Game Over: Life's Over

Relax

The water was a little colder than I would have liked but at least I didn't have to worry about it being obvious. Wearing my regular diaper and the swim diaper provided plenty of padding for me though it wasn't that necessary considering I was pretty small now.

Mom stayed under the umbrella the entire time we were at the lake. Growing up, she never allowed herself much time to relax. I always saw her working on something whether it was phone calls, paperwork, or typing something up on a laptop. She was always busy. So it took me by surprise when she said she was just going to relax and watch me.

I was soaking wet and feeling a bit tired after being in the water for a while. I made the trek up the slight hill to where we had put up our chairs. Mom was lying back in her chair and had her legs crossed. I'd never seen her so relaxed in my life.

She lifted her sunglasses as I approached. "Hey, how was the water?"

I grabbed my towel and wrapped it around my shoulders and torso. "It's cold. It felt good though."

She smiled. "Are you going back in? I penciled you in all day today."

I rolled my eyes. "I don't think so. I'm getting kind of tired."

"Do you want to head home?"

I shook my head. "Can we stay here? I don't want to leave yet."

"Sure. Your phone's in the diaper bag if you want it."

I sat down on my chair. They were the kind that could recline or sit like a normal chair. I pushed the chair back so I was lying down and adjusted my towel so it was covering me like a blanket.

Mom pulled a book from her bag and opened it up to where a pink sticky note was.

"I thought you said you weren't working this weekend," I reminded her.

She turned the book so I could see the cover. It featured a shirtless man with large muscles holding a younger woman with long, blonde hair. "This isn't work. I told you I wasn't going to work this weekend. I'm only doing stuff that's relaxing."

"You should do that more often."

"Wouldn't that be nice?"

I pulled the diaper bag out from under my chair so it sat between the chairs and found my phone inside. As I was pulling it out, my binky rolled into view. I glanced around us before I pulled it out. I pulled my towel up so it covered my face enough and then I put my binky in my mouth.

I tapped on the screen of my phone and saw various messages from Soleil.

Hope you're having fun with your Mom.

It's so boring at the park without you.

I can't wait to see you when you come home.

I taped the last message and sent back: I'm sorry you're bored. I didn't think I was that interesting.

It didn't take her long to respond back. I waited only a minute or two before she sent a response.

Um... duh! You're a lot of fun to hang out with.

I smiled. Thanks. I'm glad you think so. It's hard making new friends in a new town.

I wish I could help you with that but I don't have many myself. I have a few from high school but I can't hang out with them anymore. It's just you and Will and whoever will play with me.

It was hard to believe that she didn't have many friends. She was so nice and funny and pretty. What wasn't there to like about her?

What's Will up to? I hadn't heard from him much. I didn't have his number so I couldn't text him. I only saw him at playgroup. He never came to the park.

I don't know. His caregivers keep him busy at home so I only see him Tuesdays and Thursdays.

That seems kind of weird, don't you think?

Some caregivers are different than others. His have known him longer so maybe the rules are different for him.

Sounds like it.

Go enjoy your time with your mom. I'll be here when you get back.

Okay, bye.

I pushed my phone under my leg and got more comfortable. My head was resting in between the armrest and the back of the chair. I watched the water move back and forth as if there were waves causing it to move. It was just what I needed to help me relax. Hopefully, I'd be able to visit Mom more throughout so we could go to the lake again.

I fell asleep watching the water, all wrapped up in my beach towel.