Shelley Gets Schooled (Patreon)

Angela greeted the Ultimoms in an unusually sombre manner.

"Ladies, we have a problem. We're going around calling ourselves The Ultimoms, but by golly, we're not 'moms' to anyone!"

Rosemary chimed in. "But Angela, darling, I am your mother! Or I guess I was. Did we even out or some such? Ooh, this is a real pickle!"

"Can't we just solve this little to-do with a fresh batch of cookies?" Winifred asked optimistically.

"Well, it would require some tinkering with the recipe," Angela said, tapping her glossy fingernails to her lips.

"There isn't much time," Bel loudly whispered, cupping her hand over the phone receiver. "If we're not seen with a child, people will begin to TALK."

"Jeepers!" Winifred exclaimed. "We can't have that, but the only way we can cookie up a kid and keep our reputations is... is..."

"Is if one of us samples the new confection," Shelley answered.

Angela's eyes glistened. "Shel, no! There's got to be a better way!"

Shelley rounded the ladies up for a group hug. "It's fine, girls. I was starting to miss school, to be honest. Now go work your magic in the kitchen. But try not to go too young! I'm too sharp to go back to learning the three R's!"