👨👨👧👦 A family in diapers
Part 2: A new student
⚠️ This is a work of fiction
⚠️ Reproduction and distribution prohibited
It's recess, and as usual, I hang back a bit before joining Leo and Aya near the football field. The courtyard is full of laughter and shouts, but something catches my attention. A few meters from me, near the benches, there is a boy I don't know, probably a new student. He's talking with a little girl, who must be his sister. I don't know why, but my curiosity urges me to eavesdrop.
And then, I hear a word that surprises me: "diaper."
I freeze. Why are they talking about that? Does it have something to do with his sister? Maybe she still wears them? She seems old enough, I'd say around 8 years old. Or is it something else? I feel my curiosity spark like a flame. I want to understand, to know why that word was mentioned.
But I don't want to ask questions right away. That would be weird, and I don't want to make him uncomfortable. So, I decide to do it differently: I'll go talk to him, introduce myself, and try to understand little by little.
I approach them with a smile.
— Hi, I'm Tim. You're new, right?
The boy looks at me, a bit surprised, then nods.
— Yes, I'm Carl.
I glance at the young girl next to him.
— Is she your sister?
— Yes, her name is Emma.
Emma looks at me with big curious eyes, then hides a bit behind Carl. I chuckle softly.
— Don't worry, I don't eat young girls, I say jokingly. Do you want to come play with us? I ask Carl. We're just over there with some friends, near the goal posts.
Carl hesitates for a second, but then smiles.
— Okay.
Carl and I walk together to the goal posts where Leo and Aya are waiting for us. I signal to them. Emma, on the other hand, has headed towards a group of girls playing hopscotch.
— Guys, I say, this is Carl. He's new.
Leo and Aya greet him, and we start chatting a bit before starting an impromptu match. Carl does well, even though I can sense he is still a bit reserved. Leo, as usual, tries to test his limits by playing a bit more aggressively, but Carl stands his ground. Aya and I exchange a smile: Carl has got character.
After a few goals, we all sit at the edge of the field to catch our breath. While Leo and Aya discuss strategy for the next match, I turn to Carl.
— So, are you getting used to the school?
He shrugs.
— It's okay, he says. It's different from my old school, but I'm getting used to it.
I nod, trying to make him feel comfortable.
— If you need anything, you can ask me, you know.
He smiles, a little shyly.
— Thanks, that's nice.
I still haven't forgotten that word, "diaper," that I heard earlier. But I decide not to say anything for now. I want him to feel comfortable with me, to trust me. I think sooner or later, I'll find out more.
A few days later, after class, I invite Carl to come to my house.
— Do you want to have a snack at my place? We can do our homework together afterwards.
He seems surprised by the invitation, but he accepts.
When we arrive home, Elena is already sitting at the kitchen table, nibbling on cookies while drawing. Mom is making hot chocolate and greets us with a smile.
- Hello, says mom! Are you Tim's friend?
- Yes, Carl replies politely, my name is Carl.
- Ah, you're the one Tim told me about. I'm glad to meet you.
Mom serves us glasses of hot chocolate and a bowl of cookies. We sit in the living room, and Carl seems a little more relaxed.
- Your house is nice, he says, looking around.
- Thank you. It's not very big, but it's cozy.
We start chatting about this and that. I find out that Carl loves adventures and reading, just like me. We exchange our favorite books, and I talk to him about the famous explorers I admire.
- I prefer stories with mysteries, he admits.
- We could create a story together, I suggest.
He smiles before agreeing.
After snack time, we take out our notebooks and start doing homework. Carl is super organized and even helps me solve a math problem. He is really cool, and I can feel that we have a lot in common.
When he leaves, Mom slips him a cookie for the road.
- Thank you, ma'am, he says before walking away.
I close the door thinking that Carl could become a true friend. And even though I haven't solved the mystery of the word "couche" yet, I feel like I will eventually. It just takes patience.
Back to story 👨👨👧👦 A family in diapers