When he was finished, he snapped his fingers loudly, causing Louise’s waiter to rush over with a small capped four ounce baby bottle that was half-filled with the Chef’s special baby formula and place it on the table in front of the high chair. Maurice silently pointed with a single finger to the crayons and empty chicken plate, causing Louise’s waiter to gather up the silverware, dish and crayons and place them on the serving tray on the folding table.
Louise looked questioningly at the baby bottle on the table and asked, “Could you answer a question for me, please? Why did you bring him formula? I didn’t order it. I thought the dinner alone was enough to make him a baby again. Besides, I had other plans when I said he’d drink milk this afternoon.”
Maurice smiled and said, “There are only two ounces of formula in the bottle, Madam. I’m quite sure he’ll still be thirsty when he finishes the contents of the bottle. The effects of the dinner are temporary, Madam. You indicated when you made reservations that you wanted him to remain a baby forever. For that, the Chef’s secret ‘baby’ formula is required to prevent him from returning to his former state. As you were made aware when you made the reservation, Louder’s Chef required that a ‘special charge’ be made for his efforts this afternoon. The extra charge was for the formula since it is not part of our usual fare. When I told you of the danger of what you were planning, it was this formula to which I was referring.”
“You mean the danger wasn’t from being transformed?”, Louise asked in surprise.
“Certainly not, Madam. The chicken dish you ordered for your husband is safe enough for any child. However, the Chef’s formula is untested and there is an element of risk in its use. It is all up to you, Madam. If your husband doesn’t drink the formula, he will return to his normal age at some time in the near future. It may take a day or be as long as a week, but sooner or later, without drinking the formula, he’ll return to his former age. The effects of the dinner are unpredictable in that respect. You made your wishes known when you made the reservation and the Chef created a formula that he believes will make the effects permanent without side effects. However, there is always the chance that your husband may die. You must choose and choose wisely, Madam. We have done our best. The final decision is up to you,” Maurice answered.
Louise nodded her understanding and the two black-clad men departed as Louise rolled up her husband’s adult clothes and shoes into a tight bundle and set it beside her chair.
Louise she reached into the diaper bag and took out a shopping bag she had placed in the diaper bag to use to carry her ex-husband’s clothes out of the restaurant. Then Louise moved her chair in front of the high chair and took the baby bottle from the table to prepare it for Roly. By the time she had uncapped the bottle, his teeth had all but disappeared into his gums and he had begun drooling incessantly. Louise gave him the bottle and was pleased to see that his restored infantile instincts made him put the nipple in his mouth and begin sucking immediately. Louise was enchanted with how adorable Roly was becoming; his long aquiline nose had retreated with his clef chin into his face to give him the cute little button nose and rounded, receding jawline of a baby as his cheeks ballooned out with the characteristic bulge of an infant that was still nursing. Even his matted hair had reformed itself. Within minutes, his hair had shortened as it had become baby fine and golden yellow. His brown eyes had changed color into a beautiful azure blue while staying the same size, giving them the wide, innocent look of infancy.