While the idea of being a baby was tempting, I really did not think going back that far was a good idea. It would be hard to fake being that young mentally, and I sure didn't want to lose all the knowledge I had gained. Moving further down the isle, I paid closer attention to the labels. Some of the clothes were for girls, which was also mildly tempting but also discarded. No, I wanted to stay male, and old enough to have a little mobility.
Some Cars underpants caught my eye, and I looked closer. Probably for first graders. Some more searching turned up a package of Star Wars training pants in about the same size, and a folded-up sheet of plastic. That puzzled me a minute, then I realized it was for a small mattress. A bed-wetter. There were some clothes with them as well in different sizes. I guessed for ages 3, 4, and 5,a nd then a larger set for a kid maybe 8 or 9. Then there were some I could wear now. Sixteen and bed wetting wasn't going to get me the kind of attention I wanted.
Still, the overall package was interesting. "What about these?" I showed the training pants and the clothes for a 5 year-old. She pointed towards the back. "Try them on. If you like them come out. if you don't stay in there and change back to your own clothing before you come out."
I want back to the indicated room. it was bigger than most dressing rooms I have seen, and had a huge mirror that covered one wall. I took off my clothes, stripping down all the way, and then pulled on the training pants. I was disappointed - they just stretched to fit me - there was no change at all. I almost stopped there, but figured I would give the stuff a chance. The clothes were harder - the shirt and pants were way too small - and then suddenly I slid the shirt on easily. It was a child's Chewbacca T-shirt to go with the training pants, and it hung loosely on my skinny body. Startled, I looked at the mirror to see that I was a little kid! Even thinking it might happen had not really prepared me to have it happen.
I was maybe 5 years old, with a shaggy mop of dark hair and a missing front tooth. The reflection made me grin - I recognized myself from old pictures. Pulling on the shorts and then the Velcro sneakers finished the look. This was fantastic! I was the cute kid from back before first grade, and I could remember everything. Except - would everyone still think of me as a 16 year-old, or would reality change? I had not thought to ask.