The Start Of It All

Maturity Test Part 2

Chapter 1

Anna had been away for three years, throwing herself into work and life, the memories of her last visit to the regression school nursery and her friends there fading into the background. But now, it was time for her reclassification, and she found herself once again driving the familiar road back to the place where her friends had been left behind. She wondered how much had changed. How much had Rebecca and Olaf changed? How much had she changed?

Arriving at Olaf's place first, Anna hesitated before knocking on the door. She had kept in touch with Olaf and his girlfriend, Lilly, over the years, but hearing stories and actually seeing the changes were two very different things. Taking a deep breath, she knocked, the sound echoing loudly in her ears.

A moment later, the door opened, and there stood Lilly, a bright smile on her face. "Anna! It's so good to see you!" she greeted warmly, pulling Anna into a quick hug before stepping aside to let her in. "Olaf’s been looking forward to your visit."

Anna stepped inside, her eyes immediately drawn to the subtle yet significant changes in the apartment. The living room had transformed into what could only be described as a preschooler’s haven. Bright colors adorned the walls, and scattered toys filled the floor. A large playmat with a road map pattern lay in the center of the room, and in one corner stood a small table with coloring books and crayons.

But what really caught Anna's attention was the large potty chart on the wall, covered in stickers—mostly clouds with only a few suns scattered here and there. It was clear that Olaf’s potty training had regressed significantly. The sparse suns stood out like sad little beacons amidst a sea of rain clouds.

Lilly noticed where Anna’s gaze had fallen and chuckled softly. “He’s had a bit of a rough time with his potty training lately,” she explained, her tone both affectionate and slightly teasing. “But he’s doing his best, aren’t you, sweetheart?”

Anna turned to see Olaf emerging from the hallway. The sight of him was both shocking and heartbreaking. He was wearing a pair of blue pull-ups, the childish design visible beneath his t-shirt. His once-confident demeanor was now replaced with a more subdued, almost shy, expression as he shuffled over to greet Anna.

“Hi, Anna,” Olaf said softly, a pacifier hanging from a clip on his shirt. He didn’t seem to notice it as he absentmindedly popped it into his mouth after saying hello, sucking on it softly as he stood there, fidgeting slightly.

“Hi, Olaf,” Anna replied, trying to keep her voice light and not show how surprised she was at how much he had changed. She could see the subtle influence Lilly had over him—his behavior, his clothes, even his posture all screamed little boy. “It’s good to see you again.”

Olaf nodded, his cheeks flushing a little as he tugged on his t-shirt, which didn’t cover his pull-ups. “Yeah, it’s good to see you too. We’ve been having lots of fun, haven’t we, Mommy?” he added, looking up at Lilly with a small smile.

Lilly beamed, reaching down to ruffle his hair affectionately. “We sure have, sweetie” “I’ll go get us something to drink,” Lilly announced suddenly, giving Olaf a quick peck on the cheek before disappearing into the kitchen.

The moment she was out of earshot, Olaf’s demeanor changed. His shoulders slumped, and he let out a heavy sigh, pulling the pacifier from his mouth and dropping it onto the table with a soft clatter. He looked up at Anna with a mixture of shame and desperation in his eyes.

“Anna,” he began quietly, glancing over his shoulder to make sure Lilly wasn’t coming back yet. “I need to talk to you. I—Lilly—she signed me up for Unpotty Training III,” he whispered, his voice barely above a murmur.

Anna blinked in surprise. “Unpotty Training III? What’s that?” she asked, leaning in closer.

Olaf sighed, rubbing his face with his hands. “It’s not like the first two levels. Unpotty Training I and II were about getting you to have accidents, you know, just losing control sometimes. But this… this is different. It’s not about accidents anymore. It’s about not using the potty at all. They teach you how to… just let go whenever, wherever. No more control.”

Anna’s eyes widened as she processed his words. “And you’re the only one in the class who’s not… fully regressed?”

Olaf nodded, looking down at his pull-ups. “Yeah. It’s so embarrassing, Anna. All the other guys are in diapers, and here I am, still in pull-ups but being told I need to stop using the potty entirely. Lilly says it’s for my own good, that it’s part of accepting who I’m supposed to be, but… I don’t know. I want to grow back up, at least a little.”

“And that’s not all,” Olaf interrupted, his voice tense with frustration. “She signed me up for pacifier dependence too. I can’t go anywhere without it now. If I don’t have it... I just get so anxious, Anna. I don’t know what to do.”

Anna reached out, placing a comforting hand on his arm. “Olaf, why didn’t you tell her? Why didn’t you say anything?”

“I tried,” he muttered, his eyes darting toward the kitchen again. “But she doesn’t listen. She thinks this is what’s best for me, but... I don’t want this. I want to grow back up, Anna. I don’t want to be stuck like this forever.”

Before he could finish, Lilly’s cheerful voice cut through the air as she returned, carrying a tray with two steaming cups of coffee and a sippy cup filled with juice. Olaf quickly popped the pacifier back into his mouth, his frustration hidden behind the plastic shield.

“Here we go!” Lilly said brightly, setting the tray down on the coffee table. “Two coffees for the grown-ups and a nice sippy cup of juice for my little man.”

Olaf forced a smile, taking the sippy cup in his hands. “Thanks, Mommy,” he mumbled, his previous frustration buried under a veneer of obedience.

Lilly beamed, clearly pleased with his response. “Oh, and Olaf, I don’t think we need to worry about you drinking from a cup anymore. Those days are long gone, aren’t they?”

Anna watched as Olaf’s grip tightened on the sippy cup, his knuckles turning white. He didn’t respond, just brought the cup to his lips and began to drink, his eyes focused intently on the table.

As they sipped their drinks, a faint hissing sound reached Anna’s ears. At first, she thought it might be coming from outside, but then she realized it was much closer—too close.

Olaf was wetting himself.

She glanced at his pull-ups, noticing the way the material was gradually swelling, the childish design fading as it absorbed the wetness. Olaf’s face remained calm, his eyes focused on the sippy cup in his hands as he continued to drink, completely unaware of what was happening. He looked so small, so helpless—more like a toddler than a preschooler.

Lilly, who was casually sipping her coffee, noticed Anna’s concerned expression and followed her gaze to Olaf’s pull-ups. A knowing smile spread across her face.

Lilly glanced at the clock on the wall, her eyes widening slightly as she realized the time. "Oh, look at the time," she said, her voice tinged with both excitement and a hint of urgency. "We need to get ready for the reclassification, Olaf."

Olaf looked up from his coloring, his brow furrowing in mild confusion. "Already?" he asked, sounding a bit unsure. The thought of the reclassification had clearly been on his mind, but he hadn’t expected it to come so soon.

Lilly nodded, giving him a reassuring smile. "Yes, sweetie. We don't want to be late. Why don't you get up and stretch your legs before we head out?"

Obediently, Olaf pushed himself up from the floor, his movements a bit clumsy as he shifted his weight. Then, with a soft sigh, she stepped closer to him, her hand reaching out to gently pat the front of his pull-up.

"Uh-oh, Olaf," Lilly said, her voice laced with gentle teasing as she placed her other hand on his padded bottom. "Looks like someone’s a bit soggy. Did you forget to tell Mommy you had an accident?"

Olaf's cheeks flushed a deep red as he looked down at himself, his eyes widening in embarrassment. "N-No..." he mumbled, his voice barely above a whisper. He shifted uncomfortably, feeling the dampness of his pull-up now that it had been pointed out.

Anna couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy for him as she watched the scene unfold. She could see how much it bothered him to be caught off guard like this. Lilly gently guided Olaf over to the corner of the room where his potty chart hung on the wall. “Come on, sweetie,” Lilly said softly, her tone warm but firm. “Let’s put another cloud on your chart, okay?”

Olaf’s face turned an even deeper shade of red as he nodded, clearly embarrassed by the ritual. He hesitated for a moment, but under Lilly’s gentle guidance, he picked up the blue marker and drew another cloud in the appropriate square. The marker squeaked slightly against the chart, a sound that seemed to echo in the room, making Olaf cringe a little.

“There we go,” Lilly said with a soft chuckle, ruffling Olaf’s hair affectionately. “Such a good boy.”

As Olaf stood there, looking up at the chart with a mixture of embarrassment and resignation, Lilly couldn’t resist adding a bit of teasing to the situation. “You know, Olaf,” she began, her voice playful, “if you keep this up, maybe this will be your last pull-up. If you get reclassified as a toddler today, we will switch to diapers full-time. Wouldn’t that be something?”

Olaf’s eyes widened in surprise and mild horror at the idea, but before he could protest, Anna, who had been quietly watching the interaction, decided to join in.

“Or,” Anna chimed in, trying to help Olaf smile, “maybe this will be your last pull-up because you’ll be allowed to grow up, Olaf. Maybe they’ll finally let you wear big boy underwear again.”

Olaf face showed a mix of confusion and hope, the idea of being allowed to grow up again clearly appealing to some part of him that still clung to his former sense of independence.

But before he could latch onto that hope, Lilly gently shot it down with a playful smirk. “Oh, Anna, you know Olaf’s too incontinent to ever go back to normal underwear. Even if they let him grow up, it’ll probably still be in pull-ups,” she said with a lighthearted laugh. “I mean, we wouldn’t want him having too many big boy accidents, would we?” Olaf shifted again, this time more awkwardly, caught between the two women’s contrasting views of his future.

Anna couldn’t help but smile at Lilly’s fierce defense of Olaf’s regression, though she knew better than to push the subject further. It was clear that Lilly had a vision for Olaf’s life that involved a lot more clouds on that chart, and perhaps even the inevitable transition to diapers full-time.

"Well," Anna said with a light shrug, "we’ll just have to see what the reclassification decides, won’t we?" She winked at Olaf, who gave her a small, uncertain smile in return.

Lilly gave Olaf’s hand a gentle squeeze. “Alright, let’s get you into a fresh pull-up before we head out, okay?” she said, her voice softening again. “We can’t have you going to your reclassification all soggy.”

Olaf nodded quietly, the tension in his shoulders easing slightly as Lilly guided him over to the changing area. She moved with practiced ease, quickly removing the damp pull-up and replacing it with a fresh one, giving Olaf a suppository for his nerves. The crinkling sound filled the room as she snugly fastened the sides, her hands gentle but efficient.

“There we go,” Lilly murmured, smoothing out the front of his pull-up before giving him another reassuring smile. “All set. Now, you’ll be nice and comfy for the big day.”

Once Olaf was dressed, the three of them made their way to the door.

Janette was being punished for being rude to her stepmother and throwing a tantrum. She had been forced into a short pink dress and diapers with pink plastic pants over them. Worst of all her stepmother wouldn’t let her use the bathroom and made Janette hold it in when she had to go potty. It was becoming ridiculous as she hadn’t been to the bathroom all day and Janette was becoming desperate when her stepmother announced they were going on a trip. Janette was made to sit in a child’s car seat in the back of the car and they were off on their trip. When Janette asked where they were going she was shocked to hear they were visiting her real mom. Her mom lived four hours away, there was no way she could hold on that long. She was right as half way through the journey Janette found herself crying as she finally had to let go and pee herself in the back of the car. It was so wet and warm and disgusted Janette. She was no better than a real baby now with a wet diaper on. But her pain wasn’t over yet as she didn’t just need to pee. “I’ve wet myself like you wanted, now can we please stop at a bathroom somewhere so I can get this diaper off. I need to go number two as well,” Janette said to her stepmother as they drove down the highway. “Silly girl,” her stepmother replied, shaking her head. “You aren’t getting changed until we get to your old mommy’s house and as for your poopy, you’re wearing a diaper aren’t you?” The answer terrified Janette who was left crying in her wet diaper. An hour later with another hour to go Janette couldn’t hold on any longer and proceeded to poop in her diaper. It all happened very quickly, one moment she was holding on and then she felt a hot mess slide out of her butt. It was very squishy and stank up the car really quickly. All Janette could do was cry more as her stepmother said, “Well who’s a stinky girl? Don’t worry baby, I’ll get your old mommy to help me change your dirty bottom when we get to her house.”

Game Over

Author's Note: This story is for readers 18+ only. All characters depicted in this work of fiction are 18 years of age or older.

Parker slapped his bedwetting rewards sheet on the glass countertop like he’d played a royal flush.

My stomach tightened into a knot.

The clerk glanced at the paper, then up at Parker, then through Parker and into the middle distance. “Reading rewards are redeemed at the pizza barn,” he said in a monotone. “One personal pan pizza with a single topping, excluding sausage and bacon. Not redeemable for anything from the prize counter. Not redeemable for cash. Not—” 

“Do I look like I’m in elementary school to you?" Parker interrupted. "I’m not in the reading program.” He turned around and shot a ‘can you believe this guy’ face at me because somehow being part of a diaper rewards program was less embarrassing than a reading program in his mind.

Parker jabbed his finger on the logo at the top of the sheet. A diaper with a crown on it. Then he pointed at a vinyl banner with the same logo on it that hung, half-obscured by poorly stitched elephant and zebra stuffies, on the wall behind the counter. “Royal Rumps Rewards,” it read in a blocky font. 

When I heard the words ‘Royal Rumps Rewards’ I wished my hoodie was the Big Daddy suit from Bioshock, insulating me from judgments and the sneering laughter of those in earshot. Or at least what I’d imagined they’d say. Not Parker. This was his superpower: he was fundamentally incapable of feeling shame or embarrassment. I suspected he’d done some arcane ritual that transplanted all his anxiety and self-consciousness into me at birth. 

I scanned the room, ears perked up for half-whispered laughter and pearl-clutching questions.

“Royal Rumps? Is that the diaper brand for adults?” 

“You must suck at games to wear diapers for prizes.”

“Is he wearing one now? I think I see some extra padding in his jeans.”

I didn’t hear anything like that. Not out loud, at least. Hearing them in my head was bad enough. 

The clerk turned and looked at the Royal Rumps banner as if seeing it for the first time. “Oh, right. Forgot about that.” He turned over his shoulder. “Clara, we have a couple of guys here for the weird diaper thing.” 

I drew my hoodie strings tight again. 

Clara was a senior citizen by Slice Shak staff standards. Early 30s with a smattering of 1990s pop culture buttons on her vest. She wore a strained smile. Her hair was pulled back into a ponytail so tight it served as a facelift. She took a laminated sheet out of a drawer. “Diaper Partner Program,” it said simply at the top. 

“You’ll have to excuse Aden. It’s his first week. We’re proud of our partnership with Royal Rumps, aren’t we, Aden?” 

Aden grunted. I preferred Aden’s response to this whole thing. Wearing diapers when you didn’t have to, strictly speaking, was kinda weird. Dancing around it just felt patronizing. Condescending. 

“Show her your sheet, man,” Parker said. 

I slid my sheet onto the counter and stepped back. Parker could serve as the spokesman. I would’ve been happy—thrilled, even—to stay home and let him bring my sheet in with his, but that was against the rules. Or so Parker said. He was probably telling the truth; he didn’t hesitate to break a rule if he could get away with it. But he also hated doing anything alone. It was like he’d cease to exist if he didn’t have an audience. 

“Alrighty, let me look at these,” Clara said. She pulled out a calculator and ran her finger down Parker’s sheet, noting the unbroken rows of crescent-moon-with-a-raincloud stickers set against the night-sky background. She flipped the sheet over and continued to run her finger down that side, punching numbers into the calculator. “Wow. A perfect two months. That’s 500 points. Nice work, sweetie.” 

‘Sweetie.’ Was that part of the script as stipulated by Royal Rumps? Or was it impossible to look at someone who proudly admitted they woke up in a wet diaper every morning and not call them sweetie, cutie, or baby?

Parker snorted. 

“And do you solemnly swear, as a Knight of Castle Crinkle, that your account of your adventures in bedwetting is the truth?” Clara asked. 

‘Adventures in bedwetting.’ Royal Rumps loved that phrase. They plastered it all over their website and marketing materials. They even had an app—a mobile game of sorts—with that title. You filled in this cartoony map of a medieval fantasy land, accruing XP as you used your diapers. 

Parker stared at Clara, then he looked behind himself meaningfully. The line of impatient patrons grew by the minute. I could sense annoyance that we were taking so long. “Of course we did. I’m not a liar.”

Clara peeled a sticker off the Diaper Partner Program sheet and pressed it against Parker’s chest. A stylized diaper with a golden crown and “Nappied Knights,” with the ‘k’ tilted off at an angle. “Thanks for sharing your journey back into bedwetting with us.” 

She turned to me. “Now, let’s look at yours.” She ran her finger down my sheet, flipped it over, and did the same thing. “Excellent. 497 points. Great job.” 

“Wait, what?” Parker said. “There should be 500 points. Check again.” 

Clara’s strained smile faltered for half a second. “Yes, well, if you look here, there’s a day missing.” She pointed at the blank spot on the chart. A tiny blue-black square in a sea of stickers. 

“Bro,” Parker said to me. 

I shrugged.

He turned to Clara. “I’m sure it was a mistake. Can’t we just put a sticker on there and call it good?” 

Clara shook her head. “‘fraid not. That’s specifically forbidden in our agreement with Royal Rumps.” 

“See, but the thing is, we need 1,000 points for the drone. What if we throw some tickets in the mix?” He leaned forward and rested his fists on the countertop, favoring Clara with his cockiest grin. “I’m a wicked shot at skee ball.” 

“No combining offers,” Aden interjected.

Parker shot him a withering glance. 

“What about the boombox,” Clara said. She pointed at the dusty box. “That’s only 750 points. Or the MP3 player. That looks nice, right? You can put a bunch of songs on that thing.” 

“I have an Iphone. I don’t need a fucking MP3 player, Clara.” He spat her name like it was a curse. 

Clara’s professional smile evaporated. “Then I suppose you’ll need to come back tomorrow. Oh, wait. The half-off discount ends today. That’s a shame. I guess your ‘adventures in bedwetting’ will need to continue for another two months. Give or take a few nights.” She stared down Parker. He looked like he was ready to vault over the countertop and strangle her.

The chatter behind us had dropped to a low, whispery murmur. We were moments from brazen snickers. Pointing fingers. Frantic, emoji-laded texts to friends about the freaks holding up the Slice Shak line. 

I elbowed Parker’s arm. “Come on. Let’s go. ” 

He snatched his sheet off the countertop and stormed off, muttering something under his breath that sounded suspiciously like ‘uptight bitch.’ 

I grabbed my sheet. I considered apologizing to Clara. But that’d mean another few seconds in line. 

She beat me to it with a “Thank you for sharing your journey back to bedwetting with us.” She mashed a sticker onto my chest. A diaper with a pirate hat and a saber floating off to one side. Beneath it: “Sailing the Soggy Seas.” 

I gave her an awkward smile, mouthed ‘sorry,’ and walked away.

Check out Ream to read the rest of this story, along with a TON of others, including my other brand-new story: Letting Go. I also have two long, ongoing stories that get weekly updates.

My little one starts to wake from his nap under the shade of our tent, warm and flushed from sleep, with his paci still gently bobbing between his lips. He stretches, bunny clutched tightly to his chest, and makes the softest whimpery noise — like he’s not quite ready to give up his dream but knows Mommy’s here.

I reach down, brushing a few grains of sand from his cheek. “There you are, sleepyhead,” I whisper, leaning in to kiss his forehead. He opens those big, sleepy eyes and blinks up at me like a confused little duckling — soft, dazed, and so precious.

As I lift him into my lap, I feel it right away. That heavy, soggy squish between his thighs — warm and unmistakable. “Mmm… baby,” I hum teasingly, running a hand over the swollen front of his diaper. “Looks like someone had a big nap-time accident, huh?”

He lets out a shy little whimper and hides his face in my chest.

I lay him back on the towel with a kiss to his temple, grabbing the wipes and a fresh swim diaper. As I tear the sides on the old one, I can't help but giggle. “Oh sweetie, you really filled this one up, didn’t you? Poor squishy bum.” His cheeks are rosy now, squirming just a little, but I know he secretly loves this part — being totally bare, soft and exposed, right where Mommy can take care of every little need.

But there's another problem. Sand. It’s everywhere — sticking to his thighs, between his butt cheeks, clinging to every spot on his body.

“Alright, baby,” I say gently, helping him to his feet, his bare bottom catching the sun. “Let’s get that sandy bum rinsed off.”

He toddles beside me toward the outdoor shower, one hand clutching my fingers, the other still gripping his bunny. His steps are slow, and his head stays ducked down as we pass a few other beachgoers. His face is bright pink by the time we get there — bashful little thing, trying to hide behind me even though his bare cheeks are on full display.

“Aww, are you blushing, sweetheart?” I tease, brushing his hair from his eyes. “It’s okay. Everyone knows you’re just Mommy’s baby.”

I guide him under the warm water, holding him steady as the gentle spray hits his skin. He squeaks a little at the first touch, wiggling in place while I crouch down behind him. My hands move carefully — rinsing the sand from his back, his legs, and then finally down to his bottom. I take my time with that part, using slow circles to make sure every bit of grit is gone.

“Can’t leave any sand in those cute little cheeks,” I murmur, watching his blush deepen. “Gotta keep my baby all clean and comfy.”

By the time we head back to the tent, he’s clean, damp, and even more bashful than before — but there's a smile peeking out around his paci.

Back at the towel, I lay him down again, his bare skin warm from the sun and smelling faintly of saltwater. I powder him slowly, thoroughly — soft clouds puffing in the breeze as I work it into every fold and crease. The fresh swim diaper has little sea turtles on it, soft and puffy, and I stand him up to have him step into the swim diaper. “There,” I coo, smoothing it over. “Snug, crinkly, and ready for round two.”

Instead of a swim shirt, I decide to leave him bare-chested — his skin is just too soft and kissable to hide. His belly’s still a little round from lunch, and the way he giggles when I blow a raspberry on it? Irresistible. I slide his tiny swim trunks up his legs, tugging them over that thick diaper. They don’t quite hide it — the waistband of the diaper pokes out over the top, white and crinkly under the bright blue trunks.

“Too cute for words,” I say softly, adjusting the trunks just a little so the diaper still peeks out. “Let everyone see how well Mommy takes care of you.”

Then comes the sunscreen — cool and creamy against his warm skin. I rub it gently over his arms, his chest, his soft round tummy, down his legs and even the tops of his feet. He wiggles and giggles through it, squealing when I get to his ribs. “Almost done, silly goose,” I tease, planting a kiss on his nose.

That’s when Daddy walks over, towel slung over his shoulder and a smile already on his face. “Hey, there’s my sunshine boy,” he says, crouching next to us. “You all ready to go splash with Daddy?”

Our little one lights up immediately, wriggling up into his arms. Daddy scoops him up, patting that thickly diapered bum with one big hand. “Looks like Mommy got you all set. You're such a lucky boy,” he says, kissing his cheek and leaning down to give me a kiss.

They’re halfway to the water when it happens.

A flash of movement in the surf — slow, graceful — and our baby gasps. “Tuh… tuh… turtle!” he squeals, eyes wide, pointing frantically.

Daddy stops in his tracks, cradling him close. “You see the turtle, buddy?” he whispers, turning so they can both get a better look. The sea turtle bobs gently in the shallows, paddling calmly while the waves roll in around it.

Our little one is absolutely enchanted — slack-jawed with wonder, clutching Daddy’s neck while his legs kick excitedly in the air.

I watch them from the tent, hand resting over my heart, completely full. My sweet, squishy, sun-kissed baby boy — safe in his Daddy’s arms, dressed in nothing but his swim trunks and a diaper, thrilled by the simplest magic of the ocean.

Easter is a time for celebration. For young 20-something Hester that meant going out with her friends for a wild night of reckless carefree partying since no one would have work or college to get up for in the morning.

The play bunny outfit had seemed like a brullent idea. Bunny ears at Easter time, it was sure to get a laugh, although the outfit was harder to finalise than she had anticipated. It came down to a question of commitment. At first she had been willing to wear bunny wears and dress. Then she swaped out for a shorter more hugging dress but it still wasn’t the right ‘look’. She just looked like a girl wearing bunny ears. What was it that made the playboy girls so eye catching? They were lingerie models. It was the most daring and exposing thing she had ever done in public but she steeling herself with the knowledge it was a ‘costume’, after all Wondermen essentially thought crime in a leotard. After getting her first 'up and down’ look from a grinning taxi man arrived to deliver her to the venue, she felt empowered by her bold choice and text her friends to let them know they’d soon get to see the outfit she’d been working on secretively.

Needless to say the next day was effectively written off with a horrendous hang over. She tried to sleep through most of it but while she lay in bed she frequently checked her social media feed which was ablaze with pictures and comments from the night.

The next day she had drive round to her Mom’s, it was a family tradition to get together and have a roast.

“Hi Mom. Hey am I early? We’re is uncle Stevie and his kids?“ she asked. Uncle Stevie lived just down the road and Mom was always babysitting his kids so it was surpprising they weren’t already here painting eggs.

Hester’s mother looked up from the breakfast counter with a troubled expression.

“No one is coming this year. I cancelled. Its just gonna be us this year.”

“Oh. That’s too bad. How come? ” Hester anxiously rubbed her arm. She could sense a subtle hostility, her mother was annoyed at something.

“Hester we need to have a talk. Let’s go sit in the living room. I’ll make some tea.”

Hester’s mind was reeling as she sat at one end of the sofa. She could hear the kettle froth and the tinkle of her mother stirring tea cups. She dreading hearing some bad family news but she thought it was stranger that her Mom hadn’t called her straight away.

It wasn’t too long before her mother returned with a tray and sat down beside her.

“Is everything okay Mom?“

"Not really hun.” her mother paused, exhaled and drowned. “Hester were you at a party on Friday night?“

"Yeah, all my friends went. Why?“

Her mother had taken her phone out and was peering down the end of her nose through her glasses as she scrolled and found what she was looking for. She passed the phone to Hester. It was the online version of the local paper. There was photo of Hester from the party. She hadn’t been named but she knew local people would recognise her. Hester felt her a lump rise in her throat as she read the defamatory comments in the article about how today’s youth were 'bad eggs’. The pun was bad but the rest of the visceral language effectively labeled her as a slut. It was really upsetting, all she had wanted was to have some fun, she hadn’t even gone home with a guy that night.

"Mom, I can explain.”

“No. Just drink your tea sweetie. I want to say something first.”

Hester’s mother rubbed her back but the lecture she rattled off was hard to stomach and Hester found herself in tears.

“Mum I’m sorry I disappointed you but its not like that…” she sobbed but her mother wouldn’t listen, she continued to berate her.

“… I love you and I know you’re a good girl at heart. Which is why i’ve decided you need a second chance. We both need a second chance. I’m going to be a good mother a re-raise you from the start.”

“Mom what does that mean?“ Hester asked but she noticed her words were slurred and she felt sluggish. "Mom, I don’t feel good.”

“Shhh sweetie. Just close your eyes. Why don’t you take a nap?“

By the time heavy eyelids opened again her mother had already carried her up to the spare room, now an adult sized nursery.

Hester didn’t need to repeat her earlier question about what her mother had meant. It was now obvious. As she flex her exhausted legs she heard a crinkle from the thick disposable diaper she’d been put in. She tried to protest but the blub of a huge pacifier sealed the words in her mouth. She couldn’t seem to think straight and simply spit it out.

Her mother smiled pitifully at the confused expression on her daughters face.

"I know this is confusing for you. How about we get you out of these adult clothes and into some of your cute new baby clothes. That’ll help you adjust to your new age sweetheart.”

A year of drugged regression passed.

To the outside world it seemed like Hester had had some kind of mental break down. There had even been a follow up in the local paper after she spotted at the supermarket being wheeled on a pushchair by her mother. Her close family knew the truth of course and so sometimes she received small kindness in acknowledgement that she was still an adult. Uncle Stevie for example would usher his kids and himself out of the room if Hester’s Mother decided to change her on the floor rather than up in the nursery. Her aunties however would usually just keep gossiping and talking over her even as she lay naked in front of them, limply kicking her legs.

Hester’s adult mind came in and out of what she thought of the 'fog’ the chemical concoction which made it hard to think straight and rendered her effectively incontinent.

Around Easter time, Uncle Stevie had come around with a present for her, a larges stuffed bunny to mark the season since she didn’t have the dexterity to sit patiently and paint eggs with her 'older’ cousins.

The easter period had stirred something of a rebellion in baby Hester. Over the course of the year she had gradually seemed to become more accepting and happy in her role as an adult baby, even when her adult thoughts surfaced, she deluded herself that she should continue to be a good girl and act like a baby for her Mommy. However with Easter came a clearer memory of what her Mother had done to her and a stronger sense of what she had lost.

Her mother had noticed her daughter sulked more, laughed less and refused her babas. She devised a solution.

On Easter Sunday Hester woke feeling particularly clear headed. She recalled that for whatever reason her mother had forgotten to feed her with her usual nightime bottle.

Her mother appeared shortly, lowering the crib bars and popping a couple of the snaps at the crotch of her onsie to feel the wetness of her soaked night time diaper.

“You look bright eyed today Baby…” she got to work setting out changing supplies. “Can you understand what Mommy is saying?”

Hester nodded behind the pacifier she rhythmically sucked on, whilst her mother wiped clean her mound and bare bottom with a cool wet wipe.

“Good… Do you remember what we talked about at Easter last year?“

Resentment burned behind Hester’s brown eyes. She remembered, that like now, it had been a onsided conversation. She nodded cautiously.

"Good.” her mother looked wistful maybe even reproachful but busied herself folding Hester’s clean nappy over her midrift and smoothing the strong adhesive tabs against her abdomin.

“You’ve been a good little girl. Mommy’s thinking maybe you are ready to be a good big girl again?”

Hester nodded vigeriously and moaned wordlessly behind her pacifier. Her mother smiled.

“First a little game to check that your not too far gone as my little baby girl to come back to being an adult again.”

Hester gulped.

The game was simple. All she had to do was find all the Easter eggs her mother had hidden in the room. Her mother even helped her out by reaching down any eggs from places Hester pointed at buy couldn’t reach because she wasn’t able to stand for very long without assistance.

“Hewy!“ Hester lisped as her mother cheekily ate one of her eggs in front of her.

"Don’t worry baby. It still counts as one you found. I think that must be all of them now. Why don’t you count them up for me?“

Hester’s mother changed the adult babys top, which had been drooled down the front, and left her to count eggs while she took the laundry basket down to the washing machine.

Hester frowned in concentration

'One. Two. Um?’

Her mind was clearer than it had been year but she was struggling to recount her numbers. Then she had a brillent idea. If she ate some of the eggs, there would be less to count.

When Hester’s mother returned after making a descreet trip to the bathroom. She found Hester has eaten only three of the laxative chocolate eggs but she seem could smeel the lumpy mess the adult baby had excreted into her diaper. The poor girl was in tears.

"Aww. I’m sorry little one, it looks like I was wrong about you being ready to be an adult again. Oh well, we can try again next year.”

Easter is a time of celebration. For two-year-olds like Hester that means being dressed in an adorable Easter dress and being fussed over by all the realitives at the Sunday roast.

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I hope you all enjoyed my caption and have a great Easter break!

Please reblog.

I’ll try to do more of these long muti-picture captions but they are likely to appear around holidays or on patreon because they much longer than usual to plan, gather images and to write.

"Oh, you like showing off your ass for me, don't you, you little slut?" Shane murmured, and his voice was low. Rough. Grating with barely suppressed, animalistic longing to claim her, taste her, make her his. The sort of voice Jenna had thought only existed in erotic novels, and never in real life…

Certainly never for a girl like her.

"Oh yeah, baby," he crooned now, his breath hot on her neck. "Go on, show me that ass. Show me that hot, incredible ass. Mmm, yeah. I bet you're super wet already for me down here, aren't you, you dirty girl?"

They both knew what he meant. Wet – in both ways. She couldn't deny the truth, and so she didn't even try. She simply flushed and nodded and shivered at his breathtaking touch, reveling in the feeling of being so completely, utterly wanted.

"You like showing off your ass for me, too, don't you? You beautiful little slut…" he murmured, and his hands were slipping suggestively up and down her rear, drifting ever further down between her thighs. Jenna caught her breath as the tips of his fingers momentarily brushed against the moist padding protecting her vulva, and she heard the smile in Shane's voice a moment later. "God, you're such a wet, dirty girl for me, aren't you?" he continued, and she nodded eagerly in sighing acquiescence. "Here's this padded little pussy down here, too. All nice and wet and ready for me to fill it up like it deserves…"

"Yes, yes please," she murmured, and she gasped as his palm descended with a stinging slap onto her bare thigh. "That's my horny girl," he commended, and then his fingers were pressing more insistently into the wet padding over her genitals. "That's my sweet little slut. Mmm… I bet you'd like me to fuck you right here and now, wouldn't you?"

"Uh-huh," she breathed, her face flushed with arousal and sheer exhilaration. No other man on earth had ever touched one of her sodden diapers and mouthed such words. No other person on the planet had ever before reminded her – not simply as some kind souls did, that she was "pretty" and "sweet" and "not at all broken" – but that she was hot as hell and a woman to be pleasured and coveted and lusted after.

Not in spite of being medically incontinent. Not even because of it. But because she was beautiful and incontinent and funny and lust-worthy all in one, with every separate aspect combining to make one completely whole and completely sensual human being.

"Why don't we get that pretty, padded ass into bed, hmm?" Shane was saying now, as she brought her momentarily distracted attention back to her lover and his caresses. "Why don't you show me just how much you want to be ridden from behind, hmm? Go on. Tell me how you need someone to ride you, babe. Tell me how much you need me to make you drip and cum and squirt like a horny little bitch-"

"Yes, ride me," she moaned, and she shuddered in pleasure even as she felt another familiar, hot spurt of urine – almost as if on cue – dribble involuntarily out of her. No matter. It was a biological function as ordinary as breathing, and something she'd had no control over these past seven years. But with Shane, she no longer needed to feel ashamed or embarrassed. Not in the slightest.

And so she repeated it: louder this time, as if nothing odd had even happened… because nothing had. "Ride me, honey. Please… I'm such a slut for you, such a wet, needy slut…"

Rational thought was evaporating now for both of them, vanishing like steam before the heat of their hormones and primal lust. But in those remaining moments of sanity, as they made their hurried way to the dark refuge of their bedroom, Jenna reflected gratefully that Shane was truly something special: as profoundly kind as he was sensual. And thanks to him, Jenna had never felt more valid – more special and yet so blessedly normal – than in this very moment.

Image Credit:@ukdiapergirls

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Nursery School Graduation - Complete Story!

Author's Note: This story is for readers 18+ only. All characters depicted in this work of fiction are 18 years of age or older.

I eyed the plastic potty for the hundredth time since waking from my nap. 

Set off in a corner by one of the old diaper genies they didn’t use anymore. Unused except for Friday afternoons. It was white and aquamarine with a comfy foam seat. At least Ruby told me it was comfy when she graduated last year. Stickers were plastered all over it: princesses, Transformers, Pokemon. Even a few Diaper Dan stickers. I was gonna add mine today. I’d already decided on a castle.

I looked around the room. There were a bunch of us here in Back to Basics Nursery School. Some crawling around, some toddling, some sitting together with their favorite toys, lost in their own little worlds. The teachers moved from one student to the next, checking diapers, adjusting clothing, offering gentle words of encouragement. One of the teachers, Miss Becca, was bent down, her hands hovering near the waistband of a diaper. She leaned back and waved a hand in front of her nose.

I smirked. Craig wouldn’t clog up the potty line today. And he wasn’t the only one. I spotted more than one saggy, soggy diaper. 

I sat at one of the little wooden tables, crayons in hand, sketching a picture. I’d asked for colored pencils—more precise, better for details—two years ago. Miss Susie gave me some. Then Hansen swiped a handful and dropped them in the fish tank. Mr. Goldy almost died cuz his filter got messed up or something. They took the colored pencils away after that. So, back to crayons I went. 

I set down the blue crayon and picked up the forest green. I was sketching the block tower that Rosie and I had been trying to build all year. The tower in my drawing soared to the ceiling, little people below smiling up at it. Each block was neatly stacked. Stable. I knew it was possible. The blunt tips of the crayons made it hard to tell, but each block in my sketch matched one in the big box of blocks. 

Rosie sat by herself, a concentrated look on her face as she stacked a few blocks at the base of the tower. She was always so eager, so determined, and yet… something always got in the way. Today, it looked like she’d reached that moment again—she’d built a decent base, but the tower’s height had stalled out. I could see her eyes flitting between the blocks and the taller stacks around her, frustration starting to cloud her face. 

She glanced over at me and, after a second of hesitation, got up and wandered over. Her diaper crinkled louder with each step. “Pete,” she said, her voice soft and hopeful. “I can’t make it go higher... Could you help?” She smiled hesitantly. Hopeful. The kind of smile she gave me when she wanted to remind me of the fun we had building together. “You always make it work, and it’s more fun when you help.”

I scanned the room again. I wasn’t scoping out the potty competition this time. I was looking for him. 

Hansen. If I so much as thought the words that came to mind when I saw his piggy little face Miss Roberta would soap my mouth and then spank me till bubbles popped out. He was making a show of building something of his own—a half-hearted effort at a block tower, probably. He didn’t have any ideas of his own. His hands were all over it, awkward and flailing, like he was making a mess on purpose. As always, he was loud and disruptive, knocking into anyone who got too close. 

“I’d like to, but…” I glanced over at Hansen again, feeling a tightness in my chest. “You know how it is with Hansen. He’ll just wreck it like he always does.” I shook my head, giving Rosie a half-hearted smile. “Sorry.”

My stomach grumbled, a deep, low sound. It had been like this since lunch, a gnawing reminder that I hadn’t been able to hold my stinkies all the way from nap time until the end of the day since…well, ever. My attention flicked back to the picture I was drawing, focusing on the tower I could never build. 

“Besides, I’ve got other things to focus on,” I muttered quietly, my hands gripping the crayon tighter, trying to ignore the discomfort.

“You’re going to remember me when you graduate and go to preschool, right?” Rosie asked. Her gaze flicked to my diaper, still clean and dry for the moment. 

“Of course,” I said. “I’m dry, see?” I looked around the room, glancing at the other students who were playing, some of them rolling around in their diapers, others chatting with the teachers or distracted by toys. Most of them seemed so carefree, so comfortable. None of them had been stuck here as long as I had. Hansen’s eyes met mine. 

Dangit. 

He sauntered over. He also looked dry, I noted. “Oh, look,” he sneered, making sure the room heard him. “Petey Pampers. I’m surprised they haven’t named the nursery after you yet.”

“You’re in diapers, too!” Rosie shot at him. Hansen ignored her. “How long’s it been? Two years? Three?” He let out a mock laugh. He leaned close, his breath smelling like apple juice and Cheerios. “I’ll send you a postcard from preschool. They let you use markers there.”

Miss Maryam looked up from putting away the tubs of playdough. Her face scrunched in disapproval. “Hansen, that’s enough. Don’t be mean.” 

“But it’s true!” Hansen said. “He’s been here longer than anyone ever. He’s never getting out of diapers.” 

Miss Maryam chuckled. “Every little diaperboy and diapergirl graduates when they are ready. I’m sure Peter will too, someday.”

My heart dropped into my stomach. 

Hansen rolled his eyes at me and wandered off. 

The other students in the coloring area had quieted. A few looked my way. I wanted to defend myself, to shout, to lash out and tell them I’d seen their saggy, stinking diapers too. But I swallowed my words. I didn’t have to justify myself to them. After today, I’d never see any of them again.

Rosie smiled softly at me, brushing a strand of black hair from her face. “I don’t care if we build the tower or not. We can just hang out. Wanna play cars instead, Pete? We can make a loop and a jump this time. Or something else?” 

I sighed. Set down my crayon. “Maybe we can work on the tower for a few minutes. I have an idea for—” I stopped. 

Hansen had sidled up behind Rosie’s tower, that grin of his stretched wide. He nudged the base with his foot, sending the blocks tumbling in one swift, careless motion. 

Rosie gasped, her hands going to her mouth as she stared at the collapsed structure. “No!” 

I opened my mouth to say something, to defend her. Before I could, Miss Susie called out to the whole nursery. “Everyone, line up. It’s diaper check time.” 

My eyes were on Miss Maryam. They were always on Miss Maryam during the Friday afternoon diaper check. She picked up the training potty and carried it into the middle of the open play space.

Students started to shuffle into the play space, looking expectantly at the plastic training potty in the middle of the room. The excitement in the air shifted, the playful atmosphere transforming into something more serious, more pressing.

I got in line next to Rosie. She was still looking at the remains of her tower. Tears welled in the corners of her big brown eyes. 

I squeezed her hand. “You’ll get it next time.” 

She didn’t respond. 

The teachers worked their way down the line. Pulling back waistbands. Squeezing. Poking. Sniffing. Making their little remarks. 

“Looks like someone got a visit from the sog-monster.” 

“That’s one saggy diaper there, sweetie.” 

“Pee-yeew!”

The ones who weren’t clean and dry—most of them, I was encouraged to see—were led away by teachers. Some cried. Most didn’t care. They were shuffled over to the row of changing tables with soft reassurances about how ‘they could try again next year’ and how ‘a fresh, dry diaper would make them feel right as rain.’ 

I wouldn’t miss this one bit. Checks and changes. Sitting in soggy diapers—or worse. Smelling like baby powder and pee. Preschool had pull-ups, and pull-ups were practically big boy underwear. 

Just a little longer. 

Miss Susie stepped in front of the few of us who remained. “Does everyone remember what today is?” 

“Bromsday!” Lily shouted. She had a big, dopey grin on her face.

I rolled my eyes.

Susie chuckled. “Good try, sweetie. Today is Friday, which means you get a chance to prove you’re ready to graduate and move on to preschool. But this Friday is extra special. It’s the last Friday of the session. Your mommies and daddies need to renew tonight or sign you up for preschool. So if you haven’t proven you’re ready to use the potty, you’ll get to spend another year with us. Yay!”

I could feel the weight of her words. I knew how important today was. I didn’t need any reminders. I just needed to hold my stinkies a little longer. The discomfort in my tummy was 

growing harder to ignore, though.

Miss Susie held the list of names on a clipboard. They assigned the order randomly. At least that’s what they said. I was always at the back. Well, nearly always. It’s why I hadn’t graduated.

“Lily,” Miss Susie called. 

Lily jumped up, brown braids flopping around like she’d won the lottery. Which she basically had. She stood so close to the plastic potty her bare toes touched it. 

“Derek,” Miss Susie said. 

With each voice she called out, my hopes sank. 

Finally, they called Rosie. Then me. And then, at the very back of the line, there was Hansen. He was fidgeting, clearly impatient, his hands on his hips as he muttered to no one in particular. “This is so unfair,” he complained. “I should’ve gone first! Why do I have to wait behind all these losers?” His words drew a few eyes, but the teachers only smiled politely and ignored him, focusing instead on the rest of the students. 

I wished I could be happy Hansen was last, but all I could think about was the number of people in front of me in line. I’d never make it. Never. Rosie was beside me, her eyes bright with optimism, her hand brushing against mine just briefly. 

“Alright, get ready to start the timer for five minutes,” Miss Susie said to Miss Quin. Miss Quin nodded and held up the stopwatch so everyone could see it. 

I groaned quietly. “We know, we know. It’s always five minutes.” 

Hansen leaned close. “Not everyone has been here a million years, Petey Pampers.” 

I stared straight ahead, doing my best to ignore him.

“Lily,” Miss Susie said.

Lily stepped forward, her face bright with excitement. Miss Susie pulled the tapes off her diaper and removed it. The room was silent as she gave the diaper one last check, then nodded. Lily plopped down on the potty, and everyone cheered. Everyone except me and Hansen. 

Lily leaped up when the timer dinged five agonizing minutes later. She beamed with pride, pointing at the potty. “I peed like a big girl!” 

Miss Susie peered down into the potty and nodded appreciatively. “Good job, Lily! Preschool is gonna be so lucky to have such a sweet, clever girl. Now pick out your sticker and show the class. That way, they can all remember what a big girl you were every time they see it.” 

Lily plucked a sticker from the sheet and showed it to the classroom. “A Zoonicorn!” 

Hansen snickered. 

“That’s a very cute unicorn,’ Lily,” Miss Susie said. “Now run on over to Miss Peggy for your very first pull-up.” 

Lily scuttled off, half running, half skipping. Her proud daddy greeted her, gushing over her new, pull-on undies. 

Come on, let’s keep it going. No one liked Lily, anyway. She ate the playdough. 

Next came a diaperboy named Derek. He was tall. Tall enough I thought if we ever got our tower almost to the ceiling, we could ask him to reach up and put the last few pieces on. He had been in the nursery school for a while. Always quiet. But nice enough. 

He froze halfway to the potty. 

“Derek?” Miss Susie asked. “Did you just wet your diaper?” 

He shook his head vigorously, his messy blonde hair flopping all around and covering his face. 

Miss Susie approached and gave the front of his diaper a squeeze. His face turned red, tears welling up in his eyes as he hunched over. “I—I couldn’t hold it,” he stammered through his sobs, his hands shaking. Miss Susie hugged him. “Aww, that’s alright. Run along to your daddy. He’ll help you get your pants on.” 

Derek ran off crying.  

At least it was only pee, I thought. At least he hadn’t pooped. That was something, right? The tension in my gut was still building, gnawing at me as I watched the boy being led away, tears still falling. 

Hansen, of course, couldn’t resist a jab. “Pathetic,” he sneered loudly. “Can’t even make it five minutes. Maybe you should just go back to nursery school.” 

I turned around to give him a dirty look and stopped. His face was all screwed up. His jaw clenched. Fists balled. 

He has to go, too, I realized.

I turned around and smiled to myself. I was going to make it. Not only that, I was going to make it and Hansen was not. Maybe Mommy would get ice cream tonight to celebrate. Cookie dough! 

They let Derek’s timer run the full five minutes. Those were the rules. They were dumb rules, but I’d stopped sharing that opinion a couple of spankings ago. Besides, every second longer was a second Hansen would have to squirm, too. I was going to watch him when they sat me on the potty. Make sure he saw me relaxing and doing my business like a big boy. Comfy. Confident. On the way to preschool.

Marta was next. A petite girl with a shy smile. Her diaper was clean and dry, and there was a momentary hush in the room as Miss Susie planted her on the potty. She looked back at the rest of us, ready to prove she could do it. 

Rosie would be next after Marta, her usual chipper energy still intact despite the failed tower. She leaned toward me, her voice soft. “It’s okay, Pete,” she said, giving me a warm smile. “You’ve got this. I know you do.” 

Appreciation washed over me even as the pressure in my stomach was growing unbearable. My mind kept returning to the tower, to the fun we could have, but the thought of the potty made everything feel more pressing. I shuffled a little closer to her, feeling a connection between us. “You too. We’re gonna have so much fun in preschool together. I bet they have even better blocks there. Legos!”

As the timer continued ticking, the tension in the room grew thicker. My stomach churned again, and I let out a toot. It was louder than I thought it would be. Hansen snickered. 

I shifted, suddenly feeling very self-conscious. Not that I didn’t toot in my diapers all the time, but not when the room was quiet and we were all lined up. Not when Rosie was right next to me.

Rosie turned to me. 

“Sorry,” I winced. 

She waved it away. “I pooped my diaper this morning, right before snack time. Remember?” 

I giggled. I did remember. It was really stinky, too. 

“Can I see your sketchbook,” she asked. 

“Why?”

“I wanna see your tower drawing. So I know what to do after you’re gone.” 

I hadn’t shown it to anyone yet, not really, but I didn’t hesitate. I handed her my sketchbook, and it flopped open to a different page with a picture of a sailboat. 

She started flipping through the pages the smile on her face growing. “These are amazing, Pete. You’re so talented!” 

My face flushed with heat. “Just go to the tower one. It’s on the last page.” 

She stopped, her fingers hovering over a page with a different tower drawing. This one was the two of us building a tower that stretched all the way to the ceiling. Her eyes widened in surprise. “Is that… me?” she asked, her voice small, almost a whisper. “You made me look really pretty.”

My face flushed. I snatched the book back, a wave of embarrassment flooding over me. “It’s nothing.”

Rosie opened her mouth to say something.

Tiinnggg

I heard the gentle ding of the door chime. Mommy. She was still in her work clothes: a long brown coat and a blue skirt, her long blonde hair flowing behind her. Her heels clicked on the tile as she walked over to the other parents and the teachers. She exchanged a few words with Miss Becca, their voices low and friendly. 

Our eyes met, and she gave me a wave. Miss Becca said something to her. I could barely make it out. “...really trying…another year...potty dance.” They both chuckled.

I realized I’d crossed my legs at some point and was holding my tummy. My stinky-diaper dance, as my Mommy called it. I felt a pang in my chest, hearing them talk about me like that, as if my failure was inevitable. 

Hansen’s potty dance was worse than mine, at least. He clutched the back of his diaper, his forehead all scrunched up. He was getting desperate. He was on the verge of messing himself. Hansen didn’t say anything now; for once, his arrogance had faltered. 

Marta’s timer dinged. 

I nudged Rosie. “It’s almost your turn.”

She looked up at me, sad. 

“What’s the…oh.” I saw the sagging, yellow front of her diaper.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered, her voice trembling slightly. Her eyes shimmered with the threat of tears. “I—I tried. I really did.”

“It’s alright. You’ll get it next year. You won’t be stuck here in diapers forever.” 

Rosie shrugged. “I like it here. Teachers are nice. There’s loads of fun toys and activities. I like feeding Mr. Goldy.” 

“So…what’s the matter?” I asked. 

“I really thought we could get the tower all the way to the ceilin’.” 

“Come on up, Rosie,” Miss Susie called out. 

Rosie suddenly wrapped her arms around me and squeezed tight, her head pressed against my chest. “Have fun at preschool,” she whispered. 

She thinks you’re going to make it. She’s certain of it. 

She let me go and walked up to Miss Susie, who checked her diaper and found it wet. She consoled her, offering the usual assurance of ‘that’s what diapers are for,’ not realizing the real reason she was so sad. Then Rosie shuffled over to her daddy as her five minutes ticked away. 

I was sweating now. My stomach a hurricane of cramping pains. Time crawled. 

Finally, a light ding. 

“Come on up, Peter,” Miss Susie called. 

I shuffled forward slowly. Carefully. Hands on my aching tummy. 

The teachers and remaining parents gave a half-hearted cheer, their voices soft, polite, but without the energy I’d seen them give to the others. 

A few of the students chuckled, including Hansen, who made no effort to hide the amusement on his face. “Look at Petey doing his little potty dance,” he teased, his voice loud enough for everyone to hear. “Bet he won’t make it.” 

Mommy didn’t laugh. At least, I didn’t think so. But some of the other mommies and daddies did. 

My eyes met Rosie’s. She dabbed away the tears in them and was smiling. Hopeful. Happy for me, even though she knew it meant we wouldn’t hang out anymore. Wouldn’t finish our tower together. 

I glanced over at the jumbled pile of blocks. I wanted to finish that tower together. Desperately. And maybe, if Hansen were gone, we finally could. 

We didn’t get to make many choices in nursery school. Not like preschool. They told us when to have snacks and when to take naps and how long to wash our hands after we fed Mr. Goldy. But I could make this decision. 

I stopped right in front of the potty. “Sorry, Miss Susie,” I said. 

“What for…?”

I dropped into a squat and let the stinky mess push out into my diaper like I had a million times before. Like I probably would a million times again.

“Oh, sweetie,” Miss Susie said. She sighed. 

I stood up when I was done. Everyone was silent. Even Hansen.

Miss Susie put her arm around me. “It’s alright, Peter. We will love to have you for another year. Run along, now.” She gave the back of my diaper a light swat, smooshing the stinky mess I’d deposited there. 

I didn’t care. Not really. 

Mommy’s smile tugged at the corners of her mouth like it did when I spilled juice on the floor or forgot to empty out my diaper pail. Soft, patient love mixed with exasperation. She didn’t look surprised, though. She pulled me tight against her and kissed the top of my head. “It’s alright, sweetie. There’s always next year.” 

I nodded. 

“Ice cream?” she said. 

I smiled. “Can I get cookie dough?”

“Of course.” 

I looked over at Rosie, whose daddy was helping get her coat on. 

“What’s the matter, babycakes?” Mommy asked. 

“Can I have a bit more time?”

She patted my diaper. “I’m sure they’ll let me change your stinky britches before we go. Let me just get your diaper bag from the car.” 

I shook my head. Glanced at Rosie, who was almost out the door now. “Somethin’ else.” 

Mommy looked at Rosie. Nodded. “Of course. Take your time. I’ll talk to Miss Susie about getting you signed up for another year.” 

I ran over to Rosie. 

She stared at me, her eyes wide in shock for a moment. Then, as realization dawned on her, she smiled softly, the corners of her lips curling in understanding. She didn’t say anything, but I saw it in the way she looked at me—there was no judgment, just quiet support.

“Do you want to finish our tower?” I asked her.

She looked up at her daddy, who nodded. “Of course, darlin’. I’ll catch up with the other mommies and daddies for a bit. Have fun.”

I took Rosie’s hand in mine, and we crossed the room.

“Sorry I’m stinky,” I whispered.

She squeezed my hand. “I don’t care.” 

We’d just started the third level of the tower when Hansen screamed. “Yes! I’m going to preschool!” he shouted, the noise grating in my ears. “You see that, Petey? That’s how you do it!”

I ignored him, slotting a big blue block into place. He could have his pull-ups and his Lego blocks. 

I had my friend. 

---

Big thank you to my friends @diapergirlstories and @batarangaroo for their feedback on this story!

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Caption by Nerd Attack