“Oh Rachel, don’t cry sweetie. I was just teasing dear. You’re not a dirty girl. You just got messy playing, like you’re supposed to. It’s your job as a little girl to get messy and my job to clean you up.”
Rachel only cried all the more at being reminded of her new station in life. Pam brushed her cheek and shushed her quietly. “C’mon Rachel, no more crocodile tears. When you’re all cleaned up I’ll give you a big snuggle.”
That idea was humiliating and appealing at the same time. She didn’t want to be hugged and fawned over by another adult woman but at the same time the need to be held and cuddled was very strong. She wanted to feel safe and warm and comforted.