“Tina, I need the bathroom,” Leah says urgently.
“Can’t you hold it?”
“No!”
“All right, to the bathroom we go.” Tina pushes the cart through the store, making a beeline for the bathrooms. They get to the bathroom, where Tina removes Leah from the cart. The movement of being lifted is enough to break Leah’s tenuous control. While midair, Leah’s bowels and bladder empty, turning the diaper brown and yellow. She bursts into tears.
“I thought I was going to make it this time!”
“It’s okay, sweetie,” Tina says soothingly, bringing Leah to the changing station. She notices that Leah’s diaper has leaked, but keeps it to herself, not wanting to distress the teen further. Leah cries throughout the diaper change.
“What if I do it again?” she wails.
“If you do, I’ll change you right away,” Tina promises.
“Yeah, but everyone will be able to see it, because there’s nothing over this stupid diaper!” Leah snaps. Tina chews on her lip, thinking. No bottoms makes for an easier change, particularly if, should Leah have a third accident, her diaper leaks again. But Leah is clearly at her breaking point.
“Let’s get you something new to wear, then,” Tina says as she puts Leah back in the cart seat. Leah sniffles loudly.
“Really?”
“Sure! There aren’t a lot of clothing options here, but we should be able to find something.” Tina pushes the cart out of the bathroom and heads for the small clothing section of the store. “Do you having anything in particular you’d like?”