Jess figures that she’ll avoid being singled out by Jimmy if she joins the other toddlers and babies. It would look bad for Jimmy to wander into the group of diaper-clad children and grab one. Not to mention, Jimmy might not even see her if she blends in well. After thanking Amy again and saying goodbye, Jess toddles over to a small room in the reception hall. The door is open, but a baby gate is set up, preventing the very young children there from escaping. She stands by the gate for a few moments, until someone in the room spots her.
“Oh! How did you get out?” asks the young woman who saw her. The woman picks Jess up and sets her on the other side of the baby gate.
“No out,” Jess chirps. “Mommy said come here.”
“Okay.” The woman ruffles Jess’s hair. “Wow, you’re such a good talker!” Jess beams up at her. “All right, go ahead and have some fun, sweetie. If you need a change, just ask.”
Luckily, Jess manages to avoid needing a change, though she does get worried at one point when someone checks her diaper and announces she’s wet.
“Not wet enough for a change yet, though,” says the young woman.
Gradually, toddlers and babies leave as they are picked up by their parents. Eventually, Jess is the only one left. The woman who brought her into the room lifts her up and has her survey the reception hall.
“Do you see your mommy or daddy?” she asks. Jess’s heart sinks. She doesn’t see Mom anywhere. Mom left without her! She shakes her head. The woman sighs quietly and sets Jess back down. “All right, I guess we’ll wait. Maybe your mommy is just in the bathroom.”
Jess occupies herself with a pile of wooden blocks. After a few moments, the woman comes over to get Jess.
“Good news, sweetie, you’re going home!” she coos. Jess follows her to the doorway. Her eyes widen when she sees who’s come to pick her up.