Sid took little Tobey into the bathroom to help him get bathed and clean clothes after he peed on him. Tobey giggled the whole time he gathered his clean clothes and found towels, carrying the pee-pee smelling toddler on his hip so he could keep an eye on him. He was already soaked with pee, so it couldn't have gotten much worse. He wondered if he ever got to pee on his mother when they were still together, before Kong Li ruined everything for Tobey.
Even though Tobey was actually a teenager, he was in the body of a toddler. And not just any toddler – he was back in his own 'toddler body' once again and unfortunately Tobey had been born a klutz.
With all that happened to his mother and with Kong Li having his tantrums, no one passed the stories about Little Tobey's accidents along to anyone at the orphanage or to Nana. Lets just say Tobey had a bit of trouble controlling his stubby limbs and had very little balance. Not like now, as a teen and almost a Kung Fu master, or at least a snake.
Sid helped Tobey get undressed, but his squealing about not being looked at, was eardrum piercing. Sid looked away while Tobey laid on the floor to kick out of his little toddler boxer shorts and the whole time threatened Sid with unspeakable things if he looked at him naked.
"But Tobey, your just a baby - you don't have much to see even if I look, and you might need my help."
"No! I can do it." While Sid's back was turned, still being bashful, Tobey climbed up between the toilet and the bathtub to get in the bubble bath that Sid was running for him. Sid rolled his eyes, but kept his back turned while he waited, finally he said, "Aren't you undressed yet, Tob? .... Need help getting in the tub?"
"Almost ready - darn these short 'baby' arms of mine. I miss my long arms."
Sid smiled, "Hehehe, long arms' that's funny, long arms and legs, but still a shrimp. Now as a little kid - you're really a shrimp." He heard Tobey growl at him, and he sounded just like a rabid chihuahua. "I'm not a shrimp – even now!"
Sid kept his back turned as Tobey wanted him to, but didn't realize he was climbing. Sid didn't know he was trying to get in the tub by himself and as a toddler going over the side of the bathtub, his hand slipped and he fell head first in the bubbles, snorting a large, foamy noseful.
Sid heard a thump and chanced a peek. "What are you . . . ? . . . TOBEY!"
The four feet between Sid and the edge of the bathtub seemed more like a mile as he jumped to grab his 'enchanted' little friend. The bubbles that Tobey fell through stayed parted just long enough that Sid could see his little butt and knew right away he had gone in the bathwater head first.
Sid yanked Tobey out by his hips and put him gently on the bathroom rug, being sure to support his head. "Tobey!" he screamed, but the toddler wasn't coughing, or moving at all.
"NO-NO-NO-no-no-no . . ." Sid wasted an instant, frantically patting Tobey's hands and feet, but then realized what he would have to do. Tobey's toddler face was so small, when Sid tilted his head back for a little pulmonary resuscitation, his mouth covered Tobey's mouth and nose. Sid blew gently, thankful that Nana had taught them how to do CPR, and even infant CPR since, with Kong Li around they never knew what they would run into.
Sid blew the second time, and watched Tobey's chest rise. While he blew air into his friends lungs, he used one hand to get his phone off his belt and had just opened it to call 911. A loud noise made him jump and drop the phone. Totally concentrating on saving Tobey's life, the bathroom door slamming open when they were supposed to be home alone, scared him, and he was already so upset that he thought his heart skipped a beat or two.
He quickly looked up before giving Tobey a third breathe and cried, "Kong Li!"
"What are you boys doing in here? A little roughhousing got out of hand?"
"Shut up! I don't have time for you right now. Sid pressed his lips tightly over most of Tobey's little face again, but only got half a breath in him before Kong Li kicked him in the ribs. "Tell me what the combination is to get the cookbook out of that rock!"
"You jerk – I'm trying to save Tobey's life – save your son's; life!" Sid held his ribs as he crawled back over to Tobey's side, immediately giving him a breath. Tobey started coughing and Sid got him turned onto his side, just as Kong Li kicked at him again.
This time Sid blocked with his forearm, and screaming angrily through his clenched teeth, he palmed Kong Li in the chest and sent him back out in the hallway. Sid quickly locked the door and knelt back by Tobey.
"Oh man, little guy – are you better now?"
"Yeah Sid," he coughed, "What happened?"
"You almost drowned! I told you to let me help you!"
Kong Li busted the door in, saving Tobey from a good scolding - but really, he would have rather had the scolding.
Tobey screamed and started crying, but also grabbed his dirty pants to cover himself with. Naked in front of Sid and Kong Li was more than he could stand. He hid behind the toilet, still coughing a little, and watching Sid fight for his life, unable to help him.
Tobey continued . . .
