“…pick up lunch.”
“Why can’t we just go straight home?” Leah begs as Tina buckles her back into the stroller.
“You were the one who suggested we get lunch on the way back,” Tina says. She pushes the stroller out of the bathroom. “Don’t worry, we’ll be home soon.” They head to check out, where the cashier coos over Leah, making her blush furiously.
At the car, Tina buckles Leah into the car seat she has in case of emergencies. Leah squawks in protest.
“Tina!”
“You look like a little girl that should be riding in a car seat right now. If a police officer saw you sitting up front, I’d get pulled over and then have to explain that you’re actually a teenager. Do you want me to tell a police officer that you’re a teen dressed like a baby?”
“…No,” Leah mumbles.
“That’s what I thought.” Tina gets into the car. They pull out of the parking lot. “Cheer up, honey! We’re going to your favorite place for lunch. Sammie’s!” Leah swallows nervously. The main reason she likes going to Sammie’s is because all her friends work there.
They park outside of Sammie’s.
“I’ll just stay in the car,” Leah says.
“No dice. It’s too hot.”
“Fine, if I’m going in, please put me back in the stroller so that my friends are less likely to recognize me,” Leah begs.
“If that’s what you want, sweetie.” Tina removes the stroller and buckles Leah into it. “Oh, here.” She hands Leah a pacifier. “Suck on that. It’ll help your disguise.” Leah takes the pacifier and pops it into her mouth. Tina might be making her go inside, but at least she’s doing what she can to keep people from recognizing Leah. “Do you want your regular order?”
“Yeth,” Leah says. The pacifier in her mouth adds a babyish lisp to her voice.
“Sounds good.” Tina pushes the stroller into the restaurant. There’s no line, so she goes right up to the cashier to place her order. Leah’s heart does a somersault as she realizes that her best friend, Tonya, is manning the register.