Tina is no idiot. And Leah is a horrible liar. From the very beginning, that day in the store, Tina has known that Leah was lying about what happened. It seems very clear to her what is going on with her stepdaughter. She's seen it before in children at the daycare she works at. A child suddenly regresses in their potty training and has to relearn. Usually, stress causes it.
Normally, Tina would feel compassion for a child dealing with this. And she did, at first. But with each lie, Tina grew angrier and angrier. For some reason, Leah won't confess, and it's led to this: Leah filling her diaper on Rita's doorstep. If Leah had come clean to her when her first accident happened, Tina feels certain that at most, Leah would need training pants during the night. But Leah won't say anything, so Tina had to take matters into her own hands.
A long-lasting laxative slipped into Leah's breakfast that morning, and given again to her by Rita throughout the week, will keep Leah diaper-dependent. Once Leah is completely reliant upon diapers, unable to tell when she needs to go, let alone get to the bathroom in time, Tina will re-potty train her. The method has been used countless times at her daycare. Tina knows it works.
Leah opens her mouth to say something to Tina. Tina feels fury surge through her at the thought of hearing another lie. She can't hide the anger on her face. Leah grunts again, possibly pooping even more from fear over Tina's expression. Tina turns to Rita.
"Sorry for this. She still hasn't been potty trained," Tina says. She's counting on Rita's lack of knowledge about child development, and, thankfully, her sister believes her.
"Luckily, I've stocked up on plenty of changing supplies!" Rita says. Leah grunts again. "I'll get set up in the living room. You can show me how to change a dirty diaper there." Rita goes back inside. Tina looks down at Leah. Her stepdaughter is, for all appearances, just a baby messing herself.
"Why did you tell Rita I'm not potty trained?" Leah asks.
"Because you clearly aren't," Tina says. Leah opens her mouth like she wants to argue, but can't think of anything to say and closes it. "We'll focus on potty training you at home, after your week with Rita."
"But-"
"No buts," Tina says firmly. Leah lets out a final fart, then straightens. Her diaper says visibly. "Time for a diaper change."
Rita is a quick study. In minutes, Leah is cleaned up in a fresh diaper, sitting on the couch. Tina says goodbye to her and Rita walks her to the door.
"Oh, before I forget." Tina hands Rita an unlabeled pill bottle. It's full of the laxatives Tina got for Leah. "These are Leah's special vitamins. She needs one every day. But don't let her see you adding them to her food or she won't eat. Picky eater."
"Got it," Rita says with a nod. Tina hugs her sister goodbye and leaves. As she drives away, she silently prays that Rita doesn't mess up with the laxatives.