She tenderly ruffled his soft blond hair.
“Well, I’m still a medical officer,” Carlton responded, “In my own inner perception, anyway.”
“But you’re physically a young child,” Rebecca reminded him, “Pretty much emotionally, too.” She gently guided his boyish body into a prone position on the bed, then pulled the bedcovers over him as Carlton laid his head on the plumped-up pillow.
“Thanks, Mommy–it feels better already.” The itching sensation upon his recently-strapped rump had diminished to a slight tingling, and he began drifting into slumber.
“Sleep tight, darling boy,” his new guardian murmured quietly, “Tomorrow’s going to be a humbling, bottom-blazing experience for you, as your one-time daughter’s planned it.”
Cartlton did rest peacefully from that point on, until he was abruptly awakened by his new big sister nine hours later.