Juliet's regression

day 2 regression

They both bent down to mop up the mess, Drew grabbing a cloth while Juliet picked up the shattered pieces of glass.  As they worked together, the silence grew thick with unspoken words. Drew's eyes met hers, understanding and sadness mingling in their depths.

Once the table was clean and the juice was mopped up, Drew stood and turned to face her daughter. She took the plate of toast from Juliet's trembling hands. "Why don't you sit down and I'll get you a new glass?" she offered, her voice gentle.

Juliet nodded, feeling a fresh wave of gratitude for her mother's unwavering support. As she took her seat, she couldn't help but wonder how much longer she'd be relying on her family like this. The thought of  facing her friends was too much to bear. For now, she'd focus on getting through the day, one soggy bite of toast at a time.

Juliet stared at the pink sippy cup filled with orange juice that her mom had brought back, feeling a fresh wave of humiliation wash over her. She knew it was for her own safety, but the sight of it brought back memories of a time when she had been much younger, a time before she had to deal with the indignity of wetting herself She took a deep breath and told herself she could handle this, that it was only temporary. With a tentative grip, she brought the sippy cup to her lips and took a sip, the cool liquid soothing her parched throat. She settled into the couch, the plush cushions enveloping her, and focused on the cartoons playing on the TV. The colorful characters and their carefree adventures were a welcome distraction from her own troubles, and for a brief moment, she felt a glimmer of the childhood she had thought she had outgrown. Her eyes remained glued to the screen as she munched on her toast, the plastic lid of the sippy cup occasionally popping off to release a giggle-inducing spray of juice. It was a small victory in a sea of embarrassment, and she clung to it like a lifeline.

Juliet's eyes shot up to meet her mother's, and she felt the blood rush to her cheeks. She had been so lost in the cartoons that she hadn't felt the familiar pressure in her stomach. "Oh no, Mom,I umm had an accident" she murmured, her voice small and ashamed. Drew's expression softened, and she stepped closer, placing a hand on Juliet's shoulder. "It's okay, let's go to the bathroom and get you changed." With her mother's guidance, she shuffled into the bathroom, the bulky diaper between her legs feeling like a constant reminder of her predicament. As Drew began to peel the soiled diaper away, Juliet couldn't help but feel a mix of embarrassment and relief—embarrassed that she had messed herself again, yet relieved that it was contained and she wouldn't have to clean it up. The smell was faint, but the warmth of her accident was unmistakable, and she couldn't help but feel a twinge of mortification. "I'm sorry," she mumbled, staring at the floor as her mother efficiently cleaned her up. Drew's eyes met hers in the mirror, and she offered a comforting smile. "Don't worry, sweetheart." With that, she helped Juliet into a fresh diaper, securing it with gentle precision, and together, they faced the new day, the echo of cartoons from the living room serving as a poignant reminder of the childhood she had thought she'd left behind.

When Brooklyn returned from school, she found her mother in the kitchen, a weary look etched on her face. Drew filled her in on the quiet morning they had, with no more accidents to report. Relieved, Brooklyn took over the role of caretaker for the afternoon, eager to help her sister maintain some semblance of dignity. Each time Juliet indicated she needed to go to the bathroom, Brooklyn was there, her arm around her sister's waist, guiding her to the safety of the bathroom. Whenever an accident occurred, despite the increasing frequency, Brooklyn handled the situation with a surprising maturity beyond her years. She'd help Juliet into the bathroom, calmly peel off the soiled pull-up, and clean her up with baby wipes before securing a fresh one in place. Through it all, she managed to keep the mood light, cracking jokes and sharing stories from school to distract her sister from the humiliation. As the sun began to set, the house grew quieter, and the anticipation of another night in diapers loomed over them. Yet, with every change, every shared giggle, the bond between the sisters grew stronger, a silent pact to navigate this awkward phase together.