The Babysitter, Part 61

Paige affirmed that she didn’t mind helping out. I was her little sister, after all. Plus her friends were over all the time, and they were fine hanging out without her for a bit. As usual, she was making herself sound more mature and responsible than she actually was. The Paige I knew would never offer to help in such a way; she would bitch about it and play the ‘my friends are over’ card to offset the chore(s) to me. I knew, because that had already played out so many times before. Since she hosted so often, I usually went to a friend’s house instead of the other way around, to avoid our place being too crowded.

Noelle ripped out a sheet of paper and said, “There’s a pharmacy a few blocks over. I picked up some diapers for Miley on the way home, but she’s going to need more if she keeps wetting herself every two hours.”

My eyes widened. “Noelle! I don’t need diapers!” It was humiliating enough to be wearing pull-ups, which were supposed to be transitional in terms of potty training. This was the opposite direction of what I wanted my underwear to be. Though they were spiritually the same thing as pull-ups, the concept of being diapered felt worse than what I was currently dealing with. That, and Noelle was talking in terms of ‘when,’ rather than ‘if.’

“Miley.” Curtly addressing me, she pointed towards what had become my studying chair since her arrival, “Sit down. Start working. If you haven’t finished a new assignment in the next twenty minutes, there will be consequences.”

“I-” I hesitated, suddenly feeling more indecisive than ever. Paige knew why I didn’t want to sit. Noelle was still under the impression that I had merely wet myself, and had called my bluff about this being something I did on purpose. I just didn’t want to tell her the full truth while Paige was still in the room, as Paige would once again act surprised and somehow spin this against me. At the same time, I also didn’t want to sit down in the messy pull-ups; the real Miley had already done enough damage there.

Noelle had no patience for the way I froze slightly. “Now, Miley.”

Between her tone and her glare, I ended up doing what I was told. Shameful as it was to be wearing full pull-ups, I couldn’t bring myself to admit it. Blushing up a storm, I walked over to the table and tentatively sat down.

Grimacing as I sat on the mess and caused everything to shift in a way that would no doubt make cleaning up even worse, not to mention the fact that I was about to work on Miley’s homework when all I wanted to do was take an hour long shower, my blush persisted as I briefly met Paige’s gaze. Her little smirk had faded, but I could still see the slightest trace of amusement on her face.

“Was that so difficult?” Noelle asked. After jotting down a few things, she handed the paper to Paige, “They should have this brand. Get the most absorbent pack you can find. I already have pins and powder in my babysitting bag, so you don’t have to worry about anything else. If you don’t mind buying, I can pay you back tonight. Or, I might have some cash on me.”

“I don’t mind at all,” Paige said, “I’ll make sure to keep the receipt. Just more diapers for Miley? Anything else I can grab while I’m out?”

Noelle nodded. “Just diapers. Thanks, Paige.”

“You’re very welcome. Be back soon!”

A few seconds later, Noelle and I were alone in the kitchen. That meant I had to figure out how to belatedly tell her about what she was eventually going to find out anyway. I didn’t know if I had it in me to pretend that it was on purpose, even if it was mortifying to let her think that it was somehow an accident. Since she wouldn’t believe me in terms of Paige causing the whole thing, those were basically my two options.

No matter what, I wasn’t about to just sit around until Paige returned. Plus there was always the chance that she would drag her feet after witnessing Noelle telling me to work in wet pull-ups rather than telling me to clean up right away. I just- I wasn’t a rebellious girl. Despite my recent effort to insist that this was intentional, I probably didn’t have it in me to be as difficult as the girl upstairs, even if I tried.

So, when she glanced my way, I blurted out the first thing that came to mind. “I didn’t just wet myself, Noelle.” Ripping off the bandaid before I lost my nerve, as I doubted she would let me get up if I merely pushed for a shower.

It took Noelle a few seconds to process that. Because again, even if I were Miley’s age, that’s not something that should happen to a girl who should be years past potty training. “Sorry, what?” she asked.

Did I really have to clarify? That’s probably what she meant, assuming that I misspoke or was somehow being difficult in response to her recent reprimanding. I definitely didn’t have it in me to say it out loud; getting the last part out was bad enough. “Can I please go shower?” I asked.

“Get up,” she flatly said. Not waiting for me to do as directed, likely because of my recent reluctance towards so many things, she stepped over and pulled me up by the arm. Then, verifying in a way that was reminiscent of the way Miley checked the sagging pull-ups in Paige’s room, Noelle reached down and gave them a feel. Considering she had no hang-ups regarding spanking my nearly bare ass yesterday, this obviously wasn’t a big deal for her. Although, what she felt probably was. “Miley! Are you serious?!” she exclaimed.

“I- I, umm,” I stammered. All the explanations and justifications evaporated when I was faced with the reality that I had been in the kitchen all this time without informing Noelle of the situation. If there was any hope of convincing her that I was the same age as my sister, this took those chances away.

“I did not sign up for this,” she sighed, “Luckily for you, I’ve had enough surprises as a babysitter over the years. That's why I always bring so many 'just in case' supplies with me. I don’t care if you’re trying to teach me a lesson or whatever; you’re going to get a rash if you keep wearing those.”

She didn’t say the full thing, but I heard it anyway. As in, a diaper rash. I hadn’t even thought about that; my concern was just the general grossness of what I ended up doing. Either way, that’s what I had been trying to say! That I needed to shower.

Not waiting for me to respond, she grabbed my wrist and tugged me out of the kitchen. Rather than upstairs, which is what I expected, Noelle took me to the bathroom just down the hall. With the overnight wetting, as well as the one that happened with Ruby, I had been sent into the bathroom to clean up. This time was different. Noelle closed the door behind us, staying in the confined room with me and pointing towards the floor.

“Lie down, Miley,” she said, “I clearly can’t trust you to do anything yourself.”