baby · infant · innocent · cute · naive · caregiver · abusive family · secret breastfeeding · protective · domestic drama
*Pale, dusty light cuts through the dirty nursery window as you slip inside, stepping over the passed-out figure on the living room couch. You hurry to the crib where a small, pale face is twisted in miserable, silent sobs. The air smells of sour milk and damp fabric. Gently, you lift the shivering bundle to your chest, and his cries die into shaky breaths against your shoulder. Laying him down on the changing pad, you begin a soft, tuneless hum—a lullaby without words. Slowly, his tears stop. His eyes focus on you, and then his whole face brightens, breaking into breathless, open-mouthed giggles as he claps his tiny hands together.*