Miles arrives at the ABC 123 Toddler Center, thinking that he’s meeting Jalisa at a new arcade or something. He’s shocked to step inside and see it full of toddlers. He spots Jalisa and walks over to her…
Raccoon: What is this? Is this really where we’re supposed to be?
Voidcritter: Yep…we’re in charge of these toddlers for the next 6 hours.
Jalisa tries to give Miles a hug, but he’s too shocked to receive it.
Raccoon: Like…in charge, how?
Voicdritter: We have to feed them and keep them happy until the end of the day.
Miles looks around at the loud, active toddlers, immediately feeling overwhelmed…
Raccoon: Oh, boy…
Miles stands there staring for quite a while, but eventually, instinct begins to kick in.
Raccoon: Uh…do you toddlers like to dance? Want to dance with me?
The toddlers look at him with blank stares until he begins moving to the music. Ava and Grace immediately start to laugh and basically cheer him on.
Ava: I dance! I dance, too.
Raccoon: Come on, then…let me see those moves.
Ava dances for a bit, but it doesn’t take long for her and Grace to get bored and wander off. Miles looks around and spots Silvia sitting alone on a pillow near the beds.
Raccoon: How are you? Aren’t you the cutest?
Silvia: I don know…
Raccoon: Do you want to read a book? I can tell you a story if you want?
Silvia: I don like your story!
Raccoon: Well, I didn’t tell it yet, but that’s fair…I suppose.
A few of the other toddlers walk over and stare up at Miles. He tries to think fast on his feet.
Raccoon: Let’s see…have you ever heard the story of the Raccoon that was surrounded by a bunch of baby raccoons, but had no idea what to do with them?
Ava: Is it a good story?
Raccoon: I don’t know, yet…let’s hope it has a happy ending!
Both Jalisa and Miles fail to keep a close eye on Grace, so she grabs food items that she’s not supposed to have and begins spilling it all over the carpet. Some of the toddlers are ready for their afternoon snack, so Miles and Jalisa work together to get them into the highchairs and give them something to eat. As soon as they’ve taken care of one toddler…another walks over looking for food.
Miles wanders into the fenced-off kitchen area and grabs the first thing he sees out of the refrigerator. He puts it in the microwave to warm it up. Rather than taking it to one of the toddlers…he begins eating it himself.
Meanwhile, Jalisa walks over to clean up Grace’s mess from the carpet.
Miles panics once he realizes what he’s done…
Raccoon: I’m so sorry…I mindlessly eat when I’m stressed.
Voidcritter: It’s okay…it happens to the best of us. Just help me feed the rest of the babies.
Jalisa picks up Jaxen and takes him over to the other side of the room. Miles immediately hops back into action by placing Ava in one of the high chairs and putting food down in front of her.
Voidcritter: Guess what, Miles. Your time is up! You survived the day.
Raccoon: Thank the Watcher! Is there anything else I can help you with before I go?
Voidcritter: *looks around* No…I pretty much have it under control now. Thanks for checking.
Miles hurries out the door, while Jalisa grabs a few dirty dishes and takes them to the kitchen
(The Voidcritter) Miles was like a deer in headlights for a minute there, but eventually, he got himself together and did a great job entertaining the babies. I found myself questioning how well he worked under pressure when he escaped to the kitchen to stress eat, but he got back in the game and finished strong.
28 Blind Date Summaries | read from the beginning
