Chapter 13: Mr. Crabby Pants

After gorging themselves on fake food, the pair of teachers took everyone in for the real thing. Today’s lunch was a hearty affair of chicken nuggets, carrots, and pre-peeled clementine sections, all served with the usual side of milk.

It was more in line with what one might expect from a child’s meal, meaning it was a little easier for Sofia to keep herself from sneaking a taste. Although she wouldn’t have minded a few of those clementine slices. Still, better to stick to what she knew. Once the memory of yesterday’s incident had faded from her mind a bit more, then maybe she’d let herself try some of Gretchen’s food again.

She roved around the room with a ketchup bottle in hand, ready to squirt a dollop for any child in need. Ashley had insisted that this method worked much better than allowing the kids to serve themselves. And judging based on the little experience she’d now collected, Sofia was inclined to agree. Even giving the Lunch Helper such a task was simply asking for disaster.

The class dug in with their usual enthusiasm, to no surprise. As they began to finish their meals, they picked up after themselves and began making their way to their beds. The glowing blue mushroom by the carpet began playing soothing piano music, the sound reverberating through the dim room and lulling the kids to sleep.

Sofia glanced over at the clock. It was just about noon. That meant it was almost time for her to go to lunch. She picked her way through the maze of chairs and cots until she reached Ashley.

“Is there anything you need before I head out?”

“Oh! I forgot to ask.” The woman smacked her forehead with a willowy hand. “Do you mind if I go to lunch first today? I have something I need to do, but I promise I’ll be back before one.”

“Oh, sure! No problem.” Sofia easily agreed. Ashley had taken the first shift of naptime all week, getting the last of the kids to sleep all by herself. The least she could do was return the favor.

Although… I hope I’m not biting off more than I can chew.

Sofia glanced around the room. Of the nine kids they had today, five were already sound asleep in their beds. Two more were lying down, and the final two were on their way there—either cleaning up the last of their dishes or using the bathroom.

I think I can handle that. Yeah.

“What do you have to do, out of curiosity?”

“Oh, nothing too interesting.” Ashley flapped a hand. “I'm starting to have a little bit of a pest problem at home, so I called someone to take care of it. I'm just going back to meet them!”

“Ah, that sucks. Although…” Sofia’s brow furrowed. “It takes a while to get back to town from here. Are you sure you can make it there and back?”

Ashley giggled. “I don't live in town, silly! I live out here. I'll be back before you know it.”

Huh. I didn't realize there were houses out here. Then again, the forest is pretty dense, so they’re probably pretty well-hidden. I didn’t even see the daycare until I was right on top of it.

It wasn't long before Ashley bid her goodbye and naptime began in earnest. Sofia settled down between the beds of two kids who were still awake—Todd and Naomi. According to Ashley, both of them took a little more effort to get to sleep most days. Naomi snuggled under her covers to smile at Sofia, while Todd appeared to be in the midst of a wrestling match with his blanket.

Sofia reached out to begin patting them both on the chest. “Todd,” she murmured as quietly and calmly as she could. “It’s time to go to sleep.”

Todd looked over at her. Then, after a moment, he went right back to his wrestling.

She pressed her hand onto his chest. “Todd.”

Todd tucked his arms to his chest and lay still. Sofia nodded in approval, turning her attention toward the smiling Naomi. Her eyes slowly began to droop closed bit by bit.

Sofia let herself relax slightly, allowing her mind to wander. Between the music, the dimness, and the regular cadence of her pats, the environment felt just about as soothing as she could make it.

If I'm not careful, I might start dozing off too. Wouldn’t want that, now, would we?

Soft footfalls roused Sofia from her thoughts. Looking up, Annie had risen from her bed across the room and was scurrying her way.

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Sofia frowned as she approached. “Annie, it’s naptime. Let’s go lay down.”

“I have to go potty.”

Her frown deepened. “You’re supposed to go after lunch, before we lay down.”

“But I have to go.” The little girl’s tone took on a whiny, insistent note.

Sofia sighed. “Ok. But then it’s time to sleep, ok?”

The little girl nodded and hurried toward the bathroom.

“Walking feet.” Sofia’s whispered reminder carried across the room, causing the girl to slow her pace. As the door closed behind her, Sofia looked down to check on the two at her side. Their eyes had snapped wide open.

Oh, boy.

“I have to go potty.” Naomi echoed Annie’s request in a whisper.

Sofia arched an incredulous eyebrow at her. “Naomi, I saw you go potty right before we laid down.”

“But I have to go again.”

A long-suffering sigh escaped her. “Fine. One more time. But you have to stay here until Annie’s done, ok?”

Naomi nodded, settling in to wait. Meanwhile, Sofia heard rustling from her other side. A glance over revealed that Todd was once more wiggling about, his two blanketed fists battling each other.

“Todd.” Sofia kept her tone even and calm as she pushed his hands down. “Time to sleep.”

His expression turned to a wide grin as he threw the blanket over his head. He then proceeded to continue the game as though the move effectively hid him from Sofia’s notice. It didn’t. Especially not when he began making soft explosion noises as well.

Sofia pulled the blanket down, only for Todd to open his mouth in surprise. He let out a small “Wah!” of enjoyment before pulling the blanket back up.

Oh no. He thinks we’re playing, doesn’t he?

The bathroom door opened with a soft click as Annie finished up. Sofia shot her a thumbs-up and gestured for her to go back to her bed. Naomi looked up at her. “I have to go potty.”

“I know, you said. Go ahead and go.”

She waved the little girl away and focused on trying to get Todd to sleep. “Todd. It's not time to play anymore. We have to go to sleep and get some rest.”

“I want Snip-Snap.”

Her brow furrowed. “Snip-Snap?”

He pointed across the room to where Lina lay, wrapped up in a pretty pink princess blanket. Under her arm was nestled the same bulbous crab plushie she’d occasionally seen in the various play stations around the room. Whether it was sitting at the kitchen's table, inside a corral of blocks, or reading a book with one of the kids, the stuffed animal certainly did seem popular.

She shook her head. “Lina is already holding Snip-Snap. But I can get you a different plush. Only if you stop playing and go to sleep, though. Ok?”

“Ok.”

“Good. Now, if you can stay still until Naomi gets back, we'll get you as stuffy.”

The boy nodded and tucked himself in. Sofia eyed him suspiciously, only for her attention to be drawn away by the pitter-patter of feet once again.

“Can I have a book?”

Sofia had to force down her building frustration. “Annie, it’s time to sleep.”

“But I want a book.” She replied, as if it were the most compelling and self-evident argument in the world.

Sofia sighed. If the bathroom situation was anything to go by, giving Annie a book would be a quick ticket to the others asking for the same. That meant she couldn’t afford to cave on this. Not if she wanted any chance of them actually going to bed.

She shook her head. “I’m sorry, Annie. When we wake up.”

Annie frowned, and for a moment, she feared that the girl would continue insisting. But she scurried back to her cot obligingly. It was one small victory among the disaster that this naptime was turning out to be.

What is even going on? Why are they giving me such a hard time? They're always fast asleep when I come back from lunch. Does Ashley have to deal with this every time? Or do they just listen to her better?

Belatedly, she realized that Naomi hadn’t returned yet. Worse, she heard the sink running. Sofia’s heart sank.

No, no, no. Not again.

She rushed to the bathroom as quietly as she could and peeked inside. Sure enough, the dark-haired little girl was standing on the step stool by the sink, playing in the water as it ran over her hands. The floor was slick with splashes that the sink hadn’t fully managed to contain.

“Naomi.” Sofia hissed. “No. We do not play in the sink.”

The girl ducked her head bashfully as Sofia escorted her back to the bed. On the way there, she noticed that a new occupant had joined Todd. Its rotund red form was deformed around its midsection where the boy had his arms tightly wrapped around it.

“Todd. I told you, Lina was using Snip-Snap!” Sofia's tone took on more than a hint of exasperation. The boy must have been a ninja to steal the thing so quickly and quietly.

“But he came over himself!” Todd complained.

“I’m sure he did. But let's put him back where he belongs.”

She retrieved the crab plush and set it next to the sleeping Lina once more. On her way back to the bed, she retrieved a different dog plush to bribe the boy with.

“You can hold this if you lay down and try to go to sleep. Ok?”

“Ok.”

It wasn't a minute later that Todd had once again thrown the blanket over his head and began playing. Naomi’s eyes had just begun to close when Annie rushed over again.

“Can I have a stuffie?”

…This is not going well at all.