Chapter 10
Chapter 10 (The Fight Against The Bath)
Chapter Description: I used to be okay with baths, but after an episode of Rugrats I won't get into the bath. Will Brian be able to cure my newfound fear of water?
Date: Monday 06-Dec-21 15:50 (Monday, December 6, 2021, 3:50 PM)
Location: Brian’s Residence, Skyward Villas Apartments, Kirkwood, Missouri, United States of America
I sway side to side whilst my purple T-shirt flutters above my belly button allowing my blue jeans that hug my lower body to slide a little and reveal the crinkly waistband of my Pampers. I giggle as I watch Tommy and Chuckie wide-eyed as Angelica tells them of the bathtub and how it will suck them down the drain.
I swallow the lump in my throat as the show progresses to nap time with Chuckie’s dream of the drain plug being pulled and the tub sucking him down the drain. My eyes widen as the episode continues and I’m glued to the TV from my spot in the middle of the living room.
Brian peeks out of the kitchen in between his cutting up apple slices and sees the screen fading to reveal the second half of Rugrats Season 2 Episode 19: Let Them Eat Cake. “I’m glad he’s liking the episodes of Rugrats. I’m really glad I was able to order all the seasons on Amazon for him.”
……
Date: Monday 06-Dec-21 17:20 (Monday, December 6, 2021, 5:20 PM)
Location: Brian’s Residence, Skyward Villas Apartments, Kirkwood, Missouri, United States of America
I swallow hard as the second half of Season 2 Episode 22 ends. Yet Chuckie swirling down the bathtub drain is still fresh in my mind, “I…I…that…that wouldn’t actually happen would it? Mommy told me that…that it wouldn’t. She…she said that…that she and Brian would…would protect me from the monster in the tub.” I pick up my bottle of lemonade sitting to my right and drain half of it, “I hope I won’t…maybe…maybe…” My thoughts fade as my toddler emotions and reasoning overshadows my adult mind while I drain the last of my lemonade.
Brian walks into the living room with a plate of snacks, “Stacey…I got some snacks for ya.” He sits down on the couch and sets the plate down to his right side. “I’ve got apple slices with caramel dip, pineapple ham, two thirty-two-ounce bottles of strawberry watermelon juice, and of course I’ve got different types of cake slices: chocolate, marble, and cinnamon coffee cake to be specific.”
Brian counts each slice and turns to me with a smile, “I figured you didn’t want a big meal, so I made something small and filling instead.”
I turn to Brian with fearful eyes as the trauma Chuckie endured still replays in the back of my mind. I blink twice and my eyes trade their fear for happiness at the plethora of food on the giant plate sitting next to my brother, “FOOD!” I waddle over to the plate and lick my lips, “I need a smaller plate. There’s so much!”
I train my happy eyes on Brian, “Is there enough for both of us?” No matter what if Brian asks me to take a bath later, I’m no going anywhere near that tub. NO WAY! NO HOW!
Brian nods as he watches me waddle over to the kitchen doorway, “Yep, that’s why it took me so long.” He chuckles as I approach him with two plates, “I guess you’re ready for our small dinner huh?”
I smile toward Brian, “Uh huh!” and crawl onto the couch to sit down to his left. I set a plate in his lap and rest my plate in my own, “Ready!”
Brian grabs a couple apple slices along with a caramel cup and sets it on my plate, “First the apples and caramel.” He turns back to the big plate and grabs a big slice of pineapple ham to set down to the right of my apples. “And finally,” Brian grabs the thirty-two-ounce baby bottle of lemonade and sets it down beside my plate, “we can eat.”
I giggle and smile as I rip the giant circular ham slice into four parts. I drive one slice toward my mouth and my taste buds sing when the pineapple flavoring and succulent ham combine to make contact, “SO GOOD!” I drain some of my lemonade and smile toward Brian, “Thankies.”
Brian ruffles my hair, “You’re welcome.” and focuses on his food.
……
Date: Monday 06-Dec-21 17:44 (Monday, December 6, 2021, 5:44 PM)
Location: Brian’s Residence, Skyward Villas Apartments, Kirkwood, Missouri, United States of America
I smile and lick my lips whilst scanning my empty plate. I giggle and train my smile on Brian despite the chocolate and cinnamon decorating my hands and shirt, “Bestest small dinner EVER!”
Brian smiles as he gathers up our plates, “I’m glad you liked it, Stacey.” He heads toward the kitchen and rinses off the plates with hot water. With the plates readied, he places them in the dishwasher and turns for the kitchen exit.
When Brian raises his head however, he chuckles at the chocolate and cinnamon cake decorating my hands, lower arms, and face, “Heh…Stace…um…” Brian kneels to ruffle my hair and chuckles at the chocolate flakes that fly out, “Yeah, you need a bath. How…how did you get chocolate in your hair?”
My eyes widen at Brian’s mention of bath, “Ba…bath?”
Brian nods and reaches forward to pull me in for a hug, “Come on.”
I backpedal and hissing echoes around me as I turn and run toward the bedrooms, “NOOOOOOOO!”
Brian slaps his forehead and sighs as he rises slowly to his full height, “What’s gotten into him? He’s never ran from a bath before. Well…I might as well get it ready and then come for him. Maybe he’ll be better about it then.”
……
I inch my door open and whimper as Brian heads toward the bathroom, “I…I’m never getting in that accursed monster with water.” My eyes widen when I see Brian heading toward my bedroom. I waddle-run toward my toy chest and dive inside.
Brian scratches his head as he scans my bedroom, “Where’d that little kiddo go to?” He walks over to my changing table drawers and grabs a clean purple T-shirt, baby powder, and a Pampers Baby Dry diaper. He sighs as he heads toward the bathroom and sets the supplies in the center of the bathroom floor.
He hums as he starts the water and pours some Johnson and Johnson Lavender Bath Wash into the tub. Brian sniffs and smiles at the sweet-scented purple bubbles that begin floating on the water. Once the water reaches the green line he painted inside, he shuts the water off and sets a purple washcloth inside, “Now I’ve got to find Stacey.”
I whimper when Brian calls my name and despite wanting to hide, I can’t breathe because I’m surrounded by all my toys. Right as I jump out of my toy chest and scatter plush blocks and toy cars across my bedroom, Brian stops at my doorway. Tears swim in my eyes as Brian approaches me, “Nooo…”
Brian lifts me into his arms despite me pelting his back with my tiny punches, “Stacey what’s wrong? You never acted like this toward bath time before.” Brian sighs as he slowly walks toward the bathroom despite my back punches and silent crying, “It’s not gonna hurt you.” Seconds after Brian crosses the threshold of the bathroom, he shuts the door with his foot and sets me on my feet. “See?”
I whimper as I dart my eyes around the bathroom, scanning the area for anything that could jump out and grab me. I train my fearful eyes on Brian as he slides my shorts down and sets them by the door, “You…you promise that nothing will get me?”
Brian nods as he slides my T-shirt off my head and unfastens my soaked Pampers, “Of course. I’m gonna be here to keep you safe.” He lifts me into the air and sets me in the tub, “See?” Brian turns to toss my old diaper into the trash and turns back to smile at me and boop my nose, “There’s nothing here.”
I whimper and shiver as I scan the sweet-scented purple bubbles, “I…I dun…”
Brian pokes my belly, “Sit down, Silly. It’s called a bath, not a stand in water.”
I sniffle and tears swim in my eyes as I slide down into the warm water. I train my teary eyes on Brian as he washes my lower body and legs. I hiccup and sniff as Brian’s gentle touch and smile combined with the sweet-scented lavender brings a smile to my face, “I…I thought I’d get sucked down the drain.”
Brian’s eyes widen as he rinses off the towel and soaps it up again so he can wash my chest, “Where’d you get that idea from?”
I sniffle and scan my soapy hands, “Mmmmm…I was watching Rugrats and…and…and Chuckie got sucked down the drain.”
Brian blinks three times as he grabs a small purple bucket resting atop the toilet and fills it with warm water, “That’s just a show, Silly.” Brian hums a gentle tune as he sets the bucket down by the tub. He soaps up my hair and runs his hands through to get the chocolate chunks free, “It’s not gonna happen for real. That’s just your little imagination.”
“Really?” I sniff as Brian stops scrubbing my hair and approaches me with the purple bucket, “What’s that for?”
Brian boops my nose with his free left hand, “To get the soap out of your hair. Close your eyes and keep your mouth closed. Don’t want soap in either.”
I nod as I close my eyes and cover my mouth and nose, “Okay.” I giggle when the water rushes down and banishes the soap from my hair and upper body. I blink twice as I see the soap heading toward the front of the tub, “That’s it?”
……
Date: Monday 06-Dec-21 18:25 (Monday, December 6, 2021, 6:25 PM)
Location: Brian’s Residence, Skyward Villas Apartments, Kirkwood, Missouri, United States of America
Brian lifts me out of the tub and wraps me in a purple dry towel, “Yep.” He pulls the tub plug and focuses on drying both my hair and body, “I told you I’d keep you safe.” Once I’m dry, Brian carries me over to the changing mat lying in the center of the floor and unfurls me from the towel, “Can you lie down for me.”
I dart my eyes around the bathroom and lie down on the changing mat, “Where’s my T-shirt?”
Brian grabs the baby powder and lifts my legs with his left hand so he can powder my bottom with his right, “I’ll get your shirt after you’re in a fresh Pampers, Stacey. Don’t need any puddles.”
I giggle as Brian sets the powder on the sink and grabs the fresh diaper to slide under my bottom, “That makes sense.” I glance down to the Pampers Baby Dry diaper and giggle at the green circle decorated shell being brought up to my belly. I trace the colorful circles as Brian tapes the new diaper snug around my waist, “Sowwy, Brian.”
Brian lifts me to my feet and pats my freshly diapered bottom, “About what?”
I press my index fingers together as he unfolds my purple T-shirt, “For giving you a hard time.”
Brian chuckles and pokes my belly. He smiles when my giggles grace his ears, “Don’t be, you’re a toddler. I figured something like this would happen eventually. I handled it though, and you’re a clean baby now.” Brian smiles as he slides my T-shirt over my head and kisses my forehead, “Can you take it from there?”
I thread my arms through and giggle as my T-shirt stops at my belly button allowing my Pampers Baby Dry diaper full view. I waddle over to Brian as he picks up my food-stained shirt and jeans, “Whatcha gonna do with those?”
Brian heads toward my bedroom and tosses them in my hamper resting to the left of my toy chest, “I’M JUST GONNA WASH THEM LATER THIS WEEK WHEN WASH DAY COMES!” Brian walks back to the bathroom and smiles as he watches me gather up the changing supplies, “What are you doing, Little Bro?”
I smile toward Brian in the middle of my squatting in front of the baby powder, “Cleaning up.”
Brian walks over to me and ruffles my hair, “Thanks for the help, Stacinator.” He kneels after I set the baby powder next to the baby wipes, “Good job.” He folds the changing mat into a square with the wipes and baby powder resting at the center, “Thanks for the help.” Brian sets the changing mat on the middle shelf, “All done.”
I giggle and waddle over to Brian, “I love you, Brian.” I wrap my arms around his waist and train my happy eyes on him, “Sorry I was…was…”
Brian kisses my forehead and scoops me into a warm hug whilst patting my freshly diapered bottom, “Don’t apologize, you’re just a toddler.”
“Just a toddler.” I smile as I rest my head over Brian’s shoulder while his loving padded bottom pats and back rubs bring me happiness as I’m carried toward the living room, “Thankies, Brian.”
I dart my eyes around the living room as Brian sets me on my feet in front of the couch. I smile toward him and poke his belly, “Whatcha wanna do now?”
Brian sits down on the couch with a sigh, “I just gave you a bath, Little Bro. That tired me out.”
I cross my arms and pout, “Humph. It wasn’t that bad.”
Brian sits up on the couch with an eyebrow raised, “Says the toddler who ran and hid when I mentioned bath time.”
I stomp my foot and uncross my arms, “Not my fault that…that I can’t tell the difference between TV and real sometimes…” I sniff and tears swim in my eyes, “I’m just a toddler! You said it yourself!” I stomp my foot twice while the silent tears inch down my face, “Meaniehead! You just don’t wanna play with me! Not fair, Brian! NOT FAIR!”
Brian rises from the couch and swallows the lump in his throat at my tantrum. Well, this is different, he’s never had a tantrum over me not playing with him before. I better squash this quick; I don’t want him angry at me. Brian kneels and pulls me into a warm hug, “I’m sorry, Stacey. I’m not trying to be mean.”
Brian brings me out of the hug with a loving pat to my diapered bottom, “Big Bro is tired though, I had to hunt down a little toddler,” Brian tickles my armpit and smiles when I giggle, “Then I had to wrestle that little toddler into the tub,” Brian raspberries my belly and smiles when I backpedal while my giggles grace his ears, “And after all that he’s upset cause I don’t wanna play a lot.”
I giggle and waddle over to Brian, “I…I sowwy. I…I was being selfish. Sowwy.”
Brian smiles at my toddler speech and apology, “I forgive you, Stacey. Come on,” Brian lifts me into his arms and walks toward the front door, “let’s get some ice cream.”
I tug on Brian’s shirt as he stops at the door, “You forgot my diapey bag.”
Brian walks back to the living room and sets me on my feet to slide my diaper bag over his shoulder, “Alrighty.” Brian sets me on his shoulders and heads toward the elevator, “How’s ice cream at Stone Cold Creamery sound? They’re a couple buildings down from our apartment complex.”
I smile toward Brian as I envision the slab of ice cream being infused with cookie dough, “Yeah!” I kiss Brian’s cheek as he enters the elevator, “COLD STONE! COLD STONE!” I giggle as I sing the name of the ice cream shop as the elevator opens on the bottom floor.
…..
Date: Monday 06-Dec-21 18:25 (Monday, December 6, 2021, 6:25 PM)
Location: Skyward Villas Restaurant District, Kirkwood, Missouri, United States of America
Brian smiles and kisses my cheek as he exits his apartment into the lit-up nighttime apartment and restaurant district, “Cold Stone Creamery, here we come.” Brian hums and kisses my cheek every so often as he strolls toward the ice cream shop.
I giggle at Brian’s kisses and poke his nose. Nothing like ice cream to calm the nerves after a tumultuous bath time. I’m glad Brian’s my big brother though. He’s understanding and loving and…he’s just the bestest. Now that I know Brian will protect me, I might not be as scared when I have to take a bath again.
