🦵 Arthur at the physiotherapist
Part 2: Certainty
⚠️ This is a work of fiction
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I'm on my way with dad, in the car, and we're going to the physical therapist for my second appointment. Since the first one, I haven't stopped thinking about Carine and the diaper she was wearing. It occupied my brain full time, at least that's the impression I had. I thought a lot about the situation and asked myself a lot of questions. For example, did she only wear it that day? Could it be related to her problems as a girl? I also wondered if I would be able to talk to her about it and how I would react if she ever brought it up. In short, these few days have made me think a lot.
- You're taking the bus home today, said dad, I won't be able to pick you up. I have an appointment at the hairdresser and won't be there at the end of your session.
- Yes dad, you've already told me twice and mom too.
- I wanted to make sure you were aware. You seem elsewhere these days.
That, I know all too well, I tell myself.
Today, it's rather rainy weather, not very nice. A few drops fall from time to time. So I preferred to wear sweatpants rather than shorts. I love sweatpants anyway, they are comfortable for sports, soft and comfortable. I don't understand why some people prefer jeans. I admit I chose my favorite this morning because I thought of Carine. I also styled my hair the way I like it and I'm often told it suits me well.
So it's in "handsome" mode that I enter the physiotherapy practice hoping to find Carine there. Romain is in the entrance and we greet each other. He asks me to wait a few moments in the waiting room, which I do. It is with joy that I see Carine is already there.
- Hello Carine, I tell her, promising myself not to be as foolish with her as last time.
- Hello Arthur, she answers with a smile. How have you been since last time?
- Great and you? Classes went well?
While talking to her, I try to see if, like last time, she is wearing a diaper. Sitting down and wearing sweatpants, I can't say anything. Like last time, Carine has her koala backpack. It looks a bit childish but with her angelic face, it suits her very well, I find.
- Yes, very well. By the way, which school are you in? And which grade?
- I go to Jules Verne Middle School. It's not in my neighborhood but there's a handball sports section in that school. And I'm in 7th grade. And you?
- I'm in 7th grade too, and I go to Barnonville Middle School. Loving your outfit, it's awesome.
- Thanks, that's nice.
We chat for a few minutes. I'm less intimidated than last time but still charmed, maybe even more. That's when Romain comes to get us.
- After you, I say gallantly to Carine so she can go first.
- Thank you.
I may be gallant, but I have ulterior motives for doing this. Carine then gets up and heads towards the exit in the waiting room. My gaze is obviously on her behind. Her gray sweatpants with pink stripes on the sides are quite nice but since they are loose, I have a hard time figuring out what's underneath.
- How are you? Romain asks me with a smile as I pass by.
- Fine, I say, I'm good.
I think I just got busted, again. I feel like I can hear that same little plastic rustling as last time but I'm not sure at all. In the end, it may be my imagination playing tricks on me.
The session goes almost the same way as last time, except this time, Romain takes care of Carine first while I do exercises alone and then it's the other way around. I try to observe Carine directly in order to confirm, or not, what I thought I saw the other day.
As the session is about to end, Carine makes a request to Romain:
- Can I use the bathroom before I leave? I need to...
- Of course, he says, cutting her off, no problem. You know where they are now. But I have a better idea than those small toilets. Use the ones in my office. I'll show you where they are.
And there, my brain starts working. Why would she need bigger toilets if not to change... her diaper. Shortly after, we leave the room, just like last time, in single file. I managed to position myself behind Carine but I try to be discreet because Romain is walking behind me. Just like when we arrived, I have no certainty. She does have a slightly rounded behind but nothing blatant, at least not as much as last time.
- Come on Carine, Romain says as we reach the entrance of the practice, follow me, I'll show you.
- Are you waiting for me? Carine asks. Are you in a hurry? I'll be quick.
- Take your time, I'll wait.
I watch her walk away and then decide to wait for her outside. So I go out, thinking. What can I do to have that certainty? Would I dare ask her the question? If she is changing, she must have spare diapers. And where would she store them if not in her backpack? Yes, that's what I have to do, I have to check the contents of her bag.
- I'm here, I suddenly hear.
I turn around and see Carine walking towards me. I make an effort to remain discreet by looking only into her eyes, even though I really want to look elsewhere.
- We have to go shopping with mom, she tells me. Actually, she's arriving. Is your dad not here?
- He had an appointment and told me to take the bus home.
- Do you live far? We can even drop you off.
- Oh, it's not necessary, I say.
As soon as I say that, I regret it. Of course I want her to give me a ride, of course I want to spend time with her, get to know her better.
- Where do you live? Carine asks as a car parks right in front of her.
- Antoine de Saint Exupéry Street.
- Oh I know it, we used to live right next to there.
Carine then opens the car door and leans in to talk to her mom. And there, what I didn't dare imagine, happens. Carine's t-shirt is slightly lifted in her back, revealing what's peeking out of her sweatpants. It's white, slightly crumpled, and plastic.
- Mom agrees, she tells me as she stands up and turns towards me. Get in the back.
And so Carine and her mom took me home. And for the rest of the evening, I thought about what I had seen. Carine, this girl so pretty and so kind wears diapers. Me, for some unknown reason, dream of wearing them, gives me something to think about what to do. I was already imagining that I could take some from her bag, but ultimately, I could also become her friend, maybe even go to her house, sleep over, wear a diaper myself.
That evening, I set a goal for myself to get her phone number the next time we meet.
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