Shayla tell Arby the baby not his

In the small, sun-soaked town of Maplewood, where the air was fragrant with blooming wildflowers, Shayla sat on her porch sipping iced tea, her eyes scanning the horizon. It was one of those idyllic afternoons where the world seemed to slow down, but her heart was racing.

A few days earlier, in a twist of fate that would change everything, Shayla had stumbled upon a baby abandoned at the edge of the town park. Wrapped in a light blue blanket, the child had looked so vulnerable, so alone, and despite her better judgment, she felt an overwhelming urge to take him home. She named him Arlo.

As she held the baby in her arms, those first moments were pure magic. He had big, curious eyes that seemed to examine the world around him, and Shayla couldn’t help but smile down at him. But as days passed, revelry turned into worry. The realities of caring for an infant set in quickly. There was a deep sense of responsibility weighing down on Shayla, and her heart ached with questions. Was she really ready to be a mother?   

Then there was Arby. The charming, flamboyant local artist had always been a staple of Maplewood’s social scene. Shayla had known him for years, sharing laughter and the occasional late-night discussion over glasses of wine. Arby had always been drawn to her, but until now, Shayla had never considered a deeper relationship.   

However, with the arrival of Arlo, the dynamics shifted. Arby had shown an endearing interest in the baby, even painting portraits of the two of them together, capturing their bond. Shayla saw the joy in Arby’s eyes, and it made her stomach twist. Could he see this child as his own?

It was a Friday evening when it all boiled over. Shayla had invited Arby over to see Arlo, wanting him to meet the baby before she closed off any possibilities between them. As they sat on the porch, Arlo gurgled and cooed, his chubby arms reaching out toward the vibrant flowers that filled Shayla’s garden.

“He’s beautiful,” Arby said, grinning from ear to ear as he leaned closer to the baby, his artist’s hands hovering above his head as if he were about to sculpt him right there.   

Shayla felt an internal battle raging within her. “Arby, let’s talk. This can’t continue without being honest.”

He turned, a look of confusion on his face. “What do you mean? He’s my inspiration! I’ve never cared about anyone like this before.”

Shayla took a deep breath. “No, Arby. You need to understand. Arlo is not yours. He’s not anyone’s but mine. I found him, and while I appreciate your affection, this is a different kind of bond.” 

For a moment, silence enveloped them. Arby looked at her with a mixture of surprise and hurt. “Is this how you see us? Just friends, nothing more? You can’t just dismiss the connection we have.”

“Connection?” Shayla challenged, her voice trembling. “You say you love him like he’s yours, but you don’t know the reality of sleepless nights and diaper changes. This isn’t just a game to me.”     

Arby stood up, visibly shaken. “Do you think I’m playing? I want to be part of this, Shayla! I want to help you.”

The warmth of the sun faded as shadows began to stretch across the porch, creating a chill between them. “Arby,” she said gently, “my heart is scared. I don’t want to feel like I’m sharing him. I don’t want to worry about what happens if you decide this isn’t for you anymore.”

Arby stepped closer, his voice softening. “What if I want to be there for you? For Arlo? You don’t have to go through this alone, Shayla.”

Her heart wavered, torn between the fear of vulnerability and the desire for companionship. But deep down, she knew what she had to do. “It’s not about you or me, it’s about him. I just need you to back off a little until I can figure this out. I can’t let myself or him get hurt.”

Arby nodded, understanding flickering across his face like candlelight. “I can do that. Just know I won’t be far, okay? I care about you both.”

With a heavy heart, Shayla watched as he walked away, the weight of unspoken words lingering in the air. She cradled Arlo close to her chest and whispered softly, “It’s just you and me, little one. We’ll navigate this together, just us.”

And as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a golden hue over Maplewood, Shayla knew that the journey ahead would be challenging. But she was determined to face the world, even as the shadows crept closer, bringing with them uncertainty and hope in equal measure.