She cleared her throat. “Yes, Ma’am.”
“Good girl.”
The diaper was so thick as Auntie brought it between Samantha’s legs. When it pressed up against her skin and covered her entirely, she wondered how she would ever walk with that thickness between her legs.
The sound of Athena pulling the tapes free to secure them to the front of the diaper caused Samantha to jump a little. Gosh, this was awful.
After it was securely in place, Auntie Athena patted the front of it as she smiled down. “Now, aren’t you a cutie? Get up and walk for me, honey. Let Auntie see.”
Samantha groaned, but that was as far as she took the protest. She hopped off the changing table and walked toward Athena, who had taken a few steps back.
She wasn’t really walking, Samantha realized as she trudged forward.
She was waddling.
The cotton and plastic were so thick! The diaper crinkled loudly with each movement she made.
As much as she hated to admit it, though, it felt kind of good. But she wasn’t about to give into all this without at least voicing her anger. She couldn’t let them win!
Ignoring the voice inside her head that screamed,Just let it go! You’re in enough trouble already, she said, “This is stupid! I’m like one of those stupid babies downstairs!”
Athena sighed. “Well, I was hoping this would humble you. But I see you’re not quite where you need to be yet. Hmm.” She tapped her chin. A smile replaced her perplex look a few seconds later. “I know! Come on, honey. I have just the cure for that haughty attitude.”
Samantha reluctantly allowed Auntie Athena to guide her by the elbow.
She wondered what on earth was going to happen now.
Five minutes later, Samantha had her answer.
She found herself lying flat on her back atop the couch in the back den. Her head was on Auntie Athena’s lap, cradled in the crook of one of her arms.
The thick rubber nipple of an adult-sized baby bottle was between her lips.
“All right, little baby. This is a special formula I made for cuties just like you. It will give you all the nutrients you need, lovie. Now drink up. Until the whole bottle is gone-gone.”
This worked. Samantha didn’t dare argue. All the fight had been drained from her—along with that snotty attitude.
She wanted to cry. Why had she made fun of those other girls? It had been so cruel!
Perhaps she could apologize later.
Did it even matter? Tonya was “moving away.” But for whatever reason, she had the overwhelming urge to try and make amends.
The formula tasted good, with a distinct vanilla flavor. But it was still bitter to swallow thanks to how mortified she was. Littles walked by, coming and going. Some played nearby. Others were just talking. But almost everyone there saw Tonya being fed a bottle, wearing only a shirt and thick diaper while being cradled by Auntie.
Even Iris and her friends saw. Thankfully, they didn’t point or laugh. There was no mocking.
Learn from them, Sam. Do the right thing for a change. Be a better person.
The worst part, though, was that Kendrick saw.
She felt his eyes on her before she actually noticed that he’d stepped into the den. He stopped a few feet away, watched her for a moment, and then moved on.
Closing her eyes, she winced.
At least Tonya was going away forever. That was the only bright spot in all this.
It was time for a fresh start.
