Jeff got up and looked in the mirror, he had regressed over night. “I can’t be more than 8 years old! No wonder I lost the fight to Bobby.” After getting dressed in some of Bobby’s old clothes, he made his way downstairs. It was Monday morning and everyone was in a rush to get to school and work. As they all piled into the min-van, Margaret turned to Jeff, “Honey I don’t have time to take you to the lab. You will have to stay in the house while we are gone for the day. If you are needed at the lab Tim will call the house.”
Jeff spent the day at the lab but was little help. His new height was not designed to work at the stations, seats were too low and tables too high. Tim also found Jeff distracting always looking over his shoulder checking up on the little guy. During the afternoon Jeff was roaming the halls and bumped into the beautiful Karen. She looked at him as if he had reminded her of someone, “Are you lost? Can’t find your Mommy?” All Jeff could do was shake his head ‘No’. “I’m visiting a friend in the Biology Department.” With that explanation Karen headed off to class, once again disappearing into the crowd.
As the week progressed the regression slowed, hopefully it would stop soon. He had already lost a tooth and didn’t want to consider what else he might loose soon. By Wednesday Jeff was an adoring 7 year old. By Thursday evening the inevitable happened and his bed was moved into Mary’s room. Looking more like a 6 year old, Bobby was finally able to convince his mother that Jeff belonged in the younger room. Mary was much nicer to Jeff and was very happy to have a friend to sleep with and it would keep the monsters in the closet she suggested. Jeff thought the belief in monsters was very childish however he did like having the night light in Mary’s room.
By Friday Jeff was looking more like a 5 year old, Mary loved to play with the younger Jeff and they both enjoyed going to the park in the evening. Jeff now found the swings a bit too big and scary but loved to climb up onto the slides. By week’s end Jeff was resigned to the fact he would be the youngest member of the household. It couldn’t be missed he was now the shortest person in the house by 3 inches. Mary was polite to Jeff however even Mary asserted some control by taking Jeff’s hand and leading him to the sandbox or suggesting what games they would play. Jeff didn’t try to rebel, he didn’t mind the games but especially didn’t want to pick a fight with the only person close to him in age. She may have been his daughter but now was his only real friend.
The weekend went quickly however there were a few problems. Saturday night Jeff had his first bed wetting accident. Jeff wasn’t sure what had happened but he was sure Pull-ups would be presented to him at bedtime tonight. When Mary saw the accident she went over to consol Jeff, “Don’t worry you will learn to hold it in overnight, all little kids have a little trouble.” Mary had meant it as support however was Jeff completely embarrassed by the comment.
Margaret had to bring the kids clothes out of storage from their pre-school days. Jeff had become too small for Mary’s clothes and was now dressed appropriately for a 4 year old. By now he was used to Bobby’s ‘squirt’ comments and began to accept it as his new nickname. Bobby still teased Jeff but the physical intimidation had stopped mainly because Jeff accepted the Bobby as alpha-male. Slowly the household no longer treated him as a father but as their bother Jeffery. When Jeff turned 6 everyone started calling him Jeffery, he didn’t object mainly because he was the smallest and trying to fight it was a lost cause. Jeff had accepted his new status with only a few tantrums. To Jeff he was still the father even with his physical size and he tried to remind everyone that he was still father and husband.
Sunday Margaret started dressing Jeff in training pants after she noticed he was dribbling a little during the day. At night Jeff was in Pull-ups for the inevitable bedwetting. When Monday came Jeff was feeling a little better. The age regression was definitely slowing down however he was looking every bit a toddler.
Tuesday was the final straw for Margaret. Jeff had been trying hard to maintain his toilet training however his training pants were always damp. By Tuesday evening it was obvious Jeff had slipped below 3 years. The family was sitting around the living room when Jeff walked in wearing one of Bobby’s old matching shirt and pants covered with pictures bears and bunnies. “Hey Squirt you are wearing my clothes from when I was a baby.” Bobby smiled at the backhanded comment he had delivered. For Jeff it was too much “I am not a baby, you take that back.” Bobby just smiled, “But Squirt, your pant legs have snaps for diaper changes.” Jeff looked down at his clothes realizing what he was wearing. “I don’t wanna wear this stuff!”
Jeff left the room yelling, “I’m not a baby!” He ran upstairs to Mary’s room and proceeded to dress in Mary’s less feminine clothes. Even though Jeff was far too small he dressed up in them anyways trying to hold onto what remained of his age and dignity. After changing his outfit he ran down stairs to show everyone the clothes he had picked out. Upon entering the living room he tripped on his oversize pants and crashed to the floor.. Jeff sat there on the floor looking down at his pants and started to cry. Jeff couldn’t control his bladder and had peed in his pants. A growing wet stain formed around the crotch of his pants for everyone to see.
Margaret had seen enough. She confiscated the clothes leaving Jeff sitting in the middle of the living room wearing only a shirt and a pair of training pants with a large yellow stain in the front. “Mary and Bobby you are charge of Jeffery. He is to remain in the living room until I’m finished is that clear.” With that Margaret and Susan went up stairs leaving Jeff under the care of his two kids. For the first time Margaret had crossed the line and sided with the children, making them responsible for their former father, to Jeff this was a terrible insult his own kids were more considered responsible than he was!
Jeff wanted to find out what was going on upstairs however Bobby wouldn’t let Jeff anywhere near the doorway. Every time Jeff tried to leave the room he was hoisted up and dumped in the middle of the room. “Your not gong any where squirt.” Jeff felt like he had hit the lowest point in his life. Now his 11 year old son was babysitting him and the entire time his little accident was visible to the world. It couldn’t get any worse than this.
Finally Margaret returned to the living room and took Jeff by the hand leading him up the stairs to Mary’s room. Jeff was happy to be lead by hand up the stairs, his legs were much shorter now and climbing the stairs was a bit difficult. Susan ran down the stairs past Jeff, grabbed her purse and headed out the door. Margaret looked down at her charge, “I told you things were gong to change if you didn’t stop regressing. I never thought we would need to do this but it’s for your own good. With that Margaret pushed open the door to Mary’s room.
Jeff stood in the doorway his mouth wide open in a state of shock. The beds were gone, in its place was Mary’s old crib and changing table. “You can’t be serious, I’m not going to sleep in a crib and use a changing table with diapers.” Margaret calmly discussed the issue with Jeff, until Susan came running into the house and up to Mary’s bedroom (now Jeff’s nursery).
“Here you go everything you asked for to take care of Dad, errr I mean Jeffery..” With Susan’s entrance the discussion was over and Jeff was lifted up onto the changing table. “Does Susan have to watch!” Jeff protested, however Margaret didn’t listen. “Susan stays to watch, because I’m not always going to be around to change your diaper.” Jeff already knew the answer but had to try anyways.
Jeff sat there on the table in his dirty training pants, embarrassed as Margaret went over all the products and procedures with their daughter. It took about five minutes as she showed Susan where the diapers, baby powder and other products were kept. It was a long five minutes however it gave Jeff time to adjust to his new surroundings. The table was rather high, at least by a 3 year old’s standards. The table had a large pad to lay on with a restraining belt, which came across the top.
Jeff was feeling very small right now. He was easily hoisted on to the table with out any trouble and he sat there in his wet training pants that we getting cold and uncomfortable. The conversation was about him but he was not included in the discussion. He listened intently and cringed when another baby product was removed from the bag. “I’m not going to be needing any diaper rash lotion, cause I can still use the toilet.” They two women looked at each other and smiled. “Okay sweetie but lets just put it down here just in case.”
Then the dreaded moment, his first diaper change began. The two women removed his shirt and told him to lie back on the pad. They lifted his feet easily and removed his dirty underwear. Next came the cold chill of the baby wipe, Jeff shuddered and knew he would never get used to the wipe down. Then Margaret pulled out the baby powder and proceeded to smooth it all over his bottom and around the crotch. This was surprisingly comforting to Jeff and he closed his eyes. The boy relaxed with the smell of baby powder, it was nice homey scent that reminded him of the times he had to change his kid’s diapers. As he daydreamed the next step brought him back to reality with the popping sound from the jar of Vaseline. “No! not the Vaseline. Pleeeeease!” Jim whined and started to squirm. “Now settle down and stop moving, I’d expect this behavior out of a 2 year old but not an adult.” Margaret noted. Jeff continued to resist but it was no use, Margaret grabbed him by the feet, lifted him up, took to fingers of Vaseline and spread it between his butt cheeks. Jeff was surprised, having two fingers running between his cheeks it was actually pleasurable and he didn’t notice the thick layer of protection left behind. Finally his diaper was slid underneath and pulled between his legs, tugged snug and taped shut. “There we go all done, he shouldn’t have any leaks now.” he rolled his eyes at this comment.
Jeff was lowered to the floor, where he began to inspect his new room. Jeff immediately noticed the room had been baby-proofed. All breakable items and anything small enough to be put in his mouth had been removed even the electrical outlets were covered over. Jeff toddled out into the hall, he noticed the bulkiness of the diaper forced his legs apart making him look every more babyish. “Where do you think your going mister?” As Margaret grab him from behind and rested him on her chest. “Susan, never let Jeffery out of you sight up here. The stairs are too big for the little man and he might fall down. I’ll have to find the baby gates and place them around the house. Let’s take him downstairs and introduce your new brother to the family.”
“Brother? I’m their father and could I get something to wear? At least something to cover up my diaper.” Jeff whined just like any toddler. “Sorry honey but I have to unpack all of Bobby’s baby clothing, along with the kids toys, highchair and other items.” With that Jeff was taken downstairs and stood on the floor in front of Bobby and Mary. Jeff was still embarrassed that he was being displayed in only a diaper however but knew that there was nothing he could do but try and get used to his new status in life. Wearing nothing but a diaper happened a fair amount at his new age.
“Mary and Bobby, you have to play nice with your new baby brother. You also have to watch out for him and make sure he doesn’t get hurt. Remember he is a lot smaller and can’t get pushed around like you normally play, you have to be gentle.” Margaret instructed. “I have a new baby brother! Yipee! Can I change his diaper?” Mary screamed with excitement and Margaret giggled “No honey, leave that job to Susan or myself. However if he messes his diaper you should tell us right away.”
Jeff could only lower his head and quietly listen to the discussion. For the second time today, the discussion was about him but he was ignored, Jeff saw a trend developing. Margaret was setting the rules for how he would be treated and cared for. “If you are watching Jeffery you can not let him out of your sight, if you have to leave him alone put him in the playpen or put the baby gates up. And remember you to are in charge of Jeffery, not the other way around.” Jeff was about to protest when Margaret cut him off, “And another rule, from now on Jeffery gets a nap every afternoon. Is that understood?” Jeff just stood there and shook his head in defeat. There was no way to stop this from happening he was trapped and frankly he realized he needed help. Even if it was help from Mary there were some things he could not do or reach. “Alright then, Susan and I have to finish getting the nursery together.” Bobby jumped up and offered to help, leaving Mary to watch over her new baby brother.
- to be continued