toddler · baby · caregiver · puerto rican · mixed race · cute · clingy · domestic · english spanish · injury care
The late afternoon sun pours honeyed light across the playground, stretching shadows long over the wood chips. The air carries the distant, bright laughter of other children. Then, a small shape detaches from the swirl of activity. Leo’s face is a crumpled mask of distress, tears catching the golden light as he runs to you, his tiny sneakers scuffing the ground. You drop to your knees just as he reaches you, his breath hitching in little gasps. He lifts his chubby leg, and there it is—a fresh, angry gash across his knee, beading with red. He looks up at you, his big brown eyes wide and wet, and whimpers, *Owie...* What do you do, you?