If You Act Like A Baby (Chapter 7)

The sun was beginning to set, casting a warm golden glow over the front yard where Ellie and her Mum stood. Ellie had a resolute look on her face, while her Mum looked puzzled.

"Mum," Ellie began, "there's a reason Leo was struggling with his potty training. It was Jamie’s fault."

Her Mum furrowed her brows. "What do you mean, Ellie? Are you saying that Jamie was deliberately sabotaging Leo's potty training? Why would he do that?"

Just as the tension was building, the door swung open, and Jamie stepped out, having just changed into dry clothes. He saw his Mum and Ellie talking outside and felt a pang of worry in his chest.

Sensing that there was something wrong, he looked nervously at his Mum and then back at Ellie. He knew he was in trouble and that he had to prevent his secret from getting out.

"What's the problem?" Jamie asked, feigning innocence as he joined them.

Their Mum turned her attention to Jamie. "Ellie just mentioned that you have been sabotaging Leo's potty training. Is this true? Are you deliberating doing it as  you want him to stay in diapers?"

Jamie's eyes widened, panic creeping into his expression. He looked at Ellie with an unspoken plea, begging her not to reveal the truth. Ellie felt a mix of emotions; she knew that she had to stop Jamie's behaviour, but she also couldn't bear to see him in such distress and contemplated if he deserved one last chance to prove himself, knowing the potential consequences that awaited him, if their parents discovered the truth about what he had been doing.

"I... I might have been a bit lazy about it," Jamie admitted, his voice small. "I didn't always take Leo to the potty when I should have. But it's not like I was deliberately sabotaging his potty training or anything."

Ellie hesitated for a moment, then nodded in agreement with Jamie's story. "Yeah, that's what I meant, Mum. Jamie wasn't being very responsible with Leo's potty training. It wasn't until I went around and checked that things started to change. I just thought you should know."

Their Mum sighed, looking between the two of them sceptically. "Well, Jamie, you should know better. I hope that’s the truth and you’re not lying to me as you two have been acting very suspiciously lately. If you can’t look after Leo like an adult and be responsible then maybe it would be best if you stopped babysitting him from now on."

Jamie sighed in relief, realising Ellie had covered for him but was now worried that his access to Leo’s baby supplies was at risk.  He turned to his Mum. "I'm sorry, Mum. I know I messed up, but I've learned my lesson. I've been really responsible and helpful with Leo's potty training lately, which is why he's doing so well now."

Their Mum's suspicion lingered, but she seemed to accept Jamie's explanation for now. "I need to think about it and decide what to do. Given that Hazel and I are going out tonight, I assume you can be trusted to be responsible this evening because it will be too late to find another babysitter at this short notice. If you can show me that you are responsible and you have learnt your lesson then perhaps I will hold off telling Hazel but at this moment in time, I’m very cross at you Jamie and I think I owe it to her to let her know why Leo has struggled with his potty training and let her decide if she wants to give you another chance or not.”

Realising that there was little he could say to make the situation better, Jamie decided to keep quiet and just nodded his head.

After a brief look at Ellie, his Mum turned back to Jamie with a serious look on her face and gave him a stern warning, “Just remember, if I find out you've been sneaking diapers or causing any more trouble, you'll be the one wearing them. If you act like a baby, you'll be treated like one. That means no more accidents too!"

Jamie's heart skipped a beat as he processed his Mum's words. Despite the earlier promise, it was clear that Ellie knew about his accident. Panic flashed in his eyes, and he shot Ellie a glance filled with worry. He was relieved that his sister hadn't revealed his secret, but he also knew that his close call had exposed just how vulnerable his secret was.

The conversation came to an end, and their Mum went back inside, leaving Jamie and Ellie alone in the front yard. Jamie turned to Ellie with a mixture of gratitude and apprehension. "Thanks for covering for me, Ellie. You are the best."

Ellie looked at her little brother, a soft smile on her face. "You’re a lucky boy, Jamie. But I’m warning you too. I’m done covering. You’re nearly an adult. You can’t be wetting yourself. I assume that you have been wearing diapers so much that you have become used to it and weakened your bladder…. I mean, you weren’t exactly ever great at holding your pee given the amount of times we had to stop every time we go on a road trip so no more diapers! Promise me."

Jamie nodded earnestly. "I promise, Ellie. And... thanks again."

As they shared a moment of sibling understanding, the sun started to dip below the horizon, casting long shadows across the yard.

Jamie knew his secret had been dangerously close to being revealed and he was on his last chance so he would have to be more careful in the future, if he wanted to avoid the consequences that would await him, if he was ever found out.

Despite the promises he had made to his sister and mother, he was battling the urge inside him to use Leo’s supplies one last time. 

He reasoned that this might be his final opportunity, if his mum told Hazel about his attempts to sabotage Leo’s potty training. Even if she didn’t tell her, Leo’s need for diapers was nearly over.

While he knew that he shouldn’t, tonight represented the perfect opportunity for one final chance to act like a baby. Ellie was going to be out with her friends, Leo would be tucked up in bed and his Mum and Hazel were going to be out all evening. 

As long as he was careful, there was no chance anyone would find out. Or so he thought….