The Carnival

“Um, I pick Option B.” Lauren said, hoping she picked the least embarrassing option.

“Okay then.” Maria said, “Close your eyes.”

“What? Why do I-“

“Close. Those. Eyes.” Maria repeated slowly, “I want it to be a surprise. Or perhaps you would like me to warm up that bottom for you?”

Lauren sighed as she closed her eyes. She felt the car moving forwards as they drove to…wherever they were heading. Lauren could feel them taking a few turns down some roads. However, once the road began to feel bumpy, she got a lot more nervous at just where they were going.

There was another consequence this bumpy road was having. This morning, she hadn’t have the chance to go to the bathroom, and this bumpy road was not doing her bladder any favors. Fortunately, she didn’t have to go that bad, so she could hold it in some more.

Suddenly she felt the car stop, but she heard…muffled screaming and corny music? Wait a minute…

“Surprise!” Maria cheered as she hurriedly unbuckled herself and got out of the car.

Lauren opened her eyes and saw, to her horror, where they were: the carnival! She was definitely surprised, but not in a good way. She then heard her door open and looked to see Maria unbuckling her seat belt. Before she could even argue, Maria grabbed her hand and lead her to the carnival’s ticket booth.

Of course, there was a line that they had to wait in. Lauren attempted to cover herself, but the moment she raised her other hand, she saw Maria give a small glare. Sighing in defeat, Lauren lowered her hand and waited in line.

“Momma, why is that girl in a diaper?” a young voice cried out from behind them. Lauren looked over her shoulder to see a four year old holding his mother’s hand.

“Hush, Billy!” the mother scolded, “It’s not nice to make fun of someone.”

“But she looks like she’s my age, and I don’t wear diapers anymore!” Billy stated, innocently.

Lauren’s face turned redder than she thought it was possible to. First Samantha's “daycare” comment, now this?! Sure, she was small for her age, and her recent makeover and wardrobe change didn’t help, but surely she didn’t look THAT young! Did she?

“You say one more thing about that little girl and we are going home, young man!” Billy’s mother scolded, “Understood?” She asked, to which Billy nodded.

The conversation was not lost on Maria, who stood there trying to keep herself from laughing. Soon, the line became shorter and shorter, until it was their turn to go up to the ticket booth.

“One adult and one child, please.” Maria said sweetly to the ticket taker, a blonde teenage girl with braces and glasses.

The girl looked at Lauren closely. The child price was for children five and younger, and this kid looked a little too big for that. The diaper, on the other hand, told a different story. Shrugging, she took the money and gave Maria her ticket. She then took Lauren’s other hand and stamped it with the children’s stamp: a big, yellow smiley face with a clown nose.

“Enjoy your visit.” The ticket taker said as Maria and Lauren walked through the gate.

Maria looked around and saw that one side of the grounds was dedicated to rides for adults and older kids, while the other half was dedicated to kiddie rides. In the middle there was a face-painting pavilion, a petting zoo, and an eating area.

All were perfect choices to humiliate Lauren, but which one to pick?