Katie looked at her friend in horror and shock. She and Martha were really on their own now, it seemed. She recognized Jennifer, of course, in light of the recent goings on. Katie had known Jennifer all their lives, she had grown up with her. The cute little girl with the ponytail was her, but what was worse...she didn't seem to remember who Katie was .
"How did you know my name?" Jenni asked.
"We're ...um...friends of your mommy, sweetie," Katie said. "Can you have her come to the door?" she asked, not stopping to think who Jenni's 'mommy' might be.
"She's feeding the baby," Jenni said,"but I'll ask her," she said, turning and running up the stairs. Katie and Martha let themselves in. They stood in the hallway not knowing what to expect.
"We have to be very careful here, child," Martha whispered to Katie. "He's deeply insinuated himself into this place. It may be beyond our abilities to return it to its normal order.
"We have to try, Aunt Martha. She's my best friend," Katie whispered back. "You said he works by splitting your mind into different personalities. Maybe we can help the true personalities get out."
"It will be very difficult. I expect he has prepared for us at this stage in his plans," Martha said.
"If I could get Jennifer alone I might be able to get her teen self to surface," Katie said.
"Maybe. But what you propose might be dangerous, to her and to you, we must..." Martha trailed off seeing an attractive young woman holding a baby came to the door with Jenni tagging behind.
"Didn't I tell you never to let strangers into the house, Jenni," Kayla said.
"I'm sorry mommy I thought I closed the door," Jenni said, looking down at the floor.
"Just be more careful next time, baby," she said to Jenni. "Can I help you," she asked Katie. "Are you here to see Billi? She's upstairs."
Katie looked at Kayla, at first not recognizing her. Kayla was only 13 the last time she saw her, and this woman had to be in her twenties. But she saw the similarities in her face, and knew it was her. "We're not strangers, Kayla...at least I'm not. I guess you haven't met my Aunt Martha.
"How do you do," Martha said.
"Oh, oh course. Hello Katie. You aren't as tall as I remembered," Kayla said with a smile. "Why don't you both come in and have some coffee," she said, leading them to the kitchen.
"Oh what a sweet little baby," Martha said.
"She's my little princess, only 9 months old," Kayla said, putting her in her high chair. She gave her a teething cracker and poured the coffee. Jenni was busy eating her frosted flakes. Katie looked at her and couldn't believe the transformation of her best friend into a second grader. And Jenni seemed to have no recollection of Katie at all.
Just then Billi bounded into the room. "Hi guys," she said, getting a glass of milk from the refrigerator. Katie looked at her. She thought Billy was a young boy, at least he was yesterday. "I guess Billi's female personality is in control," thought Katie.
'Hello dear," Kayla said to her, and Billi sat down. Kayla turned to Katie. "Now, what can I do for you," she asked in a much too sweet voice.
"We came to warn you about that man in the shop, and to help you all get back to normal," Katie said.
"Whatever do you mean? We are as normal as normal could be, aren't we kids?" Kayla asked the others.
"Yup," Billi said. Jennifer nodded.
"You don't understand, Kayla. He's using you, for what I don't know, but he traps people by turning their fantasies against them. You think you are in control now, but you're not," Katie said, a little desperately.
"What does she mean, mommy?" Jenni asked, confused.
"Its just grown up talk, punkin. Why don't you clear your bowl and watch TV, I think Sponge-Bob is on," Kayla said.
"'k mommy," she said, and went into the family room.
Marci started crying and Kayla took her out of her high-chair. The baby started rooting around Kayla's breast. "Awwww, is baby hungry," she said as she opened her shirt to let Marci nurse.
"I have known the shopkeeper for many years," Martha said. "He is not to be trusted."
"I got no problem with him," Billi said, slurping her milk.
"I'm sure you don't now, hun, but believe me, he has plans for you," Martha said, and then looking at Kayla, "And for you too."
"You are allowed to have your opinion, and I am allowed to have mine," Kayla said, somewhat annoyed.
"Indeed I am allowed to have my opinion, and it is a good deal more informed than yours. I could tell you a good many things about this man, if you care to hear," Martha said.
"Sure, why not. Billi, could you put the baby in her crib? She's asleep," Kayla said, handing the infant to Billi. Billi took her upstairs.
"Katie, why don't you see how Jenni is doing," Martha said. She wanted to talk to Kayla alone. "Why don't we have another cup," she said to her.
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Katie found Jenni in the family room watching cartoons. She was laying on the floor on her belly, way too close to the TV, like kids tend to do. Katie sat down on the sofa. The part she just didn't get was Jennifer's lack of recollection. Even when she had been granted her desire of being the most beautiful girl on earth, she still remembered who she was and what she had been trying to accomplish. But she looked at the little girl giggling at the cartoons and knew that this was no case of an adult trapped in a child's body. This was a child.
Katie remembered when she was the age that Jenni is now. They would watch TV the same way that Jenni is now, together, although the cartoons weren't as good back then. They spent a lot of time with each other...things were so simple back then. There was certainly a part of her that missed that simplicity. Did Jenni choose the simple life now? Was it thrust upon her? Was she tricked into thinking that was what she wanted. Katie shook her head, not knowing where the answers will come from.
"Patrick is soooo funny," Jenni laughed.
"I love Sponge-Bob, Jenni. I like Mr. Krabs," Katie said, trying to relate to her friend on some level.
"He talks like a pirate! Squidward is the funniest," the little girl said, giggling.
"He's funny too! He's always so grouchy," Katie laughed.
"Know what? I have a friend named Katie, just like you," Jenni said.
"Really? Is she in your class at school," Katie asked.
"Yeah, we sit next to each other but Ms. Sims says she's going to separate us if we don't listen to her better. Sometimes we get in trouble for talking," Jenni said.
Ms. Sims. So, she IS a second grader Katie thought, remembering their second grade teacher. "Well, I have a best friend named Jennifer," Katie said. "Just like you! Isn't that funny?"
"Yeah," Jenni said, laughing. "But nobody calls me Jennifer, 'cept mommy when she's mad at me.
"Well, I'll just have to call you Jenni then," Katie said with a smile, "and you can call me Katie."
"Ok Katie," Jenni smiled. "Wanna see my room?" the girl asked, getting up and running up the stairs, not waiting for an answer. Katie followed her, and was surprised when she walked past her room to Kayla's. Katie hadn't been in Kayla's room often, but it looked a little different. There were Barbie posters on the wall, and toys on the floor. Jenni went right to work at the Barbie Dreamhouse on the floor. "Let's play Barbie's," Jenni said.
"This looks like an 8 year old's room," thought Katie. Were the walls pink before? She didn't remember the canopy bed either. She picked up a Barbie, remembering how she and Jenni used to play as children. "Barbie, we have to get ready for our date! Ken will be here soon," Katie said.
"Darn, I don't have a thing to wear," Jenni said, going through her Barbie clothes.
"How about this," Katie said, holding up the evening gown.
"I like this one instead," Jenni said picking a yellow mini. They both laughed as they dressed and undressed their dolls.
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Billi brought Marci into the bedroom where her crib was, in the corner of her parents room. As she put her in she started to stir, and whimpered a little. "Shhh....it's ok, baby," Billi cooed. She rubbed her belly and Marci kicked her legs and gurgled. Billi patted her diaper and felt that it was very warm. "She won't nap in a wet diaper," Billi thought, lifting the infant out of the crib. She laid her on the floor and got a diaper and baby wipes. She took off little Marci's wet diaper and cleaned her off, and put on a new one. Marci was wide awake now and didn't seem to have any intention of taking a nap.
Billi picked up the baby and laid down with her on her mother's bed, hoping Marci would fall asleep with her. The little girl snuggled up to Billi's breast, and Billi kissed her head. Billi wasn't lactating, of course, but she wondered what it felt like to have a baby suckle on her. She felt a little naughty, wondering if mom would get mad at her, but slowly lifted her tank top and guided Marci's little mouth to her nipple. "Owwwwww," she gasped in pain as the hungry infant greedily suckled. Billi didn't expect that it would hurt so much! She cradled little Marci's bottom as she suckled. Even though she wasn't getting any milk, she seemed to be using Billi as a pacifier and was clearly getting sleepy. Billi hummed a lullaby to her as she fell asleep.
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Martha drank her coffee, looking at Kayla. "You don't know what you are doing, child," she said solemnly. "You don't know him like I do."
"Yeah, well, I'm old enough now to take care of myself, or haven't you noticed," Kayla responded.
"I'm sure you think you are, but that isn't the case. And you have to ask yourself, and be very honest...do you really want to miss out on the years you have given away? You have lost your childhood, your teen-aged years...everything. Do you really want to be a single mother? How will you survive," Martha asked.
"Lots of women do it," Kayla said, a little uncertainly. "I'll, uh...get a job. And who says I'll always be single?" she said, a little coyly.
"You have no schooling beyond fifth grade, and you didn't even finish that! You certainly have no experience with men, and no experience being a mother. You are in much too deep, child. I can't believe that this is what you really want. Don't you miss playing with your friends, talking about boys...don't you miss growing up? Having no responsibilities beyond your next homework assignment?" Martha asked.
"Uh....y....yeah, I do sorta...No! Stop that! I know what you are trying to do, and it won't work! I am quite happy with things the way they are now, thank you very much! I think you should mind your own business and stay out of ours," Kayla said in a huff. She drank her coffee. "Now, if you don't mind, I have to check on the baby. Maybe you and Katie should go home," she said, getting up from her chair.
Martha sighed. She was not getting anywhere with Kayla, who really seemed quite intent to be a grown woman and young mother. Maybe Katie was having better luck.
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"Hey, I need to use the shower!" Jenni said, pounding her doll's hand on the toy bathroom door.
"I am not finished yet, you will just have to wait your turn," Katie said with laughed, pretending to shower her doll. She and Jenni were having a lot of fun with their dolls.
"Well, if you don't hurry I won't have time to get ready! " Jenni said with a laugh. "You're using up all the hot water!"
They both laughed at that. Katie took her Barbie out of the little shower and wrapped a tiny towel around her. She started picking out her clothes. Jenni was such a sweet child, and so easy to play with. Katie just couldn't decide on whether Barbie looked better in the blue dress or the shorts.
"You play really good for a grown-up," Jenni said with a smile. "Maybe you can babysit for me when mommy goes out," she added hopefully.
"Yeah, maybe. But jeez, its not like I'm THAT grown up, I'm only 16," Katie said. "Only 16 like you used to be," she thought.
"Do you like being 16?" Jenni said, pretending to shower her doll.
"Sure, it's great! I can drive, I can date and go out with my friends. I have a great time," Katie said, hoping to spark some sort of response from the 16 year old girl buried somewhere inside the child.
"Well, it doesn't sound that great to me," Jenni said. "I bet high school is really, really hard. I bet you had more fun in middle school," she said absently.
Katie thought for a moment, and realized that Jenni was right. Middle school was more fun than high school, and wasn't nearly as hard. She felt an odd tingle, and looked at her friend playing with her dolls. "Middle school is fun. I like having my own locker," she said, a little confused. She began to feel...odd. Were her clothes a little...baggy? She was wearing jeans and a sleeveless tee, and she thought they were tighter when she had put them on that morning. She adjusted her bra a little...that seemed a little big too.
"I guess I'll find out when I get there. Know what I bet is really fun? Driving," she said, putting her Barbie in the pink toy Corvette.
"It is fun to drive," Katie said, a little unsure.
Jenni giggled. "Oh yeah, like YOU know. You have to be 16 to drive, and you're 14, aren't you?" the little girl asked.
"No! I'm not 14," Katie said, feeling another tingle. Her clothes were definitely looser now. She put down her doll and stood up, and as she did her pants threatened to fall to the floor. Her shirt was big on her now, and her breasts were smaller too. Jenni laughed.
"Oh, excuse me! Did I say 14? I meant to say....12," Jenni said with a smile. "I don't think my mommy will think you are old enough to babysit me," she said.
"Am too!" Katie said. Even though she was 12, she could certainly babysit Jenni, she thought. She was holding up her pants with one hand. What was she doing in these clothes? She let the pants fall to the ground, not wanting to play dress up anymore. She took off her shirt too.
Jenni saw her friend standing in her oversized panties and floppy bra, with the one strap sliding down her shoulder and giggled. "You look funny," she said. "Why don't you put on regular clothes," she added.
Katie went to the dresser and picked out a white cotton pair of panties and a cotton cami. She took off her big sister's panties and bra. She looked down at her swollen nipples, and her nearly hairless crotch. Why was she wearing grown up clothes anyway? She totally forgot. It must have been a game that she was playing with Jenni. She looked at the cotton panties and read the label..."Size 10." The cami was the same size. She put them on. She put shorts and a tee shirt on next.
"C'mon, we have to get ready. Ken will be here soon!" Jenni said.
Katie sighed and picked up her doll. Playing Barbie's was sooooo childish...but it was sorta fun. She just hoped that no one found out she was doing it. She was way too old for dolls...after all, she just turned 10.
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Kayla opened the door to her room and saw Billi asleep on her bed, with her shirt off, with Marci at her breast. She walked over to the girl and nudged her awake, careful not to wake the baby. Billi looked at Kayla, a little ashamed.
"What do you think you're doing," Kayla asked, more than a little upset.
"I...uh...just was wondering what it felt like to ...um....nurse a baby," Billi said, embarrassed.
"You have a good deal of time to wait before you find out, young lady," Kayla said. "It seems you have a lot to learn about being a woman! It's not right to tease an infant like that to satisfy some...urge."
"I'm sorry," Billi said in a low voice.
"I hope that you are," she said, picked the baby up gently and putting her in her crib. "Don't worry, dear, you'll find out what it is like to nurse one day...owwww, and it has its drawbacks! Now the baby is asleep, and I'm full! You should have called me when you saw that she was up," she said, taking off her shirt and bra. She squeezed her breasts to expel some milk and relieve the pressure. She was really uncomfortable. Billi looked at her, seeing the milk leak from her. She thought it was the coolest thing she ever saw.
Kayla lied down on the bed. "It's too bad I couldn't count on you to watch the baby better, dear. I would like to depend on you, but I guess you're still too young, aren't you?"
Billi felt a little woozy, still mesmerized by Kayla's lactating breasts. She sat down on the bed next to her. "I'm....still too young," she said.
"Yes, you are...but you want to know what it is like to nurse, don't you? Come here, sweetheart," she said, and Billi snuggled close to her. Kayla kissed her cheek, and smoothed her hair. Billi saw milk dripping from Kayla's nipple and suddenly was very hungry. She instinctively buried her face in Kayla's breasts and Kayla guided her nipple into her mouth. Billi drank hungrily.
"That's my girl," Kayla cooed. She saw Billi's face change a little, get a little fresher. Billi continued to drink. Her breasts started to shrink, and she became smaller. Kayla saw that she was no longer 16, but now closer to 12. "Just a little bit more, baby," she said to Billi, and she saw her chest flatten out completely. She gently pushed Billi from her breast, and the little girl was in a daze. She whispered in her ear "call me mommy."
"Yes, mommy," Billi responded.
"You are Jenni's big sister. You are 9 years old," Kayla said.
"I'm 9 years old mommy," Billi said, and fell to sleep, swimming in the denim skirt she still had on. Kayla tucked her in, and decided to let her sleep for a while.