worker, early educator. I could go into special ed programs like speech therapy or occupational therapy." She gives me an easy shrug. "I've just always loved kids. They're so genuine and pure. They haven't been around long enough to learn how terrible the world really is and I like being around that." Her voice has gone sad and quiet.
I frown. What has happened to this woman that she thinks the world is terrible? I mean, I understand some people can be terrible, but the thought of someone being terrible to her pisses me off.
But I don't ask. I want to know, but now doesn't feel like the right time.
Annie's been watching us intensely, her eyes darting between Emily and me the entire conversation. I don't know how much babies understand. She can't talk yet, I don't think?
"She doesn't talk yet, right?"
"Most babies start talking basic words between 12 and 18 months, but I bet she can understand a lot more than we give her credit for, though." Emily replies, smiling down at my daughter.
"You're going to have to give me the 'Babies for Dummies' cliff notes."
She laughs again.
