"...ready for you!" Rita said. She gestured to the spot at the table. There were pancakes already cut up and a sippy cup of milk waiting for Leah.
"Is this a joke?" Leah asked. She climbed onto the seat. "I can cut my own pancakes, you know."
"Oh, I'm sure you can, you're a big girl!" Rita gushed. She pinched Leah's cheek. "But this is safer for someone like you."
"Someone like me?"
"Your age," Rita said. Leah wanted to ask more questions, but her stomach rumbled. She sighed. She probably wouldn't get anything out of Rita anyways. Adults acted so weird around her, and Rita particularly so.
Leah wasn't given any utensils, so she had to eat her syrupy pancakes with her fingers. The chair was also a bit low for her, making it difficult for her to see over the table. Nevertheless, she finished her breakfast without making a mess, something that Rita congratulated her for over and over again.
"I can help clean up," Leah said as she hopped off the chair. Rita shook her head.
"No, sweetie, don't worry, I'll do all of it," she said firmly. "Why don't you go back to watching your show?"
"...Okay." Leah went back to the living room and put on the TV show from earlier. Once again, she found herself caught up in it, loving every single second. She was disappointed when Rita came over and turned the TV off.
"Let's get some shoes on you," Rita said playfully. She was still using the same tone as earlier. "We need to go to the store and get some things for you!"
"I don't need anything," Leah said slowly. Rita chuckled.
"Of course you do! You need..."