I tossed the bag into the dumpster in a nearby parking lot. I resisted the urge to hold onto it, figuring it would smell up the car pretty fast. Though, I do have to admit to opening the bag and admiring the sodden contents one more time.

As I walked into the store I had a moment of trepidation. I knew I shouldn’t be embarrassed by what I was about to do. Certainly no one would assume a pack of girl’s Goodnites was for me. But still, much like a young husband sent to buy feminine hygiene products for the first time, I felt slightly awkward.

I scoped out the store hoping to not see anyone I knew. Once I was satisfied I wasn’t going to bump into a friend, or worse my Mummy (imagine explaining that one!) I made my way to the diaper aisle. Searching among the packs of pull ups and baby diapers I found the Goodnites. I picked up a pack of Girls L-XL and headed for the check out. I paid for my purchase and made it out of the store without incident. I put the bag in my back seat and headed back to Jane’s house.

Then, as I turned onto the street to Jane’s house, disaster struck! Her Mummy’s car was parked in the driveway. She was home from work! I
pulled down the street to the cul-de-sac and parked my car.

Pulling out my phone I texted Jane.

‘Does your Mummy know?’

It took just a minute for her to reply.

‘No! But what are we going to do now?’

I thought about simply sticking the Goodnites in my backpack and knocking on the door, pretending I was there to study.

But Jane’s mother didn’t like unexpected visitors and I had never come over to study unannounced before.

Looking up the street I had an idea.

‘Has your Mummy checked the mail?’ I texted

‘Yes’ came the reply

I retrieved the package of from the back seat, opened it and pulled out a single Goodnite.

Starting the car I approached Jane’s house. Praying her Mummy wasn’t looking out the window, I opened the mailbox and shoved the pull-up inside.

‘Check the mail’ I texted Jane once I had reached the end of the street

It wasn’t until I got home later that night that Jane texted her reply.

‘I got it and put it in the pack with the others. Thank you! I think I’m safe now. See you in the AM’

I layed down and drifted off to sleep, my head flooded with the events of the previous day.

I was jolted awake by the sound of my phone ringing.

“Umm.. ‘ello?” I said half awake, who could be calling this late?

“Peter you’ve got to get over here”

It was Jane and she sounded frantic.

“Right now?” blurry eyed, I glanced at my clock. It was 2:05.

“I know it’s late, please Peter, Mummy found out…. I don’t know how… but she’s gone too far this time… I’m running away..” Jane sounded absolutely desperate.

“Are you sure?” I asked, now fully awake.

“Peter if you don’t come get me I’m afraid of what she might do… Or what I might do….”

This sounded bad.

“Don’t do anything, I’ll be right there” I told her as I pulled on some clothes.

I quietly crept down the stairs and out to my car, my parents aren’t anywhere near as bad as Jane’s Mummy, but they still wouldn’t be pleased with me going out at this hour.

The drive to Jane’s house seemed a lot quicker than normal. It seemed as if mere seconds passed as I pulled onto her darkened street. I cut my headlights off and parked across from her house.

I pulled out my phone to let Jane know I was here, but what I saw next caused me to drop it in surprise.

Jane was running across the lawn towards my car wearing nothing but a diaper!

I opened the door and she jumped in.

“She took all my clothes… “Jane managed between sobbing gasps “…Locked them up…. She knew …I don’t know how. …she knew ….she knew”

Suddenly the front porch light came on.

“Go! Go!” Jane screamed.

I floored the gas. Then the unbelievable happened, the engine died.

“Peter, please!!” Jane pleaded.

I turned the key. The engine roared to life and promptly died again.

“Peter!”

Jane was looking towards her house. I looked too and saw her Mummy bolting across the yard.

“PETER GO!!!!” Jane howled.

I desperately turned the key.

The engine made only a feeble sound.

Jane’s Mummy reached the car and pounded on the window.

“Get in the house right now young lady!” She yelled.

“Mummy, please no….” Jane sobbed “I… I… I.. I’m sorrrry!”

“Oh you’ll be sorry all right! And you will be too Peter if you try to leave here. I’ll call the police and tell them you kidnapped my daughter. Just what do you think will happen when they pull you over and she’s dressed like that….”

I could tell she meant business. My car seemed to be conspiring with her too, it wasn’t going anywhere at the time. I thought about making a run for it, I certainly could outrun a middle aged woman who wasn’t in the best shape to begin with.

But then I realized that would mean leaving Jane alone with her. She certainly couldn’t run in her current state, I noticed she didn’t even have on any shoes.

I opened my door. Jane looked betrayed.

“Come on.” I said gently “If I come in she wouldn’t dare do anything too bad”

Jane got out and I took her hand and we walked across the yard together.

I hoped Jane didn’t notice the lights in the surrounding houses that had come on and the eyes peering from behind multiple curtains.