Chapter 13: The Rules

Dinner ended quietly, awkwardly, and way too slowly for my comfort. I kept my eyes glued to my plate, cheeks burning the whole time. Every shift in my seat made the plastic of the diaper rustle, and even though nobody said anything after Jenny scolded them, I could feel the girls' eyes drifting toward me in tiny stolen glances.

When the dishes were cleared, Jenny clapped her hands lightly.

"Okay, everybody. Living room, please. Family meeting time."

My stomach dropped.
Right. The "rules" she mentioned before dinner.

The kids filed into the living room:
Sabrina and Josie took the loveseat, whispering behind their hands.
Katie maneuvered her crutches carefully and sat on the armchair.
Brianna plopped next to her, arms crossed but eyes alert, like she'd been waiting all night for this.

I was guided to the couch with a gentle hand on my shoulder.

I tried pulling my shirt down to cover my diaper, but Jenny gently tugged it back into place.

"Normal sitting, please, Jake."

Easy for her to say.

Scott came in holding a printed stack of papers—eight or nine sheets thick. When he handed one to each kid, Sabrina's eyes went huge.

"Wait... are these the rules for... the diapers?" she asked, almost excited.

"Yep," Scott said, sitting beside Jenny. "And all of you will listen carefully."

Katie skimmed hers and muttered, "Oh my god..."
Brianna let out a breathy laugh. "This is... wow."

Jenny didn't look amused. She cleared her throat.

"Girls. This is not funny. This is serious. And this applies to any of you, at any time, depending on behavior. If someone ends up in diapers, these rules are what we follow. Got it?"

Everyone shut up fast.

Except the rustling beneath me when I shifted. Great.

Jenny began reading aloud, clear and calm like she was explaining school policy:

⸻

HOUSEHOLD DIAPER POLICY — OFFICIAL RULE SHEET

(Applies to Any Child Placed in Diapers)

⸻

GENERAL EXPECTATIONS

"Rule One," she read. "Toilet use is not allowed. Any child placed in diapers must use them for all needs."

Josie's mouth dropped open.
Sabrina snorted until Katie elbowed her.

I sank deeper into the cushions.

"Rule Two: Diapers must remain on. No loosening tapes, rolling waistbands, or adjusting without permission."

Sabrina whispered to Brianna, "He does that already, doesn't he?"
Jenny shot them a look and they straightened instantly.

"Rule Three: Honesty is required. If an adult asks 'Did you go?' the child must answer truthfully."

Yeah. That one was... about me.
I felt my ears burn.

"Rule Four: Used diapers go in the diaper pail. No hiding, stuffing, or using regular trash."

Jenny paused just long enough to glance at the hallway—where the diaper pail was now very visibly stationed.

"Adults decide when diaper changes happen—upon waking, before meals, before naps, before bed, after outdoor play, or whenever we notice a wet or messy diaper."

"Whoa," Brianna murmured, reading along. "That's... intense."

DIAPER CHANGE RULES
"Kids do not request changes unless it's urgent."

Sabrina raised her hand like she was in school.
"Um, what counts as urgent?"

"Burning, rash, leaking," Jenny said. "Needing comfort. That sort of thing. But regular wet diapers don't qualify."

I swallowed hard. My face felt hot.

"Diaper checks may happen at any time."

Sabrina lit up like a Christmas tree.
Brianna bit back a laugh.
Katie smirked behind her hand.

Jenny didn't miss any of it.

"That includes waistband checks, leg checks, pats—whatever is needed," she added. "And no complaining when it happens."

I sank even further.

"During changes," Jenny continued, "the child must stay still. No squirming, no arguing, no covering."

Josie raised her hand.
"But what if someone's ticklish?"

"Then they try their best," Jenny said.

Katie giggled.

CLOTHING RULES

"No covering accidents with extra clothing."

Every girl looked directly at me.
I wanted to melt into the cushions.

"If a child lies about being wet or messy," Jenny read, "pants privileges may be removed. They may spend the day in: a shirt and diaper, a onesie only, or footie pajamas."

Brianna slowly looked at me.
Then at my bare legs.
Then bit her lip to keep from smiling.

Jenny didn't miss it.

"Brianna," she warned.

"Sorry," Brianna muttered, but she definitely wasn't.

"Pajamas must stay zipped, snapped, or buttoned. No removing onesies or footies."

"Hot days: diaper-only outfits may be required."

"Heavy-diaper days: meals may be eaten in the high chair."

Every single girl turned slowly toward me when they heard the words "high chair."

Jenny noticed.
"Anyone laughing gets kitchen cleanup duty."

Instant silence.

OUTINGS & SUPERVISION

"A diaper bag travels with the child. Public checks may happen as needed."

Brianna gasped dramatically.
"You'd get checked in public, Jake?"

My whole face went red.

Jenny cut in sharply.
"BRIANNA. Last WARNING!"

She shrunk slightly. "Sorry..."

"If lying occurs: t-shirt and diaper only, onesie only, or footed pajamas for the day."

Her eyes flicked to me briefly—not meanly, but honestly.

"If hiding wet or messy diapers happens: more checks, less clothing, or high-chair seating."

Sabrina sucked in a breath like oohhh.

"If defiance continues: earlier bedtime, thicker diapers, closer supervision."

Josie softly whispered to Sabrina, "I'm never breaking a rule ever again."

"No child in diapers may use the bathroom."

My heart squeezed.
I stared at the carpet.

"And finally..."

Jenny lowered the page and looked at all of them.

"No teasing another child for their diapers. If teasing happens, that child will be diapered too."

The room went utterly silent.

Even Sabrina froze.

Jenny folded the rule sheet in her lap.

"So... that's the policy. It applies to any of you. And we expect cooperation, respect, and kindness. Understand?"

They all nodded.

Slowly.

Even me.

Jenny stood and clapped her hands softly.

"Alright. Everyone take a few minutes to settle. Jake, sweetheart... stay put for a moment. We need to talk privately about bedtime."

All the girls' eyes shot toward me again.

My face flushed—and my diaper crinkled loudly as I shifted in place.