Twitter Story: Game Night Interrupted (Patreon)

Mommy and Daddy look at each other from across the gameboard. Game board? With hippos? Hippo board?  Whatever.  You're playing Hungry Hungry Hippos when their noses wrinkle and they look at each other.  "It's your turn," Daddy says to Mommy.

You frown.  There are no turns in Hungry Hungry Hippos! That's what's so great about it!  "Nuh-uh," Mommy says. "I got the last one just before dinner." 

"That was just wet, though." Daddy argues. 

"Try soaking!" Mommy laughs.  That's when you understand. They're not talking games.

Daddy sighs and pushes up from the carpet.  "Come on, little one," he says.  "Let's change your diaper."  

You stand up obediently, feeling gobsmacked. No fingers in your waistband or leg cuffs this time.  How did they know? How do they always know?

You waddle to your nursery and hop up on the changing table. "Careful now, baby," he says as he untapes your diaper. "Don't squirm. The sooner we get you sorted out, the sooner we can get back to playing."  

"Yeph Babby" you mumble over your thumb.

You hadn't meant to put it in your mouth. Pure reflex!  Daddy starts singing twinkle twinkle black sheep as he cleans you up and wipes you down.  He's to the second verse by the time the new diaper is beneath you and he's dusting you with sweet smelling powder.

He finishes taping up the nice thick snuggly diaper on you and pats your tummy.  You didn't realize how bad the old diaper felt until you've got the new one on.  You never do.  Why don't you?  Shouldn't you by now?

A new thought: This isn't your Daddy. You're not a baby! You're thirty-  A quick raspberry to your tummy collapses you into a fit of giggles and all those silly big kid thoughts dance away on the notes of your laughter.  "Come on, kiddo," Daddy says helping you off.

"Let's go find Mommy," you say.  

"Deal." Then he gives you a kiss on the top of your head and whispers.  "I like you so much better this way."  

You have no idea what he means.