Rollercoaster

Chapter 8

"Shit, how do I do this?" Braeden heaved the car seat into the car. I rocked Ashle slowly.

"Just clip it in with the seat buckles. Here hold her." I handed Ashley to Braeden and he awkwardly patted her back. 

"This breathing thing is kind of creepy. She's so lifelike it's weird." We found out that Ashley was made of a special material, that could make her head adjust the position she was in. So if we held her up on our shoulder, her head would turn to the side like a real baby. "The skin's like a really soft rubber."

"The glory of technology. Here, give her to me." I carefully put Ashley in the car seat, and strapped her in. She was sleeping peacefully.

"Do you want to go to the store and get some more diapers for her? Those diapers won't last very long." The baby food would go down Ashley's throat, and about an hour later, it would come out the other end. Same with the milk and water.

"Yeah sure. Meet you at Walmart?"

"Okie dokie." I got in my car and drove off. At Walmart, Braeden was standing outside his car, and I parked in the spot next to him. 

"Okay, what brand should we get?" I asked as we walked inside. 

"There is more than one brand?" Braeden responded dumbly.

I sighed. "Yes, Braeden there is more than one brand of diapers.

"Are you being sarcastic?"

"Yes." I deadpanned.

"Okay, now that was sarcastic."

"Just shut up." I raised Ashley higher on my shoulder. We went to the baby aisle, and bought a pack of Huggies. It was the only brand I knew, so I went with it.

Braeden and I got some weird looks. And considering we were in Walmart, that was bad.

"People are staring." I whispered to Braeden.

"Well, we are two high school kids holding a baby and a pack of diapers. How is that not weird?"

"True." As we got to the checkout line, the older woman smiled at Ashley and gave us a odd face. 

"Is she yours?" She asked.

"Um, yes. But she isn't real, we have a school project." I gave her my award-winning grin.

"Wow, she looks so real.." The woman gave us an I don't believe you look. Then, at the perfect time, Ashley raised her head and started crying. 

"Crap, Braeden hold her while I find her pacifier." I quickly handed her off and reached in the bottom of the bag.

"And she's not real you say?" The lady gave us a secret smile. "Don't worry, it's alright. I had a bit of fun in my day." She winked at me.

"Oh my goodness." I stuck the pacifier in Ashley's mouth. "Braeden, hold it there so she doesn't spit it out."

"Um, okay." He rocked her gently, and patted her back. I closed the bag and gave the lady my credit card.

"Have a nice day." She told us as we left.

Braeden and I waited until Ashley had stopped crying before we put her in the car seat.

"See you at my place?" I asked him.

"Yep. See ya."

I drove home and Ashley started crying again. "Ah, hell." Her screaming had gotten louder, and I realized her pacifier had fallen out her mouth. Would singing a lullaby help a fake baby? Then, I remembered how Mrs. Denalto had talked about the baby being sound affected.