MADISON’S BIG SECRET
CH 24 - “ELEMENTARY DAZE”
Tuesday morning comes quickly. Madison is dead to the world, her eyes moving rapidly during a session of intense dreaming. Carol Ludke enters her girls’ bedroom to find both Madison and Britney in deep sleep. Knowing Madison may be in the middle of a dream, she gently shakes the girl and softly says her name. “Madison Jane, time to get up sweetie.”
Madison moans and tosses around. In her dream, she hears something else. She’s again at some strange daycare, the one she’s been at before in similar dreams. They are outside for free play. “No, I don’t gotta go… no, I don’t gotta,” she mumbles. Carol looks over at her daughter, again gently nudging her.
“Madison it’s time to get up. You do have to go to school today, so does Britney. Come on. Do you want mommy to change you and get you dressed?”
Madison opens her eyes but is still in a state of confusion and not quite herself. “Mommy why you at daycares? Um I’m this many, five. I don’t wear diapers I wear Pull-Ups. And no I change myself okay?” Madison blurts in a childish tone. Mrs. Ludke laughs.
“Oh, silly girl. You must still be dreaming. Snap out of it. It’s morning, you’re twelve and you have to get ready for school today,” Carol instructs the confused child.
Madison gasps and turns red in the face. “Darn it! I keep having these dreams and when I wake up it’s like I’m not fully out of the dream. Sorry, Mom. Um, I’m back to real life now. Um, I’m wet but I can change myself and shower. You can get Brit ready I’m sure she’ll want to be babied and stuff. Um… sorry you had to see that!” Madison jumps out of bed and goes to her closet, picking out an outfit and a new Goodnight to wear, then heads towards the door.
“I thought it was cute. No need to be embarrassed. If you get done in the shower before we’re ready, help yourself to some breakfast,” Carol says in passing. Madison enters the bathroom to get ready while Carol tends to Britney. She decides not to wake the girl, but to begin changing her soaking wet diaper as she’s still passed out. As she is applying baby powder, Britney opens her eyes and notices her mother changing her. She yawns and stretches her arms.
“Ma-momma? Uh... um, good morning. Do… Do I have to go to school?” Britney whines, squirming as the powder is applied.
“Yes, baby. I know you’re scared but I’ve done everything I can to make your day as comfortable as possible. We even rearranged some of your classes so you and Maddie are in a lot of the same periods together. She’ll be there for you if you need help.”
“Okay, momma. Tha--that’s good. Um, what about if I need-a get, um… changed? “
“I’ve arranged with the school nurse to have you see her when you’re in need of a new diaper. Just tell your teacher you need to go to the restroom and head to the nurse’s office. When you get there, she will know why and you’ll get changed in her private quarters. No one will see you.” Carol says as she fastens the new diaper in place. “Now, what do you want to wear today? “
“Something that makes me look like the other ‘big kids.’ Um, my new Gap jeans and that pink shirt with the Dolphins on it? The jeans should um, you know… hide things. Oh, what about Maddie? She gonna go to the nurses’ office, too?”
“That’s up to her. She thinks she will be able to change herself. We’ll see. Okay, I’ll help get you dressed. Want me to do your hair all nice, too?”
“Uh-huh, please. I’m still nervous. I hope I do okay. The other kids are gonna wonder why we missed school. I really don’t wanna say much.” Britney says while getting her jeans on.
“You don’t have to. Your teachers all know and they can explain things if needed. You and Maddie will do just fine. Okay, jeans, shirt, and socks on. Now let’s do your hair. Then I have to go get Alyssa ready for preschool. “
Britney’s mind goes off into a tangent. “Preschool. Wish I could go back there today. Hee-hee. Um, can you put my hair in pigtails? “
“Of course. Pigtails it is!” Carol quickly fixes Britney’s hair and sends her down to the kitchen to join Madison for breakfast. Carol opens the door to Alyssa’s room, finding her awake and playing with her dollhouse. She has managed to dress herself in a rainbow colored skirt and un-matching shirt with striped socks, still wearing a very soggy diaper.
“Hi Mommy! I’m weady to go to school. Um, but my diaper wet. You tange me, pwease?”
Carol grins and tries not to laugh, seeing how silly her daughter looks dressed that way. “Of course, cutie-pie. Can I also change your shirt? I love the skirt but we need a different shirt, okay. Lay down on your bed and I’ll get you all dry,” Carol says. She grabs a new Luvs diaper and a matching t-shirt and proceeds to undo Alyssa’s wet diaper.
“Mommy you proud-a me? I gots dress-did all by myselfs.”
“I am, sweetie. You’re getting to be such a big girl -- who also wets her diaper very, very much. Soon we may have to find something a little more absorbent, at least for night time. Okay, time for some powder,” Carol explains. She applies baby powder and quickly fastens the new diaper in place while giving Alyssa’s tummy a few tickles.
A giggling Alyssa looks up at her mother and squirms away. “ I can’t wait for school. I gonna pway wif Lily again. She my bes-dist fwiend,” she says joyfully. Mrs. Ludke engages in a conversation about preschool as they finish getting ready.
Now all three girls are finishing breakfast and ready for school. They get buckled into the van and head towards the middle school where Madison and Britney attend. The moment arrives and the van is parked in the drop-off zone. Madison helps Britney get unbuckled and they exit the van. They both say goodbye to Carol and Alyssa and make their way inside. On the way to their lockers they see many familiar peers and teachers. Some kids smile and wave, others point and gossip amongst their friends. Finally, they get to their lockers. Britney takes her jacket off and hangs it up, then her backpack, taking out the books needed for the next few classes.
“Um, Maddie? What do we have for 1st period now?” Britney asks nervously.
“We have choir, then science. Choir should be fun. We’re going to start doing songs for the spring concert in March. Science -- I’m not sure what we’re doing there now. But we have both those classes together. Just relax, Brit. You’re gonna be just fine. Let’s get to homeroom. We’re a little early and I’m sure they’ve got stuff to go over with us.” Madison explains.
“Yeah, you lead the way I forget which homeroom we’re in.”
“It’s Mrs. Hopkins, silly. Oh, hey can you um, do me a favor… follow me and let me know if you can tell I’m wearing protection,” Madison whispers in her sister’s ear. Britney giggles and nods her head. Madison begins walking towards their homeroom class. She had chosen to wear jeans with a higher waistband to ensure her Goodnight didn’t stick out. As she walks, Britney studies her composure. To Britney, she can notice a slight bulge here and there. After a minute, they arrive inside the homeroom and approach Mrs. Hopkins’ desk.
“Well good morning, Miss Madison and Miss Britney. Welcome back. Anything I can help you two with before classes start?” Madison and Britney both look at each other and then the teacher and say no in unison. “Well, it’s good to have you back. You can take your seats and talk quietly until the first period bell rings.”
Madison and Britney sit down in desk adjacent to each other. “Well?” Madison whispers.
“Oh, um. I didn’t see anything. I mean I can tell a little cause it’s me… but anyone else -- nah. What about me? Can...you tell?” Britney asks.
“Nope. Now maybe after you pee a few times that’ll change. Ha, just kidding. So, let me check here. Emily has a few classes with you and me. Curious to see what kind of protection she chose to wear today. Next hour in science she’ll be there.” Madison whispers.
“Oh, that’s cool. I forget she’s so smart she has some of our classes. So, when you need to… get changed. You gonna go to the nurse?” Britney can’t contain her curiosity.
“No, I think I can handle it myself. They’re just oversized pull-ups. Okay, bell is gonna ring. Let’s get going to choir. I’ll lead the way!” Madison says as she gets up. “Bye Mrs. Hopkins, see you later!” The girls bolt out the door and head towards the music room. They enter the class and each take a seat next to each other. Other students enter and begin sitting around them. The girls are sitting in the 3rd row of seats, in the middle. A girl takes her seat to the left of Britney as an awkward, shy boy bumps Madison’s desk as he plops down in his. “Oh, um. Sorry. Uh, Madison, right?” The nervous boy says, barely audible.
“Yeah, Madison. Hi, Andrew. Did I miss anything important?” Madison says calmly. Andrew is an average sized 12 year old. He is shy and is one of the few boys in the choir. He has had, what he thinks, to be a secret crush on Madison since the school year began. Madison can sense this but doesn’t tease him and tries to be friendly. She’s not really sure at this point if she has the same feelings for him, but would accept him as a friend. She’s also terrified that he may ‘find out’ of her wearing diapers.
“Hi. Um, not really. We’re going to start working on the songs for the spring concert. Um, it’s good you’re back though. Is it okay if we sit together? Oh, Britney’s back, too. She’s like your best friend?” The boy says, stuttering every so often.
“Yeah, and now she’s my sister. That’s why we missed so much school. I don’t think it’s a secret Britney didn’t have the best home life. Um, her Mom went to jail and my mom and dad adopted her. So we’ve all been adjusting to that. But yeah, we’re glad to be back, too. As much as school sucks sometimes. After a week or so you do kinda miss it,” Madison says with a wink in her eye. This sends shivers down Andrew’s spine.
“Oh wow, that’s really cool! Um, thanks for talking to me, Maddie. Ca-can I call you that? I mean you don’t have to be nice to me. Hardly anyone else in this school even acknowledges I’m here,” replies Andrew, looking at the floor.
“Hey, stop talking that way. I think you’re okay! You can always talk to me. Um,don’t get any ideas but we can be friends. I’m not the most popular kid here either if you haven’t noticed. Who cares about that. I’m here to learn and have fun. That’s all that matters,” Madison speaks proudly.
“Thanks, that means a lot. So, I think I’m gonna volunteer to do a solo in one of the songs. Um, you should too. You have a -- a pretty voice,” Andrew whispers.
Madison thinks about that. A few months ago she may have been reluctant,but then she remembers she has that ‘stage fright’ problem all worked out now. “Yeah, I… I might,” she responds.
“Oh, wait. You don’t really like being in front of an audience by yourself. Um, sorry. Didn’t mean to bring that up. But if you want to do it, I can try to help you with that,” Andrew says.
“Awe. Well, I’m over that now. Really. Last few times I had to get up in class I didn’t have any issues. So, I think I will do a solo,” Madison says, grinning. Andrew smiles back at her. Suddenly, the girl next to Britney looks over at her.
“Hey, you’re that Britney girl, right? I’m Jessica and next to me is Jenny. I think you remember us. So, like what happened to you?” Jessica rambles.
“Um, I got in a bad accident and stuff. I really don’t want to talk about it, sorry. But yeah I remember you. It’s good to be back. You remember Madison? She’s my best friend. Well, now she’s my sister, too.” Britney says, trying to talk like a ‘normal’ twelve year old.
“Wow that’s cool I guess. Yeah. Hi Maddie. Glad you’re back, too. Okay, I guess we’d better stop talking… teacher’s coming,” Jessica says, talking really fast. Madison and Britney look at each other but say nothing. The teacher enters the room and prepares the list of songs to work on. Before starting the class, she gets up and introduces Madison and Britney and welcomes them back to the class. Madison and Andrew decide to do a solo in the upcoming spring concert, much to the teacher’s delight. The rest of the class goes on as normal. The bell rings and it’s time for second period Science.
Madison and Britney enter the science room and immediately spot Emily. They run over to her and all sit down across from each other. “Emily! How was your first class?” Madison asks excitedly.
“Boring. Social studies can’t get any more exciting, you know?” Emily says while quickly plopping down into her desk seat. As she does this, a slight crinkle sound is noticed by Madison, who turns to whisper something in her ear.
“So, what did you end up wearing? I mean, under your skirt and tights?”
“Just the Target brand pull-ups. Did you notice anything?” Emily whispers back.
“Uh, no except for a little crinkle… but mine do that, too. I hope mine lasts till lunch period,” replies Madison.
“Yeah, me too. My Mom doesn’t think pull-ups are gonna be enough. We’ll see I guess. Sucks though, I like already have to pee. Going to try and hold it for a while.”
Madison giggles quietly. “That’s not good for you. Just, um… pee a little bit here and there. Go slow and you’ll be okay. No floods.” Emily grins and nods, then starts talking about ‘normal’ things with Britney and Madison until the class officially starts.
“Good morning, 7th graders. Before we begin I’d just like to say welcome back to Madison, Britney, and Emily. As we go along with today’s lesson, I may stop and review a few things they missed while out. So please help me to help them get caught up. We’re currently in the middle of our lesson on the theory of gravity and how the Earth’s gravity affects us…” Mr. Olsen rambles on. All three girls try to stay focused but Emily can’t help but be preoccupied. During the teacher’s lecture, Emily tries to relax, letting out a small stream of pee, then stopping to allow for the pull-up to absorb. By the time the class is almost over, Emily’s blader now feels empty again and her pulll-up is wet, but not fully soaked. The bell rings and the children get up out of their desks. Madison stands by and waits for Emily so they can walk to third period Writing class together. Britney has to get to Art. She is a bit nervous because this will be a class she’s on her own, not with Madison accompanying her.
“I gots Art class… Uh, I mean. I HAVE art class next, right? “ Britney asks.
“Yeah. Me and Emily have Creative Writing. You know where the art room is, right? Brit? Cheer up. You’re gonna be fine. And you love art. I know you will have fun. I think that Jessica girl has art with you so you can talk to her. She’s nice and so is Jenny,” Madison says calmly, patting her sister on the head.
“Yeah, I know where it is. Thanks Maddie. Um, I’ll see you at 4th period Gym,” Britney says as she walks out of the room. Emily and Madison grab their books and go to the English room where Creative Writing class is. As Emily walks, she can feel her wet pull-up swishing behind her. The crinkle sound is muffled by the normal noises in the school hallways.
“So, I took your advice. Good news is my bladder is empty and my tights are dry so I think I’ll be fine if I don’t have to pee again before lunch.”
“Good luck with that, silly. I know you better than that. You think about water and have to pee. Hee-hee, sorry. But really if you have to pee again maybe just go to the bathroom if you can hold it and then stop at your locker to get a dry pull-up to change into. That’s what I’m gonna do,” Madison says.
Emily shrugs her shoulders, looking a bit preoccupied. “Uh, I can’t. My Mom made a deal with me. If my pull-up gets really wet I have to go get changed at the nurse’s office. I don’t want to, but I have to. She’ll know if I didn’t and right now I don’t wanna upset my mom. She’s been really cool about all this. I mean like she completely did a 360 and isn’t all mad at me about it anymore. So, I made this deal…”