Page 7 of Mindy
Mindy had never interjected a single time. She’d stood stoically absorbing. There hadn’t been a single question in her mind what she would do even before the ultimatum. She’d needed to get out of that house. The toxicity of her mother had pushed her over the edge.
She hadn’t even been sad as she’d gone up to her room and packed her bags. She’d taken only her most prized possessions and clothes. Nothing else had mattered to her.
She’d wanted to leave that house and go as far away as possible without looking back. She’d known she would never see Eva again. All she’d been able to do was concentrate on escaping the negative environment so she could salvage what might be left of her self-esteem.
Armed with nothing more than the stash of babysitting money she’d kept hidden in a maxi-pad box, she’d descended the stairs of the only home she’d ever known.
Mindy’s mother had looked stunned when she’d come back downstairs carrying her suitcase and a duffle bag. Mindy had walked out the front door without uttering a single word and never looked back.
The entire incident had nothing to do with Mindy being gay. She had no idea how she’d felt about the kiss with Eva. It had been brief, and she’d never had an opportunity to process it. She hadn’t had anything to compare it to. It had been nothing more than lips touching lips.
That hadn’t been the point. The point had been that her mother was a judgmental biddy who had driven Mindy to the end of her rope and then some. Mindy had been tired of being ordered around and told how to think and feel. She’d been sick and tired of being proper and havingmanners.
Ironically, as she chuckled at that last thought, Franny stepped into her line of sight. The girl’s face was streaked with mascara and her cheeks were bright red. So were her eyes. She’d been crying for a while.
“Mindy,” she whispered. As she cleared her throat, Mindy noticed Mason standing behind her.
“Go on,” he encouraged.
Franny swallowed. “I’m sorry for bullying you. I want you to know it’s not about you. I’m naughty because of me. I shouldn’t have taken your toy, and I shouldn’t have made fun of your hair. It’s a super pretty color. I’m jealous of it.”
Mindy was shocked, but she remembered her manners. “Thank you, Fran…cesca.” She even managed not to call the normally mean girl Franny. “I accept your apology.”
Franny sobbed and turned to run from the room just as Tricia returned.
“Goodness,” Tricia said, glancing at Mason and then Mindy.
Mason turned toward Mindy. “Thank you for being so gracious, Little one. Francesca truly is sorry. I don’t think she enjoyed the cane I used on her naughty bottom. You shouldn’t have any problems with her bullying you in the future. Hopefully she has learned that when she needs a spanking, all she has to do is ask. Acting up and treating other people badly won’t get her what she wants.”
Mindy nodded, dumbfounded.
Mason ruffled her hair again and turned toward Tricia.
Tricia smiled. “I’ve got her.”
“Good. Thank you.” As soon as he left, Tricia held out a hand. “Come, Baby girl. You must be about to burst by now.”
As Mindy joined her, Tricia avoided touching her freshly painted nails. Instead she set a palm on the small of Mindy’s back and led her out of the daycare, down a hallway, and into a private room.
Mindy had never been in one of these rooms before. She’d seen them on her initial tour, but no one had invited her to one.
Tricia shut the door and led Mindy over to a strange changing table that was only about a foot off the floor. “Can you sit and then lie back for me, Baby girl, without using your hands?”
Mindy was shaking with nerves as she did as she was told. Her breath hitched when Tricia pushed a lever on the side of the table, causing it to rise up to normal height.
Tricia smiled at Mindy. “This kind of changing table is perfect for caregivers who aren’t strong enough to lift their Littles.” She winked.
Mindy held her breath as she tried not to panic.
“Can you lift your arms above your head for me, Baby girl?”
Mindy did so, but the effect left her feeling oddly more vulnerable.
“Good girl. Keep your hands there out of the way so you don’t mess up your polish while I diaper you.”
Mindy pursed her lips and stared at the ceiling. So many new things were happening all at once. It was overwhelming. Even though she’d been Little for a long time, she’d never had a caregiver take care of her. She’d never worn a diaper. She’d never been strapped down to a changing table.
That was exactly what happened next. Tricia carefully pushed Mindy’s dress up her body, exposing her tummy, before securing a nylon strap across her tummy. “There. That will keep you from falling.”
