Time to Leave the Sanctuary

The warmth and tranquility that had enveloped Ashley as she sat on the plush couch, chatting with Emily, was suddenly disrupted by a tug on her arm. Alex, still clutching his Lego figures, had left his corner and was now standing beside her, his eyes fixed on her face with a determined look. "Mommy, home, home," he whined, tugging at her sleeve. Ashley's conversation with Emily came to an abrupt halt as she looked down at Alex, taking in his pleading expression. She glanced around the centre, noticing the other children and their caregivers still engaged in their activities. The atmosphere was still calm, but Ashley's sense of serenity was beginning to fray. "Okay, baby, let's go," she said, starting to stand up, but Emily's gentle voice stayed her. "You're welcome to stay a bit longer, Ashley. Don't rush on our account," Emily said, smiling at Alex. Ashley hesitated, looking down at Alex again. His face was screwed up in a determined expression, and his grip on her sleeve was insistent. She smiled apologetically at Emily. "I think we're going to have to go, though," she said. "But it was lovely talking to you." As Ashley stood up, Alex's tug on her arm became more insistent. "Mommy, home, home," he repeated, his voice rising. Ashley gently disentangled her arm from Alex's grasp and took his hand. "Okay, let's go, sweetie," she said. "But Mommy has a doctor's appointment first, remember?" Alex's face scrunched up in a mixture of disappointment and frustration, but he didn't protest further as Ashley led him towards the exit. As they walked out of the centre, Ashley felt a sense of trepidation about the doctor's appointment ahead, but with Alex's small hand in hers, she felt a sense of determination to face whatever lay ahead.