Total pages in book: 35
Estimated words: 33327 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 167(@200wpm)___ 133(@250wpm)___ 111(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 33327 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 167(@200wpm)___ 133(@250wpm)___ 111(@300wpm)
She suddenly cringed, wondering if perhaps Tricia was already someone’s Mommy. Or hell, more than one someone. Tricia hadn’t said whether or not she had a Little of her own, but Mindy suspected not since Tricia was often at the club on weekend nights.
For some reason, that realization calmed Mindy. The idea of Tricia helping other Little girls didn’t sit well. She was feeling greedy.
Smiling contentedly, she finally fell asleep.
Chapter Five
Mindy settled into a strange new routine, adjusting to two far more distinct mindsets than before. Her Little was littler, and she eagerly embraced the new headspace every time she wasn’t at work.
Every morning, she lingered in her Baby space right up until she left for the supermart. Every evening, she dropped her adult at the door of her apartment as fast as she could.
Somehow she managed to compartmentalize, but she felt more and more out of body when she was at work, as if she were pretending to be an adult for those hours. In her heart, she was very Little. Those were the times she was authentic. Working was simply something she did to pay the bills. Her adult felt like a lie. A fraud.
Tricia came over every few days to check on her and replenish her supplies so Mindy didn’t have to make her own bottles or purchase anything from the store. Those were the best evenings, the ones when Mindy most fully relaxed into the headspace.
Every time Tricia came, she answered more of Mindy’s questions until Mindy had finally made her decision. Today she’d given her two-weeks’ notice at work. She’d been shaking and nervous as hell when she’d approached her manager, but the woman hadn’t made it difficult. She’d even told Mindy it would be fine if she finished off her shift and didn’t come back if she preferred.
Now Mindy was home, and Tricia was on her way over. In fact, Mindy was pacing when the knock sounded at the door, and she started wringing her hands as soon as she opened it.
“I quit my job,” she blurted out as soon as Tricia was inside.
Tricia set her purse down and pulled Mindy into her arms. “That was a big step, wasn’t it, Baby girl?”
Mindy nodded as the tears she’d held at bay all day started falling.
Tricia rubbed the back of her head. “Shhh. You’re okay. I know that was hard, but I promise you won’t regret it.”
“How can you be so sure?” Mindy asked, hiccupping.
Tricia tipped her head back and smiled. “Because I’ve spent enough time with you to know you’re very Little, Baby girl. You will thrive at The Nurturing Center. You’ll finally feel at home in your skin.”
Mindy slid her hand up to her mouth and stuck her thumb in as she leaned her cheek against Tricia’s chest. Even though she felt secure about her decision, she was still overwhelmed.
“Would you like to sit on my lap for a while?”
Mindy nodded and let Tricia lead her to the loveseat. Tricia never said a word about the state of Mindy’s horrible furniture. She simply sat, pulled Mindy onto her lap, and held her tight.
When Mindy finally felt marginally better, she pulled her thumb out. “When will I go to The Center?” she murmured.
“I’ll get the paperwork started. You need to do one more big-girl task tomorrow and let your apartment manager know you’re moving out. I’ll bring over some boxes. You can pack up your most favorite things to be put in storage. The Center will clean out your apartment and handle the rest.”
Mindy tucked her bottom lip in and bit down on it hard, trying to ground herself.
Tricia reached up and tugged her lip free. “You’re going to hurt yourself, Baby girl.” She tipped Mindy’s chin back and met her gaze. “After you talk to your manager, I don’t want you to go out again, okay?”
Mindy nodded.
“Stay in your Littlest space from then on. You’ll have a smoother transition if you stop using the bathroom and eating solid foods starting now.”
“Yes, Ma’am.”
“Good girl. Let’s get you ready for bed. You’re exhausted.” Tricia helped Mindy to her feet and guided her to the bedroom.
“Why do you smell like chocolate, Baby girl?” Tricia asked two days later when she arrived in the morning to pick Mindy up.
Mindy’s cheeks heated as she stared at the floor, pushing one toe around on the carpet.
Tricia lifted her chin with a finger, forcing their gazes to meet. She lifted a brow, but she looked slightly amused.
Mindy swallowed hard and admitted, “There was one fudgesicle left in the freezer. I ate it this morning.
Tricia chuckled. “Did I say you could eat a fudgsicle, Baby girl?”
“No, Ma’am.”
Tricia pulled Mindy in for a hug, still chuckling. “I’m sorry I’m laughing, Mindy. I’m just surprised. You’re always so well-behaved. I’ve never known you to break a rule.”