At first, I didn’t like the idea of Daddy’s work friends coming over for game night. Daddy was making me wear diapers all the time now and the more rain clouds that appeared on my potty chart, the less likely it seemed I would get my big boy, er - undies back.

Then he told me I would get to play with them. That felt like a big win. I needed a win. I thought about all the possible board games and card games we might play. Maybe we would play poker. There’s nothing more grown up than poker. I found my tail wagging in anticipation.

Miss Jenny showed up first. She made a big fuss I was wearing the onesie that she bought me for Christmas. She was really good at finding ways to make me blush…maybe even more than daddy. Mister Caper arrived next, I think he worked in the storyboard department.

Mister Caper knelt down to say hello and I felt him pat my bottom when I wasn’t paying attention. I gave him a dirty look and he chuckled. I think he was checking if I was dry. I decided to go find Daddy to see if I could help set up.

“That’s very nice of you to offer Louis,” Daddy smiled, “everything is already done…but you could set up the first game for us while the grownups get their drinks.”

I nodded and Daddy helped into one of the chairs at the game table. I kneeled so I would look taller. It was only after he left that I noticed the baby bottle and plate of teething cookies set out by my spot. That and there was only one board game on the table. “FIMSH! Ages 2 & Up” A cutesy bear stared back at him from the box. It was a game for babies.

“Daddy!” I called out but it sound more like a whine.
“What’s wrong, Louis?” he asked entering the room with a beer in hand, “do you need help setting up?”
“NoOOOooo, this is a game for babies!” This time I was whining.
Daddy set his drink down and put his hands on his hips.

“Miss Jenny brought this game for tonight,” he spoke in a stern voice, “are you going to hurt her feelings by not playing it?”
“But it’s-
“If you’re not big enough to for this game you can say and you can watch some cartoons instead,”
“I’m a big boy!”
“Well, then you can play,” he retorted as the others joined us at the game table.
“Oooo, this is a good one,” Miss Jenny said as she helped me, unprompted, to set up the board, “You have to help Mister Bear collect all the fish before the Kitty-Cat steals them,”

The game was simple and I couldn’t deny I was having fun. I beat them the first time around but by the second game I was starting to suspect they were letting me win. Into the third I was sure they were pulling their punches.

“You’re letting me win!”
“No way!” Mister Caper grinned, “you’re just really good at this game,” Daddy and Miss Jenny nodded in solidarity.
“You gotta prove it, we’ll play anoth-
“No, I think it’s time for little lions to be in bed,” Daddy stood up.
“But it’s only seven-thirty!”
“That’s right, and your bedtime is?” Daddy was using his stern voice again.
“It’s not fair! I want to play other games too!”
“Well you should have said that after the first round,”

I could feel my emotions knotting in my chest as my face and ears grew hot. I felt cheated. This wasn’t a win; a big boy activity. My breathing got heavier and I balled my hands into fists. Daddy wasn’t being fair. I glanced at Miss Jenny. She looked like she knew what was coming. I turned to Mister Caper. He had a similar expression. They weren’t going to come to my rescue. I felt a hot, fat tear roll down my cheek. This was supposed to be a win.

“Louis, you’re just tired, you-
I slammed my hands on the table, “I DON’T WANNA GO TO BED!”

[feat. Louis, Yves, sitterjenny d4ddygoat … cause I needed grown ups for this picture!]