Calculus. Kelly was the only person she knew of who actually enjoyed Calculus, but something about it just spoke to her. She followed the lesson eagerly, scribbling notes with her crayons. Thankfully, her potty training might have been reduced, but her ability in math had not been.
Kelly was beginning to feel a bit better about things, maybe even like things were shifting back to normal, until the teacher told them to turn to a specific page in their textbooks and do the assignment there. She opened her picture book textbook to the page. Her jaw dropped. It wasn’t calculus. It was math even a fifth grader would find easy. She raised her hand. The teacher came over.
“Yes, Kelly?” the teacher, Mr. Browne, asked.
“Why doesn’t my textbook have calculus in it?” Kelly asked. Mr. Browne chuckled. He patted Kelly’s head.
“Don’t you remember?” he asked. Dread began to fill Kelly’s gut. “When you turned into a toddler, your parents insisted that you be given an easier workload.” He shook his head. “The school tried to argue that if you were given an easier workload, you should just go to kindergarten, or even daycare. Particularly given your new age. But they threatened to sue.”
“But I don’t need easier assignments,” Kelly argued. Mr. Browne nodded.
“I know that. But your parents don’t agree. I’m sorry, Kelly. You’ll be getting your high school diploma for doing grade school work.” He patted Kelly’s head again. “You’re still one of my favorite students, don’t worry. And if you ever need a diaper change and Ryan’s not around, I’m more than happy to change you.”
“Thank you,” Kelly said softly. Mr. Browne walked back to his desk. Kelly reluctantly began her assignment, which she finished in record time. She spent the rest of the period sitting in her playpen, coloring the coloring books that were in her wagon with her school supplies.
The bell rang. Lisa removed Kelly from the playpen and put her supplies into her wagon. Kelly left the classroom. Ryan was already waiting for her.
“Need a change?” he asked. He stuck a finger down the back of her diaper before she could answer. “Nope. You’re good. All right, next class.” Ryan took Kelly’s hand and led her down the hall. Kelly swallowed nervously. Calculus had gone all right, but the next class was her least favorite: