News Boy - Susan Hawke Page 0,9

the idea." As I spoke, I was already heading for the kitchen. "I saw his sippy cups in the cabinet and apple juice in the fridge. I'm guessing I should go with those?"

When I heard Brittany giggling as she said no, I realized she could hear me. I grinned as Jim patiently reminded her to use her inside voice, then turned his attention back to our conversation.

"Brody, before I go any further, I need to ask a question. How familiar are you with age play?"

"Not too much," I answered honestly. Scratching my head, I tried to remember things in the club, but I hadn't been there in over five years. When I had a full-time sub, especially one who was introverted and preferred to stay at home, I’d had no need.

I'd been silent too long, lost in my thoughts. "To be fair, I've probably forgotten much of what I knew anyway. I'm sorry if Mack and I gave you the wrong impression."

"Not at all. I was happy to have someone familiar with the community. Any knowledge you might have had was just a bonus. Let me give you a quick rundown. ABDL stands for adult baby diaper lovers, representing the boys who regress to their youngest places. Diapers, binkies, bottles… those kinds of things tie in there. Then you have your average little who will more closely identify with a preschool age. Have I lost you yet, or should I slow down?"

"No, I get you. So the preschool-aged are the littles I used to see in the club with their sippy cups and binkies, content to color or play with toys. I seem to remember a lot of baby talk with them, too."

Jim chuckled again. "Precisely. Since Brittany has given me permission, I can tell you she identifies there. But Neil is more of what you might consider a middle. He doesn't need training pants or help brushing his teeth like my Brittany would require. In little mode, Neil prefers what your average, say, seven to ten-year-old would like."

Now I was getting a better idea. "Let me guess, the Disney Princess sippy cups in his cabinet are for when his friend Brittany comes to visit?" Brittany's laughter in the background was all the answer I needed.

"Yes. For Neil, you'll want to grab a juice pouch or a flavored milk from his refrigerator. You should find individually packaged snacks like fruit chews, pretzels, and graham crackers in his pantry. As a television personality, Neil keeps an eye on his weight. His housekeeper knows to solely stock organic, healthy choices. If you find something which seemingly doesn't fit the bill, like candy or cheese puffs, don’t give them to him. Neil will be happy now, but he’ll lecture you later. I only caution you because he's been known to sneak those in little mode, but once he's not, he won't be happy."

Stroking a hand over my chin, I listened to his advice. "Okay, I think I've got this. What my mom would've put in my grade school lunch box is acceptable, but the stuff my dad packed on the days he was in charge is contraband. Anything else I need to know?"

"Be patient and treat him like you normally would—if he were a kid in elementary school. You'll figure it out as you go along. Neil is good at advocating for himself in little mode. Trust me, he’ll tell you what to do."

"Sounds simple enough. Don't be a condescending asshole and remember to respect his dietary needs. Oh! I can't believe I almost ended the call without getting an answer to my original question. How the hell do I access the playroom?"

Jim cracked up. "It sounds like you're a natural. And yes, it would be helpful for you to know where to find him. Did you see the three-dimensional artwork across from his bed featuring the Mario Brothers? Push Mario's hand, and a sliding door will open up for you. Neil always gives a high five, so feel free if you’d prefer to do it that way."

We shared a laugh, and I ended the call, pocketing my phone so I could find a good snack. The pantry was well-organized, with his preferred options in a colorful red storage bin. I barely hesitated before grabbing a pack of pretzels with peanut butter dip attached and pocketing it. A drawer in the fridge was filled with juice pouches. After I added one of those to my pocket, I went back to his room. My