"Mm...mmm...ary," he said. He'd been trying to say something else, but it just seemed wrong. "Do you see anything different in the mirror?"
The woman-child scrunched her face, looking intently. Then she shook her head. "What am I looking for?"
She...doesn't see it. But, I didn't notice, Brandon thought. "Do you remember when we left the house this morning?"
She nodded.
"You were dressed differently then."
She nodded again.
"Do you remember what you looked like?"
She thought about it. "Yes. I was dressed like a big girl."
"You're a grownup," he said. "Remember? You're my mother."
She seemed to pause for a long time, and he thought he might be getting through to her. Then she giggled. "That's funny," she said.
This was getting out of control. He needed help, before... he looked at Mary. She's my mother, he reminded himself. At least he thought she was. He needed to figure out how to fix this. If she stayed like this permanently, then what would happen to both of them with no adult to take care of them?
He took a breath. He needed to be brave and handle things. He took Mary into the bathroom and helped her get ready for her bath.
