Jimmy won’t mess with Jess if she’s close to Mom. After thanking Amy again and saying goodbye, Jess toddles over to Mom. She looks up with wide, plaintive eyes. Mom looks down at her, visibly disgruntled.
“I sowwy,” Jess says. Mom sighs.
“Fine, you can stay with me instead of with the other kids, but I expect you to apologize to Jack, too.” Jess nods, not planning on saying anything resembling an apology to her brother. Mom lifts her onto her lap. For the rest of the reception, Jess latches onto Mom. When Mom gets up and leaves the table, Jess follows close behind. She keeps an eye out for Jimmy, but luckily, doesn’t spot him anywhere.
The reception quickly becomes boring for Jess. She can’t do anything fun. The most she can do is allow an adult to drag her onto the dance floor every now and then. Mom’s wine glass is incredibly tempting, but Jess knows that if she even seems like she’s reaching for it, Mom will dump her with the kids again.
While propped on Mom’s hip as she talks to relatives, Jess feels a warmth spread in her diaper. Mom, alerted to the accident by the soft hiss, frowns at her. Jess smiles weakly.
“You’ll have to wait,” Mom says shortly. Jess nods. She can tell that Mom has no plans to change her diaper, no matter how wet it becomes. Even if she messes herself, Mom might just tell Jess to find someone else to change her.
Eventually, the reception dies down. Guests begin to leave.