Although Sheila didn't particularly like children, she agreed to watch her sister's 3-year-old daughter Caryn for a day. Finally alone with Caryn, Sheila fumbled for something to say, before nervously asking, "Do you want to play?" Caryn smiled. "Yes, but you too big. I fix," she said.
Caryn produced a wooden disk on which was printed, "Wishing Token. Columbian Exposition. 1893." Caryn pinched the disk and closed her eyes real tight. When she opened them, Sheila was a little girl no bigger than Caryn, and dressed like her niece too. "Tag, you're it!" Caryn said as she tapped Sheila's shoulder. Sheila ran after her. The two scampered around the house, tagging each other and giggling madly. Then they played hide-and-seek, during which Sheila even hid under her bed.
Sheila admitted she really was having fun with her niece. Then Caryn suggested that they play House. "I'll be the mommy and you the baby," Caryn said. "I don't think so," Sheila nervously responded. But Caryn squeezed the coin again, and Sheila soon looked her new role.
Caryn gave Sheila a bath, put her in a diaper and infant
shirt,
fastened her in a cradle chair and rocked her. The girl then fed
Sheila a jar of strained beets, followed by a bottle of formula.
Left sleepy by the warm formula, Sheila stared at Caryn, thinking
of how she couldn't wait for her sister to return. But Caryn smiled,
"I like being mommy. When my real Mommy comes home, I give
you twin sister. Like?"
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