Alternative Punishment

“I’m going to jail, aren’t I?” Lauren asked fearfully, cowering in her seat.

“Let’s see,” Janet began, her voice dripping in sarcastic venom, “you are a twenty-five year old woman who was out in public, topless and wearing only a diaper; yeah, the best case scenario here is that the other officers don’t believe me when I tell them your real age and they ship you off to either juvenile hall or the orphanage!”

Lauren gulped. She was doomed! Janet went to start the car again, only to stop when an idea formed in her head.

“However…” Janet began slowly.

“Yes?” Lauren asked, interest piqued.

“I think I might have a way that you could have the charges dropped and we can pretend none of this ever happened.” Janet said with a cruel smirk.

“What is it? Tell me please!” Lauren begged, not wanting to go to either prison on juvie; or worse, an orphanage.

“It’s like this,” Janet explained, “after you chased Abby out of high school, she had to transfer to another school. There, she actually met another boy who actually liked her for her – Theodore Roberts, Captain of the school’s baseball team. One thing lead to another, and they got married after they finished college.”

“Yeah…” Lauren said, trailing off in confusion. Where was Janet going with this?

“To make a long story short, I’m supposed to head over to her baby shower after I end my shift; which should be over by the time we get to the station.” Janet continued. “And I bet my sister would love to receive an apology from her old tormentor in front of her friends.”

“Is that it?” Lauren asked, surprise laced on her voice. That’s all she had to do? Go with her to Abby’s baby shower and apologize? “Okay. Just drop me off at my house and –“

“Your house?” Janet asked, chuckling darkly. “I don’t think so.”

“But I need to get dressed.” Lauren whined.

“Do you?” Janet asked, an evil smile on her face. “Because I think that you’re already wearing the perfect outfit right now.”

Lauren gasped in horror. That’s what she meant? She had to face Abby and her friends at her baby shower and apologize to her…while wearing only a diaper?! She couldn’t do that! Could she?

“Or, if you don’t want to do that, I can bring you down to the station and you can be sent to either jail or an orphanage.” Janet smirked. “Your pick.”

Lauren gulped.