Little Max was in a very moody mood that day. He sat on the floor watching Mom move around the room, his big eyes following every step she took.
At first, he stayed quiet.
But the moment Max saw Mom walking toward the door, his face suddenly changed. His lips pushed forward, his eyebrows tightened, and he quickly realized something he didn’t like at all.
Mom might leave.
Suddenly—
“Eeeee! Eeeee!”
Max began screaming loudly.
His tiny voice filled the room as he waved his arms in the air. He didn’t want Mom to go anywhere without him. The more Mom moved toward the door, the louder Max screamed.
He crawled forward quickly, reaching out both little hands toward her.
“Eeeee!”
His cry sounded demanding, almost like he was saying, “Don’t go! Pick me up!”
Max’s face turned red with emotion as he continued screaming. His small feet kicked the floor while he stretched his arms higher and higher.
Mom turned around and looked at him.
The moment she saw his upset face, she understood immediately.
Max didn’t want to be left behind.
So Mom walked back toward him and gently lifted him into her arms. Instantly, Max wrapped his tiny arms around her neck and held on tightly.
The loud screaming stopped almost at once.
His moody face softened as he rested against Mom’s shoulder. Now that he was being carried, everything felt right again.
Sometimes Max doesn’t need toys or food.
Sometimes he just wants one simple thing—Mom to pick him up and stay close.
