After the pitstop it was time for our next outfit. One of the pictures I had seen was of Kevin as the ring bearer at somebody’s wedding. The outfit was a pair of black knee britches, with a black satin sash, patent leather strapped shoes with white stockings, and a cream colored silk shirt. The britches were a tight fit over the diaper, but it worked out.
He was absolutely adorable. “You’re ready for the next royal wedding.” I said.
“Really feel silly.” he said. “Do I have to do more of these.”
“One more and I’ll take you for ice cream.” I said.
“Deal!” he responded.
So, next was the gymnastics singlet that I had seen in the pictures. I thought it looked like a onesie in the picture. In real life, not so much. But the diaper made the butt stick out in a way that made Kevin look like a tall toddler. Cute, but over all, a disappointment.
“Last outfit, time for ice cream!” Kevin cheered.
“Let’s get you into some street clothes, unless you want to wear your ring bearers outfit.”
“No way, I’d rather wear the kilt.” Kevin said.
“Okay,” I responded, “The kilt it is.”
“That’s not what I meant.” Kevin said back.
“I know, just kidding, but think about wearing it around the house. It would make the diaper changes easier.” I said as I picked up a pair of Kevin’s cargo shorts and helping him into them.
“I’ll think about it.”
“Where do you want to go for ice cream?” I asked. He told me the name of a place in the mall.
At that point, the bell rang and when I opened the door, it was the delivery guy from the pharmacy. “Doc Tom called this in, he also asked me to bring over a rental pediatric wheel chair.” He said as he handed me a small bag and pushed a normal looking wheelchair.
When I tipped him and he left, Kevin said, “Great! now we don’t have to worry about running into someone we know when we’re out!”
CH 37
I was mildly confused about the wheel chair. The prescription had a note attached to it that read, in effect, “I heard about the stroller the hospital gave you. I think this might be a bit less embarrassing for Kevin around here.” Doc Tom is a thoughtful guy.
I said to Kevin, “I thought you didn’t mind the stroller.”
“I don’t,” he said, “if nobody is going to recognize me. But around here, I might run into somebody I know or somebody who might remember me when school starts. This is a small town.”
Makes sense, I thought. “Okay,” I said. “It says I’m supposed to give you one of these pills and a full glass of water every two hours. Might as well start now.”
I walked into the kitchen filled up a glass of water and gave Kevin his medicine. He took it like a good boy and I said as much. He rolled his eyes at me for that.
“Let me get my bag and we’ll get you that ice cream I promised.” I said as a ran upstairs to get my bag. I stopped by Kevin’s room and got some supplies – a clean diaper, wipes, and that sort of thing.
I carried Kevin out to the garage and got him situated in the front seat of the car. I swapped out the stroller for the wheel chair and then we were ready to go.
“Did we buy that stroller thingee or is it a rental?” Kevin asked.
“It’s a rental.” I said.
“And you had to assemble it yourself…That sucks.”
“Yep.” I said as I clicked the garage door opener, put the car into gear and pulled out of the driveway.
We drove a couple of blocks and then I said, “So, where are we going?”
“Oh, do you mind if we do frozen yogurt instead of ice cream? Cause if that’s okay, my favorite place is just by the entrance to the mall. They have 18 flavors of yogurt and you self serve and then mix in the topping you want. It’s great.”
“Well, if you feel that strongly about it…I’m cool with it.”
To make small talk, I said, “When do you turn sixteen?”
“Not until October.”
“So, no driving this summer?”
“No…It’s okay though. I’d probably get stopped by the cops for driving without my mommy. I really don’t mind. None of the other freshman would be able to drive, so I don’t feel like I’m missing anything.”
We pulled into the mall’s parking lot and it wasn’t nearly as crowded as it had been the last time we were there. Good thing, because now I had a wheel chair to navigate and a mob would have sucked. I got the wheel chair from the trunk, opened it up and helped Kevin in. I grabbed my bag and slipped over my shoulder. Then I thought again and said, “Here…Carry this on your lap. No one will be able to tell you’re diapered this way.”
“Great camouflage… a diaper bag to hide my diapers,” he said back.
“It doesn’t look like…”
“I know, I know,” he interrupted. “I’m kidding…Thanks for being thoughtful.”
I rolled Kevin into the mall and he directed me to the frozen yogurt shop. It was all funky colors and neon lights. Kind of cool, in its way, I guess. When we crossed the threshold, a girl’s voice cried out. “Oh my God, Kevin! Is that you?” Kevin and I looked over to the source and behind the counter was Ashley Dunn, the girl from Church.
Ashley stepped from behi