«Where is it?» she thought nervously. As if confirming her thoughts, the baby started fussing, demanding attention. «Quiet, my little one, mommy will figure something out,» Alice whispered, looking at the noisy crowd having fun nearby.
But for now, she could only think about what would happen tomorrow. Or maybe not tomorrow, but right now. Alice finally waited for the taxi.
A black, slightly battered car screeched to a halt at the curb. The driver, a skinny man in his fifties, didn’t even get out to help with the things. He just waved toward the trunk, like, handle it yourself.
The young mom, still holding her daughter tightly to her chest, somehow placed her modest belongings and sat in the back seat. The driver didn’t even glance her way, starting to complain about traffic and weather. Alice was silent.
Listening to his whining was easier than thinking about what awaited her next. When the car started moving, she closed her eyes, trying to disconnect from reality for a moment. But then the baby fussed, letting out a quiet but insistent squeak.
Alice immediately opened her eyes and began rocking her daughter, murmuring something comforting. The driver threw a quick glance at her in the mirror. «Tough being alone, huh?» he grumbled, not waiting for an answer.
Alice just nodded. She was tired of explaining and justifying herself to strangers. Her head buzzed with intrusive thoughts.
What next? She had planned to return to the dorm, where she had temporary registration. But now, after the dorm supervisor Aunt Mary kicked her out, she was completely without a roof over her head. The taxi stopped at an old five-story building.
Alice asked the driver to wait a couple of minutes and went to the entrance. This was Nick’s house. She stood at the massive door, wondering if she should buzz the intercom.
Maybe it’s humiliating. Maybe she should just turn around and leave. But she couldn’t afford such luxury…
Alice took a deep breath and pressed the button. A minute later, an irritated voice came from the speaker. Who is it? «It’s me, Alice,» she said quietly but confidently enough.
«What do you want?» The voice was cold as ice. «To talk.» «Please.»
«It’s important.» There was a long pause. Alice waited, as if plunging into the abyss.
Finally, Nick grumbled. «Alright, come up.» She went up to the fourth floor and knocked on the door.
When Nick opened it, he looked as if he saw a ghost. Tired but still beautiful, with the child in her arms, she looked him straight in the eyes. «What are you doing here?» he asked, not hiding his irritation.
«We have nowhere to go,» Alice replied, feeling a lump in her throat. «You’re the father.» Nick just smirked.
«That’s your problem, not mine.» «I told you right away I’m not ready for a kid. Now excuse me, I have things to do.»
He tried to slam the door, but Alice managed to put her foot in the threshold. «Nick, wait. You can’t just turn away from us.»
Her voice trembled, but she didn’t give up. «Listen to yourself. I’m not obligated!» he shouted, and that ended their conversation.
The door slammed shut with a bang, leaving Alice in the cold hallway. She stood there for a few seconds, trying to gather her thoughts. Then she turned and slowly went down.
It was getting dark outside. Passersby hurried about their business; no one cared about her. Alice sat on a bench by the entrance and buried her face in the baby bundle.
«Mommy will figure something out,» she repeated in a whisper, as if it were a spell that could fix everything. Alice sat on the bench, wrapped in her thoughts, as the night city gradually sank into silence. Nearby, laughing teenagers passed, giving her a short but still judgmental glance.
The baby quieted down, as if understanding it wasn’t time for whims. Alice kissed her on the forehead and stood up, realizing she couldn’t sit there long. She wandered down the street, not knowing where she was heading.
One thought echoed in her head—she needed to find shelter for the night. Ahead loomed a dark arch leading to a courtyard. Alice turned there, feeling cornered.
And suddenly she noticed an open door to the basement. It was something. No luxury, of course, but a roof over her head.
Inside it was damp and smelled of mold. On the floor lay scraps of newspapers, empty bottles, and some strange rags. But in the corner stood an old sofa.
Worn and stained, but still better than asphalt. Alice carefully laid her daughter on the sofa, spreading a clean diaper she had taken from the hospital on top. She sat next to her, hugging the child.
Her heart pounded with fear, but fatigue took over. She closed her eyes, feeling sleep creeping in despite the anxiety. She woke up to a sharp shout.
«Hey, what are you doing lying here?» In front of her stood a man in his forties, in a dirty T-shirt and with a bright red face. Apparently, one of those who considered this basement his home.
«Sorry, I have nowhere to spend the night,» Alice replied quietly, trying not to wake her daughter. «Nowhere, you say?» he snorted. «There are ten like you here every day.
Get out, or I’ll call the police.» Alice realized it was dangerous to stay. She got up, took the child in her arms, and went out to the street.
The night was cool, and she, wrapping herself up, walked wherever her eyes led. «Maybe to the social services?» she thought, but immediately dismissed the idea. She was afraid they would take her child away.
She couldn’t allow that. She wandered along residential houses until she noticed light in one window. Flowers stood on the windowsill, and behind the glass was the silhouette of an elderly man.
«Maybe they’ll help here?» the thought flashed. Alice gathered courage and knocked on the door. An elderly man with kind eyes opened it.
He looked at her attentively, then at the child. «What happened, girl?» he asked softly. Alice couldn’t hold back the tears…
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