”It’s sunny outside, Theo. A dangerous time to go up above. But, the baby needs some food.”
”Cleo, I’ll be careful. It doesn’t look very busy out there.”
”it’s always busy in New York City. You can’t get caught stealing.”
Theo, Cleo, and their baby were three of the mole people who live in the tunnels under New York City. Theo had been homeless for more years than he could count. He had his own nook under the streets. Cleo found herself in the tunnels when she had the baby and her parents kicked her out. Theo took her into his nook. They were happy.
The baby was young and wouldn’t nurse. Cleo was only sixteen. They didn’t realize something could be wrong. Theo was going out to try to find solid food for her. He went into a small grocery and stole some baby food. When he tried to leave, he was caught and arrested.
Cleo kept watching for Theo out the openings to the street. She watched for three days. The baby was sick and she came to the surface. The baby was taken to the hospital just in time after Cleo walked to the police station.
199 words
The Write Scribe 
A story of the literal underclass. Sad tale, but maybe there is some hope for the baby at the end.
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Especially very young parents don’t always have a sense of when their child needs medical attention, at least if they don’t have older family members around to help. Glad this worked out in time.
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A story with many messages, society neglects the Moles at its peril
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There is always hope. I like this Rosemary.
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Did the baby die? Did she leave it at the hospital for good? Nice tale of the best of humanity.
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