Laura sucks on her pacifier for comfort as Anna walks away from the ballet studio, pushing her stroller.
“It’ll be much easier for me to figure out how to fix things if I’m not also watching you,” Anna informs her. Laura merely sucks on her pacifier in response. “So I had to make arrangements for the day for the both of you.”
“Day?!” Laura squeaks around her pacifier. Anna nods.
“Yes, the day. I’ll be back when Kaitlin’s class ends at around two.” They arrive at the mall daycare. Anna opens the door and pushes the stroller inside. She walks up to the counter. “Hello, I’m here to drop off my granddaughter for the day.”
“The whole day?” the employee asks. Anna nods.
“Yes. She’ll be picked up by either myself or my daughter at around two.”
“All right.” The employee looks at Laura. Laura shrinks back under the analytical gaze. “How old is she?”
“She’s two.”
“So not potty-trained.”
“She-” Anna starts. She stops, however, when she hears grunting come from the stroller. Laura turns red with embarrassment and effort as she begins to push, emptying her bowels into her diaper in front of the employee and Anna. After a few moments, she finishes with a soft sigh. Anna chuckles. “She’s not, as you can tell.”
“Yes, that’s obvious. Did you bring diapers for her?”
“I did.” Anna hands over the diaper bag. “There’s also some formula in there for her.”
“Oh, we don’t need formula. One of the employees is pumping, and producing a lot more breastmilk than she needs, so any children still being bottle fed are given breastmilk instead of formula.”
“Wow, that’s wonderful!” Anna chirps. Laura’s stomach churns with discomfort. “She’s also eating some solids, but be supplemented with formula, so being given breastmilk instead will be excellent for her.”
“Understood. Anything else?”
“She’s a bit fussy in new situations, so please be gentle with her.”
“Of course. Oh, and what’s her name?”
“Laura.”
“Got it.” The employee types a few things into a computer. “All checked in!”
“Excellent.” Anna unbuckles Laura from the stroller and hands her over to the employee. Laura’s diaper sags visibly under her. “Be good, Laura.” Anna leaves, taking the stroller with her.
The employee carries Laura and the diaper bag over to a section of the daycare clearly reserved for young toddlers.
“Todd, a stinker was just dropped off,” the employee says, handing Laura over to a young man.
“No problem. What’s her name?”
“Laura.”
“Laura.” Todd smiles at Laura. “Welcome to daycare, Laura! Let’s get you in a nice clean diapy!” He carries Laura to a changing table set against a wall, where he proceeds to quickly and efficiently change her. Once in a clean diaper, Laura is set on the floor. “If you need a change, honey, just let me know!” Sitting on the floor, Laura sucks urgently on her pacifier.
Hopefully, she won’t be nearly as miserable as she’s sure Kaitlin is.