Hailey stood up out of her chair. “So why not? As you said, she needs them, and yet she probably feels like she’s the only one who has to wear a diaper to an amusement park just so she can enjoy the luxury of not peeing her pants in line like everybody else.” She walked over to Erin’s chair and put her arm around Erin’s shoulder. “If I can help her feel less alone by wearing diapers as well, why shouldn’t I do so?”
Martin chimed in. “Hailey, what if somebody you know sees you?”
Hailey feigned anger. “You guys told Erin that nobody would be able to tell that she was wearing a diaper? Was that a lie?”
“Well, no, but…” stammered Sue.
Hailey was doing well; she had her parents on the defensive. Now it was time to finish it off.
“Besides, even if someone did see me, why should I care what they think?” Hailey hugged Erin tighter. “I love Erin, and I care what she thinks a whole lot more than I care what other people at the park think. If she wants this, then I want it. Period.”
Hailey and Erin could both tell that Hailey was victorious.
Sue spoke up after a moment. “Erin, you really want Hailey to do this?”
Erin shook her head yes, but remained silent.
“Okay. After we open Hailey’s presents, you girls can go up and get changed. I’ll pack a bag with some supplies for you.” Sue headed upstairs.
Hailey started gathering up the plates from the table, but Erin stopped her. “It’s your birthday. I’ll do the dishes.”
By the time Erin finished, Sue came back downstairs with a bag that Hailey recognized as her old backpack. She set the bag on the now-cleared table.
“I hope you don’t need to change, Erin, but in case you do, everything you need for a few diaper changes is in this bag. Your uncle will rent a locker to keep the bag in so you don’t have to carry it around the park.”
Hailey opened her presents efficiently. When all was said and done, her loot consisted mostly of video games, books, and clothes, along with a few odds and ends.
Erin had bought a watch for Hailey. More accurately, Erin’s aunt and uncle provided the money, as Erin had no real source of income. They had, of course, told her there was no need to pay them back. On this, though, Erin made a rare stand. It wasn’t right to have someone else pay for her gift to the most important person in her life at the moment; she had absolutely insisted on being allowed to earn the money back somehow. So, for the next few weeks, she’d be doing extra chores and errands for her family. It was worth it, though. The watch, although not terribly expensive, was beautiful. Erin was proud of her choice when she saw Hailey’s eyes light up as she put it on.
Martin cleaned up the wrapping paper as Sue spoke to the girls. “Do you need help finding outfits to cover your diapers?”
“I think we can handle it, Mom,” answered Hailey.
“Okay, then, you girls each need to put on a diaper and pick out some clothes that you think will hide it. Come show me when you’re done so I can make sure your diapers aren’t visible.”
The girls went to their bedroom and shut the door behind them. Each began to dig through her dresser for appropriate pants.
“By the way,” spoke Hailey, “thanks for setting up a chance for me to wear the diapers.”
Erin smiled. “Any time. That was quite the rant you gave to your parents.”
“Yeah. I just had to maneuver it so that they couldn’t deny me the diapers without insulting you, and their guilt took over. Sorry, though, if I offended you with anything I said.”
“Nothing you said was wrong, why should I be offended? It’s pretty obvious by now that you have better control than me… as much as I wish it weren’t true, it’s a simple fact.”
“Oh, yeah, that’ll give me some bragging rights,” joked Hailey. “I can see the headlines now, ‘Hailey gets gold medal in the not peeing competition, and Erin only comes in with the silver.’”
Erin grinned. “I probably wouldn’t even place,” she conjectured. “I’d just get the consolation prize, a year’s supply of diapers. Speaking of which, are you planning on using yours?”