Dr. Malwin came later in the day to check on Lexine and baby Tara, then left. He brought along a few items he thought the baby needed even though Lexine didn't ask him to. Lexine placed them inside the bedroom where Tara was lying.
With this newfound knowledge about Tara, Lexine became less nervous and more confident. She realized there was more for her to figure out. She went about her usual daily activities.
She swept and cleaned the bedroom, hall, kitchen, and the walkway in front of the house. Tara was now asleep. She definitely had no care in the world.
When she was done with everything, she decided she would go open her shop which was a bit farther away from the house. She had been away for a while because of her pregnancy, and she was low on cash now. She needed to start working especially now that she had a mouth to feed, and she was not going to waste any more time. Now, she was going to work harder than before, for herself and for her baby.
The challenge now was Tara. She had no car or anything of the sort and she was definitely not going to call Dr. Malwin to come pick them up because of this. He had done so much already, and Lexine felt slightly embarrassed and uneasy about always asking for his help.
She loved Dr. Malwin, saw him as a father, and appreciated everything he did for her but the only thing she didn't want was to feel like a burden and right now she really felt that a lot. Especially with Baby Tara here.
'I will find a way" She thought to herself.
"Ok, all done" she said to herself as she took a glance of everything.
She walked into the bedroom to check on baby Tara, who was awake now but minding her own business.
Lexine looked at her shaking her head with a smile on her face, but she didn't approach her. Instead, she went for the bag Dr. Malwin brought which she had kept on the side desk beside the bed, and checked out its contents.
"Oh wow", Lexine exclaimed in excitement but soon her excitement changed to that of confusion.
She pulled out a black and white fluffy cat doll, an orange tiger doll with black stripes and a spring tail. It looked like Tigger from Winnie-The-Pooh. There was a baby elephant and a chipmunk holding on to a cookie in the shape of a heart which could be said to be the only thing she personally will give to a girl.
Lexine was bewildered. "HA HA HA HA," She let out a laugh. "This man can't be serious right? Look Tara see what your old man brought." She stretched her hand which held the orange tiger towards Tara trying to get her attention.
"Has he forgotten you are a girl? There is not even a single barbie doll" Lexine was disappointed. To her surprise Tara was now looking in her direction but with her tiny little hands in the air.
"Huh? you want this?" Lexine asked, surprised, Tara who was now making little noises with her mouth and with her tiny hands still in the air possibly asking for the doll.
Lexine wanted to be sure, so she pulled her hand backwards, but Tara's expression wasn't what she was expecting. She looked like she was about to cry.
Lexine brought her hand back towards Tara and her face returned to normal. She sent her hand back again and the sad look was back on Tara's face. She brought it back and Tara returned to normal. Lexine wanted to do it for the third time, she was obviously having fun. The little one's expressions made her excited, but this time she was met with an angry baby face.
Lexine almost burst into laughter. Tara looked so cute and adorable. Her heart melted. She then approached Tara and picked her in her arms.
"You want this ugly tiger, don't you?" Tara furrowed her brows in disapproval as if saying "You are wrong ma," or perhaps, "don't call it ugly" will be the right expression.
"Alright, don't come at me " Lexin said in surrender. "Here you go" she placed the tiger into Tara's tiny hands, and she grabbed it tightly. The strength in those little hands was crazy.
"We are going to the shop ok. Wish you didn't have to go but there no one here to be with you, so you'll go with mama ok,". Lexine said placing a kiss on the baby's forehead, but Tara was oblivious, she was focused on the tiger, and couldn't care less.
Seeing the baby engrossed, Lexine placed her back on the bed and went to take a shower.
" Hot bath, or cold bath," Lexine asked no one in particular, "Hot bath it is" She stepped in after deciding.
She decided to stay a while as she was enjoying the warmth from the warm water. She felt her muscles relax as she laid in the wooden tub.
Unbeknownst to her, something strange was happening.
"Nice to meet you Tara,".............