Chapter 5: Night One

The moment I saw the pull-ups sitting in the bag, my stomach dropped.
But what made it worse—what made my whole body heat up—was that Brianna saw them too.

I needed to think fast. Scott was busy in the girls' new room, joking around and helping them plan decorations, so at least he didn't see anything. I looked toward Amanda, hoping she'd understand what I needed without me saying it outright.

"Hey, uh... Amanda?" I cut into her conversation with Jenny. "We forgot to put Josie's pull-ups with her stuff."

I gave her a pleading look. Please get it. Please play along.

Thank God—she did.

"Oh, that's okay. I'll take care of it," she said casually, like it was nothing.

I glanced back at Brianna. She was still eyeing the Mickey Mouse package with this confused, curious look. And then I looked down again... and my heart just fell out of my body.

5T–6T.

Way too big for a three-year-old.

I knew exactly what she was thinking. How does a toddler even fit in those?
My face burned.

I forced myself not to react, not to give anything else away. Drawing more attention would only make things worse. So I scooped up the pack and grabbed whatever else I could carry, walked straight to my new room, and dropped everything on my side of the bed.

I couldn't believe Amanda had even bought them... and then just left them out in the open like that. She had no idea how close I was to looking like a total baby in front of everyone—especially Brianna. And now that I'd seen her up close, she was actually really cute. Dirty blonde hair in a neat braid down her back, yoga pants all the teenage girls wore then, a normal T-shirt, braces, a shy smile. Short, but everyone in this house seemed short—even Scott. Probably just the family genes.

Great, I thought, of course the cute one is the one who saw.

When I finished putting my stuff away, I stepped back out. It was around 9 p.m., and Amanda was getting ready to leave and officially hand us over to Scott and Jenny for the night. But before she left, she asked if she and Jenny could have a word with me.

Scott stayed with the rest of the kids while I followed them into my room. Jenny closed the door, and we all sat on the beds.

Amanda started gently.

"Hey bud, so... I wanted to let you know I filled Jenny in on your pull-ups situation."

The words hit me like a punch. My face went hot instantly.

Amanda continued, "I made sure no one else was around, so nobody else knows what's going on, but—"

"Why did you even buy them?" I cut in, annoyed and embarrassed. "I told you I didn't need them."

"Well, it's just in case," she said. "So you feel more confident in a new home and you—"

"How would that make me feel more confident?" My voice edged up. "If anyone found out I was wearing those, it'd be a nightmare."

"Hey, hon," Jenny said softly. "I get it. I really do. I was a bed wetter until I was fourteen. I think Amanda just didn't want you waking up to wet sheets and feeling like you had to hide it."

Amanda nodded quickly. "Exactly. I never wanted to embarrass you."

I took a breath, trying to calm down. "But I don't need them. Really. Sabrina exaggerates. Can we just... give it a chance? Let me show you I'm fine, and you can return them."

"Oh, it's okay, buddy," Amanda said. "It's county money, not mine. But—" she looked at Jenny, "—if Jenny's okay with it, we can try what you're asking. Keep them in the bathroom for now."

"Yeah," Jenny agreed. "We can take it one day at a time."

"Thank you," I said, relieved.

"Of course," Amanda smiled. "It's late anyway. I'll say goodbye to your sisters, and I'll be back in a month to check on you guys."

We all returned to the living room. Everyone was still chatting and settling in. The family seemed... okay. Normal. My sisters looked happy enough, which eased something in me. And the pull-ups I'd left on the floor were gone—another relief.

Amanda said goodbye, hugged my sisters, thanked Scott and Jenny, and headed out.

Scott shut the door behind her. "Alright, guys. I know we're excited about our new guests, but it's a school night. Let's start bedtime."

"Awww, Daddy," Katie whined.

"Nope, he's right," Jenny said. "PJs, bathroom, teeth. Josie, Jonny—come with me so we can get your diapers on."

"I wear puww-ups," Josie corrected.

"Oh, I'm sorry," Jenny said sweetly. "Come with me, then."

All I could think was: Thank God she didn't tell me to come with them too. I'd barely escaped disaster tonight.

We all got ready for bed—new pajamas, teeth brushed, Sabrina brushing her hair like always. The younger ones got their nighttime underwear. Everyone said goodnight and "see you in the morning," and the parents tucked in the little kids.

They checked on me and Sabrina last. I told Sabrina goodnight, then lay in my bed staring at the ceiling. I felt this heavy sadness settle over me—no mom, no goodnight hug, no idea if she was okay. Just a strange room and a new ceiling.

Later, Jenny and Scott came in quietly.

"Need anything?" Jenny whispered.

"Can I have some water?" I asked.

"Are you sure?" she asked, like she was weighing something.

"Yes, please. My mouth's dry."

Scott nodded and returned with a plastic cup. I drank most of it and eventually drifted off.

I woke only once, hearing tiny footsteps—Jonny sneaking into his parents' room.

Then morning came.

I heard voices, dishes clinking, kids talking. I blinked up at a ceiling I didn't recognize, remembered where I was, rubbed my eyes...

...and then I felt it.

Cold. Heavy. Wet.

I looked down.

A big, yellow stain spread across the white sheets. My pajamas were soaked. The bed was soaked.

I had wet the bed.