Like Leah, Elizabeth was short for her age, and the pair bonded over being mocked by their peers. “How can she do this after everything we’ve been through?”
The teenager went home and searched her closet. Elizabeth put on a red shirt and a pair of matching shorts before examining herself in the mirror. However, the young woman was less than pleased with what she saw. While Elizabeth was the right size for the role of a toddler, her reflection didn’t show a young child but rather a toddler-sized teenager.
“What are you doing?” A voice called.
The teenager looked in her doorway and saw her twelve-year-old sister looking at her. “Jesus, Kim! Ever hear of knocking?”
“What are you doing?” Kim repeated.
“None of your business!” Elizabeth retorted.
“Fine, Shrimp,” the middle schooler turned to walk away.
“Wait a minute!” The older girl called. Kim may be annoying, but she was also a volunteer at the daycare Tina’s mom worked at through their after-school program. “Can I ask you something?”
“You just did, Shrimp,” Kim chuckled.
Elizabeth blushed, “I’m serious; do you have any of those uniforms from the daycare?”
“They sent me home with a few,” The tween told her sister. “They want me to wash them, why?”
“Do you think,” Elizabeth said slowly, “They would fit me?”
Kim’s mouth dropped, “Fit you?”
The teenager turned away in anger, “Just forget it.”
“No way,” Kim knelt to her sister’s level, “What’s going on Shr… I mean, Elizabeth?”
Elizabeth sighed; Kim only addressed the teenager by her proper name when she was trying to be nice. “It’s Leah,” Elizabeth explained. “She’s going to the daycare and pretending to be a toddler!”
“What?” Kim demanded with a grin. “I’m so glad I’m back in the toddler room tomorrow.”
“You can’t tell her, you know!” The teenager ordered. “I need to figure out what’s going on!”
“Figure out what’s going on?” Kim repeated, “Wait a minute; the uniforms! Are you going to try to pass yourself off as a toddler?”
“Shut up!” Elizabeth yelled. “I just need to figure out what’s going on and talk some sense into Leah before anyone at school finds out.”
“Well,” The tween smiled. “You’re going to need my help.”
“No way!”
“Face it,” Kim smiled. “You’ve worked your whole life to convince people you’re not a toddler; you need me to help you develop your character.”
Elizabeth thought about Kim’s words. Should she accept her sister’s help or go at it alone?