Predictably, Timothy burst into tears.
“But why?” he sobbed. “I don’t need nappies… I’m twelve.”
“All petticoated boys wear a nappy for bed Timothy.” I told him. “If you’re a good boy and do as your told, you’ll only have to wear them for bed.” I said. “If not you’ll wear them in the day time too… at school if need be.”
He knew I wasn’t joking. I asked him if he wanted to try one now or wait until bedtime. “I don’t want to wear one at all!” he spat. “I’m too big for nappies.”
“Not these ones you’re not.” I smugly stated, drawing his attention to their age range. “They come with ‘aqua-pants’ too…” I added. “…which are rubber knickers to you and me.”
“But…” he moaned, sticking out his bottom lip. He knew I wasn’t going to take no for an answer and just like his dress, wearing a nappy is preferable to everyone knowing that he has them.
“Why don’t you take them up to your room?” I suggested.
“I don’t want them in my room!” I moaned.
“Well… we could leave them down here, but people might see them and… noticing the age range, they’ll know they’re your nappies.”
He picked up the bumper pack of pre-teen nappies and sloped off to his room. He returned a moment later looking very sheepish indeed. Apparently, the pack is too big to fit under his bed or in his wardrobe, so it’s in full view beside his bed. “Well, it’s the best place to keep them.” I said. We watched TV for a bit and at around 8.30pm, I asked him what time his film starts.
“Er… nine o’clock.” he replied. I suggested he go and get ready for bed now, so he doesn’t miss the beginning, and he meekly asked if he had to wear his new nightie.
“Of course.” I said, “And a nappy.” I added. “Do you want me to come and help?” I asked. He stuck out his lip and told me that he doesn’t ‘need’ nappies. I told him that if he’d been better behaved this past twelve months, that he wouldn’t have them and since he’s got them, he will wear them. “It’s entirely up to you if you wear them just for bedtime or all the time.” I stated. “And as things stand, you’re this far from wearing one all day tomorrow.”
He hung his head and sloped off to his room.
“And make sure you hang your dress up… I don’t want to find it screwed up on your bedroom floor!” I added as he left. He soon returned wearing his dressing gown. “Have you got it on?” I asked. He sulked and gulped and nodded. “Let’s see then.” I asked. Sheepishly, he opened his dressing gown. I prompted him to remove his gown so I could have a proper look. Reluctantly, he did. “You’ve got a nappy on too?” I asked. He nodded. “Let’s have a look then.”
“Oh Mu-um… this is embarrassing enough as it is.” he whined.
Regardless of his shame… I made him lift his little nightie and lower the matching pink over knickers to show me his nappy. “Lovely.” I said. It has a picture of a big blue butterfly on the front. The transparent ‘aqua-pants’ have lacy blue trim around the leg holes and waist. He asked for his gown back. I declined, telling him that it’s plenty warm enough and that there’s no point wearing such a nice nightie only to hide it beneath his old dressing gown. He huffed and puffed but shut himself up when the film began. “Where’s Florence?” I asked.
“I dunno.” he grumped.
“Ah, here she is.” I said, picking her up and handing her to him. He wasn’t at all happy when I made him sit with her on his lap, but seemed to forget all about his dolly, his nappy and his nightie when he soon began laughing along with the Pink Panther movie. I offered to make him a drink; a glass of juice or a mug of Horlicks, but he declined. Maybe his nappy isn’t too far from his thoughts after all?
~o0o~
Mum made it perfectly clear why she’d made sure this Christmas was the worst ever, but I still couldn’t fathom why she’d decided that it was OK to be quite so mean to me, on Christmas Day of all days! I woke up on Boxing Day morning, peeled my eyes open and the first thing I saw was Florence… right next to me in my bed! I knew full well that I’d left it downstairs so my mother must have put it there. I pushed it to the floor, growling. I hid myself under my duvet and reflected on the previous day’s events. I was fully aware of the nightie I wore, but it took me a few moments to realise that I’m also wearing a nappy. I recalled the way my mother and Kathy laughed at me as I unwrapped my Christmas gifts whilst tears streamed down my cheeks. I could still barely believe just how awful the most exciting day of the year turned out to be.
I poked my head out from beneath my duvet when I heard my bedroom door opening. Mum entered and smiled at me before announcing that it’s snowing as she opened the curtains. This filled me with instant excitement and I practically leapt out of bed to look out of the window. For a few seconds I’d forgotten all about my tiny pink nightie, until Mum asked me if it was nice to sleep in. “No!” I grumbled as I ducked away from the window. She asked me if I needed my nappy in the night. “NO!” I yelped, before meekly asking if I really have to wear one every night.
“What does it say in your pettiquette book?” she asked.
“Err…” I wasn’t sure. I’d flicked through it, glanced at the pictures and shied away from reading the text.
“Well I suggest you read it… then you’ll know what you have to do, and why.”
I glanced at my wardrobe and gulped as I considered the new garment that hangs inside it. “Do I have to wear that dress again today?” I mournfully asked.
“You can if you want to.” Mum replied. In no uncertain terms I told her that I didn’t want to. Mum said that was fine. “Just make sure you wear a clean pair of knickers.” she said as she lifted Florence from the floor and put her on my bed.
“Oh Mu-um… do I have to?” I whined.
“Yes you do.” she said. “Now go and wash up before you get dressed.” Of course I huffed and puffed about having to wear another pair of knickers, even under my boy clothes. Mum claimed I’d forget all about them once they’re on, but I didn’t.
I spent the morning setting up my Fairy Town train set on the sitting room carpet. I didn’t want to. If anywhere, I’d have rather set it up in my bedroom since anyone could call round and see it. Thankfully no one did. In the afternoon we visited cousins in Millbankton, a small town about an hour’s drive away. Mum assured me that she’d keep the details of my Christmas gifts a secret so long as I’m on my best behaviour. “Now I’m not sure what it says in your Pettiquette book…” Mum said, leafing through a small green book, “…but in mine, it recommends nappies for long car journeys.” she said. “It makes sense.”