While Luke got cleaned up, Kaya’s mom walked over to the three kids.
“I’m sorry you all got scared like that.”
To Kaya’s slight surprise her mom gave Kaya a small kiss on the forehead. She did the same for Cindy and Jonathan. Kaya remembered the talk with her mom earlier that day, too, when she had hugged a distraught Kaya. It was another difference between the two worlds. Kaya’s parents were busy people. While they were home often enough, they usually focused on their work and allowed Kaya and Luke to live their own lives. They talked, but it was somewhat awkward at times. As Kaya got older she and her parents become more and more detached. But here, it was a whole other story.
Yet another difference and, Kaya realized, yet again it was due to the diapers. Since parents were often the primary changers of their childrens’ diapers, they would pretty much have to be more closely involved in their lives. Kaya’s parents likely provided more close-up supervision here than her world, to keep track of when she or her brother needed new diapers. As a direct result to that proximity, both parents and children were closer emotionally than Kaya remembered. Kaya had to admit, she liked this feeling. She felt like giving her mom a hug and, acting on impulse, did so.
“It’s okay, Mommy.”
Kaya’s mother smiled and kissed Kaya again. While Kaya’s dad rediapered Luke, her mom led Cindy to the changing pad still laid out on Kaya’s bed. Cindy hesitated to get on the bed.
“Um… ma’am.” Cindy began.
“Yes, Cindy?”
“Um… there’s something… a favor… I’d like to ask… if it’s all right…”
Kaya’s mom nodded. Kaya wondered what Cindy was going to ask. Jonathan was watching intently too, he didn’t know either. Cindy was looking at the floor, her index fingers pushing each other.
“Well… my mom and dad… they always have me wear cloth diapers. So… ahem… I was wondering if… just this once…”
“You want to try one of Kaya’s disposables?” Kaya’s mom asked. Cindy nodded sheepishly.
“I don’t know. I normally don’t like to butt into other peoples preferences for their childrens’ diapers. I know I had a ton of people getting on my case when I first used disposables on Luke.”
Cindy looked down, depressed.
“Aw, dear,” Kaya’s dad piped in as he was taping up Luke’s clean diaper, “Cindy’s a big girl. I don’t see the harm if she wants to experiment with something different.”
“Well…”
“Please! Pretty please!” Cindy begged.
“I suppose just one disposable can’t hurt. But you should ask Kaya. After all, they’re her diapers, not mine.”
Cindy turned to Kaya and used her most pouty “I want this” face.
“Sure, I got no problem.” Kaya said. What was one diaper to her?