It was a cold and busy Monday evening when Libby walked into her favorite café, craving a moment of peace. She ordered a regular coffee and settled into her usual seat by the window, watching the endless stream of people hurrying through the streets of New York City.
Today had been exhausting. Back-to-back meetings, endless emails, and a boss who thought “urgent” meant “drop everything right now.” Libby sighed, rubbing her temples as she pulled out her iPad. Another day filled with work deadlines. Nothing new.
“Thank you,” she murmured as the waitress placed her coffee in front of her. She wrapped her hands around the warm cup, inhaling deeply, hoping to relax—until she noticed something that made her stomach twist in irritation.
At the table next to hers, a baby with bright, curious eyes was staring at her. His chubby cheeks were smeared with apple puree, and his tiny hands wiggled excitedly. He let out a delighted giggle, clearly amused by Libby’s presence.
Libby wrinkled her nose in disgust. Babies. She never liked them. Too loud, too needy, and always making a mess.
The man sitting with the baby, a well-dressed guy in formal wear, was talking on his phone. His office bag sat beside him, and Libby quickly guessed he was a single father. Why else would he be feeding a child at a café this late in the evening?
“Disgusting,” she muttered under her breath, looking away.
As if on cue, the baby suddenly burst into loud, wailing cries. The sound pierced through the café, making heads turn.
Libby groaned. “Oh, you’ve got to be kidding me!” she thought angrily.
She glanced back at the man, expecting him to calm his child immediately. But he remained on his phone, balancing the baby in one arm while rocking him slightly.
Libby’s patience snapped. “Excuse me, sir!” she called out sharply. “Could you do something about your baby? He’s screaming like it’s the end of the world!”
The man turned and gave her a quick, apologetic smile. “I’m so sorry,” he whispered before shifting the baby in his arms. He bounced him gently, murmuring something, but the crying continued.
That was it.
Libby flagged down the waitress. “Listen, I’m a regular here. The least you can do is move them to another table where I don’t have to hear that baby scream! Or better yet, ask them to leave! I came here to relax, not to listen to this racket!”
The waitress hesitated. “Ma’am, I understand, but all the other tables inside are occupied. The only open space is on the terrace, but it’s too cold for the baby. I’ll speak with the gentleman and see if we can find a solution.”
Libby folded her arms and huffed as the waitress approached the man’s table. She watched as the man ended his phone call, nodding at whatever the waitress was saying.
Then, Libby heard him reply in a firm voice. “If she has a problem, she should move. I have just as much right to be here as she does. And I already apologized.”
Libby saw red.
She stood up, stormed over to his table, and was about to give him a piece of her mind when—SPLAT!
A glob of apple puree landed on her crisp white blouse.
Libby gasped in horror as the baby—Jason, according to his father—grinned up at her, clearly pleased with himself.
“Jason!” the man exclaimed. “That’s not okay, buddy!” He turned to Libby. “I am so, so sorry. Let me make it up to you—”
“This is ridiculous!” Libby shrieked. “You and your kid are both a disaster! I’m done with this place!”
Without another word, she grabbed her bag and stormed out of the café, leaving behind the man, the waitress, and the giggling baby.
A Year Later…
Life had taken an unexpected turn for Libby. She had fallen in love.
Trevor, a charming contract worker at her company, had swept her off her feet. She had fallen hard, and soon, she found herself pregnant.
Excited, she shared the news with her parents, expecting joy and support. Instead, she was met with cold disappointment.
“We’d rather have you unmarried for the rest of your life than with that man,” her father said sternly. “You’re making a mistake, Libby.”
“Trevor isn’t on our level,” her mother added. “He’s not someone we can accept in this family.”
Libby was heartbroken. But she refused to abandon the man she loved. As a result, her father fired both her and Trevor from his company and cut her out of the family will.
Struggling financially, Libby moved into Trevor’s tiny studio apartment. Money was tight. Trevor took on two jobs, and Libby, despite her growing belly, searched desperately for work.
When their daughter, Eve, was born, everything changed.
She was the light in their lives, and no matter how hard things were, Libby and Trevor showered her with love.
One day, Libby got a call for an interview at a prestigious editorial company. Writing had always been her passion, and she couldn’t miss this opportunity. But with no one to watch Eve, she had to bring her along.
As she entered the office, she felt eyes on her. Other candidates whispered, exchanging looks.
“I’m afraid you can’t take her inside,” the receptionist said as her name was called.
“I understand, but if I leave her outside, she’ll disturb others,” Libby pleaded.
The woman sighed. “Alright, just be careful.”
Libby walked into the interview room, adjusting Eve on her hip. Then, she froze.
Sitting across from her was a familiar face.
The café man.
“Do I know you?” the man asked, raising an eyebrow. “You look familiar.”
Libby swallowed hard. “Uh… we met at a café. Your baby was crying, and, well…”
Recognition dawned on his face, followed by a slow smile. “Ah! Now I remember.” He gestured to the chair. “Please, have a seat. But just so you know, babies aren’t usually allowed at work.”
Before Libby could reply, Eve began crying.
Libby’s face burned with embarrassment. “I—I’m so sorry. She usually doesn’t cry like this.”
Jonathan held out his hands. “May I?”
Libby blinked. “You want to hold her?”
“Trust me. I think I can calm her down.”
Hesitantly, she handed Eve over. To her shock, the baby stopped crying almost instantly, cooing happily as Jonathan played with her.
“Wow… she likes you. That’s not like her,” Libby admitted.
Jonathan chuckled. “I love babies. I’m Jonathan, by the way. Company director and single father. My son’s with my sister right now.”
Tears welled in Libby’s eyes. “I can’t leave Eve alone. I need this job, but… I understand if I’m not the right fit.”
Jonathan smiled kindly. “Actually, I’d like to interview you. We don’t want to lose good talent.”
Libby got the job that day. More than that, she learned an important lesson—life has a funny way of teaching humility, and kindness is what truly matters.
She had once judged Jonathan for struggling with his child, and now she was in the same position. But instead of turning her away, he had helped her.
Life truly does come full circle.
