🎢 Mathilda at Europa-Park
Part 1: My name is Mathilda
⚠️ This is a work of fiction
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"But no, Mom, I don't want to; I'm not a baby anymore, you know, I'm 9!"
"Mathilda, just because I suggest you wear a DryNites doesn't mean you're a baby."
"DryNites are diapers; I'm not stupid."
"Please don't talk like that, Mathilda!"
"Sorry, Mom."
"Remember when you slept over at your friend's house, and you wore one!"
"Are you talking about when I was 6? It's been three years, and I didn't really have a choice. It was Nora's mom who strongly encouraged me to wear one, and it wasn't even a DryNites but a pull-up from Nora's little brother, a boy's one."
"Maybe, but it was effective; you didn't have an accident in bed. Thankfully, she made you wear one that night! And this would be the same. And it's just in case..."
"Mom, please, don't force me; I'm sure I won't have an accident. I've grown up since the last time it happened."
"Be serious, Mathilda; it was less than 2 months ago. You know, as soon as you get a little stressed, you can't hold it, and you wet your pants. How are we going to manage in the amusement park? Tell me, I'm listening."
"I don't know," I said. "But can you really imagine me wearing a DryNites, during the day, in front of Aunt and Faustine! And there will be lots of people too!"
"Firstly, it won't be visible, and my sister and your cousin won't say anything; I'm sure of it. I remind you that Faustine still wets the bed and wears it to avoid wetting her bed."
"Yes, at night! You're asking me to wear it during the day! Can't we bring some spare clothes, though?"
"Alright, here's what I propose: we'll bring some spare clothes, but we'll do it like last time when I gave you one of my sanitary napkins; it will help absorb a small leak. Are you okay with that?"
"Oh, thank you, Mom, yes, I'm okay with that."
"And you'll have to go to the restroom regularly."
"I promise I'll go as soon as I feel the need!"
"I hope so!"
"And Mom, can't we really go by car?"
"I've already explained it to you. I've already purchased the tickets, and they're only 50% refundable if we cancel, so the answer is no. It's a bit more expensive by plane, but much less tiring for me; it saves me hours of driving. Besides, we don't need a car there; we'll use Aunt's car. Are you worried about the plane?"
"Yes, a little..."
"But everything will be fine; you'll see, accidents are extremely rare."
"I know, yes."
"I'm sorry, Mathilda, but the budget is tight for this vacation; I was supposed to get a bonus at work, and I didn't, so it's not possible to change anything. We'll really try to limit expenses because last month's repairs on the apartment's boiler left us with empty accounts."
"Okay, Mom."
With that, Mom leaves my room. I'm glad I'm not forced to wear a DryNites to go to Europapark because, yes, we're going to spend two days there with my aunt and her daughter Faustine. They live in Germany, and we're leaving for a few days by plane, Mom and I, to see them.
We haven't seen each other for two years with Faustine, and the last time was for the funeral of an old aunt. I don't really know my cousin that well because we don't see each other often, but we get along great. She's 9, just like me, and even though she lives in Germany, Faustine speaks French very well, and fortunately, because, as for me, I don't understand German at all!
She tried to teach me a few words, but well, I don't practice, so I forget everything I learn. But it's decided; in middle school, I'll take German as my first language.
I have been to Germany before, but I don't remember it; I was too young. This time, we are going to visit relatives, of course, but also to go to the famous Europapark amusement park.
Faustine and I have finally reached a height of 1.40 meters, which is the minimum height for many rides.
I admit I am both excited to finally go on big rides and a bit nervous because they will probably be scary.
And when I'm scared or in a situation I can't control, I have... how should I say it... pee problems. In short, I can't hold it in, and it just happens.
The last time wasn't too long ago. There was a big dog barking loudly and running towards me. I was so scared that my entire bladder emptied, my jeans were soaked, and so were my sneakers. It turns out the dog was chasing a cat and couldn't care less about me.
Mom and I were visiting a nearby town and had to go back home.
According to the doctor, I don't have any physiological problems; it's just that I need to learn to control my anxieties. He suggested to mom and me that I should see a child psychologist.
I really don't want to. I think mom would like me to, but she doesn't want to force me. The doctor supposedly told mom, and she told me, that it might be due to the absence of my father.
Maybe that's true, or at least partly, but for now, I don't want to try to find the cause of my problem.
After the last accident, mom put one of her sanitary napkins in my underwear when we went shopping. At first, it was strange, but eventually, I completely forgot about it. When I took it off a little later to go to the bathroom, it was a bit yellow, a sign that it had been used. Mom worries about this situation, but well, it will pass as I grow up.
The last time Aunt and Faustine came to France was for a funeral, and since it was far from our home, we all stayed at a hotel. We had great moments together, except for the time at the church. Faustine's mom shared a room with my mom, and Faustine and I slept in another room in a big bed.
My cousin still wet the bed and went to the bathroom to put on DryNites just before getting into bed. In the morning, there was a slight smell in the room, and I opened the window as soon as Faustine went to the bathroom to wash up.
I know they were DryNites because I saw them in her suitcase. It didn't seem to bother her to wear them or even to wet the bed. I think she accepted it, just like I accepted not having a dad.
Her dad died in an accident when she was little, and mom says that might be the cause of her bedwetting.
In the end, Faustine and I are a lot alike, and maybe that's why we get along so well the few times we see each other.
The topic of bedwetting and my little accidents is a bit taboo, and we don't discuss them.
But I forgot to talk a bit about myself. My name is Mathilda, and I am 9 years old. I am in 5th grade, and next year I'll be going to middle school. I am a pretty good student and actually skipped a grade.
I live with mom, just the two of us. I've never known my father, but it doesn't bother me much. Mom hasn't talked much about him, and I haven't asked many questions.
I admit that sometimes, when I see friends with their dads, it makes me a little envious, but well, that's how it is.
I've learned to do without, and for now, I don't feel the need to know more, and I don't miss a male presence. I just think I would have liked to have a sister, younger or older, it doesn't matter. I'm close to mom, we tell each other a lot of things, but it's not like having a sister.
And then there's Faustine; it's just a shame she lives so far away...
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