Total pages in book: 35
Estimated words: 33104 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 166(@200wpm)___ 132(@250wpm)___ 110(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 33104 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 166(@200wpm)___ 132(@250wpm)___ 110(@300wpm)
I squeeze my knees together futilely, recalling that although I didn’t spend much time looking at the other Littles this morning on the ferry, it’s true I saw a lot of diapers. Nothing covering them.
“Daddy?” My lip quivers at this new piece of information.
He chuckles as he lifts me from the table and sets me on my feet. “It’s all part of the experience, baby girl. Cute little diapered bottoms.” He pats my bottom for emphasis and nods toward the door. “I set up a play area for you. Would you like to see?”
I nod and turn toward the door to my nursery. My first step is very awkward. The second is no better. I’m waddling. I can’t bring my thighs together. When I glance over my shoulder, I find Daddy is watching me. He’s smiling his approval. “You’re adorable, Little one. Go on. But be careful you don’t fall.”
My balance is off, so each step has me swaying before I set my next foot down. I must look like a toddler taking her first steps. I feel like it. And Daddy enjoys the view from behind apparently.
In the living room, I find a lot of my toys, some of them from the trash bag where I stuffed them. Was that just last night? “You can earn the rest of your toys back with good behavior.”
There are several additions to the room that weren’t here when we came in before my nap. Daddy’s been busy. There’s a playpen in one corner. It’s colorful and out of place in this room of earth tones. Through the archway to the kitchen, I see an equally out of place highchair. At the entrance to the hallway I just came through is a baby gate. It’s not up right now, but I imagine at some point it will be put in place to let me know I’m not to leave the room.
“I have a surprise for you,” he declares, his eyes twinkling.
“What’s that, Daddy?”
“Anabel and her Daddy are coming over in a few minutes.”
I grin and then remember what I’m wearing and glance down.
He chuckles. “Anabel will be dressed the same. Every Little on the island will, baby girl,” he reminds me.
I nod slowly. “When she gets here, can we go outside, Daddy?” I glance at the inviting swing set.
“I think it’s a great idea.” He pats my head and pulls me in for a hug, rocking me back and forth against his chest.
I realize we haven’t been this close lately. Not for a while. It feels nice.
A knock at the door makes my heart beat faster. “It’s them,” I declare.
Daddy closes the few feet toward the door in two strides and opens it.
Sure enough, I find myself fact to face with my friend Anabel for the first time in months. She’s sitting in an adult-sized stroller, but she starts kicking her feet excitedly as Anthony bends down to unbuckle her. Seconds later, he lifts her out and lets her run into the house.
We hug awkwardly with the bulk of two diapers between us. “I’ve missed you,” I tell her.
“I’ve missed you too.” She glances around. “I love this house. How pretty.”
I nod. “I like it too, though I’ve only been here a few hours and most of that time I was taking a nap.” I scrunch up my nose.
Anabel giggles. “I had to take my nap before I could come over too.” She looks past me toward the kitchen windows. “You have a swing set!” She turns toward the men who are shaking hands as Daddy closes the front door. “Daddy, they have a swing set. Can we go outside?”
Anthony looks at her sternly. “We’re guests here, Anabel. How about some manners. It’s up to Melody’s Daddy. We don’t know his rules.”
I tip my head back toward Daddy. “Can we, Daddy?”
Daddy nods. “Go on out. We’ll grab some iced tea and be right behind you. Be careful,” he adds to our retreating backs.
I’m relieved to see Anabel is dressed identically to me. Fully exposed diaper, tiny white T-shirt, sandals. It calms me to know I’m not alone in this world I’ve been dropped into.
When we step out back, I glance around and point to a sandbox at the far end of the yard. “We can build a castle,” I exclaim.
Anabel nods enthusiastically as we run that direction. As soon as we plop down in the sand, she crisscrosses her legs and leans on her elbows, looking at me. “So? What do you think? Do you like the island so far?”
I shrug. “I’m not sure yet. I’m still in shock. Daddy didn’t tell me where we were going before we left this morning.”
She grins. “I knew where we were going when we came here for vacation, but I hadn’t done any research, so I was blindsided.” She palms her face. “I mean it’s called Regression Island. You would think I would have had a clue.”