"...needs to be burped!" Mrs. Montague takes Leah out of the high chair and holds her over her shoulder, gently patting Leah's back.
To Leah's frustration, Mrs. Montague is right. Leah begins to let out a series of burps. Her tummy discomfort slowly fades until it vanishes completely with a final loud burp. She sighs in relief. Then she hears, rather than feels, herself wet her diaper. She blushes at the soft hiss, but Mrs. Montague doesn't bat an eye.
"All right, diaper check time." Mrs. Montague checks Leah's diaper. "A bit wet, but not enough for a change."
Mrs. Montague brings Leah into the large living room, where a playpen stocked with "age-appropriate" toys is already waiting. Leah is gently placed in the playpen, then Mrs. Montague turns on the TV. It's some colorful cartoon for babies and toddlers. But Leah finds herself sucked in somehow.
"Uh-oh, someone made a stinky," Mrs. Montague says. Leah blinks. She has? She shifts how she's sitting and feels the familiar mush.
To Leah's disappointment, the TV is turned off. Mrs. Montague changes her diaper and puts her down for a nap. After her nap, Leah is changed. Again. But this time, by Rita, who has returned from work.
Rita thanks Mrs. Montague and leaves, carrying a still sleepy Leah. As they walk, Rita talks to Leah.
"Elise offered to keep you overnight. Sort of like a 24/7 daycare. Until Tina gets back," Rita says. "What do you think?" Leah sucks on her thumb as she thinks.
She's definitely becoming more babylike. Which could be from being babied by Mrs. Montague. But it might not be. And, importantly, Mrs. Montague knows how to take care of babies, should this trend continue. Which, if the shart she just let out is any indication, is going to.
Leah takes her thumb out of her mouth to reply to Rita.