Just as Laura is about to cave in and pick up one of the toys, she finds herself being lifted into the air.
“All right, sweetie, time for lunch!” coos Linda. She carries Laura over to a highchair that already has a container of baby food and bottle of milk sitting on the tray. Laura is quickly buckled into the highchair. She stares with dread at the baby food sitting before her. Her dread builds when she realizes that she’s lost her ability to read and can’t even tell what mushed fruit or vegetable is in the jar.
“Open up for the airplane!” Linda says, holding a spoonful of baby food out. She makes airplane sounds until Laura reluctantly opens her mouth, allowing Linda to stuff the spoon into her mouth. Laura nearly gags at the taste, but a rumble from her stomach is enough motivation to eat as much of the jar as Linda gives her. Once she’s done with the food, Linda pops the bottle of milk in Laura’s mouth.
“Aw, babies are so cute,” Linda gushes, watching Laura instinctively suckling on the bottle. She drains the bottle and Linda wipes her face clean before picking her up out of the highchair. Laura feels a distinct discomfort in her stomach that is alleviated when Linda patiently burps her.
“Oh, is someone about to make an oopsie?” Linda sings. Laura frowns in confusion until she feels something warm and mushy entering her diaper. Her eyes wide in panic, she tries to hold it in, but instead grunts loudly and forcefully pushes out the poop. The smell reaches her nose. It’s so foul that Laura can’t help but burst into tears.
“It’s okay, sweetie,” Linda says calmly. She procures a pacifier from somewhere and pops it into Laura’s mouth. Laura’s eyes widen further as she suckles on it instinctively, ceasing to cry. “Let’s get you all changed up, okay?” Linda brings Laura over to a changing table and changes Laura, who is so distracted by the pacifier that she doesn’t realize what is going on until Linda picks her up again.
“Nice clean diapy makes a nice happy baby!” Linda chirps. She brings Laura to a crib and gently puts her inside. “Sleep well.”
So soon after her last nap, Laura expects to be unable to fall asleep, but instead drifts off almost immediately.