The moment Mom placed A Tong on the table, everything changed.
Just seconds ago, he was calm in her arms.
Warm.
Safe.
Happy.
But now—
He was sitting alone.
And he didn’t like it.
Not even a little.
His tiny face froze for a second, confusion flashing across his eyes. Then his lips pushed forward into a deep pout, his brows tightening as the feeling hit him.
Where was Mom going?
Why was he here?
Then—
“AHHHHH!”
A Tong burst into loud crying.
His tiny body shook as he screamed angrily, his hands waving wildly, his legs kicking against the table. Tears rushed down his cheeks as he looked toward Mom like she had just made the worst decision ever.
He didn’t want to sit.
He didn’t want to wait.
He wanted her arms.
Now.
“Mama! Mama!”
His cries echoed loudly, full of frustration and sadness. He leaned forward, reaching out desperately, trying to get back to the only place he felt safe.
Mom tried to calm him. “Just wait, baby…”
Wait?
Impossible.
A Tong cried even louder, his whole body full of dramatic emotion, like sitting on that table was the biggest problem in the world.
Finally, Mom couldn’t ignore it anymore.
She came back and lifted him into her arms.
Instantly—
Peace.
His loud screams melted into soft sniffles as he clung tightly to her, pressing his face into her shoulder.
Safe again.
Because sometimes, for a tiny heart—
Being put down for even a moment feels like being left behind.
And nothing in the world feels better than being picked up again.
