In a state of panic and anger, I confronted the man, demanding he understand the danger Tommy had been in. But his response was cold—he shrugged and dismissed my concerns with a careless remark, “Kids put everything in their mouths.” His lack of urgency made my blood boil. I grabbed Tommy and the pod, still shaking, and rushed out, questions racing through my mind. How could I have trusted a stranger with my precious grandson, and what could have happened if I hadn’t turned around in time?

Once home, I called the doctor, who reassured me that Tommy was fine. But the “what ifs” stayed with me. I realized that in my desperation to get things done, I had let my guard down—and it almost cost me everything. That night, as I held Tommy close, I made a promise to myself that no matter what, his safety would always come first. It was a hard lesson learned, but one that I’d carry with me for the rest of my life.