I made it through the rest of the week without getting into any trouble or being punished. I kept my head down at school and stayed quiet at home. I kept to myself which proved to be the best way to avoid trouble.

I practically ran to the car once we left the classroom, just wanting to go home and relax. I found that I wasn't allowed to open my car door on my own and basically had to let her do everything for me. Which didn't bother me as much as I thought it would.

She buckled me into my car seat and set the diaper bag beside me on the seat. "You seem awfully eager to go home, Lyla."

"It's finally the weekend, mom. Of course, I'm excited."

She patted my knee. "Maybe you can test out your swing set."

"Is dad off all weekend?"

"You don't want me to play with you?"

I shrugged. As a kid, I always liked playing with dad more. He was more fun and didn't give me as many rules to follow. "He'll push me on the swing."

She sighed. "He's home all weekend."

"You can swing too. We'll put him to work."

She smiled. "It's starting to sound like a good weekend already."

- - -

I groaned and let the blinds close.

"We'll find something to do, sweetie." Mom said from behind me.

My shoulders dropped. "Is it supposed to rain all day?"

"I'm afraid so."

I walked over to the sink and stood on my toes to look out the window. The neighbor lady was running to her car, a black raincoat pulled over her head.

"Do you want to bake some cookies with me?"

We hadn't baked cookies together in years. "Okay."

She got out an old cookbook and set it up on the counter. She put all the ingredients on the countertop and grabbed all the bowls we needed. She started with the wet ingredients and let me do the dry.

We were quiet as we measured and stirred things together. It wasn't until I got to the chocolate chips that she spoke.

I was trying to find the scissors when I opened one of the drawers. Well, tried to open it. It stopped about half an inch out, not letting me even see what was inside.

"I'll get that."

"Mom-" I rolled my eyes. I'd used scissors dozens of times. Suddenly not being able to use them was stupid.

She took the bag from me and stepped between me and the drawer. "Honey, it isn't safe for you to use scissors or knives."

"What else did you lock up that I can't use?"

"Lyla, we just want you to be safe."

I watched her finish the cookies and stick the first tray in the oven. She wouldn't even let me set the temperature on the oven.

Bored of not being able to do anything, I went into the living room and turned the TV on. Mom soon followed and sat beside me on the couch.

I wasn't super excited to use the new swing set outside. It was a bit childish and I had stopped being interested in things like what when I was 11. But it was the only thing I had to look forward to anymore. With it raining, it was hard for me to find anything to do.

I rolled onto my back and pulled my knees up so I wasn't kicking mom. By doing so, my dress fell and exposed the diaper underneath.

"Can I have my phone?"

She looked over at me with a frown on her face. "We had your phone shut off when we moved last week."

"Am I not allowed to talk to any of my old friends?"

"Lyla, you'll make new friends here. There's plenty of kids that live around here that you could spend time with and play with."

I sighed.

The oven timer started going off and mom got to her feet. "You're going to like it here, Lyla. Just give it a chance."

I sat up and cringed as the diaper crinkled under me. I pulled on it, trying to make it more comfortable between my legs. I knew I would never get used to wearing the diapers or using them. It wasn't entirely uncomfortable but the bulkiness of it and the crinkle that the plastic made each time I moved was annoying.

Mom walked in carrying a plate full of cookies. "Do you need your diaper changed?"

I groaned. It made me uncomfortable that mom was so willing to discuss the fact that I was wearing a diaper. "No."

She set the plate of cookies down on the coffee table then sat on the couch facing me. "Let me check it for you."

I pushed her hand away. "I'm fine, mom."

She pursed her lips. "Lyla, lie down and let me check it for you."

I groaned and laid back on the couch, crossing my arms over my chest. Mom lifted the diaper away from my leg on one side and peeked inside before fixing and adjusting it back in place. She pulled on the top of my diaper, raising it so it was just above my belly button.

"I don't know why you fight me over this, Lyla. I'm only trying to help you."

"It's embarrassing."

"There's nothing to be embarrassed about." She pulled on my arms until I stopped fighting and moved to sit in her lap. She brushed my hair out of my face and gave me a soft smile. "Your dad and I really want you to like it here. I know the rules aren't something you're used to but we have to follow them just like everyone else."

I left out a deep breath and hugged her. I knew, deep down, that she cared about me. I needed something to hold onto and that was it. Just knowing she still loved me even after all the changes and the move was enough to help me get through it all.

She hugged me back for a few seconds before she spoke. "Do you want some cookies?"

I nodded and moved off her lap. I frowned when I saw the sippy cup of milk sitting beside the plate.

"It's just milk, Lyla."

I took a cookie and tried to focus on what was on TV rather than my distaste for everything. It would take a long time before I was ever comfortable.