Step Brother to Step Baby (Chapter 13)

As Mikey stood frozen in front of the door, his gaze fixated on the delivery van parked outside. The bright blue and yellow logo of NappiCycle caught his eye, featuring a cartoon image of a smiling baby holding a nappy. The sight sent a wave of panic through him.

Alison's voice echoed from the living room, cutting through his thoughts. "Who is at the door, Mikey?" she called out, her tone filled with both curiosity and impatience.

Mikey's heart raced, knowing the contents of the delivery could potentially ruin his life and expose him to ridicule from his sisters and the entire neighbourhood. 

He considered the possibility of refusing the delivery, hoping that it would buy him some time to convince Alison to abandon her plans and see the absurdity of the situation.

Reacting instinctively, he hastily opened the door, determined to get rid of the delivery person before it was too late. A young man with a friendly smile stood before him, holding various items, including a pack of Betterdry adult nappies.

"Hi there, I'm from NappiCycle. We've got a delivery for you," the young man said, his voice cheery.

Mikey's cheeks flushed with embarrassment as he realised that the delivery person likely knew the package was meant for him. 

Desperate to find a way out, he stammered, "Um, no, I think there's been a mistake. We didn't order anything from NappiCycle."

The delivery person frowned, consulting his clipboard. "Are you sure? It says right here that we're delivering to this address. The name I have is Michael. Do you know...?"

Mikey interrupted him before he could finish. "Sorry, that's not for us. You must have the wrong house. Thanks anyway," he blurted out, shutting the door abruptly.

Leaning against the door, Mikey's breath came in short, shallow gasps. His heart pounded in his chest, and perspiration formed on his forehead. 

He realised that running away from his problems wouldn't solve anything, but accepting the delivery would seal his fate and make it even more challenging to break free from Alison's control. 

The thought of being trapped in nappies and treated like an infant indefinitely turned his stomach.

As the weight of his decision settled in, Mikey's mind shifted to Alison's impending reaction when she discovered what he had done. 

Would she be disappointed? Angry? Or would she view it as a sign of defiance and subject him to even harsher punishment?

Lost in his thoughts, Mikey returned to the living room, attempting to act as if nothing had happened. But deep down, he knew that the delivery was a stark reminder of the reality he was facing, and the matter was far from over.

"Mikey, didn't you hear me? Who was at the door?" Alison's voice pierced through the room, her tone conveying both frustration and suspicion.

Mikey attempted to sound composed as he replied, "It was a delivery, but they must have had the wrong address."

Alison fixed him with a sceptical gaze, sensing that he was hiding something.

Alison took a deep breath, steeling herself for the conversation that was about to happen. She approached Mikey, who was nervously fidgeting with the hem of his shirt.

"Mikey, I'm going to ask you again, who was at the door?" Alison began, her voice gentle but firm.

Mikey's eyes darted around the room, avoiding Alison's piercing gaze. He knew he was in trouble and was going to struggle to keep up the charade any longer.

"I told you they had the wrong address. There's nothing more to it," Mikey replied, his voice wavering slightly.

Alison crossed her arms, her expression unwavering.

"Mikey, I find it hard to believe that a delivery person would just show up at our door with a package meant for someone at this house" she said pointedly. "You can't expect me to think it's a mere coincidence, especially given I am expecting a delivery."

At this point, he knew that Alison would find out what had happened but he was in too deep to admit what he had done now. He had to just hope that for some miraculous reason, she wouldn’t find out, however unlikely that seemed.

"You better not be lying to me Mikey. There will be serious consequences, if you are.”

Mikey shifted uncomfortably, realising that Alison wasn't going to let this go easily.

"I’m not. I’m being honest" he pleaded, with little conviction.

Alison's eyes narrowed, her voice firm.

“Honesty? You don’t know the meaning of it.” Alison replied sharply, before exiting the room.

She made her way to the front door and opened it, scanning the surroundings for any signs of the delivery person. The van had vanished, leaving no trace of its presence.

She returned inside, her suspicion only stronger.

It was clear that Mikey had lied about the delivery, as she had received a time slot, but before reacting, she wanted to contemplate her next move, and carefully consider how to handle the situation, so that she could use it to her advantage.

Walking back into the living room, she took a seat opposite Mikey, who was desperately trying to avoid eye contact with her.

"Mikey, I can tell when you're lying. This is your last chance to admit it.” she warned.

Mikey stuck to his guns, in the hope that Alison would finally let the subject drop.

"I... I swear, I’m not lying" he stuttered, his voice barely above a whisper.

The room fell silent, tension hanging thick in the air, as if signalling that a pivotal moment was about to unfold. The anticipation was palpable, but no one knew what form it would take.

Suddenly, the distant sound of voices outside broke the stillness. Mikey strained to listen, his heart pounding in his chest, fearing that his deception was about to be exposed.

His worst fears were confirmed as he recognised the unmistakable voice of their neighbour, Clare, a gossipy elderly woman known for prying into the lives of others. She approached Alison, accompanied by the delivery person, engaging in a conversation that carried through the open door.

“I’ve definitely got this address on the order” confirmed the delivery driver.

"All of her children are grown up. I think there must be a mistake," Clare exclaimed, her Scottish accent echoing down the street.”

“The name I have on the order is M Johnson. Do you know him?”

“Michael does live there but it can’t be him. He's 17 so long out of nappies!” Clare replied in a state of confusion.

“Alison, this gentleman is trying to deliver some nappies. I have told him that there must be some kind of mistake”

Alison, standing at the doorway, responded with certainty. "No, that's correct. It's for this house."

Surprised by this revelation, Clare gasped audibly. "Well, I never... I thought all of your lot would be well out of nappies by now. Or do you have another one on the way?" she inquired, unable to contain her curiosity.

Alison's gaze remained steady as she replied, "Well, they are, but unfortunately, one of them is just going back into them again."

Clare's astonishment was evident, and her mind raced with speculations. Meanwhile, inside the living room, Mikey listened anxiously, dreading the consequences that awaited him when his name was inevitably called.

Alison's voice boomed across the room, filled with a mix of authority and disappointment. "Michael Edward Johnson, come here... now!"