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Author: Toet
Timestamp: May 28, 2023 at 10:58 PM
Content: Hello everyone,
I wrote this story in Dutch. I'm now translating it bit by bit into English and any criticism on gramar would be welcome.
I have noticed that some sentences have completely changed their meaning in the translation. So if there are huge strange sentences or contradictions, please feel free to write some comments.
Enjoy the story,
Toet
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Author: Toet
Timestamp: May 28, 2023 at 11:00 PM
Content: Chapter one of fourty
A soft spring sun promised a beautiful summer. The kids were back outside after the long winter. It was still chilly but the direct rays of the sun were lovely andthe coats had been left at home. Quietly two boys were busy with each other, with their sleeves rolled up, hidden behind a garden house where they sat out of sight of the house, sheltered from the wind and unwanted looks.
“Well, then we're bloodbrothers now.” Dries said, pressing his bloodied wrist against Jasper's. They looked at each other with joy. It was Dries who had taken the lead in the whole thing, but Jasper was happy to go alongwith it. They had been best friends for a long time and shared all the joys and sorrows. If they weren't at Dries' house, they could befound two blocks away at Jasper's house or on the playground between the two families. Often an extra place was covered at the table if Jasper or Dries lingered in one of the two houses. When Jasper or Dries went on holiday, and they couldn't see each other for more than three days, they both felt a big knot in their stomach because of the loss.
“Now that we are blood brothers, we should never keep secrets from each other and share everything.” Dries continued. “And if you reveal a secret tosomeone else, your hand falls off.” he also said.
Dries meant what he said, but Jasper wasn't so sure about the latter. But it made no differenceto him, he would never betray the trust of his best friend.
It had been Dries who had made the whole thing up. He had read about it in a book about how they used to do it and brought it up to Jasper. He wanted to become blood brothers and Jasper went along with it. At Dries's request, Jasper had brought a pocket knife from his big brother and togethe they hid behind Dries's garden house. Dries had thought out theritual completely. First ask the great spirits to be witnesses. Then they vowed about what it meant to be blood brothers. “I swear Iwill protect my blood brother from now on. I will share all my loveand all my grief with him. I swear that I will always protect him. My secret is his secret, and his will be mine. I swear I will never do anything to betray my blood brother's trust.”
Then they blessed the knife. “O great spirits, behold this knife with which we shall seal our bond.” Dries said, holding the knife up in the direction of the sun. Dries took the knife and cut his forearm with it. Not that it mattered much. The knife was rather blunt and there was no more than a scratch showing a small drop of blood in two places. Dries decided that was adequate. It was painful enough, and nothing Dries had read about it said how much blood it took. Jasper repeated the ritual to himself and offered his wrist to Dries, after which he placed his on it. “Well, then we're blood brothers now.”
Jasper wiped the knife on his pants, closed the knife and put it back in his pocket. The two friends sat down next to each other and both sucked on their wounds to wipe off the blood.
“I'm glad we're blood brothers now.” Dries said. Jasper nodded convincingly yes. He had never been much of a talker, but that wasn't a problem for their friendship. They understood each other.
“Dries, come and eat!”called Kathy, Dries' mother. Quickly Dries and Jasper rushed to Dries' house. “Ah, are you there Jasper?” Kathy said. “Does your mum know?” Jasper nodded quickly yes, he had indeed shouted something like that to his mother this afternoon before he left.
“Slide on Jasper, I'll send your mum a message. Which of your two mums is home?” Kathy then continued.
“Mommy Helga is home.” said Jasper. “Mommy Celine has to work today.”
Kathy quickly took her cell phone and sent a message to Helga. << Your piggy gets hisfood here today.
>>and Helga's answer came quickly.
<<Thank you, send that monkey of yours here tomorrow, and he will get his ration here.>> they had known each other since their children started school, but they got on well.
While Kathy was exchanging messages with his mom, Jasper took an extra plate and cutlery and put them on the table. Dries meanwhile took another glass and the five of them quickly sat down at the table. Heleen, Dries' big sister, and their father were also there.
“Oh Dries and Jasper. Your hands are still dirty. Are you coming to the tap? I'll help.” Heleen was thirteen, five years older than Dries and Jasper. She was such an overly caring type of sister who was very protective of Dries. Having Jasper around only made her happier, because it meant she had two 'victims' for her good intentions instead of one. Jasper and Dries usually let her do it. It could be useful if they needed help for something, but sometimes this mothering was quite disturbing.
The time at the table was filled with conversation. After dinner, Dries and Jasper continued to play inside. Dries took the Lego from his room and in the living room they started to build a castle that hopefully could withstand the attack of a dragon. Jasper used to ask if they couldn't just go and play in Dries' room, but that was never allowed. After a while, Jasper stopped asking. Different house, different rules, he thought quietly.
After an hour of building, Kathy's cell phone rang. <<That piggy of mine can go to the stable. It's early morning training for him and he has to get up early. Are you sending him? Grtz Helga>>
Kathy immediately turned to the boys. “Come Jasper, it's time to go to sleep sends your mother. Better at home in your own bed than here. Right?”
“Of course,” Jaspe rreplied sadly. On the one hand, he would have liked to have played alittle longer. (the castle was not finished yet) and on the other hand he really wanted to spend the night with Dries. He had asked that several times, but it had never happened. There had always been a reason. (It's school tomorrow, there's training tomorrow, Dries is tired from last night and should definitely sleep well now,... ) Reason after reason every invitation or proposal was declined and it never happened. Finally, Jasper had given up asking.
“Hey Jasper. Put on your coat and shoes and go home. Your mama is waiting.” urged Kathy
Dries said goodbye to Jasper as he put on his things. “Come on Dries. Leave upstairs now. Then you can go straight to bed as well.” Dries' mom finished as she quickly helped Jasper tie his shoelaces. Kathy checked on the street whether Jasper was crossing properly, after which she went inside to put her son to bed.
Jasper came home in a good mood. “Nice play at Dries?” Helga asked her son as he came in.
Jasper nodded cheerfully yes. “I'm always sad when it's over.”
Helga took Jasper upstairsto get him ready for bed. Pyjamas, brushing teeth, toilet and finally a story. Jasper can of course already read himself, but being read to (with mummy who does those loverly voices) makes it even more fun.
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Author: Toet
Timestamp: May 28, 2023 at 11:19 PM
Content: Chapter two of fourty
A week later, Dries and Jasper were again sitting behind the garden house in the afternoon. "Remember last week?" Dries asked Jasper. Jasper looked up at Dries in surprise. He remembered what they had done here last week, something important that he would not forget easily. A blood oath is something for life. Jasper believed in sharing the whole message with joy and sorrow, keeping no secrets from each other. But why did Dries have to sit and shift so uncomfortably? Jasper became worried that something bad was happening.
“Remember when we swore we weren't going to keep any secrets from each other?” Dries continued, blushing slightly.
“Of course I remember that Dries. You and me. We are blood brothers. You can tell me anything and I swore I would never tell anyone else." Jasper replied. Jasper didn't have to hesitate about his answer. He meant it with all his heart.
Dries looked sharply in all directions to make sure no one was around. When Jasper saw what he was doing, he looked nervously around the corner of the gardenhouse, but no one was there either.
"Come here."whispered Dries quietly. Jasper moved his buttocks a bit and came forward with his ear to be able to understand Dries.
Jasper was afraid of what was about to come. Dries had never been so ashamed to say something.
"I still do pee in bed at night and you promised not to tell anyone." Dries whispered urgently and hurriedly into Jasper's ear. Jasper looked in surprise at Dries. Was he still wetting the bed? Babies only did that, didn't they? Jasper wasn't sure what to do with this information. He was going to keep it to himself, Dries was his best friend, after all, but what was he supposed to do with it? Why had Dries said that? All these questions were running through Jasper'smind.
Dries looked anxiously back at Jasper, waiting for an answer. The silence, short as it was, was painful and made him fear the worst. "Now that you know that, you can sleep here." Dries added quietly.
That turned the dime in the right direction for Jasper. "Really, can I sleep over? Yay! at last!" exclaimed Jasper. "I'm going to ask your mum if she sends a message to mine to ask if that's allowed." Jasper chattered away. Forgetting the bed-wetting, the two children rushed in to get their parents' permission.
"Mommy, can Jasper sleep here?" Dries asked.
Dries's mom thougth for a moment. They had to get up early tomorrow to visit grandpa and grandma, so it wasn't really a good idea. But it was the first time that Dries had asked a friend to spend the night. She knew why, he was ashamed of wetting the bed. It didn't really work out, but she didn't want to discourage the first step. "that's fine for me, but we're also going to ask Jasper's mum first." Kathy said. "Know Jasper that you have to go home quickly tomorrow morning, because we are leaving. Go on playing, I'll send a message to yourmom."
<< Hey, my monkey has asked your pig to spend the night here. Is that possible? Greetings Kathy>>
<< That's good forme. Does my pig know about your monkey's problem? Greetings Helga>>
<<I don't know. I'll talk to them soon. K>>
<<Are you going to send my piggy home afterwards? Then I give him a bag with some sleeping stuff. H>>
<<Okay, that's good. I've got a spare pillow and sheets here, he don't have to bring that.K>>
<< That's good, how long can he stay? H.>>
<< I'll send him back between nine and ten am. My in-laws are expecting us tomorrow afternoon. K>>
<< That's good, I'll see him coming.>>
After the messages were exchanged, Kathy, Dries' mother, went looking for her son and Jasper."I've just exchanged a few messages with Helga. Jasper, it'sgood for her too, your mom allows you to sleep here."
"Yippee!" the two boys shouted in unison. They were really looking forward to it. Dries was a bit worried about how the evening would go. He had told Jasper that he wet the bed, but not everything that went with it.
"Jasper, there is something else I have to tell you about Dries." Dries blushed because he immediately knew what was coming.
"Dries just told me that he wets the bed at night." Jasper told Kathy.
Kathy smiled. "That is indeed true. Did he also tell you that there is nothing he can do about it?"
"No, not yet, what do you mean?" Jasper then asked.
"For some children, the wetting goes away quickly on its own, while for others it takes longer. That is quite normal. There are many children who wet the bed, but no one knows about it because no one says anything about it. In your class there are probably be two or three other children besides Dries who also wet the bed."
"I didn't know that, I thought only very young children did that." said Jasper carefully, not wanting to offend his best friend.
"Of course not. Some big kids, even bigger than you, have that problem too." Dries' mother assured Jasper.
Dries looked a bit puzzled. He didn't like his mother discussing his 'nocturnal problem' with anyone else, even if it was his best friend.
Assured that Jasper had understood that Dries could not help it, and Dries assured that he really had nothing to be ashamed of, she sent both children to Jasper's house so that they could collect his things. Armed with pyjamas, a cuddly toy, toothbrush, toothpaste and a change of clothes for the next day, Jasper and Dries returned to Dries' house.
"take those things upstairs right away. I'll help you make your bed." said Kathy.
Jasper followed Dries carefully upstairs. He had never been upstairs before and did a curious look around the room. He saw the boxes of toys, a desk with his schoolwork, the bed, bedside table and two large closets. "Wow, so big and beautiful." Jasper said as he slowly turned around and then sat down on the bed. "Why was I never allowed to comehere?" he asked, feeling with his hand on the mattress that strange thing that made such a strange noise.
"So you wouldn't feel the plastic over the mattress." said Dries with red jaws. "It protects the mattress in case I wet the sheets. You would have known that I wet the bed."
"That's all right, don't worry about it." Jasper said. "I'm so glad I can stay with you now."
Dries' mum came in with a folding bed and a set of sheets. "Here Jasper, will you put your pillow in the pillowcase?" she asked, fiddling with mattressprotectors and sheets herself. A few minutes later the bed was nicelyset up.
Dries displayed Jasper's stuffed animal nicely on the headboard and afterwards they went downstairs towards the living room.
With everything in order now, the boys set to work on the Lego castle where they had been working on the week before. There were still a few walls to go and a tower that had to be built as high as possible. That way, the catapult would be able to protect the castle from the dragon.
After dinner the boys worked and played for a while, until it was time to go to bed. "Here Jasper. Take your pyjamas and go to the bathroom. Dries, which pyjamas do you want?"
Jasper went to the bathroom to change and brush his teeth. While he was busy brushing his teeth, he heard the toilet flush next to the bathroom. A little later Dries came in in his pyjamas and grabbed his toothbrush. He had apparently changed into his pyjamas in his room. Jasper went to the toilet and then to Dries' room. Dries' mum was already waiting with a story book in her hands. Jasper's eyes started to sparkle. He loved stories. "We are waiting for Dries, and when he's ready we'll start." Dries came out of the bathroom a little later and settled on the other side of his mum. Kathy opened the book and started. "The Knight Princess. Once upon a time there was a princess, who was stronger and tougher than…"
The boys enjoyed the story from start to finish. They each got another 'good night kiss' and the lights went out.
Jasper tossed and turned in his bed. It wasn't just him, another room, another bed. And now he was also curious about Dries' bed-wetting. What would that look like? Jasper's head was full with questions, but he didn't dare ask them. It's because Dries' dad had been very strict. If he had to come upstairs to the bedroom once because they were being too noisy, this would also be the last sleepover. And Jasper hoped there would be many more could follow after this first one.
It took a while before he found his peace, but Dries's calm breathing was somewhat contagious and eventually he too also fell asleep.
Jasper woke up to the light coming through the curtains. At home he always had to lie down until it was eight o'clock, but here he didn't see a clock anywhere. Carefully he tried to look at Dries to see if he was awake yet. Because the guest bed was so much lower, he couldn't see anything. Carefully he tried to sit up, but the bed made a terrible noise when he moved. Jasper so stopped and lay still. He thought that the noiseof that bed would certainly wake Dries' parents, and he didn't want that. He wanted to behave as well as possible so that he could certainly do more sleepovers.
Jasper remained lying there for another five minutes (according to his feelings). "Dries, are you awake?" he asked finally
Jasper listened for amoment as he whispered, but heard nothing. Maybe he was not whispering loud enough. "Dries, are you awake?" followed again, this time a bit louder. Now Dries must have heard it. Jasper did indeed hear movement in Dries' bed. Dries turned around and everything rustled. There was also a low murmur coming from the bed but is wasn't clear enough to be understood.
"Dries, louder, I didn't understand you." Jasper said now more than he whispered to Dries.
"Yes, what is is, is it time already?" said Dries again.
"Are you still asleep?" Jasper asked Dries. Quietly, Jasper began to see his mistake. But Dries was awake now and they started to play. Not muchlater (or so it felt) Dries' mum came in and it was really time toget up.
Kathy had a busy schedule and urged the children to hurry.
"Jasper, go downstairs and start eating. Helga will pick you up in half an hour. Dries has to come with us, we are going to visit his grandparents."
Heleen was already eating at the table downstairs. "Sit down. I'll make you a sandwich. What do you want on it?" she asked Jasper.
Jasper chose the strangeblue and white crackling spread. He had only eaten it once before and thought it tasted good.
While Heleen was busy smearing, the rest of the family also came down. Dries even had already all his clothes on!
Jasper was just nibbling the last of his sandwich when his mother came to the door. "Go and get changed quickly Jasper, we will leave then too." Kathy said.
In no time at all Jasper was upstairs and in his clothes. He quickly said goodbye to the family and walked home with his mother. There was a quick honk andwave as Dries drove by with his family. "Can Dries come and stay overnight next week?" Jasper asked his mother longingly as he watched the car pull out of the streat.
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Author: Toet
Timestamp: May 29, 2023 at 11:55 PM
Content: Chapter three of fourty
The next school day was started with making plans for the following weekend. The family was going on a day trip to a nearby forest and Dries was going along. Jasper knew the perfect secret spot to build a camp, and no one else would be able to find it in the play forest. Jasper was sure of it.
During the lesson, they made a minute-by-minute plan on a scrap of paper from Dries when the teacher called them to order.
When the construction plans for the camp were taken away the next day at school, Jasper and Dries were furious. All their ideas gone!
On the third day of school they lost their list of materials and on the fourth day of school, to their surprise, the map they had made of the area around the camp was taken away. Did their teacher really not understand where the priorities lay?
All the work they had done for the past week was thinly redone on Friday afternoon during playtime. "At least now they have no reason to take away our work." Dries growled between his teeth. Jasper nodded softly. He was redrawing the map with the tip of his tongue between his lips.
"Jasper. That's your calligraphy book you got there. What are you doing now!" a weary teacher bellowed over the heads of the two children. All week they had been more busy with each other than with the lessons. "Why didn't you just ask for some paper? Give me that notebook here."
Disappointed, Jasper handed over his calligraphy. All their work for nothing again. But as determined the children wanted to make their preparations, so unpredictable is the weather. When Dries rang Jasper's doorbell from under his umbrella in the morning, instead of the promised spring sunshine, there were clouds, rain and a lot of wind. The forest was closed because the risk of trees or branches falling was too high due to the stormy weather, so the trip was therefore cancelled.
They discussed the craziest punishments they could give the weatherman while playing aboard game called Hotel. In the end, they came up with a fake marriage proposal between their teacher and the weatherman. In the end, they were the ones who ruined their weekend.
The board game was alternated with electric racing cars, Monopoly, making a bed, Playmobil, normal cars and a game called Gold Diggers.
The only strange moment was when Dries made his bed. As usual, the careless Dries scattered and threw everything around, for example he bounced his cuddly toy off the ceiling into the bed. He aimed his toothbrush and toothpastefrom three metres at the sink and remained at one-half metres and thirty cm from the target respectively.
But just as he picked up his pyjamas and was about to throw them at the bed, he changed his mind. Cautiously, he walked to his pillow and carefully slid his pyjamas under his pillow like the nice package they were. Then the clean clothes for the next day flew towards the chair.
Jasper looked surprised for a moment, wondering where this break in Dries 'normal' behaviour had come from. But soon his attention shifted to the next activity and the moment was forgotten.
A couple of hours and one figuratively exploded house later, the boys were lying paralysed in their seats, on the verge of boredom.
"Come and slide on you snot noses." Gert, Jasper's big brother came in and, as always, immediately asserted himself. He always wanted the best seat on the couch. And that was exactly where Jasper was sitting. Jasper knew he had to leave Gert his spot, but on one or another way, Jasper always seemed to sit in Gert's 'best spot'.
Jasper rolled out of the seat and quickly scrambled out of the way towards Dries so to avoid being crushed under Gert. The 'move on' was the only warning he received and Jasper knew he had to hurry if he didn't want to face any consequences, big or small, from his brother.
Gert was twice as old, twice as strong, twice as heavy,... He enjoyed the power he had over these two 'little buggers.' or 'snot noses' as he sometimes puts it.
Clicking on Helga, Jasper's mum, would help for a short while, but later that day or the day after, Gert would always make it clear why clicking was an 'unwanted behavior' and what the consequences were. For Gert, this 'unwanted behavior' had to be suppressed as quickly as possible, preferably in the most original way possible. Originality to Gert usually meant a combination of hands or feet and pain.
Gert lived by the standard that small, cute and sweet by definition did not belong to little brothers. He had a few life motto's that Gert lived up to as best he could. 'The strongest rise to the top' 'If you can't win, you have to cheat.' and finally: 'Growing up and grow tall is the cure for everything.'
What he thought was perfectly normal when he was still eight years old, he now thinks as a sixteen years old, that all these things are for toddlers and babies. No one is allowed to say that as an eight-year-old he still had fun with Lego, Playmobil or playing on playgrounds.
In short: Gert and Jasper preferred to deny each other's existence and their live together was based on a fragile and above all unequal balance of power.
Gert would turn off the children's channel, which the two boys used to try to combat their boredom, and he switched to a series about the most uninteresting subject there was. Slowly, they trudged from the sofa to the kitchen in search of something else.
Helga made the finalpreparations for dinner.
“Good to have you boys. If you'd like to put your pyjamas on now, you can play Mario Kartafter dinner. Otherwise it will be time to go to bed almost immediately after dinner."
Dries and Jasper did not hesitate. Dries didn't have a Nintendo at home and Jasper's parents didn't usually let them play electronic games when Dries was around. The two boys stormed upstairs. Jasper pulled out his favourite onesie. Dries left a trail of clothes from the door to the bed and was already pulling on the top of his pyjamas when Jasper came in.
Jasper sat down on the bed to take off his stockings when he saw Dries picking up his pyjama bottoms. Excited as Dries was, he had forgotten which 'package' was still folded between his pyjama bottoms. While Dries jerked the pants, another piece of clothing and something white came out between the pants. Red-faced, Dries dove after it and quickly muffled them both under the sheets.
Of course, with Jasper sitting right next to him, the attempt to do it in secret was doomed from the start.
"What's that?"Jasper asked as he pulled back the covers.
"My nappy for when I wet the bed." Dries stammered as he tried to pull the covers back up.
"Isn't it toosmall for you?" Jasper asked, ignoring Dries' attempt to hide it and grabbing the diaper.
"Does it fit? I didn't know it existed that big?" Jasper's interest was aroused. He looked closely at the front. There was a picture of a lion with a blue-green stripe at the top...
Dries watched with tears in his eyes as Jasper discovered his secret.
"I didn't know you wear that," Jasper said, turning the diaper around to all sides to feel and see.
Dries let out a huge sigh of frustration. "Yes, I wear it. As the only one in the whole world out of everyone who is eight. Mum says there are some more, but I don't believe her. I've never seen anyone else wearing anappy!"
Jasper looked at Dries doubtfully. "Neither have I," he replied after considering for a long time and not thinking of anyone else. Dries was the onlyone he knew who was still wetting the bed.
Dries let the tears of humiliation flow freely down his cheeks. He felt so unhappy. He felt alone in the world.
Jasper looked at Dries uneasily. He noticed the tears and tried to retrace his steps. "Would you really be the only one? Do they make those nappies just for you?" he asked quietly.
Dries shrugged. "I don't know. I don't know anyone. I've never seen anyone as big as me wearing one." Dries sobbed, taking long breaths in between.
Jasper couldn't stand it, Dries' sadness, and he wanted to do his best to cheer her up."There must be someone."
"No, I've never seen anyone else wearing it. I'm really alone!"
"You're not alone. I'm here, aren't I?" Jasper said as he held Dries to comfort him. Jasper hadn't quite understood yet.
“But you never wear nappies," Dries cried.
Jasper was silent. He indeed never wore a nappy.
The boys continued to dress in silence. Dries sobbed over everything that had happened, Jasper thought about everything he had just seen and heard. It was a lot to take in.
Dries quickly tucked his nappy and what looked like a T-shirt under the blanket and together they walked down the stairs to the kitchen.
Helga looked at theboys in surprise as they returned. The usual chatter was much lessthan usual and Dries' eyes were a little red and puffy. "Are you all right?" she asked Dries. Dries nodded quietly as he sat down at the table. Helga was curious as to what had been going on between the children, but as they seemed affected but not actively arguing, she let it go.
The meal went smoothly, except that Gert was asserting himself. These little children had nothing important to say to him, so the only one worth talking to was himself.
After dinner (ribs, oven fries and applesauce), a few games of Mario Kart were played. Jasper usually won the most, because he obviously could have practised a lot more. But this time Dries had a much better chance. Jasper's mind was elsewhere. Dries' exclamation that he was the only one, and that was why he was so unhappy, echoed in his head. And Jasper, sweet and sensitive boy that he was, wanted to see Dries as happy as possible.
He tried to come up with various plans, but they are not always realistic or feasible. There are certainly other eight-year-old children who wear nappies at night. But where do you find them? And once you've found them, how can you convince them to admit that they wear them too?
Organizing a survey in the football/classroom/friends group might do the trick, but who will be brave enough to admit it? Hide in the shop and see who buys nappy's? Most of the time it will be mums and dads buying them, and you don't know which child it's for or how old they are. And how would Jasper persuade his parents to let him spend half a day in the supermarket doing 'a bit of research'? If not by the boss of the supermarket being thrown out on suspicion of criminal activity.
And a tour of the village, ringing bells everywhere, was probably as successful as the chance to win Euromilions.
Jasper was calm as he lost round after round of the game. He was quiet when they had to stop playing and were sent upstairs. His head kept spinning and he hadn't noticed that Dries had gone into his room alone with his mother. Until Dries was standing next to him, brushing his teeth. Then Jasper saw that the outline of the nappy was clearly visible inDries' pyjama bottoms.
When Jasper rinsed his mouth, he could hardly take his eyes off it. Dries saw that and the tears came back to his eyes. "I'm sorry," Jasper said, looking away in embarrassment. “I don't want to hurt you," Jasper whispered softly to him.
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Author: Toet
Timestamp: May 31, 2023 at 8:11 PM
Content:
Chess said:
Well, a lot of spaces between words are missing. Just in the first short paragraph of chapter 1 are: "promiseda" / "winter.It" / "andthe" / "eachother" / "housewhere" / "andunwanted" and it continues throughout the story. I found it so annoying that I stopped reading.
[End of quote]
Hello
Thanks for bringing this issue to my attention.
The spaces were lost when I copied the text from the document to this forum. I'll have to be careful when I post the next chapters, as I'll have to reread them and adjust the text again here.
I hope you'll give the story a second try now that I've adjusted the text.
Kind regards
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Author: Toet
Timestamp: May 31, 2023 at 8:22 PM
Content:
howiebabe said:
I like the story. I've cleaned it up (I think I got all the missing spaces) and I converted the single quotes to double quotes for speech (American English standard).
Sometimes the language conversion software does weird things especially when trying to convert almost any other language to English.
So here is what I have done to make it more readable. Hope this helps
[End of quote]
Hi, thanks for your help. I tried to put it into my word processor to compare your version with what I wrote, but it wouldn't work. So I checked everything manually and hope I haven't missed anything.
I found the single and double quotes, the missing spaces, and also that you changed 'part' to 'chapter' and wrote the numbers in full. I haven't found any other changes, or have I missed them?
Kind regards,
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Author: Toet
Timestamp: Jun 1, 2023 at 9:55 PM
Content: Chapter four of fourty
The children were read a short story by Jasper's mum (The Amazing Tree House with 13 Floors), and with the message that she did not want to come up again to silence the children, she closed the door.
“Dries?” Jasper whispered as he heard his mother going down the stairs.
“Yes, what is it?”Dries replied. “Shouldn't we be quiet?”
“If we whisper it will work. I've been thinking,” Jasper said. Because you feel so alone, because you don't know anyone else who also wears a nappy. I want to help you and I've been thinking about how to find someone else, but I'm not quite sure how...”
“See I'm the only one. I'll never see anyone else I know wearing a nappy,” Dries sobbed.
“But I know a solution,” Jasper said. “If I put one on right now. Then you won't be so alone anymore.”
“Really?” Dries asked. “Are you serious? Would you do that for me?”
“Yes,” Jasper whispered back softly. “I'll do anything for you.”
Dries' eyes watered again, but this time not from sadness. He knew he had a good friend in Jasper, but he had no idea he would go to such lengths for him.
“Give me one and we'll do it right away,” Jasper whispered, curious to know what his friend went through every night. But he also wanted to do it now, before his courage failed him. Now he had enough courage for it, tomorrow during the day he might feel differently.
“I can't,” Dries said. “I only have the one I'm wearing. I can't give you another one.”
“Then next time at your place.” Jasper said before he knew it. What did I promise now? he asked himself.
“Thank you,” Dries said. “You're the best friend anyone could have.”
“Don't mention it,”Jasper replied. “Sleep well.”
“Sleep well,”Dries whispered before laying his head down.
Jasper turned around soon after, both children far away in dreamland.
The week passed quickly and the following weekend they had an appointment at Dries' house. Dries had asked several times during the week if Jasper was really going to put on a nappy for him. Sometimes Jasper doubted whether it was a good idea to secretly put on one of Dries' nappies, but the look on Dries' face every time Jasper confirmed immediately knocked all doubts out of him. He would make Dries extremely happy by putting on a nappy as well.
Jasper was worried about what would happen if they found out. Would Dries' mom see that an extra nappy was missing from the bag? Would she come into the room at night and see it? Would she then tell his own mothers? What would they say?
Jasper was very nervous and afraid of being discovered. He wasn't really afraid of wearing a nappy once, after all he made Dries very happy with it. He was dreading a possible discovery and everything that would come with it.
Jasper had gone to Dries' house after lunch that Saturday. He put his luggage in the room and then got ready with Dries to catch reptiles together. Armed with two buckets and two nets, they headed for the stream. After catching one Dries insisted they were salamanders, but Jasper was sure they were lizards. They didn't really know the difference. When they asked Heleen for a definite answer, she only gave them a third option. Heleen joined in and told a whole story about knights, dragons and magic. According to her, these creatures were the distant descendants of ferocious dragons that had been reduced to their present form by the combined strength of two knights (a certain Jasper and Dries), a few elves, wizards, fairies and a whole lot of magic. Jasper and Dries enjoyed the story Heleen had told them, but they were still wondering whether it was a lizard or a salamander.
While preparing the beds, Dries and Jasper had secretly taken a diaper from the bathroom and placed it at under the duvet at the foot of Jasper's cot. Kathy, Dries' mother, realised that they were busy with 'plans', but that happened so often. Kathy was not worried, because the next day usually brought stories of great adventures.
The evening went well. After dinner, Jasper, Dries and Heleen played another boardgame of Hotel until it was time to go to bed. After Dries and Jasper had gotten dressed and gone to bed, there was a brief moment when there was a close call. Kathy opened the beds so that the children could crawl under the covers, and the diaper that lay at the foot of Jasper's bed was barely exposed.
The children lay in bed, listening carefully as Kathy went downstairs. They quietly counted to the agreed hundred, after which Dries declared it safe to carry out their plan. Jasper dug out the nappy from the foot of the bed. It took a while. Finding the front, trying out the tapes, sticking it on again, and after a few well-intentioned tips, explanations and help from Dries, it was more or less fixed. Dries had even pulled down his pyjama bottoms, with red cheeks, then opened his body and pulled it up to show how it should look. When Jasper compared it to himself, it wasn't quite as nicely centred and mirrored, but it didn't fall off as soon as he stood up, so it was good enough. This time Jasper zipped up his second favourite onesie and crawled back into his sleeping bag.
Dries beamed with joy. Jasper really was his best friend. There was no one in the world who had a better friend than him. He gave him a quick hug in gratitude. Jasper also felt a little lighter and happier under Dries' positive attention. They were best friends, and the good bond they already had got a huge boost. After some more careful whispering back and forth, Dries fell asleep with a blissful smile on his face. Jasper tossed and turned a little longer. The sensation of the nappy between his legs was exciting, exhilarating and soothing all at the same time. He was still enjoying the smile on Dries' face and he regularly ran his hand between his legs and over his bottom to feel the nappy and listen to the sound it made.
He was not very comfortable. It sat a little crooked, pinching one groin more than the other, and he felt that it was all a little too loose. He turned restlessly and fell asleep a little later, lulled by Dries' calm breathing.
Jasper woke up a little later in the middle of the night. He had forgotten to pee before going to bed. Nature called and he stumbled across the room, more asleep than awake, towards the door. He turned left towards the toilet and took two steps forward. By the third step he was wide awake and suddenly remembered several things at once:
One: He was not at home, but at a sleepover with Dries.
Two: The toiletwas on the right side of the hall, not on the left.
Three: What was onthe left was the stairs.
four: When his foot failed to land where he thought it would, falling instead into an empty space, he knew he was on the Staircase.
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Author: Toet
Timestamp: Jun 4, 2023 at 9:21 PM
Content: Chapter 5
Jasper completely lost his balance and couldn't keep himself up right.
The next moment only one thing mattered. His arm hurt like hell. He was lying at the bottom of the stairs, and his scream alarmed the whole household and set everyone in an uproar. When Kathy went to Jasper's side to comfort him, he screamed in agony. He felt his left arm crunch as he moved.
Koen, Dries' father, sent the other children, who were worried, back to their room and immediately called the ambulance. You didn't have to be a doctor to see that something was wrong: there was a bend between the elbow and the wrist where the arm should be straight.
Kathy did her best to comfort Jasper and support him in his pain, but there was only so much she could do. Although the ambulance with the paramedics and a second car with the doctor and nurse arrived quickly, every second felt like a minute and the pain never stopped.
After Koen had called the emergency number, he called Helga to tell her what was happening.
Helga, who was still dressed and heard Jasper roaring in the background on the phone, immediately left her house and rushed in at the same time as the emergency services.
Jasper was soon surrounded by a crowd of people. Many bags were brought in by people in fluorescent clothing.The doctor tried to pull up the sleeve of Jasper's onesie to look at his arm, but he wouldn't let him. The pain was just too intense and too bad.
“Cut it open,” Helga intervened, unable to bear the pain Jasper was in.
A pair of scissors was quickly grabbed and before Jasper knew it, both arms of his onesie were cut off and the zip was unzipped almost to his belly button. Jasper was distracted by what was happening around him. Some wires were attached to his chest and stomach with a small patch. A red light was attached to his finger and on his good arm, a wide band was attached around his upper arm which began to tighten superhard.
“Beep-beep-beep-...” it also started to beep as the doctor asked Jasper's mum a few questions.
Allergies, what he had eaten and drunk recently, medication, weight, previous illnesses and operations,... were all quickly run through.
Jasper looked down at his good arm. A nurse was busy sticking a giant blue needle into his arm. “No, I don't want that!” Jasper shouted, but it was too late. The nurse held his hand tightly and Jasper saw blood trickle out of the back of the needle. Before Jasper blinked the next time, an IV bag was attached to the needle and the nurse was busy with a seal to keep the IV out of children's hands.
When Jasper saw the nurse wrapping an extra bandage around his arm, he was able to say that it was his other arm that was hurting.
“I know,” the nurse replied with a smile. “The bandage is to hold your IV in place. We'll give you some painkillers and it'll all be over before you know it.”
Jasper was just glad they weren't fiddling with his broken arm any more. With all the attention and distraction, the pain had already subsided somewhat.
“Midazolam 1mg and Ketamine 50mg,” he heard the doctor say quietly in the background. Jasper felt his hand get a little cold where the needle was and he heard the nurse say “the medication is in.”
Jasper felt strange in his head. He looked around at his mum and fought the sleep that was suddenly coming. But it was a battle he could not win, and soon he could see and hear nothing anymore of what was going on around him.
While the doctor held and straightened his broken arm, one ofthe paramedics put a red splint under his arm. It was shaped a bit, vacuumed and soon he was safely strapped to the stretcher. The stretcher was wheeled into the ambulance and everyone prepared to leave for the hospital.
Helga sat in the chair next to Jasper, while the doctor sat in a folding chair at the head of the stretcher. With sirens and flashing lights, they were at the hospital in no time. Jasper started to move on the stretcher as he was wheeled into the hospital, and immediately a little more medication was added.
Later in the hospital, Jasper woke up in the emergency room. The x-rays, the doctor's discussion with Helga about the unnecessary of an operation, the plaster being put on, all happened without him being aware of it. For once it was calm in the emergency department and everything was done within half an hour of his arrival. Everyone wanted to help Jasper as quickly as possible and 'abused' his anaesthetic to speed things up. They wanted everything to go as smoothly as possible for this little boy, so hopefully there would be few bad memories.
“Mommy?” Jasper asked warily when he saw Helga.
“Oh, thank goodness you're awake Jasper.” Helga said with relief. “How's the pain in your arm?”
Slowly and gradually, Jasper's memories of the events of the past few hours came rushing back. He remembered the fall and Kathy telling him that his mummy and the ambulance were on their way, but nothing after that. It was a big hole in his memory.
Jasper tried to move his arm carefully. When he couldn't move it, he looked closely and saw that there was a green cast around his arm with footballs drawn on it.
“Good, I think. I don't feel any pain anymore,” he said quietly. He tried to get up, but the nausea that washed over him like a wave knocked him back down. He tried to stopit, but he couldn't. A whole load of stomach acid came up and he vomited. It all ran down his chin and landed on his chest. Helga was right beside him. She reached for the paper tissues and pressed the patient bell with her other hand. When the nausea had passed and Helga had cleaned Jasper's mouth and face, the nurse came in.
“Oh, I see. Didn't you wake up well, Jasper? I'll get you a fresh gown.”
The nurse took a surgical gown from the cupboard and placed it next to Jasper.“Let's get this out first...”
Jasper looked surprised at what he was wearing. “Where's the onesie I slept in?”
“They had to cut it up to take care of you. You can't help it Jasper, I'm not angry. We'll buy you a new one,” Helga said, stroking Jasper's head.
The nurse undid a button on Jasper's neck and pulled off the soiled gown. The rest ofthe buttons on his arms flew open too, normal removal was difficult with the drip on one side and the plaster on the other.
With the gown off, he looked down at his crotch in horror. He was still wearing a nappy, but it wasn't the same one he'd put on at Dries! The nurse saw him and misinterpreted his flushed cheeks.
“Yes, we gave you a fresh one. You were probably in so much pain that you didn't realise you had to pee. But I'd rather go outside with clean pants than wet ones, wouldn't you?”
Jasper didn't know what to say. He was so ashamed! Helga acted as if nothing unusual had happened. She winked at Jasper and told him not to worry. Jasper didn't know where to look. He was afraid of what was to come. The nurse put on the clean gown and told Jasper to stay a little longer. Meanwhile, Helga called home and Kathy to reassure everyone and give them an update.
A little later, after Jasper was fully awake, had eaten a yoghurt without nausea or vomiting this time, and the drip had been removed, he was allowed to go home.
“Bring back the surgical gown when he comes for his check-up,” the nurse said to Jasper's mother.
Helga nodded gratefully to the nurse. She picked Jasper up and put him on her arm, using her other hand to pull the gown as tightly as she could around his back.
They walked outside where Celine, Jasper's other mother,was waiting by the car.
“You'll have to tell us about this tomorrow,'” Helga said as she gave Jasper a few gentle pats on his big bottom.
Jasper's cheeks flushed, he buried his face in his mother's neck and nodded yes. Jasper was carefully placed in the car seat, his seatbelt fastened by his mum, and soon they were on their way home.
Tired from the late hour, exhausted from all the emotions and with the medication not completely out of Jasper's system, Jasper fell asleep on the wayhome.
Jasper did not notice how they got home, how he was carried out of the car by Celine and put to bed. Helga informed Kathy and Koen. They discussed what had happened. Kathy was relieved that it was not all that bad. A simple fracture that would require a plaster for a while, but no surgery. They both wondered at Jasper's diaper. Tomorrow morning a couple of children would be questioned. The parents were all curious to know what had happened between their children.
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Author: Toet
Timestamp: Jun 7, 2023 at 11:07 PM
Content: Chapter six of fourty
The next morning, Jasper woke up in his own bed. He heard his mother stumbling and pacing in the hallway. Groggy, he shook off the sleep as he sat up to look around. Everything felt wrong. His arm that he couldn't straighten and that hurt, those strange pyjamas that felt so cold against his back, that thick mass between his legs.
In the twilight of the sun, which still found a few holes between the shutters, he looked around. Hadn't he gone to sleep with Dries yesterday? Looking down at his arm, which he couldn't straighten, he noticed the cast. So that was it! A series of memories from the previous evening and the following night came flooding back.
“Good morning, Jasper!”Helga sounded worried as she opened the door. “Did you sleep well? How's your arm?”
“It hurts, Mum. And I can't move it. How do I get the plaster off?”
“Let the cast stay on for a while, Jasper. It has to stay on for a while until the bones of your arm have grown back together. We have an appointment at the hospital in 4 weeks. Are you coming down? I've already got some syrup at the table for the pain.”
Glad to have something to ease the pain, Jasper went downstairs.
Gert was already sitting at the kitchen table, looking at Jasper.
“You look strange,” was his only comment. Very friendly, actually, for Gert. He had heard the commotion the night before and was already aware of the broken arm. He seemed to feel a little sorry for Jasper, otherwise his comment would have been a little longer and more colourful.
Jasper carefully sat down on his swollen buttocks and opened his mouth for the syrup. Celine was ready with the syringe into which the syrup had been drawn. One, two, three and swallow! Jasper didn't like being unwell, but there was one thing to be said for it. The syrup tasted good!
Carefully he began to spoon in his cereal. When a left-hander suddenly has to eat with his right arm, it makes things a bit more difficult and clumsy. His place was always a bit dirty from spills after dinner, but it was clear from the start that this meal was a record attempt for the dirtiest table spot of the year in this house. Jasper was taking his time and Gert was getting tired of it.
“Do I really have to wait for this shrimp? Can I leave the table?”
“No, Gert, not like this,” Helga said immediately.
“Mom, can I please leave the table?” Gert tried again. Helga and Celine looked at each other quickly. They nodded at each other.
“Go on, Gert,” Helga said.
Jasper held his breath. Gert had to walk behind him as he moved back and forth to clear his path. Hopefully Gert hadn't noticed the package around his bottom? Jasper didn't dare take any more bites from his spoon and sat as still as possible to avoid attracting attention.
When Gert left the kitchen a little later, Jasper breathed a sigh of relief.
Helga and Celine kept Jasper company until he finished eating.
“So, Jasper, we need to talk about something,” Celine said gently to her youngest son.
“Tell me about the nappy?”
Jasper knew this was coming, he had been thinking about it during the whole meal.
“It's really the first time!” he started immediately, afraid his mums would be angry.
“Just tell Jasper, we are not angry, we are just curious,” Helga reassured him.
And so Jasper began to tell. Not that he and Dries are blood brothers, but everything after that. How Dries confessed to wetting the bed, the discovery of the nappies, how Dries felt so alone and how Jasper wanted to comfort him so much...
Helga and Celine were very proud of their son. He had been really sweet and kind to Dries.
“Great of you Jasper, so sweet.” Celine said after Jasper's story.
“We are proud of you, Jasper,” Helga added. They tried their best to raise their children socially and compassionately, and Jasper seemed to be succeeding.
Jasper sighed with relief. He hadn't realised how stressed he had been, but the tension that had built up in his shoulders visibly eased.
“Come upstairs, I'll help you.” Celine said as Helga started clearing away the breakfast. “Wash up, get dressed and then we'll go to Dries to pickup your things.”
Celine started by unbuttoning the gown, removing the tape from the dry nappy and placing Jasper on his feet in the bathtub. She wet a washcloth and sponged him from head to toe.
For once, Celine washed him again, even though he always wanted to do it himself. Jasper let her do it for once and enjoyed the attention. The painkillers were doing their job, but the cast was less convenient. It took some time to find a T-shirt with sleeves wide enough, but the jumper was thrown over his shoulder for lack of a better option. All the sweaters that would work were in the wash.
Jasper was looking forward to visiting Dries. The more he saw his best friend, the better, right?
Jasper hopped happily between his two mums to Dries.
“Oh, good to have you here. How's your arm, Jasper?” Koen asked as he opened the door.
“The plaster isn't great, but the syrup is working well,” Jasper replied. He was already looking past Dries' dad to see if he couldn't find Dries somewhere to play with.
“The painkillers,”Helga explained quietly over Jasper's head when she saw how surprised Koen looked.
“Ah, I'm glad they're working. Dries is upstairs, Jasper.” Koen replied. “Do you fancy a coffee?” he asked the two mothers afterwards.
“Sure,” they said almost simultaneously. They all crossed the doorstep.
Heleen had already come in to see who had called from the living room. “Oh, Jasper!” she exclaimed. Worried about his arm, she came over to take a closer look. “How are you feeling?”
“I'm fine,” Jasper replied again. “The pain is gone with the syrup, but the cast is heavy. Mum said it should stay on for at least 4 weeks.”
“I am so sorry for you! Heleen said as she hugged Jasper. Come on, I'll give you a hand.”
Before the mothers had time to look at Jasper, Heleen was already busy with him. Unzipping his jacket, untying his laces, taking off his shoes.
Jasper rushed upstairs and joined Dries, who was playing in his room. Jasper saw that all his things were already neatly tucked back into the bag.
Cautious, Dries looked up at Jasper. “Are you mad?” he asked Jasper quietly.
Jasper looked at Dries in surprise. “Why should I be?” he asked.
“Because your mums saw what you did yesterday...” Dries couldn't quite get itout.
“About my broken arm? But there's nothing you can do about that, is there? I am the one who went the wrong way.”
No, I don't mean that,' Dries muttered. “I mean for...”
Jasper waited amoment.
“You know, the...” Dries tried again.
“Ahh! From the nappy?” Jasper said when it dawned on him.
Dries nodded, his cheeks flushed.
“No, my mums weren't angry about it at all. They love me.”
Dries sighed in relief. He was afraid that the nappies, the falls, the broken arm andthe cast would lead to a fight and a break in their friendship.
“I'm glad they weren't angry,” he smiled as he grabbed a Lego treasure chest andput it in the treasure room under the castle. “Look, they just stole this treasure from the dragon. He wants it back now.” Dries said.
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Author: Toet
Timestamp: Jun 13, 2023 at 11:08 PM
Content: Chapter seven of fourty
Soon the children were completely absorbed in their play. Their worries were quickly left behind and forgotten. The dragon whirled around, turning and tilting from side to side and making a desperate attempt to get the treasure back. Meanwhile, the knights pulled out everything they had to keep the dragon away. Spears were thrown, arrows fired, catapults and ballistae aimed, and the wizard ran back and forth across the battlements to heal fallen knights.
Heleen didn't really like Lego, but she enjoyed watching the children play and fantasise. For fun and companionship she had settled down with the children with abook (Thea Beckman, 'Children of Mother Earth'). She enjoyed the story, with the playful sounds of dragon roars, firestorms and weapons clattering in the background made by Jasper and Dries.
Suddenly Jasper stood up. “I have to go to the toilet!” he shouted, struggling up with his broken arm. It was a bit of an adjustment with the cast on; Jasper didn't move as smoothly as he did without.
Heleen noticed that it was harder for Jasper to get up and quickly jumped up herself to help. She thought it was pitiful to see such a little boy in a cast. She accompanied Jasper to the toilet. Opening doors for him, turning on the light...
Before Jasper realised, Heleen had pulled down Jasper's trousers and underpants.
“Here, sit down.”Helen said to Jasper.
Silently, Jasper complied. He was glad when Heleen closed the door. Now he could relax and let it all flow. Jasper wasn't used to being helped like this. He was somehow happy about it. He was just now wearing a pair of trousers with a button that was always so difficult to undo, and the help was welcome. On the other hand, it felt a bit strange. Even his mums stopped helping him on the toilet. They would sometimes help inthe morning after washing and before school if he needed to get dressed quickly, but otherwise he always had to do it himself.
“Are you ready,Jasper?” he heard Helen's voice.
“Yes,” Jasper replied. Before he could add that he still had to pull up his trousers and flush the toilet, Helen was standing in front of him again. She pulled up his trousers, pressed the flush button and closed the button on his pants.
“Play on,” she said sweetly, sending Jasper back with a pat on his bottom.
Helen looked at him with a smile. 'What a cute boyfriend my brother has,' she thought to herself.
Meanwhile, the three mums and dad were enjoying a coffee. Together they reconstructed the whole story of the evening and the night before. Not only the broken arm and the hospital were discussed. The diaper that Jasper suddenly turned outto be wearing was also a subject that was discussed very well.
It was now afternoon. Helga and Celine wanted to go shopping in the afternoon, so it wastime to go. They called Jasper down and after insisting that it really was time, he came downstairs and said goodbye. Dries and Heleen came down to say goodbye.
“Well, Jasper. Haven't you forgotten anything?” asked Koen. Jasper looked up in surprise. Heleen had helped him put on his coat and shoes. It was too hot for a hat or gloves, so they were still at home. Jasper looked around the hall for his belongings.
“Your suitcase, Jasper,” gave Koen another wink. Koen hurried upstairs, rummaged around for a while and came down with the suitcase, which he handed to the mothers. They all went home for lunch via the bakery.
Jasper began to see the advantages of the cast as well as the disadvantages. Everyone he met was much friendlier and he was spontaneously offered help with things he usually had to do himself. It made Jasper feel abit small, but he liked it.
Helga and Celine's mobilephones rang at the same time. They had just set up a mini Whatsapp group with Kathy and Koen to make communication a little simpler.
<<I just put an 'extra' in Jasper's suitcase. If he doesn't want it, just give it to Dries when he sleeps over again.>>
Helga and Celine smiled at the same time. They had an idea what this little extra would be and were curious to see how Jasper would react.
At home the suitcase was put aside. First food and shopping, the suitcase could wait a while. The weekly shopping for food/drinks and small items was done and everyone came home tired. It had been a tough night.
“Go on, Jasper, empty your suitcase, we'll take care of the food. Gert has sent word that he's going to eat and sleep with his friend, so you'll be the biggest man in the house tonight.”
Jasper was happy. It didn't happen often, but when Gert wasn't around, it meant he got extra attention and extra petting from his mums. He probably got to choose what they watched on TV and sometimes he even had some chips to go with it.
“Mummy, what should I do with my dirty laundry?” shouted Jasper, unsure how to start unpacking his suitcase.
“Dirty clothes in the laundry basket. Clean clothes sorted in the wardrobe, toiletries in the bathroom.” Celine replied.
“Toiletries?”Jasper was surprised. He didn't need toiletries, did he?
“'Toiletries are your toothbrush, toothpaste, cup, soap and everything else in that little bag.”
“Oohhh, now I get it!” Jasper called back.
Jasper put his suitcase in the middle of his room, unzipped it and turned it upside down so that everything fell out. Two white packages fell out of the case. Jasper looked at them. Nappies? Why? How did they end up in his suitcase? Jasper stared at them. He wasn't sure what to make of it. He started to put his things away, but avoided the two diapers between them. Back and forth to take the dirty clothes to the bathroom. Then the toiletries to the bathroom, as mum had said. The clean towel to the bathroom. When Jasper went back to the bathroom to get his forgotten cup, he thought it would have been a better idea if he just left everything in the suitcase and walked around with his suitcase. He picked up his clean clothes, which were crumpled on the floor from falling out of the suitcase. Hop in a ball nicely into the cupboard. Mama had only said to sort them away in the closet, she hadn't said to fold them neatly, so this was nice and easy.
Mama Celine entered the room.
“I've come to get the suitcase to clear it away,” she said as she stepped through the door. “Hey, what else have you got there?” she asked innocently. Of course she had suspected it after Koen's message.
Celine wasn't quite sure what to do with her thoughts. It had looked so cute last night, Jasper's little bottom in that nappy. Even now, as she thought about it, she felt a rush of warmth go through her. But on the other hand. Was this right? To see your potty-trained child in a nappy? She had tried just as hard to get him out of the nappy a few years ago, and now she wanted to put him back in it just because it looked cute?
Dries was overjoyed that Jasper wanted to wear a diaper for him. Koen and Kathy explained that Dries was often so unhappy with his nappy. That he felt so lonely. Just because of Jasper's half night, Dries was so much happier today. He was almost another child. The sadness that always lurked just below the surface was gone, Dries and Kathy told.
“Two diapers,” Jasper said quietly. His cheeks were eager to compete with a tomato to be the reddest.
“Would you like to try how it really feels?” Celine asked. “The nappy you put onyourself didn't fit very well, I saw. And you were too groggy from the medication last night and too tense this morning to experience it well.”
Jasper looked at her for a moment in silence.
“Just put it in the drawer behind your underpants. We're going to eat now. Soon after dinner we will get you ready for bed. We'll put your pyjamas on and watch a movie. And if you want, we'll put on one of those nappies too. Gert isn't at home, so he doesn't need to know. Tomorrow -Monday - is a day off. You don't have to go to school until Tuesday, so you can sleep as long as you like tomorrow.”
Jasper hesitated. It felt a bit different to do this in secret with Dries, or now so openly with his mums. He still remembered the thrilling, exciting and soothing feeling of the night before. It had been nice. Would it be like that again, he wondered? Or not, because he had already been in a nappy and knew what it felt like?
Jasper followed Mama Celine downstairs. They had just bought some sushi from the shop. Most of ithe didn't like very much, but there were a few pieces of sushi that he did like, and they brought them along.
The three of them sat comfortably at the table. The syrup with the painkiller was ready and Jasper drank it gratefully.
For convenience, Jasper ate the sushi with his fingers. It wasn't easy to eat with his bad hand, buti t wasn't too bad. First the pieces of fish on top, then the riceballs.
His mind was on the movies he might see. That Lego Ninjago film was a long time ago. Or Hickie's film with Toothless and the other dragons? Or there was a new Disney film, that had just come out.
“Earth to Jasper,” Celine suddenly said. Jasper looked up. Did Mum say something? He looked at her questioningly.
“Have you eaten enough Jasper? You've been dreaming for a while now,” Celine repeated.
Jasper took a moment to let the question sink in. “Lego Ninjago!” came out first. He looked at the plate, which still had some pieces of sushi on it. He didn't like any of the others and his hunger was satisfied.
“I've had enough!”
Jasper said as he pushed back his chair and climbed down. Jasper immediately ran to the television to find the right film and put it on.
“Hola sir, come back to the kitchen,” Helga called Jasper back to order. “You're not so crippled with your broken arm that you suddenly don't need to put your plate in the dishwasher.” Jasper shuffled back into the kitchen. His mothers really had their priorities all wrong!
Jasper picked up his plate and put it in the dishwasher. He quickly finished his glass of water and put it away too. Then he washed his hands and mouth thoroughly. “I hope they don't call me back now,” Jasper thought to himself.
Jasper rushed towards the television again. “Jasper, watch out! One broken arm is enough,”someone shouted after him. Jasper couldn't quite make out whether it was Mummy Helga or Mummy Celine.
Jasper grabbed the various remote controls he needed to set up the film and was about to fall back into the best seat in the house. Now there was no Gert to send him away!
“Jasper, get ready for bed first, remember? Come upstairs with me,” Celine said as she waited for Jasper to arrive at the door of the living room. Jasper shuffled along.
“Oh yes, that too,” he muttered.
“I'll help you. That will make it smoother,” Celine said as she followed Jasper up the stairs.
Celine and Jasper went into the bathroom. Celine sat down on the edge of the bathtub and Jasper stood in front of it. One by one the clothes were taken off and either folded neatly and put aside for tomorrow or thrown into the laundry basket.
With Celine's help, everything went smoothly until Jasper was completely naked in front of her. “Go to the bathroom, I'll get you a onesie in your room. I think I know the perfect one for tonight.” Celine said as she headed for Jasper's room.
When Jasper came back from the toilet, Celine was already sitting with two onesies on her lap. “Do you remember this one? You got them from Dries a few months ago when he outgrew them. You never put it on because the zip is in the back. But if you were to wear a nappy tonight to try it on, it wouldn't matter anyway. Otherwise, I've got your onesie here,” Celine said, showing off the two one-piece pyjamas.
Jasper looked at the onesie that had belonged to Dries. With the dinosaurs on it, it was really cool. But he'd never put it on, simply because he couldn't get it on and off himself. And it was rather inconvenient for nightly visits to thetoilet. Celine and Helga had never encouraged Jasper to wear them anyway, because they wanted to stimulate Jasper's independence as much as possible.
Jasper was by far the smallest in the class, Dries was almost a head taller. Celine and Helga hoped that allowing Jasper to grow mentally quickly and giving him an advantage over his peers would compensate for his small frame. But they wanted to make it a fun evening at home, so for once Celine left behind all the pedagogical and psychological tips and tricks and 'must dos' and just wanted to concentrate on having fun for the three of them.
Jasper hadn't noticed what had just happened in Celine's head. He hesitated for a long time. Should he give up his independence and self-confidence for tonight and explore how the nappy felt again? Wasn't that strange? Or should he make the safe choice of his regular onesie that he liked towear?
Celine waited patiently. She wanted to give Jasper the choice and not force anything on him. After all, Jasper had made Dries very happy last night. If the boys wanted to repeat this for their mutual happiness, they had to encourage it. The mothers wanted to show that they supported Jasper's decision to wear the diaper for Dries. They therefore wanted to give him the chance to explore it a little further on his own. They certainly did not want to force him: not in order to possibly cause problems in the relationship between him and Dries. Not because it had to be his own choice, and not because they didn't want to put a stigma on diapers.
In the end, it was the dinosaur print that won Jasper over. “These are nice dinosaurs,”Jasper said, pointing to the folded pack.
“Lay down for your nappy,” Celine said. Secretly she was happy, it was a bit nostalgic for her as she hadn't held a nappy for the last 4 or 5 years.
“Brrr, it's cold onthe floor,” Jasper said, trying to arch his back to make as little contact as possible.
“Get over here on the towel. I'll try to make it quick.” Celine said. “Relax for a moment and try to cooperate, then it'll be a breeze and you can put on your pyjamas.” Celine got down on her knees next to Jasper to help him properly.
Jasper tried to lie still and relax, but it was hard. The cold was too hard and he was glad when he got up a little later.
“Is that good?” Celine asked, turning Jasper over so she could look at him from all sidesand touch the edges. “Not too tight here?” she asked as she stuc ka finger between the skin and the nappy near his belly.
“No, better than yesterday.” Oops, it was out before Jasper knew it.
“You mean the one you put on yourself?” Celine asked. “I can believe that, I've seen it. It was all messed up and way too loose.”
“Yes, that one,”Jasper nodded
“Feet in here now,” Celine said, holding the pyjamas for Jasper.
Jasper put his feet in one at a time and Celine pulled the pyjamas up until his feet cameout through the holes.
“Left hand”
Jasper did it immediately.
“Right hand in thishole”
Jasper listened carefully again and the pyjamas were almost completely on.
“Now turn around and hop!”
As he said “hop”, the zip on Jasper's back went up. It felt strange to Jasper. He was used to a onesie, but this one with a zip up the back? Jasper reached for his neck to feel the zip there. He tried to pull it down himself but couldn't get it down more than five centimetres or two inch.
“Come on, let's go downstairs, put on the film and enjoy it,” Celine said as she got up and closed the zip again. “Let it sit nicely.”
Jasper walked downstairs to the television. Every step was an exploration for him and he tried to fathom all the feelings. Both the sensations and stimulations of this package around his stomach, over his buttock sand between his legs, and inside, what he was actually feeling. Then there was the onesie. Super nice, but also strange to have no controlover when it was taken off.
Jasper remained conflicted. It felt good, it felt safe and secure, but the phrase “nappies are for babies” kept playing in his head.
Fortunately, the start of the film distracted him and he enjoyed the film and the salty chips.
The chips made him thirsty and he drank an extra glass of water during the movie.
Jasper couldn't remember the end of the movie.
Halfway through the movie, after an exciting scene, he had turned on his side with his head in his mum's lap and his thump in his mouth, and a moment later he had drifted off to sleep.
Completely disoriented, Jasper woke up during the night. He remembered watching a film and not much else after that. Looking around, he recognised his own room. It smelled familiar too and he was immediately reassured. Now something happened again that happened more often when he hadn't been to the toilet before going to bed: nature was calling and Jasper, as he should have, answered it. He got out of bed and stumbled, half asleep, towards the toilet. Out the door, to the left, a few steps forward and with his left hand he felt for the toilet door. A few steps inside, and when he was sitting in front of the toilet bowl, he tried to unzip his onesie and put it down.
After feeling and searching for the zip on his chest a few times, Jasper woke up completely. He was no longer on autopilot. He switched on the headlights and looked down to see where his zip had gone. The dinosaurs smiled at him, but the zip was still missing. Slowly, he became aware of his current state of attire.
He grabbed the back of his neck with his hands, but just like earlier in the evening, it had no sense. He couldn't get the zip down very far, and he couldn't possibly get the onesie off himself. Hesitantly, he turned off thelight in the toilet and slowly stepped out into the hallway. 'Wake up Mummy?' he thought for a moment. Jasper hesitated. He was always allowed to wake Mum for real problems or nightmares. But when he didit for something that wasn't really necessary, they usually weren't too happy. Jasper walked past his room and Gert's and stopped infront of his mother's room. The urge was getting stronger and almost unstoppable. He looked through the crack in the door that was always there, as if there was a light on. But there was nothing to see .Quietly, he pushed the door open a little wider and looked around.
In the dim light, hesaw his mums snuggled up together, fast asleep. Their breathing was soft and even. Mama Helga was even snoring a little! Jasper pushed the door open a little wider and took a step inside. Once in theroom, he hesitated for a moment. Wake up or not? Jasper struggled to make a decision. He spent a minute or two weighing the pros and cons. Finally he made up his mind. He took a deep breath to address his mum, and in the meantime he relaxed because he had made up his mindand knew he would wake his mum. They wouldn't mind.
However, relaxing had not been good. Mama's 'M' was on the tip of his tongue, but a large jet of urine flowed into his nappy. In a panic reaction he squeezed everything shut, but without success. The urgency and pressure were too great. In fear, Jasper waited for the moisture to flow down his legs, but the nappy did its job well. Like a statue, Jasper stood there until the stream became a trickle and finally stopped. Not quite sure what to make of the situation, he crept backinto his own bed and crawled under the covers. The nappy was now noticeably thicker and Jasper felt all around him, trying to make sense of his feelings. The snugness of the pillow between his legs.The warm, comfortable feeling. Jasper actually liked it quite alittle, and it did offer some comfort.
With that thought he fellback asleep.
"Jasper, it's my turn to wake you," mum Celine, whispered softly into Jasper's ear.
Dazed, Jasper opened his eyes.
"Time to getup."
Jasper slowly sat up next to Celine who was sitting on the edge of the bed. He rubbed the sleep out of his eyes with both of his hands and suppressed a huge yawn.
"Good morning Mummy." Jasper said as he planted a big kiss on Celine's cheek.
"Did you sleep well? I woke up last night when you were in the room with us, but suddenly you were gone again?"
"Yes, I had to go to the toilet and I couldn't get out of my onesie by myself."
"I don't understand, Jasper, why were you suddenly gone?"
"It wasn't any more necessary,"Jasper said, blushing as he buried his face in Celine's armpit in shame.
"Come on, lie on your stomach so I can unzip you."
A shiver ran down Jasper's back as the zip opened. He felt Celine's hand go down his back as she un zipped it, and then slip her hand between the onesie and the nappy. Her hand rested briefly on his bottom and she felt it for a moment.
"He can hold it for a while," she said as she zipped him back up."Helga's waiting downstairs. Are you coming to breakfast?"
"And who are you, sir?" Jasper could tell from Helga's tone that she meant it in a nice way.
"Your lowly serf named Jasper, to serve thee, milady," Jasper replied, his left hand, through the cast at an odd angle, behind his back and his right arm circling in the air as he bowed deeply.
"I don't believe you." Helga said bluntly to Jasper.
Jasper looked up, startled. Had he done something wrong? Worried, he looked back to see if Mama Celine could give a little more explanation, but she wasn't there yet.
"My Jasper always gets up for us and has been playing for a long time when I get up. So you look like Jasper, but you're not." Jasper looked into Helga's twinkling eyes.
"But I am the real Jasper!"
Helga looked back for a moment in silence. "And yet I don't believe you. I want proof. The real Jasper knows what to do in the morning."
Jasper took two long strides and jumped clumsily through the cast onto his mother's lap. A big kiss sounded through the kitchen and, triumphant because he knew what his mum had meant, Jasper shouted, "Here's the proof!"
Endearingly, Helga stroked Jasper's head in response.
Helga prepared the sandwiches and cut them into small pieces so that Jasper could eat them easily.
After dinner, a good wash was on the agenda. This time it was Helga who took care of him. The onesie went out, the nappy went in the bin and Jasper had to sit in the bath to be washed.
The bath was not filled, but Jasper was completely washed and rinsed with the shower tap. Be as careful as possible not to get the plaster wet.
A little earlier in themorning and two blocks away, a similar scene unfolded. But Dries was the first in the family to wake up. He tiptoed carefully past Heleen's room and into the bathroom. Dries grabbed the zip from the front of his chest and unzipped his pyjamas. He opened the snaps on his bodysuit and, with practice and dexterity, pulled the nappy off. Dries made a ball of it and dropped it beside him. He pulled the bodysuit further out and threw it in the laundry basket. He pulled up the onesie, zipped it up and went downstairs to watch television. The TV had just come on when Heleen sat down next to him.
"Your nappy was still on the floor, I put it in the bin for you."
Dries turned red. "Thank you, sis," he said softly. Kathy and Koen could get quite angry when they found Dries' nappy on the floor.
"No problem. I'll be there for you when I can."Heleen said as she put her hand over her little brother's shoulderand gave him a hug.
"Ugh, you don't smell so fresh."Heleen said diplomatically. "Go wash up before mum and dad come down."
Dries slipped quietly up the stairs to the bathroom, so as not to wake his parents, and continued to wash himself.
"Better?" Dries asked after crawling back into the seat next to Heleen a little later.
"Much better," Heleen replied and took Dries in a big hug.
They quietly watched the programme side by side until the commercial break.
"I'm glad I have a sister like you to take care of me. I don't want to imagine what it must be like for Jasper with a brother like Gert."
"Thank you." Helen was very pleased with the compliment. Dries was not so quick to give compliments, and this one really came from him. Heleen should not have fished for it and this compliment came from the bottom of Dries' heart.
"Yes, that they are brothers? You really wouldn't say that."
"It's true!" Dries said. "It's the same dad who gave flowers to Celine and Helga, Jasper told me. They're half-brothers."
"Flowers?" Helen replied in surprise.
"Yes, flowers, or at least the seeds for them." Dries said very seriously. "Gert belongs to one mother, Jasper to another. "Only the flowers didn't want to grow with one of the mothers." Dries continued. "They had planned for Jasper to be born five years earlier, three years after Gert, but it didn't work out. They had to try a lot of things with seeds and eggs and stuff with the help of a doctor before it worked. But otherwise I don't mind that he was born so much later because otherwise we might not be friends. But I don't really understand what these flowers and eggs have got to do with it.
"It was nice of Jasper to put a nappy on for you," Heleen tried to lead Dries away from a delicate conversation she didn't want to have with her younger brother. Heleen knew a bit more about it than Dries, but she didn't really know everything yet and this was more a conversation for mum or dad than for her to have with Dries.
"I'm so glad I'm not alone anymore. It's so nice to know that there are other people who put nappies on. Even if he doesn't really need it." Dries immediately beamed. "I really hope he'll want to put one on again the next time we sleep together."
Helen nodded at Dries. "I'm curious to see how it fits him. If he's as 'cute'as you are." Helen said.
Dries' jaw immediately turned red. "Helen!" he complained.
"No one can hear us in here. And you shouldn't be ashamed of it, you can't help it. And besides, it's not a lie what I said. You look so cute in the evening and in the morning. Jasper always looks so cute when he's here too. I can't wait to see him in a nappy."
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Author: Toet
Timestamp: Jun 18, 2023 at 11:23 PM
Content: Please, if you have some comments, feel free to write them down. I want to improve the story as much as possible.Chapter eight of fourty
"Jasper is a baby," Gert whispered tauntingly into Jasper's ear. Celine and Helga were just out of earshot and Gert took full advantage. "Jasper's pissing his pants" was also heard.
Many weeks had passed since Jasper's fall.
There had been no more overnight stays. It was not allowed while his arm was still in a plaster, and with the cast coming off three weeks ago, there had been no opportunity.
Gert hadn't gone out either, so there hadn't been a cosy evening with his mums like there had been a few weeks ago.
Meanwhile, the second nappy that Jasper had received from Dries had been discovered by Gert.
Jasper had put it on himself a few times to recreate that first great moment, and it had almost always gone well. The first time Celine had noticed it was when she was putting away his washed underpants. "Jasper, I notice that the nappy is not as neatly folded as it used to be. No problem, but let us know if it's dirty, because then it really can't stay here. Okay?"
"And if necessary, or if you want some, w'll buy it, I'll ask mum Helga to bring you a new box from work."
Wild had shaken off Jasper.Just think! In the shop with nappies in the shopping trolley and then run into a classmate? No way.
"OK," Celine said, "you can always change your mind."
So Jasper put them on every now and then and took them off again a little later. He was afraid to walk around or play with the nappy on. So it was only five to tenminutes at a time. This worked well until last week.
Gert threw open the door with a roar. "Jasper, you can't touch my CDs and CD player!" Jasper froze in his bed. He was lying on top of the duvet, peeling the stickers off his nappy. He had already heard Gert come home, but had not been quick enough to hide what he was doing.
"Jasper?"Gert looked at the scene in front of him in disbelief. Jasper was lying on his bed. T-shirt up to his chin, trousers and underpants on the floor next to the bed and a nappy that Jasper was trying in vain to cover with his hands.
Gert went over to Jasper, greying. He grabbed Jasper's hands and pulled them aside. "Hahaha!" Gert burst out laughing when he saw the state Jasper was in.
"Jasper is a baby!"
For the first time that week, Gert continued to laugh as he left the room and closed the door.
It was the first of many times that Jasper was bullied by his big brother and Jasper suffered greatly. Jasper was especially afraid that Gert would spread the word all over the place, so he didn't dare tell his mums.
Dries also noticed something was wrong at school. Jasper suddenly stopped playing with him. He seemed to be avoiding him. Dries was suffering from the whole situation. He didn't know what was going on with Jasper at home and what was bothering him. Why the sudden change? Dries became more and more unhappy that week and Kathy and Koen noticed it at home. There were some big conversations at home. First between Kathy and Koen, then also with Dries.
Together with Dries they thought about what could be. They gave Dries tips on how to get back together...
Throughout the week, Dries tried more and more desperately to ask what was wrong. But Jasper became more and more distant. He played more with other children and deliberately ignored Dries' questions.
Jasper was also at his wits' end. He couldn't cope with the pressure from Gert at home. Gert was bullying him because of the Pampers and for Jasper there was a big connection between the Pampers and Dries. Jasper needed time to sort things out for himself, but Dries' persistent attempts to make contact and Gert's constant bullying prevented this. Jasper became more and more withdrawn and deliberately avoided contact.
As the end of the week approached, Kathy and Koen were at their wits' end, so they contacted Jasper's parents. They invited them over for coffee, hoping that they could hear what the problems were between Jasper and Dries. They were eager to try and mediate and sort things out. They couldn't bear to see how unhappy Dries was.
Helga and Celine also sensed that something was wrong with Jasper. They also saw it at home. He was depressed all the time, he was less hungry, there was less joy in his life. So they gladly accepted the invitation. Like Dries' parents, they were concerned about what was going on with and between the children.
Saturday afternoon, after dinner and an hour before the visit with Koen and Kathy, Jasper and his mothers sat together in Jasper's room. Helga and Celine were sitting side by side on the bed while Jasper was at his desk drawing a picture. Helga and Celine had just gone in to let Jasper know that the three of them were going to Dries' place and why. They struck up a conversation with him, but it was difficult.
"Jasper, you know we're here for you. But if you don't tell us, it's hard for us to help you," Celine said to Jasper.
"We're worried Jasper, we can see that something is wrong." Helga said.
Jasper was completely silent. He scribbled more than he drew to keep himself occupied. It was difficult in his head. Everything was swirling around in his mind. Gert, Pampers, Dries, keeping it a secret, that it might come out at school, being bullied even more,...
Helga and Celine saw that Jasper was thinking and sat quietly so that Jasper could organise his thoughts so that they could work on something together.
As they waited in silence, the door, which had been ajar, suddenly opened wider.
Jasper turned around to see Gert's smiling face.
Gert only saw Jasper sitting at his desk, Helga and Celine were invisible through the door on the bed.
Gert took the earphones out of her ears and sang softly, but loud enough for everyone in the room to hear.
"Baby, baby, Jasper is a baby."
Jasper's eyes filled with tears for the umpteenth time this week.
Then Gert whispered: "If you tell Mum, I'll tell everyone at school."
Helga and Celine were stunned. They hadn't seen Gert, but they could perfectly understand what he was saying.
"Gert!" angrily, Celine stood up and rushed to the door where Gert was standing in surprise. Gert was shocked. He hadn't expected his mothers to be in Jasper's room. He looked anxiously at Celine, clearly feeling caught.
"Come to your room!" Celine snapped at Gert as she walked into Gert's room without looking to see if Gert was following her.
Gert knew immediately that he had gone too far. Celine reacting so angrily, Jasper starting to cry, Helga looking at him accusingly. Not wanting to make matters worse, he quickly followed Celine.
"Gert, if you only knew the trouble you've caused this past week. Jasper's been miserable all week..." The angry conversation faded into silence as the chamber doors closed.
Helga lifted the crying Jasper from the chair into her arms. Trying to wipe away Jasper's tears, she went over to the bed and sat down with Jasper. First and most important of all, she tried to calm and console Jasper. A big hug, lots of kisses, holding Jasper tightly and a lot of patience helped Jasper to calm down. For once, she didn't say anything about Jasper placing his thumb in his mouth. He clearly needed it. By now Celine had joined them. Helga offered Jasper a handkerchief.
"Here, in front of you."
Jasper leaned forward and put his nose into the handkerchief. Helga held on to the handkerchief while Jasperblew his nose.
"Gert is waiting for Helga and me in his room." Celine said when the handkerchief was put away and Jasperhad calmed down enough to listen. "But first I wanted to hear from you what he has done so that Helga and I know better what to do."
Jasper nodded yes. Sitting on Helga's lap, he cuddled up to her as Celine and Jasper began to talk. It was not always clear to Helga and Celine. Here and there Jasper was incomprehensible because of the sobs he was still making, and it took some effort to get the timing of everything straight. But in the end, by asking the right questions, they were able to reconstruct the past week. They also understood the fears and worries Jasper had had, and the impact it had had.
Celine quickly sent a message to theWhatsapp group with Dries' mum and dad. <<We're on our way, but we'll be an hour late. We know what happened last week. We are in the process of fixing it. We'll explain later.>>
<<Okay, see you later. We are curious. Take all the time you need.>> Koen replied quickly.
"Jasper, go downstairs to the livingroom and watch TV or read a book. Mum and I will talk to Gert for awhile and then we will go to Dries. They know we'll be a bit late and they don't mind".
Jasper sat downstairs and flicked through the channels until he found a cartoon he liked.
As he watched, he thought about what had happened. His nerves translated into his finger circling the leather of the seat.
A little later all three came down. Gert looking frightened and with tears in his eyes, Helgaand Celine looking relieved and satisfied. Jasper had to take another good look at Gert. Tearful? He could hardly believe it.
"Iam so... Jasp..." came out of Gert's mouth.
Jasper looked up at Gert from his seat. He hadn't understood a word and looked at Helga and Celine in turn, silently asking for a repeat or an explanation.
"Again Gert, I don't think Jasper heard you. It was too soft," Celine said firmly.
"I'm sorry Jasper, it won't happen again," Gert said again.
Jasper couldn't believe it. Gert apologising for something? Gert standing in front of him all miserable and timid?
"Jasper, you can be sure that Gert will not tease you anymore and he will also keep quiet about what he has seen and what he might see in the future. "Celine said. Jasper looked around at the three of them. Helga nodded in assurances and another tear rolled down Gert's cheek. Embarrassed, Gert looked away.
"Gert, go ahead and do what you wanted to do." Helga said. "We're going to see Dries now, who also owes an explanation. You don't have to come."
Gert nodded quietly and left.
Jasper got up from his seat and grabbed Helga and then Celine to give them a hug. It did him so good. The worries slipped away from him completely.
Helga rubbed his back with one hand and massaged Jasper's tension away. Tears of relief ran down Jasper's cheeks.
"Come on, Jasper, let's go to Dries for a while. They need an explanation, it is important that they know what happened because Dries is also unhappy and worried that your friendship is over."
Jasper replayed the past week in his mind. All the times he had said 'no' to Dries. All the times he had silently turned away from Dries. All the times he had consciously or unconsciously ignored Dries. Now that Jasper could think better than he had during the week, he remembered how Dries had looked more and more upset each time. Especially last Friday, when Jasper had walked past Dries at lunch and deliberately sat at another table. He wanted to make up for it as soon as possible! He secretly promised himself that he would try very hard.
In the warm afternoon sun, Jasper walked towards Dries with his mothers.
"I hope Dries still wants to be friends," Jasper said to his mothers.
"I think so," said Helga. "But you can best apologise, Dries has been very unhappy this past week. But if you explain it to him, he will understand."
As Jasper thought, he walked quietly between his mothers. Hand in hand with a mum on either side.
Helen opened the door. Koen and Kathy had also stepped into the hall to greet everyone. Dries was a little further back. He knew Jasper was coming, but he was scared and worried about what was to come. His biggest fear was that Jasper would say he didn't want to be friends anymore.
"Dries, I'm so sorry, I behaved awfully," Jasper called out as soon as he saw Dries.
Jasper didn't take the time to take off his shoes, almost knocked over Heleen and ignored Koen and Kathy, whom he usually greeted politely. This time he went straight for Dries and Jasper gave him a big hug.
Dries was surprised by Jasper's sudden outburst. Where Jasper had been mostly silent, with only a few words, and with the great contrast of the past week.
Dries accepted the hug and gave a big hug in return.
"Thank you," Dries murmured. Relieved that whatever had been wrong seemed to be over now. The four parents and Heleen all looked loving.
"Come into the living room," Koen invited everyone.
"Can we go upstairs and play?" Dries asked his dad.
"Sure, go ahead," he replied. "Jasper, will you take your shoes off before you go upstairs?"
"Jasper, what happened?" asked Dries when both children were upstairs playing.
Jasper looked heartbroken. "Your mum and dad gave me a nappy after I stayed with you. Gert discovered it last week and he teased me about it."
Dries looked startled. "Really, that's terrible!" he exclaimed. "Jasper, we're blood brothers, you should have told me right away." Dries imagined what had happened all week. He hated the thought.
Jasper looked back, a little embarrassed. "I know I could tell you, but Gert made me feel so bad I couldn't think straight." Jasper started to cry as he thought back over the past week.
Dries immediately grabbed Jasper and gave him a hug.
"This morning mummy Celine and mummy Helga heard Gert, they were furious with him. I don't know what Gert got out of the punishment, but my mums told me that Gert would never tease me about it again." Jasper sobbed into Dries' arms.
"Jasper, it's over, it's OK now." Dries comforted Jasper.
Jasper enjoyed the hug but felt bad. He should have made it up to Dries now, to make Dries feel better. After all, there was nothing Dries could do about what had happened. And now the opposite was happening, he was being comforted by Dries.
"How can I make it up to you?"Jasper asked.
"You've already done that, you've come back," Dries answered with a sob. It was all very emotional for him too.
"What did Gert do?" Dries asked Jasper.
"Bullying, saying I'm a baby, saying he's going to tell everyone at school that I wear nappies," Jasper replied. "But I don't want to talk about it. I know I'm not supposed to have any secrets from you, but can we please go and play?"
"Yes, of course," Dries said and went to the cupboard to get the box of Lego.
Heleen followed the parents into the living room. Curious as she was, she hoped to learn what was going on. Quietly, she sat down in the chair with a book. But it was clear from the speed with which she turned the pages that she wasn't really reading. As Heleen listened to the story of the past week, tears welled up in her eyes. She hated to hear what Dries and Jasper had been through. She silently promised herself never to bully Jasper and Dries and to support them if necessary.
Two hours after the parents arrived, everyone had finished their chat. It was time for Helga and Celine to leave.
"Jasper, are you coming? We're going home." Helga called upstairs.
"But I've only just got here, Mummy!" Jasper called back from upstairs. "Can I stay a little longer?"
Helga and Celine looked questioningly at Dries and Heleen's parents.
"We have no plans, he can stay as long as he likes." Kathy said.
"Jasper, listen to Kathy and Koen and come home as soon as they say so. See you later!" Celine called upstairs.
"See you later" was also called by Helga, and later by Jasper in reply.
Jasper looked happily at Dries."Yippee, keep playing," he called out while he and Dries figuratively threw themselves back onto the Lego.
Dinner was finally over and Jasper was still there. After the Lego, they had also played in the bush at the end of the road, and after dinner they rested for a while in front of the television.
Kathy came in and turned the TV off. "Dries, it's almost time for bed. Jasper, you look tired too. Are you going home?" Kathy interrupted the children.
Jasper and Dries looked up disturbed. They had not made up for all the lost time of the past week.
"Mummy, I don't want to yet. Jasper hasn't been here long enough."
"There'sanother day tomorrow, Dries, then Jasper can just come back."
"Can't Jasper just sleep here, Mummy?"
"That won't work, Dries, Jasper hasn't brought anything with him."
"But he can borrow something from me, can't he?"
Jasper watched the conversation hopefully. He wanted to spend thenight.
"I'll have to ask Jasper's mums first, if it's okay with them, then it's okay with me. I'll send a message." Kathy said. She took out her mobile phone and started typing.
<< Hi, Dries isi nviting Jasper to spend the night. Is that possible for you? Love,Kathy>>>
Celine looked happy when she saw Kathy'smessage. If they were going to sleep together, everything really had to be sorted out.
<<All right for us, I'll get some supplies for Jasper and then I'll come. Celine>> sent her right back.
<<Not necessary, he can borrow something from Dries>> Kathy replied.
<<Ok, send him home for lunch, will you? Greetings Celine>>
<< Okay, that's settled then. See you tomorrow. Love, Kathy>>
"It's okay guys." Kathy turned to Dries and Jasper. "We'll get you ready for bed and then I'll ask Heleen if she wants to tell you a story."
The two boys literally jumped up and down. The beaming smile that appeared on their faces was worth Kathy's letting them do so.
Of course she loved her own children, but she also had a warm heart for Jasper.
"Jasper, here are some of Dries' pyjamas that are too small. I was going to give them away. Your mother is always happy when I give them to you. Will you take this one now?" Kathy took the top pair of pyjamas from a separate pile of clothes. They were ordinary two-piece terry pyjamas.
"OK, that'sfine," Jasper replied.
"Go into the bathroom and start getting undressed, I'll be right back," Kathy said.
"I'm so glad you can sleep over. It's been so long," Dries said to Jasper. Jasper nodded convincingly. It was clear from his whole demeanour that he was looking forward to it too.
First Dries and then Jasper went to the toilet and had started to undress when the door opened again.
"Here, I am back." Kathy said as she came back into the room. "I've left a new toothbrush for you in the bathroom, Jasper. You can borrow the toothpaste from Dries. Good?" Kathy asked looking at Jasper.
Jasper nodded yes.
"Dries, come here on the bed." Kathy said as she sat down on the bed and patted the mattress with her hand. Dries had now undressed and quickly lay naked on the bed.
It all felt very smooth and natural. Jasper had no idea what was about to happen. He was busy undressing himself. When he looked up to see what Kathy was doing, he saw that she was busy fastening the snaps of a bodysuit at Dries' crotch.
"Well, put your pyjamas on yourself, Dries. Jasper, will you be wearing one tonight?"
Kathy helped Dries up so he could put on his pyjamas. She grabbed a nappy she'd brought with her and held it up for Jasper to see. After the broken arm a few weeks ago, it had been agreed with Jasper's mothers that Kathy and Koen could offer Jasper a nappy at the next sleepover, so that it would no longer be a secretand there would be adult control.
Jasper didn't immediately know what to think. In the back of his head a melody began to play, 'Jasper is a baby'.
Jasper didn't know where to look. Embarrassed, he looked sideways and then his eyes fell on Dries, who was watching him expectantly. Jasper immediately had to think of what he had silently promised himself and Dries that afternoon. That he would make up for his behaviour last week. Jasper looked at Dries for amoment in silence. When Dries saw that he had Jasper's attention, he tapped his own arm questioningly. Jasper understood immediately what was going on. They were blood brothers! they would share all their joys and sorrows.
Jasper looked back at Kathy and quietly said yes.
"Then lie down here." Kathy said lovingly to Jasper. "Dries, aren't you forgetting to get dressed?" asked Kathy as she started to put the nappy on. Kathy noticed that Jasper's nappy had a much more central closure than Dries'. But Jasper's bottom was also much thinner.
Under the skilled and trained hands, the nappy was quickly on Jasper. "I think I have a smaller bodysuit too." Kathy said as she disappeared into the cupboard. Meanwhile Jasper was waiting in the middle of the room wearing only his nappy.
"Hey, are you staying here too, Jasper?" Suddenly a voice came from the doorway. Helen was standing there watching.
Jasper looked up in surprise and looked at Helen anxiously. How would she react? Would she say something about the nappy? And if she said something sweet? Would she still be nice when Kathy was out of the room?
"Nice of you to stay. You really are the best friend Dries could ever have." Heleen said as she came into the room.
Jasper was relieved. The beginning sounded good anyway. And from good to bad is a much longer way than from neutral to bad.
Heleen put down the book she was holding and took over the bodysuit that Kathy had found in the meantime.
"Hands up!" Heleen ordered as she held the bodysuit.
Jasper listened in surprise. To be put into a nappy by Kathy was one thing, but to be dressed by Heleen? Kathy and Dries looked a little surprised, but didn't seem to find it strange either. Jasper, accommodating and overwhelmed by everything, let it all happen.
"You look gorgeous, Jasper." Heleen said as she expertly fastened the snaps. Jasper's cheeks turned brightred.
"It's well meant." Heleen said as she took Jasper into her arms, rubbing his bottom with one hand.
"Helen, would you like to read to the boys later?" Kathy asked. Kathy knew that Helen dreamed of being a childminder, a nursery teacher or a paediatric nurse. Sometimes Kathy took a little advantage of that, or more than a little.
"Yes, it's OK, Mum. Which book do you want?" Heleen asked Dries and Jasper. Jasper took a quick step back. He felt quite naked, figuratively speaking, with only a nappy and a bodysuit. He quickly grabbed the ready pyjamas and dressed himself.
"Jasper, what book do you want?" Dries asked.
"Doesn't matter," Jasper replied. Things were moving a bit fast and his head was too full to think properly.
"The one about the 13-storey tree house?" Dries asked Helen.
"That's right, I do. I'll be ready downstairs when you've brushed your teeth." Helen said as she took the book off the shelf and went downstairs.
While Jasper and Dries brushed their teeth, they saw that Kathy was busy with the spare bed and clean sheets.
"I'll wash your clothes, Jasper. They are all dirty. Dries will lend you some tomorrow," Kathy said after she had finished with the bed and cleaned up a bit in Dries' room.
"Jasper and Dries, later, when you are asleep, I will put two chairs in front of the door. You can still move them if you need to, but Jasper, I don't want you to fall down the stairs again, and with these chairs you'll hopefully remember in time to walk in the right direction. Is that all right?"
Jasper nodded yes. It seemed a lot safer to him, too.
Helen was downstairs with the book. "Jasper, keep your thumb out of your mouth, it's not good for your teeth. "Helen said quietly as she opened the book. It was a bad habit that reared its nasty head every now and then.
The boys enjoyed the reading and were sorry when it was time to go to bed a quarter of an hour later. After all the emotion and a busy day of play, they fell asleep quickly and the chairs were quietly placed outside the door.
"Ouch!" Jasper had fallen out of the spare bed with a thud. Dries was instantly awake.
"Jasper, are you OK?"
"Yeah, no pain I guess." Jasper got up carefully, moving his arms and legs to do a little self-inspection.
Dries and Jasper heard the chairs being moved outside the room and then the door opened. Koen stuck his head in sleepily.
"Are you all right, boys? I heard something fall here?" he whispered quietly.
"Yes, I'm fine, I fell out of bed, but I'm not in pain."
"I'm glad you're not in pain Jasper. Go and watch some television downstairs, it's past seven. I'm going to get some sleep."
"Okay, sleep well daddy." Dries said.
Jasper led Dries downstairs.
"Wait a minute," Dries whispered hastily, "first take out the dirty nappy and wash us. Mum and Dad will get angry," Dries whispered.
"Mine is still clean." Jasper replied quietly as he stood on the stairs.
"Then it will be fine. Go ahead, I'll follow."
Heleen also cameout of the room, woken by the conversation between Jasper and Dries. She sat down in the chair next to Jasper and turned on the television in anticipation of Dries. The TV on, the last episode of a series they were all watching and then immediately paused so that everything was ready and they could start watching as soon as Dries arrived.
"Jasper, Dries isl ucky to have a friend like you," Heleen said, looking at a still picture.
"You're not only his best friend, but I think you're his most adorable friend."
Jasper's cheeks flushed, but he also looked a bit sad. He wasn't used to being complimented by older children. He often received bullying comment sabout his height.
Heleen saw that Jasper also looked a little sad at the word "adorable". She immediately tried to put a positive spin on it.
"I think it's very brave of you. That you would go so far to make Dries happier. Really brave. And it made you look super cute yesterday and now."
Jasper brightened at these words. He looked up at Helen. And then a compliment from her! Jasper was in seventh heaven.
Dries came down refreshed and together they watched a couple of shows on the television. The pressure in Jasper's bladder continued to rise, but he ignored it. The TV was more interesting and a visit to the toilet could be postponed for a while.
"Come and eat, children."Kathy came into the living room and switched off the television. Jasper looked up startled and lingered a little. Heleen and Dries were already on their way to the kitchen.
"Can I go to the toilet first?" Jasper asked. "Can you help me with my bodysuit and take off my nappy?" he asked immediately afterwards, realising that he didn't exactly know what to do with it.
He had put a nappy on and taken it off himself a few times at home, but when a mother did it, it seemed different and went much better and smoother.
"Are you still wearing your nappy?" Kathy asked disapprovingly. "It's not good to stay in a wet nappy all night. You have to remove it in the morning. If you stay in a dirty nappy for too long, you can get nappy rash."
"But it's clean. I haven't used it yet."
Kathy immediately looked much gentler. "Then it doesn't matter if you still have it on. But Koen, Dries and Heleen are already at the table, waiting to eat. Come on, come and sit down at the table right now. Either urinating is not urgent and can wait until after dinner, or it was necessary and you should already have gone. If you can't hold it, just let itgo in your nappy, if you don't walk around with it for too long it won't hurt."
Jasper nodded yes. He decided to do his best and followed her into the kitchen.
There were tasty little sandwiches with chocolate spread and he enjoyed a mug of hot chocolate.
The atmosphere at the table was very cosy and breakfast took quite a long time. Somewhere between the first cup of chocolate milk and the second sandwich, Jasper decided there was no point in holding it. Without anyone noticing, he let go of everything. Happy and, above all, much more relaxed, he continued to enjoy his breakfast.
"Come children, clean up and then go upstairs and get your clothes on." With these words from Koen, breakfast was over.
"Jasper, do you want to play Monopoly after dinner?" asked Dries as they cleared the table.
"Yeah, sounds like fun," said Jasper.
"OK, whoever gets back down first puts it ready on the table in the kitchen."
"Jasper, I'll come with you and pick out some clothes for you to wear today. Good?"
Jasper obediently followed Kathy upstairs and straight into the bathroom. Dries had already washed when he came down in the morning and went straight to his room; he just needed to change.
"Hands up," and so Kathy began to help Jasper undress and wash. It wasn't really necessary, of course Jasper could do it himself, but it was a quicker way and Kathy still had a household to do. Waiting for Jasper to undress and wash himself would take a little too long. Besides, he had just indicated that he wanted help with his bodysuit and nappy.
"Mummy, have you seen my hair ties?" Heleen opened the door and poked her head in as soon as she heard the nappy opening. She'd actually been secretly waiting for this, but didn't want to admit it to Kathy, so she came in withan excuse. Jasper was a size smaller than Dries and that's why she thought Jasper was so much cuter than Dries. Other people often estimate Jasper to be around six years old, whereas he is already eight, and Dries is often estimated to be nine. When they went out together, strangers sometimes thought Jasper was Dries' little brother.
"Just in the drawer where they always are." Kathy replied, unaware of Heleen's intentions. Heleen lingered, taking as long and as slowly as possible to look curiously at how the care of Jasper was happening.
"Helen, hurry up, it's not polite."
Kathy finally figured it out and sent Heleen outside while she dried Jasper off after washing him with a washcloth.
"Here, Jasper, put this on." Kathy had a pair of Dries' underpants ready for Jasper to slip into.
"Go and use the loo again to make sure it's all out, then come into Dries' room and we'll sort out the rest of the clothes there."
Kathy stepped out of the bathroom and Jasper followed carefully. With each step he felt the underpants slip down and finally, after going to the toilet, Jasper held them up with both hands as he entered Dries' room.
"The underpants are too big."
Jasper declared as soon as Kathy checked where he was. To prove his point, he let go of the underpants and shook his bottom left and right. Immediately the underpants fell down a little.
"That's really not going to work. Pass them back to me."
Kathy quickly checked the size tag and saw that it stated size one hundredand thirty-four. Far too big compared to the size one hundred and ten that Jasper usually wore. She went to the drawer and quickly started checking all the labels. After checking them all, she turned to Jasper glumly.
"I don't have any more underpants for you. Dries' will all be too big."
"And my underpants from yesterday?" Jasper asked, helping to find a solution.
"Can't, it was dirty and is in the wash now."
Kathy stacked all the underpants on top of each other to see if there was one that was a little smaller. There were three more that they tried, but all with the same result. They sagged and would be incredibly uncomfortable for Jasper.
"Without underpants then?"
"That's not possible, Jasper, it's far too unhygienic. The underpants serve to keep your trousers clean in case another drop of urine comes out or your bum is not wiped properly".
At this point an idea began to form in Kathy's head.
"Jasper, will you come and sit next to me?" Jasper meekly sat down and listened.
"Jasper, one question. You don't mind wearing a nappy at night, do you? What is your opinion on the matter anyway?"
"I'm not sure." Jasper found it rather difficult to talk about, especially as Kathy was not his own mother.
"Make up your mind Jasper, I wanna know."
Jasper, not really knowing what this had to do with the underpants, thought for a moment.
"It's actually a bit nicer with them than without, it makes me feel safe and secure," Jasper said softly.
"So you don't mind putting one on for Dries?"
"No, not for Dries, but I hope no one ever makes bullying remarks like Gert."
"That won't happen here, Jasper, you can be sure of that." Kathy said as she rubbed Jasper's back reassuringly.
"If you don't mind wearing one, can we put this on during the day too, Jasper? It will keep your trousers clean and a nappy stays in place much better than these underpants; it is even comfortable and makes you feel safe and secure."
Jasper sat for a moment. He thought of a possible alternative, but couldn't come up with one.
"OK, I'll give it a try."
"Fine," Kathy said. "I'll get one." Glad it was solved and quickly, before Jasper could change his mind, Kathy had grabbed a nappy from the bathroom and put it on Jasper. "Here's a pair of shorts, a belt and a t-shirt, you can put them on yourself. I'll be downstairs if you need me."
The rest of the clothes were way too big too, but it wasn't uncomfortable. The trousers stayed in place with the belt and the T-shirt fell over Jasper's bottom. It wasn't very flattering but he didn't bother about it.
"I've been waiting the longest so I can start," Dries said and immediately threw thedice.
"Five, I buy the station." Dries continued as he moved his pawn. There was no need to agree on the colour. Dries always played green, Jasper blue.
Jasper nodded and sat down carefully. He wasn't sure how he felt about this. Not from Monopoly, but from the nappy he was wearing. Going to sleep in it for Dries was one thing. But walking around in it during the day was a strange idea, despite the motivation Kathy had given him.
Monopoly, however, was all very nice and immediately absorbed all of Jasper's attention.
"Jasper, I just sent a message to your mum to explain the underpants problem, she also thought what we did was a good solution." Kathy suddenly interrupted.
"Yeah, okay," Jasper said, looking up distractedly. He just wanted to build hotels on his best properties.
Later there was a sudden"ping" from Kathy's mobile phone. Kathy looked up from her work, read the message and had a look at the time.
"Jasper, you need to go home. Helga sends word that dinner will be ready in five minutes. Dries, will you tidy up? Then we'll eat too."
Jasper put on his shoes, said goodbye and went home. As he walked home, Jasper remembered what he was wearing. He looked around carefully. Was there anyone he knew on the street nearby? He also felt his bottom to see if there was any swelling.
Reassured by the fact that his trousers and T-shirt were far too big, he walked home in a peaceful mood. Jasper came home through the back door and took off his shoes.
"Come to the table right away!" Helga called from the kitchen.
Everyone was there and Jasper's plate was ready. Croquettes and chicory in a ham roll with cheese sauce on top. Delicious! thought Jasper when he saw it. He climbed into his chair with a smile that radiated from him.
Helga and Celine smiled at him, Gert looked tense and tried to ignore Jasper as much as possible. Apparently Jasper really didn't need to worry about his brother. If his mothers were angry or punished his brother, they never told Jasper, but if they told him not to worry about Gert, he could rest easy.
Gert wanted to leave the table as soon as possible when he was finished. He was allowed to do that once. After he left, the atmosphere around the table became a little more cheerful and relaxed.
"Come and stand between us, Jasper, I want to have a good look at Dries' clothes." Celine asked.
Jasper got up from his seat and walked around the table to stand between his mums. Imagining how a ballerina would do this, he raised his arms and made a circle on the tip of his foot.
"Dries has given you a nice T-shirt and trousers. When you go to bed tonight, put them in the wash and we'll bring them back next week, clean."
"Clean up your mess," Helga said and patted Jasper on the bottom to send him away. Both mothers hadn't seen anything, but they were still curious after Kathy's earlier message this morning.
Jasper wasn't sure how to respond."'Moo-oom'," he said plaintively.
"Yes, can I feel too?" asked Celine, immediately putting the word into action. She slid her hand down his back until it rested on Jasper's bottom.
"No, that's not what I meant," Jasper mumbled; he didn't know how to behave.
"Go and play, Jasper, we'll hear from you when we have to take it off. Mum and I are going to do the dishes first."
Jasper nodded and went into his room. He sat down on his bed with a comic book and was soon drawn into the story. After the third strip it was time to pee. He rushed downstairs to his mother. Jasper opened the door and started talking.
"Mummy, can you..."
Jasper quickly swallowed his last words. Gert was talking to Mummy Celine and Mummy Helga. It looked like a very serious conversation as they sat around the table. They all looked up at him in surprise.
"It's nothing, nevermind..." Jasper didn't dare say what he wanted. Not with Gert around. Mama Celine had assured him that Gert would never make fun ofhim any more or call him a baby, but asking her to remove his nappy in front of Gert was more than a bridge too far. Jasper shut the door and went back upstairs.
Jasper was not sure what to do. It just didn't occur to him that he could take the nappy off himself. The nappy was put on by a mother, so it made sense that it should be taken off by a mother. He sat at the top of the stairs waiting for Gert to leave his mum's so he could ask to take his nappy off and pee. But the pressure was growing. He knew the conversations between Gert and his mum could sometimes take a long time. Jasper got more and more desperate and finally decided to let it all out before it started to hurt. He straightened up and relaxed. The nappy quickly absorbed all the moisture. Now relieved that the pressure was gone, Jasper went back to his room with another strip. No sooner had he opened it than he heard Gert walking up the stairs and passing by his room. Jasper cursed himself. If only he could have held on a little longer.
"Jasper, are you all right?" his mum had come into his room.
"Yes, no more need to ask what I was going to ask." The nappy was used now, but Jasper didn't feel wet or dirty. The extra volume between his legs made it feel even better, Jasper had to admit.
Jasper calmly resumed reading his comic and his mum went on with what mums had to do.
"Koen, I've been thinking," Kathy said to her husband as they sat inthe garden enjoying the sunshine. Dries was playing in his room and Heleen was sitting a little further away with a book.
"Yes?"asked Koen, curious what it might be about.
"Our holiday next summer. It is a nice holiday area that we will return to. Heleen can always keep herself busy, but it often happened that Dries was bored there for lack of a playmate."
"Yes, that'strue. He doesn't understand French yet, he can't follow the animation at all."
"Suppose we invite Jasper. It would be much more fun for Dries and eventually for Heleen and us too.
"That sounds like a good idea," Koen said. "When Jasper didn't know about Dries' nappies, it wasn't possible, but of course that's no longer a problem. I just hope that Heleen agrees. We don't have enough seats in the car to take a friend for Heleen as well as Jasper.
"No, I don't mind. In fact, I think it's a really nice idea. Jasper is so sweet and cute." Helen suddenly intervened. She had been reading so quietly until the conversation and then started to listen, Koen and Kathy hadn't noticed anything.
"That's agreed then," Kathy said, "I'll call Helga and Celine to arrange it."
It was a short call. After checking with Helga and Celine that Jasper had nothing to do for the duration of the trip, they immediately agreed. They thought it was a wonderful idea. All they asked was to keep it a surprise for the boys. They wanted Jasper to be busy with his homework for the next few weeks at school, not with the summer holidays.
"Heleen, we trust you to keep this to yourself. OK?"
Heleen was happy with the responsibility she had been given. She thought it was fantastic to be allowed to participate with the adults and not be considered a child.
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Author: Toet
Timestamp: Jun 26, 2023 at 9:19 PM
Content: Chapter nine of fourty
The next day Dries brought a letter with an invitation for Jasper. "It's Heleen's birthday in two weeks, she turns 14. And I can invite an extra person to her party so that I am not alone among all the girls."
"Oh yes, I remember from last year, wasn't it the same?" Jasper asked.
Jasper opened the envelope and examined the invitation carefully. <<Welcome to my slumber party. You are all invited from 4 p.m.>> it said, along with a nice picture of Heleen.
"What kind of a party is this going to be?"Jasper asked.
"First she wants to make pizza together and then watch a romantic movie." Dries replied.
"She said which one, but I can't remember. Really not interesting."
"A pajama party? Can I sleep over too?" Jasper asked Dries.
"I suppose so, that's why I was allowed to invite you as well."
"Good ,I look forward to sleeping with you again."
Jasper also brought a small bundle for Dries. "Here are all your clothes back. Mum has already washed them."
Dries took the packet and put it in his book bag. He was going to give it to his own mum and dad tonight.
Jasper came home from school that day full ofenthusiasm. "Mummy, I can come to Heleen's birthday party!"
"Oh, that's nice," Helga said as she stood in the kitchen ready to receive Jasper. "When's the party?"
"It's on Saturday in two weeks, and I can stay the night."
"That's nice of Heleen to invite you, I wasn't expecting that," Helga replied.
"Actually it was Dries who invited me. I can go to the party so he won't be alone among Heleen and all her friends," said Jasper.
"Great, I'll have a look at work to see if I can find a nice CD to buy for Heleen. Then you will also have a present for her." Helga said
"That's great, she'll like that." Jasper like dit. The department store where Helga works also had a nice collection of CDs.
Jasper was looking forward to the party and spending the night with Dries. Jasper talked about it all night. Except for Dries'parties, Jasper wasn't invited very often.
The more the evening went on, the more Jasper thought that the invitation was not only from Dries, but also partly from Heleen. Last year, Jasper had gone to Heleen's birthday party, but he had not received an official invitation. Besides, Heleen had been extra nice to him lately.
Jasper thought Dries was lucky to have a big sister like Heleen. She was always there for him, helping where and when needed. Jasper felt more and more comfortable with Heleen around. Since Dries and Jasper were blood brothers, it was almost as if Heleen was Jasper's big sister too.
The next day at school, Jasper asked Dries what kind of music Heleen liked. Dries did not have to hesitate. With disgust on his face, he immediately managed to say: "Justin Bieber, just awful. The same CD three times a day. Never anything else," he complained immediately afterwards. "If she had a few more CDs of him besides that one, she could vary it and I would be able to stand the music a lot better."
Jasper said his mum's plan was to give Heleen a CD, but they weren't sure which one. He would pass it on and everything would be fine.
That evening Celine called Kathy. "Good evening, I'm calling to arrange the birthday party. Jasper is looking forward to it and will be there."
"Oh, that's nice. Heleen will like that."
"Heleen? I thought it was Dries who asked Jasper?" Celine asked.
"Actually they both did. When we asked Heleen who she wanted to invite, she mentioned both Jasper and her friends. We were surprised too at first. When we asked her why, she said that of all Dries' friends, she loved Jasper the most. She hoped that if she invited Jasper, Dries would agree with her choice. She actually wanted to choose who else would come for him instead of Dries," Kathy told Celine.
"But of course that wasn't necessary. When I asked Dries who he wanted to invite, he automatically chose Jasper, without even hearing what Heleen had asked.
"That's nice," Celine interjected. Kathy could rattle on sometimes, but Celine wanted to show that she was really listening.
Kathy continued, "It's also nice for Dries to have someone to sleep with. Last year Heleen also had a pyjama party, but Jasper couldn't sleep over. You know why."
Celine gasped and started to answer, but Kathy was already talking again.
"But now Jasper can sleep over and both Heleen and Dries are happy about it. I don't know how, but Jasper has really won a place in Heleen's heart. Dries is no longer as small and cute as Jasper. I have the feeling that Heleen is looking for a new little brother in Jasper, someone she can look after and spoil.
"But speaking of staying the night." Celine intervened. "What if I picked Dries up after school this Friday and he stayed here until Saturday after lunch. Is that OK? Jasper slept with you last weekend and he will be leaving again in two weeks. It might be more fun for the kids if it's also the other way round. Then just bring Dries his things during the day or in the evening on Friday to spend the night".
"Oh, that's a nice idea. They'll like that." Kathy replied. "I'll take care of it on Friday."
"And then about a present for Heleen. Jasper mentioned a Justin Bieber CD?"
"Heleen really likes that, but you don't have to give her a present."
"We will anyway. What CD does she not have yet?" Celine asked.
"She only has the latest new CD. She doesn't have any of the older CDs." Kathy said.
"Something else." Celine said. "I'm going to ask Helga tomorrow if she can pick up a pack of nappies from her store. Then you won't have to buy any more for Jasper. You can't keep buying them."
"Oh, thank you." Kathy replied.
There was some more chat and some arrangements were made for the next two weekends. Not much later the mums ended the conversation and put their phones down.
All the mothers and fathers liked to give surprises, so the children knew nothing. As Dries and Jasper stood chatting outside the school gate on Friday evening, waiting for their parents, they were both delighted when Helga approached Dries.
"Dries, are you coming home with us? We've agreed with your mum and dad that you can spend the night with us."
"Yippee!" they shouted in unison. So loud that people and children all around looked to see where it was coming from.
"So nice, I'm so glad you're coming to sleep with me!" said Jasper excitedly. Hopping, Dries and Jasper, each on a different side of Helga, went home.
"Jasper, can you show Dries what to do when you come home after school?" Helga asked.
"OK, mum," Jasper replied. "Dries, you have to put your coat on the coat rack here, you can put your shoes under there and now we have to go to the kitchen to empty our school bags."
Dries followed Jasper's lead and they started unloading their things in the kitchen. The water bottle, bread box, fruit box and biscuit box were placed on the counter. Jasper then sat down at the table with his planner and homework, very model-like and doing his best to please his mother. He began to work diligently and Dries followed his example with some reluctance. They actually wanted to start playing together as soon as possible, but Jasper and Dries tried to show separately that they can be super strong of character. It was a surprise that Dries was allowed to come along, and they secretly hoped that by behaving well now, it would not be a one-off.
Helga also saw that they were doing their best. She walked silently around the kitchen, not wanting to disturb the boys as they did their homework. She took out her mobile phone and snapped a picture of Jasper and Dries sitting next to each other, concentrating on their homework.
She forwarded the photo to the Whatsapp group and commented.
<<Can I borrow Dries every week? Jasper never does his homework this well. The boys started it themselves, I didn't have to ask.>>
Koen's answer came quickly. <<That's fine, if I can borrow Jasper the other days. If you hadn't taken a picture, I almost wouldn't have believed you.>>
While the boys were busy with the last of their homework, Gert also came in from school.
"Hello Mum!" Gert said when he saw everyone sitting there. He ignored the fact that Dries and Jasper were also there. He put his rucksack on the table and started to unpack his things without paying any attention to them. For his own convenience, he took everything out until he found his bread box at the bottom. He did not care that he also put books and notebooks on top of Dries and Jasper's homework.
"Hey!"
Dries started to call out. Before Dries could say anything, Jasper gave him a quick elbow.
"Shhh!" he hissed. "Wait a minute, there's nothing we can do about it anyway," Jasper whispered after him.
Helga looked up at the greeting from Gert and the 'hey' van Dries. "Hi Gert, are you watching where you put your things? Dries and Jasper are doing their homework."
"Oh, sorry, I didn't know it was homework. This looks way too easy." Gert said as he shifted his books aside.
Helga looked at Gert angrily. He made such nasty remarks too often. Gert pretended not to see his mother's angry look. He got rid of the last of his things and took his own books, homework and rucksack up to his room.
Helga turned to look at Jasper and Dries. She saw that Dries had tears in his eyes.
"Dries, what's wrong?" Helga asked as she sat down beside Dries.
"It's homework and it's hard," he said in an angry tone.
"Don't worry about Gert, Dries," Helga said to comfort Dries. "When he was your age, he found it difficult too." Helga took Dries' homework and quickly scanned it to see if there were any mistakes.
"You did it perfectly, Dries. There's one mistake here, you forgot to write your name and the date," she said, pointing with her finger. Dries looked a little happier at what he had heard. He looked again at the exercise that Helga had marked as wrong. "I know the correct answer," he said. He quickly picked up his pencil and corrected the mistake.
"All right," Helga said. "When Gert was your age, he wasn't very good at this."
Dries beamed with pride. He quickly ran his fingers through his eyes to wipe away the tears he had shed earlier.
Jasper was also happy that Dries was in good spirits again. But he was also angry at Gert for ruining Dries' mood so quickly.
Helga also checked Jasper's work. "You made a mistake here, and then you forgot something here and here, and there you mirrored your cyphers."
"Oh, not again," Jasper said. He immediately corrected what was wrong and quickly put down his pencil. "I'm done too!"
The boys tidied up their schoolwork. "Can we please go and play on the Nintendo?" Jasper asked his mum in the sweetest voice possible.
"That's fine, go ahead."
Jasper took the tray and the controllers and turned on the TV. Dries was not sure how to set everything up and sat down in front of the TV. Together they played a few games on the Nintendo.
"Ding-Dong" rang the doorbell.
Jasper stopped the game they were playing and went with Dries to see who was at the door.
"Helen, what are you doing here? Do I have to go home?" Dries asked, surprised to see his sister at the door.
"No, I had to bring your clothes from mum. She prepared this suitcase for you."
"Thank you, sister!" said Dries and he took the suitcase from Heleen.
Helga also came to see who was at the door. "Good evening Heleen."
"Hello miss. I've brought Dries' suitcase with his stuff for tonight and tomorrow." Heleen said as she saw Helga approaching.
"Thank you Helen. That's very kind of you. Would you like a drink?" Helga invited Heleen in.
"Yes ma'am." Heleen said as she went in and took off her shoes.
Helga liked how polite and friendly Heleen was. Later she would tell Heleen's parents how well she had behaved.
"Jasper and Dries, can you take Dries' suitcase upstairs?"
"Okay mum, we'll do it right away," and with Jasper on one handle and Dries on the other, they stumbled up the stairs to Jasper's room.
As they entered the room, they saw that the spare bed was already ready for Dries. The boys immediately started unpacking and getting everything ready. Toiletries in the bathroom, pyjamas on the pillow.
"Dries, why did you bring two bodies?" asked Jasper in surprise.
"I don't know, I didn't pack. Mum must have made a mistake," Dries said, shrugging his shoulders. "This one is even too small for me."
Dries put the extra bodysuit back in his travel bag and the boys went back downstairs.
"Fruit juice, coke, iced tea, water, tea or chocolate milk?" Helga asked as Heleen sat down at the kitchen table. Helen looked doubtful for a moment.
"I feel like having some bubbles, but if I drink coke now I won't be able to sleep well. Can I have some ice tea?" she asked Helga.
"Certainly. I'll get it." Helga said as she went into the storeroom to get another bottle.
"Please," she said as she set down a glass and poured it for Heleen.
"Thank you ma'am," Helen replied.
"Oh, can we have one too?" Jasper asked as he came back into the kitchen.
"It's okay for now." Helga said. She took two glasses and set them down in front of the boys and filled them too. She put the half empty bottle on the kitchen table and turned back to Heleen.
"How are things at school? Lots of work now that the end of the year is almost over?"
Helen's face fell at the question. "I really hate those language subjects. I like maths and science much better. At least it all makes sense," she said.
"What do you want to be when you grow up?" Helga asked. "If you're into maths and science, Celine was always good at it. She works in the airport control tower now, keeping an eye on the planes," she suggested.
"Oh, I didn't know she did that. That is something special too." Helen replied. "But isn't it sitting on a chair all day and not being able to move? It doesn't seem very pleasant to me either."
"Yes, that, having to speak English all day, and irregular hours. That's what she complains about most."
Helen nodded wisely. Maybe nice to see for a day, but not for a lifetime, she thought.
"What else did you think of?" Helga asked Helen.
"I'm not sure. Something with kids. Teacher, kindergarten assistant, paediatric nurse or something... I'm not sure yet."
"You don't have to decide yet. You still have time for that." Helga said. "So you might end up working with your mum?"
"No, not quite. She works at the reception of the Holy Méen Centre for Children and Adolescents. That's just reception work at the mental health centre. She doesn't really work with the children there."
"Oh yes, I thought your mum's job there was different," Helga said. That she was involved in caring for the patients."
"No, she never did."
Meanwhile Helga received a message from Celine. <<I'm at the snack bar now. What does everyone want with the fries?>>.
"Jasper, Dries, what do you want at the snack bar?" Helga asked.
"Curry sausage," Dries replied enthusiastically.
"Chicken wings," Jasper replied.
"Okay boys," Helga replied. She went to the stairs and called up. "Gert, what do you want to go with your fries tonight?"
Jasper opened the bottle of ice-tea and refilled his own glass. Then he silently showed the bottle to Dries.
"No thanks," Dries whispered, holding his hand over his glass. "I'm not thirsty."
Jasper discreetly put the bottle back where it had been on the table.
Gert walked down to give his reply. "I'd like a hamburger."
"OK boys, I'll pass that on to Mum. Helen, are you eating here?"
"No thank you ma'am. Mum and Dad are expecting me home in half an hour. We're having pizza tonight."
"OK, fine," Helga said and picked up her mobile phone to hand the order to Celine.
Gert saw the bottle of iced tea, took a glass and filled it. He also sat down at the table and finished his glass. With small eyes he looked at the other children. There was a little left in the bottle. He took the bottle with him. "Mum, I'll take the rest of the iced tea up to my room."
"It's OK Gert," she replied as she finished the message to Celine.
"Heleen," Helga continued, picking up on the previous conversation. "Have you thought about orthopaedagogy? That's also something with children."
"No, I don't know, what is that?" asked Helen.
"Oh, it's hard to explain. Maybe you should ask your mum, she'll be there, she'll know some from her work. You might even meet one. They can tell you best themselves.
"Where does your mum work?" Gert asked.
"She works down the road at C&Y MHC," Heleen said.
"What's that?" Gert asked. "Never heard of it."
"Child and Youth Mental Health Care, Holy Méen, that institution down the road."
"Ah, with the little stupid idiot children. With their heads full of muck," Gert said condescendingly.
Heleen got angry. She had visited her mother at work a few times, and her mother had told her a lot about the patients, or clients as she sometimes called them. She had also been in contact with the residents a few times during her visits and had always found it an interesting and pleasant experience.
She also still remembered Gert's behaviour towards Jasper last week.
Dries crawled back into his chair and pulled Jasper with him. "Be careful, she's angry," he whispered quietly to Jasper.
"First." Helen began. She spoke in a quiet voice, but the silence that had fallen made every letter clearly audible throughout the kitchen. Gert grinned at Helen. He liked giving people a hard time.
"They're not stupid little children."
Helga, who was about to rebuke Gert, closed her mouth. She allowed Heleen to speak first.
"Secondly, the muck you describe is a good brain that can still do a lot."
"Thirdly, each of those residents may not be as good a learner as you, but they have an emotional capacity and sensitivity a hundred times greater than yours. At least they are affectionate and caring. If compassion for a fellow human being were a criterion for admission, you would have the toughest ward all to yourself. And if it wasn't a criterion and you were just going for a walk, no one would notice that you didn't live there. Everyone would think you belonged there with your stupid face!"
Gert had grown angrier and angrier during the whole explanation. "Bitch," he snapped at her and walked away from the table.
"You just can't stand it when someone talks back!" Helen called after him. "You're as stupid as you are big. You're a textbook example of a brutally stupid weakling!"
"Gert, come back!" Helga called after Gert.
"Yes," he growled as he came back inside.
"Apologise. It's very ugly what you've said. Soon Celine will hear about it too."
"Sorry," he said and turned and walked away.
"Helen," Helga said angrily. "You were right to defend yourself, but in the end it wasn't the right way either."
"Sorry, ma'am," Heleen said and bowed her head shamefully.
"It's not a big deal. I'm happy with it." Jasper got up from his chair and went to hug Heleen. He thought it was fantastic to see her bite Gert's head off. That he was getting a taste of his own medicine. Karma for all the other times.
"Thank you," Heleen said quietly as she returned Jasper's hug.
"Let's wrap this up now," Helga said. "Heleen, it's time to go if you want to be home on time."
Heleen understood that she shouldn't stay any longer. She said hello to everyone and went into the hall to put on her shoes.
"Thanks again for bringing Dries' luggage," Helga said as she saw Heleen out.
Meanwhile, in the kitchen, Jasper was taking advantage of the moment. In his anger, Gert had left the bottle of ice tea, a treat Jasper rarely got at home. Swiftly, Jasper refilled his glass and emptied it slowly, enjoying the taste.
"Come on, let's go on playing," Dries said, emptying his glass as well.
"Yeah, that's OK," Jasper said. "You have a really great sister," he said dreamily. "I'm glad she told Gert the truth for once."
The fries were delicious. Celine talked endlessly about her job and complained about the pilots who spoke far too little English to understand the correct instructions for landing. Jasper and Gert were used to these stories, but Dries was amused.
Later in the evening, after some more playing, it was time to go to bed.
"Come on, Jasper and Dries, upstairs!"
"No, Mummy, another fifteen minutes, please?" asked Jasper, making the sweetest face that always worked with Mummy Helga.
"No, now," replied Celine, immune and unflappable.
"Ten more minutes then?" Jasper tried to negotiate.
"If you ask me again, you'll go to bed fifteen minutes earlier tomorrow."
Jasper shut his mouth immediately, took Dries and they went upstairs.
Celine came into the room.
"Jasper, I suppose you're putting on a nappy again along with Dries?" she said as she closed the door behind her.
Jasper was stunned. He hadn't expected such a direct question.
"But Mum, I don't have one, do I?" he replied.
"You do now," Celine said. "Helga bought a packet from her shop and took it with her. You can't keep grabbing nappies from Dries. She put them in the wardrobe behind your pyjamas."
Jasper quickly opened the wardrobe and pushed the pyjamas aside. There was indeed a pack of nappies!
He quickly looked at Dries. "I really didn't know they were here, I really don't need them."
The little voice in his head 'Jasper is a baby' started singing loudly again.
Celine intervened. "Dries knows that you don't need it yourself. That you put it on for him, so that Dries does not feel alone. But Dries' mum and dad shouldn't have to pay for it, should they?"
Jasper looked at his mother and listened.
"If you want to spend the night with Dries again, you can bring your own nappies now." Celine continued.
Jasper nodded quietly. "I understand."
Then Dries intervened. He asked hopefully, "Are you going to wear one now?"
Jasper had the feeling that he didn't really have a choice. The nappies were bought for him and Dries looked at him hopefully.
"Okay, that's fine," he sounded resigned.
"Then it's settled," Celine said. Dries, go pee first and then come back and put on your pyjamas. Jasper, start brushing your teeth and then you two can swap.
The boys listened carefully and did as they were told.
Dries walked into the room and, after getting undressed, lay down on his bed for the nappy. This went a little less smoothly than it did at home, but it was good enough.
"Sorry Dries, I haven't been used to doing this for a long time. I still know how to do it and what to look out for, but I'm not as quick as I used to be. I don't have it in me anymore.
"Doesn't matter. It's fine." Dries said as he stood up and grabbed his bodysuit.
"Kathy sent that she also gave a bodysuit for Jasper to borrow, where is it?" Celine asked. Meanwhile she opened the new pack of nappies and took a pair of pyjamas for Jasper too.
"Here it is," Dries said after rummaging through his bag.
Jasper also entered the room.
"Dries, it's your turn to brush your teeth. Jasper, have you been to the bathroom?"
Jasper nodded yes. "Just finished after brushing my teeth."
"Very good, come here," Celine said. She had nothing else to do, so she helped Jasper get undressed. It still went a little quicker than if Jasper would have done it himself.
"Hands up," Celine said, and so the changing began until Jasper was back in his nappy in front of his mum.
"This bodysuit is nice, don't you think?" Celine asked Jasper.
"Yeah, everything stays in place a lot better, that's what I noticed last week. It felt comfortable when I had it on," Jasper replied.
Celine closed the buttons between Jasper's legs. "I took out the dinosaur onesie you were wearing a while ago. Good?" Celine asked, holding the onesie open so Jasper could get into it easily.
"Yeah, it's fine." Jasper said, putting his legs into the onesie foot by foot until his feet came out again.
"Arms in here and turn around." Celine guided Jasper further so that she could finally close the zip on his back.
Dries entered the room. "I liked them when they still fitted me. They used to be my favourite pyjamas. I'm sad they don't fit me anymore," was the only comment he made. "Can I put on my pyjamas now?" he asked Celine.
"Oh, of course you can. That would have been allowed earlier."
"But I didn't dare to do it or ask, you told me to brush my teeth." Dries confessed cautiously, a little afraid of the reaction.
"You really shouldn't be afraid. As long as you work hard and don't waste time, I'll be happy," Celine said reassuringly.
"Okay, that's fine," Dries said, picking up his own onesie. He tucked his legs in until his feet came out, tucked his arms in and zipped himself up at the front of his stomach and chest.
They wished each other a good night and a moment later the light went out.
"Jasper," Dries whispered when he heard Celine go downstairs.
"Yes, what is it?" Jasper whispered back softly.
"I know you shouldn't be wearing that, a nappy, but I'm so glad I don't have to do it alone tonight."
"Don't mention it," Jasper said.
"I used to feel really bad about it because I felt like I was the only one in the world wearing a nappy, but it's only since you've been wearing it for me that I've realised how much I needed it. I feel so much better and happier than I ever thought I would".
Jasper didn't immediately know how to respond. He was touched by Dries' confession. Jasper climbed out of his own bed, crawled into the bed next to Dries and gave him a hug, which Dries returned.
Jasper felt Dries shiver. Dries' emotions were obviously a little too much for him at the moment.
"I'm here for you, Dries," Jasper whispered. "We are blood brothers. And I really don't mind doing this for you. Somehow it also gives peace, security and a nice feeling."
Jasper felt Dries nod his head. "That's true," Dries whispered.
"Thank you for being my friend, Jasper." Dries whispered.
"You too and sleep well." Jasper replied. He was tired and crawled back into his own bed.
"Sleep well." Dries mumbled back. He was almost off to dreamland.
That evening, Kathy and Koen sat together in front of the computer to prepare their holiday.
"Look, they didn't have them last year, they're new; children's bungalows for four or five people. Doesn't that sound nice?" Kathy said as she clicked on the website to view and enlarge the photos.
The bungalow looked good, very playful and adventurous. There were cheerful drawings on many of the walls of the bungalow. In two rooms of the house, there was a small raised area where the children could climb up to the ceiling. There were also a couple of crawl spaces. In the first one you could go from one room to another with a corridor through the living room along the ceiling. There was also a hatch in the first room that opened next to the sofa in the living room.
There was also a picture with a climbing net and another picture with a fireman's pole to slide down.
They saw in another picture that there was a small glass dome at the top of the roof, high enough to look over the roofs with your head.
The bathroom was completely decorated as if it were an underwater world, and the last picture showed that the terrace and entrance were higher than the road the bungalow was next to. Ideal for an extra private slide.
There was also a lot of accompanying text, but unfortunately it was only in French. Neither Kathy nor Koen could understand it. Most of the information on the website was also in English, but apparently they had forgotten to translate this part with the explanation of the children's bungalow.
"Attention (seulement cottage 5 personnes)! Un lit junior dans la chambre des enfants est adapté aux enfants de 1m40 maximum".
They understood "attention" and with Google Translate they were able to translate this one sentence.
"Dries is only 1m30, so he will fit into the junior bed?" Koen wondered aloud. Meanwhile, Helen had also joined us to watch.
"Or Jasper, he's even smaller," she interjected.
Kathy nodded thoughtfully. "A junior bed won't be a problem, will it? And the house looks too nice to let it pass. It's fun for the boys now, but it won't be in a few years."
They looked through the photos, but no pictures had been taken of the beds themselves. Soon the decision was made and the children's adventure house for five was booked.
"Don't forget to book the hotel for the trip, Koen," Kathy said. "We were just in time last year. It's better to do it now instead of waiting two weeks before the journey."
Koen nodded and agreed with Kathy.
"I'll have a look right away. I'll do it quickly and then we can enjoy our evening." Koen was tired from his day's work, full of meetings and discussions, and wanted to end it quickly.
Luckily, the hotel still recognised last year's login. The family's names and dates of birth were filled in automatically. In the end, all Koen had to do was enter the dates for the outward and return journeys, press confirm and pay the deposit. He forwarded the confirmation email to Kathy without checking it, she kept track of everything. Happy to have a break from his working day and week, he then shut down the computer.
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Author: Toet
Timestamp: Jun 27, 2023 at 10:36 PM
Content:
kerry said:
I have never seen the word "body" used in this context...what does it mean here?
[End of quote]
As a synonym for a romper or onesie
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Author: Toet
Timestamp: Jul 6, 2023 at 12:56 AM
Content:
LilByte said:
"Attention (seulement cottage 5 personnes)! Un lit junior dans la chambre des enfants est adapté aux enfants de 1m40 maximum"
I don't know french, but I use AI to translate. It agrees that the most likely translation is same as what google says. However if you ask it could it refer to a crib or baby. It says it most likely means toddler bed and that though enfants normally means children, it can also be used for babies rarely. It stresses that it would be improper to use the words in such a manner because it could lead to confusion, but that it can be done.
That's interesting, is that true? Cool if so. Can't wait to see what happens.
As for "body" being used for onsie, I have heard friends over seas call them "body suits" Though I think it's a different style onsie not sure.
[End of quote]
The moment I have translated the part where they will be on holiday and see the bed in the cottage I will try to find a picture of what I had in mind.
I didn't dare use 'onsie' because that is also often used for one-piece pyjamas, precisely to avoid confusion there.
I want to try to write something that is easy to read for everyone, but I don't always succeed. Is it still preferable for me to use 'onsie' throughout, or are there some other alternatives?
CodyBaby said:
For me, I love this story but if I can help for a few details, it was the first time I saw handkerchief word used, I was stunned when I used google translate to learn its the proper word for what we call a Kleenex or a tissue nearly everywhere, guess I learn new words from this story. For the Lit Junior pour enfants de moins de 1m40, they clearly refer to a toddler bed with sides so they don't fall off (My main language is french) so don't get confused its not a crib. Google toddler bed and you'll see what it is.
[End of quote]
It is right what you write, but the confusion that can arise in the process of translation is just a part of the story.
BeKind said:
Great work!That’s wonderful!
[End of quote]
Thanks, there will be more to come, but life and work are taking up a lot of my time at the moment.
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Author: Toet
Timestamp: Jul 10, 2023 at 12:28 AM
Content: Chapter ten of fourty
It was the middle of the night and Jasper woke up. "'Ice tea,' he thought immediately. "I shouldn't have had so much of that." From the moment he moved, even before he got out of bed to pee, he sensed and remembered that he was wearing a nappy. He remembered from all the times before that no one minded if he used it. He also remembered that he was wearing a onesie, which he couldn't take off himself anyway. He crawled back into bed and tried to relax. As he was in a position he was not used to peeing in, it did not work. He tried everything, like applying pressure, trying to imagine himself standing on the beach, a little relaxation exercise. It didn't work. Finally, he stood up and when he imagined that he was standing in front of a toilet, it finally worked. Happy that the pressure was gone, he crawled back into bed and slept without interruption until the next morning.
"Good morning, Jasper and Dries." Celine and Helga said cheerfully as they entered the living room. The two boys were sitting in front of the television, enjoying their favourite soap.
"How are your nappies?" Celine asked as she approached. Neither boy answered, but their red faces said it all.
"Dries, your mum doesn't like you running around in a wet nappy. Will you go upstairs and freshen up?" said Celine sternly.
"Jasper, why don't you come too?" said Helga.
Jasper immediately followed her to the upstairs bathroom where he was helped by Celine. Dries turned off the TV and followed the others upstairs.
"Be quiet for Gert, he will get angry if we wake him up." Jasper spoke softly to Dries as he also entered the bathroom.
Celine unzipped Jasper's nappy and helped him out, undoing the buttons on the bodysuit, pulling the two tapes and carefully removing the nappy. Busy as she was, she went straight through, grabbed a washcloth and washed the wide intimate area clean.
"Dries, here's a clean washcloth and towel for you. Jasper, can you come into the bedroom? We'll pick out all your clothes for the day there."
In the bedroom, Jasper sat on the bed, waiting to see what his mother would choose. Celine looked between Jasper and the wardrobe. Smiling at her idea, she took the necessary clothes and sat down next to Jasper.
"Jasper, this bodysuit, are you going to keep it on? It's less work to leave it on. I've brought you the appropriate underwear that fits a bodysuit."
Jasper looked surprised at the nappy in his mum's hand. "Another pamper mummy?"
"Yes, why not? You don't mind wearing it and Dries is so happy with it? And you already have a bodysuit on, otherwise we would have to take it off. It can only go so much faster and smoother."
"Um, okay," Jasper said. It was strange for him to put on a nappy again, but he couldn't immediately think of an argument not to, except that it was strange.
Jasper got the nappy on straight away. The bodysuit was closed, then shorts and a nice colourful hoodie with a picture of a dragon on it.
"Hop, you can go down to the kitchen now." Celine said. She smiled and looked at Jasper. She knew she'd twisted the truth about what was fast and smooth, but she thought Jasper looked cuter that way. It was just for once and she had enjoyed looking after Jasper like she used to.
As Jasper went downstairs, Dries entered the room with only his towel wrapped around his waist.
"Hi Dries, Jasper's in a nappy again. Are you going to do the same?" Celine asked.
Dries looked up in surprise. "Really? Did he do that for me? So sweet of him," he said with a beaming smile.
"Yes, he did. Do you want one too?"
"Do I have to?" Dries asked carefully. He didn't really feel like it, but he didn't want to be inferior to Jasper or disappoint Celine.
Celine didn't want to force anything on Dries. She had thought it was cute yesterday, the two children together in their nappies, but Dries was not her child and she did not know him well enough to know for sure what was possible and what was not.
"No, of course not." Celine replied.
Dries then turned to his clothes, put his towel down and started to get dressed.
Celine left Dries alone and went to her room to change as well. Helga was already dressed and in the kitchen preparing breakfast with Jasper.
When everything was ready, Celine, who was also dressed by now, and Dries went into the kitchen and they all sat down at the table. Dries sat in Gert's place. Gert wouldn't get out of bed and show himself until noon anyway. They happily started breakfast.
"Jasper," Helga started, "when Dries goes home this afternoon. Will you come along and help carry his bag?"
"Yes, that's fine, Mummy," Jasper replied. "But what do I do with the bodysuit I'm wearing?"
"Do you still have that bodysuit on? But how?" Helga didn't quite understand at first. "Do you still...?"
Celine interrupted. "Yes, it was my suggestion."
Helga looked hard at Celine. "Is that appropriate?" Then she turned to Jasper. "Soon after dinner we'll take them off and then you can wear normal underpants and a T-shirt."
Celine looked back at Helga. "Look how cute he looks." Celine said with a big smile and sparkling eyes.
Helga melted under her lover's gaze. "Okay Jasper, that's good for this time. You decide when to take it off."
"Okay, Mummy," he replied and Jasper pounced on his two-coloured chocolate sandwich.
Dries remained silent the whole time, looking at Jasper with a big smile on his face.
"Thank you," he whispered when he had Jasper's attention for a moment. Meanwhile, he pointed at Jasper's waist.
Jasper felt warm inside, happy that he had made his friend happy.
After dinner, Jasper and Dries cleaned up nicely. Once again Helga made good use of the Jasper and Dries combination. She had innocently asked Jasper if he could show Dries where to put everything.
"I will, Mum." Jasper said cheerfully, happy to be given some responsibility. In no time the table was cleared and the boys were playing.
First they played together for half an hour on the Nintendo, then they played in the woods and finally they ended up on the trampoline in the garden. They enjoyed the spring, which was now in full bloom. Little by little, Jasper let his pee flow. Apart from himself, no one noticed that Jasper was not completely dry by lunchtime.
Gert was there for lunch too. He didn't dare say much with his two mothers at the table, but his looks were enough for Jasper and Dries to know that Gert was in a bad mood and wanted to take it out on Jasper and Dries.
So Jasper and Dries kept quiet at the table and as soon as they were allowed to, they left the table, took Dries' bag and went to his house.
When they arrived at Dries', Koen, Kathy and Heleen were sitting at the table enjoying a dessert.
"Can we have some ice cream too?" Dries asked his parents.
Koen nodded that it was fine.
Kathy added. "You can choose one from the freezer."
Dries took a ice-cream cone and Jasper took an ice-cream on a stick.
"How was the sleepover?" Heleen asked Jasper and Dries.
"It was nice that Dries was allowed to stay the night."
Jasper began to tell. From beginning to end, he talked about all the activities they had done. Koen and Kathy were amazed at Jasper's waterfall of words. He was usually much quieter, but Jasper had obviously enjoyed the sleepover. The family sat listening to Jasper and watching his expressive facial expressions, all the while enjoying their ice cream.
Jasper himself hadn't had time to eat the ice cream, he was so busy telling the story. He'd only licked it a couple of times, and when he waved his hand back and forth, the ice cream popped off his stick. Jasper tried to catch it with his other hand, but was unsuccessful.
Reflexively, he closed his legs and the ice cream landed on his trousers. He clamped the ice between his legs before it slid further down to the ground. Before anyone could react, Jasper had picked up the ice cream between his legs with his fingers and accidentally smeared it. When he stood up again, there was a large wet sugar stain on his trousers.
"Wow, Jasper," Kathy said. "Don't worry, accidents happen. Put the ice in the sink and take off your trousers and hand them to me and I'll rinse the stain off."
Jasper listened immediately. He put the ice cream in the sink, rinsed his hands under the tap and then took off his trousers. Jasper hadn't thought about it, but he was still wearing this morning's nappy with Dries' bodysuit on it. Everyone immediately recognised the bodysuit with the underwear.
Kathy and Koen were diplomatically silent about it, but Heleen blurted it out immediately.
"Jasper, you're wearing a nappy!"
"Uh, yes, Mama Celine..." Jasper lost track of what he was going to say. He himself did not really understand how he had ended up in a nappy again this morning.
"It's OK, I think you're just doing your best today to make Dries happy." Kathy came to Jasper's aid.
Jasper nodded vigorously. Now that Kathy had said it, Jasper felt that his subconscious was in complete agreement.
Dries stood next to Jasper at the sink and rinsed his hands as well, completely changing the subject by asking Jasper to come upstairs and play with the Lego.
Jasper nodded that it was fine. He handed the trousers to Kathy and the boys went upstairs together. Kathy immediately put the trousers under the tap to wash off the sugar water.
Upstairs in his room, Dries took off his sweater.
"Pfff, way too hot in here," he meanwhile said.
Jasper followed his example, playing next to Dries in just a bodysuit and nappy. Heleen had helped her parents with the dishes and arrived in Dries' room half an hour later. She brought a book to read and enjoyed the pleasant conversation between Dries and Jasper.
Jasper lay on his stomach, busy arming the Lego knights, while Dries rummaged through the loose Lego for bricks to build a prison for the bad guys.
Because Jasper was running around bare-legged and the bodysuit was not very thick, Jasper was starting to get a bit cold. The cold affected his bladder and soon his nappy was wet. Heleen, who had been watching from the bed, finally noticed. As Jasper crawled back and forth across the room, she could see the nappy sagging under his weight. It was too heavy for the bodysuit to provide much support. Heleen quietly went downstairs to tell her mother.
"Mum, Jasper's nappy looks pretty full."
"I hadn't even thought about it. Who knows how long he hasn't worn it. I'll be right up to help him." Kathy said.
Five minutes after Heleen had settled back on the bed, Kathy came into the room. She brought a nappy, a towel and a wet washcloth with soap from the bathroom.
"Jasper, come here. We need to do something about that thick package around your bottom. We won't be looking for underpants this time. I brought a nappy right away."
Kathy said. She walked over to the bed and sat down.
"Heleen, can you move a bit to give me room?"
Heleen put down her book and moved aside until she was sitting at the foot of the bed.
Jasper came between her and Kathy and lay down on the bed, his head facing Heleen and his legs towards Kathy.
"Here, first the towel under your bottom." Kathy said. "Let's make a bridge."
Jasper listened meekly and cooperated well throughout the entire change.
"Helen, can you fasten the buttons?" Helen had been watching intently and jumped up to carry out the task.
Kathy, meanwhile, dived into Dries' wardrobe.
"Your trousers from this morning are still too wet to wear. I'll look in here for a pair of Dries' trousers." Kathy said to Jasper.
Jasper got up from the bed and walked over to Kathy. He looked at the trousers that were folded up in the cupboard.
"Hmmm, this might work," Kathy said as she took a pair of Dries' green dungarees out of the cupboard.
"I'll shrink everything down first and then we'll try the bib overall, Jasper."
Kathy adjusted the shoulder straps to the smallest setting, then held the trousers open for Jasper to climb into.
The two straps went over the shoulder and the buckles were fastened.
Kathy looked at the whole thing critically.
"That will do. Go on playing Jasper. Dries, don't you have to go to the toilet?" Kathy asked Dries, who had come to watch.
Kathy left the room and let all three children do their thing. Jasper could go home with the dungarees later, she would get them back another time.
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Author: Toet
Timestamp: Jul 10, 2023 at 10:17 PM
Content:
CodyBaby said:
Nice, but I've noticed something very wrong, if I'm right Jasper is currently wearing a cast since his accident, I can't see how he could go on a tampoline with an arm in a cast, maybe they could do something more appropriate.
[End of quote]
Hello,
No he isn't in a cast anymore, see below the start of chapter eight:
Toet
"Jasper is a baby,"Gert whispered tauntingly into Jasper's ear. Celine and Helga were just out of earshot and Gert took full advantage. "Jasper's pissing his pants" was also heard.
Many weeks had passed since Jasper's fall.
There had been no more overnight stays. It was not allowed while his arm was still in a plaster, and with the cast coming off three weeks ago, there had been no opportunity.
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Author: Toet
Timestamp: Jul 10, 2023 at 10:27 PM
Content:
BeKind said:
Nice to see you again( ´ ▽ ` )ﾉ
[End of quote]
Thanks for your comment, more will follow.
BabyBilly said:
The story is great so far. I would like to see Jasper gain a need to have to wear diapers again. And him and Dries become dependant on diapers and end up sleeping in cribs.
[End of quote]
I don't want to give away any spoilers here. I can only advise you to keep reading when I post the next chapters.
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Author: Toet
Timestamp: Jul 23, 2023 at 10:17 PM
Content: Chapter eleven of fourty
A few chapters later in Heleen’s book, Jasper and Dries were still playing. Heleen started to get hungry and got up to eat some fruit down in the kitchen. Dries looked up in puzzlement.
“Why are you getting up, Heleen?” he asked.
Heleen put the bookmark in her book. “I’m hungry, I’m going downstairs to see if I can get something to eat,” Heleen replied.
“I’m hungry too,” Jasper blurted out in reply. “Can I have something too? What are you going to eat?”
Jasper got up as well and Dries followed. Staying alone in the room wasn’t much fun either.
Down in the kitchen, Jasper immediately sat down at the table.
“What can we eat?”
“I don’t know yet, I’ll see what’s out there.” Heleen said as she stood in front of the open fridge.
In the end, she decided to stick with a normal apple. “Here you go,” she said and gave Dries and Jasper an apple each.
Heleen bit off a piece of the apple and ate it with relish. She had always thought that apples tasted best with the skin on.
Jasper sat at the table with the piece of fruit in his hand and his other thumb in his mouth, looking expectantly at Heleen.
Heleen looked up. “Is something wrong, Jasper?”
“Mum always peels them for me.”
“Oh, I didn’t know that. Give it to me and I’ll help you.”
“Do you want to peel mine too?” Dries asked; he hadn’t even started to eat the apple himself.
Heleen was glad she could do something for Jasper and Dries. Cheerfully, she took a knife and gave each of the boys a piece of apple in turn.
While they were busy, Koen came into the kitchen and sat down at the table. He sighed deeply. “I’m calling it a day. I’ve worked enough. Staring at the screen all the time gives me a headache.”
Koen also took a piece of apple that was meant for Jasper. “It’s nice of you, Heleen, to help out like this.”
Heleen beamed at the compliment. She also gave her father the next piece, which was meant for Dries.
“Thank you,” he replied.
“Jasper and Dries, mum and I are going for a walk. Are you coming? We’ll pass your house, Jasper, and then drop you off at home,” Koen said.
“Can I come too?” asked Heleen.
“Of course you can. Jasper and Dries, go upstairs and get your clothes and then come down for your shoes. Heleen, put your shoes on and wait for us at the door?”
Everyone got ready for the family walk. Jasper, who had run up and down quickly, was the first to finish, Heleen had gone upstairs to get her book and was carrying it in a small backpack. Dries had stopped at the toilet and was third. The route was decided on the way, but the walks were never very long. They usually walked for an hour, excluding breaks along the way.
When everyone was ready outside, Koen closed the door and they set off. Down the street, off the path and then with a big detour towards the park.
It was a strange experience for Jasper. Not the walking itself, but the overalls. He’d seen them on Dries before, but he didn’t have any of his own. So it was the first time for him to wear something like that. It felt strange, this chest and back piece that was against his bodysuit. It felt like he was getting a hug around his chest all the time. Around his waist and crotch everything was extra roomy; the dungarees were two sizes too big. He didn’t really have a description for the straps over his shoulders. It was like carrying a small backpack all the time.
After a swift walk, the family and Jasper arrived at the park.
“To the playground!” Jasper and Dries burst out together.
They ran to the jungle gym and did their best to get to the top as quickly as possible. Koen, Kathy and Heleen walked on to a nearby bench and sat down. Heleen took her book out of her backpack and read quietly. Meanwhile, Koen and Kathy enjoyed the peace.
Jasper and Dries couldn’t sit still. They ran from one play equipment to the next, tried out every swing and slide, and sat on the seesaw together for a while.
It had been a while since Jasper had emptied his bladder and he felt a slight urge to do so. Jasper stopped and looked around for a suitable tree to pee against.
“Jasper, are you coming?” asked Dries, who was off to the next playground.
“Hang on, I’m coming,” Jasper said. He decided to leave the tree as it was. He relaxed his bladder and felt his crotch get warm and wet. The wetness disappeared quickly as it was all absorbed by the nappy, but the heat remained. That feeling didn’t bother him. When he had finished peeing, he ran after Dries.
They played on the playground. But the swings, slides and especially the seesaw felt different. While playing, Jasper felt that the nappy was a snug and secure fit. He thought he could get used to the feeling.
Shortly afterwards, Koen, Kathy and Heleen got up from the bench. “Come on children, let’s continue!”
Together they walked on until they reached Jasper’s house.
“Good evening, come in. We were just going to call as it’s dinner time.” Helga said.
“Jasper, what happened to your trousers?” Celine asked. She didn’t recognise the trousers Jasper was wearing.
“I spilled ice cream, Mum. I got to borrow these trousers from Dries because my other trousers are all wet from being cleaned. And look, they’re special trousers.” Jasper grabbed his pullover and pulled it up, exposing most of the overalls.
“I can see they’re special. Are they comfortable?” Celine asked.
“Yes, it fits well,” Jasper said. “Are you coming to my room Dries?”
“Hang on Jasper, it’s dinner time. Are you going to wash your hands?” Celine asked.
“OK,” Jasper said with a deep sigh.
“Koen, Kathy, would you like to join us for dinner? We’re going to have sandwiches and we’ll have plenty.” Helga asked.
“No, you don’t have to, we don’t want to bother you.” Kathy replied.
“But you’re not a bother, in fact it’s more fun when you’re here,” Helga replied.
Kathy and Koen looked at Helga and then at each other. They looked at each other questioningly and then gave each other a small nod.
“It’s fine.” Kathy said.
Dries and Heleen looked happy. They thought it was a nice idea, so they could be with Jasper a little longer.
The table was quickly extended and some additional seats were added, cups and cutlery placed on the table so that everyone could find a place.
“Mummy, I have to go to the toilet,” Jasper whispered in Helga’s ear.
“Go on honey, or do you need a change?” Helga whispered back, patting Jasper’s swollen bottom.
“But it’s not pee, Mummy, it’s that other thing.” Jasper was a little embarrassed to talk to his mom about it.
“I see, go upstairs, I’m coming too.” Helga didn’t feel like changing such a dirty nappy, and she was glad that Jasper didn’t feel like creating such a dirty nappy and sitting in it.
Jasper disappeared into the upstairs bathroom with his mother.
“Unbutton your trousers,” Helga said as she took a washcloth.
Jasper took off his sweater and then started to fiddle with the fastenings of his dungarees.
“It doesn’t work Mummy, how am I supposed to open it?” Jasper asked.
“Press here and here and then.” Helga said as she opened the clasps.
“I didn’t see it Mum, the buckles are way too high on my shoulders to see properly. Can you show it again?”
“Not now dear, we have to get down to dinner as soon as possible. Everyone will be ready and waiting at the table by now.” Helga said as she continued to pull down the trousers and undo the snaps on the body.
She removed the nappy and quickly wiped the nappy area clean.
She folded the bodysuit inwards so that Jasper’s waist was nice and free when he sat on the toilet so that no bits of cloth would hang down in the water.
“Do your business and then come to your room. You wore a nappy all day, so you can do that for the rest of the evening. But tomorrow we’ll go back to normal. OK?”
“OK Mummy,” Jasper said and he went to the toilet.
Meanwhile, Helga went into Jasper’s room, grabbed a clean nappy and waited patiently for Jasper to come back from the toilet. Meanwhile, she studied the nappy. She had noticed in the shop that the wrapping had changed since she had last bought them for Jasper a few years ago, when he still needed them. But the nappies themselves were a little different too.
Jasper came into the room and lay down on the bed, ready for Helga to put a nappy on him. With her skilful hands, she changed Jasper’s nappy. She hadn’t lost those skills yet.
The nappy was closed, the romper was closed and Jasper stepped into the dungarees that Helga had also closed.
“Let’s go downstairs,” Helga said to Jasper.
"Gert, are you coming for dinner? Helga knocked on the door of Gert’s room as she passed theirs on the way down.
“Coming, five minutes!” he called back.
In the meantime, the table had been cleared, everyone had been given a drink and the bread and toppings had been put on the table.
Gert came in and mentally sat down at the table on the last empty chair.
Celine gave him a stern look. “Gert, aren’t we forgetting something?”
“Good evening Mr and Mrs, good evening Heleen and Dries.” Gert greeted everyone politely.
Jasper could see that Gert was in a good mood. Gert dreamed back to his own past afternoon. While shopping, he had met a girl for whom he had warm feelings. He had chatted with her for a long time and felt that his feelings were mutual.
“Jasper, I needed a Leatherman for camp next summer. I went to the store today to buy it. I don’t need my old pocket knife anymore,” Gert said, taking his old pocket knife out of his trouser and handing it to Jasper across the table. “Here, for you.”
Jasper looked delighted at the news. “Really, for me? Thank you Gert.”
Jasper was pleased with the gift. It was unexpected, and Jasper had dreamed of owning a pocket knife for some time. It had happened more than once that Gert had given Jasper his old stuff. And even though it was old stuff, it had never been junk. Jasper had always liked it.
Jasper put down his sandwich and picked up the pocket knife. He immediately opened it to take a closer look.
“You know a pocket knife is a tool, not a toy, don’t you Jasper?” Helga asked.
“Yes, Mum,” Jasper said. I’ll be careful with it." Jasper’s eyes sparkled as he continued to study the knife. He carefully felt with his thumb how sharp it was.
“Jasper, will you give me that pocket knife?” Celine asked sternly.
Confused, Jasper handed the knife to his mother.
“I’ll keep it here in the kitchen for you. If you need it, just come and ask Mama Helga or me.” Celine said.
She stood up and put the knife away in the kitchen, on top of a cupboard, out of Jasper’s immediate reach.
Jasper had been dreading this. He wished he had the knife closer to him so he could experiment with it, see how sharp it was and what it could and couldn’t cut. Now he would have to come up with a really good reason why he needed that pocket knife.
The meal went on pleasantly, and an hour later Dries and his family got up to leave.
“See you tomorrow Dries, see you next week Heleen.” Jasper said goodbye.
Everyone said goodbye to each other, then Koen and Kathy’s family left and Helga and Celine’s family went in.
“Jasper, if you start getting ready for bed now and do it quickly, you’ll have time to do something else before you go to bed.” Celine said.
“OK Mum!” said Jasper and he scampered upstairs.
Celine followed quietly to help Jasper. When she got to the bathroom, Jasper was putting toothpaste on his toothbrush.
“I can’t get these overalls off Mummy, can you help me?”
“Sure Jasper, I’m glad you’re trying so hard. I’ll go to your room. When you’ve finished brushing your teeth, I’ll be waiting for you.”
Jasper did his best and brushed his teeth thoroughly. A moment later he entered the room and Celine was indeed waiting for him.
"Buckle one, hop. And buckle two, hop," she said as she undid his overalls.
“Is your nappy still dry Jasper?” she asked as she pulled the dungarees down.
“Yes Mum, it’s a new one from just before dinner,” Jasper pointed out. “I went to the toilet then.”
“Okay, okay.” Celine quickly straightened the bodysuit a bit and in the meantime she quickly felt the nappy at the front. Indeed, there was nothing to feel. She took the same pyjamas from yesterday. They were still clean enough and would be fine for a second night.
Jasper stood up and turned with his back to Celine, so she could easily pull everything up and close the zip on Jasper’s back.
“All right, you can play for half an hour and then it’s time for bed.”
“Mummy, can I play the Nintendo?” Jasper asked.
“Yes, that’s OK. Go ahead.” Celine replied.
Jasper went downstairs and started a racing game. Just as he was about to start, Gert also entered the living room.
“Come on hand over.” Gert said.
He split the Nintendo controller in half and gave one half to Jasper. So they could race together. After all the bullying from Gert over the past few weeks, Jasper had forgotten that he could be kind once in a while.
It was a nice distraction for Gert to play with Jasper from time to time.
Half an hour later, Celine came into the living room. She saw that the race was almost over. So she waited and watched for a while until Jasper and Gert had both crossed the finish line.
“Jasper, time to go to bed. Will you give your controller back to Gert?” Celine asked.
Gert decided to continue playing for a while.
“Sleep well Gert.” Jasper said as he went upstairs. Celine went upstairs and tucked Jasper in.
“Plain clothes and underwear tomorrow Jasper, OK?” Celine asked.
Jasper nodded that it was fine. It had been asked as a question, but Jasper had understood that it was an order.
“Sleep well Mummy.”
“Sleep well Jasper.”
The light went out and Celine left the room, closing the door behind her.
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Author: Toet
Timestamp: Aug 1, 2023 at 12:11 AM
Content: Chapter twelve of fourty
Saturday morning, a week later, on the weekend of Heleen’s birthday, Helga had breakfast early in the morning. She had to work that day. Jasper was also up early and sat at the table in his pyjamas. Celine had also gotten up for the fun. Gert was still in bed, he usually didn’t get up before noon on weekends.
“Jasper, here’s the CD, it still needs to be packed. Can you make a card or a drawing to add to it before we pack it?” Helga asked Jasper.
“Sure, that’s a good idea. I’ll start right after breakfast,” Jasper said. He was excited and thought about what he could do.
He ate his sandwiches quickly and considered his options. Just make a drawing with a marker or a pencil. Or try to do more, fold a page in the shape of a card and then decorate it with some stickers after drawing and colouring, …
“Mummy, can I start with the card?” Jasper asked, his mouth full of food.
“No, Jasper, sit still, eat your food before you speak and then ask again. You also have to tidy up your place, wash your hands and mouth and only when the whole kitchen table has been cleared can you start,” Celine said sternly.
Helga herself was getting ready to leave. The shop would be opening in half an hour and she needed to be there in advance in order to be able to assign tasks to the staff under her care.
“Jasper, if you have to go, I won’t be home yet. See you tomorrow and have fun at the party,” Helga said as she gave him a big kiss on the top of his head.
“See you tomorrow Mummy!” replied Jasper; this time his mouth was empty. He got up and started to tidy up his seat. Celine looked surprised. It wasn’t often that Jasper did this after asking once. Usually it was barely enough to ask three times.
Jasper decided to make a beautiful card, mixing different decorating techniques. Each technique was nice on its own, but together they made a big mess, it was a cacophony in the end and the table was a scene of disaster. Jasper spent most of the morning working on it. Folding, cutting, pasting, colouring, drawing, writing, pasting some more,…
Celine thought it was a beautiful card, a work of art in itself, but maybe she wasn’t being objective. Someone else wouldn’t find it pretty, but it was clearly the work of an eight-year-old boy who really tried to make something beautiful. For Celine, it was not just the card that counted, but the effort that went into it. Celine hoped that Heleen would not only be happy with the CD, but also be charmed by the effort that Jasper had put into the card.
“Done,” Jasper said finally, when he was satisfied.
Celine quickly scanned the card. “Put your own name on it, Jasper, then Heleen will remember who the card came from.”
“Yes, that’s right, I’ll do it right away,” Jasper said. He thought for a while and finally decided to follow up the <> with a <>.
The birthday party wasn’t until four in the afternoon. Jasper was nervous about the party and didn’t know what to do. Nothing could hold his attention for long and he flitted like a butterfly from one toy to another.
After lunch, Celine handed him a paper list. “Jasper, these are all the things you need to take with you for the night at Dries’. Put everything on your bed, thank you, I’ll check it and then put it in the travel bag.” Helga and Celine thought it was important that Jasper learned to be independent. Letting him pack himself was one way of teaching him that, but they also knew that control was necessary.
Jasper went to his room, took a pencil to mark everything down and got to work. He laid out his clothes for tonight and tomorrow, some toiletries and the present for Heleen. When he had everything together, he went to fetch Mummy Celine.
“Mummy, everything is ready,” Jasper said. “Except the nappy, is that necessary? All the other girls will be over there and they might see it.”
“Yes, all the girls will sleep there, but that will be in Heleen’s room. You will sleep alone in Dries’ room, so that will work.”
“Okay mum,” Jasper said and he opened the cupboard door and took a nappy out of the pack. “Wow, they’re pretty tight in there.” Jasper noticed when he was done with the nappy.
Jasper put the nappy with the rest of the things and Celine checked everything.
“You forgot your toothbrush and toothpaste, you can go and get them now. Everything else is fine.” Celine said after putting the list down.
Jasper rushed back and forth to the bathroom. Meanwhile, Celine took a travel bag and put it on the bed next to the clothes.
“You can put everything in here, Jasper. If you pack everything yourself, you’ll know where everything is.”
“OK, Mum, I’ll do it now.”
Jasper happily packed the travel bag with all his things. When he was done, he dragged it downstairs and placed it next to the door. This time a pillow and sleeping bag had to be added, so it was heavy and well filled.
Celine quickly checked to make sure Jasper had put everything in the travel bag. Jasper could be a scatterbrain sometimes.
“It’s OK Jasper, well done.”
Jasper’s nerves had calmed down a bit from all the packing and setting up. Once everything was in the travel bag, he took out his Playmobil and started playing with it. Eventually, Jasper was so engrossed in his toys that Celine had to go and fetch him.
“Jasper, Heleen’s going to start her party in ten minutes. Shall we go?” Celine asked.
“Yes!” Jasper exclaimed excitedly. He stormed out into the hallway and pulled on his shoes as quickly as he could.
“I’ll come with you to help you carry your bag, Jasper,” Celine said, putting her shoes on herself.
Jasper arrived at Heleen and Dries’ together with a girl Jasper didn’t know. The door was decorated with balloons and in the window was a garland with the words “Happy Birthday”.
The other girl rang the doorbell and Heleen was at the door in a moment.
“Emma, Jasper! Come in. Mila and Tess are already here. Only Olivia hasn’t arrived yet. Sarah said she would be about half-an-hour later than expected.”
Jasper had barely said goodbye to his mother, said hello to Dries, put down his travel bag and taken off his shoes when the doorbell rang again.
“Hey Olivia!” Heleen exclaimed as she opened the door.
“Ladies, young gentlemen,” Kathy interjected. Take all your things upstairs and set up your bed now so you don’t have to worry about it later. The party can’t start until everyone’s here."
The girls all took their own bags. Heleen, seeing that Jasper was having trouble lifting his travel bag, came to the rescue and carried Jasper’s travel bag into Dries’ room.
Dries immediately started unpacking. After Jasper had opened the zipper, Dries started to pull out Jasper’s sleeping bag. Dries was immediately confused and started looking for the head and foot end.
Meanwhile, Jasper continued to look in his suitcase and took out his pyjamas and pillow. He left the nappy he had with him hidden in the bag. He didn’t want the girls to see it.
“Where does it end?” asked Dries, hopelessly confused by the sleeping bag.
Jasper grabbed the sleeping bag and untied it with Dries. They laid the sleeping bag on the spare bed and Jasper continued to unpack and prepare.
While he was busy he heard the doorbell. Sarah had arrived by now.
Jasper took his toiletry bag into the bathroom. Dries had gone into the bathroom with him to continue their conversation. When they left the bathroom, the girls came in with their toiletries and also looked for a place to put them. After Tess, Mila, Olivia and Sarah had put their toiletry bag next to Jasper’s, the shelf was full and Emma looked around to see where she could put hers. She opened a few cupboards at random, looking for an empty place to put her bag.
“Here’s a pack of nappies!” Emma exclaimed in surprise as she took the half-empty pack out of the cupboard for a closer look. “Who are they for?”
Dries immediately blushed, but Heleen tried to save him. “They belong to a little nephew who stays here from time to time. It’s easier if they’re stored here,” she said quickly.
“Okay,” Emma said and bought it. Dries sighed in relief. Emma looked at Jasper.
“Are you the little cousin?” she asked him. “Are these for you?”
Now it was Jasper’s turn to blush. He had never been so embarrassed as he was now. If he was honest, he had worn some of these nappies, but he didn’t want to say that. The package was not really there for him! It was actually there for Dries. He was speechless and didn’t know how to act. Of course he couldn’t tell the truth that it was for Dries. Once again it was Heleen who saved the day.
“No, these are Tobias’,” she quickly made up a name for a non-existent nephew.
Emma put the parcel back and put her toiletry bag next to it. She left the subject to rest and the group headed for the bedroom to continue unpacking. Only Mila lingered a little longer.
When the other girls were out of earshot, she turned to Dries and Jasper. “It doesn’t matter. I have a little brother, Billy, who is nine and still wets his bed. I know you can’t help it. At our house we use the same excuse if anyone accidentally sees them.”
Mila winked at Dries and Jasper again and left after the other girls.
Lost in thought, Dries and Jasper continued to unpack Jasper’s travel bag. They had been thrown off balance by what had just happened in the bathroom. So they continued their work in silence.
“Time for presents!” Heleen called into the room.
She was quite grown up, but sometimes the little child in her could still rear its head. Everyone, inspired by her enthusiasm, quickly followed her downstairs.
One by one, Heleen opened her presents. She was happy with everything her friends had given her, and she showed it.
When Jasper took out his present, she was surprised.
“Jasper, you have a present for me too? I thought you didn’t have anything. A super big thank you!” she exclaimed happily.
She took the gift and unwrapped it.
“Yes!” she cheered at the sight of the Justin Bieber CD.
The first thing she did was put the CD on. Then she took the card that had come out of Jasper’s present and examined it closely.
“So cute, this card,” Heleen said.
It was deliberate that she didn’t say she liked the card. Jasper still lacked a lot of artistic skills, but he more than made up for it by putting a lot of time and effort into the card. She could see that Jasper had put a lot of work into it. Heleen put Jasper’s birthday card next to the other cards she had received. Heleen was touched by Jasper’s gesture. I should give Jasper something too, she thought.
Heleen enjoyed the party. From midday until now, and she was looking forward to all that was to come. She was probably having one of the best days of the year, she thought to herself.
“Pizza time!” cried Heleen. Kathy had made and rolled out the dough beforehand. The only thing left to do was for everyone to choose their own toppings. There were lots of comments about each other’s choices.
“Pineapple, you can’t put that on a pizza!” shouted one.
“No, that should be on it!” shouted the other.
It was a gentle discussion that went on for ages. The end result was that both parties agreed to disagree. Jasper also enjoyed the freedom of choice. He put ham, salami, mushrooms and every kind of cheese he could find on his pizza.
"Go play a game or something, I’ll make sure the pizzas are all done. Kathy said.
She turned on the oven and put the pizzas in the oven in pairs. When they were all baked, she popped all the pizzas in a second time so they could be served hot.
The girls went upstairs to Heleen’s bedroom. Jasper and Dries followed.
The girls had put Heleen’s mattress on the floor and arranged everyone’s mats as best they could in a big circle with their heads all in the middle. Everyone sat down on a mat. Jasper and Dries crawled somewhere in the middle.
“What are we going to do?” asked Olivia.
“Truth or dare!” Emma said immediately.
All the other girls reacted positively.
“What’s that?” Jasper asked.
“Well, we need a bottle. We turn it around and whoever the bottle points to has to choose between truth or dare. The group then gives them either a challenge or a question and they have to answer honestly.”
“Okay,” Jasper said. He was curious about the game.
“Dries, would you like to go and look for a small empty glass bottle?” asked Heleen.
Dries got up and went downstairs.
“I’m going to start spinning,” Olivia said.
Meanwhile, Emma was surfing some game websites on her mobile phone, looking up some questions and challenges. “I already found something nice,” she said, smiling as she read something on her screen.
A little later, Dries arrived with an empty bottle of soft drink.
“Here you go,” he said, handing the bottle to Olivia who held out her hand to take it.
She put the bottle on the floor, “Everyone ready?” and started to spin without waiting for an answer.
The bottle stopped in front of Sarah. “What do you choose?” asked Emma.
“‘Truth’,” Sarah said immediately.
“Here it comes,” Emma said. “What’s your weirdest habit?”
Sarah immediately blushed. She had to think for a moment. She was looking for something that was true, but wasn’t really that bad.
“When I’m walking, I never want to stand on the stripes between the paving stones. I always move my feet a little further or closer.”
Sarah spun the bottle. “Now the next one.” She was happy to move on to the next one.
This time the bottle stopped in front of Mila.
“Dare,” Mila said, looking expectantly at Emma.
“Play air guitar!” she shouted.
Heleen found a nice CD and put it on. Mila immediately gave her best.
So the game began with the usual questions and tasks:
Sing a familiar song, brush your neighbour’s teeth, eat a spoonful of mustard. Read out loud the last message on your mobile phone, show the last photo you sent. Which teacher do you hate the most? Which famous singer would you like to be photographed with? Do you sing in the shower? Have you ever cried during a film? Turn around ten times and walk in a straight line. Read aloud from a book for one minute, keeping your tongue out of your mouth.
As time went on, the tasks got stranger and the questions more personal.
Hold your head under a jet of icy water for 20 seconds, put on the clothes of the person sitting next to you, let four ice cubes melt on your stomach. Call the Quick and ask if you can buy a Big Mac. What is the stupidest thing you’ve ever done? Have you ever kissed someone? Have you ever secretly watched someone change their clothes? Have you ever had lice? Put on ten pairs of underpants at once. Wear everyone’s socks in the room. Put all your clothes on backwards and inside out.
The game went on and on and there was a good atmosphere in the room. Everyone enjoyed it. They laughed with each other, at each other and at themselves.
Moments later, the bottle pointed at Jasper again.
“Dare,” Jasper said immediately.
He’d recently confessed to pouring salt on a snail and didn’t want to reveal any more secrets he’d rather keep to himself.
Emma scrolled through the list on her mobile phone to see if she could find another nice challenge. “I can’t find anything right now,” she muttered to herself. Suddenly her eyes twinkled.
“Get someone in this room to put you in a nappy!”
They all looked at Jasper expectantly. Jasper couldn’t refuse. No one had ever turned down a Truth or Dare before and every girl was looking at Jasper too eagerly. He felt that if he refused, he would ruin the good atmosphere and Heleen’s party.
Jasper looked carefully around the circle and considered his options. Who could he choose? Dries was his best friend, but it felt too strange to ask him. And he didn’t know enough about Heleen’s friends. Jasper’s eyes rested on Heleen. At least Heleen knew how things were, Jasper thought, and she always took such good care of him.
“Heleen?” Jasper asked cautiously.
Heleen smiled and nodded. Five other girls looked disappointed, they were all looking forward to nappying a cute little boy.
Dries was relieved, glad he hadn’t been given the challenge and glad he didn’t have to put Jasper’s nappy on, but he felt sorry for Jasper.
Everyone thought it was a fun dare. Except for Jasper and Heleen, who were a bit embarrassed.
“You can change in Dries’ room,” Tess suggested.
Jasper and Heleen nodded with relief. That actually made it a lot safer and easier.
Jasper went into Dries’ bedroom and waited for Heleen. Heleen had gone into the bathroom to get a nappy out of the box.
“Is it okay if I put this on you?” Heleen asked carefully. She didn’t want to embarrass or upset Jasper.
“If it’s okay with you,” Jasper said. “I don’t want to be difficult, after all it’s your party.”
“Then let’s get started,” Heleen said, taking some encouragement from Jasper’s answer.
Heleen found this task exciting and of course she knew the real reason why there were nappies in the house. She had always enjoyed mothering Jasper a little, and this was, of course, the climax. She had secretly dreamed of putting a nappy on Jasper and now that dream was about to come true.
Jasper, on the other hand, was relieved that he had been allowed to choose Heleen. He dreaded to think what it would have been like if he hadn’t been able to choose and it had been one of the other girls.
Heleen did her best and took her time to put the nappy on Jasper as well as she could. When she was finished, she pulled the trousers up again and took Jasper to her room where everyone was waiting.
“Look, here’s Jasper,” she said, pulling down Jasper’s trousers just enough for everyone to see the top of the nappy. “And here are his underpants, so he’s not wearing them under his nappy.”
Heleen held the underpants up in the air as proof.
“It’s cool that you dared to do that,” Emma said. “I didn’t expect you to. Up to you to spin the bottle, Jasper.”
Jasper was pleased with the positive reassurance he had received. In the end, Heleen had really done her best to make it right, and no one had said a bad word about it. There was a very nice atmosphere in Heleen’s room.
This time the bottle was pointing at Emma herself.
Keep playing with your hands tied! Sarah had the next suggestion. Emma willingly obliged, her hands crossed in front of her. Olivia tied a knot with a piece of rope and Emma tried to free herself, then proved unable to untie the knot herself.
“Dinner time!” Kathy called from the kitchen.
Giggling, they all went downstairs and into the kitchen.
When Kathy first heard everyone laughing downstairs and then saw them all appear, she laughed too.
“What have you been up to?” She looked quickly past all the children and immediately saw a number of things. She saw that Emma’s hands were tied together, Dries’ hair was wet, Heleen had toothpaste hanging out of her mouth, Sarah had all her clothes on backwards. All barefoot except Tess, who couldn’t walk easily because of all the stockings she was wearing. Kathy also noticed that Jasper was in a nappy.
“Jasper?” she asked quietly a moment later in private, not wanting to draw everyone’s attention to him.
“We were playing truth or dare. That’s why I had to put this on.”
Kathy smiled. “That’s very daring,” she whispered to Jasper. Jasper smiled at the compliment. Kathy took a quick look at the nappy and adjusted the tapes a little.
The pizzas were all pre-cut and laid out on the table. First they all sang for Helen’s fourteenth birthday and then the pizzas were eaten. Emma struggled a bit with her hands tied. She spilled one bite after another.
Everyone swapped pieces of pizza with each other to taste each other’s combinations and express approval and disapproval.
In addition to the pizzas, there were plenty of soft drinks and Jasper was certainly getting a lot of them.
In the end, everyone was happy and the table was cleared. Emma’s hands were also loosened, Sarah straightened her clothes and Tess gave everyone their stockings back.
Full of anticipation, Jasper and Dries sat down in the front row to watch the film.
“Jasper, get your thumb out of your mouth,” Koen said as he struggled with his laptop and cables. Koen had borrowed a projector and screen from work specially for tonight. Concerned, the boys watched the first scenes. A certain Maria is sent from the abbey by the Mother Superior as a governess to an army captain. She has to look after seven children: Liesl, Friedrich, Louisa, Kurt, Brigitta, Marta and Gretl. Jasper and Dries did not find the film interesting at all, especially when the singing in the film became too much for them.
Bored with the song ‘sixteen going on seventeen’, the boys went up to their room to play, leaving the girls and their film behind. Kathy was waiting for them upstairs.
“I’m glad you came. I almost wanted to get you. It’s time for you to go to bed.”
“But we’re not tired yet, Mum!” Dries protested.
“I know, but it’s time.” Kathy said. “It’s already an hour later than usual.”
She sat down on the bed, gently pulled Jasper closer so that he was standing nicely in front of her, and began to undress him.
“Dries, are you going to go to the toilet and brush your teeth?” Kathy asked. Dries felt unable to protest when he saw how obediently Jasper was getting undressed.
Jasper was tired from the day. He had gotten up early, spent the whole morning working on his birthday card, concentrating hard the whole time. And in the afternoon he had been physically busy at home with the nerves before the party.
“You’ve used the nappy already?” Kathy remarked.
“Yes,” said Jasper. “I had to go badly during the film and I was wearing the nappy anyway. I didn’t want to disturb the others by getting up”.
“And you got used to wearing and using a nappy after last week?”
“Yes, that’s true,” Jasper admitted.
“The nappy was well put on. Did you do it yourself?”
“No, I had to have the nappy put on by someone else in the room and I chose Heleen; she put my nappy on.”
“OK,” Kathy said. “She did a pretty good job, she already has been observing a lot when I was putting Dries in a nappy and a couple of times you in a nappy.” Kathy was happy to know that Heleen was capable of doing it.
Kathy removed the dirty nappy and took Jasper to the bathroom to freshen him up. The evening routine continued smoothly. In the end, both Dries in nappy, bodysuit and onesie and Jasper, also in a clean nappy, a borrowed romper and regular pyjamas, were in bed.
Kathy took the time to read to both boys.
“Jasper, take your thumb out of your mouth.” Kathy said as she opened the book and before she started.
She continued reading from the book about the thirteen-storey tree house where Heleen had stopped last time.
Jasper listened and took his thumb out of his mouth. He knew it was a bad habit, but he couldn’t help it; it felt so nice and familiar.
Heleen and her friends were lying in a circle on the mattresses in her room. They talked about the afternoon and the evening. They talked again about the toppings on the pizza, about the film, they hummed the song ‘do-re-mi’ together. The game of Truth or Dare was discussed again. About how funny it was to see Tess walking around with all those stockings on. How badly Olivia had done brushing Heleen’s teeth. They also talked about the sounds Dries made when he poured cold water over his head. The most hated and then most loved teachers of all the girls were also discussed in detail this time. Finally, they spoke about the nappy Jasper wore.
I really didn’t think Jasper would dare do that," Emma said.
“Jasper is really a tough guy, he dares a lot,” said Heleen. “But he’s also so sweet and cute.”
The girls all agreed. “He looked adorable,” said Olivia.
“And that you had to put the nappy on him. Wasn’t that difficult?” Mila asked.
“Not really, I used to do that with dolls when I was younger. Jasper is just much bigger than a doll, but at least he cooperated.”
“I used to have a doll that could talk and pee,” Sarah said.
And so the conversation continued about the toys they used to have and play with when they were younger and playing a lot.
Later in the evening, when the girls were finally quiet in their room and Koen and Kathy were getting ready to go to sleep, Koen looked in Dries’ room to see how the boys were doing.
“Look at Jasper,” he whispered to Kathy.
Kathy sneaked into the room and saw Jasper lying there. Breathing heavily, he was sleeping on his stomach. He was lying on the edge of the bed. The sleeping bag was hanging on the floor with both of his legs and one arm was hanging in the air over the edge.
“We’d better put him back in the middle so he doesn’t fall out.” Kathy whispered to Koen.
Without waking Jasper, Koen carefully moved him back to the middle of the bed. After leaving the room, he took a chair and placed it in front of the door. He wanted to avoid another disastrous fall from the stairs in the middle of the night.
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Author: Toet
Timestamp: Aug 10, 2023 at 10:19 PM
Content:
redprtodd said:
Toet, I'm very much enjoying this story and I find the translation to be particularly charming! I have a very good friend from the Netherlands and it very much reminds me of his spoken English in places, gramatically correct but unusual non native phrasing - it's very endearing. Sadly my friend moved back to NL a few years ago and I miss getting to hang out! But we stay in touch online and I have picked up making Kruidnoten and Speculass for Sinterklass to share with my family - and I have also developed a taste for dubble zout's which I am hard pressed to find anyone to share with as they all run away and hide!
[End of quote]
Hi there,
Thanks for your reply. I'm glad you like the story. It's sad to hear that your friend has moved away, but I hope you'll have time to contact or visit him somewhere in the future.
The 5th and 6th of December is indeed one of the most important days for a child in our region, it's a big celebration for everyone.
You're right to pick up all the good things from a culture, it makes life happier and more colourful.
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Author: Toet
Timestamp: Aug 10, 2023 at 10:24 PM
Content: Chapter thirteen of fourty
Somewhere around two o’clock at night it happened anyway. There was a ‘thump’ from Dries’ room, followed immediately by an ‘ouch’.
Kathy woke up at the sound and jumped out of bed to find out where it was coming from. With all the different children in the house, she was easily roused. Standing quietly in the hallway, she listened first at Dries’ bedroom door to see if she could hear anything. A soft murmur came through the door and Kathy went in to investigate.
She saw Jasper sitting next to his bed, rubbing his shoulder. He was talking softly to himself, venting his frustration.
“Jasper, are you OK?” Kathy asked quietly so as not to wake Dries.
Jasper was moody. He was exhausted and being woken up by falling out of bed was anything but a pleasant experience.
“Of course I am, I’m down here for fun,” was his sharp reply.
Kathy was shocked by this response. She was not used to this kind of reaction from Jasper.
Surprised, Kathy didn’t know what to say.
“Jasper, you can be upset about falling out of bed, but I can’t help it. It’s not my fault,” Kathy replied sternly after a short pause to consider her answer.
Jasper realised that his answer had been very inappropriate. He immediately felt bad about saying something like that to Kathy, who was always there for him when he needed her. “I’m sorry,” he said quietly, questioningly. He hoped he could make it up to her.
“I’m glad you apologised, Jasper.” Kathy said, still softly so as not to wake Dries. She stepped further into the room and switched on the flashlight on her mobile phone. “Can you show me where it hurts?” Kathy asked as she helped Jasper back onto the bed.
Jasper pointed to his shoulder and his tailbone. Kathy put the phone down so she had some light and used her hands to pull Jasper’s clothes open to inspect his shoulder and coccyx.
“It’s a bit red, but it doesn’t look too bad. Go on and try and get some sleep.”
Jasper lay down in bed, tired and in a bad mood from the sudden awakening. He also needed to go to the toilet, but he didn’t feel like it right now. “Screw it,” he thought. So Jasper let Kathy leave without saying anything. He lay flat on his back and relaxed his bladder. He felt his pee run down between his legs and be absorbed by the nappy.
Jasper then rolled over onto his side and tried to go back to sleep.
“Jasper, wake up! I am dry!” said Dries exuberantly.
Jasper struggled to wake up, it was still too early for him after the short and disturbed night. “What is it? What do you mean?”
“I didn’t wet the bed last night, my nappy is still dry.” Dries said very happily.
A small smile appeared on Jasper’s face. He was happy for Dries. “That’s good for you. So you won’t wet the bed anymore?” asked Jasper curiously.
Dries’ face fell immediately. “No, it doesn’t all go away at once,” he said disappointed. “Sometimes I wake up in the morning and my nappy is still dry. I had that happen too three weeks ago. But after that I was wet every night. I hope the dry nights will come more and more”.
“OK, I didn’t know that,” Jasper mumbled.
“Now I’m going to the toilet,” Dries whispered and he got up from the bed, went to the bathroom to take off his nappy and then went to the toilet.
Jasper was still tired from the interrupted night and the late time of going to sleep. He lay down again to sleep a little longer.
When Dries came back into the room, he spoke to Jasper. “Jasper, do you want to play?”
Jasper shook his head. He was tired and wanted to try and get some sleep. Jasper closed his eyes and tried to ignore Dries’ playing.
Dries saw that Jasper didn’t want to play yet and started to play on his own. He tried to be quiet, but he couldn’t.
Jasper woke up more and more. Sleeping was out of the question. First he listened to Dries’ game, a little later his eyes were more open than closed and he followed the story Dries was playing. A little later Jasper was playing side by side with Dries.
Jasper also had to go to the toilet. But now he was absorbed in the game with Dries and let everything run in his already damp nappy.
“Good morning Dries, good morning Jasper.” Koen came into the room. He had heard the boys playing and had come to see how they were doing.
“Good morning,” came the reply from Dries. Jasper looked up and rubbed the sleep from his eyes.
“Daddy, I was dry last night, I didn’t wet the bed!” Dries called out to his father.
“That’s good, my boy. I hope you can do the same tomorrow.” Dries nodded happily.
“Do you still have your nappy on, Jasper?” asked Koen, seeing Jasper’s swollen bottom. Jasper nodded yes.
“We’ll get dressed and then go to the bakery to get some pastries.”
“Mmm, I love croissants and those sweet pastries,” Dries said.
Dries darted into his wardrobe to find something to wear. Jasper stood up and looked around for a moment, not knowing how to proceed himself.
“Will you come with me Jasper? We are going to the bathroom to take off your nappy and freshen you up a bit,” Koen said.
Jasper nodded, happy that it had been decided for him how and what, and went with him to the bathroom.
Koen knelt down to help Jasper undress. T-shirt off, trousers off, romper off and nappy off.
“It’s soaked,” Koen remarked. For Jasper it was the first time that Koen had helped him instead of Kathy. Jasper noticed that Koen could do everything just as well, except that he washed and dried a little harder and rougher.
“So, that’s all done,” Koen said when Jasper was completely refreshed. "Here, take your pyjamas to stow them away and get dressed quickly in your room.
Jasper hurried down the hall back to Dries’ room and dived into his travel bag to put on the clothes he had brought from home yesterday and to tidy up his dirty pyjamas.
Once Jasper and Dries were fully dressed, they went to the bakery for breakfast. It was Koen’s strategy to take the two boys with him to give everyone else an extra half hour’s rest at home. Dries and Jasper were lucky enough to be able to choose for themselves. At the bakery, Jasper chose a pastry with almond filling, which he really liked. Dries chose a croissant with chocolate filling. Koen added a mixture of pastries until he had enough for the whole company at home.
Back at home, Koen started preparing breakfast with Jasper and Dries. They did their best to make it a special breakfast for Heleen; eggs were boiled, fresh fruit juice was squeezed. Bread was baked in the oven, along with pastries from the bakery. Finally, a large selection of toppings was laid out on the table.
While the water for the tea was boiling and the coffee was finished, the rest of the guests trickled into the kitchen. Everyone took a seat at the table and had a drink while they waited for the last one to show up.
They wished each other ‘bon appetit’ and the delicious breakfast began.
“Where’s my pastry?” Jasper exclaimed indignantly halfway through the meal. “I chose a very special one!” Jasper looked around the table and saw that Tess was holding it in her hand and had already eaten half of it.
“No!” Jasper’s eyes filled with tears of frustration. He had been looking forward to eating this delicious pastry.
Angrily, he pushed his chair away from the table and fled upstairs to Dries’ room.
Everyone looked surprised at Jasper’s outburst.
Kathy stood up to follow Jasper. “Don’t mind Tess, Jasper hasn’t slept much and he’s overreacting a bit.”
Kathy found Jasper in Dries’ room. Jasper was lying on the guest bed with his thumb in his mouth.
“It’s not fair,” he mumbled as Kathy sat down next to Jasper and put a comforting hand on his shoulder.
“I understand you don’t like it Jasper, but it’s unfair to be angry at Tess. She didn’t know, you didn’t tell anyone at the table that you had picked it out especially for you.”
Jasper was sulkily silent. He realised that Kathy was right and that he was overreacting, but the anger was boiling deep inside. What Jasper didn’t realise was that his emotions were heightened by his tiredness.
“I’m going to leave you here for a while to recover. When you feel better, you can come down.” Kathy said.
“I hate this, all the falling out of bed and waking up from it again. I used to do that a lot at home too,” Jasper blurted out.
“I understand it’s not nice.” Kathy said. She gave Jasper another hug and then left him upstairs in the room to continue to calm down.
Jasper stayed in his room for the rest of the morning. He played alone at first, and when Dries had finished eating and had come upstairs too, he played together with Dries. Jasper heard the doorbell ring several times and heard Heleen saying goodbye to her friends at short intervals. The birthday party was clearly over.
Heleen finally came up to look for Jasper and Dries.
"Hello Jasper, I had to say goodbye to you from everyone. And I had to come and tell you that your mum is having coffee with my mum downstairs and that you have to leave after that too.
“Jasper had a hard time this morning,” Kathy began to tell Helga.
Kathy, Koen and Helga had all sat down at the kitchen table. Kathy had a big mug of coffee in front of her and took a bite of a chocolate croissant that was left over.
The kitchen had not been completely tidied up after the party and there was still a bit of mess here and there. A napkin that was still lying around, a few plates and some cutlery that had been set aside because they could not be put in the already full dishwasher.
“Oh, how come?” Helga asked worriedly.
"He didn’t go to bed until late last night because of the party, and then he fell out of bed again last night, which woke him up in the middle of the night. This morning it was obvious that he was still tired. He was slightly out of shape.
"It’s unfortunate that he fell out of bed again. I thought it had stopped. Helga said. "Until last year we had a bed barrier in his room that he slept with. We took that away last year and we’ve had almost no problems since.
“It is remarkable that he has fallen out of bed here twice in a row,” Koen said.
Helga agreed. "It is indeed remarkable. I think it’s because he’s in a different room and in a different bed. "
“Do you still have that bed barrier?” Koen asked. “Especially for when we take him on holiday, it seems handy for there and on the way.”
“Yes, we still have it, it’s in the attic, but it’s too big to get into the car in one piece. You can’t fold it up or take it apart easily”.
“That’s a pity,” said Koen. “We’ll have to figure out something else.”
Lost in thought, they all continued to enjoy their coffee.
“Bye Heleen, bye Dries. Goodbye everyone.” Jasper said as he got ready to leave with his travel bag.
“Thanks for the present and the card Jasper. I really thought it was fantastic,” Heleen said. “I’ll pick something nice for you too.”
“Thank you,” Jasper said in surprise. He looked happily back at Heleen and Dries as they waved goodbye.
Helga took the bull by the horns and came over that afternoon with the wooden bed guard they still had at home. It was almost as long as his bed and had a big piece of wood to slide under the mattress.
Jasper had stayed at home in front of the television to fight his tiredness.
“Oops, that will indeed not fit easily in the car with the rest of the luggage,” said Koen, who understood where the problem lay. Koen took the bed rail and put it temporarily in the hall. He would find a place for it later, when Helga was gone. It could still be used the next time Jasper stayed over.
Kathy poured Helga a cup of tea and the three of them went out onto the terrace.
“It’s practical for here at home, but if he falls out of bed like this we’re going to have a problem when we travel.” Kathy said. “Did he used to do that a lot?”
"Yes, that’s why we kept the bed barrier for so long. We’d try to take it off almost every month for a long time, but every time we’d remove it, he’d fall out of bed the first or second night. Until about last year, when suddenly it wasn’t needed anymore.
“And since then he has never fallen out of bed?” asked Koen.
“It still happened occasionally. Now that I think back, I think it was always when he had a lot of positive or negative stress or emotions: the first days of school, before his birthday, the night when St Nicholas* comes to bring presents, when Gert bullied him. It also happened a few times when we were travelling”. Helga told them.
(*Saint Nicolas, see: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sinterklaas)
“So there’s a good chance that he’ll fall out of bed again the next time he sleeps here and every night when we travel?” asked Koen.
“Well, now that I think about it, yes, there is a high chance. He can toss and turn in his bed in his sleep so much that he’s out of the covers and on the floor an instant later,” Kathy admitted.
Koen took out his mobile phone and searched for something on the internet. “Surely there must be bed rails that are smaller or foldable,” he muttered to no one in particular.
He quickly came up with a few promising models, all folding or retractable. At first glance, they seemed manageable enough to take along in a suitcase when travelling. His frustration grew when he read everywhere in the specifications that they were up to five years old.
“It’s impossible to find something small enough to carry, but sturdy enough to use and affordable,” he said frustratedly as he searched the internet on his phone.
Kathy and Helga had been watching and nodded in agreement.
“And waking up every night won’t do us or Jasper any good. We have to find another solution.”
Kathy and Helga agreed with Koen, and a little later the three of them were busy on their own mobile phones, keeping each other updated on their search.
“Here’s an idea, roll up some towels and put them on the side of the mattress,” Kathy said.
“We’ve tried that, but he lies on them first, then pushes them flat, and later he’s out again.” Helga said.
“They also talk about an inflatable roll and special pillows for the edge of the bed,” Koen said.
“Wow, but they are not that great. Those inflatable rolls can still leak air and flatten out, and those side cushions sometimes slide too easily,” Koen continued, reading the reviews.
Focused on finding a solution, they all continued to work in silence.
Frustrated, Koen put down his mobile phone. “I just take a rope, put Jasper on a mattress, make a roll of the mattress and tie the roll. Then he can roll out of bed, but he can continue to sleep in his mattress roll.”
“Or you can hang him by his armpits over the coat rack in the hall. Then he’s stuck too,” said Helga, who had understood that Koen wasn’t serious, but wanted to channel his frustration in an entertaining way.
Kathy suddenly had an idea. “At my place of work they have a special kind of belt to make sure that the children cannot get out of their beds. Shall I ask the nursing staff about that?” she asked.
Helga looked doubtful. “I don’t know,” she said honestly. “It says everywhere that you are not allowed to tie children to their beds. That they can suffocate in the cords or get their mouths wrongly positioned on a pillow.”
"But that’s for babies who can’t look after themselves. Jasper could speak up if he’s in trouble. And if they do it in our institution, it will be safe. I can always ask.
“You can ask, but I want either myself or Celine to get the explanation as well and Jasper also must agree.” Helga said.
“That goes without saying.” Kathy replied. “Tomorrow at work I will try to talk to one of the nurses about it.”
At home, Helga sat down next to Jasper. “Jasper, I’ve spoken to Koen and Kathy,” she opened the conversation.
“Yes?” Jasper looked up at Helga questioningly.
"They’ve been working hard to find a way for you not to fall out of bed at night. Everyone has noticed that you are still terribly tired in the mornings and easily out of sorts. And there is also a risk that you will hurt yourself badly if you fall badly.
“I don’t get out of my mood easily!” Jasper shot violently.
Helga didn’t answer, but looked at Jasper meaningfully.
Jasper looked up at Helga in surprise and then realised what he had just said and in what way. He was ashamed.
“Sorry Mum.”
“It doesn’t matter, Jasper. But now you understand what we mean.” Helga paused for a moment to let it all sink in. “So Kathy, Koen and I have been thinking,” Helga continued. “I brought your old bed rail over there for their house. Is that okay?”
Jasper knew immediately what she meant. “Yes, that used to help a lot.”
“Another thing they suggested is that you try a special belt that helps to keep you in bed. It’s hard to explain but you can still lie on your side but you can’t roll out again.”
Jasper looked doubtful. “Will I really be stuck in bed? What if I have to get out? I don’t like the idea,” Jasper said worriedly.
“I think there is a solution for that.” Helga reassured Jasper. “Kathy will ask about it at work and when she knows more she will give us an explanation. Nothing has been decided yet. Is that good?”
Reassured by the calm Helga radiated, Jasper nodded that it was fine.
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Author: Toet
Timestamp: Aug 26, 2023 at 10:17 PM
Content: Chapter fourteen, Dries is ill
A few days later, Celine received a phone call in the morning.
“Good morning Celine. I need your help, Dries is ill and Koen and I both have to work. Are you or Helga at home today and can Dries stay with you?” Kathy asked.
“No problem, I suppose.” Celine thought for a moment. She had actually planned to make a few visits to the shops, to buy a few things that were not for sale in the shop where Helga worked, but nothing really urgent. Kathy waited patiently on the phone for a moment, knowing that a sick child could disrupt a whole day’s schedule.
“Yes, that should work. I’m off to school with Jasper in ten minutes and back home in half an hour. Can you wait that long?” Celine asked.
“Sure, you’re my hero for today.” Kathy replied with relief. She didn’t know what else to do.
“Mummy, who was that on the phone?” Jasper asked curiously, having heard his name. “Who’s coming in half an hour?”
“Dries is sick and he is coming here today to rest, Jasper.” Celine said.
“Pfff, and too little to look after himself,” Gert interrupted.
“Gert, where are your brains. At eight years old and sick, staying home alone for a whole day?” asked Celine irritated.
Gert winced. His mother was right again. Silently, he looked at his plate and continued to eat.
“It’s a shame that Dries is ill,” Jasper said. He was disappointed because Dries wouldn’t be at school today. Jasper always had a great time with Dries. The last time he had been away from school, Jasper had felt lonely all day. He was very bored during playtime. Jasper stayed as long as he could, hoping to see Dries at home before he left for school. However, Celine blocked Jasper’s behaviour as best she could and in the end they did indeed leave for school within ten minutes.
With a “Gert, are you hurrying too? It’s time for you to go, too,” she reminded him, urging him to get on his bike so as not to be late himself.
“I hope I see Dries after school.” Jasper said as he walked beside his mother on the way to school.
“I don’t know, we’ll see Jasper.” Celine replied. “Have fun at school,” she wished after him as Jasper headed through the school gates.
The moment Celine returned from dropping Jasper off at school and put the key in the lock of the front door, Kathy parked her car.
“Thank you, Celine. You are my saving angel today,” she said as she opened the door.
Kathy got out of the car and opened the door to the second row of seats behind her. She lifted Dries out of the car. He looked pale as a ghost; completely lifeless, he let his mother help him out of the car.
“I’ve just freshened him up, but he told me he wanted to sleep a bit more. That’s why I put his pyjamas back on. I put a nappy on him just to be safe in case he does actually sleep later,” Kathy said.
Kathy picked up Dries and carried him into the house after Celine. You can put him on the couch. Celine said.
Kathy put Dries down in front of the couch and he immediately lay down.
“I’ll just get his things.” Kathy said as she rushed to the car to get a bag. “I put everything in quickly, I hope I didn’t forget anything,” she said as she handed the bag to Celine.
“I just gave him some medicine for the fever, which can be repeated this afternoon if necessary. It’s in the bag. I also brought a fever thermometer, one for inside the bottom, another nappy, a set of clothes for when he feels better, and his book he was reading yesterday.”
“A thermometer for the bottom?” asked Celine in surprise. “We haven’t used that here for years.”
“Yes, I understand that, but Dries is used to it and it actually gives the most correct reading, as they always say at work.”
Celine nodded that she understood. “It’ll be fine, he can recover here and you can go to work without worrying. If there’s a problem, I’ll call,” she reassured Kathy.
“Thanks, I’ll go to work now, I’m already fifteen minutes late.” Kathy said as she got into her car and drove off.
Celine closed the door and walked back to Dries, sitting down next to him and putting her hand on his forehead.
Dries looked up at Celine with feverish eyes.
“I’m going to make you some soup and a biscuit; I’ll put it here on the table next to you if you fancy it. If you need me, I’ll be in the kitchen. Okay?” Celine asked.
She felt with her hand that Dries was way too warm. The fever will be very high indeed. Celine stood up and got a blanket ready. She looked down at Dries in his pyjamas. He was wearing a onesie with a zip at the back. The special thing about this onesie was that it also had feet attached to it.
It all looked very comfortable to Celine. She understood that this was the ideal garment for a sick day. She took the blanket and spread it over Dries, then left him alone. Then she heated some soup, took a stuffed animal from Jasper and gave it to Dries. While she was bringing the hot soup and the biscuit to Dries, she noticed that he had fallen asleep in the meantime. Carefully, so as not to wake him, she put the food on a small table next to the couch.
She quietly left the living room and went into the kitchen to text Kathy to let her know how Dries was doing.
Celine stayed in the kitchen until lunchtime, working on her computer. She stopped working when she heard the sound of Dries stirring in the sofa in the living room. He was clearly waking up. Celine saved her work, shut down the computer, closed the screen and went to see how Dries was doing.
“Hello,” Dries said weakly when he saw Celine coming. He held Jasper’s toy and sat up.
“Good afternoon.” Celine said with a friendly smile. “How are you feeling?”
"‘Miserable" was Dries’ short but correct answer.
Celine sat down next to Dries and felt his forehead. “Probably still pretty feverish. I think I can fry an egg on your cheeks.”
Dries laughed a little at Celine’s joke.
“What do we do first. Take your temperature first and then give you some medicine? Or do you want to eat first?” Celine asked.
“Fever and medicine first. I’m not really hungry.”
Celine nodded that she understood. With Dries still sitting on the couch, Celine took the zip on his back and pulled it down. She grabbed the sleeves of the onesie, pulled and the top was off.
“Lie down and make a bridge. Then I can take the onesie off.”
Dries turned over and lay on his back as Celine pulled the onesie further down until the feet were completely out.
“It looks very comfy,” Celine said.
“Yes, I like to wear it when it’s cold or when I don’t feel well.” Dries said.
Celine continued, opening Dries’ romper and then the wet nappy.
“First your fever.” Celine said as she turned on the thermometer and then carefully inserted it. Soon the thermometer signalled that it had finished reading and Celine took it out again. “39.4°C - 102.9°F,” she read on the screen. Curious to see if there was a difference with another thermometer, she grabbed the infrared forehead thermometer they always used.
“I want to compare with our thermometer, Dries,” she said, and took several readings with the forehead thermometer. The highest temperature she measured was 38.5°C, 101.3°F.
“The rectal thermometer really does seem to be more accurate.” Celine commented.
She fetched a washcloth and freshened up Dries. “What are you doing this afternoon. Get dressed or get back in your pyjamas and go back to sleep?”
“Rest a bit first?” Dries asked.
“Yes, that is good. Then we’ll put your onesie back on.” Celine said and helped Dries to put a fresh nappy, romper and onesie back on. She pulled the zip back and gave Dries a hug.
Celine looked in Dries’ bag and found some fever-reducing syrup. She was glad to see that Kathy had written on the box how many millilitres Dries needed.
After Dries had taken the syrup, he leaned against Celine in the sofa for a while. Slowly the medicine began to work, and a little later Dries began to feel a little better. Celine sensed that there was a little more life in Dries and suggested again that they have a little meal together.
This time Dries agreed and they went into the kitchen to eat. Dries drank a cup of soup and ate the two biscuits first, then an extra sandwich with chocolate. After dinner Dries, already tired from this little effort, went back to the couch in the living room. Celine followed and saw that Dries was too tired to do anything, but also too awake to sleep. Celine picked up a DVD and showed it to Dries. “Is this good?” she suggested. Dries nodded that it was fine and Celine put the DVD on. Then she left Dries alone in the living room and went back to the kitchen to clear up the dishes from lunch.
When Celine was done, she picked up a book and sat down on the other couch. Meanwhile, Dries was stretched out again in the coach and there was no room for Celine. The first film became a second, and when school was out she saw that Dries was asleep again. Quietly, she went outside to pick up Jasper from school. She had left a note next to Dries telling him that she was going to pick up Jasper.
“Dries, are you all right?” A worried Jasper came into the living room. Jasper hadn’t taken the time to put his things away.
Celine immediately called Jasper to order, “Jasper, you know what to do first!”
Jasper retraced his steps and resumed the usual routine he always did when he came home. Jasper worked quickly and as soon as he could, he sat down next to Dries. But before Jasper could talk to Dries, the doorbell rang and Koen was ready to take Dries home.
“Hello everyone!” he said friendly. It was only for a short while before Koen left again. He had made an appointment for Dries to see the doctor and they went home first to freshen Dries up. For the rest of the week, Koen and Kathy could take turns taking days off and hopefully Dries would be better next week.
“Before I forget,” said Koen. “I had to let you know that Kathy is working on Saturday and that Jasper should visit her at work to see if we can use these straps to prevent Jasper from falling out of bed. She can take a break in the afternoon and there is a colleague who would be happy to explain and show her everything”.
“OK, that’s fine. We’ll be there on Saturday.” Celine confirmed.
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Author: Toet
Timestamp: Sep 5, 2023 at 10:45 PM
Content: Hello everyone,
I’m looking forward to reading your thoughts, comments and remarks on my story.
Enjoy the nest part!
Chapter fifteen
Saturday afternoon, Celine, Helga and Jasper were at the reception desk at the Holy Méen Institute.
“Good afternoon.” Kathy greeted them enthusiastically when she saw who was standing in front of her.
“Good afternoon, m’am.” Jasper replied. “How’s Dries doing? Is he going to be ill for a long time?” he then immediately inquired.
“Dries is better. Today he has another pyjama day, but normally he comes back to school on Monday.”
"Great, can he come and sleep with us tonight? I feel bad because I have hardly seen him this week." Jasper begged.
“Better not, he’s only just recovered and he really needs his rest.” Kathy said.
“Mister,” Celine began. Jasper flinched. If his mother addressed him as ‘mister’, he would have crossed a line he wasn’t supposed to. Jasper looked up at Celine and then listened.
“Before you make arrangements with others, ask your mum if it’s OK.”
“Sorry Mom.” Jasper said guiltily.
“But you didn’t come here for Dries, you came here for yourself, Jasper.” Kathy broke the tension.
“You can follow me to my colleague.” Kathy said as she switched the reception sign from ‘open’ to ‘pause’.
The family, with the exception of Gert who had stayed at home, followed Kathy through the corridors to an older part of the building. Wide-eyed, Jasper looked around at the stately colonnade and the beautiful painted glass windows. The building had an air of age about it. Not that it was shabby or dilapidated; it was just clear that it had a long history and that stories great and small had taken place here.
On the way out, Kathy thanked Celine for looking after Dries. If necessary, Jasper could always stay with them at their home, she promised. She would be happy to return the favour.
“Speaking of which.” Celine said. “There’s a wedding on Saturday in two weeks and Helga and I have been invited. It starts in the evening and ends somewhere in the middle of the night,” she said. “Normally we always ask Gert to keep an eye on Jasper, but at the moment, because of the end of the school year, he’s in the middle of some tough exams at school that he needs to study for, and he has already indicated that he studies much better when Jasper is not around. We haven’t been able to find another babysitter either, because they’re all studying themselves”.
“No problem.” Kathy said, glad to be able to return the favour. “He can stay with us then.”
“Yippee!” Jasper exclaimed when he heard that.
“Hi, you must be Jasper?” a man asked as Kathy, Helga, Celine and Jasper entered the room.
Jasper gave a shy nod and said yes. He looked at the man carefully. He had an open and friendly face and radiated a kind of calmness. It gave Jasper a little more confidence that everything would go well.
“You can come over here and sit down on the bed,” the man said to Jasper as he patted a nicely made bed for adults with his hand.
The height of the mattress was much higher than he was used to at home. Jasper climbed onto it carefully and sat down on the edge.
“I heard you came here to test a belt because you fall out of bed a lot. Is that right?” the man asked as he went to the cupboard and took out a stuffed cloth bag.
Jasper gave the bag a worried look and nodded again.
“Let me explain what we’re going to do, Jasper,” the man continued. “First I’ll explain how everything works and what materials we do and don’t need. Then I’ll show you how it works and finally, very shortly, I’ll ask you to lie down so I can show you how to fasten it. And once that is finished, I’ll immediately take off all the straps. Your’ mums and Kathy will stay here all the time. Is that all right?”
Jasper was reassured by the detailed explanation and the fact that his mums would be staying the whole time. “Okay,” he shyly replied.
“Alright,” the man said as he opened the bag. “Let’s start with these,” and he took a small iron pin, a black cap and a red cap with a ring on it out of the bag.
"These pins are used to fasten the belts to the right size and you close them with the caps. This red cap has a magnet on it that allows you to remove the black cap.
The man did a couple of demonstrations and then handed everything over to Jasper for him to have a look at.
“It’s like a really big thumbtack,” said Jasper, who was the first to take the pen.
“That’s right, but luckily without a sharp point,” the man said.
Jasper took the tip of the pen and stuck it into the hole in the cap. It went in easily, but when Jasper tried to get it out again it wouldn’t budge. Then he took the red cap, pressed it against the black button and the pen came out immediately. Jasper looked at the whole thing in surprise.
“It’s magnetic, the red cap, just hold it against the metal side of the bed here.”
Jasper did just that and immediately felt the strength of the magnet.
Then the friendly man took a whole bunch of belts out of the bag. It’s all a set. I know you won’t need all of them, but when you come to borrow them, we’ll give you all of them so that everything stays together. Jasper and the mothers nodded. They understood that it was easier to keep everything together in the bag, so there was less chance of something getting lost or mixed up here in the hospital.
The man examined the belts and sorted them into two piles. He put most of them back in the bag. “This is supposed to be used for restraining ankles and wrists, but you don’t need it. It’s just to make sure you don’t fall off your bed, isn’t it?” the man asked.
“Yes, falling out of bed is terrible,” Jasper replied, loosening up a bit. Jasper was reassured by the calm way of working and felt that they were all there to help him.
The nurse opened a number of other straps on the bed and first started to fasten a large strap over the mattress to the slatted base.
“Look Jasper, this is where you will be lying down later. These straps will hold the system to the bed and these straps should be fastened over your stomach so you don’t roll out,” he explained. “Shall we try this? You can just lie down on this,” he said, opening everything up nicely.
Jasper looked at it, took a deep breath and lay down on the straps.
The man took a pen, put the straps over Jasper and closed the strap with the pen at the first possible hole. “It’s actually a bit too loose, the strap over your belly, but it’s the smallest fit so I can’t make it any smaller,” he murmured.
“Jasper, to make it right I need to add something. I’ll untie you, add a few more straps and then secure you again.” Without waiting for Jasper’s approval, he started at once.
"The problem with the straps being too loose is that Jasper could easily slip up or down between them. Normally that’s not a big issue, except of course if it ends up around Jasper’s neck. You don’t want that to happen.
During the explanation, the nurse added an extra strap that went from Jasper’s back, between his legs, to his stomach, and another set that went from his back, over his shoulders, to his stomach. On Jasper’s chest, the two straps were secured together so that the straps could not slip over Jasper’s shoulders.
“That should be enough. Jasper, try and lie on your side. Can you manage that?” The nurse asked.
Jasper did as she asked and rolled from left to right.
“These are special straps that still allow you to roll. You can prevent that by attaching extra pins and magnets to the sides, but that wasn’t the intention, was it? Jasper, what do you think, could you sleep like this?”
Jasper rolled two more times from side to side. “I think so, but what if I have to get up?”
Here Kathy stepped in. “We can leave the key next to your bed so you can get it yourself; you can unlock the locks yourself and then you can be out in no time.”
“If we can agree on that, I think it’s good for us, too,” Celine said, looking at Helga quizzically.
Helga thought for a moment too. She hated to see Jasper tied to the bed like this. Emotionally she was against it, but intellectually she understood. It seemed a practical and safe choice and Jasper seemed to agree.
“It’s good for me too, as long as it’s good for Jasper,” she said after a long thought.
“Okay, then I would like to invite you to untie and reattach everything yourself so that you can all work with it,” the nurse suggested.
After that, the mothers all worked hard to test everything. Jasper worked willingly for a while, turning in all the right directions and showing that he really couldn’t get out by accident. Finally, Jasper decided he had had enough, freed himself with the key and said he had had enough.
They left the fixation set behind. Kathy agreed with her colleague that she could borrow it for free, but only for as long as she needed it. The set was to remain at the institution for the rest of the time, to be used there.
“If you are unable to attach the straps to the bed slats or frame, you can always use the wrist and ankle straps as an extension to go around the entire bed with the set or attach the strap to the feet of the bed,” the nurse offered as a final tip.
“Can I go and play with Dries now?” asked Jasper when they all returned to the reception desk together.
“Yes, if it’s all right for Kathy,” Helga said.
Jasper immediately looked at Kathy with questioning eyes.
“You can go for a short time, but only if you play with him inside. Dries needs to rest today.”
“Yippee!” Jasper jumped a hole in the air.
Jasper took the hands of his two mothers and pulled them towards the parked car.
“I’ll send Koen a message right away,” Kathy laughed after the family.
<<Koen, we’ve arrived.>>> Celine sent a message to Koen after she had parked the car.
“Jasper,” Celine said as she sat in the passenger seat. “Koen just sent that Dries is tired and taking a nap. You are welcome, but you have to keep quiet until Dries is awake, and you are certainly not allowed to wake him. Have you understood that?”
“Oke mommy,” Jasper said. He unbuckled his seatbelt and positioned himself at the car door, waiting for his mum to open it for him. The child lock was still in use for Jasper.
When Jasper got out, Koen had also opened the front door. “Shhh,” he gestured for Jasper to come in.
Jasper nodded vigorously, pressed his lips together and sat down in the hall to take off his shoes. He crept into the living room in his stocking feet and sat down on the floor next to a comic book that was lying around. It was a Star Wars comic and Jasper enjoyed the story. He lay on his stomach, leaning on one elbow and his thumb in his mouth on the carpet, reading the story. Heleen came over to see who had arrived.
“Hello Jasper, good afternoon,” she whispered happily as she sat down next to Jasper.
Jasper sat up straight and took his thumb out of his mouth. “Good afternoon Heleen.”
Heleen took the comic book and looked at which one it was. “Do you like Star Wars?” she whispered.
Jasper gave a vigorous nod in agreement.
“Where were you reading?” Heleen asked.
Jasper pointed to the text he was about to start.
Heleen immediately began to read aloud. Jasper enjoyed it and huddled close to Heleen as he listened. When the comic was almost finished, Dries entered the room. He was wearing a pair of pyjamas and sat down on the other side of Heleen to listen to the end of the story.
Koen, who had seen that Dries was awake, also waited until Heleen had finished.
“Dries, is your nappy still dry?” asked Koen after Heleen had closed the comic.
Dries nodded yes. “I think so, I went to the toilet before I went to bed and I only slept for an hour, dad,” he answered calmly. He knew he shouldn’t be ashamed of his bed-wetting problem in front of Heleen and Jasper.
“Do you want to go upstairs and take your nappy off?” he asked Dries.
Dries shrugged, “I don’t mind,” he said briefly. Now that Jasper was here, he wanted to enjoy his presence. “Shall we play a game, Jasper?”
Koen understood where Dries’ priorities lay and turned around.
Jasper nodded that it was all right. He stood up and took a board game, Bunny Hops, out of the cupboard. It was a simple game, designed for younger children, but this time it might be a little bit less complicated, now that Dries was not quite fit.
Heleen, who didn’t have much to do, also got into position to play.
While they were playing, Koen came back into the room. He had a fresh nappy in his hand. When it was their turn to play, the children stood up to play and then sat down again.
“Dries, stand up for a moment so I can take a look.” Dries stood in front of his father and left him to it, while he followed with his eyes what Jasper and Heleen were doing in their turn. Koen pulled the pyjama trousers down a little and the body to one side. He inspected the nappy and felt it for a moment. “It is indeed completely dry,” Koen concluded. He put the fresh nappy on the seat behind him and tugged at Dries’ clothes to put everything back in its place.
Meanwhile, Heleen wanted to sit down. She took the nappy from her place and put it thoughtlessly to one side. Now it was Dries’ turn. He rolled the dice while Jasper sat down. He had the feeling that he was sitting on something and when he looked under his bottom he saw the fresh nappy. “Huh, is that nappy for me?” he asked in surprise, holding up the nappy. Jasper had been so busy playing that he hadn’t seen Koen checking on Dries.
“If you like,” said Koen, who had come to the conclusion that Jasper would like to wear it, so that he and Dries were on an equal footing, as they were at night. Koen took the nappy and put Jasper flat on the seat. His trousers and underpants came off and Koen skilfully put the nappy on. Jasper realised that Koen had misunderstood him, he just expected an answer, but he didn’t mind. After all, Dries was in a nappy too?
Koen folded the trousers and underpants neatly and put them aside. The three children played a few games together until it was time for Jasper to go home. The trousers were pulled over the nappy, the underpants were put in his pocket and Jasper was sent home.
When he got home, Jasper went into his room. He loved being able to play in just a T-shirt and nappy, so he pulled his trousers off again. Jasper picked up a book and settled down to read. He sat down on his bed with his back to the wall, pulled his blanket over his lap and put his book on top of it. It was a book about a boy who could do magic and Jasper thought it was an engrossing story. He was so lost in what was happening that he did not notice that the door to his room, which had been ajar when he came in, was now completely open.
Jasper didn’t want to stop reading, so he skipped his toilet break. Wasn’t the nappy there to be used?
“Good evening, Jasper.”
Jasper gasped and looked up. Gert was suddenly standing in his room! Aware of his clothes and the state they were in, he started.
“Gert!” exclaimed Jasper. “You scared me to death!”
Gert ignored Jasper’s apparent shock. He sat down on the bed beside Jasper. Gert took the book out of Jasper’s hands and put it aside. “Jasper, you have to listen, I have something to tell you!”
“Yes?” Jasper asked carefully. Jasper could see that Gert was very excited about something, but he was very afraid that his current state of dressing would become known. Jasper got a good grip on the blanket and pulled it extra high up to cover his body.
“I asked for a date with Ine,” he said happily. “And she said yes!”
Jasper looked up in surprise. He had heard Gert talking about Ine last year, she was a classmate of Gert’s. But then Gert had said that he was “the dumbest girl in the entire school”.
“We even kissed,” Gert continued dreamily.
Jasper’s stomach turned three times. Bah, he didn’t need to know about that sticky stuff. Girls weren’t nice. All they did was cry and play with dolls and play silly games. Boys were much more fun to play with. He didn’t understand what Gert saw in kissing a girl. Jasper was pretty sure he would never be involved in such a thing.
Gert walked happily out of the room. He almost skipped, so happy was he. Jasper looked at Gert in surprise. He didn’t understand his big brother. Jasper didn’t have a single girl in his class that he liked to play with. The only one he liked was Heleen, but she was more of a big sister than a playmate. But it was much better to see Gert in a good mood and not teasing or bullying him.
Relieved to see Gert close his own room door, Jasper got up quickly. He also closed his own room door, quickly removed the nappy and made sure he was clean and presentable for dinner a little later.
Helga’s mobile phone went ‘ping’ in the evening as she sat comfortably on the couch with Celine. Helga paused the TV to read the message. Celine glanced up, disturbed. She was enjoying the hug she and Helga were giving each other.
“Kathy and Koen want to tell Jasper that he will be coming with them on holiday next time he is staying with them. She asks if that’s OK.”
“Yes, is good for me.” Celine said. She then took Helga’s remote and started the film again. Helga quickly typed a positive reply to Kathy, then turned her attention back to the TV and Helga.
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Author: Toet
Timestamp: Sep 14, 2023 at 10:42 PM
Content: Chapter sixteen
The two weeks flew by. At school, the children were busy reviewing the material they had seen during the previous year so that the teachers could see what the children had absorbed and what they had not. The children especially looked forward to the last week. It was always filled with playing at school, doing fun activities and having extra long breaks.
But before the last week began, there was the wedding of friends of Celine and Helga, and on that Saturday Jasper stood in front of Dries with an overnight bag. He had walked to Dries on his own. His mums were busy getting dressed for the party.
Helga had again made a list for Jasper of everything he had to take with him, and he had done it flawlessly. Helga had even complimented him on how well it had gone. Jasper rang the doorbell happily. He was looking forward to a day of play and adventure with Dries.
Inside, Jasper heard Dries storming down the stairs. “Jasper!” he yelled, even before he had opened the door. Both children smiled broadly and looked at each other. Jasper threw his rucksack down and gave Dries a big hug.
“Mum, dad, Jasper’s here!” Dries shouted over his shoulder.
“Then invite him in and don’t leave him standing at the door!” came Koen’s reply. Jasper came in cheerfully and closed the door behind him. The two boys were already off to play when Koen stopped them.
“Jasper, can you put your bag upstairs before you start playing? He is standing over here ready to trip up people.”
Jasper said it was OK and turned to take his duffle bag upstairs. He grabbed the overnight bag and together with Dries they brought it up the stairs.
The bag was put down and Jasper and Dries decided to play outside. In the bushes at the end of the road they made a big marble run by digging trenches in the ground. One marble after the other rolled down until Heleen came to get them.
“Jasper, Dries, it’s time for dinner!”
“Coming!” Dries called back. Together with Jasper, he quickly collected the marbles that were lying around and then went home with his sister and Jasper. Jasper and Dries had a lot of fun outside. And in relation to their fun, they had also gotten dirty with earth and mud from the forest floor.
“Here, Heleen,” Kathy said, handing Heleen a washcloth with soap and water. Kathy worked on Dries’ face and hands while Heleen concentrated on Jasper’s face and hands. Then the worst of the mud was patted off their clothes. After a bit of scrubbing and polishing, both children were decent enough to go to the table. The weather was warm and the table was set outside on the terrace.
“Mmm, pizza,” said Jasper, eagerly starting his first slice. Playing outside for so long had made him hungry.
After dinner, Kathy said, “Boys, you can wash off the rest of the dirt in the bathtub and then put on your pyjamas. There will be quite a bit of time left before you have to go to bed, normally”.
Upstairs in the bedroom, Jasper looked at the guest bed that had been prepared for him. The bed rail was already attached to the side of the bed and the straps for around his stomach were already attached to the bed.
“What is this?” Dries asked, looking surprised at the whole thing.
“Things to keep Jasper from falling out of bed,” said Kathy, who had come right after. “We want to test what works best.”
Dries nodded that he understood. Curious, he approached the guest bed to have a closer look.
“Look,” Kathy said. “These straps should keep Jasper from falling out of bed. We fix them so he can’t roll out of bed in his sleep.”
“And what is this side rail for?” Dries asked.
“If Jasper does not succeed in sleeping with the straps, we still have the side rail as a spare. It’s only ready for tonight, so that Jasper can decide to open the straps in the night and sleep safely without fear of falling out of bed.”
Dries nodded that he understood.
Kathy grabbed Jasper’s duffel bag and together they took everything out. Jasper’s cuddly toy was placed next to his pillow, and the fresh clothes for tomorrow were put aside. The toiletries followed, and at the bottom of the duffel was Jasper’s favourite onesie, neatly folded with a nappy underneath.
“Will you be wearing this one tonight, Jasper?” Kathy asked as she took it out. Jasper glanced at Dries but he had already disappeared into the bathroom.
“I don’t know, is Dries?” Jasper began his question.
“Yes, Dries will be wearing one soon.”
“Okay,” Jasper said.
“Get undressed and go to the bathroom. Shall I prepare a bodysuit for you too?”
Jasper looked surprised. “A bodysuit?”
Kathy went to the cupboard and took one out. “With those snaps between the legs.”
“Yes, then the nappy fits much better.” Jasper said with a big smile. Kathy put the pile of clothes on the bed and went into the bathroom with the toiletries. Meanwhile, Jasper took off his clothes, which were scattered on the floor one by one.
In the bathroom, Dries was already in the bath. The water was running and Dries was doing his best to make as much foam as possible, pushing the soap towards the running water each time.
Jasper entered the bathroom and immediately saw a bin full of bath toys. Jasper rummaged through it and threw a number of toy boats and toy fish into the bath. After messing around in the bin and looking around, Jasper decided that it was all fun and took the whole bin and turned it upside down over the bathtub. He then immediately put the bin down and jumped into the bath next to Dries, between the toys and the soapy water.
Kathy left the children alone while she cleaned up the dirty clothes. Meanwhile, Dries and Jasper were enacting something that looked like a blend of ‘The Titanic’, ‘The Perfect Storm’ and ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’. Ships were sinking and rising in the bathtub, the fish were turning from good-natured helpers into ferocious deep-sea monsters, and the foam, which acted as icebergs, was flying around the bathroom until the floor beside the bathtub turned into a slide.
Kathy hadn’t come to see it yet, but from all the splashing and playing she heard, she knew enough. She took Heleen into the bathroom with her. Normally Heleen never had to help in the bathroom, but Kathy still had a lot to do around the house and she wanted to get on with it. Knowing that Heleen hated cleaning but was happy to help the boys from time to time, she decided to share the chores. Kathy was armed with a bucket and a mop, and she set to work immediately, at the risk of getting wet, on the bathroom floor.
Heleen was told to look after the boys in the meantime. She had never done this before but was happy to help. A little bit uneasy and nervous, she began the task.
Heleen took a washcloth and sat down on the edge of the bathtub. She took care of Dries first.
“Are you going to wash me, Heleen?” Dries asked in surprise.
“Yes, mum wants me to help.”
He was washed from the tip of his nose, through the back of his ears and under his armpits, until he was spick and span between his toes. As Kathy continued to wipe the floor, she gave Heleen verbal instructions, indicating where she should pay careful attention. For Jasper, it was a strange image. He was used to his mum helping him now and again, but being washed by a big brother or sister? Gert would never do that.
After Dries had been washed, Heleen asked Jasper to come closer. Jasper wasn’t entirely comfortable with this, but no one else in the bathroom seemed to think it was strange. Heleen took Jasper’s arm and began to wash it. Jasper was surprised that it felt so good.
Mummy Celine was always pretty rough, but very thorough, while Mummy Helga was gentle, but everything went too fast.
Heleen was somewhere in between: not too rough and taking her time. Jasper enjoyed this washing session, especially when Heleen rubbed his back a few extra times.
The plug was removed from the bathtub.
“Look at the boats being swallowed up by the giant whirlpool!” shouted Dries, who watched until the last drop of water had drained from the tub. An impatient Kathy stood ready with the towel, waiting for Dries. Jasper watched as he was dried in the meantime by Heleen.
Once dry, the boys were sent out of the bathroom and back to the bedroom. Kathy immediately went down to the kitchen to finish cleaning up. Only Heleen entered the room. Heleen did not look up from the belts that could be seen on the spare bed. By the time Kathy had made the bed that afternoon, and been busy with the belts, she had already received the whole explanation.
“Just lie here, Jasper,” Heleen said as she patted Dries’ bed.
The nappy went on a little easier than at the birthday party. Heleen also took the rest of the clothes that were ready for Jasper and helped him to put them on one by one.
Dries didn’t want to wait for Jasper and quickly put on his pyjamas. He left his nappy and body on the bed.
Jasper looked at Dries in surprise. “I thought you had to wear a nappy too?”
“Yes, later, just before I go to sleep,” he said as he went downstairs.
Heleen closed the zip of his onesie over Jasper’s tummy. “Just follow Dries down.”
Heleen was pleased with the evening. She liked being able to look after and spoil the boys in this way.
At first, Jasper felt a bit cheated that he was wearing a nappy and Dries wasn’t. But after a few steps he recognised the comfort of the nappy. It had given him a feeling of security and that, together with the care Heleen provided, brought him a feeling of peace and comfort.
Jasper came downstairs in a good mood and sat down next to Dries in front of the television. Dries had prepared a film: the Lego film. Jasper had never seen it before and was curious. Before Dries could press the start button, Koen came in with a tray containing 5 large glasses and a bowl of chips for everyone.
“Wait a bit before you start the film, Kathy and Heleen will be here soon,” he said and distributed the glasses and chips. Heleen also sat down in the chair and Kathy came out of the kitchen with a bottle of lemonade and a bottle of wine. She poured wine for Koen and herself and then took the bottle back to the kitchen, while Koen poured a glass of lemonade for each of the children. He screwed the top on and left the rest of the bottle on the side table.
Kathy also sat down on the chair and lovingly put her hand on Koen’s legs.
“Jasper and Dries, we have a surprise for you.” Kathy said. “When we go on holiday to the south of France this summer, Jasper can come with us. We’ve asked your mums and they’ve agreed.”
The two boys had to let it sink in for a while before they really understood. So Jasper was coming along on holiday? Together? All the time?
Jasper and Dries looked at each other, wordlessly seeking each other’s support to make sure they had heard correctly. When a smile appeared on one face, it was immediately mirrored by an even bigger smile on the other. In no time, the boys were dancing around the living room with joy. “We’re going on holiday together!” they chanted in harmony over and over again.
It took a while for them to calm down, but eventually they were sitting on the couch side by side with blissful smiles on their faces. The film was set up and the family and Jasper enjoyed the story, the artwork and the fun music on the television.
During the movie, the children ate chips and occasionally sipped from their glasses. Halfway through, during a quiet part of the film, Dries asked for a little break. He desperately needed to go to the toilet and couldn’t hold it until the end of the film.
Jasper took advantage of the break to refill his glass for the second time. He emptied the bottle and walked over to the bin to dispose of the empty bottle. His nappy hadn’t been dry for a while, but Jasper didn’t want to interrupt the film as it was so exciting at the moment.
Koen had noticed that Jasper had already drunk a lot of the lemonade. “Jasper, don’t you have to go to the toilet?” he asked.
Jasper turned red. He found it hard to admit that his nappy was already wet. “No, I don’t have to,” he said quickly, trying to avoid talking about the state of his nappy.
Dries came back from the toilet and Heleen continued with the film. Koen turned to Kathy and whispered in her ear that she had better check Jasper’s nappy before he went to sleep. Kathy nodded that she understood.
The film was watched and when the villain was defeated and the credits rolled, it was time for Jasper and Dries to go to bed.
“Come on boys. Time to brush your teeth and go to bed.”
Disappointed that the evening was over, Jasper and Dries got up. Jasper obeyed as slowly as he could, wanting to delay as long as possible the moment the lights went out and they had to be quiet to sleep. Dries got up a little more easily; he was tired. Koen and Kathy figured it out, and with a little encouragement, Jasper was also upstairs, brushing his teeth in the bathroom with Dries. Dries was the first to finish and was sent to the toilet in the hall.
“Jasper, wait a minute and show me your nappy,” Kathy said, guessing what the result would be. Jasper flushed. “It’s just a little bit,” he said, trying to keep Kathy from thinking badly of him.
“Even if it’s just a little bit, we’d better change it. It wouldn’t be nice if your nappy leaked tonight or if you got a nappy rash tomorrow. You really don’t want that.” Kathy said.
Jasper agreed with a nod and stood in front of Kathy. Kathy unzipped the onesie, pulled it down over his shoulders and opened the poppers on the bodysuit to get a good look.
“This is just a little more than a bit,” Kathy said, seeing that the nappy was already well filled. “We really can’t leave this one on.” Kathy loosened the tapes, freshened up Jasper’s intimate area with a washcloth and dried the same area. She pulled the onesie back up and closed the zip. Come with me to Dries’ room, we’ll put on a clean nappy and then it’s time for you and Dries to go to sleep.
Dries had gone to the toilet and was waiting for his own room. He had taken off his pyjamas, put on his bodysuit and put the top of his pyjamas back on. With the bottom exposed, he lay in bed waiting for his mum to help him.
When Kathy and Jasper entered the room, Kathy helped Dries first. Jasper stood by and watched. He saw that Kathy was doing it routinely, but lovingly at the same time. When she was finished, Jasper and Dries switched places and soon both children were ready for bed.
Dries was put to bed first. He was tired and yawned with his mouth wide open. “It was a nice film, but I’m tired. I’m glad I’m in bed.”
Then Kathy went over to Jasper, who was sitting on the edge of his bed, next to the bed rail.
“Lie down on the straps, Jasper. Like you did at my place of work. Do you remember?”
Curious Dries sat up again and Heleen, curious and hearing everything from her room, came to the doorframe to watch and listen.
“I don’t know if I want to.” Jasper said carefully, afraid of the reaction.
“I can see why you might be nervous about it.” Kathy said. "I’ll explain to you again why we’re doing this. Almost every time you have slept here with us, you have fallen out of bed. Your mum says that when something exciting happens, you sleep very restlessly and fall out of bed easily. So we’re thinking that if you go on holiday with us, you might fall out of bed a lot or easily.
Kathy was silent for a moment, looking at Jasper to see if he understood.
“Yes, maybe,” Jasper replied reluctantly.
“Your bed rail is big and strong enough to hold you in place, but also too big to take easily on a voyage.”
Jasper looked sideways at the bed rail and understood.
“I can borrow the straps from work. They are also easy to carry in a suitcase. That way we don’t have to buy anything special for travelling. Do you understand?”
Again Jasper nodded in the affirmative.
"For tonight we would like to test the straps so that we are sure that we do not have to look for another solution for the journey. The bed rails are just in case it really doesn’t work.
“What would that other solution be?” asked Jasper curiously.
“I don’t know Jasper, we’ve been looking for a long time but haven’t really found anything that’s affordable and works well.” Kathy replied honestly.
Disappointed that the straps were the only practical choice, Jasper nodded that it was OK.
“I’m a bit scared of it. I’ve never been tied to a bed before,” Jasper said.
Kathy nodded that she understood. “It’s not really all tied up Jasper. It’s just your body, we don’t actually tie anything to your arms and legs. And we’ll leave the key right next to you on the bedside table, so you can easily release it yourself.”
Jasper looked again silently at the straps lying ready on the bed.
“Shall we try it, Jasper? Then we can all sleep well on holiday and have a nice holiday.”
Kathy had done well to repeat the goal: to go on holiday together and all sleep well. Jasper was convinced and was now ready to give it a try.
Jasper lay down nicely on the straps and Kathy immediately fastened everything. It was just like in the institution. A strap around his waist, one between his legs and then a strap over each shoulder with a cross over it to prevent the straps slipping over his shoulders. The ankles, wrists and other straps that came with the set remained in the bag. As agreed, they would not be used.
“Jasper, the key is here. Can you reach it?”
Jasper turned to the bedside table and stretched out his arm. To show that it worked, he lifted the key a little and put it down again.
“I’ll get you a glass of water if you get thirsty tonight, Jasper,” Heleen said.
Kathy smiled over her shoulder. “That’s very thoughtful of you.” she said.
Kathy pulled the blanket over Jasper and gave him, and then Dries, another good night kiss.
“Sleep well Jasper, sleep well Dries.”
“Night-night,” both children mumbled back in unison.
Heleen came in with a glass of water and put it down next to the key. “Please, Jasper.”
“Thank you,” Jasper said. Normally he never drank water at night. It was not his habit, but he thought it would be nice to be able to have a drink at night if he felt like it. It was a relief.
The children also wished each other a good night and Heleen went to her own room.
Kathy closed the door and Jasper immediately reached for the key, wanting to make sure it was still there. But before he could grab the key, he hit the glass, knocking it over. Jasper tried to catch it, but accidentally pushed it further and the glass fell to the floor, fortunately without breaking.
Kathy had heard the noise and came in immediately, turning on the light.
“The glass has fallen and I can’t reach it,” Jasper said in a panic. Dries sat up straight and watched. He wasn’t sure what to do.
Kathy, seeing that there was a large puddle of water on the bedside table and on the floor, rushed to the bathroom and came back with a towel to wipe up the water. Heleen also came to see the commotion. “I’ll take the glass and fill it again.”
“No Heleen.” Kathy said. “Get a drinking bottle from downstairs, it’s not so bad compared to a glass if it accidentally knocks over.”
Heleen went downstairs and did a good job of carrying out her mother’s instructions. She handed the bottle to Jasper and he put it on the bedside table.
Now that the floor was cleaned and peace had returned, a second attempt was made.
“'Nighty-night,” they wished each other. The light was switched off and the door closed.
Jasper grabbed the key again and tested it to see if he could open the lock.
“Tick!” said the magnet. It made a sound when it touched the cap. Jasper lifted the cap off the pen and was pleased that he had managed it.
Jasper then put the cap back on the pen and tried the magnet again. “Tick!” came the accompanying sound.
The restraining belt was a new experience for Jasper and he couldn’t sleep very well. Jasper was also allowed to open and close it himself, which he enjoyed very much. He kept opening and closing it, making a loud “tick” as the magnet was pulled against the buckle.
Dries turned around and tried to ignore the sound at first. But with each “tick” he became more and more irritated. “Jasper, stop that,” he finally said as he sat up straight in bed.
“Leave what?” Jasper asked. He hadn’t realised how much the noise had disturbed Dries.
“That noise, I can’t sleep. Stop it.” Dries was still whispering, but it was already quite loud. There was no doubt that he was in a bad mood.
Jasper was shocked. He was not used to Dries snapping at him like that.
“Yes, I will. Sorry.” Jasper whispered back.
Dries grunted again and lay back down, trying to get back to sleep. Jasper, ashamed that he had disturbed Dries so much, gently put the key down on the table and closed his eyes to try and sleep.
Later in the evening, when the the children had been asleep for a while and Kathy and Koen were also going to bed, they went to see how Jasper was sleeping. They crept quietly into the room to have a look. Jasper was still in bed, but with the blanket completely torn off his feet. at his feet. They were pleased to see that Jasper was still wearing the belt as they had put it on him. Like this way there was no chance of Jasper falling out of bed. Koen carefully covered Jasper with a blanket and the parents crept out of the room to go to bed themselves.
Jasper woke up in the middle of the night. He had got cold and his bladder was acting up - he needed to go to the toilet. When he tried to sit up to go to the toilet, he felt he couldn’t. Jasper felt panic rising and began to grope around. Fear gripped Jasper and he became more awake. He began to slap and rub his arms.When he felt the straps and realised he was tied down with them, and recognised Dries’ room in the dim light, he breathed a sigh of relief.He had recognised the room and knew where he was and how everything was. For a moment he wondered what he was going to do. Open the lock to go to the toilet or just stay in bed?
Jasper was tired. Opening the lock, climb out of bed, crawl along the gate, go to the toilet, take off the onesie, bodysuit and nappy, wee, put the onesie, bodysuit and nappy back on and so on. It all sounded like a lot of work. Jasper rolled onto his back and released his bladder. He felt the nappy getting warm and thicker as the moisture was absorbed.
Jasper felt his arms arms around the blanket that had fallen off him, he wanted to pull it over him again, but he couldn’t find it. Finally he felt it with his feet. He took the blanket between his feet, pulled it up until he could feel it with his hands. hands. Then he pulled it up to his shoulders. Satisfied, he picked up the drinking bottle. He unscrewed the cap, put it in his mouth, lying on his side and began to drink from it. Before he’d got halfway through the Jasper closed his eyes, stopped drinking and fell back asleep.
However, Jasper had forgotten to close the bottle and slowly some of the water from the bottle dripped from the bottle onto the bed. A large wet patch appeared next to his pillow. Fortunately, Kathy had put a waterproof mattress protector on the bed as standard.
The next time Jasper woke, it was morning. “Jasper, are you awake?” he heard from a distance. Jasper did his best to focus on the sound.
He heard it again, a little louder this time, “Jasper, are you awake?”
Jasper opened his eyes and turned to look at the source of the sound. Dries was leaning on his elbow looking at him. “I knew you were awake,” he said, smiling broadly. “Shall we go play downstairs?”
“Yeah, that’s fine.” Jasper replied. He reached for the key. On the way, his hand bumped into the water bottle that was still lying flat on the bed. He put it on the bedside table and took the key from there. He untied himself and unbuckled his straps. Jasper didn’t have to throw away his blanket, it was already at his feet, he must have kicked it off again in his sleep. As a result Jasper was a little cold as well. Jasper saw the wet spot next to his pillow on the bed as Dries opened the curtains and more light came into the room. Strange? he thought to himself. He looked at the spot, touched it, smelled it, but couldn’t quite place where it had come from. Until he picked up the water bottle and looked at it.
“Dries, I spilled water on the bed. The drinking bottle has leaked,” he said worriedly. Dries came and looked at the bed.
“I don’t think there’s much we can do about it now. Let’s go and play.” Dries said.
Dries led the way and Jasper followed. Dries took the lead by going to the bathroom first, taking off his nappy and freshening up a bit. Jasper followed his example. The bodies were put aside in the bathroom and Dries in his pyjamas and Jasper in his onesie went downstairs to play.
“Jasper, why was your bed so wet?” asked Kathy when she came downstairs with Koen later that morning.
“The water bottle leaked when it was on the bed next to me,” Jasper said. He was a little afraid of Kathy’s reaction.
“It doesn’t matter Jasper, it’s just water and it will dry out. Luckily the mattress is protected.”
Jasper sighed in relief. He had been nervous about the reaction.
“See, it doesn’t matter?” Dries whispered to him.
Jasper nodded yes.
“We’ll have to think of something to make sure it doesn’t happen again, Jasper. Luckily it wasn’t too much water and you’re sleeping at home tonight so the bed has more than enough time to dry.” Kathy continued.
Jasper nodded that he understood. “I’ll try to be more careful next time.”
Koen interrupted. “But we can’t be sure even if we try, Jasper. If this happens on a trip and all the sheets are wet, we’ll probably have a problem for the next night.”
“It was an accident, it really wasn’t meant to be.” Jasper sobbed sadly.
“I know it was an accident, but we can’t have that on holiday. I’m not angry with you, we just have to find a solution that works. We will see if we can find a bottle that does not leak. Is that all right?” asked Koen.
Jasper was relieved that Koen wasn’t angry either. He nodded that it was fine. He was much happier than before. He continued to play with Dries in a good mood.
Breakfast was prepared a little later, and in the meantime Heleen had also come down, washed and dressed. So they all sat around the table together. There was a nice chat and Jasper took the opportunity to ask everyone about the holiday. After all, Dries’ family had been there a couple of times.
Dries and Heleen were enthusiastic about the campsite, the swimming pool, the playgrounds and the amusement park in the area, where they went for a day every year. Heleen was silent about the special adventure house they had booked this time. Kathy and Koen had told her they wanted to keep it a surprise until they got there.
Jasper was very excited about going on holiday with them.
“Mum?” interrupted Heleen Dries, who was talking about the pros and cons of the playroom on the holiday estate.
Kathy looked up at Heleen.
“Mum, when the school holidays start, we always go to an amusement park on the first day. Can Jasper come this time?” she asked.
“Yes!” exclaimed Dries.
Jasper looked hopeful.
Kathy looked doubtful. “We were going to go to Fort Fun in Germany this year. It’s a long drive from here. We’ll have to see if we can arrange it practically and ask Celine and Helga what they think about it.”
“We’ll discuss it later.” Koen said as he looked at Kathy.
Kathy nodded in agreement and a moment later they cleared the table together.
The boys continued to play. It was almost midday when Celine texted Kathy.
<< Thanks for letting my pig stay in your stable last night. Send him here for his midday ration
>>
Kathy smiled at the text.
“Jasper! Time to go!” she called to the children.
Jasper started to gather his things and put them in his travelling bag, and a quarter of an hour later he was ready to go home.
“Bye, Dries, and will you come and play with us after dinner?” asked Jasper as he put on his shoes.
It was soon arranged that the boys would have a nice afternoon of play, and then Jasper walked home alone. Dreaming of an afternoon of play, dreaming of a hopefully amusement park visit and dreaming of the holiday to come.
It wasn’t just Dries at the door that afternoon, Kathy and Koen came too. Koen had the wooden bed rail in his hands.
“Jasper, the straps worked well, so you don’t need the bed rail, do you?” he asked, handing the gate to Celine.
Jasper nodded that this was indeed true. This morning they had been more concerned about the leaking bottle than the belts Jasper had slept in. So those belts had not really been discussed at that time.
“I didn’t have any problems with the belts to sleep in, that went well. But I did wake up at night because of the cold, because my blanket was completely off me”.
“That doesn’t sound pleasant,” said Celine. It will get warmer in the summer and hopefully it will bother you less.
“Dries, are you coming up?” Jasper had just taken out a marble run and it was still under construction.
“Sure,” Dries said with a big smile on his face. He sat down to take off his shoes, put them aside and walked up the stairs with Jasper to his room.
“Would you like some coffee?” Helga asked, gesturing for Koen and Kathy to enter.
“Black, with sugar please,” Koen said as he and Kathy followed Helga into the kitchen.
The coffee was made and poured, and the parents sat comfortably at the table in the kitchen.
“We always go to an amusement park on the first day of the summer holidays.” Kathy said. “Heleen and Dries asked if Jasper would like to come along.”
Celine didn’t hesitate to answer. “That would be fine. Helga and I have to work that day and Gert will be happy if he doesn’t have to babysit.”
“That’s nice,” said Koen. “Now let’s talk about the practicalities. We wanted to go to Fort Fun in Germany this year, and as that’s abroad and a long drive, a few things need to be discussed first.” Koen had clearly prepared for this conversation.
Celine and Helga nodded that they understood.
“We want to leave early in the morning so we’re ready to enter the park when it opens at nine. We wanted to ask if Jasper could stay with us the night before. We can put him in the car together with our children while they are still asleep and then they can continue to sleep for a while. We try to get there half an hour to an hour before the park opens so that we still have time in the Fort Fun parking lot to quickly change the kids’ clothes and have breakfast before the park opens”.
“Sounds like a good plan. That early in the morning will probably be the quietest with no traffic, and it will also give you the most time to do fun things in the park,” Helga replied.
“Can you prepare a rucksack in advance with everything for the day and a separate bag that stays in the car with breakfast and clothes for the day?” Kathy asked.
Celine agreed, "Everything nicely divided into two. One duffle bag for the overnight and road and the other for the park.
There were other things to discuss. After all, Koen and Kathy could not just take someone else’s child across the border. A consent form was immediately drawn up, based on an example they found on the local authority’s website, and luckily both families were insured with the same insurance company and the same type of insurance. After a bit of digging around on their website, it turned out that just sending an email to inform the insurance company would be enough.
The paperwork was immediately done twice, both for the trip to Fort Fun and for the trip to the South of France.
Celine and Helga insisted on contributing to the trips and holidays. They handed over an envelope with an amount that was more than enough for the trip to Fort Fun, the trips to the South of France, and a little extra for a snack or a souvenir here and there, as long as it fit in with what the Dries family was doing, of course.
“If Jasper is travelling with us, I will bring Dries his old bodysuits and pyjamas that are too small for him, so that Jasper can have them,” Kathy said. "I promised to pass them on a while ago. When we go to France I’ll put them in Jasper’s luggage and he can take them home with him.
Dries and Jasper continued to work on the marble track. Jasper tried to use all the pieces to make the longest track possible, but it didn’t work out very well. Dries also tried to help, but they always had too many or too few pieces. Finally, they put the last few pieces back in the box and let the marbles roll. They kept track of how long each marble took, and each had his own favourite. By the end of the afternoon they had a full rankings list. Jasper’s favourite was third, Dries’ favourite had won.
For a moment Jasper felt a twinge of disappointment. It were his marbles, his marble track, and Dries had jumped in and his marble had won instead of his?
In his mental eye, Jasper felt a dark cloud rise above him. However, he himself realised that his thoughts were unreasonable and he wanted to come to terms with himself.
“Here, since it’s your favourite marble, you can have it.” Jasper said, holding the marble out to Dries.
He threw the marble that had come in second place back into the box. In his mind, Jasper drew a big red line through the first two lines of the rankings. His favourite marble’s competitors were gone. So his had won!
Jasper happy with the solution he had found, Dries happy with the marble he had received, both children went downstairs.
Dries’ parents were just getting up to leave and took Dries home.
“See you in school tomorrow, Jasper!” waved Dries.
“See you tomorrow, Dries,” Jasper replied.
Jasper stood at the door and watched until Dries had turned the corner. He was happy to have a friend like that in his life.
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Author: Toet
Timestamp: Sep 22, 2023 at 10:35 PM
Content: Chapter seventeen
The two boys sat tensely side by side on the school desk. The teacher had handed out the reports and the letters were in the school bag. The classroom was tidied up and the last activities were finished. Everyone in the class was allowed to move on to the next year, but of course they had known this for a while, as the teacher had already had a contact moment with all the parents.
The only thing the whole class was paying attention to now was the clock ticking slowly, second by second.
Jasper had already packed his stuff for the next day the night before. His rucksack with an empty lunch box and a bottle of water for the day in the park, a sealed envelope with all sorts of boring letters in case of an accident or something, and another biscuit and a piece of fruit for the day.
In addition to the rucksack, he had also prepared a small travel bag with things for the overnight and the next day. Toilet articles, towel, fresh clothes,…
Helga had made the list and then checked everything. She was proud of Jasper for getting everything done so quickly and smoothly. She had promised to come by after school to bring the stuff and take Jasper’s school bag home.
Jasper held his breath. He saw that the second hand was almost up. Four more, three, two, one, “Ting-a-ling!!!”
With a big noise that could be heard throughout the school, the students stood up in all the classrooms. Have a nice holiday!" came from all sides, back and forth between teachers and students, and between everyone.
Jasper and Dries walked cheerfully out of the school gates through a crowd of other children. Kathy was already waiting for them. Smiling broadly, the two boys headed off on their vacation.
The children arrived at Dries’ house. They put down their schoolbags and smiled, wondering what they were going to do for the next few weeks. They had so much time on their hands and so much they wanted to do!
Jasper suggested rebuilding the Lego castle. After the dragon destroyed half the castle last time, they had to clean everything up and put it in the bins.
Dries thought it was a good idea and together they started laying the foundations, with room in the cellars for dungeons, a forgetting pit and a treasure room.
While Dries was building the walls, Jasper was busy making and testing a ballista. They were going to give the Lego dragon a hard time with the castle that was now so well defended.
The doorbell rang and Helga was at the door with Jasper’s rucksack and travel bag.
Koen opened the door and saw everything. “Glad you’re here. I’ll give you Jasper’s school bag first, so we don’t forget it,” he said, handing it to her.
“I came by car to take Jasper’s car seat,” Helga said, “but I couldn’t get it out.”
“No problem, I’ll have a look,” Koen said as he walked along. “With the Isofix these days, it should be no problem.”
“That is exactly the problem. The chair was already old when we bought it second-hand for Gert. It is now a long time ago. For Jasper I had to ask the mechanic to install it. Celine and I couldn’t do it, the chair doesn’t have the standard Isofix”.
Koen looked worried when he heard this. He took a good look at the car seat and indeed it did not have the now standard fastening system that could be attached to the brackets between the seat and backrest. There was a strap over the backrest that was attached to a special attachment point on the back of the car seat.
Koen tried, but couldn’t get it off easily. Before looking further, he checked his own car again. There was no attachment point on the back of the seat.
“It won’t work with your car seat.” Koen said disappointedly. He didn’t immediately know how to solve the problem. “Do you have a normal booster cushion somewhere?” he asked.
“No,” Helga replied. “He only weighs twenty kilos, 44 pounds, and Celine was always against it. She prefers to keep Jasper in a complete chair for as long as possible, for reasons of safety.”
“Only twenty kilos, 44 pounds? Dries is just under thirty kilos, 66 pounds.” Koen said in surprise.
“Yes, but they are also a bit different in height. Jasper is short, he is only 1m16, 3.8ft.”
Koen nodded understandingly. Suddenly he had an idea and went into the storage room. He came out with a car seat. “This car seat belonged to Dries until last year, it is for groups zero to two, up to 25 kilograms, 55 pounds. I wanted to sell it second-hand on the internet, but I haven’t had the time yet. Would Jasper still fit in it?”
Helga looked at the chair critically. It was a five-point harness seat. It was a step backwards for Jasper, but the chair looked big enough, safe and comfortable.
“This should do it, I think.” Helga said. “Will it be difficult to get him into the car? Then we’ll call Jasper to try it out.”
“No, it’s no problem,” Koen replied and clicked the seat into the Isofix on the back seat.
“Jasper, can you come down for a minute?” called Helga.
“Coming!” cried Jasper and obediently stopped building Lego and came to see his mum.
“Would you like to sit in this chair to see if it fits? We can’t transfer our own seat.”
Jasper climbed into the car and sat down on the seat. Automatically, he turned to reach over his shoulder for the regular seatbelt.
“Wait a minute,” Koen said, taking a step forward. “These straps are still attached to the seat itself.” Koen guided Jasper’s hands through the loops, closed everything with the buckle that hung between Jasper’s legs and pulled the straps to tighten everything. Finally he closed the sternum strap and tilted the seat back a little.
“Is this comfortable? Not too tight anywhere?” asked Koen.
Helga wanted to see too and checked everything. Jasper’s head didn’t stick out above the headrest, the shoulder straps were at the right height and it wasn’t too wide or too tight all round.
“It fits you well, doesn’t it, Jasper?” Helga inquired.
Jasper couldn’t help nodding. “Is my own seat really not possible? I’m used to it,” he tried carefully.
“No, it won’t work. We can’t get it out of our car.”
Koen undid the buckle and helped Jasper out of the car. “Go ahead and play.”
Koen took the travel bag and rucksack and said goodbye to Helga.
“Have fun tomorrow. When will I see Jasper again?” Helga asked.
“We’ll send you something when we’re in the car on the way home, and then you can decide whether to take him home or not and immediately drop him off at your place.”
“That’s good, then we’ll agree.” Helga said.
“By Jasper, have fun tomorrow!” she called upstairs.
Jasper ran back down. “See you tomorrow, Mummy, I love you,” he said, giving his mum a big hug
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Author: Toet
Timestamp: Sep 23, 2023 at 1:11 PM
Content:
howiebabe said:
Minor point (I know English is not your first language). In chapter seventeen, using stormed in the last sentence should probably be ran. You only storm down when you are angry and his words are not than of an angry child.
[End of quote]
Hello,
Thanks for your comment. It's helpfull. I've changed it right away.
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Author: Toet
Timestamp: Oct 18, 2023 at 10:48 PM
Content: I had some internet issues at home, but it's luckily solved now.
Chapter eighteen
Kathy entered the room with the large institutional bag containing the straps for Jasper’s bed.
“Come on boys, let’s get everything ready for tonight and tomorrow,” she said.
Heleen followed her mother into the room. “Can I help Mum?” she asked as she entered.
“Yes, absolutely. Can you open the spare bed already? Jasper and Dries, can you make room for the bed?” Kathy gave instructions to all the children.
Jasper and Dries threw the loose Lego blocks back into the bin and pushed the structure they were working on out of the way.
Heleen, after some fiddling, managed to open the bed and put it in the right place. Kathy gathered the bedding for the spare bed and then started gathering clothes for the night ahead. She also took Jasper’s travel bag and rucksack and looked at what he had with him.
“You’ve got everything right, I see, Jasper.” Kathy put the rucksack down by the door of the room, to take it to the kitchen later. In the evening, when the children were in bed, she could make the sandwiches for the picnic and fill the bottles. Everything so that when they got up to leave, they had as little to do as possible.
“My mum made a list and I put everything in my rucksack and travel bag myself. My mum checked it and I got everything right the first time,” Jasper said proudly.
“I’m glad you did so well.” Kathy said. “Look, Jasper, these used to be Dries’ favourite pyjamas,” Kathy said, holding up a onesie with the feet up. “It has all tigers on it and that was his favourite animal. He thought it was such a shame that he didn’t fit in any more, so I looked for the same, but bigger. Look.” Kathy reached into the cupboard and held up the same onesie, but slightly bigger, in her other hand.
“It’s going to be cold in the car tomorrow morning, so it’s best you sleep in these.” Kathy said.
“Good.” said Jasper who immediately started to undress.
“You don’t have to go to bed just yet Jasper, we’ll have dinner later.” Kathy said. Before she had finished, Jasper had taken off his trousers and t-shirt and was standing in the room in nothing but his underpants.
“It doesn’t matter, a onesie is nice too.”
“No problem, go ahead.” Kathy said. She handed the onesie and a package with a bodysuit and nappy to Heleen who happily went to help Jasper.
Kathy started to make the guest bed and then adjusted all the restraints. Again, she left the ankle and wrist restraints in the bag. She put the key on the bedside table. “Jasper, we’re going to strap you in just like last time so you don’t fall out of bed.”
“That’s good, I don’t want to fall out of bed again,” Jasper said. He would rather sleep through the night than interrupt it and have to crawl back into bed.
Heleen put the pyjamas, bodysuit and nappy on the floor next to her, got down on her knees and pulled down Jasper’s underpants. “These have to come off first, otherwise we can’t get the nappy on properly,” she said with a wink.
Jasper was shocked and surprised for a moment. He had only thought of the pyjamas, not the whole set. “Maybe Dries would like it if I wore them already, then he wouldn’t feel alone,” he thought to himself. Then he decided not to resist and lifted his left foot, then his right, so that Heleen could push the underpants completely aside.
“Lie down here on the carpet with your head on this side.” Heleen gave the next order. Jasper listened meekly and cooperated well. Heleen got down on her knees beside Jasper. However, she had to bend over a lot to help Jasper properly. “Hands above your head, otherwise they’ll get in the way.” Heleen continued. With Jasper’s hands out of the way, Heleen moved a little closer and it was easier for her to manipulate the nappy.
The nappy was slipped under his bottom and taped, then Jasper had to sit up and the bodysuit was pulled over his head. Then he had to stand up. But before the bodysuit was fastened, Kathy intervened; she had now finished with the bed.
“Would you like to lie down again, Jasper?” Jasper looked surprised and lay down. “Look, Heleen,” she said. She got on her knees on the other side of Jasper, opposite Heleen, and pulled Jasper’s nappy open again. “Always make sure it is facing down, otherwise the nappy can leak,” she continued as she made the correction. “And the nappy should also be a little tighter: in the morning the elastic bands will have stretched a little, especially for someone who moves around a lot. Isn’t that right, Jasper?” After closing the nappy, she playfully pushed Jasper’s nose with the index finger of her other hand. Jasper had to smile.
Kathy adjusted the bodysuit and closed the poppers. “Almost done. Here’s the onesie, Heleen.”
Heleen took over again and helped Jasper into the onesie while he was still on his back. First she tucked his feet in and pulled the onesie up over his legs as high as she could. Then she tucked his arms into the sleeves. “Now roll over onto your stomach, Jasper.”
Jasper rolled over and Heleen pulled Jasper’s zip up to his neck. There was still a small piece of fabric with a snap that could hide the zip. Heleen closed the button and then patted Jasper’s bottom. “All set, go and play,” Heleen said.
Jasper got down on his knees and crawled over to the Lego to continue building with Dries. Dries continued to work on the structure in silence for a while, waiting for his big sister and mum to leave the room.
Kathy continued to collect things for a while. She prepared a package of clothes for Dries for the next day and put it in Jasper’s travel bag so it would stay nicely together. She also took a rucksack for Dries and gave it to Heleen. “Will you take your rucksack, Jasper’s and Dries’ to the kitchen? We’ll prepare them right away.”
Kathy quickly packed a few more things into the travel bag and then followed Heleen downstairs.
“I wouldn’t want to be in a nappy so early myself,” said Dries, who was surprised by the whole thing with Jasper. “But I think it’s cool that you dare to do this for me. I really like that I’m not alone in a nappy anymore. I’m glad I know someone else who does it and that I can see it.”
Jasper moved closer to Dries and gave him a hug. “Anything for my best friend,” he said. “And honestly, it’s not that bad. I think it makes you feel safe. And it’s also a bit like being hugged all the time.”
“I get it. Dries nodded. That’s how it feels to me sometimes.”
“Sometimes when I’m at home I’d also like to put on a nappy, but I’m not brave enough with Gert around.”
“I understand, I wouldn’t dare either.” Dries said. " He has been teasing you about it before."
Downstairs, Heleen and Kathy were getting the rest of the supplies ready for the next day. They laid out sandwiches for everyone, both for the picnic and for breakfast. The picnic sandwiches were put into individual bread boxes and the breakfast sandwiches into a large box. Kathy put two biscuits and an apple in each rucksack, while Heleen filled the water bottles and put them in everyone’s rucksack.
Heleen was a little older and would change quickly in the morning before getting into the car, so there were no clothes to pack for her. The travel bag with the day’s clothes, the children’s shoes and the fleece blankets for the trip were already in the car.
Koen was busy with dinner. He had made spaghetti and was now finishing it. He put the pasta on the plates, poured a spoonful of sauce on top, sprinkled cheese on it and decorated it with a basil leaf.
With a loud “Dinnertime” he called Jasper and Dries downstairs.
Dries and Jasper hadn’t noticed that they were hungry because they were so busy playing. But when they were called, their attention was diverted from the game to their stomachs and they felt how hungry they were. One after another they ran into the kitchen. Dries immediately sat down in his usual place and Jasper looked around to see which chair was free and where he could sit.
“Just sit here between Dries and me,” Heleen said, realising why Jasper was hesitating.
Jasper followed the suggestion, picked up his fork and spoon and was about to start eating the spaghetti.
“Jasper, wait a minute. You’ve just put on clean pyjamas, I don’t want tomato stains on them.” Kathy said. She took a new tea towel from the cupboard, grabbed it by the corners and tied it around Jasper’s neck.
Jasper looked up, startled. This never happened in his house. Dries and Heleen ignored him completely and were already busy with their own plate. Jasper decided it was normal for this family and didn’t argue.
With the appetite that only growing boys can have, Jasper and Dries took a second plate and ate it all in the time it took the others to finish their first plate. Everyone drank an extra glass of water to wash away the spicy taste and then the table was cleared.
“Good thing we did get that towel, look at all the splashes of red sauce.” Kathy said. Jasper looked at the towel and did indeed see several small red stains on it. He didn’t think that would happen.
Koen got a DVD box full of Tom and Jerry films. “Dries, if you’re ready to go to bed, we’ll watch some films together. Jasper, you still have to brush your teeth.”
Dries and Jasper went upstairs. Jasper went straight to the bathroom to brush his teeth, Dries went to the toilet and then to his bedroom to get undressed.
“Mummy, can you help me?” cried Dries when he was ready to be changed in his room.
“Coming!” called Kathy and then she put Dries into his nappy, bodysuit and onesie.
While Jasper was brushing his teeth, he felt the need to pee. He stopped brushing to concentrate on his muscles. He relaxed them and a warm sensation spread between his legs. He did not pay any more attention to his wet nappy, but continued to brush his teeth.
Jasper had just finished rinsing his toothbrush when Kathy and Dries entered the bathroom.
“Give me your toothbrush Jasper, we’ll take it with us so you can brush your teeth tomorrow night before we go home.”
Jasper handed over his mug, toothbrush and toothpaste and went to the television to wait for Dries.
When Dries arrived, they watched three Tom and Jerry films, then the boys were taken upstairs by Kathy.
First Dries was tucked in and then Kathy secured Jasper in the harness. As she pulled the strap between Jasper’s legs and fastened the buckle, she noticed that the nappy was already full. “Jasper, are you wet yet?” Kathy asked.
“Yes, just now when I was brushing my teeth. I can’t go to the toilet by myself in this onesie.”
“You can always ask, Jasper. Then we’ll help you.” Kathy said. “You don’t have to go in your nappy if you don’t want to.”
“It doesn’t matter,” Jasper said.
Kathy took a fresh nappy, put it next to Jasper and went to the bathroom to get a washcloth and towel. “Wait and stay down, Jasper,” she said.
Jasper looked at himself, already fixated. Kathy was still holding the key as she left the room.
“Not that I have a choice.” Jasper smiled to himself. He was sure that the key would soon be lying next to him. Unconsciously he put his thumb in his mouth.
Heleen entered the room first. “I wanted to bring you a bottle of water, but Dad wouldn’t let me. He’s afraid your bed will get all wet again.”
Jasper was less happy. He knew the key would end up beside him, but you never know. The thought that he might be thirsty at night, and that it would be difficult for him to get water because it was not an easy lock to open and close himself, frightened him. When Kathy came in, he talked to her about it.
"What if I’m thirsty tonight and want to drink? Koen won’t let me have a bottle here near me.
"No, it would be better not to. Last time it took a long time for everything to dry. We haven’t had time to find another kind of bottle that won’t leak. Kathy said. Even if Kathy had disagreed with Koen, she wouldn’t have said that to Jasper. She would have just spoken to Koen so that he could lift the ban himself.
Kathy sat down on the bed next to Jasper, unlocked the lock and put the key on the bedside table next to Jasper. Jasper cooperated without Kathy having to ask and soon he was back in bed, this time with a clean bottom.
Heleen continued to tuck Jasper in and took Jasper’s thumb out of his mouth. Kathy wished the two boys a good night and left the room with Heleen.
Neither Jasper nor Dries slept well. They were both stressed about the next day. They didn’t dare talk to each other for fear that Koen or Kathy would get angry.
Jasper rolled over from his left side to his right, as far as the straps would allow, and Dries rolled over as well. Half an hour later, Jasper had finally found peace and fell asleep. Dries, however, had become too hot from all the tossing and turning and got up to look for one of his parents.
“I’m too hot daddy, can I wear thin pyjamas?” Dries asked. Koen said that would be fine. He quietly went into the room and got some pyjamas out of the cupboard. He helped Dries out of the onesie and held the pyjama bottoms open so that Dries could get into them. They were thinner pyjamas, in two pieces, but still with long legs and long sleeves, because it wouldn’t be so hot in the car later.
A few hours later, Kathy and Koen came into Jasper and Dries’ room dressed. They saw that Jasper had been wrestling naked again in his sleep. Fortunately it was still quite warm in the room and he was dressed warmly enough not to wake up from the cold. Kathy opened the lock and carried the sleeping Jasper down to the car; Koen followed with Dries. Koen and Kathy were happy that the boys slept through the night.
Heleen arrived with small sleepy eyes and was also dressed.
Jasper’s seat was installed in the middle, Dries’ on the right. Kathy put Jasper in the chair, took the lower strap from between his legs, put his arms through the two loops and clicked everything together. She then pulled a strap at the bottom of the seat to tighten the belt and secure Jasper in place. Finally she closed the chest strap and covered him with a blanket. Meanwhile, Dries was tucked in and covered by Koen.
Heleen had brought her own pillow. She got into the car as quickly as she could, fastened her seatbelt, pulled the last blanket over her and laid her head on the pillow against the window. She closed her eyes and before Koen and Kathy had left the road, Heleen was asleep again.
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Author: Toet
Timestamp: Oct 22, 2023 at 9:49 PM
Content: Chapter nineteen, Fort Fun, Part 1
For the first part of the journey, the back seat was quiet; the deep breathing showed that the children were still sound asleep. Kathy and Koen were happy. Sleeping children were happy children and they were able to enjoy a nice day at Fort Fun. They hoped they could stay in the park until closing time.
Around seven o’clock there was a noise coming from the back seat. Dries turned on the DVD player through the screens that hung from the backs of the front seats. He handed a pair of headphones to Jasper, who had also woken up, and they started watching a film together.
Not much later, Heleen was also awake. She took the last of the headphones and watched the film that Dries had chosen.
It was another twenty minutes’ drive when Koen stopped at a petrol station. Koen filled up the car while Kathy went into the shop. She came out a moment later with two coffees. Heleen also took the opportunity to go to the toilet. Koen and Kathy changed places and Kathy drove on to their destination. The closer they got to their destination, the more restless the children became. They looked for the signs to Fort Fun and tried to catch a glimpse of the theme park from five kilometres away, three miles before they arrived. However, there were too many trees in the way and it was especially difficult for Jasper because it was hard to see from his seat due to the fixation of the five-point harness. When they finally pulled into the car park, all they had seen was a glimpse of a rollercoaster, a bridge and a bit of a Ferris wheel.
The park was supposed to open at nine; when Kathy pulled into the car park it was a quarter past eight. She drove until she was close to the entrance, nice and convenient now and later when they were leaving. There were a few other cars already there, but they were parked on the other side of some bushes and trees. After all, Jasper and Dries still had to be changed.
Koen opened the boot of the car and took some things out until he had a small opening in the boot. He took a large towel out of the travel bag and laid it open in the trunk to make a clean and soft surface. He prepared some wipes and opened a plastic bag to throw all the rubbish in.
Meanwhile, Kathy took Dries out of his car seat and carried him to the back. “Will you sit down for a while, Jasper? We’ll help you in a minute, but there’s not enough room to get you changed together.”
Dries was put in the boot. Although Kathy and Koen had a fairly large car, Dries still felt cramped. He lay with his head against the seat and his thighs touching the rear bumper.
Quickly, to avoid any unwanted glances and to prevent Dries from getting cold, Dries’ nappy was removed, everything was freshened up with a changing cloth and he got into his underpants. So that Jasper didn’t have to wait too long, Dries was helped to put on his other clothes. It promised to be a warm day, so he was given a pair of shorts and a T-shirt, with a jumper on top for the cold morning hours. Not long after, he was sitting on the floor, lacing up his sandals. Kathy unbuckled Jasper’s five-point harness and carried him to the boot so he could change and freshen up.
Meanwhile, Koen and Heleen were preparing breakfast. The sandwiches are unpacked and the cartons of fruit juice are distributed. Dries, Heleen and Koen started as soon as everything was ready. They also wanted to keep breakfast as short as possible. Not much later, Jasper and Kathy were ready and everyone ate together around the cooler.
In the end, only twenty-five minutes passed between the time they arrived and the time they ate and cleaned up. They made their way to the entrance and joined the others waiting to get in.
Jasper tried to listen to what the others were saying, but he couldn’t understand a word. It all sounded German.
At nine o’clock the gate opened and everyone could go in. Koen showed the tickets and the family went through the first gate.
Behind the gate, some cowboys were waiting for them. From the first steps, it was clear that the theme of the amusement park was the Wild West.
One of the cowboys held a long pole and asked the family to join him.
“Erstmal messen ob du für alle Attraktionen schon groß genug bist.” he said sternly.
The children did not understand and looked at their parents questioningly. “They want to know how tall you are,” Koen said. Jasper and Dries looked again at the cowboy.
“That’s good,” they said. First he put the long stick down next to Jasper. The cowboy seemed to compare his size with the stick. The cowboy quickly saw what he wanted, because he immediately went over to Dries. The cowboy thought about it for a while and compared Dries’ size with the markings on the stick. The cowboy asked both boys to hold out their arms. Dries got a blue wristband that said “1.30m-1.40m”. Jasper got a red wristband that said “1.10m-1.20m”.
The family paused to look at the map of the park.
“Where do we start?” Kathy asked.
“I definitely want to go on the Rocky Mountain Rally!” shouted Jasper, pointing to a small car for them to sit in.
“I want to go on the Devil’s Creek Mining,” said Dries, talking about a rollercoaster in the shape of a train.
“The Wild Eagle for me, if possible?” asked Heleen.
Kathy and Koen looked at each other for a moment.
"It’s a long, sprawling park. If we go all the way to the back first, we will see most of the attractions. Hopefully it will be the quietest and the queues the shortest. And then we work our way back to the entrance and try the rides that way? Koen suggested.
“That’s good for me. What do you kids think?” Kathy said.
“Fine,” Heleen replied.
“Okay,” said Dries.
Jasper just nodded.
Koen took Dries’ hand, Jasper landed between Kathy and Heleen and they walked briskly to the other side of the park to start their first attraction.
The Rocky Mountain Rally was indeed a car course. You could steer a bit and it would drive smoothly as long as you followed the track well. Otherwise it followed the rail, but with big jerks.
It was still quiet at the attraction and after five minutes of queuing the family was ready to board. There were two seats in each car. Jasper and Dries wanted to go together in the front car, Heleen with her mother and Koen in the back.
But the attendant prevented Jasper and Dries from getting in.
“Du bist noch zu klein um die Fahrt in diese Attraktion alleine zu machen. Deine Mutter oder Vater muß dafür mitgehen.” he said to Jasper.
Jasper didn’t quite catch what the man was trying to say. He shrugged his shoulders to show that he didn’t understand.
“Dutch?” the man asked in a strange accent. Happy that Dries could understand something now, he nodded firmly. The attendant then pointed to Jasper’s red wristband and then to the symbol next to the attraction, which said that children under 1m20 were only allowed on the ride under adult supervision.
Jasper and Dries were disappointed, they really wanted to go together. But the attendant was persistent and Jasper eventually went back to take a cart with Koen. Dries rode the track alone. What remained of the attraction afterwards was the beautiful decorations they had driven through, they had enjoyed the quiet attraction. It had been a good warm-up for the day. They weren’t going to let the fact that Jasper and Dries weren’t allowed to ride together spoil the pleasure of the ride.
Next to this attraction was a beetle track. Again Jasper and Dries were separated. This time Jasper went with Kathy. They all enjoyed the ride and as there was no queue here, Jasper, Dries and Heleen ran after the end of the ride and made a tour to go back for a second round. Koen and Kathy waited outside. Heleen wanted to supervise Jasper this time, but they were stopped. After some back and forth gesturing, and finally with the help of a booklet with some standard sentences in Dutch, it was clear what was wrong. You had to be at least sixteen years old to act as a supervisor. Disappointed, Jasper walked back between all the fences at the front of the queue, towards Koen and Kathy, while Dries and Heleen did their second round. Koen saw Jasper come out disappointed and after Jasper told him what had happened, he went along so that Jasper could still do his second round on the beetle track.
After Jasper had done his round and rejoined the rest of the family with Koen, Dries and Heleen apologised. Apparently Kathy had been angry that it really wasn’t nice to leave Jasper alone at the entrance.
From the Beatletrack they went to the Blue Dragon. This was an attraction where a long train, shaped like a dragon, spun around in a small circle while the train went up and down over hills. Again, Jasper and Dries were not allowed to sit next to each other. Jasper sat next to Koen again. After the ride there were so few people that they asked if they could stay for another round. Only Kathy refused because she would get too sick; she got out after the first round and waited outside. After the third round, Koen forced everyone to get out; there were many other attractions to do.
The next ride, the Speedsnake, was a big disappointment for Jasper. It was an upside-down ride and he would have loved to have done it. However, you had to be at least 1m30 for this attraction. Disappointed, Jasper and Kathy waited on a bank for Dries, Heleen and Koen to come back from the attraction.
Dries was beaming as he came out. It was also the first time he had been flipped over in an attraction and he had enjoyed it. Jasper was jealous!
Koen and Heleen enjoyed it too.
After that they went even further to the ‘tree trunk’: a river on which they sailed in a small boat shaped like a tree trunk. They especially liked the big splash, fortunately without getting too wet. After getting their feet back on the ground, Jasper and Dries looked at the screens where the photos were displayed. They didn’t buy any, but it was nice to see the expressions on everyone’s faces.
After leaving this attraction, they crossed a bridge to an attraction built on a slope. It was a bobsleigh that Jasper was allowed to ride on, but again, to his disappointment, only under adult supervision, so he could not sit in a car with Dries.
After this attraction, Koen and Heleen decided to go to the Wild Eagle. It was an attraction that even Dries was too small for. While Koen and Heleen went, Kathy took Jasper and Dries to a nearby playground. First a toilet break and then the boys flew around the playground.
The Wild Eagle was a special experience for Heleen and Koen. This attraction was a kind of cable car with a big bird on top and four places underneath for someone to hang on to. Before going on the ride, Heleen and Koen were given a harness to put on. On the back of the harness was an attachment point for them to hang from the attraction.
When it was their turn, the buckles were checked by an operator, all the straps were tightened and finally a lock was applied. After all, it was not the intention for anyone to unhook halfway through the attraction.
Heleen and Koen, along with two other visitors, were attached to the bird. They had to hang horizontally, with their feet resting on a special support. The connections were checked one last time and off they went. First they went up slowly to the highest point, paused for a moment and then went down quickly. Heleen enjoyed it, she stretched out her hands horizontally, closed her eyes and imagined she was flying.
After Heleen and Koen got off the attraction, they joined the rest of the family and started their picnic.
Author’s note: I’ve never been to Fort Fun, so what I’ve written about it is all in my imagination and not necessarily true.
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Author: Toet
Timestamp: Nov 3, 2023 at 12:04 AM
Content: Chapter twenty, Fort Fun, Part twoJasper and Dries ate their picnic as quickly as they could. They sat in the sun and it was quite warm now. Meanwhile they had taken off their pullovers and put them into their rucksacks. As they used to do at school, they also swapped sandwiches with each other. They quickly checked what was in their own sandwich and then passed it on, out of habit, to see what the other one had. It hadn't occurred to them that this time Jasper's sandwich had been made by Kathy. They looked at their sandwich in surprise after the first bite. Then it dawned on the boys how they came to be made in the same way. They all laughed about it.
Jasper and Dries flew back to the playground while Heleen, Kathy and Koen continued to eat in peace. They climbed the towers, went down all the slides and went from one side of the castle to the other.
Right next to the playground was another attraction, Thunderbirds. This was an attraction where you sat in pairs. The chairs hung from a long arm and this long arm was attached to a sort of merry-go-round. The special thing about this attraction was that the long arm could rotate like a big propeller and you could also go upside down. . Jasper was disappointed to find he was too small again. Kathy stayed with him while Jasper was allowed to continue playing on the playground, but playing alone is not as much fun as playing together. Eventually, Jasper found himself sitting in one of the playground's towers, looking at the exit of the attraction and waiting for Dries and the others to appear.
He was delighted when they finally appeared and ran towards the family. They all picked up their rucksacks and continued across the park.
They walked further down the park to a Ferris wheel. For once, Dries also needed guidance. Jasper liked that for once he wasn't the only one who was 'too small'. Although he understood that sometimes it was just a matter of safety, he didn't like it.
The whole family climbed into a gondola on the wheel together and enjoyed the view of the countryside from the top. From the air, they had a wonderful view of the park and all the attractions they had already done and could still do.
Now that it was afternoon, there were more people in the park and it was busier everywhere. They could no longer go from attraction to attraction, but had to join the queue at the end of each attraction. They were glad that it was still doable - they didn't have to wait for more than half an hour at most.
So they made their way through the park, doing their best to see the various shows as well as the rides. The children did not understand much of what was being said during the shows. It was all too fast for Koen to translate, so they just enjoyed everything they could see; fortunately the show was still easy to follow.
In the afternoon, they took another break to eat some fruit and later a cookie. In fact, it was Kathy, Koen and Heleen who took a break. Jasper and Dries ate their snack quickly and then went straight to the nearest playground to let off steam. They seemed tireless.
Finally, the day was coming to an end and the park was about to close. There were two rides the family hadn't been on yet: the Capt'n Crazy and the Los Rapidos.
In retrospect, the Capt'n Crazy was Jasper's least favourite attraction of the day. It was a boat that not only swung up and down, but could also spin on its axis. This ride made Jasper completely nauseous and he felt terribly sick.
He almost missed the next attraction. But it was the last ride of the day and there was no time for anything else before the park closed. So he decided to go on the attraction anyway, despite his nausea.
Together with Dries, Heleen and Kathy, he got into a round boat that went down a big river of wild water. Koen didn't go with them; he wasn't that keen on water attractions and he could look after the rucksacks in the meantime.
At the start of the attraction, the children were amazed. On either side of the boats there was a large spiral, painted in beautiful colours, which lifted the water up. Then they sailed down and the boat turned on its axis. The children enjoyed the ride, squealing with delight when they were about to get wet and complaining loudly when they felt a few drops.
At a slightly quieter point, the family's boat slowed down a little and turned a bit. The boat behind them suddenly came up fast and crashed hard into the family's boat. Everyone screamed. Kathy, Dries and Heleen were shocked by the jolt.
The impact pushed water up between the boats and splashed over Jasper's back. The equivalent of a large bucket of cold water fell on and over Jasper. His T-shirt, trousers and underpants were instantly soaked.
Jasper also screamed, he was also surprised, but mostly because of all the cold water.
The fun was over for him. He was wet and the wind was making him cold. He pulled his knees up and hugged himself, trying as hard as he could to shield himself from the cold.
By the time they got out, Jasper had had enough for the day. He was still nauseous from the previous ride and now he was soaked and cold.
Koen was startled when he saw Jasper walking outside. "Jasper, you're soaking wet. It's like you've been swimming?"
Jasper shook his head that he hadn't. "There was a collision with another boat and a lot of water came over me," he sniffled.
"Take off your t-shirt and we'll put on your dry jumper from your backpack." Koen said as he unzipped Jasper's backpack and took out the pullover.
When Jasper took off his T-shirt, his teeth chattered from the cold. He was glad to have a dry, warm jumper to put on; it made him feel a little better. His trousers and underpants were still wet and that bothered him too.
"I don't like it here anymore," Jasper complained. "I'm cold and I feel sick."
"I can see it's a lot less fun for you now. This was the last attraction anyway, the park is closing now. Let's go back to the car and we can get you out of your wet clothes and into something dry." Kathy said. "But the rest of the day was good, wasn't it?"
Jasper thought about all the attractions he had been to. Despite his size disadvantage, it had been a good day. He didn't contradict Kathy.
Dries, Heleen and Kathy picked up their rucksacks, Koen took Jasper's rucksack and they all walked towards the exit of the park. Kathy had taken Jasper's hand. Since Jasper was feeling miserable, his speed would have been much too slow otherwise. She took him straight to the car to give him more comfort as quickly as possible. Koen, Dries and Heleen went to the toilet first.
Once in the car, Jasper was quickly stripped of his wet clothes. Luckily, this morning's towel was still open in the trunk, so Jasper had a dry and clean place to get out of his wet clothes.
Kathy searched Jasper's bag for spare clothes; she hadn't seen any the day before, but she wanted to be sure. As she'd feared, there were no clean clothes. Sighing, she took Jasper's onesie, bodysuit and a clean nappy. "These are the only dry things we have for you, Jasper. We're going to have dinner later and you can't walk around in wet trousers or dry bare bottom." Kathy said.
"As long as I get warm," Jasper replied shakily. Kathy nodded and hurried to get Jasper fully dressed as quickly as possible.
While Kathy strapped Jasper into the car seat, the rest of the family went over.
Finally, Kathy pulled a blanket over Jasper. "This will help," she said. Jasper nodded: the warm onesie and blanket quickly warmed him up, and the car seat with the straps fastened and secured felt a bit like a mummy hugging him firmly and warmly from behind.
Dries and Heleen took their places beside Jasper, Koen got behind the wheel and Kathy took the passenger seat and started setting up the GPS. Less than half an hour from here was a restaurant that several Google reviews described as exceptionally child-friendly.
"Are you feeling better, Jasper?" asked Dries after buckling in.
"Yeah, I'm a bit warmer already. I'm glad to be out of those wet clothes, although I still feel very sick from being on that rocking boat."
"Here, in case you throw up." Kathy said as she handed a bag to Jasper as a precaution, just to be on the safe side. The start of the road would be full of twists and turns and a lot of ups and downs, far from ideal for someone who was already feeling nauseous.
The car slowly made its way to the exit of the car park. Now that the park was closing, a lot of people were leaving at the same time and they were stuck in traffic for a short while before they could leave the car park and continue on their way. Jasper only just realised that Dries and Heleen had gone to the toilet, but that he had gone straight to the car with Kathy. However, the cold water had affected his bladder and now, during the trip, the urge to urinate began to appear.
Jasper didn't feel like giving himself an extra stomach ache by holding his pee, and he didn't think it was appropriate to ask to stop immediately after they set off. He knew they were going to eat 'later', but he didn't know if it would be in a motorway car park, a restaurant or somewhere in between. And he didn't know how long the drive would be.
He decided to make himself comfortable and relaxed; before the car had even left the car park, Jasper's nappy was wet.
Jasper took the headphones Dries held out to him and they watched a film in the back seat. Dries had 'The Clone Wars' on DVD and Jasper loved watching it. He loved Star Wars.
After just over half an hour of turning, accelerating, braking, going up and down, Koen pulled into a car park. "Dinner time, get out," he said cheerfully after parking the car and looking back over his shoulder.
Jasper was sick and happy to get out, Dries and Heleen were hungry and happy to get out too. They all untied themselves. At least Dries and Heleen did it easily. Jasper looked at the buckle and tried to get a hold of the pushbutton.
"I'll help you, this clasp has always been stiff," Heleen said, seeing Jasper struggling next to her. Heleen first unfastened the chest strap and then the one on Jasper's stomach. Then she pressed a button at the bottom of the seat and pulled on all the straps to release them. Now Jasper was able to continue on his own and took his arms out of the loops.
Dries and Heleen got out, but Jasper hesitated before setting foot on the tarmac of the car park.
"Where are my sandals?" he asked Kathy.
I'll get them right away. Kathy quickly got the sandals out of the trunk, adjusted the buckles so they would fit easily over the feet of the onesie, and slipped them over Jasper's feet. When the whole family was ready, they walked across the car park to the restaurant. Kathy and Koen noticed that child seats were visible in most of the cars. So they had made a good choice.
The restaurant itself was painted in cheerful colours, both inside and out, and decorated with lots of lights. Despite being a large restaurant, they managed to create a homely atmosphere at the tables.
There was a waiter at the entrance to greet them. “Willkommen in unserem Restaurant. Sie sind zwei Erwachsenen und drei Kinder?” Koen nodded in agreement. His German wasn't very good, but he could tell that they were welcome and that they were indeed two adults and three children. The waiter entered all the details, took two menus and handed them over.
“In Kürze wird jemand kommen um Sie zu Ihrem Tisch zu begleiten.”
Another waiter arrived and took the family to the other side of the restaurant. She quickly scanned the family and saw a father, a mother and three children. Because Jasper was wearing a onesie, and apparently a nappy from the sound of it, and Dries was wearing normal clothes, the contrast between the two boys was much greater than usual. It had happened before that passers-by thought Jasper was Dries' younger brother, but now Jasper seemed to be a much younger brother of Dries.
The waiter led them to a large table with only four chairs. She quickly walked to the side of the room where there were three different types of high chairs. Seats adapted for babies, seats for toddlers and Triptraps for slightly larger children. The waiter took the largest high chair and placed it at the table.
“Bitte, Sie können sich jetzt alle setzen. Ich bin Hannah, Ihre Kellnerin für heute Abend. Jemand anderes wird später für die Getränke kommen. Für die Kinder zahlt man nach der Größe der Portion, und wenn diese zu klein ist, kann man gegen eine Gebühr eine Extraportion bestellen.” She introduced herself as Hannah and explained a little more.
Koen looked at Kathy to see if she had understood. She shrugged quickly, she hadn't understood Hannah's explanation either.
“Entschuldigung, können Sie das langsamer wiederholen, ich spreche Niederländisch.” Koen asked for more explanation.
“Ein Moment bitte, ich bin gleich wieder da.” said the waitress. She quickly went to a nearby cupboard, rummaged through the papers at the bottom, returned with a plastic sheet and handed it over.
It was a Dutch translation of the restaurant's concept. It explained that there was a single price for adults, but for children the price depended on the portion they took. It also said that if the children were still hungry after emptying their plates, they could always order an extra portion for a fee.
While Koen studied the Dutch explanation and looked at the menu, Kathy sent Jasper to the Trip Trap.
"The waiter brought this for you, just sit on it." Jasper was tired from the day and still felt nauseous. He didn't feel like protesting and obediently crawled on it.
The children were given the children's menu and together they studied the options. Heleen chose a Hawaiian pizza and Dries opted for 'bouchée a la reine' or 'chicken vol-au-vent'.
"I'm not hungry, I don't want anything," said Jasper. "My stomach still hurts too much."
"I understand, Jasper." Kathy said. "But choose something anyway, we'll ask for the smallest portion for you. If we're leaving later, we won't eat until tomorrow morning."
Jasper looked at the menu again and decided on fries with sausage and applesauce.
After they had all chosen their food, they waited for a while and soon the waiter appeared. Because there were pictures everywhere, they could easily point out what everyone wanted and indicate how big the portions should be. Heleen took half a pizza, Dries a normal child's portion and Jasper a mini-portion, the smallest possible.
When the waiter saw that Jasper was loose in the chair, she took a step towards him and closed the straps. There was a strap with a loop on it that went between his legs, and the buckle that wrapped the strap around his stomach went through that loop.
“Aus versicherungstechnischen Gründen muss jedes Kind in einem Kindersitz immer mit den zur Verfügung stehenden Mitteln gesichert werden.” she said as she strapped Jasper into place.
Koen had understood. "The straps have to be in place for the insurance, Jasper."
Jasper nodded that it was OK and put his thumb in his mouth in anticipation of the meal. After the five point harness on the car seat and the straps on the guest bed, this was not much. Heleen thought he was adorable: in his pyjamas, nappy, thumb in his mouth and in the high chair, he looked absolutely cute and precious.
Not long after they had ordered, another lady came to get the drink.
"Are you driving home later, Kathy?" asked Koen. She nodded that she would.
Koen ordered a glass of red wine with his dinner, Kathy and Heleen took a glass of coke. Dries and Jasper both had apple juice.
Moments later, the woman trudged back with a trolley full of glasses and cups. You could tell she was either tired or didn't really feel like working.
“Heute gibt es ein besonderes Angebot: die Kinder dürfen sich ein Glas oder eine Tasse ihrer Wahl aussuchen und mit nach Hause nehmen.” she said, gesturing to the glasses and mugs the children could choose from. They were all glasses and mugs of various famous characters from the Disney repertoire.
The woman glanced down at her board to see the family's order. She looked at Heleen first and pointed to the glasses. “Welches Glas willst du gerne?”
“You can choose a glass and you can take it home later.” said Koen to Heleen. “It's a special promotion.”
Heleen looked cheerful and took a good look at the glasses. After a moment's hesitation, she pointed to a glass with Merida, the princess from the film Brave, on it.
The waiter's expression was one of disinterest. She filled the glass with coke and handed it to Heleen. Koen and Kathy began to dislike her. They were glad that she only came for the drinks and that they had another waiter, Hannah, for the rest.
The waiter quickly checked the order. The small portion Dries had taken came with a cup.
“Welchen Becher soll es sein?” she asked Dries as she showed him the cups. Dries did not have to think twice. He immediately pointed to a cup with a spaceship and a droid from Star Wars on it.
The waiter looked over and saw that a mini-portion had been ordered for Jasper. The mini-portion came with either a cup or a bottle. She looked at Jasper, who still had his thumb in his mouth. The waiter didn't feel like giving a difficult explanation and chose for Jasper instead. She opened a door on the trolley and took out four baby bottles.
“Und du kannst dich auch eine aussuchen.” Jasper looked surprised that baby bottles were placed in front of him.
“Bitte wählen” The waiter urged Jasper to choose a bottle as she pointed to the bottles again. Jasper pointed to the bottle with the same design as Dries'. The waiter filled Dries' cup with apple juice and gave it to Dries, and she filled the bottle, put a feeding teat on it and gave it to Jasper.
Finally, she put a large jug of water on the table and gave Koen a glass of red wine and Kathy a glass of coke.
“Guten appetit” she said, barely audible, and hurried off with the cart. All the while, the family had not seen the slightest hint of a smile.
"You can go and play for a while until dinner comes." Kathy said to the children. Jasper unstrapped himself from the chair and followed Heleen and Dries as they had a look around the various play areas. There was a small sensory room, a corner with wooden blocks, a little further on a corner with a wooden railway and finally two televisions. One of them was showing a children's programme and the other a Disney film. Jasper and Dries chose the wooden train, while Heleen chose the Disney film. The film was in German, but Heleen already knew the story and the film. Although she did not understand what was being said, she could still follow the film.
While the children were away from the table, Kathy and Koen sat quietly and drank. "Funny that Jasper suddenly gets a bottle instead of a cup." Helga said. "Jasper must have looked very young in his pyjamas and the way he put his thumb in his mouth."
"At the next table, the smallest child was given the choice between a cup and a bottle." Koen replied. "I think the waiter just didn't want to make the effort and chose an easy solution."
"Should we say something and ask for a cup for Jasper?" Kathy asked Koen.
Koen was busy with the bottle, studying it, turning it upside down and shaking it.
"I think we've found our solution for sleeping in bed at night," Koen said. "He could put this next to him in bed when he goes to sleep. It won't leak if it falls over, like the drinking bottle we used at home last time."
Kathy paused and thought. "Wouldn't he mind using it?" she wondered.
"Maybe, but if we explain why, perhaps he'll see the benefits," Koen said.
They decided to leave it at that for now and waited patiently for the food.
When the first waiter, Hannah, came back with cutlery for everyone, she said the food would be coming soon.
Kathy went to collect the children and Koen waited at the table to welcome everyone.
Heleen arrived first, then Jasper, Dries and Kathy came in together. Dries sat down at the table and drank thirstily from his cup. Jasper was thirsty too. He took the bottle and wondered what to do with it.
"If you can drink with it, you can take it to bed with you. It can't leak if it's on its side," Koen said. He took the bottle from Jasper and demonstrated by holding it upside down. Jasper saw that not a single drop fell out. He held out his hand to take the bottle back and Koen handed it to him. Jasper tried it and found it hard to suck anything out. He moved his lips once and put the nipple a little deeper in his mouth and then it went better.
"It's not easy," he said doubtfully.
"I know you're much too big to drink from such a bottle, but for now it's what they provided and it would be useful for the night in bed," Koen said. "In case you want to have water with you when you sleep."
Jasper nodded that it was fine. He was tired from the busy day and therefore too tired to think hard. At this point everything was just fine for Jasper.
The food was brought and Hannah stopped by to see Jasper before going back to the kitchen.
“Denken Sie daran, dass die Schnallen geschlossen sein müssen, wenn er auf dem Stuhl sitzt.” Hannah said with a friendly smile at the parents as she fastened the buckles on Jasper's chair. Jasper looked at Koen questioningly.
"You forgot to fasten the buckles, she says."
Jasper nodded that it was OK and picked up his cutlery to start eating. The first few moments at the table were quiet. There was a good cook in the kitchen and everyone's food tasted good. Dries was the first to finish his meal and waited impatiently for Jasper. Although Jasper's portion was smaller, it didn't go as smoothly because of his stomach upset. In the end, Jasper and Heleen finished at about the same time. When Kathy and Koen finished a little later, they were asked how their stomachs felt. All three children said their stomachs were full.
"Hmm, then you can go and play and Kathy and I will have some dessert." Koen teased the children.
"But I want dessert too!" said Dries immediately.
"But you just said your stomach was full, didn't you?" asked Koen.
"I still have room in my pudding tummy." Dries replied wittily. "It's my usual stomach that's full."
Koen laughed at the answer. "It's OK then."
Hannah came back and asked if the family would like an extra serving.
“Nein danke, wir haben genug gegessen.” Koen rejected the proposal.
“Möchten Sie einen Kaffee oder ein Dessert?” asked the waiter kindly.
Koen nodded yes. He ordered two coffees and asked for the dessert menu.
The waiter brought the dessert menu first and then took care of the coffee. When she returned with two hot coffees, the family had already made their choice. A slice of cake for Koen and Kathy, a pancake for Heleen and Dries and a small scoop of strawberry ice cream for Jasper.
After dessert, Koen and Kathy took their time to enjoy their coffee while the children continued to play. Until Koen looked at the clock. "It's already half past eight and we still have a couple of hours to ride," he said in shock.
Kathy said it was indeed time to leave and quickly went to the car to get the bag of clothes so she could put Dries into pyjamas too.
There were changing rooms in the restaurant and Kathy and Jasper went into one of the empty ones. She told Dries to go to the toilet first and then come back to the room. Kathy saw that Jasper's nappy was already well filled and decided to change it. This nappy certainly wouldn't make it until tomorrow morning. "Go and sit on this table," she said, patting a changing mat on a long table after unzipping the back of Jasper's onesie.
Jasper crawled onto it and lay down obediently. While Kathy was busy, there was a knock at the door. Heleen and Dries entered. "I've been to the bathroom, Mummy," he said.
"I came to brush my teeth," Heleen said, looking in the bag for her own toothbrush.
After Jasper got a clean nappy and was dressed again, he swapped places with Dries. Jasper also brushed his teeth and then waited with Heleen for Dries to finish getting dressed. While Dries brushed his teeth, Katy cleaned up the clothes and put them in the bag. She threw the dirty nappy into the waste bin that was waiting for her there.
When they left, Koen paid for the meal, thanked the waiter for the delicious food and finally, just before nine o'clock, everyone was in the car ready to go home. Jasper and Dries had taken off their sandals and all three children were under a blanket. They had put the glass, cup and bottle in the bag with the clothes.
Kathy got behind the wheel and Koen sat next to her. Koen set the GPS, looked at the time it indicated for getting home and then sent a message to Celine and Helga via the Whatsapp group. << We went to a restaurant to eat first and it will be after 12 o'clock before we are back home. We'll take Jasper to bed with us so you don't have to stay up for him.
< That's good. Thank you.>> Shortly afterwards a message came back from Celine.
The children were allowed to watch a film, but within fifteen minutes Dries and Jasper were asleep. It had been an exhausting day for them. Heleen changed the film to one for herself and enjoyed it in silence. When her film was over, she closed the DVD player as well and settled down to sleep with her pillow and blanket.
When they got home, all three children were fast asleep. Koen carried Dries upstairs first, then Kathy woke Heleen and accompanied her to bed to sleep.
Before Koen went downstairs to get Jasper, he first opened the straps so that he could put Jasper on the bed and then closed all the straps.
Once Jasper was safely tucked into bed, Koen and Kathy quickly tidied up the things from the trip and crawled into bed too.
Author's note: I've never been to Fort Fun, so what I've written about it is all in my head and not necessarily true.
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Author: Toet
Timestamp: Nov 10, 2023 at 11:56 AM
Content:
pierrylouys said:
Cute chapter
[End of quote]
Thanks for your comment, it's nice to know that you'll have a lot of fun with the story.
BeKind said:
Enjoy it(*ˉ︶ˉ*)
[End of quote]
I'm glad to hear it; I hope you enjoy the next parts as well.
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Author: Toet
Timestamp: Nov 10, 2023 at 12:03 PM
Content: Chapter twenty-one
Heleen woke up well rested. She wondered what Jasper would look like asleep, remembering how cute he had looked in his pyjamas the night before. Heleen crept quietly over to Dries’ room and opened the door as quietly as she could. She was disappointed to see the two boys reading a comic book in bed. But even though they weren’t asleep, she was touched by the way they were lying. Both of them on their stomachs in Dries’ bed, concentrating on the comic they were reading together. She couldn’t see very well because of the way the boys were lying and where Heleen was standing, but she thought Jasper had his thumb in his mouth again. The thickening at the level of their buttocks was well in evidence on both boys.
She must have made some noise because both boys looked back to see Heleen standing there.
“Good morning Heleen,” they said almost in unison.
“Good morning Jasper, good morning Dries,” she replied.
“I’m going down, are you coming?” asked Heleen.
“Yes, that’s fine,” Dries said and got up. Jasper followed, took two steps towards the door and then seemed to think of something.
“Your mum and dad don’t want us to go downstairs with a wet nappy.” Jasper grabbed his chest with his hand, noticed that the zip was not there and then went to his neck to open the zip there. “I can’t get it out,” Jasper said with disappointment in the tone of his voice.
Heleen heard this and quickly turned to jump in. “I’ll help you, Jasper.”
Dries went to the bathroom on his own and helped himself, pyjamas off, bodysuit off, nappy off, freshened up and pyjamas back on. It was all done very quickly. Dries immediately went downstairs to wait for Jasper and Heleen.
Heleen took her time with Jasper. She opened the zip on Jasper’s back and pulled Jasper’s hands out of his sleeves. She pulled the onesie off until it hung around Jasper’s waist. Jasper had held it back so it didn’t fall to the floor. Now she pushed Jasper back a little until his legs were against the bed.
“Just lie down,” she said as she guided Jasper until he was lying nicely on the bed. She pulled the onesie down a little further until she could remove the snaps from the body. She pulled it open and then peeled off the tape from the nappy.
Jasper immediately felt a cold shiver run down his spine. From being snugly and comfortably wrapped up, almost everything was now open and exposed. Heleen noticed. “Are you cold?”
Jasper nodded yes. Seeing an opportunity to practice putting a nappy on him again, Heleen suggested, “Shall I put another nappy on you for the cold?”
Jasper hesitated for a moment, but thought it was a good idea and nodded yes.
“Great, then I can practice to learn how to do it properly,” Heleen said pleased. She covered Jasper with the blanket and went into the bathroom.
Almost dancing with joy and excitement, she went around to collect all the things, to the bathroom to get a washcloth, a towel and a clean nappy. As she collected the things, she mumbled to herself, repeating all the points of attention her mother had already given her. She wanted to do it right, without forgetting anything.
Heleen helped Jasper completely out of his onesie and body, laid him on the towel on the bed with his arms up, opened his nappy, pulled it away from Jasper’s bottom and freshened up his private parts. Heleen worked hard to make sure not a single detail was forgotten.
When she had cleaned and freshened everything up, she removed the wet nappy and put a new one under Jasper. Paying attention to all the important points, such as the position of the wings, she placed Jasper on the nappy.
“Stand up and turn around so I can see properly,” Heleen ordered.
Jasper stood next to Heleen and turned around so that Heleen could look around to see how everything was.
“Is it all right?” she asked Jasper gently.
“It’s usually a bit tighter with your mum. Now I have the feeling that it could easily slip off,” Jasper said. He found it hard to say anything bad about Heleen’s work, but he also wanted to be honest.
“Thank you for telling me, go lie down again and I’ll see what I can do about it,” Heleen said.
Jasper got back on the towel.
“Breathe out as much as you can,” Heleen said, thinking that might work better. Jasper did his best to exhale as much as he could and suck in his stomach as much as he could and Heleen opened and closed the two tapes again. They were getting a lot closer to each other now than they had been before.
"Better now?’ she asked Jasper.
Jasper didn’t answer right away. He stood up and turned around again, feeling the nappy with his hands.
“I think so,” Jasper said.
Heleen looked at the leakproof borders again and thought it was good too. Heleen helped Jasper back into the bodysuit and onesie, and they walked down the stairs together.
“Finally,” said Dries, who was waiting downstairs.
“Sorry, it wasn’t easy to help Jasper with his nappy,” Heleen said.
“Jasper, are you wearing a nappy again?” Dries asked in surprise.
“Yes, I was cold and Heleen wanted to practise to do it well.”
Dries shrugged. “Girls…” he muttered to no one in particular.
Luckily Heleen had not heard the remark.
“Shall we make breakfast for mum and dad to thank them for going to Fort Fun yesterday?” suggested Heleen.
Dries looked doubtfully at Jasper to see what he thought. Dries didn’t really feel like working, he preferred to play.
Jasper nodded enthusiastically; anything he could do to make Heleen happy was good. He adored her.
The three children began to prepare breakfast together. Jasper and Dries set a beautiful table with fresh flowers from the garden, Heleen cooked eggs for everyone and put chocolate bread from the freezer in the oven.
They then made coffee and poured glasses of fresh fruit juice for everyone.
Koen and Kathy had woken up when the children started messing around in the kitchen, and when breakfast was ready they both came down to the kitchen dressed. They were pleasantly surprised by the breakfast.
The whole family, plus Jasper, were at the table for a long time, enjoying the bounty of the breakfast table. As they had got up late and were sitting comfortably at the table, it was almost midday when the doorbell rang.
Dries opened the door and Jasper came along, curious to see who it was. “Mummy!” called Jasper when he saw that Celine was at the door.
“Call her in,” Koen shouted from the kitchen, having understood from Jasper who was there.
Celine brought in a bag of clothes. She lifted it up to show everyone.
“I noticed this morning that we haven’t provided any clothes for today, so I’m just dropping in with a set,” she said.
“That’s nice, they will come in handy indeed.” Kathy said. “Would you like to have some coffee first?”
Another chair was quickly pushed into place and Celine ate a sandwich for the comfort of it. “Jasper, making breakfast like this is something you should do at home,” she said, enjoying the atmosphere in the house.
“How was Fort Fun?” she asked.
As she drank a second cup of coffee, Celine listened intently to the whole family’s story. She enjoyed all the highlights and sympathised with Jasper about the less pleasant ones.
The bottle that Jasper had received in the restaurant the day before was also discussed in detail. She thought it was strange that the restaurant had given Jasper such a thing, but she also understood that they hadn’t said anything about it because it might come in handy; a bottle that wouldn’t leak when lying flat on the bed. With other bottles it can always happen that the cap is not closed properly and then they leak.
“It’s time to go home, Jasper, we’ve enjoyed Koen and Kathy’s hospitality for too long.” Celine said.
Jasper thought it was a shame that he had to put an end to the good times.
“Time to change, Jasper.” Celine continued.
Jasper stood up to carry out his mum’s orders. He turned undecidedly. “I can’t take my pyjamas off by myself, the zip is in the back,” he said.
Celine took a closer look at the onesie. “It looks nice and warm,” was the only comment she made.
“Come on, I’ll help you,” she said and pulled the zip of Jasper’s onesie all the way down, freeing Jasper from his confinement. He could do the rest himself.
With the zip open, Jasper took the bag of clothes to Dries’ room and changed.
“He looked so cute. It reminds me of the past.” Celine reflected nostalgically to no one in particular.
While Jasper was undressing, Kathy entered the room to help Jasper collect his things.
“Let me get you a washcloth to freshen you up, Jasper.” Kathy said.
“Don’t worry, the nappy’s still dry,” Jasper said. “I’ll keep it on.”
Jasper was sad to have to end the weekend. He went to get changed. Kathy saw something was wrong and sat down on the bed. “Jasper, what’s wrong?” she asked.
“It’s been so nice, I don’t want to go home.”
“Dries is home all week, so you will have lots of opportunities to play with him. And soon we are going on holiday together. Do you remember?”
“Oh yes,” said Jasper. He was immediately in a better mood. It might have been a nice weekend, but there was still a lot of fun to look forward to. Jasper put on his regular clothes and a moment later he was ready to head home.
Jasper happily said goodbye to Koen, Kathy, Heleen and Dries and hopped home next to his mother.
Two days later, Jasper was sitting in the garden with Dries. It was a sunny day and the children enjoyed being outdoors. They had played a lot, but they were bored with what Dries had to offer in the way of garden toys. They wanted to go to the playground;
“Mummy, can we go to the playground?” Dries asked.
“I don’t have time to go with you Dries, I have too much to do today.” Kathy replied. “But if Heleen wants to come, that’s fine with me too.”
Jasper and Dries exchanged a quick glance. “Are you going to ask Heleen?” Dries asked Jasper. “I think she will agree with you much more quickly.”
Jasper’s eyes sparkled. Could he really manage that with Heleen? Cautiously, he and Dries made their way to her room. Jasper knocked gently on the door, suddenly a little shy.
“Come in,” he heard from her bed. She was reading a book.
“Heleen?” he began carefully.
“Hmmm?” she replied.
“Would you like to go to the playground with us?”
“Hmmm.”
Jasper looked at Dries questioningly. What did she mean by that?
“Keep asking.” Dries urged Jasper in a whisper.
“Can we go now?” Jasper asked.
Now he got a little more reaction from Heleen. “Sorry Jasper, I wasn’t listening. What do you want to do?”
“Do you want to go to the playground with us?” Jasper asked.
“Mum can’t.” Dries interrupted.
Heleen looked doubtful; the book was exciting.
“Why don’t you just go with us to the playground and continue reading there?” Jasper proposed.
“OK, that’s fine, I’ll go with you.” Heleen was convinced.
A little later, Heleen, Jasper and Dries had arrived at the playground, and Jasper and Dries immediately shot their way to the play castle that was there, and captured it from hundreds of invisible enemies.
Heleen saw her friend Mila, who was also at the birthday party, sitting on a bench. Mila was bored and staring at nothing in particular.
“Hello Mila.” Heleen said happily as she sat down next to her.
“Hey, hello Heleen.” Mila said, looking much happier now that she was no longer alone. “On the babysitting service too? I’m in charge of my little brother Billy,” she said with a nod to a boy who was a bit further away.
“Yes, I am on the babysitter service too. My little brother and Jasper, do you remember him from my birthday?”
“Yes, that cute little boy. Both boys enjoyed the party. Where are they now?”
Heleen pointed to the castle that was there. “Dries has just finished the slide and Jasper is waiting up there. Where’s Billy?”
“Billy’s over there with that group of girls. They’re playing hopscotch.”
“A boy playing hopscotch? That’s weird,” Heleen said.
“No, it’s quite normal for Billy. He plays a lot with the girls. It seems he feels better with them, that he fits in better.”
“Doesn’t he feel all right then?” asked Heleen, who always got worried when she thought there was something wrong with someone.
“I don’t know.” Mila said. “He always seems so depressed all the time. He seems to be feeling bad, but I don’t know what it is. When I ask him, he doesn’t know what’s wrong with him, he says.”
“It’s holiday now, maybe that will do him some good.” Heleen repeated what she had heard many others say.
“I hope so, we are going to Portugal by plane in three days. I am really looking forward to it. It’s my first time flying.”
“Sounds nice. We are going to the south of France by car. The resort we’re going to is nice, but I don’t feel like driving for two days. A plane sounds much nicer.”
Mila nodded enthusiastically.
Dries and Jasper paid no attention to Billy; they didn’t know each other either. Only their sisters knew each other. Dries had discovered a nest of spiders under a shelf in a corner and was looking at it with fascination. It looked like a hundred spiders all together!
Jasper crouched next to it and watched. He also found it interesting to watch.
Three spiderlings seemed to be leaving the nest, and Dries blew gently at them to guide them back to the nest. But that didn’t seem to help and Dries blew again with full force. Suddenly, hundreds of baby spiders shot out in all directions! Amazed by the reaction, the children stopped to see what was happening, but the baby spiders did not return.
For the rest of the afternoon, the children walked around the playground looking for more spider nests, but they were unable to find any more.
It was almost dinnertime, and Heleen and Mila bid each other farewell, wishing each other a happy holiday. Heleen went over to Jasper’s house to drop him off, and then returned home with Dries.
“Dries, are you coming to play with me tomorrow?” Jasper asked.
Helga heard what Jasper was asking and intervened. “That’s not possible, Jasper. There’s a sale at the clothes shop and I’m going to go shopping with you tomorrow.”
Jasper was disappointed. “Okay Mum.” Buying clothes was not his favourite pastime.
“Are you coming the day after tomorrow?” Jasper asked.
Dries nodded that it would be fine. “Bye!” he waved to Jasper.
“Bye!”
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Author: Toet
Timestamp: Nov 17, 2023 at 8:44 PM
Content:
BeKind said:
Jasper looks like more and more childishψ(｀∇´)ψcute
[End of quote]
When I started writing, the purpose of the story was to have Jasper and Dries go on holiday together, but before they could go on holiday together, some preparation had to be done and a number of lines had to be placed. The story so far is actually all in preparation for the holiday we are almost approaching.
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Author: Toet
Timestamp: Nov 17, 2023 at 8:55 PM
Content: Chapter twenty-two
Jasper was fed up. This was the third shop he had been to with mum Helga. She loved to push him into the changing rooms and give him one garment after another to try on. He especially wanted a cool denim vest, but she wouldn't let him have it.
Other clothes he liked, with nice colours or designs, were never available in his size. They were bargains and discounts, and his size was almost always sold out. The new collection also had some nice things, but he was not allowed to have them, they were too expensive.
Mama Helga held a checked shirt out to him. "You'll look like a big man in that," she said, pointing to a pair of ribbed velvet trousers.
Jasper obediently put the clothes on; he had already learned from the previous shops that there was no point in protesting. He tried to express his horror by making as ugly a face as possible when he emerged from the changing room.
"He looks like a big boy now, ma'am. Almost like a boy of seven. Shall I pick out some other shirts?" asked a saleswoman, trying her best to be encouraging.
Jasper shook his head fiercely. "I'm already eight," he muttered.
"Yes, please." Helga nodded.
Another shirt with lines was brought in and two more with garish prints. Jasper kept coming out of the changing room with his eyes closed. He didn't want to look at himself in the mirror.
With a sigh, Helga realised that this shop was not going to be a success either. Helga wanted to dress Jasper properly, but he wasn't open to it at all. She decided to leave it at that and look for another shop. Regretfully, she handed the shirts and trousers back to the saleswoman, leaving Jasper to put on his own clothes and go to another shop.
Once outside, Helga looked up and down the shopping street. "I have an idea where we might find something in your size," she muttered.
Helga took Jasper's hand and they marched down a side street to enter another shop.
"But Mum, that's a baby shop!" cried Jasper in horror.
"I know, but they do have some clothes in larger sizes here. And since this is a baby shop, I hope that they still have your size in stock and that they have not sold it out already."
Jasper followed Helga into the store with an anxious foreboding. After looking around the store for a while, they ended up in a small children's section next to the baby clothes.
"Your size is the biggest here, Jasper, I hope we find something here."
Jasper took a quick look around the racks and was pleased to see that there were no stiff shirts. The clothes here were colourful, cheerful and fun.
Helga was glad to see that Jasper was finally more enthusiastic. She would have liked to dress Jasper in stylish clothes, but if she had to admit it to herself, it didn't really suit him, it wasn't his style.
Helga looked at the list again and saw what was on it. She had gone through his clothes with Jasper this morning to see which ones were too small or needed replacing.
There weren't many clothes that were too small, but there were some that were worn out, had holes in them, or had stains that couldn't be washed out.
Helga looked at the list: four pairs of shorts, three pairs of long trousers, four short-sleeved T-shirts, two long-sleeved T-shirts, a summer jacket and four jumpers.
Together with Jasper, she searched the racks for clothes in his size. Eventually there were clothes that both of them could agree on.
Once they had found the right size, the process of choosing was quick. Soon there was a huge pile of clothes on the side of the shop, ready for payment.
While searching the racks, they suddenly came across a rack full of bib overalls. "Remember when you borrowed one from Dries?" Helga asked.
"Yes, it was nice," Jasper said.
Helga took two pairs of trousers from the shelf. One with short legs and one with longer legs. Jasper needed help to put them on. He wasn't used to putting the straps over his shoulders from behind and he didn't immediately see how the buckles worked. Helga also had to help adjust the straps so that the trousers weren't too high or too low.
The trousers were added to the pile and Helga looked at the list again. They had put aside three shorts and two T-shirts too many.
"You need to get rid of some of this, Jasper. You chose a little too much." Helga said, pointing at the trousers and T-shirts.
Jasper was disappointed, he thought they were all nice and pretty clothes.
He looked through the pile of T-shirts and shorts. "I don't know Mummy, I think they're all so nice," he complained. He didn't want to get rid of any of them.
"If you can't choose, I'll choose for you." Helga said, grabbing the top trousers and t-shirt.
"No mum!" he shouted. "Not that one!" Anxious to protect his future possession, he pushed the trousers and T-shirts towards him and went through the pile again. "Do I really have to get rid of so many, Mummy? Please?" he asked in the sweetest voice he could muster.
Helga couldn't stand it when Jasper behaved like this. She knew Jasper was wrapping her around his finger, but he was doing it so well.
Helga started to go through the trousers again, looking at the price tags as she did so. She did the math in her head. There were big discounts in the shop and the total price was actually well below the budget she had originally planned.
"If we leave a pair of trousers and a T-shirt, that is fine. But we won't buy any more clothes for you until the next winter sale. Together with what you have left at home, you should have more than enough clothes.
On their way back to the checkout, they passed another section of clothes. "Clothes for Specials" read a sign hanging over the counter.
Jasper hadn't noticed the sign, but he immediately noticed a onesie hanging there, a onesie with short sleeves and short legs. The onesie was dark blue with different little coloured stars and planets all over it. Looking at the onesie was like looking at the starry sky through a periscope. There was a small breast pocket with no stars on it, but a rocket.
"Wow, Mum! Look at the onesie!" Jasper exclaimed. Jasper jumped up and down in excitement as he pointed to the onesie. Jasper thought the onesie with the stars looked great.
Helga had seen the 'Clothing for Specials' sign and took a closer look at the onesie. There was a zip on the back, and it was closed by two metal snaps, which Jasper would never be able to get on and off by himself.
"Jasper, look at this," Helga said, pointing to the zip at the back. "You'll never be able to get it on and off yourself."
"It's OK Mummy, you can help me, can't you?" There was only one thing that mattered to Jasper at that moment and that was getting those beautiful pyjamas with the stars on them.
Helga saw how excited Jasper was; she had rarely seen that before when it came to clothes.
She looked at the price tag and was pleasantly surprised. The base price was already cheap, but there was also a sticker with a seventy percent discount. For what it cost in the end, she couldn't pass up the onesie. "I don't know Jasper, we'll have to try them on first to see if they fit."
Jasper grabbed the onesie and held it close. He hoped with all his heart that the onesie would fit.
In the dressing room, Helga helped Jasper take off his clothes and then put on the onesie. She pulled up the zip and fastened the metal buttons at the neck. Then she straightened the onesie and had Jasper make a circle to see how it connected to his crotch. She saw that there was still plenty of room and decided that it was a good fit.
"It's OK Jasper, we'll buy it."
"Yippee! To the checkout!" exclaimed Jasper excitedly.
"Not so fast Jasper, first take off the onesie and put on your normal clothes."
"Oops," Jasper said, forgetting that in his enthusiasm for the onesie.
Jasper was helped out of the onesie and into his normal clothes by his mum. Together they went to the checkout, with Jasper wearing the onesie and his mum wearing the rest of the clothes. Jasper did not want the onesie to get lost, so he wore it himself, which made him feel more comfortable. When they got to the checkout, there was a small queue and they had to wait a while before it was their turn.
"Hello Helga, hello Jasper," came a voice from behind them. They turned in surprise to see Kathy and Heleen standing there.
"Hello," Helga replied. "Chasing discounts here too?"
"No," Kathy replied. "A colleague of mine has just become a mother and I came to buy a present. Unfortunately, Dries no longer fits into the clothes here."
Heleen held up a nice dinner set and a sleeping bag. "This is our present for the baby."
As the mothers continued to chat and the line moved slowly towards the checkout, Jasper was fascinated by a kind of ribbon hanging from a rack next to the cash register.
When they finally got there, Jasper took a good look at the ribbon. It was from Star Wars! Jasper picked up the ribbon to have a closer look. It had Yoda and a droid on it. Jasper thought it was very pretty. On one side of the ribbon was a little string, and on the other side of the ribbon was a clip that could be used to attach the ribbon to something.
"Look mum, it's from Star Wars, isn't it nice?" he nudged his mum to draw attention to the ribbon.
"Yes, it's nice, you like watching Star Wars, don't you?"
"Yes, and I don't have anything from Star Wars yet. Can I have the ribbon?" asked Jasper in his sweetest tone, trying to look super cute to his mummy.
"But what are you going to do with it, Jasper? The ribbon is for hanging up a dummy."
Jasper looked at his mum in confusion. He hadn't expected this answer. He looked at the ribbon again.
"Look, Jasper, you can easily attach the pacifier to this loop and you can attach the other side, the clip, to your outer clothing. That way, if a baby spits up or accidentally drops their binky, they won't lose it."
Jasper quickly tried to think of a reason why he needed the ribbon. It looked so pretty!
"What if I use it to hang my keys on?" suggested Jasper.
"You never need to carry your keys around."
Jasper didn't know what to say. He had hoped so much to get this ribbon, but it didn't seem like he was going to get it. Disappointed, he turned away and followed the lady at the counter, who was busy with Jasper's new clothes.
Outside the shop, Kathy and Helga continued their conversation. They all walked towards a nearby ice-cream stall.
"Jasper, because you've been so good today, you can have an ice cream." Helga said as they joined a long queue at the back.
Heleen was still in doubt. She remembered how sweet Jasper had been on her birthday. She had wanted to give him a present back, but she hadn't had time to find something yet.
"Mum," Heleen interrupted the conversation between Kathy and Helga. "I forgot something at the last shop. I'll go and get it and then I'll be back."
Kathy nodded at Heleen and then turned back to Helga to continue the conversation.
In the shop, Heleen bought the Star Wars ribbon with a matching dummy. She wanted to keep it as a surprise until they went on holiday together. Since Jasper is not allowed to suck his thumb, this would be a good alternative, she reasoned.
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Author: Toet
Timestamp: Nov 22, 2023 at 6:07 PM
Content:
BeKind said:
Looking forward to it very much！
Doesn't he need to buy underwear?
[End of quote]
No, he didn't have any need of them, he had enough.
Enjoy the next part!
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Author: Toet
Timestamp: Nov 22, 2023 at 6:11 PM
Content: Chapter twenty-three
Jasper couldn't wait to get home that night to put on his new onesie. As soon as his other mum was home, the first thing he did was to show his new onesie to his mum Celine. She looked at the onesie with awe, she liked it. She tried to imagine what Jasper would look like in the onesie and it was a cute picture.
After dinner Jasper had to get ready for bed and for once he didn't complain. Celine went upstairs to help Jasper.
"Jasper," Celine began, "you can't get this onesie on or off by yourself. If you need to go to the toilet later or tonight, you won't be able to. Are you putting on a nappy again? I know Dries is not here, but you are allowed to do that even when he is not here'.
Jasper didn't hesitate. He wanted to wear the onesie and if that was the price he was willing to pay. He didn't think the nappies were bad either, in fact he thought they were quite comfortable.
"That's good mum," and Jasper lay down on the bed to be helped further by his mum.
"But won't Gert see this later?" he thought to himself when he was all set and standing at the door. He voiced his concern to his mum.
"Don't worry. Gert is still with Ine, who will only come home when you are long asleep, and tomorrow he has to get up early for his student job. Will you brush your teeth? When you're done, you can play for another half hour and then it's time to go to bed, enjoy it".
Reassured, Jasper went downstairs and played some more until Mummy Celine told him to go to bed.
Mama Celine read a story first. She started with the first Harry Potter book. Jasper thought it was funny what happened.
After fifteen minutes of reading, Celine decided it was enough. She gave Jasper another kiss, tucked him in and wished him good night.
"Sleep tight, Mummy," Jasper said, then rolled over onto his side for a good night's sleep.
Jasper woke up in the middle of the night. He hadn't gone to the bathroom before going to sleep and that had consequences. Jasper knew there was no point in getting up. He couldn't get out of the onesie, and he'd been given a nappy by his mother just for that reason. He didn't even bother opening his eyes. He relaxed and at the same time concentrated on his bladder, trying to let it all flow. After a while he was successful and with a feeling of bliss and a smile on his lips, Jasper turned back to his side and went back to sleep.
Well rested, Jasper awoke the next morning to the sound of hail drumming on the shutters. He got up from the floor - he had been falling out of bed a lot in the last few days - and walked down to the kitchen. Mama Celine was still at the kitchen table, drinking coffee and reading the newspaper on her tablet. The place at the table where Gert and Mama Helga had been eating showed the marks of a hasty departure.
"Good morning Mummy," Jasper said as he kissed his mother on the cheek.
"Good morning Jasper," Celine replied as she kissed him back.
"Where are Mummy Helga and Gert?" Jasper asked.
"Helga has taken Gert to his student job because the weather is so bad. It was not the weather for cycling. Afterwards she went straight to her own work. It's just the two of us today."
Jasper looked outside and was disappointed to see that the weather was indeed very bad. "I wanted to play outside with Dries today."
"Let's have breakfast first and then we'll see." Celine said.
Jasper took his plate and knife and pushed them, along with the bread and chocolate, towards his mother. Then he sat on his mom's lap and started to make a sandwich.
"Jasper, is your nappy wet? Is it possible that I can smell it?" Celine asked.
Jasper didn't dare answer properly. It was still wet from the night before and he wasn't sure what his mum would think. He didn't find it too disturbing himself. The nappy was a little thicker, the pad under his bottom a little swollen, but it didn't feel wet or uncomfortable.
"We'll go upstairs and freshen up Jasper, then you can continue eating." Celine said.
Jasper followed his mother upstairs and in no time at all he was undressed, out of his wet nappy and his waist was scrubbed clean with a good dose of soap and water.
"What do we do now, Jasper? Continue to get dressed or go back into your pyjamas and have breakfast first?" Celine asked.
Jasper didn't have to think for long. "Can I have a pyjama day today? Just don't put on any clothes and play in my pyjamas all day?"
Celine had already seen the weather report in the newspaper and it was going to be bad all day with hail, rain and strong winds. Playing outside was not really an option.
"That's fine Jasper. I'll get you a new nappy."
Happy Jasper lay down. Mummy Celine put a clean nappy on him and it felt really good. Jasper enjoyed the feeling. It felt right.
The onesie was zip fastened at the back and when Jasper heard the two snaps and felt them close, he knew he couldn't get out. "Safe and sound." Celine said. Jasper had to smile.
Celine and Jasper went downstairs together and Jasper started his breakfast while Celine continued to read the newspaper and drink her coffee.
As Jasper started to spread his second sandwich, Celine's phone rang.
"Good morning Celine, this is Kathy. Dries would love to play with Jasper, but he has a pyjama day here at home. Would Jasper like to come over?"
Celine laughed when she heard that. "Jasper is spending the day in his pyjamas too. Otherwise you can bring Dries here if he wants to, Jasper has been with you so much lately. Dries can also come in his pyjamas if he wants to," Celine said.
"Okay, that's fine. I'll drop him off in five minutes. See you then!"
Jasper ate his sandwiches quickly, making sure he was ready as soon as possible. He sat down behind a window next to the front door to keep an eye on the street and watch for Dries' arrival.
A short time later, Kathy's car pulled into Jasper's driveway. Jasper stood up and held the door open. Kathy and Dries sprinted in through the rain.
"Thanks Jasper." Kathy said, relieved that she didn't have to wait outside a closed door in the rain.
Dries took off his shoes, but otherwise he was still in his pyjamas. "That's nice," Dries said, looking at Jasper's onesie.
Jasper nodded vigorously. "We bought it in the shop yesterday. Yours with the crocodile on it looks nice too. Come on, let's play with the Playmobil," Jasper said and they went into his room to create a real battlefield, literally and figuratively, where dragons and vikings would go off to fight the bad guys together. Kathy was led into the kitchen by Celine and together they enjoyed a fresh cup of coffee.
"About the forthcoming voyage," Kathy began, eager to take the opportunity to discuss some practical matters.
"We want to leave at night. Can Jasper come and sleep with us the night before? We will also make sure that all the luggage is loaded in the evening and that the food is ready, so that in the middle of the night all we have to do is get in the car and go".
Celine nodded that it was good for her. "What about the bedding? Should he bring some?"
"No, that's not necessary." Kathy said. "In the cottage there is one sheet per person and a towel set with one large and one small towel. So he only needs one towel for the pool. If he wants to bring something to play or read, that is certainly allowed, but Dries will also bring some toys.
"Jasper will probably want to bring his Nintendo. Is that possible?' Celine asked.
"Yes, that would be fine. Can you divide Jasper's luggage into two? A small rucksack with some clean clothes for the first and second day, his toothbrush and toothpaste and a few things to keep him occupied in the car. We'll be travelling for two days and spending the first night in a hotel. You can put the rest of his luggage in a large suitcase with everything for the rest of the trip. The night we sleep in the hotel, the suitcase simply stays in the car".
"Okay, that sounds convenient." Celine said. "Where is the hotel where you will be staying?"
"More or less halfway. It would be possible to drive it all in one day, but then we'd have to spend two or three days recovering from driving, and then the holiday wouldn't make much sense".
While the mothers continued to chat, Jasper and Dries played together with the Playmobil.
It was almost noon and Dries had noticed that he had been to the toilet twice already and Jasper hadn't gone once. He looked at Jasper's waist and at one point Jasper was on his knees, fixing something on the Playmobil. This position made the onesie fall tighter over Jasper's bottom and the outline of a nappy was visible.
"Jasper, are you wearing a nappy?" Dries asked in surprise.
"Yes, that's right. I can't get the onesie on and off by myself, so this was more practical. Besides, I find the nappy comfortable and easy."
It was not the first time Dries had heard this from Jasper. He wondered if Jasper was still wearing nappies for him or if he was just doing it for himself. Whatever the reason, Dries decided that Jasper was a great friend and he wasn't the only one wearing nappies anymore. Dries decided to just keep playing with the Playmobil and ignore everything else. Having fun and playing with his best friend was what mattered, that was the most important thing.
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Author: Toet
Timestamp: Nov 26, 2023 at 10:40 PM
Content:
pierrylouys said:
Awww Thas a cute chapter ! I think jasper is quite liking his new baby way of life rsrs curious to see how much babying jasper is gonna get in this trip ! My bet
[End of quote]
I know the answer, but i won't tell it. I don't want to give any spoilers. (And the little inside me is sticking out his tongue now)
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Author: Toet
Timestamp: Nov 26, 2023 at 10:43 PM
Content: Chapter twenty-four
Jasper moved around the house nervously. In one hand he had a list of things to pack, and with the other he carried the things to his bed, where he put everything on. Little by little, the pile on his bed grew bigger and the cupboard emptier. He made two nice piles, one for his rucksack and one for his travel bag.
Helga let Jasper get on with his work in peace. As soon as they were done, they would check to make sure everything was done properly.
After Jasper had put everything on his bed and checked three more times that he had ticked everything off the list and laid it out correctly, he went to fetch Mummy Helga.
"Everything's ready, Mummy," Jasper said as he went to find Helga enjoying the garden.
"I'm coming to see Jasper. Have you got everything you need?"
"Yes, everything is ready. But don't I have to take some sleeping clothes? There were only nappies on the list."
"No, that is not necessary. Kathy is going to bring all of Dries' onesies and bodies that are too small for him, you can have them and there will already be bed linen in the house."
"OK, now I understand," Jasper said. "My shoes are downstairs too."
"You can do that later." Helga took the list from Jasper and went through it again. Jasper had done a great job, he hadn't made any mistakes and the clothes and other things were nicely divided into two piles.
Helga looked at the amount of stuff that was there and handed a travel bag and a rucksack to Jasper.
"Everything should fit in here. If you put it all in the travel bag yourself, you will know where everything is and it will be easier for you to find it when you go on holiday. Put the toys away in your room when you've finished packing; I'm going to go back to the garden and if you need me, you'll know where to find me."
"Okay Mum," Jasper said.
"One more thing. If you want a game or your Nintendo or anything for the road, you can put that in your rucksack too; toys for the holidays are allowed in your travel bag."
Jasper started to fill his rucksack first. He went downstairs to get his Nintendo, some games for the Nintendo, a travel game, the book he was reading and an empty bottle of water to put in his rucksack. He tucked it all in neatly and then put another soft toy on top, along with a small bag containing his toothbrush and toothpaste.
Finally, he put the two sets of clothes into the rucksack and tried to close it. No matter how hard Jasper pushed on the clothes or pulled on the zip, the rucksack wouldn't close.
When Jasper gave up trying to close his rucksack, he decided to move the two sets of clothes from his luggage to the pile. After all, his luggage was going into the car for the trip. He hadn't quite understood from the start why the two sets of clothes had to be in his rucksack.
After zipping up the rucksack without his clothes, Jasper set it aside and continued with his travel bag.
Jasper started by gathering his trainers and hiking boots and putting them in the travel bag first. He put his sandals aside for the journey. Then he grabbed another big box of a board game and put it in there too. As he packed his swimming clothes, he realised that he had brought a towel for the pool, but his mum had forgotten to put a towel on the list for washing in the house. Proud that he could think and reason so well on his own, he took out another large towel and put it in the travel bag too. He added an extra cuddly toy, two extra books and even he didn't need to bring any sleeping clothes, he decided to take his new onesie from the previous week. Finally, he piled the clothes on top of the other items in the travel bag. When Jasper saw what a mountain it had become, he sighed deeply. Mum Helga had told him to put everything in the travel bag, but it wasn't possible.
Jasper decided to leave one set of clothes out of the suitcase, he thought he had enough for the week without it and looked at the pile again.
There was still far too much!
Jasper chose between the jumpers, t-shirts, trousers and underwear, and one by one more clothes were taken out of the bag until it could be closed.
Jasper carried the bag and rucksack downstairs and looked at his work with satisfaction. He was all prepared for his holiday.
Jasper returned to his room, looked at the clothes that were still spread out on his bed and therefore not in the suitcase, and decided not to worry about them.
He still had to tidy up his room and reluctantly began this last task. He tucked his sheet neatly over all his clothes, cleared away the Playmobil and made sure there was nothing else lying around on the floor and on his desk.
Jasper wasn't sure what to do when he was done packing and tidying up. Playing and making a mess was no longer allowed and his book or Nintendo were both packed away. After a little encouragement from his mum, he found distraction in helping to cook dinner. That evening, after dinner, Celine and Gert said goodbye to Jasper and wished him a very pleasant journey. Helga put Jasper's luggage in the car and took it to Kathy and Koen.
Jasper found a family in full packing chaos.
"Hi Jasper, welcome. Give me your travel bag and I'll put it in the car. I was just about to start loading what was already packed," Koen said after greeting Helga. Jasper's travel bag was loaded first and soon it was partly covered by other luggage that was loaded on top, in front and beside it. Jasper's rucksack was temporarily placed on the back seat to keep it from being buried. Dries' old car seat had been reinstalled in the car for Jasper.
Helga followed Jasper inside to say hello to Kathy, leaving Koen by the car. It was almost more like a game of 3D Tetris than loading, with the added difficulty of getting everything that would be needed during the drive to the resort and the first night in the hotel within easy reach.
Helga and Jasper met Kathy in the kitchen. She was just getting the last of the things ready for the next morning.
"Hi Kathy, good evening. Is everything all right?" Helga asked. As she greeted her, she handed her another envelope with the necessary documents and some pocket money for Jasper.
"We are seriously behind schedule. We forgot a few things and instead of packing this afternoon I had to run to the store," she replied. Meanwhile, Kathy tucked the envelope away in her handbag so as not to forget it.
"Oops, that's less nice. Can I give you a hand? Consider it a thank you for taking Jasper on this trip."
"Yes, please, can you help with the sandwiches and then get Jasper and Dries ready for bed? Their stuff is on their beds."
Helga sat down at the table and helped with the sandwiches. Jasper went to look for Dries and found him and Heleen in a state of great stress. Both were running around with a to-do list of everything that needed to be done. Dries was busy watering all the plants in the house and Heleen went to Koen with the luggage from all over the house to load it into the car.
While Helga sat at the table, she told Kathy that Jasper was looking forward to the trip, but had a lot of nerves. He had fallen out of bed several times in the last few days, so they had even temporarily reinstalled the bed barrier. Jasper hadn't fallen out of bed since the rail was installed, but he complained every morning that he'd woken up several times from the cold because he'd kicked off all the covers in his sleep.
"I have already laid out the safety belt on the spare bed for tonight. I'll have to do my best not to forget it when we leave tonight." Kathy replied.
"Write a note or do something to make sure you remember it tonight?" suggested Helga.
Kathy nodded thoughtfully. "Well, if I put the restraint bag somewhere..." she muttered to herself, searching for what would work best.
A little later Helga called to the two boys. "Kathy is still busy getting everything ready, I'll help you get ready for the night. Will you come upstairs?"
Laughing and giggling, the boys followed Helga upstairs. The tension before the holidays was too great for them to calm down.
Helga sent both children to the potty and then to the bathroom to brush their teeth, then helped them one by one into their nappies, bodysuits and a onesie with feet and a zip at the back. "Probably nice and warm for tonight in the car," she commented.
"Yes, dad doesn't want it to be too hot in the car at night because he's afraid he'll fall asleep more easily when he's driving and it's hot in the car." Dries explained.
Helga put the boys in front of the TV so they wouldn't disturb the others with the last preparations. She took the clothes Jasper had worn that day and put them in her own car. Then she went to say goodbye to everyone.
"Kathy, I'm going to take Jasper's soiled clothes home with me so you won't have to worry about them. Enjoy your holiday!"
"Thanks and goodbye, Helga."
Helga said goodbye to Heleen, Koen and Dries and finally came to Jasper. She sat down next to him and gave him another big hug. "I'm going to miss you, my little monkey," she said affectionately, "be good, listen carefully and enjoy yourself."
"I will," Jasper promised. He gave Helga another big hug and several kisses. "I'll miss you too."
A little later, later than originally planned, Kathy came over to the two boys. They were both leaning against each other on the sofa, Jasper had his thumb in his mouth. "Jasper, thumb out, and Dries, it's time for bed, are you two coming up?"
The boys obediently followed her upstairs. Heleen, who had heard her mother's last comment, followed her into the boys' room with a small package in her hand. First Dries was tucked in and then it was Jasper's turn. The harness was fastened properly and then Jasper was tucked in.
"Jasper, I've already packed your water bottle for the journey, so I can't give it to you tonight. It will only be a short night. Also, for once, I will not put the key on the bedside table tonight. I'll hang it on my key ring so I won't forget it or lose it somewhere. Good?" Kathy asked.
Jasper nodded yes and automatically put his thumb back in his mouth to ease the tension.
"Jasper, thumb out." Kathy said wearily, having to say it again so soon after the last time.
"I've got a solution, Mum," Heleen said proudly. She pulled the package from behind her back and took out the dummy ribbon and the Star Wars dummy. "Look, this way he won't put his thumb in his mouth anymore."
Jasper's eyes lit up when he recognised the Star Wars ribbon. He loved that ribbon he had seen in the shop! Admittedly, he still didn't understand what it had to do with putting his thumb in his mouth; Heleen held the ribbon out for him to see, but she kept the dummy hidden in her hand.
Heleen fiddled with it and secured the ribbon to Jasper's onesie. "Open your mouth," she commanded Jasper.
Surprised, he opened his mouth; he hadn't noticed the dummy yet. Heleen immediately put the dummy in his mouth. "Now I always want to see it in your mouth instead of your thumb," she said sternly. She meant it as a joke, but Jasper thought she was dead serious; he hadn't recognised the irony. He nodded that it was all right and curiously examined the object in his mouth with his tongue.
"Heleen, go to your room, I'll be right there." Kathy said angrily.
Jasper was shocked. Why was Kathy suddenly angry? Because he had put his thumb in his mouth again? He promised himself that he would do his best to use the object in his mouth and not his thumb.
Kathy wished the boys a good night, switched off the light and went to Heleen's.
Curious, Jasper took the thing out of his mouth. It was too dark to see, but by feeling it with his fingers and mouth, he quickly recognised it as a pacifier.
"What's that, Jasper?" asked Dries, who was also curious.
"A dummy, I think. I don't quite understand why?"
"Probably what she said. Everyone is always angry when you put your thumb in your mouth, maybe this will help you get rid of that bad habit?" Dries suggested.
"I'm going to make the best use of it, then," Jasper said.
The two boys continued to whisper about the upcoming trip and holiday. They were looking forward to it. Every time Jasper spoke, he took his dummy out of his mouth; he soon realised that otherwise he was incomprehensible to Dries. As soon as he finished talking, he immediately put the dummy back in his mouth.
After a while, Dries finally fell asleep, but Jasper had a harder time falling asleep. Having the dummy in his mouth was something new, it was a bit like sucking your thumb, but a bit different. The fact that he was stuck in bed, but this time with the key out of reach, made it feel a little different. He knew it wasn't necessary for him to get out of bed, after all he would be woken up in the middle of the night and if there was something really important he could always wake Dries. Jasper tossed and turned for a while, as far as the restraints would allow, and finally fell asleep when it was quiet in the house.
"Heleen, what have you done now?" Kathy hissed angrily at Heleen.
"Just so he doesn't have his thumb in his mouth so much anymore, which is what you always complain about so much," Heleen said, anxious. She didn't quite understand what she had done wrong.
"Yes, if he spends too much time with his thumb in his mouth, his teeth will get misaligned. Holding a dummy in his mouth for a long period of time would only make it worse, not better".
Heleen turned pale when she heard this. She had been following a completely wrong line of thought, she was forced to admit to herself now.
"I thought I was helping," she sobbed, "Jasper looked so happy when he saw the ribbon."
"That's right," Kathy nodded, seeing that Heleen hadn't realised her mistake and hadn't done it on purpose.
"He needs to sleep now, we'll talk to Jasper about this another time."
The last things were packed and laid out and soon the whole family was asleep.
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Author: Toet
Timestamp: Dec 3, 2023 at 10:46 PM
Content: Chapter twenty-five
“Tuut-tuut", the alarm went off at three o'clock at night.
"It's way too early." Koen growled.
"We have to, otherwise we won't have a little traffic jam, but much too much, Koen," Kathy urged in a sleepy voice.
The parents got up with a sigh and got dressed. Koen went downstairs to make coffee; he would drive the first part of the journey.
Kathy woke Heleen first, made sure she got up and brought her bag of clothes for today and the hotel. Then she went to see the boys. She was sure that if she had just woken Heleen and left the room, Heleen would have just rolled over and gone back to sleep. She carried Jasper to the car first, using the key to release him from his restraints. She had to do her best to secure Jasper, who was still asleep, in the booster seat, but in the end she had all the straps in place and everything was as tight as it should be.
Kathy then tidied up the restraint kit, put everything in the carry bag and made sure the key was still on her key ring. She then closed the bag and took it to the car. Kathy went back inside and sent Heleen to the car with her pillow, and finally she picked Dries up from the bed and secured him in his car seat as well. She spread blankets over Heleen, Jasper and Dries. Dries had slept through everything, Heleen had settled down to continue sleeping, but Jasper was wide awake now from the sounds and movements of the others.
"Sleep on." Kathy whispered to Jasper. She blew up a pillow for herself and immediately settled back down to sleep in the car.
Koen had been busy in the kitchen with the cool box and then filled a thermos with the fresh coffee he had made.
Twenty minutes after the alarm went off, they were all in the car. Kathy set the GPS and Koen started the car. They were on their way!
After ten minutes of driving, Kathy suddenly sat up straight. "I forgot to lock the door!" Twenty minutes after they had left, they were back at their house. Kathy did a quick round of the house, checking all the lights and doors. She also checked the gas, but in the end she had to admit that turning back hadn't really been necessary.
Just as they left the village, Kathy sat up again in a panic. "The shoes are not with us, we carried the children to the car and then forgot to take their shoes."
Koen pulled the car to the side of the road and together he and Kathy looked around to see if they were indeed missing.
They returned home soon after. Kathy got the children's shoes and went back to the car.
"Think again, Kathy. Is there anything else?"
"The coats, in case it rains," Kathy said, pacing back and forth one last time.
Meanwhile, Koen was using his mobile phone to download their own packing list from the home server. When Kathy sat down again, they went through the list again, point by point. They didn't want to go back and forth again.
When they had gone through the whole list, and Kathy had gone to get the camera and checked again that she had locked the door, Koen started the car again. They had been on the road for almost an hour and had not moved a centimetre or an inch. Jasper was still wide awake, and he followed the whole thing in silence.
A little later, on the motorway, Jasper was enjoying the silence. The radio was turned up and playing some nice songs, and there was only the quiet hum of the engine. There was little traffic, so Koen kept the cruise control on as he drove further down the road. There was only the occasional oncoming car, which disturbed the peace by shining its headlights into the car.
As Jasper enjoyed the scenery outside, he noticed that the sky was becoming less dark. He followed the splendour of colour that a rising sun brought with the various shades of purple and pink that coloured the clouds. Jasper enjoyed the changing landscape where towns alternated with villages and fields, forests and farms.
Koen had seen that Jasper was awake, but it was impossible to force someone to sleep. Jasper was quiet and didn't disturb anyone. Koen regularly glanced at Jasper in the rear-view mirror and winked at him. When Jasper saw that, he always winked back.
It wasn't just because Jasper was awake that Koen glanced over from time to time, but also because it was an unusual sight. Jasper sat with his new dummy in his mouth all the time.
As they drove, it got darker for them instead of brighter. It wasn't long before the rain started rattling the car and waking the other passengers. No one would have been able to sleep any longer with that kind of noise.
"There is a gas station ten kilometres from here. We'll take a break there, get the kids dressed, have breakfast and then I'll drive for a while," Kathy said to Koen.
Koen nodded that it was all right. He was concentrating on the road ahead; the heavy rain had reduced visibility. The children had heard that they were going to stop and Heleen and Dries started to put on their shoes. With Jasper firmly secured in his booster seat, he couldn't reach the floor of the car where his sandals were.
Ten kilometres down the road and nine minutes later, Koen turned on his blinker and drove off the motorway. It was a large rest area where you could refuel and charge electric cars, two restaurants, a few small shops selling various products and a picnic area inside and outside. After Koen had parked, he and Kathy put on their coats while sitting in the car. Kathy got out and opened Heleen's door to quickly grab an umbrella and open it over the roof of the car.
When Heleen got out, Kathy handed her the umbrella. Heleen went around the car to let Dries out, while Kathy gathered the bags for breakfast and let Jasper and Dries change. Heleen took her own things.
Koen, who had seen that Jasper could not reach his shoes, took Jasper in one arm and his sandals and another umbrella in the other and walked straight to the building so as not to stand in the rain for too long.
When they were all inside, Koen looked for a bench where they could sit and eat freely and prepared all the breakfast items. While Heleen helped Koen, Kathy went into a changing room with Dries and Jasper, who was now wearing his sandals, closed the door behind her and started to get things ready. Dries' clothes were at the top of the bag, so she had them ready to go. When Kathy unzipped Jasper's rucksack she didn't immediately see any clothes. At first she tried to see if she could see them, but as she didn't see them right away, she emptied out the whole of Jasper's rucksack.
"Jasper, where are your clothes?"
"I couldn't fit them in my rucksack, so I put them in the travel bag. Mum told me to put them in my rucksack, but I didn't know that I was going to need them by now, so I put them in the travel bag anyway."
Kathy sighed and looked at Jasper. "Then you will have to have your breakfast in your pyjamas, but we will see about that later on. Is your nappy very wet?"
Jasper nodded. "A bit, I think."
"Did you pee in it a lot or not?"
"I'm not sure. Every time I felt I had to pee, I let it go straight away. I'm not sure if it was much altogether."
Kathy rummaged through Dries' bag, where she had packed everything for the night at the hotel, a clean nappy, a onesie and a bodysuit, both for Jasper and Dries, so that she could easily take a nappy here. She would refill the nappies later from the car.
.
"Wait here for a moment," Helga said as she lifted Jasper onto the changing table. "First I'll help Dries out of his onesie, then he can dress himself. Then I'll help you, Jasper." Dries's onesie was unzipped, then Dries undressed himself, took off the nappy, freshened up and put on normal clothes.
Jasper was put on the changing table, his onesie was taken off to his feet, the bodysuit was opened, the dirty nappy was removed and after a bit of freshening up, a clean nappy was put on.
When both boys were completely ready, they headed for Koen and Heleen.
"Jasper has put his clothes for today and tomorrow in his travel bag, can we take them out?" Kathy asked.
Koen looked outside; it was still raining cats and dogs. "Jasper's travel bag is at the bottom of the trunk. If I have to take it out now, I will have to unload most of the rest of the luggage first. It would all get rained on. We'll do it at another stop where it's dry," Koen said.
Kathy nodded and the family started to eat breakfast together. When they had all eaten, they went to the car, with Kathy behind the wheel this time.
Heleen helped Jasper take off his sandals and fasten his seatbelt, and soon the family was on their way again.
Dries put on a film and handed Jasper an extra pair of headphones so he could enjoy it too. Heleen picked up a book to read, but also tried to follow the film that Dries had started.
Two hours later, while they were stuck outside a big city during the morning rush hour, Koen received a panicky phone call from Helga.
"Almost all of Jasper's clothes are still at home on the bed, he hardly has anything with him on the trip!"
Koen was silent for a moment, he didn't know what to say. "What exactly do you mean?" he asked after trying to understand what Helga had just said. "Didn't I put Jasper's suitcase in the car?"
"Yes, but I had just gone into his room to make his bed, and there were many of his clothes hidden under the sheets. I had checked everything he had put out to take with him yesterday, and he had done a good job, but I let him do the packing himself. I was just about to take his sheets off to wash them when I noticed he had left a lot of his clothes here at home. Helga said a little calmer now. "Are you far away? Is it possible for you to turn around and pick up those things?"
"We crossed the border a long time ago; if we turn back now, we'll lose too much time."
Koen, Kathy and Helga continued to discuss the matter. Options were discussed. On the way there and back in the car they would leave Jasper in his pyjamas as much as possible. Tomorrow, when they arrived at the cottage, they'd make an inventory of what Jasper had and what he might need. Then Koen and Kathy would go shopping for the missing items. Helga promised to pay back everything that Kathy and Koen had paid for the clothes, and Koen and Kathy promised to keep it as limited and cheap as possible. After all, Jasper had just been given a whole new set of clothes, even more than he actually needed.
Shortly after the phone call, Kathy and Koen made another stop, the car was refueled and the children got out for a while; it had stopped raining by then. Heleen and Dries also used the stop to go to the toilet. This was not necessary for Jasper, no one cared that he used his nappy freely.
There was also a small shop at the petrol station where Kathy bought an extra pack of nappies. With Jasper now using extra nappies on the road, they certainly didn't have enough.
In the car, she immediately opened the pack to put some new nappies in Dries' bag.
Travelling by car is usually a boring journey from point A to point B, and this time it was no different. One film later, they arrived at the next stop; this time it was time for lunch.
Koen had driven the last part again, but he was tired from the short night. He drove the car to a quieter part of the car park and the family sat down on a bench and had a small picnic. By now they had left the rain showers and clouds behind and were enjoying the sunshine. You could tell they were heading south; it was already much warmer than back home. From the car park they could see that the traffic on the motorway was at a standstill, so they preferred to stay in the car park where they could walk around rather than all be stuck in the car on the road in the heavy traffic.
After everyone had eaten and drunk, a blanket was placed on the ground in the shade of a tree for Koen and Jasper, who had both had too little sleep, to rest on.
Before Jasper could sleep, his nappy had to be changed. No one was around at the time, so it was done quickly on the blanket outside. The onesie came off, the bodysuit opened, the nappy changed quickly and the bodysuit closed again. He was already quite warm and a blanket was quickly put over him so he didn't have to put the onesie back on.
Kathy started to read a book now that she finally had some time, while Heleen and Dries joined another family playing football a little further down the field. They didn't feel like sitting still after the long drive.
Kathy glanced at Jasper occasionally; he looked so cute, sleeping in just a bodysuit and nappy with a dummy in his mouth. She knew she had to talk to Jasper about the dummy, but she decided to put it off for a while. Apparently he needed it so badly that he had it in his mouth.
Koen didn't sleep for long; he got up after twenty minutes, but the sleep had done him a lot of good. He felt much fitter and sat down next to Kathy to read as well. Not much later they saw that the traffic jam was beginning to clear and they decided to continue their journey.
The stuff was tidied up as best they could, Dries and Heleen were called back and eventually only Jasper was still sleeping outside.
Kathy carefully removed the blanket Jasper was lying under and then Koen picked him up to put him in the car. He managed to do this without waking Jasper, and he put the seatbelt back on so that Jasper was fully secured in the car. The last blanket Jasper had been lying on was folded and put away, and the family got into the car.
Kathy and Koen were happy that Jasper was asleep, they had been worried that they would have a difficult evening due to Jasper's lack of sleep, but were now reassured that things would get better. Dries and Heleen watched a film together as they continued towards the south of France.
There was one last stop in the afternoon. Jasper got his onesie back on after a nappy change, while Heleen and Dries went to the toilet. Heleen complained afterwards that she was disappointed by the dirty, smelly French public toilets where you have to squat down and there is nowhere to sit and Jasper was glad to have an alternative solution.
They continued their journey and arrived at the hotel around dinner time. Heleen and Dries were still wearing their shoes from the previous stops, Jasper was just in his onesie and not wearing any sandals. So as not to get the feet of the onesie dirty, Koen carried him on his hip and so the family came together at the reception desk to check in.
"Il ya un problème monsieur," said the hotel clerk as he looked at the booking.
Koen looked surprised, he didn't understand what a problem could be.
The clerk turned his screen so that Koen and Kathy could follow. He pointed out that only four people had been booked and that Jasper was not one of the guests.
Koen went pale when he saw that. He remembered that he had copied the reservation from the previous year and that he hadn't thought about the fact that he would have to put Jasper on it as well.
Koen asked if they couldn't get a room for five instead. The hotel clerk called the manager and together they looked at possible solutions. They checked the rooms in the system, but they were all fully booked. There was no room available.
The hotel manager took a closer look at the family. Koen, Kathy, Heleen and Dries all stood there with their clothes on. The contrast between Dries and Jasper, who was being carried by Koen and was wearing a onesie with feet, sitting with a dummy in his mouth and resting his head on Koen's shoulder, was enormous.
The manager didn't have to think long about another solution. They decided to add a bed to the room for Jasper. Normally that wasn't allowed because of the fire regulations, but he was going to ignore that just in time.
Koen had to pay a little extra for the extra meal and the extra person staying overnight, and the reservation for the return trip was immediately changed by the first receptionist.
Together they went to the hotel restaurant and enjoyed a small meal. After dinner, they collected their luggage for the night from the car and went to find their room.
On entering, they immediately saw the fifth bed for Jasper. It was a folding cot! There was gauze around it and a thin mattress inside.
It had been a tiring day for Jasper; he really didn't feel like it and he started to act difficult.
"I don't want to sleep in this," he said with tears in his eyes. "I'm not a baby!"
For Jasper, it was as if they had put him in that place on purpose, just to have a laugh with him.
Kathy recognised Jasper's tiredness and quickly understood that this was the big problem. She took Jasper on her lap and comforted him: "Jasper, I understand that you don't feel like this, but we need a solution for tonight. We really can't start looking for another hotel that can accommodate five, and this hotel is already paid for."
"But I'm not a baby!" Jasper sobbed through his tears.
Kathy rubbed his back soothingly, took the dummy hanging from the ribbon of his onesie and put it in Jasper's mouth. "We don't see you like that at all, don't we, Jasper?"
Jasper nodded yes, it was hard to talk with a dummy in his mouth.
"Now, if you lie down in our big bed until you fall asleep, and when we go to sleep too, we'll move you to the small bed. Is that OK?"
Jasper nodded in agreement. Koen and Heleen immediately went to work getting everything ready for the night and the next morning. Kathy held Jasper on her lap until he had calmed down completely and peace had returned. Dries was also getting ready to go to sleep. You could tell he was tired too.
Koen tried attaching the fixation set to the double bed, but it did not work very well. After consulting with Jasper and Heleen, he attached it temporarily to Heleen's bed so that Jasper would fall asleep there instead of on the big bed.
When everything was done, Dries and Jasper were put to bed. Heleen and Kathy read a book outdoors on the terrace and Koen quickly checked his work emails and answered the three most important ones.
A short time later Jasper was asleep. Koen loosened the straps, put Jasper in the cot, tucked him in and removed the fixation kit so that Heleen could also go to sleep.
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Author: Toet
Timestamp: Dec 5, 2023 at 2:05 PM
Content:
pierrylouys said:
This story is getting better every chapter I like the way you are regressing jasper with plausible causes ! Like he gonna get toddlers since is the only option to buy ! Or he using a cot since he is small
[End of quote]
Thanks for your comment. I tried to keep the story plausible as much as possible.
Commonts and 'likes' keeps me working on the story.
Growler0128 said:
One thought.. I didn't read anything about him wearing any protection. From what his mom says it sounds like he should be in a diaper with what she is saying.
[End of quote]
Hello, 'I m not quiet sure what you exactly mean. do you mean this?
Go and get changed quickly Jasper, we will leave then too
[End of quote]
In this senctence i just meant undressing from his pyjama's and putting on normal clothes. No diapers or nappies now.
Thanks for your comment, I hope i have clarrified it now.
greetings,
Toet
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Author: Toet
Timestamp: Mar 21, 2024 at 12:29 AM
Content: Hello,
I have finished the next chapter and will post it here in a few days. However, if you can't wait and would like to read it now, you can read it after registering at: the scriptorium (https://forums.thescriptorium.casa/d/viewtopic.php?t=29)
sweet greetings from Toet
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Author: Toet
Timestamp: Mar 24, 2024 at 11:32 PM
Content: Chapter twenty-six
Dries woke up in the morning to find his mother busy in the room. In the twilight he could easily see that she was preparing clothes and other things for the day ahead; she had already taken off her own pyjamas and was wearing normal clothes. Dries heard the sound of water from a shower in the bathroom. He saw that Heleen and Jasper were still asleep, so he guessed correctly that his father was washing himself.
"Just lie back until dad finishes washing," Kathy whispered to Dries when she saw him sitting up. "Then you can take a shower afterwards."
Dries nodded and lay back down. From his bed he could easily see Jasper rolling over in his sleep. The dummy was no longer in his mouth, but lying on the pillow next to him, still attached to the strap on his onesie. Dries also saw that Jasper had kicked off the blanket again and it was lying at his feet. With the air conditioning in the room, it was not too hot and Dries was glad to have the blanket over him.
The bathroom door opened and a narrow band of light fell over Jasper. It seemed to be the last thing he needed to wake up, because Dries saw him open his eyes.
Jasper looked around sleepily, pulled the blanket back over him and put the dummy in his mouth. Jasper looked at Koen who came out of the bathroom dressed but with wet hair.
"Come on Dries, it's your turn," Kathy said quietly, not wanting to awaken Heleen.
Kathy took Dries to the bathroom, helped him get out of his pyjamas and left him to do his own thing in the shower. When Dries had started to wash himself, she came carefully over to Jasper. "Are you ready to start a new day?" she asked him.
Jasper nodded yes. Kathy lifted Jasper out of bed. She took him to the bathroom as well. She took the dummy off the onesie and set it aside for a moment. Then she helped him out of his pyjamas and sent him into the shower with Dries, who was busy washing himself.
Kathy had laid out three piles of clothes for the children on the bed. Heleen's underwear, skirt and top, Dries' underpants, t-shirt and shorts, and Jasper's clean nappy, romper and onesie. She completed the pile for Jasper by adding his pacifier to it. 'I'll have a chat with Jasper tonight or tomorrow about how this is bad for his teeth,' she thought to herself. 'Another day or so wouldn't do any harm.'
When first Dries and then Jasper came out of the bathroom, washed and dried, but with a towel wrapped around them for warmth, Koen woke Heleen too.
"Good morning, sweetheart, time to get up," he said, shaking her gently by the shoulder.
In response, a murmur that sounded like "Good morning" came from under the blanket where Heleen lay. In the meantime, Kathy had opened the curtains and let the light of day flood into the room. She handed Heleen the pile of clothes she had laid out for her and ushered her into the bathroom.
"When you've finished washing, we'll have breakfast, then we'll collect our things and then we'll continue our journey." This message from Kathy motivated Heleen enough not to linger. She, too, got ready at a gentle but steady pace.
Koen took Jasper with him. "We've prepared a clean nappy, bodysuit and onesie for you, because we can't get to your clothes in the car. Once we've unpacked everything at the resort, we'll see what you have and don't have with you, and then we can change you into normal clothes. Lie down here and I'll put the nappy on you.
Jasper lay down on the bed and Koen helped him get dressed: nappy on, bodysuit and onesie on. This onesie had no feet and the zip was right at the front. There were drawings of racing cars all over the onesie.
Finally, Koen attached the dummy to the onesie and left it hanging down.
Kathy continued to clear up the room, put all the dirty clothes from the previous day in a bag and packed all their things together so they could leave quickly after breakfast.
Jasper and Dries waited impatiently at the door, but Heleen still had a bit of work to do. When she came out of the bathroom they were happy because they thought they could leave immediately, but Heleen had to brush her hair first. Kathy took the time to put a braid in Heleen's hair and at last she was ready to go for the day as well.
Together the family walked through the corridors of the hotel to the elevators and then to the restaurant.
They had to wait next to the entrance to the restaurant for a while before they were allowed to take their seats. The waiter at the counter verified their name and room number, then pointed them to an available table.
Jasper had noticed that he was getting a lot of attention from strangers on his way to the restaurant. He was smiled at a lot, patted on the head a few times, and Koen and Kathy were approached to tell them how cute and beautiful he was.
It was all positive attention and Jasper enjoyed it. He was also the smallest at home, but Gert looked down on him there; here it was the other way round. Dries also found it all very nice. The fact that everyone looked at Jasper in such a positive way made him feel proud. It was his best friend, after all, and if he and Jasper hadn't been friends, Jasper would never have been able to experience this.
Breakfast was a big buffet where they could take what they wanted and as much as they wanted. Kathy and Koen watched them closely to make sure they didn't go overboard with what they ate. After all, they were still allowed to have some more if they wanted to. They didn't want the children to waste the food by bringing back more than they could eat and having to throw it away in the end.
During breakfast, Jasper released small amounts of urine. He'd be wearing a nappy all day anyway, so he didn't bother to hold it in. As soon as he felt the urge, he relaxed immediately.
After everyone had eaten, they went back to their rooms. They all brushed their teeth, went to the toilet in preparation for the next long car ride and Jasper also sat on the toilet for number two.
When Jasper was finished, Kathy refreshed his bottom and put a clean nappy on him.
Kathy packed Jasper's rucksack with wipes and four fresh nappies so that they would be easily accessible if Jasper needed another change on the road.
Heleen helped Jasper into the car seat and secured it, Jasper took his cuddly toy from his rucksack and relaxed for the next part of the drive.
In the car, the children decided to play some games together before putting on a movie.
It was warm and summery weather in France, the sun was shining hard and the temperature difference from home was considerable. At a big stop in the afternoon, everyone went to the bathroom first of all. Jasper also had his nappy changed; there was a separate changing room where Kathy could freshen Jasper up. Because of the heat, Dries decided to take off his T-shirt and just walk around with his shorts on and have a picnic bare-chested. Jasper didn't know what to do. The onesie and bodysuit together were two layers and still a bit warm to walk around in, but taking his onesie off and walking around in just a bodysuit and nappy felt uncomfortable.
He decided to compromise at the table: he opened the onesie and pulled it down to his waist. He tied the sleeves of the onesie around his waist so that they hung at that height. Happy with this solution, he enjoyed the picnic while sitting at the table with the rest of the family.
After dinner, Koen, Dries and Heleen played a game of tag around the table while Kathy tidied up. Jasper didn't want to play because it was too hot to put his onesie back on, but he also didn't want to run around with his onesie tied around his waist: it wouldn't work very well, he thought. He didn't want to play with just his romper, because he was ashamed of it.
He watched the game with fascination and laughed at everything that happened. He really enjoyed the game and when Heleen hid next to Jasper and then sprinted away from Koen, Jasper also ducked out of the way.
Kathy could see that Jasper was in the mood, but needed a bit of a push to play along. The legs of the onesie were wide enough to stretch over the sandals and Kathy pulled them off in no time.
"Watch out, Dries is coming." Kathy whispered in his ear as she finished. That was enough for Jasper to run away screaming and join the game. Half an hour later, after everyone was physically exhausted, Kathy called out to everyone that it was time to continue the journey. Everyone sat down in their seats, with Jasper being strapped back in by Heleen. Kathy had removed the binky from the onesie and attached it to Jasper's bodysuit. "That can wait until tomorrow, talking to him about his dummy," she thought as she put the dummy in Jasper's mouth and he began to suck eagerly.
Kathy was moved by the sight of Jasper.
Late in the afternoon, Koen pulled off the motorway and into the driveway of the resort. "Just sit in the car for a while and I'll check in and get the key from our house," he said, stopping the engine after parking in the car lot. Koen headed to the reception to arrange everything.
A short time later he came back to the car, "They have a new system since last year: we all have to register in person and we get a wristband for the whole time we are here to prove that we have a reservation.
Jasper got out and looked around curiously, trying to see as much as he could. Kathy helped him quickly put on his onesie by the side of the car. While Kathy was busy, a few people passed by. Jasper felt a little embarrassed and nervous about how people would see him now that he was being treated like this. He noticed that they looked in his direction for a moment, but no longer than usual; they looked but did not really see him.
When Jasper realised that he wasn't standing out, he calmed down and let Kathy help him so that they could all go to the reception together.
It didn't take long at reception. The booking was checked and verified, they were given a key to the holiday cottage and a small information leaflet. The cottage and some of the facilities on the resort were marked on a map and finally everyone was provided with a cloth band around their wrist. For Koen and Kathy this was a blue belt, Heleen was considered a teenager and got a green belt, Jasper and Dries got a red belt as children, each with the name of the holiday resort on it.
They all got back in the car and drove slowly through the domain looking for the cottage. They followed the arrows and looked at the map to see where they were. After passing the swimming pool and a playground, they arrived at the house.
Koen parked in front of the entrance and the children happily looked up at the house.
"Is this our cottage, daddy?" exclaimed Dries enthusiastically. Everyone got out. Before Koen had even opened the door to the house, Dries and Jasper had already had a go on the slide from the terrace to the street. Brilliant!
Dries and Jasper ran to the door as soon as they saw that Koen had opened it. Together the family walked around the house to see everything. Beyond the front door was a small hall leading to the living room, a toilet and a bathroom. The children looked around the house with their eyes wide open. They immediately realised that this house was equipped with everything they needed for a fantastic and adventurous holiday.
In the bathroom, the decoration was wonderful. The frames around the mirrors resembled a ship's porthole, there were lifelike fish and aquatic plants all around the bath, and the wall by the door looked exactly like the inside of a submarine. They could hang their towels over the pipes to dry, and there was even a periscope. Dries looked through it first, then Jasper, and finally Heleen wanted to know what there was to see. Through the periscope they saw an island in the distance with a pirate's nest, snow-white beaches, palm trees and a smoking volcano.
The living room and kitchen were decorated to look like a medieval inn and pub, and a beautiful extractor hood was made over the stove. They later discovered that even the cutlery had extra decoration.
The next door they opened led to Koen and Kathy's bedroom. It was not richly decorated, but it was nevertheless stylish.
It didn't appeal to the children very much and they continued to explore.
The next room had two single beds facing each other. Between the beds was a ladder leading up to a small platform. There was also a fireman's pole in the room, through which you could slide back down. Jasper had climbed halfway up before Koen called him back.
"First we'll have a look at the last room, then we'll get everything out of the car and then you can climb up and play."
With his head bowed and his shoulders slumped, Jasper went back down.
Dries was already in the last room.
"Wow!" he exclaimed. Here was another single bed against the wall, completely converted into a ship. There was a small mattress deep in the bottom of the ship. Heleen would no longer fit in the bed, Dries just barely and Jasper easily. The walls all around were quite high, so there was a door in the side of the hull that turned outwards and was simply locked with a bolt on the outside.
"I want to sleep in that bed!" said both Jasper and Dries at about the same time.
Koen and Kathy took another good look; this had to be the junior bed they had read about on the website. It looked like it was 1m40, 55 inches long.
While Jasper and Dries continued to admire the bed, Koen and Kathy looked around the room. There was a large changing table against the other wall, and a climbing net had been made on a platform above it. It almost looked like the ropes led to the crow's nest of a pirate ship.
Jasper and Dries argued for a while and then looked at their parents.
"We both want to sleep in this room." Dries asked his parents for help in resolving this disagreement.
"How about we move the changing table to the other room and put a bed here?" Koen suggested. Also with the idea that Heleen would then have a room of her own in which to sleep, so that if she needed to have a rest or a private moment, she could easily find it.
"Then you and Jasper can take turns sleeping in the ship and in the regular bed." Kathy added.
"Can I sleep in the ship first, Mommy-?" asked Dries immediately.
Jasper looked a little dejected, he couldn't get a word in.
"No Dries, Jasper is our guest, he goes first, you can go tomorrow."
Jasper's smile betrayed how he felt about it.
Everyone thought it was a good idea, except Dries, who had wanted to sleep in the ship first, but he understood that a compromise had to be made, so the rooms were quickly divided up. First the bed and changing table were swapped and then the car was emptied. It seemed that the bed and changing table were made to be moved easily, as there were wheels at the bottom of the bed and changing table.
Heleen, Jasper and Dries unloaded everything and carried it to the cottage. Heleen did the heaviest pieces and Jasper and Dries did the smaller or lighter things. Sometimes they opened sacks or bags to carry in the heavy items one by one.
Koen brought everything from the terrace into the room where the luggage belonged and Kathy sorted everything into the cupboards.
Kathy let out a sigh when she saw Jasper's bag appear. She left it closed for a while, suspecting it would be disastrous, so she put it off until she was done with everything else.
Once the car was completely emptied, Jasper and Dries did a more thorough search of the house. After crawling onto a platform in one room, they noticed that there was a small sliding door leading directly to the platform in the other room, and a second sliding door leading through a crawl space in the living room to the other children's room. The living room also had a platform with a dome above it. If they stuck their heads through, they could see across the park to the other houses. The children's imaginations were stimulated by the many possibilities, and soon they were involved in a game while exploring.
Heleen, meanwhile, had begun to unpack her own things. The boys passed through her room, climbing up and down the platforms, but they didn't disturb Heleen.
She quietly took her time to arrange everything nicely, making sure it felt like home.
While Kathy put the nappies away in Heleen's room - after all, the changing table had been moved there - she called Jasper over.
"It's time to get you a dry bottom."
Jasper walked up, sweating, and stood curiously by the changing table. It was made of scaffolding wood. It had an open shelf in the middle and a door on each side. He had seen a changing table in other places, but not one as large as this one. It was not particularly wide or high, but it was long enough to fit two changing mats in a row.
Kathy took Jasper and laid him on the table. She untied the dummy strap and put it and the pacifier to one side.
"Take it off for a while. You've had it on for a long time." She unzipped the onesie and helped him out completely.
"I haven't been able to check what and how many clothes you have with you yet, I'll do that next, so just to be sure, until I see what you have with you, I'll keep you in your onesie for a while. Good?"
"Yes, that's fine," Jasper replied as he looked around the room. The changing ritual continued quietly and after closing the romper, she lifted Jasper off the dresser. Jasper was still sweating from playing and running around and with the onesie on he would be too hot again.
"Thank you ma'am." Jasper said as he ran off.
"Wait a minute," Kathy said, but Jasper hadn't heard her again. Kathy let him go and decided to start with Jasper's luggage now. She went to Jasper and Dries' room and unzipped the travel bag.
Piece by piece she took the clothes out of the bag and sorted them into a cupboard. She quickly got to the other things like the towels, the bathing suit, the shoes and the games.
Now she understood why Jasper had brought so few clothes; he had just brought far too much other stuff.
She looked at the clothes and tried to make combinations in her mind. There was only enough clothes for five days, except for the underpants, of which there were only three. Knowing Jasper, all his clothes usually had to be washed after a full day's play-time.
While Kathy tidied up and put away the last of the leftovers, Koen went to reception with two questions. Where is the launderette and where can I buy clothes in a hurry?
The receptionist laughed at Koen's story. Helpfully, the receptionist took out a folder and a map to look at the different options. There were a few shops in the immediate vicinity of the resort, but almost all of them were expensive designer stores. A cheaper option was the market tomorrow morning, which sold a lot of clothes. Gratefully, Koen also inquired about the possibility of washing clothes on site. Unfortunately this was not available, the lauderette was temporarily closed due to a problem with the water drainage, but as compensation Koen was offered a voucher for a free meal with the family in the restaurant.
After Koen returned from the reception, they rested for a while before it was time to eat. Kathy thought it was a pity that the launderette was closed, which made it a bit harder for Jasper to manage with his lack of clothes, but she was happy with the voucher for the restaurant. As she didn't know what kind of clothes they would find tomorrow, she let him spend the rest of the day in his onesie and nappy.
Koen and Kathy enjoyed going to the restaurant and not having to cook tonight. It had been a busy day, travelling and unpacking together. Helga put Jasper back in his onesie and the family went to the restaurant together. It was an all-you-can-eat buffet style restaurant. On entering, the voucher was accepted, the wristbands checked and the family were allocated a table, then they all sat down and filled their plates with delight and ate until they were empty.
The meal took its time. When the family returned to the house, the five of them played a board game, then it was time for Dries and Jasper to go to bed. Jasper was thrilled at the idea of sleeping on the boat. Dries was jealous, but he was promised it would be his turn the following night.
Dries undressed on his own and then went to Heleen's room where the changing table was. Kathy was already there with Jasper to change his nappy. Kathy finished by reattaching the dummy to his onesie.
After both boys had brushed their teeth, Koen put them to bed.
"Dries, Jasper will sleep in the boat tonight, but tomorrow you will change beds and you can sleep in the boat too, OK?"
Dries nodded, he was happy with this solution so that they could both enjoy the special bed.
Koen opened the edge of the bed with the bolt and let Jasper in. After wishing Jasper good night and tucking him in, Koen closed the door, locked the bolt and handed him the bottle of water. Jasper took a quick sip and put it down next to his pillow.
As soon as Koen was out of the room, Jasper got up to explore his bed again. He ran his hands around the outside of the bed, feeling for the latch until he found it. Jasper slid it open and closed it himself. Reassured that he wasn't really locked up, he flattered himself and fell asleep, hopefully dreaming of great adventures.
Koen sat down in the living room next to Kathy, who was quietly reading a book.
"I'm so glad the kids don't have a problem with the bed in their room. The cot was a problem in the hotel and here they almost fight over it."
"The decoration does a lot," Kathy replied with a big smile, "if it had been an ordinary bar bed, easily recognisable as a children's bed, it would have been a big problem."
Heleen, Kathy and Koen all went to see Dries and Jasper before going to bed themselves. They took turns looking down at Dries and Jasper, who was fast asleep with his dummy in his mouth. They tucked Jasper in separately, but there was no stopping him from waking up in the middle of the night by tossing and turning naked. It had cooled down considerably during the night and the cottage was not sufficiently isolated to keep out the cold.
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Cant't wait a copple of days for the next part? Chapter 27 can be found on the scriptorium website after a (free) registration. ( Link )
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Author: Toet
Timestamp: Mar 24, 2024 at 11:38 PM
Content:
BeKind said:
Hello Toet~
Wow,so many new chapters.
Cute,Childish,Innocent
[End of quote]
And finally a next chapter. Things should go a bit smoother now for a little while.
colkid said:
hey can i be in your next story
[End of quote]
I haven't any ideas yet for a good story, so I can't promise anything.
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Author: Toet
Timestamp: Mar 30, 2024 at 10:55 PM
Content: Chaptertwenty-seven, to the market
Heleen woke up early andtiptoed into the boys' room. They were still fast asleep. She quietlytook a picture of the boys sleeping; she thought they were so cuteand wanted to save the moment for later. When she tucked Jasper backin, he looked at her sleepily.
"Thank you," hemumbled, half asleep, pulling the blanket tightly around him beforeclosing his eyes again.
"Please," Heleen whisperedback, leaving Jasper and Dries to wake up on their own.
Heleensat down in the living room and continued reading her book. Sheenjoyed the peace that still reigned there.
Half an hour later,Koen joined her in the living room. He made coffee for himself andKathy and then sat down next to Heleen with his own book.
Shortlyafterwards, Jasper, Dries and Kathy came out of their room almost atthe same time. Kathy saw that the boys were not yet busy and had justcome out of their room.
"Jasper and Dries, are youcoming? We're going to take these wet nappies off first and thenwe're going to eat."
Dries and Jasper nodded sleepilythat it was okay and followed Kathy into Heleen's room to get out oftheir wet nappies.
Koen got up and put breakfast on the table sothat they could all eat when Jasper and Dries had freshened up.
Notlong after, Jasper and then Dries, still in their onesies but bothwith clean bottoms and no nappies, sat down at the table.
Heleenjoined them, and after Kathy had thrown the dirty nappies into a binoutside the door, she too sat down at the table. They all enjoyedbreakfast and made plans for the day ahead.
First on the list wasa trip to the market to buy some clothes for Jasper. Then they wouldgo shopping so they would have fresh food for the next few days. Therest of the day could be spent at the swimming pool or playground. Itwas not intended to be a busy holiday.
When the children hadfinished eating, they got up from the table to play a little whileKoen and Kathy enjoyed the rest of the coffee.
Not long after that, thefamily got ready to go out, everyone washed and Jasper put on normalclothes for the first time since they had left home, Kathy had chosenand laid out everything for Dries and Jasper.
One of the itemsJasper had brought from home was a pair of dungarees. Jasper haddressed himself, but he still struggled with the bib overalls. He wasunfamiliar with the buckle system used to fasten the dungarees andKathy had to demonstrate how it worked. Jasper then tried it himselfand after practising for a while he was able to open and close thebuckles smoothly.
It felt a little strangefor Jasper to be in his normal clothes, without the thicker packagebetween his legs. He kind of missed it. His dummy had also been lefton the changing table.
Everyone got into the car and Heleen helpedJasper into his seat. They drove for fifteen minutes until theyreached the market. Kathy parked the car and they all got out. Theywalked from the car park to the market. Koen and Kathy decided to doa little reconnaissance and the family walked around the flea marketfor the first time to see which stalls were there. They found severalstalls selling clothes, but only three of them had children'sclothes.
They chose the largest of the three, hoping that theywould find enough clothes. There were several racks of children'sclothes. The clothes were sorted by price. There were two racks withall the clothes for ten euros each, and other racks where the pricewent up. All the clothes were hanging on the racks. There was nodistinction between boys' and girls' clothes, or between big andsmall. So each item had to be looked at individually to see if it wassuitable and what size it was. Kathy and Heleen began to search thetwo racks diligently, while Jasper stood by and was occasionallyasked for his opinion.
Koen and Dries continued to search themarket for new underwear for Jasper, which they had not seenanywhere.
After a long search, Koen found some underwear in theright size, but he had his doubts. The underwear was new and costthirty euros for a pack of three. It seemed rather expensive comparedto the rest of the clothes Kathy and Heleen were looking for. Hedecided to wait a while and check with Kathy before buying theunderwear. Maybe they could look somewhere else. He and Dries wentback to the others.
Kathy and Heleen were holding a few items.They had found two pairs of trousers, a T-shirt and two jumpsuitsthat met their needs. There was a good fit and they were cheap. Theywere both shorts, one yellow with an aeroplane print and the otherblue jeans with a large application of Bliksem Mc Queen from Cars.The T-shirt had a large drawing of a bee with the words 'Beeyourself' underneath. The two jumpsuits were actually girls' clothes,but just decent enough for a boy. Both had short sleeves, long legsand buttons at the front to open and close. One had an army print allover the jumpsuit, the other had a cool drawing of Peter Pan with theTinker Bell and the words 'believe in magic'.
Jasper mainly sawthe army print and was therefore distracted from looking closely atthe model.
"Jasper, do you likethose jumpsuits?" Kathy asked.
"The army printlooks cool." Jasper smiled. "I think I like it."
Kathypaid for everything and they went to the second children's clothesstall together, but found nothing there, and in the last stall therewas just a big basket of clothes to rummage through. Kathy and Heleenwent through the basket together to see what was in it. Soon Kathywas holding another pair of trousers that would fit Jasper, but wereof mediocre quality. Heleen's eye fell on a plain dark blue garment,but she could not immediately tell what it was. She pulled it out ofthe basket and held it in front of her, it turned out to be some sortof large sleeping bag. There was a zip in the middle of the sleepingbag, closing from top to bottom, and three holes at the top, one forthe head and one for each arm. Heleen immediately thought of thepractical application.
"With this sleeping bag, Jasperwouldn't be able to toss and turn naked in bed," shesaid.
Jasper also took a good look at the sleeping bag. "Butlook, there's a hole here below the middle and on the other side too,it's damaged," he said in a disappointed voice after lookingclosely at everything.
Kathy took the sleeping bag from Heleen tohave a closer look. There were indeed two holes in it, but they werenot accidental as the edges had been well reinforced and sewn over.It had been done afterwards. She held the sleeping bag in front ofher and saw that the two holes were directly opposite each other inthe front and back. She then held it up to Jasper to compare thesize. She saw that the two holes were about the height of his crotchand that the end of the sleeping bag was about six inches past hisfeet.
Kathy checked the label and saw that the sleeping bag wasfrom Snuglezzz.nl, she knew the company from her work and they werein fact of good quality.
"I don't think you'll noticemuch of these holes, Jasper. I'll ask about the price and if it's nottoo much, we can try it."
She turned to the seller andtried to get the price of the trousers first and then the sleepingbag.
"The trousers cost twenty-five euros and thesleeping bag ten euros," the salesman began.
But Koenrealised that the seller was counting on rich tourists and wasactually overcharging. Koen pointed out the holes in the sleeping bagand that it had been lying at the bottom of the basket because no onewas interested in it. Koen also pointed out the quality of thetrousers.
The seller soon realised that there was no extra profitto be made. He dropped the price to ten euros for the trousers andadded the sleeping bag for five euros because of theholes.
Satisfied, the family returned to the car and drove on tothe supermarket.
Besides food, they alsolooked for underpants for Jasper, but they were even more expensivethan at the market, thirteen euros each.
"Doesn't Drieshave some underpants that Jasper could fit into?" askedKoen.
Kathy did not shake her head. "I packed a sparepair for Dries, but it's not enough, and we've already tried it onceat home, it didn't work, they were too big."
"Thenwe'll have to buy them anyway. How many does he have already in hisluggage?"
"He only has two clean pairs of underpantsleft after today." Kathy said.
"Then we will have todo a lot of buying. He did the math in his head on how many morewould be needed before they were back home and was amazed at theamount.
"That's really going to be quite some."
Jasperstood by, feeling guilty about his luggage. Helga and Celine hadagreed to pay back all the clothes they'd bought for him, so he wascharging his parents for extra expenses that wouldn't have beennecessary if he'd packed better.
Do nappies cost that much?Otherwise I'll wear them," he said. It was out sooner than hehad thought. He had suggested it himself, but had mixed feelingsabout it. On the one hand, he liked them, but on the other, he was abit embarrassed to walk around with a nappy on. He was afraid peoplewould see it and what they would think of him.
Koen saw Jaspercover his face when he made this suggestion.
"That wouldmake a big difference, Jasper, but are you sure? You have such adowncast look on your face."
Jasper's eyes turned red andit was clear that he was having a hard time. He put his thumb in hismouth to try and find some comfort.
"Is it a bit much allat once?" asked Kathy, dropping to one knee so that her face wasat the same level as Jasper's. She picked Jasper up and hugged him."Lots of pros and cons to think about?" she whispered intoJasper's ear.
Jasper nodded with flushed cheeks and tears inhis eyes. "Yes," he whispered into Kathy's ear.
Kathy waited silently togive Jasper a chance to continue.
"It feels nice to wear,but it's not right, it's not normal. And what if someone else sees melike this, how will they react? Even though I'm not a baby, otherswill get the impression and say I am. "
A single tear rana damp line down his cheek.
"I forgot to pack the clothesand now we had to go to the market especially for me and that's whyyou couldn't do anything fun and now my mummies have to spend so muchextra money on clothes that aren't necessary because we went shoppingat the beginning of the holiday."
"It's all myfault!"
Kathy had to do her best to catch everythingbetween Jasper's sobs. Comfortingly, she gave him a long hug. Sheunderstood that this was all a bit much for him.
"It'sall right, Jasper. You don't have to be afraid of the people aroundyou, they won't notice. And even if they did, you'll never see themagain," Kathy said calmly. "There won't be anyone at homewho will know about any of this." She hoped to comfort andreassure Jasper quickly.
"I want to be a big boy and takeresponsibility for forgetting my underpants. I can't afford to buyanything myself, but I can do my best to make it cost as little aspossible by wearing nappies instead of underpants, but with nappieson I'm not a big boy anymore, am I?"
"These areindeed two different sides of the same coin. I can see how you'restruggling with this. But I also understand that it feels good to bewearing nappies somewhere? You shouldn't think about reactions andwhat's done is done. Nobody expects you to be perfect. You reallydon't need to feel guilty.
"To take responsibility forsomething is an act of maturity, it is not something that babiesdo."
Jasper fell silent and continued to seek comfort inKathy's arms with his thumb in his mouth.
"I'll make adeal with you, Jasper," Kathy finished a moment later. "We'llbuy a pack of nappies, so we'll have enough for this week anyway.Tomorrow morning you can choose what you want to do. If you put anappy on, that's fine, if you don't, that's fine too. Tomorrow wewill go back to the shop to buy extra underpants if you need them,because you have chosen them. It is okay if we have too many nappies;we will just take them home and then Dries can use them for thenight".
"And if you want to change your mind in themiddle of the holiday, that's fine too."
Jasper nodded,relieved that he still had some time to think and didn't have todecide right away. The tears quickly dried up and Heleen and Dries,seeing that Jasper had had a hard time, gave him another hug. Jaspersoon felt much better.
Dries took Jasper's hand and together theyhopped ahead of the supermarket cart towards the checkouts.
Not much happened in theafternoon. The family unloaded their groceries at the holiday home,cooked and ate, and Jasper and Dries went to the playground. Theycould go on their own because the playground was not far from theholiday home. They enjoyed the adventures they had together.
Heleenplayed a game of chess against her father while Kathy read a book.When it was time for dinner, Kathy went to look for the boys. On theway she saw an information board with all the activities theanimation team had organised for the next few days. She took apicture of it and decided to show it to the children in case theywanted to do some of the activities.
After dinner, the childrenplayed a game of Monopoly together until it was time to go to bed.Jasper ended up with the two most expensive streets, each with ahotel, and won the game of Monopoly. With a big smile on his face, hethanked everyone for the fun game. Kathy was happy that, despite hisdoubts in the shop, Jasper's day had gone well and could end on apositive note.
Jasper was given a clean nappy, bodysuit andtwo-piece pyjamas. No one asked if the nappy was really necessary forthe night. It was self-evident for everyone.
This night it was upto Dries to sleep in the ship's dressed cot, so the straps for Jasperwere attached to the normal bed. The sleeping bag was laid out on topof the straps and Jasper was invited to lie down on it. Jasper puthis feet in the sleeping bag, laid his back on the open top, put hisarms through the holes and the zip was pulled from top to bottom atthe front by Kathy. The zip was closed with a small flap and pressstud so that the zip could not interfere.
Jasper moved his headfrom side to side, up and down. Then, with one hand, he took thefabric at his throat and pulled it down. "It's kind of annoyingwhen it presses on my throat," he said in a nagging tone.
Drieswatched Jasper's treatment as he stood in the ship.
Kathy satJasper up and took a good look at the sleeping bag. "I seeJasper," she said, following the collar of the sleeping bag downhis back. "The zip should be in the back. The neckline is alittle lower here."
Kathy pushed Jasper back down andopened the zip again. "Turn around."
Jasper struggledwith the sleeping bag to free himself and turn around. When he wasback in position with his feet and arms, but this time with hisstomach on the mattress, Kathy zipped up again and snapped thesleeping bag shut.
Jasper rolled over with Kathy's help and Kathypositioned Jasper correctly on the restraining straps.
"You'llnever get it closed, the straps between my legs won't work with thesleeping bag," Jasper observed.
"I think it's possible,remember those two holes? I think that's exactly what they were madefor".
Kathy reached underJasper's legs to the end of the strap, and with the fingers of herother hand she reached through the front and back holes at Jasper'sgroin. After searching for a while, she had the strap in her fingersand quickly pulled it through the sleeping bag and up betweenJasper's legs towards his stomach. The rest of the fixation kit wasalso placed over Jasper and soon everything was closed.
Kathyplaced the key on the bed next to Jasper's pillow, there was nobedside table here, and also placed the bottle of water on thebed.
Finally, she tied the soother to the sleeping bag with theribbon and then put the pacifier in Jasper's mouth. "He's had ahard day today, I'll talk to him about the soother tomorrow,"she thought to herself.
"Good night, Jasper," Kathysaid. "You're not going to get cold this time." She gaveJasper another wink and a kiss and then a kiss and a pat on the headto Dries, who was watching.
"Lie down and you can sleep.Sleep well boys!"
"Sleep tight," Jaspermurmured from behind the dummy.
"Sleep well Mum,"Dries yawned.
Both boys closed their eyes and quickly fellasleep.
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Author: Toet
Timestamp: Mar 30, 2024 at 10:58 PM
Content:
BeKind said:
Glad to see you again!
[End of quote]
I'm happy you like it.
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Author: Toet
Timestamp: Apr 6, 2024 at 11:51 PM
Content: Chapter twenty-eight
The sleeping bag seemed to have done the trick, for Jasper woke up well rested the next morning. The cold hadn't woken him even once last night, and now he was comfortably warm. He listened to what Dries was saying for a moment, but he was still fast asleep.
He reached for the bottle next to him and took a drink of water. Then he took the key and opened the restraints. It was a bit of a struggle, but he finally managed to pull the strap from between his legs through the sleeping bag and he was completely free. However, the next step, the opening of the sleeping bag, was not a success. After a while he gave up and wanted to go into the living room to play on the Nintendo. He got up, but the sleeping bag almost made him lose his balance and he almost fell to the floor.
Jasper decided to take it easy and sat on the floor with his bottom next to the bed. As soon as he was stable, he began to slide forward, first with his feet, then with his bottom, and finally he moved his hands. When he got to the door, he had to get down on his knees to open the handle, but after a lot of effort he finally sat in the couch with his Nintendo.
Dries had been sleeping through the whole thing.
When Heleen got up and walked into the living room and saw Jasper playing on his Nintendo, she looked surprised. "How did you get in here with your sleeping bag?"
Jasper took his dummy out of his mouth, paused the game and described to Heleen how he had propelled himself.
"That's clever of you, well thought out," Heleen said.
Jasper beamed at the compliment.
Later, when Dries and later Kathy and Koen came out of their bedrooms, Jasper had to tell and show them again and again how he had managed to reach the living room with his sleeping bag still on. Koen thought it was inventive of him, and it made Jasper proud that everyone was amazed to hear what he had come up with on his own.
Once everyone was awake, the family went to have breakfast. Kathy quickly helped Jasper out of his sleeping bag so that he could walk to the table by himself. She reattached the ribbon to Jasper's pyjamas so that his dummy would not lie around.
"I'll talk to him about this later," she thought as she clicked the lock shut. Dries was quickly helped out of his wet nappy by Koen, Jasper's was still dry.
They all enjoyed breakfast. It was a nice, quiet morning and there was no reason to be in a hurry. There was pleasant conversation around the table. During the meal Jasper felt his bladder acting up and without thinking he relaxed and let it all go.
"Soon we will go to a museum," Koen said. The children's faces fell. Spending hours looking at old paintings with nothing to show, or gazing at so-called modern works of art that looked more like a failed toddler's craft project, were not exactly their favourite pastimes.
Kathy saw the children's faces darken. "No, it's not that kind of museum. It is a hands-on museum with lots of science experiments. It'll be special and fun for you."
Jasper and Dries' curiosity was stirred. They started asking questions to find out as much as possible.
"I haven't been there myself, I've only read about it on the internet," Koen said.
Still, he answered the questions as best he could, and eventually it was time for everyone to leave the table.
Kathy took Jasper and Dries to their room to collect the clothes.
"Jasper, what are we going to wear today?" asked Kathy, holding a pair of underpants in one hand and a nappy in the other.
Jasper stood in silence and thought hard about what to say.
Dries looked at his mother questioningly. "Jasper doesn't need nappies during the day, does he?"
"Do you remember why we went to the market yesterday to buy clothes for Jasper? He also forgot his underwear at home and we haven't bought any more yet. An alternative, which costs much less money than buying new underpants for every day, is to wear nappies during the day as well".
Dries nodded that he understood and looked back at Jasper.
"What Jasper doubts is whether he dares to wear nappies all day," Kathy continued, "but on the other hand he doesn't want to cost his mums extra money by buying extra underpants that they have at home and don't need, and he blames himself for forgetting to pack his underpants."
Jasper remained silent, but nodded his head to indicate that Kathy had summed it up correctly.
Dries had to think about how Jasper had always been there for him in difficult times. Jasper had really supported him a lot. Now it was time for Dries to give something back. They were blood brothers, weren't they?
"Jasper, if you put on a nappy today, I will too." Dries said.
Jasper looked up at his friend in disbelief. Had he heard that right?
"I'm here for you, Jasper. If you put on a nappy, I'll do the same. That makes two of us today. You're not alone.
Jasper's worried look broke into a wide grin. If Jasper's face had been a weather map, it would now be full of beautiful rainbows.
"I think that's a yes," Dries said, and to show he meant it, he took the nappy Kathy was holding and said: "Would you like to put a nappy on me first, please?"
Kathy took the two boys into Heleen's room and put a new nappy on Dries and then changed Jasper. In between, both boys went to the toilet for their number two. They'd been told that they could use the nappies, but there was certainly no obligation to do so.
"Dries, just for today and not for the whole holiday, do you understand?" Kathy asked Dries lovingly but sternly.
Dries nodded that he understood.
Both boys put on a T-shirt and shorts over their nappies in their own rooms and ran with their puffy bottoms into the living room, where they played for a while until everyone was ready.
Koen filled a rucksack with a picnic for the afternoon and Kathy filled Jasper's rucksack with care items for the rest of the day. While she was doing this, she explained to Koen what had just happened and why Dries was also wearing a nappy. Heleen was also informed quietly, so that she knew how to react when it came up.
Jasper was a bit tense about visiting the museum in a nappy. He distracted himself by putting his thumb in his mouth.
Kathy sighed when she saw this and put the dummy back in his mouth instead of talking to Jasper about the disadvantages.
While Heleen put on her shoes, she sat strategically behind Jasper and Dries, who sat on the floor to put on their shoes as well. She couldn't take her eyes off the boys, she thought it was cute to know how and why they looked the way they did. Jasper had a little bit of his nappy sticking out above his waistband, but she didn't mind. It was so small that you had to know what it was before you noticed it.
There was also a bag in the car with a large bottle of water, soap, wipes, a towel, washcloths and clean clothes for the children. In the past there have been many vomiting parties due to car sickness. Sometimes the children were completely covered in dirt afterwards. On one occasion, after having to make a U-turn and arriving two hours later than planned, they always had a set of spare clothes for everyone in the car for longer journeys. It hadn't been necessary lately, but it had become a habit that they kept. There were clothes for both Heleen and Dries, and for Jasper there was a nappy, bodysuit and onesie, as he did not have enough normal clothes.
Jasper was strapped into the car seat by Heleen, and after she and Dries had fastened their own seatbelts, Kathy started the car. After half an hour they reached their destination and Kathy parked the car under a tree. She turned and took the dummy out of Jasper's mouth. "Don't want to keep him in there while we go to the Museum," she said.
"Yes, that's true," Jasper said.
Heleen released Jasper from his car seat and then the family made their way inside the building. Kathy showed the tickets on her phone and soon the family were wandering from stand to stand.
It was indeed a museum full of experiments and the children were expected to touch and test as much as possible. There were experiments on the human body, such as sensory tests, balance, memory,.... You could also learn about different forms of energy - water, sun, wind. An oversized computer had been recreated for the children to crawl inside and learn how everything works and what it is for.
There was a large watercourse where the children could see different techniques for pumping water, different types of dikes and sluices, each with its advantages and disadvantages, ...
All the running water signalled to both Dries and Jasper that it was time to go to the toilet. Jasper let go at the slightest sign, but for Dries it was a little more difficult. He turned around for a moment and then asked Jasper if he had to go to the toilet too.
"I've already gone." Jasper replied after looking around to make sure no one else was within earshot. "I let everything go in my nappy. You can do the same, then you can continue playing here."
Dries looked around to see if anyone was there. While he was also looking for his mum, he saw Jasper moving to another set-up. Curious as to which one it was, Dries followed. While Jasper started to try out what was going on here, Dries wanted to join in as soon as possible. The decision not to go to the toilet was quickly made. It didn't really work out that easily and in the end Dries just closed his eyes and imagined that he was standing in front of a toilet. When the first drops of urine came out, Dries squeezed his muscles out of reflex and held everything closed. He carefully looked and felt his trousers to see if they were wet. Satisfied that they were not, he closed his eyes again and continued. Eventually, a small stream began to flow, getting stronger and stronger until his bladder was completely empty. Dries carefully felt his nappy and trousers. Apart from the fact that it was now heavier and swollen, there was nothing unusual about it. Dries turned to Jasper and together they continued to explore the installation.
It was a day of full exploration of medical science, physics, chemistry, electronics and mechanics. A lot of basic principles and fundamentals were taught without the children feeling like they were getting a boring lesson.
In the afternoon, Jasper and Dries were changed one by one in the toilets. Kathy got some strange looks when she came out of the family room with the two rather large boys, but she didn't care. She needed the space to change the boys' nappies, so she was entitled to use it.
The family went on a picnic. They all had a stamp on their hand so they could return later in the day. There were a number of benches next to the car park and everyone enjoyed tasty sandwiches and a drink.
At one point in the museum, Jasper was leaning over a viewing window that allowed him to easily study what was happening below the surface of the water. His T-shirt was pulled up and his trousers were riding down. It was now clear to those behind him that the edge that had appeared above his trousers was from a nappy. Two girls, about ten years old, stood not far behind him, giggling and pointing as they whispered to each other in a different language. Jasper hadn't the faintest idea what was going on, but Heleen had. She immediately positioned herself between the girls and Jasper, assuming as indignant and angry a posture as possible, and looked at the girls accusingly.
The two girls realised why Heleen was looking at them that way, and with their cheeks flushed and their heads bowed, they rushed away. When Jasper stood up, Heleen bent over him and gave him a hug, secretly pulling down his t-shirt and pulling up his trousers. Jasper eagerly returned the hug and gave Heleen a kiss on the cheek to thank her for the sudden embrace.
Kathy had seen it all and whispered a compliment in Heleen's ear afterwards. "Fantastic way to resolve things with these girls. And so sweet of you not to embarrass Jasper."
Now it was time for Heleen to be with her cheeks flushed and red.
In the car, Jasper and Dries couldn't stop talking about the various experiments they had done. Sometimes Heleen, Kathy or Koen would add something to give an additional interpretation and explanation of the hows and whys of the test results. Dries and Jasper listened in fascination.
When they arrived at the house, Koen immediately started to prepare dinner; Kathy tidied up the things from the previous day and then went to help Koen. Heleen sat down at the kitchen table to check her social media on her mobile phone.
Jasper started to play, but Dries lingered around his mother in the kitchen.
"Mummy, I need a clean nappy," he finally whispered in her ear.
"Oh yes, of course," she said. "I'm not used to thinking about it anymore, especially when I'm busy."
Kathy put down the knife she had been cutting vegetables with and ran her hands under the tap to rinse them.
"I can help mum, there's nothing interesting on TikTok anyway," Heleen said, realising what was going on and standing up.
"That's nice, Heleen. Dries, go with your sister, she will help you. Heleen, will you take a look at Jasper afterwards?" Kathy had remembered how much responsibility Heleen had shown at the museum and wanted to show her appreciation and trust by giving her this task.
Heleen was a little surprised by the answer at first. She had thought she could help with the food, but changing Dries and Jasper's nappies was also a lovely thing to do. Inside she blossomed with pride at being entrusted with this task.
Heleen took both boys into her room, where the changing table was. She gave Dries a clean nappy first, as he had asked for it, and then it was Jasper's turn.
Heleen knew how to do it from the last time and did her best to be careful. For Dries it felt a little strange to be helped by his sister. She had seen him naked many times before, but now it was very close and felt intimate. Heleen did it carefully and with respect for Dries. It was a positive experience for both of them and it strengthened the brother-sister bond they had.
Jasper was already used to being changed by Heleen and it didn't feel strange at all.
While waiting for dinner, the children decided to play a board game together.
There was an entertainment team on the campsite who ran various activities. The language barrier was too great for some of these activities, but a light show was planned for this evening. No language is necessary to enjoy this spectacle, so Jasper and Dries were exceptionally allowed to stay up late to enjoy the light show.
Before the show, the evening in the cottage was filled with dinner, another game and finally, half an hour before the show, Jasper and Dries were prepared to go to sleep. The intention was that they would be able to go to bed as soon as the show was over.
They both got a thicker onesie over their nappy and bodysuit. After all, with the sun going down, it was getting quite chilly.
Dries and Jasper were in the front between all the other children, Heleen, Kathy and Koen were in the back between the adults.
While waiting for the show to start, Jasper looked around at the other children. It was reassuring that they weren't the only ones in their pyjamas. Many children, both younger and older than them, were also there in pyjamas, onesies or nightgowns. Jasper looked closely at the other children and suddenly he noticed that another child, about the same age, had a little bit of a nappy sticking out over the edge of his pyjama bottoms. It wasn't much, and it was only noticeable because it was the exact same nappy that he and Dries were wearing. Having made this discovery, Jasper looked at the other children's bottoms. Jasper couldn't see any other nappies clearly, but there were suspicious shapes here and there.
When Jasper was sure, he whispered to Dries. "Look at the boy diagonally in front of us, at his trousers. He has a nappy on too. I've always told you that you're not alone. Do you remember? Now you can really see it.
Curious, Dries looked in the direction indicated. He had to search for a while, but then he saw it too.
"I knew that I wasn't alone because of you, but it's nice to know that there are others as well," he whispered.
Jasper went over to the other boy, trying to speak to him. When he was almost at the boy and about to touch him, he heard him talking to his neighbour in a strange language he couldn't understand. Jasper retreated quietly. "He's speaking French, I think," he said to Dries, who had been watching intently.
Jasper wasn't sure about the other children with suspicious shapes around their bottoms, so he didn't dare speak to them.
"There's no need to do that," Dries whispered. "The show's about to start and we've got each other." Dries put his arm around Jasper's shoulders and together they enjoyed the interplay of laser lights, fireworks and music that was now beginning.
Do you can't wait to read the next chapter? you're welcome to read it after a (free) registration on the scriptorium webpage. (Under writing => work in progress)
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Author: Toet
Timestamp: Apr 20, 2024 at 11:05 PM
Content: Chapter twenty-nine
Jasper woke up in the cot in the middle of the night. After all, it had been his turn to sleep there last night.
With his sleeping bag on, he wasn't cold and he'd slept through the night within a moment. Jasper had woken up once because his bladder was acting up, but he hadn't let that spoil his night's sleep. When he woke up half asleep and realised why, he rolled onto his back, let it all go and rolled back onto his side. When he awoke in the morning, he was glad he had slept so well. He vaguely remembered waking up, so he was not surprised that his nappy was already well filled, it did not bother him.
He knew he was the last one awake because he heard the voices of the rest of the family from the living room. He emptied his bladder, which was full, and then tried to get up.
Jasper struggled to the edge of the bed - which was more difficult with a sleeping bag on - and fumbled for the lock to open the bed door. When he found it, he pushed it open and the door slammed against the bed with a dull thud.
When the voices suddenly fell silent, he knew that they had heard him. A few seconds later, Koen cautiously entered the room to have a look at the source of the noise. If Jasper was still asleep, he'd have no intention of waking him.
"Good morning Jasper," he said as he saw Jasper standing up on his knees.
"Good morning sir." Jasper replied, smiling broadly.
Koen quickly bridged the distance between the door and the bed and carried Jasper, sleeping bag and all on his arm, into the living room.
"Everyone's up now," he said as he entered the living room. Good mornings were exchanged back and forth.
"How's your nappy?" asked Koen. "I can't feel it very well with the sleeping bag on."
Jasper flushed. It still wasn't easy for him to talk about it so openly. "It's a bit full, I guess." He said, in an attempt to minimise the state of his nappy.
"Doesn't matter anyway," Koen said and planted a kiss on Jasper's nose. He was not used to such affection from a man; the beard chafed and Koen was a bit rougher than his own two mothers. As a way of hiding his shyness, and because he had no idea how he should act during the treatment, he put his dummy in his mouth that hung on the sleeping bag.
Heleen and Kathy almost melted when they saw how Jasper looked.
Jasper loved all the positive attention, because in his home, where Gert left a big mark on the atmosphere, there was not always room for such cuddles and warm moments.
Koen took Jasper to Heleen's room to get him out of his sleeping bag and into a clean nappy, so that everyone could have breakfast.
There was nothing special on the agenda today. After breakfast the children were allowed to play on the campsite and in the afternoon the family would go to the beach.
For this occasion, Kathy had chosen a jumpsuit for Jasper. She chose the Disney version with Peter Pan and Tinker Bell and helped him to put it on.
It was Kathy who helped Jasper get dressed. His nappy from before breakfast was still dry and did not need to be changed. The day would be warm enough to wear nothing on or under the overalls.
Dries changed and soon after breakfast the boys put on their sandals and ran off to the playground. The holiday park was small and safe enough for the boys to go out on their own. Heleen took a seat in a hammock on the veranda with a book, and it was not long before Koen and Kathy followed her example. They sat outside on the terrace, had a cup of coffee and enjoyed the peace and quiet that a holiday can provide.
There were other children in the playground, but they mostly spoke a different language than Jasper and Dries Spook. There were mutual attempts to establish some contact, but the language barrier was too great and in the end the children played more next to each other than with each other.
When lunchtime came, Heleen came to look for the boys. It took her quite a while because there were three different playgrounds on the estate and they had forgotten to agree which one they were going to play on.
In the end, Kathy and Koen were so worried that Koen joined in the search, and Kathy almost told the management of the holiday resort about it.
Kathy and Koen couldn't really be angry, they should have sorted it out beforehand, but next time they would have to think about what and how.
They ate quickly in the afternoon, which meant they had enough time left to go to the beach. Kathy quickly helped Jasper change into a fresh nappy and then the family headed off in the car. It was a twenty minute drive to the beach.
The drive to the beach was quite abrupt. There were a lot of sharp bends and Koen had to speed up and slow down a lot because of the heavy traffic. A few times Koen cursed the traffic so loudly that Kathy had to make him keep quiet because his curses were too explicit.
Jasper listened a little confusedly to what was going on in the front of the car. He didn't know Koen like that at all.
Dries was not so concerned about what was going on in the front of the car. He felt completely nauseous and uncomfortable. With every bend, every brake and every acceleration it only got worse. The feeling in Dries' stomach grew stronger and stronger. If Kathy or Koen had looked at Dries at that moment, they would have seen that his face was getting paler and paler.
They had almost reached their destination when Dries really couldn't hold it any longer. He started with 'Mum, I...' and then it came out in a big wave; Dries couldn't hold it in any longer.
Horrified, Jasper looked sideways at Dries when suddenly the most horrible noises could be heard. Dries tried to grab a bag or a container, but it was hopelessly too late. Dries' lunch was clattering between his hands on his lap, he had vomited a lot.
Startled, Kathy and Koen stopped their earlier discussion. Kathy looked back at Dries to assess the seriousness of the situation. 'It would be best to stop as soon as possible,' Kathy said to Koen.
Koen nodded and looked for a safe place to stop the car. He soon found one and parked the car calmly. Even though Kathy and Heleen had opened the window, the smell made Jasper sick. He was glad when Koen stopped and Heleen helped him out of the car.
"Heleen, can you keep an eye on Jasper? Then we can help Dries." Kathy said.
Koen took the bag of spare clothes out of the boot, glad they always had it with them. He took out what he needed and while Kathy tended to Dries, Koen looked after the backseat.
A little later, Dries was freshened up and dressed, and the chair was cleaned as best it could be. They all got back into the car and a little later the family arrived at the beach. The rest of the way Koen had done his best to drive more slowly, the windows had stayed open to hopefully get the rest of the smell out of the car, and Dries felt noticeably better than before.
The beach was very busy, and Koen and Kathy had to search a bit before they found a free spot. After walking around for a while, they found a spot between a man lying on a towel and another family talking in German.
"Good day, are you on holiday?" rang out in a familiar language from next to Koen and Kathy. Koen and Kathy looked up in surprise. They had heard many languages on the beach, but their own had hardly been one of them. The man next to them had watched curiously as the family settled in.
"Yes, we arrived the day before yesterday. I'm Kathy, this is Koen, Heleen, Dries and Jasper. Are you on holiday too?" Kathy asked. Meanwhile, she had pulled Dries over to her and started putting sun cream on him. Jasper waited his turn next to Dries, Heleen did it herself.
"Half on holiday, half for work. Nice to meet you, I'm David. Today I have a day off to enjoy the sun, but tomorrow a conference starts that I have to go to. It will take a few days, but fortunately it is interesting and not a heavy programme. I also have some free time here and there. Are you staying far from here?"
"Just a twenty minute drive," said Koen, "if there is not too much traffic," mentioning the name of the resort and where it was located.
"Oh," the man said in surprise. "I'm staying near there too."
"What's the convention about?"
"Disaster management," said the man. "I volunteer with the Red Cross and the local branch has allowed me to come here. The congress is ending with a large-scale disaster drill, which I will be able to attend as an observer."
"A disaster drill? As an observer? What do you mean?" Heleen's curiosity was piqued and she wanted to know more.
"For example, an earthquake, a plane crash, a train accident or a chain collision," the man began, explaining what a medical disaster entailed. He told her what to do when a large number of people were suddenly injured in a major accident, and where things often went wrong.
Heleen listened with fascination and asked lots of questions to find out more. David was happy to have someone to talk to in his own language and to have an audience fascinated by his story.
It was a bit too complicated for Dries and Jasper and they soon dropped out. The boys did not want to go straight into the sea, so they started playing in the sand. They dug and built in the sand, first trying to build a medieval fortress on a mountain. When they had finished with that, they built another medieval town at the foot of the mountain, complete with ramparts and gates. This way the castle looked down on the town and the surrounding countryside. By the time the town was finished, Jasper and Dries were hot from playing in the sun.
With a little help, they changed on the beach. Dries took everything off himself while Kathy held up a towel for him, Jasper needed a little more help to get undressed as he had some trouble with the jumpsuit he wasn't used to wearing. Getting the upper part over his shoulders was much more difficult than with a jacket, because it was attached to the trousers. And he was certainly not used to manipulating the nappy himself. Once they were both in their swimming trunks, they were given a fresh layer of sunscreen and made to drink some water.
Soon they were off into the waves, enjoying the hot waters of the Mediterranean.
When evening came and it was time to leave, Heleen had persuaded her parents to meet David again later in the week. What she secretly hoped for was to see the disaster drill herself, it sounded so interesting.
Jasper and Dries were called and everything was prepared to return. Dries crawled back into his clothes on the beach the same way he had come out, but for Jasper there was no real solution. There were far too many people around to allow him to lie quietly and discreetly change back into his nappy. After a short consultation between Koen and Kathy, it was decided to go to the car and see if there was a way to get Jasper out of his swimming suit discreetly.
There were still a few passers-by on the street near where the car was parked, but it was fairly well hidden on the passenger side of the car.
While Koen stood at the front of the car and Dries and Heleen at the back to form a wall, Jasper was quickly helped by Kathy, who was changing him from his bathing suit into his nappy and normal clothes, standing by the side of the car.
Jasper and Dries had swapped beds that evening as planned. Dries was in the cot that looked like a ship, Jasper was in the normal bed, secured in the sleeping bag and straps to keep him from kicking off the covers and rolling out of bed in his sleep.
Jasper woke in the middle of the night. The house was quiet and he knew everyone was asleep. He needed to pee and was thirsty.
Jasper quickly solved the first problem. He no longer had any trouble peeing in his nappy.
He reached for the bottle to drink. The bottle was a bit trickier and sucking on the nipple wasn't so easy. Eventually he had a few sips of water and his thirst was quenched. He put the bottle down next to his head and accidentally hit the magnetic key that unlocked the restraint. Before he realised what he had accidentally bumped into, he heard the key fall to the floor.
Jasper turned on his side and tried to feel the floor. He could just reach the ground and after groping for a while he found the key. When Jasper tried to grab the key he pushed against it and the key rolled away somewhere, Jasper didn't hear where.
Slowly Jasper realised that he was stuck, completely and truly stuck. For a moment he thought about calling for Kathy or Koen, but he wasn't quite sure why. He had lost the key, but he didn't need to get out for anything. So if the key was found now, in the middle of the night, what would he do with it? Jasper was tired and decided to go back to sleep. He didn't really need the key now and didn't want to wake anyone up unnecessarily. Jasper straightened up to go back to sleep and closed his eyes.
Do you can't wait to read the next chapter? you're welcome to read it after a (free) registration on the scriptorium webpage. (Under writing => work in progress)
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Author: Toet
Timestamp: Apr 28, 2024 at 11:47 PM
Content: Chapter thirty, adventure park
Jasper sighed and lay bored in his bed. He made up stories in his head and played with imaginary toys, but fantasising wasn't as much fun as playing in real life. Jasper rolled over on his side in bed. He did this very carefully so as not to make the bed creak and wake Dries. He lay there staring at the door, waiting for it to be time to get up.
Suddenly he saw the door handle go down gently and Kathy's head come squeaking around the door. Seeing Jasper with his eyes open, she spoke to him cheerfully.
"Good morning Jasper, we're all waiting for you to have breakfast. Are you going to join us?"
"I'd like to, but I can't. The key fell on the floor last night."
"Oops, that makes it hard to come." Kathy got down on all fours and looked around and under Jasper's bed for the key, but she couldn't find it immediately.
"Just a minute Jasper, I'll get a light."
Kathy disappeared from the room and a short time later Kathy and Koen returned to the room.
"I'll keep looking, Jasper," Koen said, while Kathy started gathering clothes for Jasper and Dries. Koen took his mobile phone, turned on the flashlight and started to search under the bed and the wardrobe for the key.
Koen didn't see it right away either and Jasper started to worry. What if they didn't find it? The fixation kit had been borrowed, so there was no way they could have just cut it open.
Koen asked Jasper to tell him exactly what had happened: where had the key fallen and where had it been rolled to?
Jasper could easily answer the first question, but not the second. Koen got down on his knees again and continued his search. It was only after he had moved the wardrobe and then the bed that he found the key: it had rolled between the plinth and a foot of the bed.
Koen immediately released the magnets with the key and then helped Jasper out of the sleeping bag. Fifteen minutes had passed between Kathy looking inside and Koen untying everything, but for Jasper it felt like an eternity. Koen felt Jasper's nappy for a moment.
"Come on, let's change this one first." Koen took Jasper into Heleen's room and lifted him onto the nursing table. The bottom of the pyjamas came off, the bodysuit was opened and the nappy was changed.
As soon as the body was closed, Kathy came in with the overalls they had bought with the sleeping bag. "Put these on now for today, and we can be on our way right after breakfast."
"To leave?" Jasper asked curiously. "Where are we going?"
"Some kind of adventure park." Kathy said.
That sounded like a good idea to Jasper and he quickly co-operated to get the dungaree on. Curiosity about the adventure park won out over Jasper's bad mood about the lost key. He was dreaming about the adventure park and didn't notice how the dungaree was closed. Without paying too much attention, Koen hurriedly fastened the two plastic buckles.
Underneath the dungarees, Jasper had simply kept on the body suit that he had been sleeping in.
Koen carried Jasper into the kitchen and sat him down. Dries and Heleen were also at the table, dressed and nibbling on their last slice of bread. Kathy was busy making some sandwiches for Jasper's breakfast, and immediately got to work packing lunches for everyone.
When everyone was ready, Heleen and Dries had a quick trip to the toilet and the family headed off in the car for the adventure park.
At the Adventure Park there were different types of tickets to choose from. From cheap to expensive, the options were "little heroes", "daredevils" and "big fan". They could walk around the park all day and do the different activities as often as they wanted. However, depending on the type of ticket they had bought, there were more or less different activities to choose from.
After a moment's hesitation, they chose the 'daredevils' option for everyone. Jasper and Dries were too small for most of the extra activities they could do with the 'big fan' option.
Kathy didn't want to take part, so she didn't have to pay anything. Koen just joined in.
At the checkout, the cashier asked for everyone's arm while waving wristbands. Heleen, Jasper and Dries raised their wrists as soon as they understood his intention. When the cashier saw that there were already wristbands from the resort, he looked closely at the name of the campsite.
"But sir, you should have told us right away that you were staying at this resort. That would have given you a discount."
The cashier opened up the cash register and immediately took out a small amount of money to give back to Kathy. Kathy held out her hand and accepted the money.
"Thank you," she said with a smile; she could appreciate the man's honesty.
"You will receive a security briefing from my colleague shortly, but he is busy with another family at the moment. If you wait there by the benches, he will come to you immediately."
Koen nodded to the man as a sign that he had understood him.
"Mum, I have to go to the toilet." Heleen whispered.
"An excellent idea. Dries, go to the toilet too, Jasper, come with me." Kathy ordered the other children. The family walked together to the toilet block where Heleen and Dries each went into a stall and Jasper waited by Kathy's side. "Jasper, are you still dry?" Kathy asked.
Jasper looked around quickly, 'phew', no one was close enough to follow the conversation. "Yes, but I have to do number two."
Kathy looked around and a little further on she saw a door with the symbol of a changing room, which she took Jasper to.
Jasper was placed by Kathy on a low cupboard in the room and then Kathy looked at the fastenings on the dungarees.
"Strange." Kathy muttered as she studied the buckle.
Jasper looked down at the buckle. "What's strange?"
"There's a keyhole in this buckle."
Jasper looked at it too. "Yes, that's right. Why would there be one?"
"So they can be locked, I suppose? These dungarees could have belonged to the same child as the sleeping bag you have." Kathy suggested. "But we need to get on now, so the others don't have to wait for us." Kathy unbuckled the buckles, opened the bodysuit and removed the nappy, then Jasper sat on the small toilet that was the only one in the room.
After he finished, Kathy quickly wiped his bottom and the process went the other way around. First the nappy was put on, then the bodysuit was closed and finally the dungarees were put back on.
Kathy looked again at the buckles with the keyhole, they were the same on both sides. She fumbled around in her pockets for something to try and turn them, but there was already a knock on the door from Heleen.
"Mum, come on, the assistant is waiting for Jasper to start the explanation."
"We're coming!" Kathy called back through the door.
She left the keyholes as they were. She lifted Jasper from the table to the floor and opened the lock on the door.
Together Jasper, Heleen and Kathy went to the man for the security briefing.
The employee looked at Koen, Heleen, Dries and Jasper and assessed their height and age. He then turned around and took a number of climbing harnesses out of the boxes behind him, giving the largest to Koen, a medium size to Heleen and the smallest to Dries and Jasper.
He started with an explanation. Koen translated some of it, where it was important for the children.
"This man will first help you put on your safety equipment, and then he'll show you how everything works," Koen said as the man approached Heleen.
The man opened the harness for Heleen. It was a model where you first put your legs in the two leg loops, then pulled the harness up behind your back and put your arms in. At the front, at chest height, there were two loops for the rope, carabiners or other safety devices.
The man first showed Heleen how to put the harness on, adjusting all the straps so that the harness fit properly. He then continued with Dries and finally helped Jasper put on the harness.
As the man put the straps around Jasper's hips and adjusted them, he looked surprised for a moment. He felt that Jasper was wearing more protection than just the climbing harness. But he ignored it and when he had finished with Jasper, he went on to check that Koen had put on his safety belt properly.
Then the man took out a whole set of ropes and carabiners. He divided them up and placed a slightly different set in front of Koen, Heleen and the two boys.
For Jasper and Dries, he prepared a set for a cable car, a set for an altitude course and two combination locks with a flexible wire instead of a U-shaped piece.
He prepared the same for Heleen, but without combination locks, and for Koen he also prepared two sets of belts, but different from Heleen's. For the high ropes course, he was given a set with two ropes, each with a snap hook, while the children had a single rope to slide over the wire.
This set had the advantage for the children that they could not get disconnected in the middle of the course, the disadvantage was that they had to stay behind each other anyway and could not let anyone lead or lead themselves anywhere. There could be no swapping of places.
Koen, however, like all adults, had the option of moving forward or backward. He could use the two carabiners to secure himself to the safety rope in front of and behind obstacles, always making sure that at least one hook was engaged. This allowed him to safely switch positions to help each of the children separately if necessary.
While the man explained to Koen that last year a child had completely disengaged from his harness at a height and fallen badly, the man closed the combination locks on Jasper and Dries' harnesses. With the first lock, he went through the two loops on the left and right of the chest, and with the second lock, he made sure that the climbing set and the cable car set could not be easily removed.
The man explained that the locks were only there to prevent the safety equipment from being removed, and that the two normal sets would still be there to protect you if you fell.
Koen translated everything for the children so that they understood the hows and whys.
The next step, before they were allowed to enter the park, was for the man to take the family to a demonstration course. It was half a metre high and the man was able to explain everything: how the safety system worked and what the rules were for the high course. Then he let everyone practice a small round under supervision and finally came the moment of redemption.
"Have fun and good luck!"
Throughout the adventure park there were all sorts of activities: there was archery, laser shooting, an artificial cave for speleology, a bobsleigh, a super long slip line to slide down, a climbing wall and a large playground.
Everything was connected by hiking trails, small cable cars or an altitude trail. There was also a section in the adventure park where there were only high ropes courses of varying difficulty.
Jasper, Dries and Heleen flew to the first obstacle course and went over it to the bobsleigh. Koen joined them on the ropes course and Kathy followed them on the hiking trail. While Koen and the kids were busy, she took the opportunity to take some nice pictures. There was an employee at the bobsleigh who unlocked the combination lock on the safety set, and then the children had to go back to him to put it back on. They all enjoyed two rounds on the bobsleigh and then moved on to another high ropes course.
However, on the high ropes course they got stuck. There was a small child in front of them who did not dare to proceed, and the mother, who was with the child and had shown him how to overcome the obstacle, could not go back. Koen and the children waited in line for a while - there were other families in between - before they realised what the problem was. Once they knew why everyone was standing still, they wanted to turn around and go back, but it was impossible because there were others already waiting behind them. It took a long time and eventually Dries got tired of waiting. He started fiddling with the combination lock, trying to unlock it. It didn't take long for Heleen to see.
"Dries, you are not allowed to touch it, you are not allowed to unlock it."
"I'm tired of standing here, I'm climbing down."
Koen's reaction was to jump into action as soon as he had a glimpse of what Dries was up to through Heleen's eyes. With a few quick steps and by moving his own karabiners, he was standing next to Dries. "You have to keep your hands off, it's about safety. Either you don't touch the lock or you can stay with mum for the rest of the day," he said strictly.
Dries pulled his hands away immediately; the climbing and clambering was too much fun and he didn't feel like giving it up. Koen checked everything and was relieved to see that everything was still in place. He was glad that the locks were there, they had prevented worse.
It was a beautiful day and the children enjoyed the challenges the adventure park had to offer. There was only one more difficult moment in the afternoon when they wanted to eat. Jasper needed his nappy changed and Dries wanted to go to the toilet. First they had to find a park supervisor to unlock the locks, then a supervisor to relock them and check everything. They would have liked to take their break on a quiet bench among the trees, but as they were dependent on the staff, they ended up in the crowd on the terrace next to the cafeteria.
During the day they did various other activities; they still enjoyed the cave box, did some climbing and after a few more activities Koen and Heleen had had enough.
The family went back to the entrance where they handed in all their materials. The staff helped them open the combination locks again and before they left, they all went to the toilet.
Jasper was again helped into the changing room by Kathy with a clean nappy.
As Jasper lay on the wardrobe and Kathy closed the overalls, she took another look at the buckles. They had been in a hurry in the afternoon and there had been no time. Now there was time to look at the keyhole buckles and Kathy could finally satisfy her curiosity. She took her bunch of keys and with a small flat piece of her key ring she managed to turn both locks a quarter of a turn.
"I'm curious to see how this works, Jasper," she said.
Jasper also checked that these were real locks.
After Kathy had tightened them both, she pushed on the latches and found that they wouldn't move. Kathy turned the keyholes another quarter turn and this time the buckles opened without a problem.
"Can I have a go, too?" Jasper asked. He took the key ring and turned the clasps a quarter turn.
"Mummy, can Jasper and I go to the playground?" called Dries through the door of the changing room.
Jasper's eyes brightened at once. "Please, is it all right?" he asked.
Kathy thought a bit about the pros and cons - it would help the boys burn off some extra energy - she finally thought.
"Yes, that's fine." Kathy replied through the door.
Jasper immediately jumped down from the cupboard, opened the door and ran out with Dries to explore the playground. Together they rushed from one toy to the next.
One of the toys was a kind of playground with a sand pit. It was equipped with everything that could be used to scoop up, transport and dump the sand. Jasper and Dries went straight to work. At the bottom of a tower, Jasper filled buckets with sand, which Dries then lifted up and poured into a dumper truck that hung on a kind of monorail. Jasper and Dries did their best to fill the lorry. As the children continued to fill it, the cart became overcrowded and there was a lot of weight over the horizontal hinges. As Jasper stood under the cart, looking up at Dries as he poured the bucket into it, the cart became too unstable and the cart turned on its hinges. Jasper tried to get out of the way, out of the danger zone, but it was too late. He took a lot of the sand with him, and some of it got between his bodysuit and overalls. Dries and Jasper had a good laugh about the incident. Jasper started to knock the sand off his clothes and Dries was happy to help, he thought it was funny that he could beat someone to help him.
"There's still a lot of sand between them, Jasper," Dries said, pulling at the bib overalls. He tried to get his hand between the bib and the bodysuit to rub it off.
"Undo the buckles so we can open the dungarees a bit and we'll have a better chance." Dries said.
Jasper pushed the buckles but couldn't open them. He looked at them again and saw that the locks were still turned. "They're still locked," he remarked in surprise.
"What do you mean, did my mum do that?" asked Dries indignantly.
"No, she was just curious why the buckles looked different than usual. She had closed them and then opened them again. I asked if I could try it. When I closed it, you were there and then I forgot about it." Jasper reassured Dries.
Together they went to Kathy and asked for some help to keep chipping away at the sand.
Kathy had already seen what had happened and was glad that Jasper hadn't hurt himself. Jasper explained what was wrong and soon Kathy was undoing the buckles on his dungarees.
"Get out of those for a while," Kathy said as she pulled the dungarees down. "Otherwise you're going to be full of sand again when we've got it all off."
Jasper took his legs out of the pipes one by one and stood outside, next to the bench with Kathy, wearing only his bodysuit and nappy. Suddenly aware of himself, he looked around him but no one really noticed him.
Kathy, Dries and Jasper quickly started rubbing everywhere to get rid of as much sand as possible. Dries only rubbed the back, but Kathy also rubbed the front and back of his nappy. It felt strange for Jasper to be touched in this way, but although he found it uncomfortable, he understood why it was necessary. Once all the sand had been rubbed off, Kathy turned the dungarees upside down, trying to get as much sand out as possible before putting them back on Jasper. When most of the sand had been removed, Jasper let Kathy put the dungarees back on him. Without even thinking about it, Kathy turned the locks back into place, after all, she had just unlocked them a moment ago.
Now that everyone was together, it was time to go home. Jasper was secured in the car by Heleen. Because Heleen always did it for him, he had never learned to do it himself, but by now he took it for granted to be helped. Heleen liked being able to mother Jasper from time to time.
When the family returned to the cottage and everyone got out, Kathy noticed that there was still a lot of sand in the car seat where Jasper had been sitting.
"The sand must be creeping into everything, Jasper. I don't want you scattering the sand all over the house. Help unload the stuff first, but don't go further than the hall."
"OK," Jasper said. He had heard that he had to help with the unloading. He walked to the back of the car and took one of the bags that was there and carried it inside.
"Stop!" shouted Kathy. "Not another step Jasper, look down!"
Jasper looked down, startled. He saw that there was sand all the way from the door to where he was standing.
"I told you not to go any further than the hallway." Kathy grumbled.
"Sorry, I only heard to help unload the car."
"Now step back until you get to the door and wait for me there," Kathy said. "In the meantime, take off all your clothes." She looked for a brush to clean up the trail of sand that Jasper had made before the rest of the sand was spilled out of the car.
Koen, Dries and Heleen walked nicely around Jasper, leaving him and Kathy alone. When Kathy was in a bad mood, it was better to stay away from her so as not to escalate the situation.
Jasper soon realised that he couldn't open the buckles on his bib overalls because they were fastened. Then he tried to pull the straps off his shoulders to get them off, but the front and back were too high so there wasn't enough room for that method. Jasper could see Kathy's bunch of keys and key chain from the hallway, with the extension that allowed them to turn the lock, but then he had to move away from the door where he had to stand. Realising that he could not reach anything, he sat down on the floor. He was worried because he hadn't done what he was told, but he really couldn't get his clothes off.
When Kathy came back with the brush, she saw that Jasper wasn't as ready as she expected, he hadn't taken any of his clothes off, and she shouted angrily, "Jasper, put your ears on. I told you to take your clothes off!"
Tears welled up in Jasper's eyes, he hated being called out by Kathy in that way.
"But I really tried, I couldn't," his voice sounded fragile. "The buckles are locked."
Kathy was shocked at Jasper's reaction. She had to admit that she had indeed asked him to do an impossible thing. Kathy knelt down beside Jasper and hugged him.
"I'm sorry Jasper, you're right. I shouldn't have yelled at you like that." Kathy took a handkerchief from her pocket and wiped away Jasper's tears, then held the handkerchief to his nose so he could blow.
When both Kathy and Jasper had calmed down, Kathy broke the embrace. "Come on, Jasper, we'll take off all your clothes and wash you. Then we'll put you in clean clothes and you can play while I start dinner. Does that sound good?"
Kathy saw Jasper nod. She stood up and got her keys to open the locks. When she had done that, she took off the dungaree, bodysuit and nappy in the hall. She took the hand brush and wiped it all over Jasper to get a lot of sand off him. "Crawl into the bath and I'll clean up here."
Jasper dreamed as the warm water splashed around him. He had filled the whole tub and was able to relax in it. Little by little his mood was getting better and better.
Dries opened the door and looked in.
"Jasper, is everything all right with you?" he asked carefully.
Jasper opened his eyes and looked at Dries, happy to see him. He was already feeling much better and was thinking of an answer to give.
"No," Jasper said curtly, faking anger.
Dries looked at Jasper closely. He'd heard the answer correctly, but the answer didn't seem to match the expression Jasper was wearing. Jasper's mouth pursed in anger, but his eyes seemed to be narrowed with pleasure.
"Oh, Jasper, what's wrong?" Dries tried the cautious approach for safety's sake.
"I'm alone in the bath without you and you promised we'd share everything," Jasper said.
Dries burst out laughing and started to undress where he was standing. "Here I come!" he shouted as he jumped into the bath. Jasper managed to pull his legs in just in time before Dries landed in the water.
"Dries, you're making me wet!" cried Jasper, immediately scooping up water with his hands to throw in Dries' face.
"You missed!" Dries shouted as most of the water flew onto the bathroom floor next to him. "And you're in the bath, of course you're wet."
By the time Koen came into the bathroom three seconds later to calm the boys down, it was too late, the whole bathroom floor was wet.
"Don't start..." he sighed to himself and closed the bathroom door. "It's too late now, we might as well wait until later to clean everything up," he said to Kathy. Koen went over to Heleen who was busy on her mobile.
"They are very rough." Heleen remarked.
"Yes, Jasper probably needs to let off some steam after just now."
Heleen nodded that she understood.
Look, I'm sitting here looking at a picture and a message that Mila posted," Heleen said, handing her mobile phone to her dad.
Koen took the phone and looked at the message.
"Proud of my sister," he read as the title. Underneath he saw a picture of Mila and Billy holding hands, but Billy was wearing a dress.
"Billy is discovering himself this holiday and I'm happy to be so close to it. I'm glad that Billy stands up for himself and lets everyone know what's important to her. Koen continued to read the message. He handed the phone back to Heleen.
"It's strange to see Billy in a dress, but it's nice of Mila to be so supportive of Billy."
"I've heard of transgender people before, but I thought only adults became transgender," Heleen said.
"Twice wrong Heleen, we don't know if Billy is transgender or just likes to wear girl's clothes, he/she could also be something in between or something completely different, only time will tell," said Koen. "And you don't become transgender, that's something you are," Koen concluded.
Heleen nodded that she understood. She put a thumbs up under the message and then went back to checking her social media.
Kathy had also heard that the boys were having a lot of fun in the bathroom, so she decided to put dinner on before getting the boys out of the bath.
When dinner was almost ready, she sent Koen into the bathroom with a bucket and mop.
"You start with the floor, I'll be right there to help you get the boys clean and dressed," she said.
Koen had half filled the bucket with the water he had mopped up from the floor when Kathy came to join him. Kathy took some shampoo and started lathering the boys. After she had done their hair, she took a washcloth and went to work washing the boys, literally from head to toe. No spot was missed and when Kathy had finished cleaning and polishing, Koen was ready with two large towels in which Jasper and Dries were wrapped. Together they went into Heleen's room where the clothes were laid out on the changing table.
"We're going to eat now. After dinner you can stay up for a while before it's time to go to bed," Kathy said. "Jasper, pyjamas are waiting for you as we don't have many clean clothes. Dries, are you wearing pyjamas or normal clothes?"
Dries thought for a moment. Wearing pyjamas with Jasper sounded nice, but if he put on normal clothes now, he would have to change just before going to sleep. And that was his strategy, to be allowed to linger and stay awake a little longer.
"Ordinary clothes," Dries decided.
Kathy took a pile and gave it to Dries, she put another pile away. Then she picked up Jasper and put him on the changing table.
"This way," she instructed, getting Jasper to lie down nicely on the changing table and she began to put a nappy on him. Once it was closed, a green body with short legs was slipped over his feet. It had no closure at the crotch, just a zip at the back.
"These are intended to be used as summer pyjamas," Kathy said as she covered the top of the zip with a piece of cloth that had been provided for that purpose. "Here's a pullover to put over them, the pyjamas are a thin fabric and you might be a bit cold now. We'll take them off before we go to bed.
After dinner, Dries and Jasper were allowed to watch a film. Heleen, Jasper and Dries wanted to make it a cosy evening and Koen and Kathy helped. The lights were dimmed and a few candles were lit. A plate with some biscuits was put out and everyone got a big cup of hot chocolate. Heleen and Dries each took their blanket from their room to sit under, Kathy helped Jasper into his sleeping bag and put him in the seat, the dummy was also attached to the sleeping bag. After these preparations everyone was ready and the film was set up.
During the film Koen's mobile phone rang a few times. Koen kept looking at his phone, whispering to Kathy and then answering the messages.
When the film was about half done, there was a sudden knock on the door. Koen stopped the film and got up to open the door.
"Good evening," came David's voice. He had a big smile on his face and stepped inside after an inviting gesture from Koen.
"So nice to hear my own language again. I was at the conference and all the time listening and speaking in English is exhausting," he continued. "As interesting as it was."
"Have a seat. Would you like something to drink?" asked Koen.
"Yes, please, what have you got?"
After David's reply, Heleen went to get the beer he had asked for. She still wanted to come along to the disaster drill to watch, and she hoped it would increase her chances.
The TV went off because there was a visitor. David was a good talker and soon had the attention of Kathy, Koen and Heleen. Dries and Jasper continued to sip their chocolate milk, but were actually bored.
"Shall we play, Jasper?" Dries whispered into his ear.
I want to, but I can't get out of my sleeping bag myself." Jasper whispered back.
Dries started to fiddle with the sleeping bag and opened it. While he was busy, he glanced covertly at his mother. She had seen what he was doing for a long time and nodded that it was good. Reassured, Dries continued until Jasper could crawl out of the sleeping bag.
David was busy talking to Koen and Kathy and didn't really pay attention to what the boys were doing, but he did see them heading for their room to play.
"What I'm here for anyway," David said, turning to the subject of the disaster drill he had to go to as an observer, "we're still looking for simulants. I have been given a whole list of different roles that they are still looking for. I was hoping to convince you to take part in the disaster drill by pretending to be injured.
David looked hopefully at Koen and Kathy.
"Yes, daddy, mummy, please!" whispered Heleen. She tried her best to look as sweet as possible at her parents.
Koen couldn't resist that look. "We have to ask Dries and Jasper first," he said.
Jasper and Dries were called in and David explained what he wanted to ask.
Jasper was a little nervous about his clothes. He was aware of how young he must look. He was the only one in pyjamas and the contours of his nappy were showing through the fabric. To channel his nerves, he started sucking his thumb, which didn't help the image of his age he was giving David.
David tried to explain the plan as simply as he could. The family would take part in the disaster drill. They had to act as best they could and pretend to be injured. Later, when the roles were assigned, they would be told exactly what to do. Jasper was immediately enthusiastic, he thought it would be fun. Dries was a little less enthusiastic, but was willing to join in if Jasper was.
Now that David had convinced the two children, it was agreed that the whole family would participate, except for Heleen, who hopefully could go with David to watch and take notes for him. Tomorrow David would get confirmation if everything could be done as proposed.
Not much later it was time for Dries and Jasper to go to bed. Both boys were dressed in clean nappies and Kathy put them to bed, reversing their places from the previous night. Dries in the normal bed and Jasper in the cot. David stayed for a while and chatted with Koen and Kathy. They agreed to have dinner together the following evening.
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Author: Toet
Timestamp: May 26, 2024 at 12:01 AM
Content: Chapter thirty-one, Another museum
Heleen had woken up during the night to go to the toilet. She took her mobile phone, turned on the torch and went to the bathroom. When she had finished and was passing by Jasper and Dries' room, she heard some strange noises that she couldn't place.
Quietly, so as not to wake anyone, she opened the door and scanned the room. Dries was asleep, but there were noises coming from the cot. Heleen crept over to the bed, covering her phone's flashlight with her fingers so that the light was dim. Looking into the bed, she saw the source of the noise. Jasper was mumbling worriedly, rubbing one hand along the wooden side of the bed.
"Hey Jasper, what's wrong?" Heleen asked Jasper quietly.
Jasper didn't answer and continued. Heleen saw that his eyes were closed and she suspected that Jasper was having a nightmare.
"Jasper, calm down, everything is fine." Heleen whispered to Jasper as she gently rubbed his cheek.
Jasper woke from the touch and looked around anxiously for a moment. When he recognised Heleen, he relaxed a little.
Jasper felt his heart race as he looked up at Heleen. He couldn't remember what he was dreaming, the image of monsters chasing him faded from his mind, but the fear of his nightmare still raged through his body. He had a tight feeling in his chest and a tear ran down from the corner of his eye as he held out his hands to Heleen.
Heleen could see that Jasper was in desperate need of a hug and she responded to the outstretched hands by opening the door of the cot and taking Jasper in a firm hug.
Heleen could feel Jasper shivering, along with the tears that were coming. "Was it that bad, Jasper? What was the nightmare about?" asked Heleen.
"I don't remember," he whispered back, holding Heleen as tightly as he could.
Heleen carried Jasper out of the room and into her own room. Away from where he'd had the nightmare.
Heleen sat down on her own bed, still holding Jasper. She took Jasper's dummy, which was hanging from the ribbon, and put it in his mouth. Reassuringly, she stroked his head and back and held Jasper until he calmed down.
"Time to go back to sleep, Jasper." Heleen yawned as she felt Jasper start to relax a little, eager to get back to bed herself.
Heleen wanted to get up and put a hand under Jasper's bottom to lift him up. But she noticed that the nappy was well filled.
"Shall I change your nappy first?" asked Heleen.
Jasper didn't reply, but nodded. It was dim and colours were hard to see, but Heleen suspected that Jasper was there with red cheeks.
Heleen lifted Jasper up and carried him over to the changing table, where she laid him down and took out the sleeping bag, then opened the bodysuit and pulled it down over his legs until it was out too. Jasper shivered a little as the cold hit him. Heleen did her best to change the nappy for a clean one as quickly as possible so that Jasper wouldn't cool down too much. She put the bodysuit back on, zipped it up Jasper's back and moved the dummy strap from the sleeping bag to the pyjamas. "Come into bed with me to warm up," Heleen said as she placed Jasper on her own bed and crawled against him. She put Jasper down safely between her and the wall so that Jasper could not fall out of bed. Heleen pulled the blanket over her and Jasper and hugged him.
"In five minutes, when you're a bit warmer, I'll put your sleeping bag back on and take you to your own bed." Heleen whispered into Jasper's ear as she closed her own eyes for a brief moment.
The next morning Heleen was awakened by a thump in the living room. She smiled down at Jasper, who was still in bed with her. Jasper was lying on his stomach next to her, his legs intertwined with hers. "It must have been a long five minutes," she thought.
She didn't want to wake Jasper, so she lay very still. She soon got tired of that though; she was bored and wanted to get out of bed, so she started to gently stroke his head to wake Jasper up.
She heard Jasper's breathing change a little, becoming less deep. After she had continued stroking him, Jasper turned his head and looked at Heleen.
"Good morning Heleen," he murmured softly from behind the shield of the dummy. Heleen took Jasper in her arms and hugged him. Jasper returned the hug with a big smile and hugged Heleen as well.
"Slept well?" Heleen whispered into Jasper's ear.
Jasper shrugged. "Not at first with the nightmare, but after that I slept well here in bed with you," he clarified to Heleen.
While they cuddled, Heleen stroked Jasper's bottom as well. "Let's put on a clean nappy, this one's been used."
Jasper was a little embarrassed to be spoken to so directly. He nodded, his cheeks flushed, and pulled away from Heleen's embrace.
Once Jasper was standing next to the changing table, Heleen first unzipped the zip at the back of Jasper's bodysuit. Once that was out, she lifted Jasper onto the changing table and put a clean nappy on him. It had hardly been used, but Heleen enjoyed taking care of Jasper. Heleen rolled the wet nappy into a ball and closed it, as she had learned from her mother. She put it in the bin bag, then helped Jasper off the changing table and closed the bodysuit again. She took the rubbish bag with the dirty nappies in one hand and Jasper's hand in the other, and together they went into the living room.
"Good morning," Koen said quietly as he saw the children enter. "Be quiet for a little while, Kathy's still sleeping."
Koen took Heleen's rubbish bag to throw it out. Heleen and Jasper sat down with Dries to read until Kathy was awake too.
The morning passed quietly. Kathy woke up, they had breakfast together and spent the morning playing and reading quietly. After breakfast, Koen changed the children's nappies. Jasper's nappy didn't need to be changed yet, because it was still clean from the change that Heleen had done for him earlier. Jasper got yellow trousers and a blue t-shirt over his nappy, and Dries got normal Spiderman underpants with blue dungarees and a red t-shirt over them.
To keep the nappy out of sight, Kathy tucked Jasper's t-shirt down as far as possible into his trousers.
When it was almost noon, Koen and Dries prepared a picnic for everyone, and shortly afterwards they got ready to leave. Everyone quickly went to the toilet except Jasper, but no one thought to check how his nappy was holding up in the meantime.
"Where are we going?" Jasper asked, holding his hands up so that Heleen could easily reach the car seat fasteners.
"First we're going to have a picnic and then to a museum," Koen said. "A museum about the history of the region around here. The Romans lived here for a long time and besides that there were a few important factories and industries during the Industrial Revolution."
Heleen clicked everything into place. She strapped Jasper into the car seat, making sure he was safe and secure.
Dries' face fell. He had no interest in such a museum. "Couldn't we go back to the previous museum? It was more fun," he said.
Heleen said nothing, but her face also fell. She didn't like it as much as Dries, but she knew there was no point in protesting anyway.
"Now it's time for Kathy and me, Dries." Koen replied. "We have done the previous trips for you, and after this we will also do trips that are especially fun for you. But sometimes mum and dad get to choose."
Dries frowned and didn't answer. He understood what his dad had said, and it was fairer if they did something for them too, but that didn't mean he had to like it.
Koen started the car and in the meantime Kathy had put on a CD for them. The music had a calming effect and by the time they arrived at the museum, Dries was in a better mood.
It helped Heleen's mood to remember that they had arranged to have dinner with David after the museum.
Before they entered, they all sat down on a bench and ate their picnic.
"Here Jasper and Dries." Kathy said. "Drink your bottle completely empty now, eating and drinking isn't allowed in the Museum."
Jasper took the big bottle and drank it down. Dries followed his example but stopped halfway through. Kathy had seen it but said nothing, she didn't want to argue about it and at least he had had a drink. After all the trash was thrown away and the other stuff was put back in the car, the family went inside.
Without really thinking about it, every time Jasper felt the urge, he let out a little stream that filled his nappy more and more.
Soon Kathy and Koen were engrossed in everything there was to see and read in the museum. The three children trotted along, looking at the objects and panels, but more to relieve their boredom than out of interest in the subjects.
It was Heleen who was the first to see that Jasper was in trouble, before either Kathy or Koen saw it. On the back of Jasper's trousers, to the left and right of his bottom, there were two large dark spots: his nappy had leaked badly.
"Come on, Jasper, let's go to my mum," Heleen said, taking Jasper by the hand. Together they crossed the room to where Kathy and Koen were looking at the shard of a bowl or vase.
"Mum?" Heleen asked quietly.
"Quiet, wait a minute, I'm reading the explanation here."
"But Mum," said Heleen.
"No butts, I'll let you know when I've finished."
Heleen turned to Jasper and apologised to him without a word. Jasper shrugged his shoulders as an answer. He understood that Heleen had done the best she could.
Holding hands with Jasper, Heleen waited a short distance away from Kathy. Jasper released a few more little drops into the nappy and felt how they found their way to the outside of the nappy and began to trickle down his leg in a small trickle.
When Kathy finally turned her attention to the children and asked why they were disturbing her, she was startled. "Heleen, Jasper, I didn't know it was that important," she muttered from behind her hands covering her mouth.
She took one more good look at Jasper.
"Sorry Jasper, we have to do something about this right away." In the meantime, the moisture had spread to such an extent that more than half of the trousers were now soaking wet.
"Heleen, can you give us a hand with this?"
Kathy hurriedly whispered to Koen to inform him of her problem and her plans. Koen quickly looked at Jasper, assessed the situation and said he understood.
Kathy led Jasper and Heleen to the entrance of the museum. Several of the visitors they passed had either a look of disgust or pity on their faces. At this point, Jasper would have preferred to be invisible.
Kathy was busy on her mobile trying to figure out how to explain in French what had happened and what they needed on Google Translate, but when she got to the desk she didn't need to. The lady at the desk saw the situation and understood the problem. She took a key from behind the desk and beckoned the family to the toilets, they walked down a couple of corridors and even past ordinary toilets which the lady ignored.
"Suivez moi," she said, waving them on. They continued through the building, down two flights of stairs and into the basement. Heleen and Jasper wrapped their hands around their bodies because of the chill that hung in the air there. A little further on, next to the normal toilets for men and women, they found a door with the symbols for disabled people and changing rooms hanging together.
The attendant opened the door and let the three of them in together. On one side of the room was a large table for someone to lie on, on the other side of the room was a sink with hot and cold water, and behind a partition was a walk-in shower.
"Wow," Heleen said, "they've got good facilities here."
"Yes, but it's cold in here." Kathy replied. "They probably don't use this room very often, so they don't turn on the climate control."
The fact that there were two maintenance trolleys with lots of cleaning supplies in the corner of the room next to the door seemed to confirm Kathy's idea.
The receptionist left the family alone and returned to work.
"I'm going to go to the car and get the spare clothes that we always keep in there." Kathy said. "Can you help Jasper out of his wet clothes?" she asked Heleen.
Without waiting for an answer, Kathy went outside with the car keys in her hand.
Heleen turned to Jasper and knelt down in the middle of the room to help him.
First she pulled Jasper's T-shirt out of his trousers and to her disappointment saw that it also had some wet spots on the bottom. This one couldn't be worn any longer. She took it off and tried her best to keep the wet fabric away, but it wasn't working very well. Jasper now felt extra cold, wet and dirty in several places on his chest, back and head.
She put the T-shirt down on the floor next to her and took off his shoes. One of his shoes turned out to be wet inside as well. Then she unzipped his trousers and let Jasper out.
Heleen folded the trousers and put them on top of Jasper's dirty T-shirt; both were ready to go to the laundry. Finally, she took off the wet nappy as well and immediately threw it into the waste bin that had been provided and was right there.
Jasper, meanwhile, was completely naked. He was shivering with cold. He had wrapped his arms around himself and was staring down at the ground; he seemed to have disappeared into his own icy world. Heleen turned on the electric heater and led him towards the shower. Heleen opened the tap and put her own hand under it first, adjusting it until the water was at a pleasant temperature. As soon as she felt it was right, she called Jasper in.
"Come on, get under the water, it's nice and warm now," she said to Jasper.
Jasper was cold and numb and didn't really understand what Heleen was talking about.
Heleen saw that Jasper was motionless and walked over to him. She stood in front of him and held his head so that it was looking up at her own face.
"Come on Jasper, the water will warm you up. Get in the shower."
At first Jasper didn't seem to understand what Heleen had said, thinking seemed to slow down a bit at the moment.
Heleen grabbed hold of Jasper and led him to the stream of warm water that was waiting for him. When Heleen put Jasper under it, he seemed to thaw out. A smile appeared on his face and he gently turned around so that the warm water could flow all over his body.
Just then the door opened. Jasper and Heleen looked up in horror.
"We don't have any clean clothes for you in the car, Jasper, just pyjamas. We didn't have enough clothes for a spare set of normal clothes." Kathy said.
Jasper and Heleen breathed a sigh of relief that it was Kathy and not a stranger. Kathy took a tin of soap from the bag of spare clothes and handed it to Heleen. "You can carry on, you have done a good job so far."
Heleen turned off the tap for a while, took the soap and started to soap Jasper completely. She gently took hold of Jasper and turned him, pushing his arms out of the way and bending him when necessary. It was nice to have a little attention and pampering after being so cold. Meanwhile, Kathy searched through Heleen and Dries' spare clothes for Jasper's nappy, onesie and pyjamas. When she had found the towel, she picked up another empty plastic bag to put the dirty clothes in, and then put it away.
Heleen was proud that her mum trusted her to take care of Jasper.
Heleen worked hard to make sure that it didn't take any longer than it had to be. After Heleen had finished drying him off, Kathy took over and provided him with a nappy, bodysuit and a onesie with feet and a zip at the back that had previously belonged to Dries. It was actually just big enough for Jasper, stretching a little between his legs and around his bottom. Jasper didn't like the idea of spending the rest of the day in public in his pyjamas, but he understood that it was the best option, so he didn't say anything.
"Heleen, will you take the bag with the stuff to the car? Koen and Dries are waiting for us. Jasper, are you coming? We still have to return the key."
Kathy carried Jasper up on her arm and over to the desk, where she helped him to his feet again. He looked a bit shaken by everything that had happened, he wasn't wearing his shoes because they were wet and now in his onesie he looked extra fragile.
Jasper happily took Kathy's outstretched hand, it gave him some extra security. Unwittingly, he put his other thumb in his mouth.
The staff member looked down at Jasper in awe. She started a whole story, but stopped when she saw that neither Jasper nor Kathy understood it. She looked around the shop for a moment and then reached for the basket on the counter next to her. This basket was full of heavily discounted items. She rummaged around the bottom of the basket until she pulled out something she had obviously been looking for. Inside the package was a pacifier with a ribbon. With a friendly smile and twinkling eyes, she pointed to the dummy and to Jasper. Jasper guessed that she meant that he was to have the pacifier, and he gave her a bare nod.
The clerk took a pair of scissors and cut open the package, holding up a finger and pointing at her watch. Then she made a stepping motion with two fingers down and Jasper understood that they should wait a minute and she would be back.
Kathy looked at the open pacifier box in dismay. She was supposed to be reducing his soother use and now she just had an extra one. Not today,' she thought. I'll try and talk to him about it tomorrow.
The lady came back and Jasper saw that the soother was wet; apparently she had quickly gone somewhere to wash and rinse it.
The lady walked around the counter, pulled Jasper's thumb out of his mouth and replaced it with the dummy. She then tied the ribbon to his pyjamas and patted him on the head.
Kathy placed the key on the counter and took her bank card from her purse.
"Non, non," the lady said, shaking her head. "Gift, gift," she said as she pushed Kathy's bank card away from the terminal.
"Jasper, it's a gift, will you thank the lady?" Kathy asked.
"Thank you," Jasper mumbled, his pacifyer in his mouth. He nodded, too, trying to be a little clearer.
The lady began to clatter in French again, then tossed the wrapping away and put the key for the shower room away.
Kathy picked up Jasper, smiled at the lady and said "thank you" before turning away to join the rest of the family.
Jasper looked over Kathy's shoulder at the lady as he wrapped his two hands around her neck.
The lady waved her fingers and then blew Jasper a kiss. Jasper gestured for him to catch the kiss in the air and place it on his cheek. Then he waved back gratefully until the door closed.
Koen and Heleen had already loaded all their belongings into the car, Dries was already in his seat, Koen was also waiting behind the wheel, but Heleen was waiting outside the car. In order to let Jasper in, she would have to get out. Kathy carried Jasper until he could get into the car. She left it to Heleen to buckle Jasper into his seat harness. Once the family was settled, Koen started the car and they drove off to the restaurant where they had arranged to meet David later that day.
Having left the museum early, they arrived at the restaurant much too early. The restaurant was very understanding; the kitchen was not yet open, but while they waited, Koen and Kathy could have a drink at the bar.
Heleen, Dries and Jasper also chose something to drink. Everyone looked surprised when a glass was set down for Heleen and Dries, but nothing for Jasper. His drink was put into a plastic cup. This cup was placed in front of Kathy, who was sitting next to Jasper. Another lid with a spout was placed next to the cup and then the waiter left.
Kathy completely ignored the lid and handed the cup to Jasper. Have a drink,' she said.
Dries was curious about the lid and reached over to study it better. He was curious and tried to put it on his own glass to study how it worked.
The waiter at the bar saw Dries fiddling with the lid. He immediately grabbed another plastic cup. He poured Dries' drink into it and put the lid on correctly. With a polite smile, he helpfully handed the cup back. Dries was stunned for a moment and didn't know how to react. Koen and Kathy had a good laugh about it.
"Well, you'll have to make do with that cup for the time being." Koen chuckled.
Dries looked at it a bit confused. "It wasn't mended, I just wanted to have a look."
"And now you can really see it, test it and experience it for yourself." Kathy said. “But the cup is not important, it's more about what's in it. Isn't it?" Kathy asked.
Dries nodded yes and carefully took a sip from the cup. It took some getting used to, as it was harder to estimate how much liquid he was pouring into his mouth, but it worked.
Heleen installed herself next to her parents at the bar with her mobile phone, while Jasper and Dries went to a play corner to amuse themselves until they could sit down at the table.
Half an hour later David had arrived and they could sit at the table. David, Kathy, Koen and Heleen went to the table with a waiter, while Dries and Jasper continued to play in the play corner. The waiter had noticed Jasper's height before. When they all sat down, the waiter took one of the remaining chairs away and replaced it with a trip trap.
"Heleen, would you like to fetch Jasper and Dries? Then they can have their choice of food and they have an idea of where we are," Koen asked.
"I will." Heleen replied and got up to get the boys, leaving her mobile phone on the table where she was sitting.
Heleen took both children with her. When Dries saw where his parents were, he walked towards them; Jasper walked calmly, holding Heleen's hand. Arriving at the table, Dries scanned the empty seats. He saw Heleen's mobile phone and knew that seat was occupied, so he crawled onto the other normal chair. When Jasper and Heleen arrived at the table, Heleen pulled back the trip-trap and invited Jasper to sit on it. Jasper climbed on independently, but before Heleen pushed the chair forward, she clicked a harness around Jasper. He watched in amazement at what was happening.
"Why are you tying me up now?" he asked in surprise.
"I saw this hanging and I wanted to know how it worked," Heleen said.
She pushed Jasper's seat nicely forward towards the table and sat down herself.
Jasper was a little unhappy about being tied down. He took the new pacifier hanging on the string and put it in his mouth, where he began to suck furiously. It never occurred to him that he could just loosen the straps and open it himself.
The waiter handed out the menus and everyone dug into them to choose the best for themselves. When everyone had chosen, the waiter was called back and the order was taken.
Heleen took out her mobile phone once more and, after a moment's thought, started to play a game. Jasper and Dries leaned as close as they could to Heleen to follow along. When Heleen noticed that it was not easy for Jasper with the harness attached to the chair, she moved as close as possible to Jasper, and Dries followed, sitting next to Heleen on her chair with one buttock. Fascinated, both children followed until the food arrived.
Heleen had to put her phone away from Koen when the food arrived. Disappointed, Jasper and Dries sat back in their seats; they had loved watching the game so much.
Jasper was given smaller cutlery than the rest of the family. As he took a closer look at the knife, he also noticed that it did not have a cutting edge. It wasn't sharp at all. The plate before him was also plastic, not porcelain like the others. Jasper sat looking at the whole thing with a furrowed brow. He didn't like being treated differently and like a little child when he was the same age as Dries. He knew there was no point in complaining about it, but it felt very bad. Because he couldn't cut with his knife, he even had to ask Heleen for help, who was happy to do it for him. Sulking, he began to eat; at least it tasted good. However, his attention was soon drawn to David, who explained more about the disaster drill they were about to take part in.
"And I managed to get Heleen to be my assistant the whole time. She is going to have to write down everything that I say, and her notes are going to help me write the report after the exercise. Besides that, she will also have to take pictures of some of the things that happen. Dries, Kathy and Koen are going to have to play the roles of a family with minor injuries,' David continues. Dries thought it was a bit exciting, he was happy to be able to take part in this exercise together with his parents.
"Jasper," David said as he turned to him. "You fancy doing something special?"
"What exactly do you mean?" asked Jasper curiously.
"We want you to pretend that you are as small as you can be and that you are a child who has been seriously injured. We want to check that the people who are taking part in the exercise are capable of looking after children and, more importantly, that they have the right equipment and procedures in place."
"But I don't know how to do that," Jasper said worriedly.
"It won't be difficult, Jasper. All you have to do is keep your eyes closed all the time and when they come to your stomach, groan in pain. The hard work is for those who have to take care of you."
"Is that really the only thing I have to do?"
"Yes, probably I or someone else will stay with you and tell the exercise participants what they need to know. But your role is very important, we want to know how well they can adapt to dealing with seriously injured children. You'll be the only child we use for this task.
Jasper swelled with pride, he had a crucial role in the exercise, that was nice to hear. He wanted to participate even more than before and do his best.
After dinner they went back to the cottage. The meal had taken so long that it was time for Jasper and Dries to go to bed. Jasper did not have to change his clothes any more. He simply was provided with a clean nappy. Kathy got a new pair of pyjamas and a bodysuit to put in the spare clothes bag in the car.
Dries was also given a clean nappy and onesie with a front zip, and then the children had to brush their teeth.
First Dries was tucked into the cot, then Jasper was put in the sleeping bag on the big bed.
"Is it still really necessary for me to be tied up?" Jasper asked as Kathy put the locks in place.
.
"I think so, we don't want you to fall out of bed. You sleep well like this, don't you?"
"Yes, but I'm afraid one day we're going to lose the key entirely, and then I'm going to be completely stuck in here," Jasper said.
"I'll hang the key on the hook on the wardrobe next to the door for you tonight. There's nothing else hanging there and then the key can't roll away. Is that good?"
Jasper's main concern was that he didn't want to lose the key, not realising that if the key was out of reach he'd be locked in for the whole night.
"Yeah, that's fine."
Kathy gave Jasper another good night kiss, got another kiss in return and finally put the new pacifier in Jasper's mouth. She put the other pacifier down with the dishes so it could be cleaned thoroughly.
"Sleep well, Jasper and Dries," she said after turning off the light and before closing the door.
"Sleep well," Dries and Jasper said.
Do you can't wait to read the next chapter? you're welcome to read it after a (free) registration on the scriptorium webpage. (Under writing => work in progress)
Comments on the story are always welcome
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Author: Toet
Timestamp: Jun 1, 2024 at 10:52 PM
Content: Chapter thirty-two
The door closed and soon Dries was asleep. Jasper's thoughts were of the day before, when he had spent a long time walking around in his onesie.
On the one hand, he felt much too big to be in a onesie all the time, but on the other hand, he had received a lot of positive attention: many loving looks from passers-by, the waiter who had been extra nice to him, and the new pacifier he had been given. He also liked the way it fit. The nappy was sometimes very convenient to use and it was also comfortable. Also, the bodysuit completely enveloped him and it felt like he was being hugged all the time. The extra care and attention from Koen, Kathy and Heleen made him feel safer and more carefree.
All in all, the positive experiences outweighed the negative ones. Jasper decided to just enjoy it for the next few days when the opportunity presented itself.
It had been a quiet night with no interruptions. Jasper could hardly remember waking up to pee, he had slept so well. Kathy came into the room to wake Jasper and Dries. First she opened the curtains, then she gently shook Jasper's shoulder to wake him up and then she went to Dries to open the door to the bed to wake him up as well. By now Jasper was awake and ready for the day. "Good morning," he said as he stretched and looked at Kathy.
"Good morning Jasper and Dries," she replied. Kathy took the key from the fixation set, walked over to Jasper and released him. "Come to Heleen's room first, then we'll take the nappies off."
Jasper and Dries had their wet nappies removed and they all ate, still in their nightclothes.
Jasper squirmed in his chair. It was the first time in a few days that he hadn't had a nappy on. After he ate and got dressed, he would get a nappy again, Koen had told him, but for now his bottom could have some rest.
There were no big activities planned for today, and the children decided to explore the holiday resort first. Dries went to get himself dressed, Jasper was helped by Heleen with a clean nappy, a normal t-shirt and normal trousers.
Heleen promised her mother that she would stay with Jasper and Dries, so Kathy could call Heleen when it was time for lunch.
The children first went to a large field where the entertainment team seemed to be starting a game. There was just a large group of children gathered around a few adults. Curious, Heleen, Jasper and Dries went closer to see what was going on. It looked like they were playing a life-size game of Stratego. The resort staff showed all the cards and explained the rules of the game. But it was impossible to understand what they were saying because of the language.
"I think you get a card, tap someone from another team and then compare the cards," Heleen said.
Jasper and Dries nodded, they had already played a living stratego elsewhere.
Apparently the resort staff had finished their explanation, because suddenly three quarters of the children raised their hands and went to a supervisor who was waving.
The remaining children looked back and forth in surprise.
"English?" shouted one of the remaining staff. Immediately, many of the remaining children turned and moved towards him.
"German?" asked a third, to which almost all the remaining children nodded in agreement. Besides Heleen, Dries and Jasper, there were four other children in the middle. Finally, an supervisor approached them, mentally preparing to explain the game using only gestures.
She motioned for the children to sit around her. She then took some Playmobil dolls out of a bag and divided them into four different teams, after which she explained the game, using the little dolls to show it step by step as best she could, using gestures and examples.
All the children were divided into four different groups; Jasper, Dries and Heleen made sure they stayed together. The children were each given a small dot of paint on their nose to indicate which team they were in. Together with the other children in their group, they went into the woods to look for a camp where the supervisor could hide during the game with the flags and cards.
Cards were handed out, each with a different role, and when a whistle was heard in the distance, the children ran in all directions, looking for opponents to catch and the flags of the opponents' team to capture.
The children enjoyed the game and although the language made it difficult for them to communicate with the other children, it was still nice to interact with them. Jasper, Dries and Heleen ran back and forth trying to get as many cards as possible, doing their best to capture the other team's flags and defend their own. Just like yesterday, Jasper didn't really think about when he needed to pee. As soon as he felt the urge, he just relaxed and let his pee flow. He did notice towards the end of the game that his crotch was starting to feel uncomfortable, a mixture of itching and burning. But every time his mind turned to the uncomfortable sensation, someone from another team would come running towards him and he would have to run away from them, diverting his full attention.
When the final whistle blew, they returned to their home, sweaty, tired but satisfied. They hadn't won with their team, but it had been fun.
As they walked, Jasper's nappy area started to bother him more and more. His groin hurt and itched more and more. After Dries had told his parents about the Stratego game, that was the first thing he said to Dries' parents.
"Let's have a quick look, Jasper," Kathy said as she took him into Heleen's room to change. She lifted him onto the table, pulled his trousers down to his ankles and opened the nappy. "'Well, it looks a bit irritated down here. All that walking back and forth in a wet nappy will not have done you any good." She removed the wet nappy completely and used some wipes to clean Jasper's private area. Jasper winced as the wipes touched his bottom, it stung and burned badly for a moment. When she was finished, Kathy took a fresh nappy and put it on Jasper.
"We should put some ointment on it now, but we don't have any. I'll send Koen to the campsite shop to see if they have any. As soon as he comes back, we will put the ointment on right away.
Kathy quickly explained to Koen what was going on and he went off to find some ointment. Jasper unconsciously spread his legs a little to prevent the nappy from rubbing too much. Heleen and Dries had to set the table for lunch, and as soon as Koen was back and Jasper had been helped, they went to eat.
Koen returned with a tube of ointment. He was pleased that he had found the right one easily, they had the same one they sometimes bought at home. Jasper was quickly called to the changing table and the ointment was quickly applied. The ointment brought immediate relief and Jasper relaxed under the care he was receiving.
"Thank you, that feels much better," he said after Koen had closed the nappy and pulled up his trousers. Jasper put his bottom down again, Koen closed the trouser button and took Jasper under his armpits to standhim on the floor.
"Don't mention it. Are you coming to the table to eat?"
Jasper joined him and enjoyed the meal with the others.
After lunch, the swimming gear was collected and the family and Jasper headed for the resort's outdoor pool.
The family went into a family changing room together, except for Heleen, who went into a separate cubicle to change. Kathy started dressing first, while Koen helped Jasper and Dries. He untied shoelaces, after which Jasper and Dries took their shoes off themselves, he opened zips and buttons, took clothes and folded them neatly. In fact, as he was busy getting the kids ready for the pool.
Kathy had changed completely by now and took over from Koen. While he was changing, Kathy helped Jasper out of his wet nappy and handed him and Dries their swimming trunks. At the bottom of Jasper's bag she saw a life jacket, which she took out and put on the bench.
"Jasper, can you swim?" Kathy asked.
Jasper shrugged. "A little," he mumbled.
"What exactly do you mean by 'a little'?" asked Koen.
"Just that I can swim, but I can't manage to stay above water all the time." Jasper knew where this was going, but he didn't feel like putting on a life jacket. At home he sometimes got a nasty remark from other children when he wore it.
Koen looked at Jasper in silence, frowning.
"I know all the movements and that's what I do," Jasper muttered.
Kathy saw Jasper struggling. She decided to try a different approach.
"Jasper, I noticed this life jacket at the bottom of your bag. Do you wear it when you go swimming with your mothers?"
"Not all the time," Jasper said. "Not when I have swimming lessons, but always when I play in the water before or after," he answered honestly. He knew that if he lied it would come out anyway.
"Then we'll put these on now, you won't have any swimming lessons today, but you can play all the time.” Kathy said. Jasper shrugged with a sigh. He had learned long ago that there was no compromise when it came to safety.
Koen picked up the life jacket and held it up so that Jasper could put his arms inside. Koen then closed the zip at the front, fastened the buckles at the front and took the Y-shaped strap that hung down his back. He passed it between Jasper's legs and fastened the two ends at the front with the buckles in the designated places. Koen then tightened all the straps so that the lifejacket was securely fastened.
Heleen was waiting in the corridor leading to the pool. In one hand she held her shoes, in the other a bag with her clothes and a towel, and she was wearing a swimsuit.
They put all their things together in two lockers. Kathy had another bag with a large towel for everyone and a book for Koen and herself. First they looked for a place to sit, which meant walking halfway across the pool. Dries had a hard time because he saw so many fun things - different slides, a wild river and a playground with a waterfall and different nozzles where water came out.
Jasper looked around too, but he was more aware of the life jacket he was wearing. He tried to see if anyone els had noticed the life jacket, but no one really looked at him. Jasper himself saw many other children with various aids such as floaties, buoyancy aids and a number of others wearing some form of lifejacket.
In the end, only one adult had signalled to Jasper that they saw he was wearing a lifejacket: a life guard had given Jasper the thumbs up as they passed him.
When they finally found a few empty seats, Dries' mum and dad turned to the children.
"We will settle down here. Come back from time to time and tell me where you are and what you're doing so we know where to look for you later. Have fun."
Even before they had finished talking, Dries and Jasper were sprinting towards the biggest slide there was.
"And don't run!" Koen called after them.
Jasper and Dries slowed down until they were barely running, but they were still going super fast. Heleen giggled for a moment and then followed them to go down the slide. She joined Jasper and Dries on the stairs where they were standing in the queue.
The children were busy all afternoon. They enjoyed the many slides, water fountains, playground equipment and normal swimming pools. They explored everything and then did many things over and over again. After hours of playing, they finally had enough. Not because it wasn't fun any more, but because they were getting cold, hungry and exhausted from the effort.
Koen and Kathy called the children together and when they were all there, the family went to the changing rooms. Jasper was first rubbed with ointment while standing, then given a nappy by Kathy. It was not easy to put the nappy on standing up, Jasper had to help hold it on, because there was nowhere for Jasper to lie down. The floor was too dirty and the bench to narrow to lay down. Dries dressed himself without help. As Jasper held the front of the nappy, Kathy reached around Jasper to grab the tapes and fasten them to the front.
Outside by the pool, the children had to wait a while. Heleen had some tangles in her hair and Kathy helped her brush them out. While Jasper and Dries waited, they looked at an information sign. Koen had joined in and tried to translate it as best he could using the Deepl.com site.
"The day after tomorrow, the entertainment team is having a costume contest. A kind of competition where you have to dress up and act in character," said Koen, his eyes darting between the poster and the screen of his mobile phone.
"Costumes and roles will be provided by the animation team," he continued.
"Can we join in, Dad?" Dries asked.
"It’s the day after tomorrow, I can't promise anything yet. But if we’re free you can do it."
Dries was satisfied with the answer. It wasn't a guarantee, but his dad was never one to make promises. With this answer Dries knew that they would do it if they could.
"I'm in," said Heleen, who had heard what had been said.
The family returned to their cottage where they ate sandwiches together. After dinner, Koen and Kathy met David at the bar. But Jasper and Dries preferred not to go; they could play whatever they wanted in the cottage, which was not possible in the bar.
Kathy had a quick chat with Heleen, after which Heleen proudly spoke to Jasper and Dries and announced that she could be their babysitter for the evening. She regretted not being allowed to go to David's, but was proud of the responsibility of looking after Jasper and Dries.
Jasper and Dries were glad they didn't have to go.
Heleen beamed with pride. She thought it was fantastic that her mother had given her this responsibility. Jasper and Dries listened obediently to Kathy, who instructed them to listen carefully to Heleen, not to question her orders, and if she later heard from Heleen that they had not been good, there would be consequences.
"Okay, I understand." Jasper and Dries mumbled as Kathy finished.
Koen and Kathy prepared to spend the evening with David. Just before Koen closed the door, he turned to Jasper and Dries one last time. With a raised finger and a very serious face, he addressed Jasper and Dries one last time. "Make sure I don't hear any complaints from Heleen."
Just as the door closed, Heleen turned to the two boys with a smile. "What would you like to do, what do you fancy?" Dries shrugged. Jasper looked back and forth between Dries and Heleen.
"A board game? I brought one from home." Jasper suggested.
"Yes, that sounds nice," said Heleen. "Let's make room at the table so we can play it there."
Jasper went to get the board game from his travel bag, while Dries and Heleen cleared the table. As Jasper walked back and forth for the game, he saw the dummy from the museum. He fastened the clip on his clothes and put the dummy in his mouth.
It was a game everyone knew, so no explanation was needed. Everyone chose a colour and soon everything was ready for the game.
When it was time for the children to go to bed, the game wasn't really over. It was coming to an end; it was clear that Jasper was losing, but whether Dries or Heleen would be the winner was not yet certain.
Heleen looked questioningly at the clock. On one hand, Koen and Kathy had been very clear about when the children had to go to bed, but on the other hand, in similar situations at home they said that they could still finish the game.
After some hesitation, Heleen opted for a compromise, promising Jasper and Dries that they could finish the game if they cooperated and changed into their pyjamas quickly.
This promise was enough to motivate the children, and not long after, they were undressed. Heleen helped Dries with a clean nappy first and then changed Jasper. Heleen did her best to do it right and concentrated on her task. Dries was happy that it was comfortable.
It was different with Jasper. Heleen had never had to apply ointment during a nappy change, so it took extra time with Jasper. Heleen went over everything at least three times with the ointment and checked her work carefully to make sure that she had applied ointment where it was needed.
Both Jasper and Dries enjoyed the sisterly love they received from Heleen.
In the end it was Heleen who narrowly won the game. Together with Jasper and Dries she tidied up, put the boys to bed, read them a story and said good night. She let Jasper crawl into his sleeping bag and closed the zip on his back, then closed the door to the cot where Jasper lay and turned off the light. "Sleep well," she said one last time as she closed the door.
Jasper found it hard to fall asleep. He was thinking a lot about the disaster drill tomorrow.
When Kathy and Koen came home later that evening, Heleen was already asleep in bed. The parents quietly crept into both rooms to see how the children were sleeping. Reassured that all was well, they quickly crawled into bed themselves.
Do you can't wait to read the next chapter? you're welcome to read it after a (free) registration on the scriptorium webpage. (Under writing => work in progress)
Comments on the story are always welcome
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Author: Toet
Timestamp: Jun 26, 2024 at 12:07 AM
Content: Chapter thirty-three
Jasper found it hard to fall asleep. He was thinking a lot about the disaster drill tomorrow.
An alarm clock rang from Kathy and Koen's room, followed by the soft sounds of people getting out of bed. This woke Jasper immediately. He was full of excitement for the day ahead. He had butterflies in his stomach at the thought of taking part in the disaster drill, and he was proud that David had given him a key role.
He thought it was fantastic that with his help they could test how well they were prepared for children in a disaster scenario. He felt important and indispensable.
When Koen entered the room to wake the children, he saw that Jasper no longer needed to be woken.
"Good morning, Jasper and Dries," he said cheerfully.
"Good morning!" Jasper replied happily. He was standing up straight in his bed, sleeping bag still on, soother in his mouth and both hands holding the edge of the bed for support. His eyes were sparkling.
"...morning..." it sounded from Dries' bed; he wasn't quite awake yet. Dries had been curious about the disaster drill and how it was going to turn out, but he had not been as enthusiastic about it as Jasper had been.
Koen opened the curtains first, then went to Jasper, opened the sleeping bag and opened the doors of the cot. Finally he went over to Dries to make sure he was out of bed too.
"It's way too early," he complained when he finally got both feet on the floor.
"I know it's early, Dries, but we have to be there on time."
Kathy had woken Heleen by now and she had changed in the bathroom. Koen took the two boys into Heleen's room to take off their nappies and quickly freshen up with some wipes.
"I can't see any rash anymore," Koen said to Jasper, "the ointment has done its job."
Kathy had laid out the clothes the night before and Koen handed the bundles to the boys so they could dress themselves.
"Underpants for me?" Jasper asked, pulling them up over his bottom.
"Yes. There's the chance that other people might see you in your underwear, so underpants and no nappies."
"OK, I understand," Jasper said. "Thanks."
Jasper put on his T-shirt and trousers as he said this. He thought about it himself; he wouldn't have minded wearing a nappy. There was only a small chance that anyone would notice, he thought to himself.
After they were dressed, they all sat down at the table. Before Heleen joined them, she moved around nervously. She had a backpack in which she collected all the things she thought she would need during the day. She had a notepad on which to write everything down, a pen, a spare pen and a spare for the spare pen. In addition, she had put her mobile phone and a power bank in her backpack; after all, she needed to take photos as well as notes.
Jasper and Dries sat more quietly at the table with a bowl of cereal in front of them. During the meal, the boys tried to relieve the tension they both felt by making jokes and playing with each other. Jasper had almost finished eating; there was only some milk left in his cereal bowl, and he put the bowl to his lips to drink the excess milk, when Dries made a funny face at Jasper. Jasper spat it out in a fit of laughter, which resulted in a dirty milk stain on his T-shirt.
"Oh no, Jasper," Kathy said. "Come and get a fresh T-shirt," she said, putting down her knife and preparing to stand up.
"I will." said Koen, putting a loving hand on Kathy's arm to stop her. "I've already eaten and we're about to leave."
Koen followed Jasper with a smile; they had been busy, Jasper and Dries. When they reached Heleen's room, he picked Jasper up and put him on the changing table. Jasper was still giggling because of the funny faces Dries had made.
"Jasper, we're going to change your T-shirt, look at me," Koen said.
The moment Jasper looked up and looked at Koen, Koen made such an ugly face that Jasper started to laugh. Koen quickly changed to a few other funny faces and some associated noises. Jasper, meanwhile, was doubled up with laughter until he suddenly sat still in horror and looked down at his trousers where a dark, wet spot was growing.
"Oh no," it sounded pitiful from his mouth.
"Oh Jasper, it's OK. I'm sorry, this wasn't meant to happen. I just wanted to have some more fun."
Kathy entered the room, alarmed by the sudden cessation of laughter and the silence that followed.
"Oh, don't worry Jasper, this could happen to anyone," she said, correctly assessing the situation. "I'll get you something clean."
She paused outside the wardrobe to look at Jasper's clothes. He only had one pair of clean underpants left.
"Jasper, we only have one pair of underpants left for you, do you want to wear them now or do we save them for when we might need them some other time?" Kathy asked.
Jasper hesitated a little. The nappy was just under his clothes anyway and hardly anyone had noticed it so far, so it would probably be the same now. On the other hand... Jasper thought hard about where his doubts were coming from, but he couldn't immediately think of an argument why he shouldn't wear a nappy. The argument that he was already big and didn't need one was no longer a reason not to wear one.
"A nappy is good." Jasper said after giving it some more thought. Kathy was getting a little impatient and sprang into action. She took a nappy out of the box and handed it to Koen.
"Heleen," Kathy called, "are you coming with your backpack?" While Heleen agreed and was on her way, Kathy took a couple of extra fresh nappies from the pack, grabbed a pack of wet wipes and handed them to Heleen. "Will you keep this for Jasper? If he needs a nappy change today, you may be closer than I am, but I'll make sure to have some as well.
“Jasper, I'll give you a bodysuit today so that none of your nappies stick out above your waistband," she said to Jasper after she had given Koen a bodysuit and clean trousers.
Koen continued to work while Kathy went back to the kitchen to put the changing supplies in her own backpack.
"If they see your nappy, you can always say you did it on purpose to look as young as possible," Heleen said.
"A good idea," Koen said. "Well thought out."
Without Kathy or Koen noticing, Jasper quickly put his dummy in his trousers; he felt that it sometimes helped to relieve tension and wanted to take it with him.
The children all went to the car. On the way, Jasper had to pull up his trousers a couple of times because they were a bit too big around the waist. In the car, Heleen secured Jasper and made sure the harnass was tight, and Koen started the car. At the reception the family stopped for a moment, Kathy wanted to ask about the launderette again. She thought it would be nicer for Jasper if he could wear normal underwear again.
With a sigh, Kathy got back into the car. "They haven't fixed it yet. The plumber's already been over and ordered the parts. He'll be back in three days and the launderette could be up and running that evening."
"We go home the next day, so that's too late," Koen replied doubtfully. "Does Jasper have enough clothes to make it that long?"
"I'll check again tonight." Kathy said. "I don't know off the top of my head."
Kathy checked the address and turned on the GPS as Koen started the car. "We'll be there just in time," he murmured, looking at the estimated time of arrival.
"It shouldn't be a problem, just drive carefully." Kathy said as she calmly put her hand on Koen's leg.
As they drove, however, the estimated time of arrival increased: there was a traffic jam on the way. In the end, they arrived at the area where they needed to be twenty minutes late. It was a small, unused airfield that had been turned into a disaster site for the occasion. As soon as they got out of the car, David approached them. "Come on, we're waiting for Jasper to do his make-up and get him ready."
"Face painting? I don't want that," Jasper said indignantly. "I don't want to get lipstick and stuff."
David took Jasper on his arm, took a firm step towards some of the tents and replied calmly. "I don't mean that kind of make-up. They'll use stage make up to give you a big wound so the doctors know what you have and how to help you."
"They're not really going to do anything, are they?" Jasper asked, stiffening in David's hands. He remembered from a while ago, when his arm was broken, that they had put in an IV, and that was a less pleasant memory.
"Some things are, some things aren't," Koen said. "The agreement with the doctors and the others is that they can do anything as long as it doesn't hurt. They might put a bandage on, put some stickers on, but they won't prick you or anything like that. They might have a needle in their hand, but they will only pretend to put it in, never actually do it. Is that good for you?"
Jasper calmed down and the tension eased a little. "Yes, then I think it's good."
"And if you really want them to stop, you can always shout 'stop' or 'pause' and then no one will do anything more."
Koen had taken Dries on his arm and together with Kathy he followed David, Jasper and Heleen; they had to work hard to keep up with David.
They walked towards two large tents that were crowded with people. David turned to Koen and set Jasper down.
"Jasper and Heleen, wait here for a moment, I'll show the others where to go."
Koen, Kathy and Dries looked at David expectantly. "You can go to the second tent and say that you..." David took a sheet from his pocket and looked at the list, "that your car is seven." They looked astonished, but asked no questions; they could see that David was actually quite nervous.
"That's fine, car seven." Kathy replied. "Sorry we were late, there was a traffic jam."
"Yes, I know. Several other people were in it, and not everyone has arrived yet, but we have to be ready for the exercise on time, so we all have to work hard to make up some time."
David entered the first tent with Heleen and Jasper. Jasper had to pull his trousers up a couple of times as he walked in; they were really too big. Inside the tent there were a couple of tables around which people were sitting in pairs with suitcases full of material. When they approached an empty chair, a man there looked at them expectantly.
"Sit in that chair, Jasper." David took another sheet of paper from his pocket and handed it to the man, who began to read it.
Meanwhile, Heleen looked around the tables to see who else was sitting there. She saw that the material on the various tables was all stage makeup. The people were all painted with various injuries. She saw someone with large cuts on his face, another with a broken leg, a third with a broken arm, and someone else was even painting a piece of metal on his chest.
"Cool," said Heleen, who glanced around with wide eyes.
Jasper also had a look around at Heleen's reaction.
"Are those real wounds?" Jasper asked in a small voice from behind his thumb, just to be sure. He had put his thumb in his mouth because of the tension.
"No," David said, "but they can simulate them really well, can't they?" he said proudly of the makeup team.
Jasper leaned over to the person sitting next to him and held a finger to the wound on the lady's face. He stopped a few centimetres/ an inch away from it. The lady and the make-up man looked at him calmly and said something he didn't understand.
"You can feel, they say, Jasper," David translated.
Jasper immediately took up the invitation and felt carefully over the wound. He inspected it with surprise: it looked really cool. Heleen couldn't resist it either and had to feel it as well.
"That looks great for a Halloween party," she said.
David had to laugh at that comment. "Indeed," he sniffed.
David sensed that Jasper was a little tense, so he took his time to put Jasper at ease. To rush things now would only backfire. David dropped to his knees so that he was at Jasper's eye level. David pointed to Jasper's stomach. "We'd like to draw a big bruise there, is that OK?"
"But I don't want an ordinary bruise, I want a real wound," Jasper said. "The other ones look a lot cooler than an ordinary bruise."
David smiled to himself. Jasper didn't understand that a large internal bleed could be much more life threatening than a minor cut, but he really needed Jasper's cooperation.
"What if we do both? A big bruise on your stomach and a cut on your arm. Is that good?"
Jasper thought for a moment. "OK, that's good," he said.
David spoke briefly in French to the man who was ready to do the make-up. He nodded briefly, exchanged the items in his hand for something else and began to make a cut on Jasper's arm. Jasper and Heleen watched in fascination as the cut was built up layer by layer and colour by colour. David, meanwhile, walked around the tent talking to different people, taking notes and looking at papers.
When the man finished the cut, David sat down again. He held a box of clothes in his hand.
"Jasper, I have some old clothes for you to wear. I know they already have holes in them and they're worn out, but that's OK. The doctors will be cutting up the clothes you wear during the exercise so that it is more realistic and so that they can better examine you, so it is more convenient if you put on these old worn out clothes instead of your own. At the end of the exercise you can put your own clothes back on. I've brought you a few different sets, I don't know which ones will fit you.
Heleen took the clothes and spread them out for a closer look. There were several t-shirts and trousers, onesies, bodysuits, overalls, but also some skirts and dresses. David saw Heleen looking at them in surprise.
"It's just a mixture of all kinds of children's clothes. We really don't expect Jasper to put on a skirt or a dress right now."
Jasper blushed at the thought of wearing such a thing.
"No underwear?" Heleen asked in surprise after going through the whole box. She had set aside a pullover, a bodysuit and dungarees for Jasper; the rest she put back.
"No, that's right." Jasper can just keep his own underwear on, it adds no value to the exercise to cut off his underwear and have him completely naked, he can keep that on. Jasper, will you take off your t-shirt so we can do the painting on your belly also? David finally asked.
Jasper immediately grabbed his bodysuit and started to pull it up. Only then did he realise that he wasn't wearing normal underwear. He immediately turned red and stopped pulling.
The man with the make-up was getting impatient. The moment Jasper stopped pulling, he took over. Looking for the bottom of the T-shirt, he pulled down the trousers and looked surprised when he spotted the buttons of the romper. He immediately started chatting to David, who also looked up.
"Jasper, do you need a nappy during the day too? I didn't know that." David asked.
"No, he doesn't. But he had put it on especially for today because you said Jasper should look as young as possible." Heleen expressed the idea she had had earlier.
David was impressed. "It is cool that you dare to do this. Thank you for thinking of that." David quickly explained to the make-up artist and he seemed impressed too. He gave Jasper a thumbs up, then took off all his clothes and started working on the big bruise over Jasper's liver while he was sitting in the chair in just a nappy.
David handed Jasper's clothes to Heleen. "Would you like to keep them in your backpack for Jasper?" Heleen took them and folded the bodysuit and trousers neatly. As she was folding and smoothing the trousers, she felt something in Jasper's pocket. She reached in with her hand and took out the dummy. Without thinking, she took Jasper's thumb out of his mouth and replaced it with the pacifier.
The makeup artist looked at him endearingly and gave Jasper an extra pat on the head before continuing.
Meanwhile, David approached Heleen with some other things. "Here is my camera, with which you can take pictures today, and also a clipboard with paper and a pen for notes."
"So I was getting all nervous this morning for nothing." Heleen thought to herself.
Heleen looked at the sheet; there was a small column on the left that said "Time" at the top, the rest of the box had space to write "Comments".
David demonstrated how the camera worked by taking a first shot of Jasper. The make-up artist had just made Jasper paler and given him a sweaty face to make him look like he was in shock. When the make-up artist was finished, Heleen helped Jasper into the clothes she had laid out.
The bodysuit was actually a size too small, but with a little tugging she managed to close the buttons at the bottom.
The dungarees were just like the ones they had bought at the market. Heleen had also seen that there were fasteners on the buckles and closed them with a small plate. "Let's make it really hard for the doctors," she said to Jasper with a mischievous smile. Jasper smiled back, thinking it was a good idea too. She pulled another jumper over the overalls and bodysuit.
The face painter finished the whole thing by cutting the jumper at the height of the cut and dripping some fake blood on the jumper to make it look real. Heleen also attached the ribbon from the dummy to the jumper.
"Here is a fluorescent band, you can put it on your arm; this will make it clear to everyone that you are one of the exercise supervisors and not a patient or care provider," David said to Heleen. Heleen looked at David and saw that he also had a band around his arm.
Meanwhile, Koen, Kathy and Dries went to the second tent.
When they got there, a lady sat at a table and looked at them expectantly. She asked a question in an incomprehensible sentence.
Kathy shrugged her shoulders and gestured to her ear. She had heard her say something in French, but the woman had been speaking much too fast for her to understand. "Sorry, I didn't understand." Now the woman at the table looked as if she hadn't understood. "I can't understand you." Kathy replied again. Suddenly the woman laughed kindly, raised a finger and started rummaging through her papers. She took out an envelope from the pile with 'Car 7, Koen, Kathy and Dries' written in large letters and handed it to Kathy. She then motioned for the people behind Kathy to come closer and asked them a question.
The family moved aside to make room at the table. Kathy took a sheet of paper from the envelope and read out what was written on it.
Thank you in advance for your cooperation. In this exercise, there has been a pile-up on the motorway. You're in car number seven. You managed to stop in time, but another car hit you from behind.
The driver of your car has chest pains from contact with the steering wheel, the front passenger has neck pains and the back passenger has difficulty standing due to foot pain. He should limp throughout the exercise whenever he needs to move.
You are not allowed to answer in any language other than Dutch.
"That's not difficult." Kathy interjected. "We don't understand it anyway."
But you cooperate when they work with pictograms, translation programmes, sign language and the like.
You will be co-operative, but every time you get the chance, you should make your complaints known as much as you can.
The exercise will be over for you when they have checked you into the hospital or when the exercise has been completed in its entirety.
If something happens during the exercise that you do not like, you can always ask for a "break" or "pause", or if you want to stop the exercise for any reason, you can indicate this by saying "endex".
In addition to the sheet explaining what they had to do, there was also the same explanation, but in French, to show to the emergency services if necessary, and a bundle of all sorts of permission forms, such as whether photos could be taken and other things. Koen filled them out for all five of them (there was a separate sheet for each) and then handed them to the lady who had given them the envelope.
The simulated patients were then taken to the disaster site in small groups. On one part of the runway there were several old broken down cars stacked up against each other. Around these cars were all sorts of people walking around with fluorescent bands around their arms, directing people to the correct cars.
Jasper walked hand in hand between David and Heleen towards the cars where the exercise was about to begin.
"Jasper," David began, "what you have to do later is close your eyes as much as possible and pretend to be asleep. And if you really are asleep it's not even a big deal." Jasper smiled at that comment, he didn't think that could happen.
On the way they met Kathy, Koen and Dries standing next to a car. "We'll have to get in that car later." Dries said to Jasper, pointing to the car they were standing next to.
"I don't know which one to sit in yet. Look at the make-up on this one," he said, pulling up the sleeve of his jumper to show off the cut. Dries and his parents looked admiringly at the wound.
"That looks really well done. If you hadn't told me, I'd be taking you to the doctor right now." Kathy said.
Jasper liked that remark. He, too, was full of excitement and was looking forward to the disaster drill.
Jasper was led forward to a car wedged between a small lorry and another car. A lifelike doll was placed on the driver's seat and Jasper climbed into a car seat behind it. Heleen helped him into the chair. It was a slightly different buckle than she was used to, but she soon found the five parts of the belt, buckled them all together and tightened the straps. David opened the window next to the doll all the way down, half of the window next to Jasper, and taped all the car doors shut.
"Heleen, can you go around and take some pictures? I would like to get a couple of shots of Jasper, but also a couple of overview shots of the whole pile-up. Be back here in ten minutes."
"Yes, that's fine, I'll start right away," Heleen said, taking the camera out of her rucksack and hanging it around her neck.
"Should I pretend to be asleep already?" Jasper asked.
"No, not yet, not until the drill has started and the first responders are with you. I'll make a cough every time you have to close your eyes, is that OK Jasper?"
"Yes, OK."
"And when they touch your tummy you can moan in pain. Shall we practise that?"
Jasper did his best, and after a few tries David said it was good.
Ten minutes later Heleen returned and was back with David.
"Heleen, we're about to start, will you have the notebook ready?" David asked.
Heleen nodded, rummaged in her rucksack and then had the papers and a pen ready. There was some chatter on the walkie-talkies, and now and then David said something too, until he suddenly turned to Heleen. "Heleen, it's now seven minutes past nine, write that down on the sheet along with 'start exercise'. The next thing to note is when you hear the sirens of the first responders, then when you see the first car, and finally when the first responder deliberately looks at Jasper."
Heleen nodded briefly and wrote down as much as she could so that she would only have to write down the times later.
"And try to take as many pictures as you can. If you have to choose between notes and photos because you don't have enough time, then choose the photos. Good?" David said.
The tension was palpable on the training ground. A few people were still pacing and chatting nervously, until everyone stood still and fell silent as they waited for the rescuers.
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Author: Toet
Timestamp: Jun 26, 2024 at 12:09 AM
Content: chapter thirty-tree, part two (because max 50000 characters in one post)
At first it was barely audible, but in the distance the faint sound of a siren could be heard. After this first siren, more sirens were added and shortly after that, the first cars began to arrive. It was a mixture of different cars. There were police cars, fire engines and ambulances. Heleen didn't know where to look first, so much was happening around her, everyone was driving and running in all directions. It seemed to Heleen to be pure chaos. Not long after, the first responders began moving between the vehicles, looking in and under everything. The first victims began to crawl out of the vehicles and those who could walk were sent to an assembly point.
A woman in a fluorescent jacket approached and David coughed slightly. Jasper looked up in surprise for a moment and a second cough helped Jasper to remember his role. He glanced briefly at David and then closed his eyes.
The woman was carrying a belt bag with some stuff in it. When she got to Jasper's car, she first looked at the doll sitting in the front seat behind the steering wheel; the window was fully open so she could easily reach it. She held the doll's head nice and straight and looked for signs of breathing and a heartbeat. David confirmed to the woman that these were indeed absent in this victim. The woman attached a black ticket to the doll and then continued on to Jasper. When she reached Jasper, she went to open the door, saw the tape over the door and understood that she was not supposed to open it. She saw that the other doors were also taped and examined Jasper as best she could through the half-open window. She spoke to him, shook his shoulders and checked his pulse and breathing. After each of her actions, David would tell her what her findings were, then the woman rummaged through her bag and stuck a red card with a 1 on it to Jasper. She then spoke loudly into her radio and moved on to the next vehicle to check for occupants.
"Heleen, the time." David whispered to Heleen.
Heleen stopped taking pictures and quickly wrote down the time when the woman arrived at Jasper's car and when she left.
Not long after the woman left, several people approached Jasper's car.
Heleen took pictures and quickly wrote down what happened next.
A doctor put a saturation meter on Jasper's finger and David told him what it should read for the scenario. Meanwhile, on the other side of the vehicle, firefighters had started to remove the back door.
David gave Jasper a quick reassurance, explaining what was happening and that he was fine.
Jasper felt warm with pride and continued to pretend to be asleep. This was not easy as he wanted to see everything that was happening. At one point, Heleen counted up to nine rescuers gathered around Jasper's car; five firefighters who were busy dismantling the car while protecting Jasper, and four paramedics, one of whom was with Jasper to keep an eye on him and the others preparing to help Jasper as soon as possible once he was out of the car.
The fire brigade continued to work smoothly and a short time later Jasper was removed from the vehicle and placed on a stretcher. Once Jasper was on the stretcher, a quick check was carried out, the stretcher was lifted and the medical team left with him to a tent they were setting up. Heleen had to do her best to keep up with the team - they were running so fast with the stretcher with Jasper on it. Jasper was bouncing up and down on the stretcher from all the movement as they ran.
They ran on until they came to a newly set-up tent with a "TRIAGE" sign over the entrance.
"Heleen, schrijf het volgende neer: patient veiligheid, slechte fixatie tijdens het transport. * " David said, panting, when everyone was in the tent. Heleen quickly scribbled it down. One of the rescuers, who was still holding the stretcher, didn't quite understand what David was saying, but he recognised the words "fixation and transport" and immediately understood what it was about. They lowered the stretcher onto a special base and before the paramedics left to fetch the next patient, he whispered to his colleagues to pay close attention to patient safety and restraint.
( * Heleen, write this down: Patient safety, poor restraint during transport)
Koen, Kathy and Dries were taken to triage together. When they were seen by a paramedic, they noticed that Jasper was also being carried in. Heleen was so focused on what was happening with and around Jasper that she didn't realise she was passing two metres from her parents. David had seen them and gave them a quick wink.
Their injuries were not considered life-threatening and Koen, Kathy and Dries were kindly but firmly ushered into a waiting area. Koen, Kathy and Dries all had a green card, but when the nurse saw that Dries could barely stand on his ankle, she took a wheelchair and put Dries in it, then changed the green card for a yellow one.
The family sat next to all the other people who also had a green card, and from there they watched the others. A nurse walked around the group, trying to get an overview of all the patients waiting. She was examining the patients' complaints and busily taking notes.
The doctor who had been assigned to Jasper turned pale. He had no idea that such young children would be among the victims. In fact, he was still in training and this was bordering on the limits of his abilities. Frozen, he stood and watched until the nurse who was standing next to him temporarily took over. She quickly gave the doctor some instructions and asked a few questions. That was enough to get the doctor moving. The nurse called in another colleague, who quickly grabbed a bag from a little further away, and then all three of them stood around the stretcher. Heleen tried her best to take some pictures, but it didn't work out very well because it was crowded.
The doctor listened to Jasper's breathing and looked into his mouth as the first nurse tried to open the bib overalls. After trying for a while and failing to open the latches, she asked David if the clothes could be cut. He confirmed that they could, so the nurse took a large pair of scissors and cut Jasper's overalls and bodysuit open with a few short slashes. Very quickly all the clothes were off. She removed the dummy from the bib trousers and placed it next to Jasper's head, throwing the rest of the clothes into a bin under the stretcher. Jasper's sandals were also removed and placed aside on the floor.
The second nurse had joined them. The large bag he had with him was filled with a lot of small bags, most of them containing medical supplies for children, each bag sorted according to the size of the child. She took a tape measure that came with the pack, laid it open next to Jasper and read it off, then quickly dug out the right bag of material from the big bag.
The first nurse pointed out the painted bruise near the liver to the doctor. The doctor, who had just regained his color, turned pale again and ran to another doctor for help. Not long after, another doctor arrived with an ultrasound machine to look at Jasper's abdomen. Meanwhile, the nurses had continued their work: Jasper had been hooked up to a full monitoring system; a cable with a light was attached to Jasper's finger to measure the oxygen in his blood, four cables with stickers were attached to his chest to track Jasper's heartbeat, a blood pressure monitor was attached to Jasper's arm and a temperature sensor was placed under his armpit. They pretended to insert an intravenous drip, then the tube was taped to Jasper's arm to make it look like it was in there, and finally an oxygen mask was put on. It wasn't long before Jasper was full of wires and tubes. A gold-coloured aluminium blanket with an ordinary blanket on top was placed over him to keep him from cooling down too much.
David was busy giving input to the team. He gave Jasper his temperature, heart rate, blood pressure and oxygen saturation. When the doctor started the ultrasound, David told the doctor that there was 'fluid' around the liver.
The fact that Jasper was lying under the blanket in nothing more than a damp piece of padding was ignored. Those who had time to see it assumed it was part of Jasper's part and loved how well he was playing it, but most were too busy to really pay attention.
While the medical staff were busy with Jasper and a number of other seriously injured simulated patients, other helpers were organising transport. An overview was made of the patients they had, how urgent they were, and what problems they were having. At the same time, information was gathered about the hospitals in the area, how much space they had and what specialities they all had.
About 45 minutes into the scenario, the first ambulance with a seriously injured patient left for a nearby hospital. From that point on, the ambulances kept coming and going, taking more and more patients.
One of the people organising the transport quickly visited the doctor who had treated Jasper.
"There will be a special paediatric ambulance, but it will come from a little further away. It will be here within twenty minutes.”
Heleen and Jasper didn't understand what the man was saying, but David was visibly shocked. He quickly started talking into his walkie-talkie, asking questions. Heleen looked at him, alarmed by the concern in David's voice.
"The ambulance and hospital they've called for Jasper are not actually taking part in the exercise. We are contacting them to make it clear that this is an exercise and not a real patient".
Heleen understood David's concern.
Jasper let it all pass. He found it exciting what was happening and found it difficult to keep his eyes closed all the time. He had noticed that his clothes were being cut off and he found it a bit difficult to lie on the stretcher in just his nappy, especially when they tried to put on a pelvic belt. But it turned out to be too big and was taken off again. Now the temperature was much better and he was comfortably warm under the isothermal blanket. He was happy that no one had reacted badly to his nappy. Strangely enough, the regular, monotonous beeping of his heartbeat on the monitor was also quite calming.
Koen, Kathy and Dries were split between two ambulances. Dries was put on a stretcher because of his 'painful' foot, and Kathy was allowed to sit on a chair next to him. Koen was put on a chair in the next ambulance, together with another simulated patient who took his place on the stretcher.
After a short ride, the family arrived at the hospital. Koen was happy to see that Kathy and Dries were waiting for him. The family was registered one by one and then met by one of the leaders of the exercise. She checked the registration and wrote down the times. Finally, she took them to a bus that would take all the simulants and supervisors back to the starting point of the exercise, so that everyone could collect their own belongings. Evaluation forms were distributed on the bus and Koen and Kathy tried to fill them in as best they could.
Jasper was with the last of the patients at the crash site. He had received all the care he was supposed to receive and was waiting on the stretcher at a distance, under supervision. As a precaution, because there wasn't always someone around, the straps of the stretcher had been fastened around him. When the ambulance called specifically for him finally arrived, the whole team gathered around him once more. As well as the usual yellow and green markings, there was a nice drawing painted on the side; it was clear that this ambulance was designed to transport children.
David had already been in contact with the children's hospital. They were well aware that this was an exercise and were happy to take part. They had a number of trainees who, under the supervision of some teachers, took on this case as an exercise.
A stretcher was taken out of the ambulance. It was a standard stretcher, but on top of it there was an extra fixation set for children, the pedimate plus.
Heleen didn't understand what was being said, but she thought it was fantastic to see how things were done. After everyone had helped Jasper onto the stretcher, he was taken into the care of a young paramedic who was accompanied by an older person. The older paramedic exuded a certain calmness that kept everyone working quickly and correctly, but relaxed. Jasper could sense the calmness of the team and it reassured him that he was in good hands and being well taken care of.
Once Jasper was properly secured on the stretcher, all the straps were correctly attached to the five-point harness and properly tightened, with an extra strap over Jasper's legs and one over his arms. All the medical equipment attached to Jasper was transferred to the ambulance and after a thorough briefing, the stretcher was wheeled to the ambulance and pushed in from the rear. Heleen quickly snapped a few more photos before being taken aside by David.
"Heleen, there's not enough room for you in the ambulance. See this gentleman next to me? He will be driving his car to the hospital to pick me and Jasper up at the end of the exercise; you can go with him."
"Okay, that's fine," Heleen said. She handed the camera to David and hurried with the unknown gentleman to his car.
In the ambulance, everything was quickly checked again. Was everything tightened properly? Was the IV drip still working well (pretending, of course)? Were Jasper's heart rate, blood pressure and other parameters still good (in real life they were, according to the scenario they were a little less good)? Once everything was confirmed to be within the acceptable parameters, the driver got in and drove off. The paramedic in the back took out his mobile phone and contacted the hospital to report his latest findings.
As the ambulance drove away, the car Heleen was in closed behind it. The man had tried to start a conversation with Heleen, but due to the language barrier they hadn't got beyond a hello, a friendly smile and saying each other's names.
The ambulance was driving with its lights and siren on. At first the road was quiet and the man and Heleen were able to follow, but eventually they came to a red light. As the ambulance drove smoothly through the red light with its siren on, the man joined the queue of waiting cars at the back.
"No safe," the man said, pointing to the traffic jam. "No tuutaa," the man tried to imitate the sound of the siren, pointing to his own roof.
Heleen understood. Without the siren, it was not safe to follow the ambulance and they would arrive a little later.
David had seen from the ambulance that Heleen was no longer following. When they got onto the motorway and began to weave their way through the traffic jam, he realised that it would be a while before Heleen arrived at the hospital. He was glad that Heleen had handed over the camera so that he could continue taking pictures.
On the motorway, the siren had been turned down and was no longer audible in the ambulance. Jasper was still lying on the stretcher with his eyes closed. It had been an exciting day so far, but not much was happening inside the ambulance. He couldn't have looked outside from his position on the stretcher anyway. The engine sounded monotonous, the stretcher rocked gently from side to side, and the beeping of his heartbeat on the monitor continued quietly. He felt he was in safe hands with the calm handling of the paramedics, and the restraining straps that prevented most movement only added to that sense of security. It didn't take long for Jasper to fall asleep. The older paramedic noticed immediately and pointed out the changing readings on the monitor to the younger one. David smiled at the scene and quickly made a few more pictures.
Jasper woke up fifteen minutes later when the doors of the ambulance opened and the stretcher was taken out. David had to cough a few times before Jasper remembered to close his eyes. The elderly paramedic realised what was happening and smiled.
The stretcher was wheeled into a room where Jasper was lifted into a small hospital bed with bars and everything started again. He was examined from head to toe, including another ultrasound and even a fake CT scan. The difference from the treatment at the disaster site was that this was more extensive, with more material and many more people. David had to work hard to tell Jasper everything that was happening, and the absence of Heleen made him a little more worried. Despite everything, Jasper kept his eyes closed the whole time.
The fact that they needed a little more time here was not only because they examined Jasper more closely and in depth, but also because the staff often paused to do something again after instruction and correction.
In the end, Heleen and the man arrived at the emergency room much later than Jasper. Not only had they been stuck in traffic for a long time, but they had not immediately found the hospital car park or from there the way to the emergency department.
When they checked in, they were taken to a small waiting room where they could wait for Jasper and David; apparently they weren't allowed to be in the emergency room.
Finally, Jasper was fully assessed, further stabilised and prepared for surgery. Just as they had raised the bed's gates and were about to drive off with the hospital bed, David intervened. The exercise should have ended on arrival at the hospital, but David understood that they liked to have a learning moment with the trainees here in the emergency rooms. However, it had gone on long enough and David asked for the exercise to end here. Disappointed, everyone took a step back and the hospital team leader spoke to David briefly, asking for some general feedback.
Jasper had opened his eyes and looked at David. "Is the exercise over?" he asked, aware of the sudden change of mood in the room.
"Yes, the people here would like to hear from me first about what went well and what I see as areas for improvement. Then we will look for Heleen to take us back to where we started."
"I'm glad it's over. It was fun, but it took long enough, especially as I had to keep my eyes closed the whole time.
"I understand, Jasper." David said before turning and talking to the team that had treated Jasper.
Jasper sat up cross-legged in the cot and pulled the blanket around him. He was still connected to all the wires, but he didn't dare pull anything off for fear of breaking something. He saw his dummy lying beside him and immediately put it in his mouth. While David was explaining, a nurse who had been observing the trainees approached Jasper. She smiled kindly and lowered one of the side gates by pressing two hidden buttons.
She grabbed Jasper and guided him back into a lying position. She then turned off all the equipment and began unplugging all the cables, removing all the bandages and peeling off all the adhesives. When she was done, she put the gate back up, pointed to her watch and held two fingers in the air.
She paced the room as she gathered a few things. Back with Jasper, she lowered the barrier again, then placed a bowl of warm water, soap, washcloths and towels on the bed next to Jasper.
Completely overwhelmed, Jasper allowed the nurse to begin to freshen him up. Jasper's sweat was washed away, as was the false cut and the painted bruise.
The nurse interrupted David to ask a question.
"His clothes are still with Heleen, I don't know where she is, she'll be here soon I think." David replied in her language. "Can you lend him something from here?"
The nurse nodded and turned back to Jasper. Before he knew it, his nappy had been opened and with a few quick strokes, his crotch and bottom were quickly cleaned. The nurse took a clean nappy, put it under Jasper and closed the fastenings. Jasper felt and saw that this one was a bit different to the ones he was used to, much thicker than the ones at home and with a different print. The nurse then helped Jasper in a surgical gown since they had nothing else. Finally, she attached the dummy ribbon to Jasper's gown. When she was finished, the nurse closed the bed doors out of habit.
Not much later, David had finished discussing the exercise and it was time to leave. The nurse took Jasper, bed and all, to a small room in the ER, then went to fetch Heleen and the driver. Heleen was glad to see Jasper again. "All better?" she asked jokingly. Jasper nodded from behind his dummy.
Heleen took the rucksack off her shoulders and took out Jasper's clothes. She tried to pull the gate down, but couldn't. David knew the system well and showed Heleen where the unlocking buttons were. It took Heleen a while, but then she was able to open the gate. She helped Jasper out of the gown and then helped him back into the bodysuit and trousers he'd been wearing before this morning's exercise. She had noticed that Jasper was wearing a different nappy to the one he usually wore and examined it carefully.
I got these because my other one was wet," Jasper said when he saw what Heleen was looking at.
"They look good too." was all Heleen could say.
"David, Jasper has lost his shoes." Heleen said worriedly after searching her backpack twice more.
David also had to think for a moment. "I think they've been removed and left in the triage station; I'll check with the others," he said. David took out his mobile phone and sent a message to the others. A short time later a reply came back that the shoes had been found and were in the tent where the make-up or moulage was being done.
David picked Jasper up so he wouldn't have to walk barefoot through the hospital and over the stones. So they all followed the other man back to his car.
David got in the front, Heleen and Jasper got in the back. There was only a booster seat in the back, which Jasper used. After sitting in a car seat all week, this felt unsafe and less comfortable; the belt was much looser and he missed the cushions all around.
The return drive took less time; the traffic jam was only on the way there, not on the way back. Because of the distance and the time they had spent at the children's hospital, Jasper was the last to return. In the meantime, there had been a major clean-up operation and most of the aid workers' equipment had been put away. Only the organisation's tents were still there. A new van had arrived next to the tents, and a caterer was busy setting up a barbecue. A meal was offered to all present, including the organisation, simulated patients and helpers, as a thank you for their efforts.
From the car park, Jasper himself ran over to Dries to tell him what he had experienced. There was grass to walk on, so it wasn't a problem with his bare feet. As he walked, he always had one hand on his trousers to keep them from falling down.
Koen and Kathy made themselves useful by helping to set up tables and chairs for everyone, and when that was done they sat down on a bench to wait for the food to be ready.
Kathy noticed that Jasper had to keep his trousers up all the time.
"Come here Jasper!" she called to him as he passed. Panting from the heat and busy playing, he stopped in front of Kathy. "Are your trousers too big? You keep holding them up." She asked.
"Yes, it bothers me. Every time I let go, the trousers almost fall off."
Kathy turned Jasper over and looked at the label on the back of the trousers. "Of course this one is coming off, I thought this one looked familiar to me. There was a pair of Dries trousers between your clothes."
David was nearby and offered to look. Moments later he returned with a roll of bandages that could temporarily serve as an improvised belt.
Jasper and Dries seemed to like the people when they passed by during their game. They looked sweet. Whenever possible, they, especially Jasper, were asked to give them a hug, a big thumbs up or a pat on the back. Everyone thought it was an added value to have both children present during the exercise. Jasper and Dries enjoyed the positive attention they received.
All the photos taken that day were collected and projected onto a screen in the tent. It would be sorted another time, but they wanted to give everyone a chance to see the photos. Many people only stopped to look, but Heleen had taken a lot of pictures, so Jasper was in a lot of them. The team who had been treating Jasper were also there, and Jasper was almost passed from lap to lap as they all looked at the pictures. Every time he left a lap to move on, he was almost immediately picked up by someone else.
When the barbecue was over and everyone was heading home, there were many people who looked out for Jasper to thank him for being there.
"Everyone thinks it's fantastic and cool that you dared to put on a nappy today, Jasper," said David, standing by. "They thought you played it really well and you're really mature for your age. Everyone also thinks you look super pretty and cute."
Jasper beamed with pride at the compliments and Dries was happy for Jasper at the attention he was receiving. The family got into the car and as they drove away they were waved goodbye by the lovely people they had met today. Jasper almost fell asleep again on the drive back to the holiday home. He didn't quite understand how he could be so tired, he'd spent so much time lying on a stretcher today.
Back at the cottage, Kathy first took Jasper to the changing table to change his wet nappy. Surprised, she looked at the nappy brand, which she didn't recognise. "Where did this come from?" she asked, opening the nappy she was about to change.
"They gave it to me at the hospital because the previous one was wet."
"I gave Heleen some for you too, wasn't she with you?" Kathy asked?
"No, not at the time," Jasper said. "But she couldn't help it, she wasn't allowed." Jasper added immediately in her defence.
"Is it a good one, the nappy? It looks different." Kathy changed the subject.
"It's just different, it's a bit thicker and I have the feeling it's a bit more snug, it's a bit more bulkier. But I'm not sure yet if it's good or bad."
"It weighs more, I think it's thicker because the capacity is greater," Kathy said, trying to judge the wet nappy in her hand.
Jasper got dressed again and the trousers that were too big were exchanged for Jasper's. The children then went to the pool with Koen to have some fun before it was time for dinner.
While everyone was at the pool, Kathy inspected Jasper's wardrobe again. She looked at what was left in the wardrobe: a whole bunch of bodysuits and onesies, but only one pair of trousers, one T-shirt, one overalls and one pair of underpants. And that was for the next six days, two of which were travel days. If Jasper was able to make the return journey in his sleeping clothes, as he had on the outward journey, then he was actually two sets short for the daytime during the holiday. She decided to talk to Koen and Jasper about this later.
Just before dinner it was time for Jasper to call his mums; it had been a while and he still missed them a little. Jasper talked at length about the adventures he had had so far. Even Gert got on the phone to talk to Jasper. He had to admit that he missed Jasper a little too, it was much emptier and quieter in the house now.
Later that night, Jasper was feeling unsettled. He had just heard that he was two sets of clothes short for the rest of the holiday. On the one hand, Jasper had noticed over the past few days that the adults didn't really care if he walked around visibly in a onesie and nappy, and he liked it, but on the other hand, there was still something in him that said it wasn't normal.
Jasper was hugged and comforted and reassured and there was a lot of talking. In the end, it was decided that Jasper would try the next day in a onesie. If that didn't work, or if it was difficult for any reason, Kathy and Koen promised Jasper that he could put on normal clothes right away. The last pair of trousers and the overalls were kept as a back-up and they would go to the shop as soon as required.
Later that evening, after a movie, Jasper and Dries were tucked in. Jasper was tucked in together by Kathy and Heleen, while Koen put Dries to sleep in the cot. Heleen closed the zip on the sleeping bag and Kathy fastened the straps with the locks. After the emotions of the day, and to help Jasper sleep better, the bottle was filled with warm milk with honey instead of water. Jasper drank it as soon as he got it, and it certainly helped to calm him down. With one last loving look at Jasper, Kathy and Koen left the room, followed by Heleen. As she left, Kathy put Jasper's fixation key back on the wardrobe so it wouldn't get lost again.
Do you can't wait to read the next chapter? you're welcome to read it after a (free) registration on the scriptorium webpage. (Under writing => work in progress)
Comments on the story are always welcome
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Author: Toet
Timestamp: Jul 31, 2024 at 9:06 AM
Content: Chapter thirty-four
Fifteen minutes after Jasper had been put to bed, Kathy checked again. Jasper turned to see who it was. When he saw it was Kathy, he grabbed the bottle and held it up.
"It's finished," Jasper whispered.
Kathy crept into the room so as not to wake Dries. "Shall I fill it up again?" whispered Kathy.
Jasper nodded enthusiastically. Kathy took the bottle. "Do you want some water now?" Kathy asked.
"No, I want some more milk, that was yummy."
Kathy hesitated for a moment. He'd just finished a whole bottle of milk, but it wasn't really a big bottle. And, with his nappy, fluid restriction before bed wouldn't be necessary.
"Yes, that's fine. I'll be back," Kathy said and crept out, closing the door gently.
Heleen saw her mother go into the kitchen with the bottle and start rinsing it out. "Wow, that went down fast."
"Yes, he liked it and would like another bottle."
"Can I prepare it? How do you do that when it's milk?" asked Heleen.
"Come here and I'll show you." Kathy waited until Heleen was standing next to her. "It's very simple, just like making a normal cup of warm milk with honey, but instead of the cup we put it straight into the bottle and then into the microwave."
"Is it the same for babies?" asked Heleen.
"No, not that, it is a powder that you dissolve in water in the bottle. And depending on how big the baby is, and the bottle, and what the baby needs, it's a different kind of powder and a different amount you make.
Ordinary cow's milk is unhealthy for a baby. It doesn't have the right nutrients in it".
"Can you buy this and show it to me, mum?" asked Heleen.
"No, these cans of powder are far too expensive and big to buy just to use once and then throw away." Kathy said.
Heleen was disappointed, she would have really liked to see that and try to make it herself. It seemed like an important skill to her.
Kathy put the bottle in the microwave and switched it on. "Always heat without the cap, it's better."
Heleen nodded, her eyes wide as she watched her mother.
When the milk had warmed up, Kathy screwed the cap on the bottle and handed it to Heleen.
"First you have to shake it well, because sometimes it is heated unevenly in the microwave to mix everything."
Heleen listened carefully and shook the bottle vigorously.
"Now it is time for you to test the heat of the milk. Shake it well first and then test it by dropping a few drops on your wrist. If it feels hot on your wrist, it's too hot.
You have to feel it on your wrist, not with your finger, because fingers are not as sensitive. You don't want to burn the inside of your baby's mouth".
Heleen did as her mother said. "It's lukewarm, not hot, mum."
"Then it's fine, will you take it to Jasper?"
Heleen went straight to Jasper and Dries' room; she almost danced, she loved it so much.
"Be careful not to wake Dries." Koen said to Heleen as she passed.
"Okay," she said, quietly opening the door and creeping in.
Jasper saw who entered and smiled immediately. "Hello, Heleen." he said.
"I brought your bottle, I helped to make it." she whispered back to him.
Jasper reached for the bottle. Teasingly, Heleen waved the bottle around, making sure Jasper kept reaching for it. After mistaking it a few times, Jasper sighed and dropped his hands beside him. At that moment, Heleen shot forward with the bottle and pressed the nipple against Jasper's mouth. Jasper's eyes widened in amazement and surprise as he licked up the drop of milk hanging from the top of the bottle. When he had finished that drop, another one appeared and he licked it up too. When a third drop appeared, he snapped at the bottle and took it in his mouth to drink directly from the bottle.
Heleen had watched Jasper's reaction with growing amazement; she had expected him to take over the bottle, but he didn't. Carefully she took the bottle out of Jasper's mouth, sat down next to him on the bed and put the nipple back in Jasper's mouth so that he could continue to drink. Jasper took his stuffed toy with one hand and put his other hand on Heleen's legs as he looked at her and continued to drink. Heleen's heart melted at this intimate moment. Smiling broadly, she looked down at Jasper and stroked his hair and cheeks with her free hand. When the bottle was empty, she removed it from his mouth.
"Thank you," Jasper and Heleen whispered almost simultaneously.
Jasper looked surprised at Heleen's thanks. "Thanks for letting me practise for later." Heleen clarified.
"You're welcome," Jasper said, closing his eyes and turning over to sleep.
Heleen picked up Jasper's dummy that was lying loose on the bed next to him.
She put it in his mouth, gave him another kiss on the head and with the words "Good night Jasper," she patted him a few more times before getting up and quietly leaving the room.
With a happy smile, Heleen put the dirty bottle back in the kitchen, rinsed it as her mother had instructed, and then tried to read a book. It was hard for her to concentrate on the story, she kept thinking back to Jasper with a smile. He had looked so cute.
Jasper slept soundly that night. He had only woken twice to pee, or so he vaguely remembered. Each time he had awakened just enough to realize that he had to go to the toilet, let everything go and then turned over in his bed to go back to sleep.
It was Koen who got him out of bed in the morning; after removing the locks and restraining harnesses, he lifted Jasper up, sleeping bag and all. With the hand that supported Jasper's bottom, he felt that the nappy was about to leak.
"Let's fix that first, Jasper," Koen said.
"Yes, that's good." Jasper whispered shyly in his ear.
Koen took off the sleeping bag and onesie and opened the bodysuit at the bottom to change Jasper's nappy. When he had finished changing Jasper, he closed the bodysuit and put the onesie back on. Jasper had to stand up to close the onesie on his back, which was much easier for Koen.
Dries had climbed out of bed himself and was quickly helped out of his nappy. After he had freshened up, the two boys went to the table for breakfast, where Heleen was already waiting. Kathy was still busy putting the bread and spreads on the table, and then the family started to eat.
Not much was planned for the day. The only thing they had to do was go to the supermarket for some general shopping, but otherwise it was going to be a quiet day.
Not much was done in the morning; the children played a few board games, Kathy read a book and Koen went through his work emails. In between, Dries and Heleen were urged to put on normal clothes, and Jasper's nappy was changed just before lunch. After lunch, the children played some more of their last board game, and when it was cleaned up, Kathy announced that it was time to go shopping. Before she left, she took Jasper aside to change his nappy. She didn't know how long she was going to be away and she didn't want a nappy that leaked like it did in the museum.
.
"Jasper, we're going to the shop in a minute. We can continue to look for clothes and underwear there, or we can continue with nappies and nightwear as we are now," she said, removing Jasper's wet nappy and freshening him up.
Jasper shrugged. "We've been doing this with nappies and stuff so far, we can continue like this now."
"Okay, this is good. You can still change your mind if you want to." Kathy said.
Jasper used the moment to go to the toilet for his number two. He hadn't done it in his nappy once in the last week and as far as Jasper was concerned, he wanted to keep it that way.
Once Jasper had gone to the toilet, Kathy helped him back into a clean nappy and then put his bodysuit and onesie back on. She took Jasper's dummy, which was dangling from the strap, and put it in his mouth. "Celine and Helga should talk to Jasper about using the pacifier after the holidays, it's not urgent now to talk to him about using it." she thought to herself.
"Come on Jasper, the others will be ready soon. Get in to the car and then we can go to the shop." Kathy said.
Kathy strapped Jasper into the car seat, they all got in and off they went.
In the car park Jasper became aware of his clothes. "I'm still in my pyjamas," he said worriedly to Heleen who was standing next to him. As he spoke, his dummy fell out of his mouth.
"No problem, you look really cute." she said.
Dries had overheard the comment too. "Don't worry, there's no one here who knows you, and it's a beautiful onesie."
Jasper nodded as he put the dummy back in his mouth.
In spite of the reassuring words, he was still nervous about going into the shop, and he didn't come along easily, he trailed a little behind.
"Come here, Jasper," said Koen, who had already urged him to speed up a few times. Koen opened the seat of the shopping cart and lifted Jasper into it. Surprised, Jasper looked where he had landed. He couldn't remember the last time he'd been in a shopping trolley in a child's seat. With a frown he looked at Koen.
The child seat had a strap with a buckle, which Koen fastened over Jasper's belly. Then Koen set the pace and pushed it up to Kathy, Heleen and Dries.
"Jasper didn't really feel like it, but it'll work", he said to no one in particular.
Jasper looked questioningly at Dries for support.
"I'm sure I heard my dad ask you many times to stay with us and not to fall behind." Dries said to Jasper.
It was a hypermarket where they had everything from food to electronics, kitchen utensils, clothes, toys, care products and so on.
Not being sure where to find everything, Koen and Kathy decided to start at the back of the store and go row by row, looking at everything and picking out what they needed.
In between, they came across a counter where meat was freshly cut and packed. When they stopped to buy some meat, the seller gave Jasper a piece of salami to eat. He accepted it with a smile, Dries looked at it with envy, he would have liked a piece too. In the cheese section, Jasper was offered a piece of cheese again, and before Kathy or Koen could stop Dries, he raised his hand to get a piece of cheese too.
"Aren't you a bit big for that?" the saleswoman commented to Dries as she gave him a piece as well.
In the fish section, Jasper got a small piece of smoked salmon, but Dries no longer held his hand. He was actually a little jealous that Jasper was getting so much attention.
Jasper realised that he didn't dare raise his hand after the previous comment. He happily took the piece of fish, tore it in half and gave the other piece to Dries. Jasper had to admit that it was actually nice, all this positive attention.
Koen and Kathy regularly received the comment that Jasper was behaving so well, exemplary for such a young child.
The family slowly made their way between the shelves until they reached the baby section. "We need another pack of nappies, I'm not sure we'll make it to the end of the trip." Koen said to Kathy. He stopped and together they studied the different brands and sizes of nappies.
"Look, these are the nappies Jasper got during the disaster drill yesterday." Heleen said, pointing to a brand unknown to Koen and Kathy.
Koen took a pack of the right size and had a closer look. "Were they good?"
"Yes, they are a bit thicker, but they can hold a bit more." Kathy replied.
Koen took a quick look at the shelf, but nothing else looked familiar. He gave the package to Jasper to hold; the shopping trolley was already full of meat, fruit and vegetables, and Koen didn't want to add a big pack of nappies on top of that.
The next aisle was full of jars of baby food and instant milk. They walked through quickly, as they didn't need anything here, until they were approached by a girl from a promotional stand. She was almost finished tidying up; her job for the day was almost done. On the trolley she was taking away was an open box of free samples. She had to promote a new powdered milk with different flavours in powder form to be dissolved in water.
She still had a dozen or so of the samples ready to hand in the open cardboard box.
She quickly handed them over, along with some discount coupons, put the empty box back with the old paper, gave another friendly wave and drove off with her trolley before any of the family could say anything to her.
"We really don't need this." Koen said, looking at the bags. Luckily there was a Dutch explanation on the bags.
Kathy also took a sample and looked at it. "No, it's normal milk powder, but with a taste that's probably less healthy for small children," she replied. "But Heleen asked yesterday to practise making such milk. She can use it to try it out, if she wants to, and then we'll just throw the rest of it away."
"Sounds great," Koen said and put the bags in the trolley.
At the clothes department they stopped again for Jasper. "Jasper, is it ok if you keep walking around in your onesie or should we look at the clothes here?"
Jasper thought back to how the shopping trip had gone so far. No one had actually laughed with him or at him, everyone had seemed rather lovable. Jasper couldn't remember getting so much positive attention during a shop visit before. And besides, he liked the nappy, the bodysuit and the onesie. He had to admit that the resistance he sometimes felt about his clothes and nappy was only because he was worried about people's reactions, not because he didn't like them.
"No, you don't really have to, I don't think it's necessary." Jasper replied cautiously.
The shopping trip was over after they had passed the last row of the shop and then they went to the checkouts.
When they got back to the holiday resort, Heleen remembered the fancy dress party. "Dad, the animation team's dress-up activity has just started, can Dries, Jasper and I go and see what they're doing?"
Koen looked at his watch.
"And at half past five it was a fashion show, wasn't it? Yes, you can go, Kathy and I will come and watch."
Heleen, Dries and Jasper went to the animation building where they were greeted by one of the animation staff. To their surprise, this time they were greeted in their own language.
"Welcome here," said the member of the entertainment team in the correct language, having first tried three others.
"How many languages do you speak?" said Dries admiringly;
"Five," she sighed. "My father is from Belgium and speaks Dutch, my mother is from France, my grandparents on my mother's side are from Spain and I've been educated in English and for the last few years I've had German as a second language at school."
"Wow," Dries stammered at this detailed answer.
The employee smiled. "Sometimes it is tiring, but often, like now, it is really useful."
There were suitcases full of costumes in the hall, where other children were already standing around. "We've only just started, and most of the characters for the fashion show have already been assigned, but I've got the perfect trio for you here together," she said, looking at a list she took from her pocket.
"The elderly gentleman," she said, pointing at Jasper.
"Elderly?" Jasper asked, not understanding the word.
"Super old, even older than your grandparents," she said.
Jasper burst out laughing at the idea of playing such an old gentleman.
"The baby," she said, pointing at Heleen, and finally she pointed at Dries, "and the teenage daughter.
All three children were laughing hysterically.
Just then another girl, about ten years old, entered the room. She was waved over and, because she also spoke the same language as Jasper, Dries and Heleen, she was placed in Heleen's group. She was shown who had what role and then she was given her part.
"And you're the daddy."
Once again the children were in tears, but instead of three laughing voices, four could be heard.
They were led to a suitcase which no one else had opened and searched for appropriate clothes.
Jasper found an old raincoat, a walking stick and a pipe, which he prepared for himself. Heleen found a teddy bear, a bib, a dummy and a hat to wear. Dries had a bit more trouble - there was a top and a skirt in the suitcase, but he didn't feel comfortable putting them on until he saw that the others were changing as well. The unknown girl had found a hat and a vest. One of the animators also painted a moustache and beard on her face.
After all the children in the room had dressed up and had their faces painted, if necessary, they practised walking for a fashion show.
There was one group of children who had all been given leather outfits and necklaces as 'bad boys'. Another group were dressed as animals, with fur and big masks. A third group was a mix of characters - there was a policeman, a teacher and a nurse, there was another duo where one was dressed as Elvis Presley and the other as Dolly Parton, and finally there was Heleen's group.
The groups took turns on the catwalk and all the children briefly practised doing something related to the theme in which they were dressed.
Dries, Jasper and Heleen enjoyed practising first and did later their best to put on a great show for everyone to see.
Kathy enjoyed taking pictures during the show and sent some to Jasper's mums.
"The roles were reversed for once," she commented. Soon after, they both responded by sending back smiley faces and hearts.
After the show, the family walked together to the car. "David just called to invite us for dinner. He enjoyed our time together and wanted to finish it; he is going home tomorrow. He also promised to give us a copy of the photos from yesterday's disaster drill".
"Oh, that's fun," Heleen said.
Kathy had made a bag with some essentials for the evening and had put it in the back of the car. Heleen secured Jasper in the car seat and then they drove fifteen minutes to a nearby restaurant.
David was waiting for them in the car park. After greeting each other, he picked up Jasper and put him on his arm.
"Pyjamas already, Jasper? Aren't you feeling well today?"
Koen interrupted. "No, Jasper's fine, but it's a long story and we'll tell it later at the table."
"I specifically chose a restaurant whose website said that children were welcome."
"That's nice." Dries said. He had already seen a small playground in front of the restaurant. "Is that also part of the restaurant?" he asked, pointing to it.
"Yes, that's part of it, but first we have to go inside, then they can assign our table."
Together they went inside where they were immediately met by a waiter. David said they had a reservation and then they were shown to a table that was ready. There were four regular chairs for David, Koen, Kathy and Heleen. For Dries there was a normal chair with a booster seat on it, and for Jasper there was a large high chair. Jasper started to protest, but when he realised that he would be the first to be helped into the chair by the waiter, and that everyone else would have to help themselves, he stopped. He cooperated when the waiter lifted him up and didn't say anything when the buckles were put in place. He appreciated the effort being made for him, even though it wasn't really necessary. Once everyone was seated, the drink menus were handed out and a large pitcher of tap water and four glasses were placed on the table. Dries was given a cup with the name of the restaurant on it, and finally the waiter turned to Kathy and Koen. David helped with the translation.
"Do you want a regular cup, a cup with a lid and a straw, or a bottle for the youngest?" David translated, "Dries and Jasper can take it home afterwards.
Koen and Kathy looked at each other. "Actually, a second bottle might be useful. If the other one is dirty and hasn't been washed yet, we'll have a spare."
Kathy nodded that it was a good idea. "You can give him the bottle."
David translated to the waiter that the bottle was fine.
Jasper got a bottle in front of him and then everyone chose something to drink. While the waiter went to get the drink, Kathy spoke to the confused Jasper. "I understand that you would prefer to drink from a cup, but it is useful to have an extra bottle. It's just for this one evening."
"I get it, but I don't like it very much."
The waiter returned with the drinks and served everyone. Then he handed out the menu cards.
Jasper and Dries quickly chose what they wanted and then asked if they could go and play.
Kathy said it was fine, they would come and find them when the food arrived.
After Jasper was unbuckled and helped out of his chair, the two boys ran outside to the playground.
Meanwhile, Kathy began to tell the story of Jasper: she started at the beginning, how Jasper had once put on a nappy for Dries at night to help him, how he had fallen down the stairs and the nappy had been discovered. She told the whole story, up to and including the holiday, when he had packed his suitcase and left almost all his clothes at home.
David laughed heartily at all the antics Jasper and Dries had played. He understood some things much better now.
"And I thought he was very mature for someone of his size and age." David chuckled again. "But now I understand a lot more."
Telling David the story had taken a long time, and in the meantime the food had been prepared. As the first plate appeared on the table, Heleen went to fetch her brother and Jasper.
Rattling with hunger, Dries and Jasper approached; they felt like it. Dries sat on the booster seat and Jasper climbed into the chair with Heleen's help, then Heleen clicked Jasper into place.
"You're doing very well taking care of Jasper like that." David said as he watched Heleen do everything.
Heleen didn't answer, but blushed.
"Taking care of little children is something that is clearly in your blood. Do you want to make a career out of it?" David asked.
"Yes, I'm thinking about becoming a teacher or a nursery nurse or a children's nurse or something like that."
"I think you'd be a natural." David said.
"Thank you," Heleen replied, her cheeks flushing. Meanwhile, she was cutting Jasper's meat and potatoes, because he had been given a toddler's knife again that could not be used for cutting.
After dinner, David took out his laptop for the disaster drill photos. Koen brought a memory stick to copy the photos, while David opened the photos on his laptop to show them. They waited a while before showing everything so that Kathy could quickly help Jasper into a clean nappy. When they returned, everyone crowded around the screen as David commented on some of the photos. Why this photo was special, or what good or bad things it showed. He also showed the photos with Jasper or someone else in the family for a little longer.
A waiter came over to clear the plates and looked at the screen. "Hey, that's my sister?" he said in surprise, pointing at one of the helpers. "Where did these pictures come from?"
David gave the waiter a brief explanation, telling him how everyone at the table had played a part.
"My sister told me about it last night. She was very enthusiastic and learned a lot from the exercise. Thank you for that," the waiter said with a smile.
He left with the plates - he had to work - and spoke briefly to the chef of the restaurant.
The chef then approached the family.
"Good afternoon, my assistant told me about what you all did yesterday. I want to thank you for helping to improve health care here. So I would like to offer you a free dessert and a drink for everyone."
David accepted with a smile. "Thank you," he said, translating everything that was said to the others.
The waiter returned later with the cake and drink and took a selfie with the family to send to his sister. "Thank you!" came a cheerful comment from the waiter.
When he came back to clear the dessert, he said his sister thought it was a nice picture.
When the bill came, Jasper and Dries were each given a lollipop to suck on, and Kathy and Koen were complimented on how Jasper had behaved in an exemplary manner for someone so small and young.
David only partially translated so as not to embarrass Jasper, but he chuckled at the secret he now shared with the rest of the family as to why Jasper was so well-behaved "for his age".
In the car park the family said goodbye to David. As David gave Jasper an extra long hug, he whispered in his ears. "Thanks for helping us with the disaster drill, you made it extra interesting for everyone,"
Back at the house it was late enough for Jasper and Dries to go straight to bed. Dries was given a nappy and pyjamas and Jasper was changed into a clean nappy to get him through the night. As it was for the night, the new nappies for Dries and Jasper were taken right away. The extra thickness did not bother them when they slept. Koen sat down on the sofa with the children and read to them. Dries sat on his lap and Jasper cuddled up next to him. Fascinated, they began to listen to the story.
"Mummy, can you show me how the powders work?" Heleen asked, remembering how they had been given milk powder that afternoon.
"Sure, come here, Heleen," she said. She took the packet and started to read the instructions together with Heleen. "Mix the entire contents of the pouch with 240ml of warm water."
"First measure the water and heat it up, Heleen." Kathy said. "If you add the powder first and then the water, the milk will be too thick. Look here," she showed. "The total volume should be 265ml. So you are 25ml short if you do it in the wrong order."
Heleen listened carefully and followed the instructions.
"Just try it, Heleen." Kathy said. "I'll jump in if necessary."
Heleen measured out the correct amount of water, heated it up and carefully poured the entire sachet into the bottle. She screwed the cap on, shook it and tested the temperature by dropping a drop of milk on her wrist, as she had learnt yesterday.
"It's okay now, I think," Heleen said.
"Yes, well done indeed." Kathy said. "You can pour it out and then wash the bottle, but rinse the sink a bit more with water so the powdered milk doesn't clog the drain."
"Oh, right," said Heleen, standing with the bottle in her hand. She hadn't expected to throw the milk away, she hadn't thought about what to do with it, but her parents were always against throwing away good food. "I'll listen to the story first." Heleen said to her mother. She had recognised what her father was reading, and he had just come to a part that had been her favourite part of the book.
Undecided what to do with the bottle, she walked over to the sofa and sat down next to Jasper.
Jasper had not heard the conversation between Heleen and Kathy and reached for the bottle when Heleen sat down next to him.
"What flavour?" whispered Jasper.
"Banana," Heleen replied quietly to Jasper. Meanwhile Koen continued to read.
Jasper put the bottle in his mouth and took a small sip. "Mmm, nice." he said.
Dries looked up at that comment and held out his hands. "Can I have a taste too?" He hadn't heard it was banana.
Heleen took the bottle back from Jasper and handed it to Dries. Meanwhile, Jasper snuggled up against Heleen and continued to listen. He closed his eyes and tried to imagine as much as he could.
Dries tasted it and made a face of horror. "Ugh, I don't like bananas."
Koen stopped reading for a moment because of all the commotion.
"Then don't drink it. Give the bottle back to Jasper. Heleen, will you pass the bottle to Jasper?" he instructed, then opened the book again and resumed reading. Dries handed the bottle to Heleen, who held it ready for Jasper. However, he still had his eyes closed and made no move to take the bottle. Heleen said nothing so as not to disturb Koen’s reading. Finally, tired of waiting, she held the teat of the bottle to Jasper's mouth for a moment.
Jasper, thinking it was his dummy, opened his mouth without looking and sucked at the bottle. Surprised, he tasted the growth milk back and began to drink steadily while Heleen still held the bottle. Enjoying the affection he received from Heleen, Jasper enjoyed the rest of the story.
Kathy thought it was a cute picture and took a photo of Heleen and Jasper.
After the story, Jasper and Dries were immediately sent to the bathroom to brush their teeth, after which Dries crawled into the normal bed and Jasper was put to sleep in the cot.
Do you can't wait to read the next chapter? you're welcome to read it after a (free) registration on the scriptorium webpage. (Under writing => work in progress)
Comments on the story are always welcome
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Author: Toet
Timestamp: Aug 20, 2024 at 11:50 PM
Content: Chapter thirty-five
Dries woke in the night. He lay there listening to Jasper's regular breathing and tried to go back to sleep, but he couldn't. Bored, he got up and walked to the kitchen to get a glass of water. As he walked he felt the new thicker nappy, it was very noticeable. After he drank and put down his used glass, he looked at the oven timer. As he watched, he saw the numbers jump from '01:26' to '01:27'. With a big sigh, he crawled back into bed, still wide awake. His nappy was still dry, but he had no urge to pee either. The thicker nappy felt uncomfortable, and that didn't help him get back to sleep.
The straps that prevented Jasper from rolling out of bed were partly on the bed. It was a job to get them on and off the bed, so Kathy and Koen left them there.
Out of curiosity and boredom, Dries started to put the straps over his stomach, between his legs and over his shoulders to see how it felt. Dries held everything together as it should be and rolled from one side to the other. It was not possible to hold everything properly and Dries took the pins from the bedside table and put them through the correct holes.
Again he rolled back and forth to feel the straps. After two more turns, Dries' curiosity was still not satisfied, but the straps had come off the pins. Dries then took the caps, replaced the straps over the pins and closed the straps with the caps. Dries tried to move around a bit, going from his left side to his right and trying to slide up and down. When he realised how secure everything was, and his curiosity was satisfied, he grabbed the cap to lift it off the pin again. He was tired and felt he could go back to sleep now. Failing to lift the cap, he began to twist it frantically, but found that this had no effect either.
He tried to calm himself by taking a few deep breaths and trying to remember the steps Jasper had taken when he had got out of bed. Then it occurred to him that for Jasper there was always some sort of key that was used to release him. He looked back at the bedside table and saw nothing on it. He felt his hand everywhere and felt it nowhere.
Dries closed his eyes and tried to picture the key and what had always been done with it. It suddenly occurred to him that the last time he had seen it, it had been hanging on the hook by the door. Dries opened his eyes again and looked at the door. In the dim twilight, he thought he recognised the key.
Dries could kick himself. He realised now that he had skilfully trapped himself and there was no way he could get out without the help of someone else. Almost desperately, he tried again to see if he couldn't free himself. He tried again to pull and twist the cap, he looked to see if he couldn't get his fingers between it, he fumbled and felt around to see if he couldn't find some other means of freeing himself. The straps were also too tight to pull off his shoulders or slip out anywhere else. When none of this worked, he turned on his back and racked his brain for a solution. As he searched, his thoughts drifted to Jasper, Kathy, Heleen and Koen. Would they make fun of him, tease him?
He tried to concentrate on the solution, on getting out of it, rather than on the problem and its possible consequences. But time and time again, his mind drifted back to the reactions he was going to get tomorrow if he didn't pull himself out of this. Tears formed in his eyes as he became frightened and imagined the worst possible outcomes of laughter, bullying and humiliation, as well as frustration at not being able to get out of it. Slowly he was able to form and direct his thoughts. It was the middle of the night, he was tired, and finally his thoughts fell silent with the sleep that came, and his tears dried up.
The light was switched on.
"Good morning Jasper, good morning Dries. Will you get up and come to Heleen's room? I'll get the clothes ready."
Kathy left the room as quickly as she had entered, unzipping Jasper's sleeping bag and opening the doors of the cot.
Dries tried to get out of bed but was stopped abruptly by the restraints. With a shock, Dries remembered what had happened the night before.
Knowing that there was no way he could sneak out, he gathered his courage and spoke to Jasper.
"Jasper, can you help me?" he whispered hurriedly after Kathy had gone out the door.
Jasper rubbed the sleep from his eyes and looked at Dries. "Yes, how can I help you?" he asked.
"Can you give me the key? I can't get myself loose."
Jasper glanced over, astonished. At first he didn't understand. Why was Dries suddenly tied to the bed and why had Kathy not untied him herself? Jasper approached Dries to assess the situation.
"I couldn't sleep last night and I wanted to feel what it was like for you to be stuck in the bed like that.” Dries whispered to Jasper, worried about his reaction. "I did it myself, but I didn't know that I needed a key to undo everything."
Jasper gave a wide, friendly smile. "I understand." He stepped to the door, quickly placed a chair beside it and climbed up to take the key from the hook. Jasper pressed the key into the magnetic locks and removed the caps from the pins. "There you are," he said, putting the key back in its place.
"And what was your impression of it?" Jasper's question was.
"Not so nice." Dries replied. "I wanted to untie myself last night, but I couldn't."
"That's the point," Jasper said. "It just means the straps did their job well."
"But I was so scared." Dries said, tears streaming down his face.
Jasper saw that Dries was having a hard time and grabbed him to give him a big hug. "There's nothing to worry about. We're here for you anyway. What should you be afraid of?"
"Because I tied myself up so you'd think I was crazy or stupid or that you'd laugh at me." Dries' face was contorted and his eyes were red.
"It would be silly of me to laugh at you when you're stuck in it, when I've been doing it for half the holiday. We're blood brothers, remember? We're there for each other, no matter what?"
"Thanks," Dries replied, rubbing his face with his sleeve.
"Come on, your mum's waiting," Jasper said, leading the way to Heleen's room where Kathy was already standing.
"I almost came to get you." Kathy said, putting down two piles of clothes she'd picked out for the day.
"How did you sleep with the new nappy?" Kathy asked Dries as she lifted him onto the changing table.
"Not as well. it's a bit different because they're a bit thicker."
"I understand Dries, it is probably a matter of getting used to it. How was it for you, Jasper?"
"It didn't bother me, I slept well," he replied, waiting next to Kathy for a nappy change.
Dries was freshened up with a couple of damp wipes and then he was lifted off the changing table where he was able to put on his own clothes.
Jasper was then helped out of his pyjamas and given a clean nappy. She took the thinner nappy they had at home for the day.
"Look what I've prepared for today?" Kathy lifted a short-sleeved, short-legged onesie with stars and a rocket on it.
"Yes! That's lovely. I forgot I had it with me." Jasper beamed when he saw the onesie he and his mum had bought at the clothes shop a few weeks earlier.
Kathy helped him put it on and closed the zip at the back with the two snaps at the back of his neck.
Heleen sat down at the table and yawned. "Why do we have to get up so early? Dad?"
"We're going to an amusement park near here today. It's an hour's drive and we want to try to be there for the opening so we can have a long, nice day."
Heleen nodded and began to spoon out her bowl of cereal on autopilot. She glanced sideways at Jasper as he sat down beside her.
"Nice onesie." she said, getting some energy from seeing Jasper walking around happily in his clothes.
"Thanks." Jasper said brightly as he filled his bowl with cereal.
"Here, let me help you," Heleen said as she poured the milk for Jasper.
"Thank you, Heleen."
After breakfast, Heleen quickly picked up Jasper's dummy, which was lying on the changing table. "Here Jasper, don't forget this," she said as she pinned the Star Wars ribbon to Jasper's onesie. "It goes well with the stars and planets on your onesie."
Jasper put the dummy in his mouth and nodded, beaming. It was hard to talk with a soother in his mouth, but he completely agreed with Heleen.
The family got ready and soon after breakfast they were on their way to the amusement park. As soon as the car started moving, Dries fell asleep, needing to catch up on some sleep from the night before. Meanwhile, Jasper and Heleen were watching a film together on the televisions in the back of the car.
It promised to be a beautiful day, the sun was already shining and chasing away the night's chill.
As they drove past the signs to the theme park, saw the tallest rides towering above the trees, and finally pulled into the car park, the children's excitement grew. Discovering a new theme park is always fun.
After paying the entrance fee, the family stood in the central square, not sure where to start their day. Although the ticket offices were already open, there was still half an hour to wait before the park officially opened and the attractions opened. Access to the rest of the park was still closed.
Jasper had put his binky, which was attached to his onesie, in his mouth to suck away the tension.
As the family hesitated about how to start their day in the square, much to their surprise, loud music suddenly blared from the loudspeakers and an opening parade was announced. The security personnel cleared the area to make way for the parade.
Jasper and Dries wanted to see the parade and walked up and down the crowd to find a place along the route. Eventually they found another gap in the crowd, where Jasper and Dries were standing, with Heleen and Kathy in the second row behind them, and finally Koen at the back; he could easily see over the rest.
Cheerful music played as the staff made their way to their attractions. Jasper and Dries waved cheerfully to everyone as they passed. In front of each group was someone carrying a large banner indicating which part of the park they belonged to. Then the staff, all dressed in their uniforms, walked through the crowd. They waved cheerfully to the children on the left and right, and occasionally a waving child would get a hug or a pat from one of the staff. Other staff members danced to the music as they passed.
In between, some of the park's mascots walked back and forth greeting the children.
Although only a small part of the parade had gone by, there was one thing that was already noticeable. Everyone, from the staff to the mascots, who gave pats and hugs to the children, acknowledged Jasper. His appearance in his onesie with a dummy in his mouth was already eye-catching, but the fact that he also waved enthusiastically and happily made all the adults who saw him utterly endearing.
"You're getting all the attention again." Dries muttered jealously to Jasper out of the corner of his mouth. "I think next time I'll ask to go out in my pyjamas like you."
"You really want to?" Jasper asked.
Dries was silent for a moment and looked at the next employee who hugged Jasper.
"No, actually not really."
The procession split into several branches. The gates leading from the main square to the park were opened and each part of the parade went to its own world, the visitors could follow and also go to an attraction.
The family still didn't know where to start in the park. After a moment's hesitation, they decided to take the road to the left of the main square and walk around the entire park, checking out the rides as they went. Jasper and Dries first had to walk hand in hand with Koen and Kathy: the square and the first part was quite busy and they did not want to lose each other.
Later, when it was a bit quieter on the walkways, they were allowed to let their hands go and Jasper and Dries sat with their noses in the map of the park, trying to get the best possible picture of everything that could and should be done, while Heleen used the park's app to keep track of which attractions were open and where, and how long the queues were everywhere.
On the first wild ride, Jasper's pacifier was tucked away in his rucksack to make sure it didn't get lost.
Jasper noticed that they were much less strict at this amusement park than they had been at Fort Fun. This time Heleen took on the role of chaperone, as Jasper officially needed one, and here it was allowed for Jasper and Dries to sit next to each other in a single carriage if there were only two seats available.
The family enjoyed the rides; they had already ridden a haunted house, tree trunks, quiet boats with many things depicted around the course, a merry-go-round, a chair mill, a wild train and an attraction where they went up and down vertically. In between, they had taken a break and everyone except Jasper had gone to the toilet. But now that it was midday, it was time for Jasper to change too.
There was no separate changing room nearby. Eventually, Jasper had to go with Kathy to the women's toilets, where two changing tables were set up in a corner at the back.
Jasper was embarrassed. As a boy, he didn't like having to go into the ladies' toilets, and he hated the fact that the changing tables were so open. But he understood that there was no realistic alternative.
Resigned, he endured the procedure and the pitying looks of other mothers with their babies in the changing room.
Kathy had done her best by choosing the most distant changing table and positioning Jasper and herself so that there was as little to be seen as possible, but in spite of everything, Jasper still felt as if he was being watched.
When Kathy had finished, and Jasper was completely refreshed, he left the bathroom relieved. Kathy had stayed behind for a while to tidy up and go to the toilet herself. Seeking comfort, he went outside to Koen and raised his arms to be picked up. When Koen had him, Jasper laid his head on Koen's shoulder. Heleen saw that Jasper was having a bit more of a struggle and worriedly stroked his back, trying to think of what else she could do. She took Jasper's dummy out again, put it in his mouth and tied the ribbon to Jasper's onesie. Dries had also joined in and gave him a standing hug. Gratefully, Jasper began to suck on the dummy for extra comfort. It was in this position, all together in a hug, that Kathy found the family when she came out of the toilets.
"Jasper, think back to the beginning of the day, at the procession," Kathy said as she took Jasper out of Koen's arms and put him on his feet.
Jasper thought back to that moment. How he had received extra positive attention because of his clothes. That happy memory cheered him up, and soon he was hopping on to the next ride.
After the ride, they could enjoy a show featuring unique artistic performances. At first, the family just mingled with the rest of the crowd, but when one of the seat allocators spotted Jasper playing with his dummy, they were taken to the front where they could have a better view together.
After the show, they ended up on a rollercoaster that Jasper was too small for, but the staff turned a blind eye because they could see that safety was not being compromised.
There were not many people there and after everyone had been on the ride together, just the three children went for an extra round. They had enjoyed it and it was a first for Jasper. It was the first time that he had ever done a loop! Jasper and Dries made sure they could sit together in the front row, and Heleen sat behind them in the next car.
The attendant came by, checked the shoulder braces and pushed them down a bit on everyone. When he had passed the whole train, he gave a thumbs up and the other employee pressed the start button.
The train left the station and as it was pulled up the chain, the tension increased with the altitude of the train. As the first car with Jasper and Dries had just passed the highest point, there was suddenly a loud metallic bang and the train shot back half a metre with loud screams, followed by a dull thud. The train stopped, and just as suddenly as it had stopped, there was complete silence on and around the attraction. As panicked voices grew louder, the intercom told everyone to sit quietly and wait; the problem would be looked into and they would do their best to fix it as soon as possible.
As best they could, Jasper and Dries tried to look around at what was happening, but the rails and sides of the train limited their view; they had to rely on what they heard from the others. Worried, they tried to listen as best they could, touching the bars of the roller coaster, but it wouldn't budge.
Soon some of the park's mechanics arrived and tried to fix the problem. There was the occasional rattling and humming from various engines, but the train wouldn't move an inch.
After spending some time troubleshooting the problem and hoping to solve it, it was announced that the attraction was stuck and that everyone would be escorted out of the attraction.
Heleen, sitting behind Jasper and Dries, tried to calm the boys down. She didn't understand much of what was being said, but she realised that, despite the uncomfortable situation, there was thankfully no danger. Of course, it was no fun being stuck in an attraction.
The park's own fire brigade was quickly on the scene, but they did not have large and heavy equipment. There was a long flight of stairs next to the first ramp to allow mechanics to service the chain and engine. The fire brigade used these stairs to walk along the entire train to check that everyone was OK.
It was just that they couldn't get to Jasper and Dries: the stairs ended just before they could get to their car.
Using a translation app and with the help of Heleen, the fireman spoke briefly to Jasper and Dries, reassuring them that help was on the way.
Frightened, Jasper and Dries asked how long it would take to get out, but the fireman could not give a satisfactory answer.
One by one, the passengers were removed from the cars and led down. Each time a mechanic worked on the cart to unlock the mechanism of the shoulder brace, the firefighter opened the brace to help the person out of the ride and lead them to the station. It wasn't difficult, but it was time consuming. The longer it took, the more nervous Jasper and Dries became, and more often they started sliding back and forth as far as the brackets would allow.
The park director had also arrived on the scene. He hated to see people trapped on one of his rides. He was quickly given all the information he needed by the staff present.
When Kathy and Koen realised that the park director was present, they joined the growing group of people around him.
When he heard that there were two small children in the front car, which was not accessible from the stairs, he felt very bad. As soon as it became clear that the children belonged to Koen and Kathy, they were brought to the director.
With the help of a bystander who could translate well, he quickly explained that a ladder truck from a nearby fire station was on its way to rescue the two children.
Concerned, Koen and Kathy listened. It sounded kind of scary that a fire engine would have to be involved in this.
A fire engine with an ambulance behind it drove through the crowd at a walking pace. There were a lot of spectators and the security guards accompanying the fire engine had to ask a lot of people to stop filming for a while and move aside for the cars.
Seeing the fire engine followed by an ambulance made Kathy feel sick. The fire brigade themselves had to reassure her that it was normal for an ambulance to follow. They would do a small medical check, as they had to, but they themselves assumed they were there unnecessarily. But the insurance policy imposed procedures that had to be followed.
Slowly all the people were taken off the train and finally it was Heleen's turn.
"I'll see you downstairs later, Jasper and Dries," she added as she started down the stairs.
"No, don't leave us alone." Jasper and Dries called after her, but the staff on the stairs were persistent. Heleen had to get down as quickly as possible and was not allowed to wait.
Jasper and Dries began to call for help, afraid that they would be left behind with no help. They couldn't see the commotion below as the fire engine arrived.
Heleen was led down and jumped into Koen's arms. "Tell me what's happening, I don't dare look," she whispered to him.
Koen comforted Heleen and whispered to her what was to be seen. It was less important what Koen said, but his calm breathing and his quiet voice calmed Heleen down so that she became less afraid and nervous.
When only Jasper and Dries were left on the train, a technician came out with a mobile phone and a selfie stick and held it up to Jasper and Dries: a video call had been started with the director and as soon as he saw that the technician had a good picture of Jasper and Dries with his mobile phone, he handed his mobile phone to Koen and Kathy. They all waved at each other; unfortunately the sound quality was so poor due to the wind above that they could not understand each other, but it was reassuring to see each other. Especially for Jasper and Dries, who were now reassured that they had not been left behind after all.
Now that everyone else had been freed from the train, it was Jasper and Dries' turn. The mechanic showed the fireman how to loosen the brackets and shortly afterwards the fireman headed up to the boys in the basket of the fire engine. Surprised and relieved to see the fire fighters, they waved and beckoned to the fireman, shouting that they were still trapped in the train.
When he reached the top, he first released Jasper, who was closest to him. First, the shoulder brace was opened a little so that Jasper had some room to move, but couldn't fall out. Jasper then had to sit down and put on a safety harness that was attached to the basket. Only then were the shoulder braces raised all the way up and the firefighter ready to lift Jasper off the train and into the basket. Jasper looked anxiously at the depth that suddenly appeared. Fear gripped his heart and in panic he did his best to stay on the train. It took a while for the firefighter to calm Jasper down enough. With his eyes closed, he finally let him get off the train and into the fire truck.
Jasper was the first to be brought all the way down, and only then was Dries helped in the same way. To loud applause from the crowd, Jasper was lifted out of the basket and released from the harness.
While the fire brigade went back up for Dries, Jasper, sobbing from all the emotion and stress, was escorted into the ambulance by one of the paramedics. Kathy was also called in and after a quick check everyone was reassured that everything was fine.
While Dries, fortunately with fewer problems, was being helped downstairs, Kathy noticed a casualty: Jasper's nappy was soaked. In the ambulance itself, Jasper was quickly and expertly changed into a new nappy by Kathy. She was allowed to leave the wet nappy in the bin.
While she was doing this, Dries was also brought in, and after a quick check, he was found to be fine. Kathy stayed in the ambulance with the two boys on her lap for a while, cuddling them and giving them the comfort they needed after all the commotion.
While the firefighters cleaned up their equipment and the two cars left, the family was escorted by security to a nearby office. The children were a little moved and impressed by the whole event. The time they had been stuck, the arrival of the fire engine and the crowd of spectators had left a deep impression on them.
The park manager was waiting for them, along with someone who spoke a bit of their language.
"Good afternoon," he began. "I am a PR officer and have been asked by the director to apologise on behalf of the park and all the staff for what has just happened. We hope the children are all well." He turned and took an envelope and three plastic bags from behind him.
"We have collected some small gifts for you and we hope that we can still ensure that you have a good day. This envelope contains five tickets that will allow you to enter the attractions through the exit today, so you do not have to queue. There is also a voucher for food in the park and another voucher to spend in the souvenir shops".
The staff member handed the envelope to Kathy, who took it in surprise. He then looked inside the three bags and handed them to Dries, Heleen and Jasper.
Curious, the children opened their bags to look inside, then looked at each other to compare what they had been given. Heleen had a T-shirt and a jumper, a photo frame, a flashlight, a cap, a glass, a bag, a pen, a notebook and a key ring. All with the logo of the park, the mascot or a reference to an attraction.
Dries had pyjamas, a teddy bear, a water bottle and lunch box, a pen, a notebook and a key ring. Jasper also had pyjamas, a teddy bear, a plastic plate, a cup, a toddler's cutlery set and the same pen, notebook and key ring as the others.
"I tried to estimate the sizes of the clothes as best I could. If they are the wrong size, you can always exchange them at the souvenir shop at the entrance.
Koen and Kathy felt uneasy. It had been stressful before, seeing the children trapped on the ride, and they had been happy with how they and the children had been looked after. But now getting priority passes, restaurant vouchers and gift cards was too much.
Kathy looked at the amount on the vouchers. "We really can't accept this, it's way too much." The value of the coupons alone was more than the amount they had paid for the entrance to the theme park. She tried to return the envelope, but the park employee refused.
"No, we feel terrible about what just happened; you would be doing us a favour if you took this and used it."
Kathy didn't know what to say.
The attendant then led them through a series of service corridors back into the park and to an attraction that Dries had chosen. They could actually go straight in and onto the attraction from the exit of the attraction. The attendant handed them another ticket. "If you have any problems today, you can call me or ask one of our park staff to contact me and I'll be right there."
The rest of the day was one attraction after another. They would have avoided the roller coaster they were stuck on if it was still working, but it was closed for the rest of the day due to "technical problems". It was clear that the children had been under a lot of stress, as they kept asking to see how the brackets opened and closed, and everywhere they went they asked if the attraction had ever been stuck during a ride before.
Despite the staff member's kind words earlier in the day, Kathy and Koen didn't feel too comfortable walking past the queues at all the attractions and being served dinner in the restaurant as if they were the King, Queen, Princes and Princesses themselves. But the kids loved being able to jump on a ride every time and getting first class service. Koen and Kathy loved seeing the children having such a good time and seeing the tension of being stuck melt away. The greatest feeling left with the children at the end of the day was that they had experienced a great adventure.
As the park closed, the family walked through the souvenir shop. They took time to try on the clothes they had been given. It turned out that Jasper had been given a onesie that fit like a glove. Dries' pyjamas were a set of two, but one size too small. Heleen's T-shirt and jumper were fine. When Koen tried to exchange Dries' pyjamas for a onesie in the right size, the shop assistant wouldn't cooperate; Koen had no proof of purchase and the security guards suspected that the family had stolen the items. It was only when Kathy called the PR officer and he came to the store that everything was sorted out. The shop assistant then apologised profusely and insisted on helping them for the rest of their visit.
Heleen, Dries and Jasper were each given a third of the vouchers to spend as they wished. Looking for anything they could find, they wandered between the shelves until their hands were filled with a variety of gadgets, toys and trinkets.
For Jasper there was a moment when he had to make a difficult choice. Kathy was standing by a clothes rack, pointing out the underpants on sale. Jasper had to choose. Either the things he was holding in his hand, or a pack of underpants. He didn't have enough for both.
"I'm really not sure," he muttered to himself.
"What do you mean?" Kathy asked.
"They are such nice and beautiful things that I found."
"Is it hard for you to leave them behind?"
"Yes, and out of the package I really only like one pair of underpants, but..."
"But?"
"But underpants are practical, of course."
Kathy remained silent to give Jasper a chance to make up his own mind.
The temptation was too great for Jasper and he put the pants back. "I wear nappies all the time anyway," he said quietly to Kathy. "And these things look really nice and pretty," he justified his choice.
"No problem," Kathy said. "You've got to choose, it's up to you to decide."
At the cash registers, a closed checkout was quickly opened by the shop assistant so that the family did not have to join one of the long queues. The children's choices were paid for with the vouchers, and the day ended with a car ride back to the holiday resort.
It was late when they got there and Jasper and Dries went straight to bed. Jasper just had to brush his teeth, and then Heleen changed him and strapped him into his sleeping bag on the normal bed. Heleen filled a bottle with water for Jasper. A bottle of milk was not allowed as it was much too late.
"Did you enjoy your day?" Heleen asked Jasper as she tied him up and handed him the bottle of water.
"Well actually yes." Jasper replied between yawns. I was scared in the afternoon on that ride and I was glad when it was all over, but after that with those passes that let us go everywhere, it was still fun in the end."
"It's time to go to sleep, you're yawning so much."
"Yes, I am tired, I sleep less here than at home and my legs hurt a lot from all the walking today."
"You're happy to be in bed?"
Jasper shrugged, as far as he could with the fixation kit slung over his shoulders. He was actually glad to be able to sleep, but it wasn't easy to admit.
Heleen gave Jasper another kiss and wished him a good night.
Meanwhile, Dries still had to change completely. Kathy gave him a nappy and a little later she tucked him into his cot.
The lights were switched off and soon the children were off to dreamland.
Heleen gave her mother a little note about Jasper's sore legs.
"We'll see tomorrow," she said. "Perhaps a good night's rest will bring a little relief."
Do you can't wait to read the next chapter? you're welcome to read it after a (free) registration on the scriptorium webpage. (Under writing => work in progress)
Comments on the story are always welcome
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Author: Toet
Timestamp: Sep 17, 2024 at 11:12 PM
Content:
oreobaby89 said:
I super enjoy this story and Jasper's development. I always look forward to when you post more.
[End of quote]
Thank you for your comment. The story is nearing its end, there are a total of 40 chapters.
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Author: Toet
Timestamp: Sep 17, 2024 at 11:14 PM
Content: Chapter thirty-six
A glimmer of daylight had already appeared through the windows. It was not enough to wake the boys, but after a couple had walked past the cottage, talking loudly in an unfamiliar language, Jasper woke.
He turned on his side to look into the room, exchanged his dummy for the bottle to drink the last of the water, and felt the straps that held him in place.
Together with the sun, which was slowly sending more light into the room, he felt his energy rising. Although he was still tired, falling back asleep didn’t seem possible. The bottle was empty and he put it on the bedside table and put his pacifier back in his mouth. He felt a certain pressure in his bladder and, without thinking, let it all flow into his nappy.
"Strange," he thought as he felt that it was already quite full. "I don't remember peeing in it last night."
Jasper lay in bed for a while, worrying about it, but couldn't quite figure out why. Could he have peed in it last night before falling asleep and forgotten about it? Or had he woken up last night and forgotten? He didn't want to consider the possibility that he might have peed in it while he was asleep.
While Jasper was thinking about this, the door opened softly and Heleen looked around the corner. Quietly and with a broad smile, she returned Jasper's wave. She put her finger to her lips, pointed to the bed where Dries was lying and gestured briefly with her hands and closed eyes as if she were asleep.
Jasper understood: be quiet, Dries is still asleep.
Heleen then took the key from the fixation set, helped Jasper out of bed and led him by the hand to her own room. He walked with his legs open because of the heavy nappy between his legs. Jasper tried to stifle another yawn as he walked, but he couldn't. Heleen looked down at him with a smile; she remembered from last night how tired Jasper was. The holiday had obviously taken a lot out of him, both physically and emotionally.
"I see your nappy is wet, I'll change it." Heleen whispered to Jasper after closing the door to her room. Apparently they were the only two awake and she wanted the others to continue sleeping.
Jasper raised his arms in response and with some effort Heleen lifted Jasper onto the changing table and began the procedure. Remove the onesie, put it down, remove the wet nappy, freshen up and put the clean nappy back on.
"It felt like you'd emptied a bucket into him." Heleen joked to Jasper.
Jasper bit his lip, unable to smile. He was still wondering when he had peed so much.
"Wow, wasn't that funny?" Heleen asked worriedly.
"My nappy was wet when I woke up this morning and I can't remember when I used it." Jasper's concern that it might have been in his sleep manifested itself in a single tear trickling down his cheek.
"Do you think you peed in your sleep?" Heleen asked, expressing Jasper's great fear.
Jasper couldn't get a 'yes' out of his mouth but admitted it by nodding his head.
"Accidents can happen, Jasper. I also saw that you were super tired last night, that must be the reason. You don't sleep in your own bed here and you've been through a lot in the last week. I think if it happened while you were sleeping, it's a one-off accident. It will all be cleared up by the time you get home.
"Do you really think so?" Jasper asked hopefully.
"Definitely," Heleen said. Her whole attitude showed that she believed that.
Heleen finished everything by putting Jasper's onesie back on and closing it. She helped Jasper off the changing table and together they stepped into the living room.
"How about a game on the Nintendo?" she suggested to Jasper.
Jasper didn't have to think about it and sat down on the sofa with Heleen. The sound was turned down as low as possible, just audible so as not to wake anyone, and soon Heleen and Jasper were lost in the game.
Later in the morning, the others trickled into the living room, and when everyone was there, Koen called everyone to the table for breakfast, while the coffee machine in the background sent the last of the water into the filter.
"What are we going to do today, dad?" Dries asked between bites.
"We're having some doubts. Either there's a nice fifty-two kilometer (32 miles) hike nearby that we could do, or..." Koen started.
"The other!" Dries cried in between, pieces of sandwich and chocolate flying out of his mouth.
Kathy laughed inwardly; in fact they had never intended to do this walk. She knew the children didn't like it very much, but they didn't always feel like going to the zoo. But even if she thought it was funny, Dries wasn't allowed to talk with his mouth full, and it wasn't very polite to interrupt someone. She reprimanded him sternly and firmly.
After the fuss, Koen continued. "The other thing we had in mind was a zoo near here. They have Amur leopards, including a mom who recently had cubs. It is a unique opportunity to see them, because they are threatened with extinction.”
Jasper's curiosity was piqued; "That sounds really special," he said. And it certainly sounded better than a fifty-two kilometer walk.
The holidays were drawing to a close and the family had found the ideal rhythm and structure: a long, quiet breakfast, then preparing a picnic, going out for an activity and eating a hot meal before going to bed in the evening.
The bag of clean nappies and wipes was replenished by Kathy, while Koen loaded the picnic into the backpack. Heleen helped Jasper into a clean nappy while Dries dressed himself.
Dries had already taken his nappy off and was getting ready for breakfast.
There was a bodysuit and a jumpsuit ready for Jasper. It was the second overall they had bought at the market earlier this week: the one with the army print, short sleeves, long legs and a row of buttons at the front to open and close it.
Jasper's eyes lit up at the sight of it. "Nice and cool," he thought to himself. He actively cooperated and in no time at all Heleen had him in a clean nappy, a bodysuit and the jumpsuit over it.
While the others packed their belongings, coats, drinks and snacks, Jasper crept through the house like a seasoned soldier with an imaginary weapon to shoot any monsters and aliens he saw.
After checking the weather forecast (no rain!), the family climbed into the car and set off.
In spite of the fact that Jasper was tired, he tried to recharge his batteries with a power nap during the drive, but it didn't work. He closed his eyes, but there were too many stimuli coming at him to relax and get enough sleep.
The zoo consisted of two loops, both starting from the entrance building. As it wasn't long before lunchtime, they decided to start with the small loop first, eat lunch at the entrance, and then do the big loop in the afternoon.
As they walked from enclosure to enclosure, Jasper felt the fatigue of the previous day, the loss of sleep and the pain in his legs returning. He was not used to having to cover so much distance on foot.
The animals they encountered were interesting. But despite the fact that Jasper was having a good time and was curious about the animals, after he had had a quick look, he was sitting down more quickly and more often on a nearby bench as he waited for the others to continue. It was obvious to everyone that he was tired.
Tiredness made Jasper grumble about everything; the sun that was shining, the clouds that were in front of the sun, that it was hard to get up, that it was hard to get down, that there was rubbish on the ground, that there were too many rubbish bins around, that the animals were too far away, that you could get dangerously close to the animals,... It was so much and so long that Kathy and Koen got iritated and urged Jasper to think before he spoke. Grumbling to himself, Jasper complied, but always walked several metres behind the rest of the family. His behaviour was threatening to put a damper on what had been a pleasant trip.
By midday they were back at the entrance to the park, having completed the small loop. It had taken a little longer than expected because of Jasper, but there was still time to eat and then walk the big loop.
Kathy hoped that a lunch break would give Jasper enough rest to deal with his fatigue, and the lunch would also give him some extra energy. The family sat down at a picnic table and while Koen went to buy everyone a drink, Kathy handed out sandwiches. Dries and Heleen began to eat with relish, but Jasper looked sadly at the contents of his sandwich. He had been given his favourite toppings throughout the holiday, and that was still on his sandwich today, but despite the fact that he had said this morning that he wanted them again, he now wanted something slightly different.
Jasper opened his mouth to grumble again, but when he saw the look on Koen and Kathy's faces, he stopped himself. Slowly and reluctantly, he began to eat his sandwiches.
"I don't know if and how Jasper will behave this afternoon." Kathy whispered to Koen.
Koen looked at Jasper doubtfully. "I'm not sure either. We can't take an hour off for lunch and he really needs it."
"Yes, he's just too tired and in too much pain to walk any further. We can carry him for a few more parts of the tour like we did before, but the whole tour will be too hard for us at some point".
"If only he didn't have to walk all the time." Koen said, "his day would be much better".
At the same time, Koen and Kathy saw a stroller hire across the square.
They looked at each other and seemed to read each other's minds. "Would he fit into that?" Kathy asked.
"We'll have a look and then we'll know," Koen said. He took action, got up and went to explore the rental place, where he first checked the information boards. Soon he came back and reported quietly to Kathy.
“It's only up to six years old and twenty kilograms, 44 pounds.” Koen said disappointed.
Kathy took another look at Jasper as he sat there, the dummy hanging from a ribbon on his clothes.
"Jasper, how much do you weigh now?" Kathy asked.
"About twenty kilograms," he mumbled. "Why?"
"Just to know," Kathy said, then turned back to her husband. "Then I think we can get on with it."
"Come on Jasper, let's go and see something on the other side of the square together." Kathy said as she stood up. "Dries and Heleen, you can stay here with Daddy."
"I don't want to go," Jasper whined. He crossed his arms and then looked down at the ground in a furious manner.
"Dries and Heleen, I'll help mum with Jasper." Koen sighed as he got up. He picked up Jasper and went with Kathy to the pushchair hire office.
The lady at the desk saw them coming, took all the necessary papers and prepared a stroller.
When Koen arrived, he put Jasper straight into the seat of the stroller and fastened the buckles between his legs, around his waist and over his shoulders, tightening them so that he fit snugly.
Kathy had turned to the woman and pulled out her ID and bank card to complete the transaction and pay the deposit.
"No, I don't want this," Jasper cried in tears. He was too tired to think clearly and didn't understand why he was being treated like this.
"And yet you will for a moment." Koen said firmly.
"But I want..." Jasper sobbed again.
Koen crouched down in front of the stroller and looked into Jasper's eyes.
"Stop." he interrupted Jasper sternly and firmly. "Now you just shut up and do what we say. Now you stay in here for as long as we say."
Jasper was stunned. Koen had never spoken to him like that.
He did his best to be quiet, but every now and then a sob escaped, which Koen ignored. He could see that Jasper was doing his best to be quiet and so he turned a blind eye to it. Koen took the pacifier that was attached to Jasper's jumpsuit by the ribbon and put it in Jasper's mouth.
Kathy had done the formalities and they walked back to Dries and Heleen, who had finished eating.
The last things were put into their backpacks, while Jasper stayed in the stroller with a long face. Dries looked at Jasper strangely and opened his mouth to say something. Before he could even get out what he wanted to say, he was cut off by Kathy, who whispered softly:
"He's not happy about it, but we made him, he's too tired to walk the rest of the zoo. It was either this or go home, and we haven't seen the Amur leopards yet."
Dries nodded that he understood. Heleen hadn't needed the explanation; she had also noticed how difficult it had been for Jasper so far, and hoped that the rest of the day would be a little more pleasant and that Jasper wouldn't put a damper on it any longer.
Once the backpacks were on their backs, they set off together to start the big tour. Jasper continued to sulk, but the monotonous, incomprehensible chatter of the other visitors around him in the background had a soothing effect, and Jasper's eyes closed gently. For a moment, Koen and Kathy wondered if they should wake him when they arrived at the next shelter, but decided not to; they thought Jasper desperately needed the extra sleep.
Dries and Heleen enjoyed the animals and were secretly glad that Jasper was asleep, as his behaviour had made the morning less pleasant than it was now. There was a lot to see and do, and Koen and Kathy adjusted their pace to what Heleen and Dries were doing.
Halfway through the lap there was a stall selling food and beverages. The family stopped there for a break. Unconsciously, Jasper noticed that the surroundings had changed a little, and slowly he was woken by the chatter of Dries, Heleen, Kathy and Koen. It was Kathy who saw Jasper open his eyes.
"Here Jasper, something to drink." She handed Jasper a bottle of water with a straw.
Thoughtfully, Jasper finished his water when he suddenly remembered that his mum had given him money to buy a treat.
"Kathy?" Jasper asked carefully, "Mummy gave me money to buy a treat for everyone. Would that be allowed now? An ice cream for everyone?"
"Yes, I want an ice cream too!" cried Dries, who had been listening to Jasper.
"OK, that's fine then." Kathy said. She unfastend the harness of Jasper’s pushchair and looked in her purse for the money Helga and Celine had given her. After everyone had finished their drinks, they queued up again at the stall, this time to buy an ice cream. Kathy had given Jasper the money so he could pay for it himself. Proud that he could and was allowed to, he paid after the vendor had served everyone.
Enjoying his ice cream, Jasper looked around. "Where are we now?" he asked.
"Halfway through the big loop, you slept for about an hour and a half."
After the ice cream was finished, Koen changed Jasper's nappy in the toilet and the family walked to the next enclosure. Eventually they arrived at the Amur leopards. The mother was sunbathing quietly on a large rock, but the cubs were playing with each other. It was a lovely sight to see, and the family stayed there for quite a while.
Souvenirs were sold next to the enclosure and Jasper bought a large cuddly toy of an Amur leopard with his own money. Proud of his purchase, Jasper carried the toy with him as they walked around the zoo. Jasper was completely recovered and no longer sat in the stroller, which was now being used to carry all the backpacks, so the family continued to walk from animal enclosure to animal enclosure.
They were almost at the end of the second round when the sky suddenly became very cloudy. Despite the predictions, the rain did come. There was thunder in the distance and it got visibly darker as the first clouds moved in front of the sun.
Koen and Kathy decided to call it a day. Jasper had to return to his stroller and was fastened by Koen. Then they all set off at a brisk pace in the hope that they would be back at the car before the rain shower.
The first drops began to fall as the family stood at the exit of the park. There was a long queue at the counter where the stroller had to be returned; clearly no one really felt like staying at the zoo in the rain.
"You can all go on and get in the car." Koen said to Kathy as he handed her the car key. "Hopefully you'll be inside before the rain starts."
Kathy, Dries and Heleen grabbed all their backpacks and made a run for the car while Jasper was watching them go. He kept his fingers crossed that they would make it. Slowly the line moved forward as the raindrops got bigger and more frequent.
Jasper put his dummy back in his mouth and tried to seek comfort. He sat still in the stroller, getting more and more wet by the minute and beginning to feel cold as a result.
When it was finally their turn, the rain trickled down Jasper's head and neck and into his clothes.
The receptionist was doing her best, but there were a few things that needed to be checked. The fact that the stroller had been picked up by a certain "Kathy" and returned by a "Koen" didn't make things any easier and meant that Jasper had to stay out in the rain for a bit longer. Once everything was sorted and Koen had received the deposit for the stroller, he took Jasper by the hand and set off at a brisk pace to get back to the car as quickly as possible. The storm had come down in full force and there was no way they could escape it. By the time they reached the car, Koen and Jasper were both soaking wet.
Kathy had already laid out a towel for Koen on the passenger seat and was hiding under the open back door of the car to help Jasper. Heleen and Dries, both luckily dry, were sitting in their seats.
"Thank you dear," Koen said when he saw what Kathy had prepared, and he sat down in the car to take off his wet shoes and socks. The rest of his clothes would have to wait until he got home.
Kathy immediately put Jasper in the car and began to strip a shivering Jasper of his wet clothes. He was even a little blue around the lips from the cold. Everything was drenched and had to be taken off. A clean nappy was put on and a dry spare bodysuit, which was still in the car, was quickly pulled over his head and fastened between Jasper's legs. The pacifier was transferred from his jumpsuit to the bodysuit and then he was placed in the car seat. Heleen helped Jasper put his arms through the straps and then pulled them tight. Kathy tilted the car seat to the sleeping position and told Heleen to put a fleece blanket over Jasper to keep him warm. All the energy Jasper had gained from his afternoon nap was now gone. He sobbed softly, tears running down his cheeks as he shivered from the cold.
Despite the car heater being on, Jasper was still cold when they got back to the cottage; he still felt miserable. By now it was only drizzling a little, the big downpour had passed and everyone rushed inside as quickly as they could.
Koen disappeared into the bathroom on arrival to freshen up and change into something dry; Kathy first carried Jasper into the cottage and then returned to fetch the backpacks and wet clothes from the car.
"Heleen, can you help Jasper? Put something warm on him so he feels better?"
"OK, mum, I will." Heleen said as she took Jasper by the hand and led him into her room. She took a towel and started to dry Jasper's hair, which was still a little wet. Then she took a onesie from the cupboard. She chose a thicker onesie with feet and a zip at the back. It was the warmest one she could find.
Happy to be helped, Jasper cooperated well.
Meanwhile, Dries had poured himself some water and was sitting on the sofa starting a film when Heleen carried Jasper into the living room and placed him next to Dries.
"Are you feeling better, Jasper?"
"It's getting better, but I'm still cold," Jasper said shakily. "Thanks for your help."
Heleen thought about what else could help. Then she took the sleeping bag from Jasper's bed and put it on him while he sat on the sofa. Finally, she went into the kitchen to warm a bottle. When it was warm enough, she added some chocolate milk powder and sat down next to Jasper.
"Just lie down." Heleen whispered to Jasper, guiding him so that his head landed on her lap. She put the bottle to Jasper's lips and he drank the hot chocolate happily. As he drank, Heleen stroked Jasper's hair.
Halfway through the bottle, Jasper stopped drinking for a moment. "Thank you Heleen, I feel much better already," he whispered to her.
"You're welcome," she whispered back.
Jasper, Heleen and Dries enjoyed the movie until it was time for dinner.
Since Jasper was in his sleeping bag, Kathy carried him to the table and sat him down in a chair.
The attention and warmth made Jasper feel much better than he had in the car.
Kathy had seen how well Heleen had looked after Jasper and complimented her on her care during dinner.
Heleen beamed. Kathy wasn't always generous with compliments, so when they came, she was very pleased and felt she really deserved them.
After dinner, they continued the film, and then it was time for them to go to bed. Motivated by the compliments she had just received, Heleen spontaneously helped her mother put the two boys to bed.
"Tomorrow is our last day here, the day after we go home." Kathy tucked Jasper into his cot and gave him a few planning thoughts for Jasper's peace of mind.
She then went over to Dries and tucked him in as well before turning off the light, leaving the room and closing the door.
Jasper took his new cuddly toy tightly into his arms, put his pacifier in his mouth and rolled over onto his side, quickly falling asleep from exhaustion.
Do you can't wait to read the next chapter? you're welcome to read it after a (free) registration on the scriptorium webpage. (Under writing => work in progress)
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Author: Toet
Timestamp: Oct 2, 2024 at 11:07 PM
Content:
oreobaby89 said:
Another good chapter, it seems Jasper will need diapers now after this trip. I feel him and dries may switch places with Dries being dry at night and Jasper being the bedwetter.
[End of quote]
'I ll have to dispoint you, the story will go differently but this was still a good idea.
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Author: Toet
Timestamp: Oct 2, 2024 at 11:08 PM
Content: Chapter thirty-seven,
"Good morning, sweet sleeper."
Dazed, Jasper opened his eyes as he heard Heleen's voice.
"Good morning," he murmured, his face still on the pillow. He reached for the dummy beside him and put it in his mouth.
"Everyone's been up for a while, so Mummy allowed me to wake you up. Otherwise breakfast now and lunch later would be too close together."
"What time is it then?" asked Jasper, taking his dummy out of his mouth for a moment as he looked up at Heleen who was standing next to his bed.
"A little after ten. You must have been really exhausted from yesterday."
Jasper sat up on the bed. He did indeed feel much more rested now than he had the previous morning.
Heleen opened the doors to the bed and then unzipped the sleeping bag. As Jasper stood up he noticed that his nappy was wet, as he had gone to sleep with a dry nappy the night before.
Heleen felt the front of Jasper's nappy for a moment. "Wet," she also noticed. "Come to my room and we'll put on a clean nappy quickly."
Jasper grabbed his new cuddly toy and toddled off to Heleen's room, still slightly groggy, but also worried about his nappy, which had gotten wet somewhere last night without him having consciously peed in it.
Heleen unzipped the onesie and let Jasper out, then lifted him onto the changing table and looked at his dejected face. "Is something wrong, Jasper?"
"Yes, I peed in my nappy overnight. It was dry before I went to bed last night, but now it's wet and I didn't wake up last night." As Jasper confessed this, he hid his face behind his cuddly toy so as not to look at Heleen while he confessed.
"It doesn't matter anyway," she reassured him. "That's what they're for."
Jasper looked doubtful. "Normally I never do this."
"But it's not normal now, Jasper. You are on holiday, you have done a lot, been through a lot and yesterday you were super tired. Tomorrow will be better, I think."
"Do you really think so?"
"Yes, I really think so. And if it's not tomorrow, it'll be the day after."
Meanwhile, Heleen had opened the bodysuit, pulled it up and removed the wet nappy. She quickly freshened up the area with a few wet wipes before changing Jasper into a new nappy.
"Bottom up." Heleen ordered, holding the clean nappy open.
Jasper made a bridge so that Heleen could put the nappy under Jasper.
"Okay, that's good," Heleen said. Jasper relaxed, sank down and Heleen first closed the nappy, then pulled the bodysuit tight and also closed the buttons at Jasper's crotch. Heleen lifted Jasper off the table and let him step back into the nappy before closing it at the back.
Koen, Kathy and Dries were waiting at the breakfast table. Delicious pastries were ready.
"Finally out of bed?" asked Koen.
"Everything fresh?" Kathy asked.
"Yes and yes," answered Heleen in Jasper's place.
Jasper and Heleen went to the table; Jasper put his cuddly toy on the table beside him, but Kathy immediately took it away.
"He can get dirty over there, we'll let him watch from here," she said as she put the cuddly toy on the window sill.
Jasper watched where the toy was placed and nodded that it was all right.
Very deliberately, he picked out a first piece of food and began to eat it. "It's nice that they're pastries," he said after finishing the first one.
"Yes, because it's our last day here; tomorrow we have to go home." Dries said.
"Oh, that's too bad, I like it here," Jasper said, half disappointed. He wanted to stay longer, but the pastries were tasty too.
"What are we going to do today?" asked Dries when he had finished eating.
"No more going out," said Koen. "We'll pack everything up today so that we can leave early tomorrow morning; we've got a long ride ahead of us."
"We can go to the pool together this afternoon if the packing goes well." Kathy said after putting down her cup of tea.
"Oh yes, that's nice." Dries' eyes began to shine at the thought of all the fun slides.
After breakfast was cleared away, the three children began to play around the house. Dries and Heleen were also still running around in their nightclothes; it was holiday time and no attention was paid to neat clothes.
Meanwhile, Koen and Kathy were busy moving around the house, packing up everything and leaving it by the front door. In the end, even the bed and changing table were moved back to the original room, so that it was back to the way it had been, and this did not have to be done early the next morning.
At lunchtime, all the food left over from the past holiday was laid out on the table, including sandwiches, a few eggs, yoghurt, semolina porridge, lettuce and tomatoes, cheese and various kinds of meat and fish. It seemed like a small feast.
"We've made good progress with the packing." Koen said as he put an extra piece of fish on his plate. "We can go swimming later."
The three children greeted this announcement with great joy.
After dinner, the kitchen was quickly tidied up and then everyone went to the pool. Everyone had changed into their swimsuits in the house, which was a little easier than at the pool, where the few changing rooms were often occupied or sometimes dirty. Kathy brought a large bag with towels for everyone and Jasper's life jacket. Together they walked down to the pool and settled down in about the same place as last time, and soon they were enjoying the water and the slides. After Koen had been in the water for a while, he returned to the house to resume packing. Kathy stayed with the children until it was time for dinner.
Most of the luggage was already in the car. Only what was needed for the rest of the evening, the night and the next day was still in the house. Koen took Jasper to the changing table, took off his swimming trunks, took one of the new thick nappies and put it on Jasper.
"Are you ready to go home tomorrow?"
Jasper shrugged: he wasn't quite sure what to say. He had mixed feelings about the impending departure. The holiday had been nice and intense, but he missed home a little and looked forward to seeing his mums again.
"Anyway, I was glad you were there." Koen said, breaking the silence and not wanting to continue with his question.
Jasper was dressed in pyjamas; another one piece, but now the zip was only in the front. That way Jasper was ready for the night.
Heleen and Dries also changed out of their swimsuits and into their pyjamas, as they wanted to spend another cosy evening in the cottage.
As Jasper looked around the table, the house looked much more bare. Almost all their belongings had disappeared into the car.
"I'm going to miss it here. It was a great holiday," he said sadly.
Dries nodded that he agreed. "It was a great holiday. I want you to come back next year."
"It's way too early for an invitation and a decision, Dries." Koen interjected before making promises that might not be kept.
"It's much too early to agree on something like that now."
Koen had deliberately not packed a last board game, and after dinner the whole family started playing. With a long day's travel ahead the next day, the children were allowed to stay up a little longer; there would be more than enough time in the car to catch up on some sleep.
Dries was the last to sleep in the cot, Jasper had to sleep in Heleen's room, where the bed had already been moved. Koen took Jasper to put on a clean nappy and then put him in his sleeping bag on the bed.
Koen took a thick nappy from the new pack. He kept the last, thinner one from home for Dries, because Dries was more disturbed by the thickness of the nappies to be able to sleep.
Jasper's pacifier was put on last, before Koen wished him good night and closed the door. Despite the late hour, Jasper did not immediately fall asleep. He was thinking a lot about the past holiday, but also about his mothers, whom he missed. Tossing and turning in bed, he emptied his bladder. Heleen, who had entered the room to go to sleep herself, noticed that Jasper was still awake.
"Can't you get to sleep?" she whispered to him, and Jasper nodded.
Heleen got down on her knees next to Jasper's bed so that she could whisper in his ear. Slowly she began to tell a story she had made up on the spot. Because Jasper now had something to focus on, his thoughts no longer jumped everywhere and together with Heleen's soft voice, sleep came. Heleen finished the story a little later and crawled into bed herself. Not long after, Jasper fell asleep and Heleen followed him soon after into dreamland.
Do you can't wait to read the next chapter? you're welcome to read it after a (free) registration on the scriptorium webpage. (Under writing => work in progress)
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Author: Toet
Timestamp: Oct 20, 2024 at 12:42 AM
Content: Chapter 38
Dazed, Jasper woke up. He had to get his bearings because he hadn't woken up in the bed where he'd fallen asleep. He was sitting in the car between Heleen and Dries. Jasper looked left and right and saw that they were both awake and watching a movie. The clock on the dashboard showed that it was just after seven. Kathy saw that Jasper was awake and smiled at him through the mirror.
"Have we been driving long?" Jasper asked as he saw Kathy looking at him. Jasper winced as the dummy fell onto his chest. He hadn't realised it was still in his mouth.
"About an hour." Kathy replied.
When she had gotten up that morning and taken Jasper to the car, she had briefly feared that Jasper would wake up, but in the end he had closed his eyes as soon as she had put him in the car seat. They had managed to get him into the car seat with his sleeping bag on. The opening in the sleeping bag for the straps also worked for the car seat.
Jasper grabbed a pair of headphones so that he could follow the film.
"Koen, Jasper is awake now. Shall we stop for breakfast at the next petrol station?" Kathy asked her husband.
"Ok. According to the GPS that will be in about twenty minutes," he replied.
Kathy turned to the three children. "Twenty more minutes and then we'll have breakfast," she said after asking and getting everyone's attention.
"Okay." Jasper, Dries and Heleen said in unison.
Koen stopped at the petrol station and everyone got out to stretch their legs. Koen helped Jasper out of the chair and helped him take off his sleeping bag, Kathy immediately went to the trunk and took out the backpacks with the care and breakfast items. She laid out all the food and drink on a nearby table, and of course everyone came to her and sat down around the table to eat.
Dries and Heleen finished their meal quickly and both were given a cup of water. Jasper was a little slower to eat. His attention was distracted all the time by the cars that drove by and the birds that flew around the trees and chirped. Despite frequent reminders, he was still working on his first sandwich when everyone else had finished eating and drinking. While Koen stayed with Jasper, Kathy took Dries into the building to freshen up. Heleen had dressed quickly in the morning before leaving.
Kathy took Dries to the disabled toilet because there was more space. Despite the space, it was a bit uncomfortable because the floor was dirty and there was no changing table. Everything had to be done standing up.
Kathy took off Dries' nappy, freshened everything up with a couple of damp wipes and then dived into the nappy bag to find Dries' underwear.
Kathy went through the main compartment and all the smaller ones several times, but could not find them, or the socks. She thought for a moment, then remembered that she had put Dries' clothes in another bag first, then moved them into this backpack at the last minute. She must not have transferred the underpants and the socks to the backpack with her.
She quickly put a T-shirt on him, so he wouldn't be naked all the time, and then spoke to him.
"Dries, I'm sorry, but I must have left your underpants and socks in the car. Do you mind if for today, as an exception, you just wear a nappy like Jasper?" Kathy asked cautiously, a little afraid of the reaction. "I don't want to leave you here alone while I run to the car to get your underpants."
Dries was not happy with this news. The old ghost of fear of being laughed at immediately resurfaced.
"People are going to see that mum," he said with a hint of panic in his voice.
"But no, we'll put your trousers on right away. You have a rather large T-shirt that we can hang loosely over your trousers. I can assure you it won't be noticed. Jasper dares to do that on holidays, doesn't he?" Kathy spoke to him. Reluctantly, Dries agreed and a short time later they both emerged from the toilet together.
Anxious, Dries walked back to the car with his mother, his hands covering his bum. He tried to hide the fact that he was wearing a nappy with his hands. It was so obvious that he was trying to hide something that the rest of the group knew immediately that something was wrong, and Kathy briefly explained to everyone what was going on. Koen nodded in agreement. "It's great that you dare to do that, just like Jasper."
Dries felt uncomfortable with all the attention and gave a quick shrug as he crawled into his seat in the car to hide his embarrassment and his nappy.
Now that Dries and Kathy were back, Koen started to tidy up the breakfast. The rubbish went in the bin, the surplus went back into the car and Dries' pyjamas were put away. In the end, there was only one last sandwich, a cup of water and a change of clothes for Jasper on the table, while Koen, Kathy and Heleen sat around Jasper to see how he was eating.
Koen couldn't stand it any longer; he quickly looked around to see if there were any other people around and then spoke to Jasper.
"Jasper, we'd like to move on and you're holding everyone up. Go on eating your sandwich, but in the meantime we'll give you a quick change."
Koen took a towel and laid it open on the table to create a clean surface. "Heleen, would you like to put Jasper's water in a bottle? Then he can continue drinking in the car without spilling."
"Okay; I'll do it." Heleen said and went to find the bottle. Meanwhile, Jasper stuffed the rest of the last sandwich into his mouth, so much that he couldn't close his mouth properly to chew it.
"I'm glad you're hurrying now, but this is a bit much and not very polite," Koen said as he picked up Jasper and put him on the towel. Meanwhile, Kathy was busy setting out all the care products for Koen. Jasper took a quick look around and sighed with relief when he saw that the nearest people, who were preoccupied with themselves, were far enough away not to see anything.Dries had curiously gotten out of the car to see what was going on and tensed when he saw Jasper lying exposed on the table. "Dries, are you ready to get in the car?" Kathy asked. She saw that he couldn't control himself. Aware of the bulk between his legs under his trousers, he meekly carried out the order. Koen took care of everything quickly: undressing, removing the nappy, washing, putting the nappy back on and finally closing the body and onesie.
Soon after, Kathy drove the car out of the car park and onto the motorway, taking turns with Koen so that he could rest a little.
The rest of the first day's drive went smoothly, with an occasional break and a slightly longer stop in the afternoon for both Jasper and Dries to change nappies, walk a bit and have a picnic.
They had prepared the picnic beforehand. Koen had made a pasta salad the night before to eat cold. Kathy took out a four-person picnic set for the family, and for Jasper she took the set he had got at the theme park.
There was a short stop in the afternoon for both of them to get a clean nappy. When it was five o'clock and they were still ten kilometres from the hotel they had booked for the night, Kathy suddenly looked up. "What's the matter with your speed, Koen, why are you slowing down all of a sudden?"
"I don't know, I'm pushing the gas," he said worriedly. Koen looked at the dashboard and saw that there was an orange light on, indicating an engine problem. "Oops," he muttered. "That's not good."
Kathy also saw the light on and took the car's manual from the glove compartment and hurriedly looked up what the sign meant.
"Get to the garage as soon as possible," she read out loud after looking at the fault codes.
Heleen had noticed the commotion in the front and asked what was going on.
"Problems with the car, but we don't know what exactly," Kathy told Heleen. "Please be quiet and let us concentrate on the road for a moment."
Kathy and Koen conferred for a while. The light was orange, not red, the car was still moving, albeit slower, and it wasn't far to the hotel.
But after they left the motorway and before they reached the hotel, they saw a garage of the same brand as their car. "Perfect," said Koen, who immediately turned the wheel and drove into the garage's parking lot. "Almost six o'clock, I hope they can still help us," he muttered.
Kathy had already looked up the contact details for the travel insurance company and made a quick call to say they were in trouble. The person on the other end said to keep them informed and that they would try to find a solution.
The family was allowed to take a seat in the waiting room while one of the garage owners hooked up the computer to the car to see what the problem was. Not long after, he returned to the family.
"The filter is clogged," he was able to explain using a translation app. "We have one in stock, but we won't have time to install it for another three days," he continued after some difficulty with the app.
Hearing this, Koen turned red and Kathy turned pale. Wait three days before they can install it and go home?
Kathy called the insurance broker again to explain everything. She was now able to explain more about the problem and the solution. The insurance agent listened and told her she would make some phone calls and talk to her manager about possible solutions. She would try to give them more information within the hour, but they shouldn't worry too much.
Kathy and Koen breathed a sigh of relief. It was difficult, this extra stopover, but they were glad to be helped.
Koen took the suitcase with all their things that they had put aside for the hotel night, and they all walked to the hotel where they checked in at the reception.
For the return trip, they had switched from a four-bed room to a five-bed room, with a cot in addition to the five beds. There were two beds next to each other, where Koen and Kathy would sleep. When Kathy went to put the harness set for Jasper on one of the beds, she noticed that none of the three single beds had a waterproof mattress protector. "Better ask reception to put another mattress cover here first," she said to Koen, interrupting the assembly of the harness sets. She put the complete set of belts, all the sleeping equipment, the pack of nappies and the care items for the three children together on the table; she had already laid out Koen's and her own sleeping clothes on the big bed.
"That's good," Koen said, "we're going to have dinner in the restaurant here, and when we pass the reception we'll ask to do that."
Without protest, Jasper accepted the high chair offered to him in the restaurant. He had gotten so used to it that he was considered younger and actually enjoyed the extra attention. Even now the waiter patted him on the head and gave him a small cheap toy car to play with, which Dries looked at with envy. Jasper saw this and shared his car: it was soon driving across the table between them.
While the family was enjoying a nice hot meal in the hotel restaurant, Kathy received a phone call from the insurance agent.
"I've been able to arrange a few things," she began. "With some extra financial encouragement, we were able to make it an emergency repair. They will start tomorrow and you can be on your way the day after. I also phoned the hotel and you can stay an extra night in the room you are in now. The second night is at our expense, the first at yours, as it was already provided for anyway".
"Oh, that's nice." Kathy said. "I'm quite surprised that it can suddenly be done more quickly. Thank you for arranging this for us, what a great service."
"You don't really need to worry about that," the employee replied casually. "The price for the emergency repair was cheaper than booking the hotel for so many extra nights or repatriating you and the car. The bill for the repair will be sent to us. Please note that you will then have to pay the first hundred euros back to us for the cost of the repair at the garage, as stated in the contract. Anything over the first hundred euros will be paid by us. However, the second night in the hotel is entirely at our expense.
Satisfied that the delay would not be too long, the family went back to their room. On the way, Kathy told Celine and Helga that the trip had been extended by a day and why. They were sorry; they missed Jasper, but they were understanding.
"Oh?" Heleen said in surprise as she entered the room. The hotel maintenance staff had obviously been there. Where all the children's things had been on the table before, the beds were now nicely made. The belt set was attached to the bed, the sleeping bag was open and a onesie, bodysuit, nappy, dummy and Dries' cuddly toy were neatly folded and placed on the pillow. Dries' pyjamas, bodysuit and nappy were on another bed, along with Jasper's cuddly toy. Heleen's pyjamas, cuddly toy and a nappy were also ready on her bed.
Mummy, no,' Heleen stuttered. Jasper looked at her and saw her blush when she saw the nappy on top of her nightdress.
Koen burst out laughing when he saw that. "They were just trying to do their best, Heleen, they wanted to be helpful. You can just put the nappy back in the box."
Heleen sighed with relief and did so as quickly as she could. When she put her hand on the mattress, she felt that a protective sheet had been placed on it as well. "Mummy, they put a plastic sheet here too."
"Leave it Heleen, we're not going back to reception for that." Kathy said.
Heleen nodded. "Oke mum," she said quietly and disappointed.
Jasper and Dries felt at their own beds; there was also a mattress protector on them. Dries quickly took his own teddy from Jasper's bed and handed Jasper's to him. Kathy took a quick look at Jasper's belt set. She adjusted some of the belts to make them fit properly and then checked her watch. "Another hour and then it's time for bed. How are your nappies, boys?" she asked Jasper and Dries. "Do they need to be changed now or do we wait until just before bedtime?"
Jasper and Dries couldn't make up their minds. They were both wet, but they didn't know if they could hold out for another hour.
Koen was closest to Dries; he got down on his knees beside him and grabbed his trousers. "I'll have a look," he said before pulling down his trousers and inspecting the nappy. "Wet, but we can wait to change it." Koen pulled the trousers up and then turned to Jasper, where he also did a quick visual inspection. "This is about to leak. Have you urinated recently or has it been a while?" asked Koen.
"Just as we were going up in the elevator," Jasper said shyly.
"No problem, that's what the nappy is for," Koen said. "But if you've just peed, there won't be much more in the next hour. So we can wait a bit longer with you."
"Can we play on the Nintendo for an hour?" Dries asked Kathy.
"No, you've been sitting almost all day watching the car's TV screen. You've had enough screen time for today. Let's have a look around the hotel and see if there's anything else we can do. To be on the safe side, Kathy took the backpack with a change of nappies and clothes for the boys and put a book in it for herself and Koen.
Together they went downstairs, and at the reception they turned into a corridor they hadn't been in before. At the end of the corridor they came to a bar with a small playground attached to it. There were a number of large windows looking out onto a terrace outside, and next to it was another set of playground equipment in a small garden.
The outdoor equipment seemed much more fun and interesting than the indoor equipment. As soon as Jasper and Dries spotted the playground equipment, they darted out, Heleen walking quietly behind them. Koen and Kathy followed her and sat down at a table on the terrace. Kathy opened her backpack, put it on a chair beside her and took her book and Koen's. When the waiter came over they both ordered a drink. As they sipped from their glasses, they enjoyed their book and the cheering of the children, clearly happy to let off some of their energy.
After playing for half an hour, they came over to Kathy and Koen and asked if they could have a drink. Heleen opted for fruit juice, Dries for hot chocolate and Jasper for a milkshake.
The waiter, who was walking around taking and delivering orders, was called in and the order was passed on. Before Kathy could react, the waiter took the bottle that was clearly visible in the backpack and said he would bring the order right away.
A little later he returned with a glass for Heleen, a cup of chocolate milk for Dries and the milkshake in Jasper's bottle. The children drank their drinks quickly and then resumed playing. Koen and Kathy only noticed that the waiter had also cleared away Jasper's bottle when he put it back on their table, clean and washed. "You have three beautiful and adorable children. Especially the youngest is super cute," he said, before walking over to the next table.
The scheduled hour had already been exceeded, but the children were playing so nicely that Kathy and Koen decided to let them play a little longer before they were called. They went back to the hotel room where first Jasper and then Dries were given a clean nappy. Jasper was given a clean bodysuit and onesie and Dries, after changing, was given his pyjamas and bodysuit from the night before.
While the two boys were getting ready, Heleen took her book and sat down on the balcony of the hotel room to read some more; there was also a light she could turn on without disturbing the boys.
Jasper was strapped to the bed in his sleeping bag and Dries crawled himself into his own bed.
"Kathy?" Jasper asked after she had fastened the closures. "What's going to happen to the sleeping bag when we get home?"
"They were bought for you, you can take them home and enjoy them at home. And if you come and stay with us again, you can take it with you."
"That's nice," Jasper said, putting his dummy in his mouth and closing his eyes to sleep.
Jasper and Dries slept through the night and were woken in the morning by Heleen tiptoeing around the room. The first was dry, the second was not. Jasper and Dries saw that they were awake. Dries crawled out of bed and lay down next to Jasper in his bed and the boys started whispering to each other. Koen and Kathy were still asleep, but it was clear from Koen's twisting and turning that this wouldn't last long.
A moment later they were all awake, and Kathy was sitting, thinking, with Jasper's clothes in her hand. There was a T-shirt, trousers and underpants left for Jasper. The intention was for him to wear these when he went home, but then she could only let Jasper wear his onesie and bodysuit today.
"Koen, what do you think?" Kathy asked him as she presented the dilemma.
Koen also had to think about it for a while. It seemed most logical to him to put on some clothes today and to change into the onesie tomorrow, when they were sitting in the car. But they had intended to take Jasper home in ordinary clothes.
"Maybe we should give up our original plan," Koen said. "Helga and Celine will understand when we explain how it happened."
So a normal t-shirt, trousers and underpants were laid out for Jasper for the day. The last clean clothes he had.
Heleen was the first to wash, then Jasper and Dries were bathed together by Kathy, and finally she and Koen took a quick shower together.
"Totally dry," Kathy said as she helped Jasper out of his clothes. Jasper was relieved to wake up completely dry this time. The bed-wetting from earlier had indeed been a temporary thing, as Heleen had assured him.
As Jasper dressed, he secretly tucked one of his dummies into his pocket; it felt good to have it with him.
After breakfast, the family stopped by the garage; Koen wanted to put the dirty clothes in the car and get some clean clothes for the next day. After a quick search and a chat with a mechanic, they found the car somewhere in the back. It was clear that they had not done anything about it, even though it was almost noon. Worried, but with the right clothes they returned to the hotel.
The pacifier that Jasper had put in his pocket had now moved to his mouth, while the ribbon was tied to his T-shirt.
Back in the room, they saw that the maintenance staff had stopped by. The beds were made and the sleeping clothes were neatly folded on the pillows. Once again, the three children had a nappy ready for them on top. With a flushed face, Heleen took the nappy from the top of her nightdress and put it back in the pack of nappies. Jasper and Dries didn't care.
Before lunch, they were all quietly busy in the room; Jasper and Dries playing on the Nintendo, Heleen, Koen and Kathy reading a book. After lunch they looked for something to do within walking distance of the hotel. The only thing nearby, apart from the hotel's own playground, was a bowling alley about 15 minutes' walk away. To break up the day and still have something to do, they decided to visit the bowling alley. With his mobile phone in hand to find the way, Koen went first. After fifteen minutes of walking, they arrived at a large bowling alley. When they arrived, all the lanes were occupied and they had to wait half an hour before they could start.
It was the first time for Jasper and Dries, although Heleen had done it once at a birthday party. They looked in amazement at the strange shoes they had to put on, and while they waited with a drink on the side until it was their turn, Kathy, with the help of Heleen, gave a detailed explanation of the rules and what techniques worked well.
Jasper and Dries were particularly interested to see how another child their age was playing. He regularly used a ramp to roll the balls instead of having to throw them, and rails went up along the sides when it was his turn, so the bowling ball didn't end up in the gutter at the side. Soon Jasper and Dries were asking if they could do it too. For Koen and Kathy, it was all about having fun - it was not their intention to start a competition within the family - so they allowed it. Soon they were busy and the children enjoyed the game, cheering each other on every time someone managed to knock down all the pins.
After the first hour, they played a second hour and then returned to the hotel. They took the time to have a quiet and long dinner. Jasper wasn't sure why, or if it was written down somewhere, or because he had his pacifier hanging from his T-shirt, but in the hotel before every meal a high chair was pulled out for him. At dinner, Jasper was given another little car, which he handed to Dries. "This is for you, then we each have one."
"Thank you," said Dries, beaming at this unexpected gift.
After dinner, the family went straight to the bar with the attached playground, where Jasper, Dries and Heleen enjoyed themselves for a while until it was time to go to bed.
Upstairs in the hotel room, Heleen withdrew to the terrace with a book to read some more while Koen and Kathy prepared the two boys for the night.
Kathy had put Dries' favourite onesie aside especially for Dries' last night in the hotel. Because it had been Dries' favourite for so long, she had it in two sizes. She'd bought the first one at the regular price and bought the exact same one, but two sizes bigger, at a sale later that year. Dries was now too big for the first onesie, but it was perfect for Jasper. It was a onesie with a zip at the back but no feet.
Kathy took another picture of the two boys posing together just before bedtime.
"Can I go to bed without being tied up?" asked Jasper as Kathy was busy tying the straps around Jasper.
"I don't think it's a good idea to start experimenting now, Jasper. What if you fall out of bed again?" Kathy asked.
Jasper shrugged. "I'm not in the mood for it right now," he said quietly.
Koen came over. "I might have a compromise," he began, pointing to the unused baby bed in the room. "If you use this bed tonight, we won't have to worry about you falling out because of the edges, and you can turn and lie down as you like."
Jasper didn't really feel like it - it was a baby bed after all - but as Koen said, he could indeed sleep in it without any worries.
"All right then," he said quietly, pointing to the cot.
Kathy put all the straps aside and picked Jasper up to put him in the cot. "Sleep well my sweet boy," she wished him before planting a kiss on his cheek.
Dries was tucked in too. Finally, Kathy and Koen went out on the terrace to read a book with Heleen, to give the two boys a chance to sleep peacefully.
Jasper had a little trouble getting to sleep. He hoped the car would be fixed and they could go home tomorrow; he was starting to miss his mums, despite the nice holiday. After a lot of tossing and turning, and stimulated by Dries' calm breathing, he finally drifted off to sleep.
Do you can't wait to read the next chapter? you're welcome to read it on the scriptorium webpage. (Under writing => finished stories)
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Author: Toet
Timestamp: Oct 29, 2024 at 10:43 PM
Content: Chapter thirty-nine
It was eight in the morning and the alarm was ringing through the room. Both Heleen, Dries and Jasper began to growl that it was way too early and they didn't feel like getting up. Koen sighed that he needed coffee and Kathy mumbled that she knew all about it, but that she still hoped to be back at a reasonable hour this evening. The garage opened at ten o'clock and hadn't they agreed the night before that they would be ready to go when the garage opened?
Koen sighed. "That's right, but I really need that coffee quickly."
Koen, Kathy, Dries and Heleen struggled to get out of bed. Jasper couldn't get out at all because of the sleeping bag he was in. He sat up straight in bed and held out his hands to Heleen, who passed him first.
"Can't get out of bed, Jasper?" she asked him.
Jasper shook his head no.
"I'll help you." Heleen said, unzipping the sleeping bag and helping Jasper out.
Kathy looked at her watch. "We have to hurry, we don't have much time. We have booked to eat our breakfast within twenty minutes."
Koen went into the bathroom first to change, then Kathy followed. In the meantime, everything possible was packed and ready for the return journey.
Due to the lack of time, Jasper and Dries were quickly changed into new nappies in bed with the help of a few damp wipes. They did not want to give Dries any underwear until he had been thoroughly washed, while Heleen changed in the bathroom. Jasper and Dries were going to have breakfast in their onesies.
Jasper's and Dries' wet nappies were thrown in the bathroom waste bin. When Jasper's nappy came off, he vaguely remembered that he had been awake and had urinated briefly last night, but he had only been awake for a short time, so the memory was vague.
Koen made another tour of the room, looking under all the beds and in all the cupboards to see if they had forgotten anything. He found Jasper's dummy in his bed and tied it to Jasper's onesie to prevent it from getting lost again.
On the way to the restaurant, several other guests and staff took another look at Jasper and Dries. It looked cute, the two of them together in their identical onesies
A buffet breakfast was served in the restaurant. The family was escorted to their table first, where a high chair was already provided for Jasper. Kathy put down her purse and then they went to the breakfast buffet together. Koen served himself a large cup of coffee and put it on the table before looking at the rest of the food. Kathy walked around the buffet with Dries and two plates, and helped herself and Dries. Koen waved Jasper over after putting his own coffee on the table, took two plates and went around the buffet with Jasper to serve food for Jasper and himself; Heleen chose her food without help.
The family enjoyed the meal and Koen and Kathy took a moment to relax before the hectic pace of the day's travel continued. When everyone had finally finished, and Jasper was fidgeting in his chair in boredom, the family went back upstairs.
Kathy took the two boys into the bathroom to wash their bodies. If she did the washing, they would be clean more quickly and they would be on their way sooner.
While Kathy helped the boys undress, Koen came into the bathroom to take the clothes. He put Dries' onesie and bodysuit in a bag to take with him, and put Jasper's on the bed, ready to be put back on; after all, Jasper had no normal clothes left.
He placed a pair of underpants on top of Dries' pile; a nappy was laid out for Jasper. Kathy took good care of both boys under the shower. She gave Jasper a little extra attention: she wanted to be sure she was handing him over to his mums clean that evening.
Dries was the first to be taken out of the shower and, wrapped in a towel, he entered the room where he was greeted by Koen. Koen continued to dry him off and helped him put on his clothes.
Shortly after Dries appeared, Jasper also came out of the bathroom.
"Heleen, will you help Jasper?" asked Koen, who was still busy with Dries. From the bathroom Kathy could be heard tidying things away.
At the front desk, Koen looked at his watch as they checked out. The garage would open in five minutes and it was a ten minute walk. So they were five minutes later than planned, but that was more than acceptable. Kathy, Dries, Jasper and Heleen were waiting behind him with the suitcases and travel bags. Even though they were only five minutes late, after checking out he took Jasper by the hand and walked briskly while Kathy, Heleen and Dries followed.
Arriving at the garage, they were the first customers and immediately greeted by the clerk.
"It's almost done, it won't take much more time to finish the work," the employee at the counter assured Koen, who was furious.
"It should have been ready by now, as promised; we want to leave for home because we still have a lot of driving to do!"
"We're really doing our best, sir," the man said apologetically, unconsciously taking a step back.
"Well, I can see that you're working on." Koen snorted. He looked sideways at a window between the reception and the garage and saw that the car was in the same place as yesterday, untouched somewhere at the back of the garage.
"Relax honey, it'll be fine." Kathy said, trying to calm her husband.
Meanwhile, the receptionist had disappeared into the garage. They could see through the window that he was approaching two mechanics who were working on a car. When he had finished, the two mechanics immediately stopped working on that car and went over to Koen and Kathy's car to work on it.
The man at the reception walked over to Koen and Kathy and spoke to them. "I'm going to have to ask you to wait a little longer, can I offer you something to drink in the meantime?"
"Two coffees and fruit juice for the kids, please." Koen said as he looked sideways at everyone to see if they agreed with his choice.
The coffees were made quickly, but the fruit juice was a little harder to find. Finally, the man disappeared from the counter for a moment and returned a little later with a bottle of fruit juice and some cups.
"Here you go," he said, "and once again we apologise for the inconvenience."
Jasper and Dries had got permission from Kathy to play the Nintendo; Heleen, Kathy and Koen had brought books. Koen's attempt at reading wasn't working, though. He walked back and forth while sipping his coffee, glancing at their car and the mechanics every time he passed the window. He was glad that they were obviously working on it now, but he was worried about how long it would take.
Two hours after they had hoped to leave, they were beckoned by the receptionist, who waved Koen and Kathy's car keys at them.
"It's ready," he said.
Koen grunted something that sounded like "finally" and some other words that weren't appropriate to write down. He grabbed the key out of his hands. "Come on kids, let's go," he said next, holding the door open for everyone.
"Dad, I need to go to the bathroom." Heleen said, cautious of his reaction. It was clear to her that he wanted to leave as soon as possible.
"She's right Koen, it's best if we all go now before we leave." Kathy intervened before Koen could make a snappy reply.
Koen had to let what Kathy had said sink in and think about the reasons behind it. It would have been impossible to go to the toilet beforehand, because nobody knew when the car would be ready. And now everyone going to the toilet was actually not a bad plan.
Koen sighed. "Come on Dries and Jasper, you too, you heard Kathy."
Dries followed to the toilet while Jasper turned off his Nintendo and tidied up. Kathy came out of the bathroom as Jasper zipped up his rucksack with the Nintendo in it.
"Jasper, don't you have to go to the bathroom?"
"I just put my Nintendo away. I just need to pee a bit."
"Is your nappy still dry, do you need to have it changed?" Kathy asked.
"It's fine, it's still dry." Jasper said.
"Good for you Jasper. You have to know that we are going to drive for a long time now and we are not going to make a quick stop. Koen will want to make up for lost time. Even if you only have to pee a little, it's better to go now, otherwise..."
Koen also entered the room and interrupted Kathy. "Come on, Dries, Jasper and Heleen, get in the car, then we can go."
"That's okay." Jasper whispered into Kathy's ear. "This is what the nappy can be used for. Koen wants to go; now going to the toilet is a lot of work with getting dressed and undressed."
"Thanks, you are thoughtful." Kathy whispered back and stroked Jasper's head before taking his hand and walking with the others to the car.
As soon as everyone was buckled in, Koen drove off with the car. Groaning, he looked at the GPS that showed the time of arrival. "It will be even later if we add the breaks. Are you going to inform Celine and Helga?"
"I will." Kathy replied and typed a message saying they were going to be late.
Koen had indeed done his best to keep driving, and it was only two and a half hours later that they stopped for the first time at a large petrol station along the highway. It was time to refuel and a good time to eat. Koen refuelled first and then drove to a car park where he stopped the car. While Koen was refuelling, Kathy had already gone into the shop to buy something to eat for everyone. Happily, Heleen and Dries opened the door and quickly got out of the car to stretch their legs. Sitting for two and a half hours was a long time, even if there was a movie on to keep them distracted.
"Helen!" Jasper called from the car. "Can you help me? I can't get out!"
"Oh, sure, I'll come." Helen replied as she turned around to help Jasper. Everyone was so eager to get out of the car that they forgot that Jasper could not unbuckle his seatbelt himself.
Once he had gotten out of the car as well, he walked around the car for three short laps before taking a look around at his surroundings. Meanwhile, Kathy arrived with a pile of salads from the shop and walked over to a nearby table. While Kathy set everything down, Koen arrived with cutlery, cups and drinks. Everyone sat around the table and Kathy handed out an identical salad to everyone while Koen passed around the cutlery. Jasper was given the toddler's cutlery he had been given at the amusement park.
"Sorry kid, we don't have anything else." Koen said as he pointed it out.
"Doesn't matter." Jasper said as he took it and opened the box of salad to eat.
Dries struggled to open his box. Heleen helped him so that he could eat.
The children ate a lot, knowing that Kathy and Koen would want to get back on the road quickly. After fifteen minutes everyone had eaten enough and the cutlery was rinsed with a bottle of water, dried with a paper tissue and finally put away by Dries. Jasper threw the empty salad boxes in the bin and Heleen helped pour drinks for everyone.
Meanwhile, Kathy was busy in the car looking for a clean nappy for Jasper, and Koen was enjoying some peace and quiet after two and a half hours of driving. After everyone had had a drink, he tidied up and the rest went to the toilet in preparation for the next long drive. Koen had already gone to the toilet while he was paying for the petrol.
The toilets were busy and there was a small queue for women to enter. Dries was able to get in and out of the men's toilets easily, there was no queue. After going to the toilet he walked back to the car on his own.
It was a different story for Jasper. He waited hand in hand with Kathy and Heleen. Kathy also had a nappy and wipes in her other hand and it was obvious to everyone in the queue who they were for. There were a number of small children waiting with their mothers, but when Jasper took a quick look down the queue he saw that he was the biggest child not going to the toilet independently. Feeling a little embarrassed, he looked down to avoid looking up at the others as he sucked hard on his pacifier.
"Don't worry Jasper, there's no one here who knows you." Kathy said softly to Jasper.
"You go first, Heleen, I will stay here with Jasper for a while, we can hardly leave him waiting here alone. He can wait with you when you're done."
"Okay Mum." Heleen said as she slipped into the next cubicle.
Jasper continued to stare at his feet as he obediently held Kathy's hand. He looked up in surprise when he felt Kathy let go of his hand.
"Here, will you hold this for me?" she asked Heleen, handing her the nappy and the pack of wet wipes before going into the cubicle where Heleen had come out.
After Kathy had finished, they went into the changing room where Jasper was put on the changing table by Kathy. Heleen helped and quickly removed Jasper's onesie and opened his bodysuit wide enough to freshen him up with the wet wipes and put on a clean nappy. Just as quickly as everything had gone out, everything came back on and in record time Jasper was back on his feet and walking back to the car with Heleen holding his hand.
Once they were all in the car and had their seat belts on, Kathy put the car in motion and they continued their journey home.
The heat in the car, the long hours of sitting still and the monotonous humming caused Dries to gently fall asleep. The film that was playing was not interesting for a moment and Jasper giggled as he looked at Dries, who was leaning against the window with his mouth wide open. He nudged Heleen gently and pointed to Dries, who was asleep.
"Look, Heleen, how strange he looks with his mouth open." Heleen smiled and nodded, then turned her attention back to the film. She just found it very interesting. Jasper looked at Dries again and was shocked when he suddenly saw a dark spot appear near Dries' crotch.
"Dries!" he exclaimed in surprise and Dries woke up.
"What?" he muttered. Followed by an "Oh no!"
Koen looked back at what was there. "Oh no, Dries, not in the car," he growled. "Kathy, will you stop at the first possible place? Dries has wet his pants."
"I'll do it, it's another fifteen kilometres to the next stop." Kathy said as she checked the GPS.
"Please sit on this, Dries," Koen said, handing Dries a plastic bag. "That way the seat won't get wet."
With embarrassment on his cheeks, Dries took the bag and sat on it. The sound of the crunching plastic filled the car.
Jasper saw that there were tears on Dries' cheeks and then did his best to look at the film and not at Dries. He used his hand to search for Dries' hand and whispered when he found it:
"It's okay, I know you can't do anything about it and I'm not laughing at you."
"Thank you," Dries replied in a sobbing voice. As he looked outside, tears continued to stream down his cheeks.
It was an almost empty highway rest area where they stopped. Besides a few benches, there was a small building with toilets that were not cleaned enough and that everyone preferred to stay away from. Koen parked the car a little further away from the building where no one was parked. Dries got out of the car as quickly as he could to get off the dirty bag. Koen rummaged through the luggage looking for dry clothes. He soon found the clothes that were always in the car for vomiting incidents; there were also clean trousers in there. Kathy checked the seat first. Fortunately, it was only superficially wet and would probably dry without too much trouble. She took a towel and put it over it instead of the plastic bag.
"It's OK, Dries, we're not angry or upset, we know there's nothing you can do about it."
Kathy hugged Dries and tried to comfort him, then took off his shoes, unzipped his trousers and pulled them down with his underpants. She took some wet wipes and cleaned Dries' crotch. Koen picked up the wet trousers and underpants and put them in the plastic bag. Koen had laid out clean trousers, underpants and nappy next to Kathy.
"A nappy?" Dries sobbed when he saw what was waiting for him.
"Just for the road, if that's OK with you, Dries. I've also got some underpants if you really don't want them, but if you put on a nappy you won't have to worry about falling asleep again. It's just for today," said Koen, who understood Dries' reluctance.
Dries nodded that it was okay, he felt the understanding and security that his parents radiated.
Koen and Kathy worked together to put the nappy on Dries, who was standing upright, and then he was allowed to put on his trousers. Koen put away the clean underpants and the bag of dirty clothes, and shortly afterwards the car was back on the road with Koen behind the steering wheel.
Until eight o'clock in the evening, long stretches were driven with only short breaks, and Koen and Kathy took turns behind the wheel to give the other a bit of a rest.
Around eight o'clock in the evening, another longer stop was made. It was time for dinner and soon it would be time for Jasper and Dries to go to sleep. The lunch routine was repeated; this time Kathy had bought sandwiches. And in addition to what they had done in the afternoon, the children had to brush their teeth after their meal. It was quiet in the car park and first Jasper and then Dries were changed on a nearby table. During the change, Dries' clothes were also exchanged for his bodysuit and onesie. While Jasper waited by the table for Dries to finish, Koen came over and held Jasper's sleeping bag.
"Jasper, are you going to put it on in the car? I hope you can sleep better and don't wake up when we get home."
"Yes, that's good." Jasper said.
Koen removed Jasper's pacifier from his onesie and placed it on the table. He then laid the sleeping bag open on the table, lifted Jasper up and placed him on his stomach on top of the sleeping bag, then closed the sleeping bag over Jasper and tightened the zip. Finally, he picked Jasper up and put him in his seat, then fastened the seat belts. Koen checked that the straps were in place and tightened them again, just to be sure. Jasper felt himself being pushed all the way up against the backrest. Heleen followed with Jasper's pacifier. She fastened it to the sleeping bag and then put the dummy in his mouth before sitting down herself and fastening her seatbelt. Kathy tilted Jasper's car seat a little so that it was in 'sleep mode' and gave Jasper his cuddly toy. Then Dries got into his seat and strapped himself in, and they were off.
After another hour of driving, the televisions had to be turned off and first Jasper, then Dries and finally Heleen fell asleep.
Celine and Helga were fast asleep on the sofa when the doorbell rang. They knew Jasper was on his way, but they couldn't stay awake until he arrived.
When Celine opened the door, Koen was standing in the doorway with a sleeping Jasper in his arms. Carefully, without waking him, he handed him over and Celine quietly went upstairs to tuck Jasper into his own bed.
Helga took Jasper's luggage from Kathy's hands and whispered, "Thank you.
"The holiday was great, but now we have to go home. We will come by tomorrow or the day after with the photos, but for now we would like to go to bed ourselves."
"Thank you. Just send us a message when you're on your way, and have a good night's sleep; enjoy the peace and quiet."
Koen and Kathy turned to the car to drive home. They just wanted to put Dries and Heleen to bed and then crawl into bed themselves; it was too late to unload the whole car.
Celine wanted to do as little as possible so as not to wake Jasper, so she decided to just leave him in the sleeping bag. She looked curiously at the model, which she had never seen before.
She gave Jasper his cuddly toy and he held it tightly in his sleep.
She closed the door behind her, smiling. It was a sweet picture she had left behind. Jasper in his sleeping bag, his pacifier in his mouth and the cuddly toy he was clutching in his sleep.
"They're always so cute when they're sleeping," she whispered to Helga as she crawled into bed next to her.
"Hmmm." Helga said with her eyes closed. "I'll have a look at it tomorrow," she mumbled.
"Sleep well," the two mothers said to each other, giving each other a quick kiss before going back to sleep.
The next morning Jasper was woken by Helga. "Good morning my boy."
"Mum!" Jasper exclaimed happily. He sat up and reached out for a hug. Helga picked Jasper up and carried him to her bedroom, where she put him back between her and Celine. Lying between them, still wearing his sleeping bag, Jasper enjoyed a big hug and the attention of both his mothers; it was a happy reunion, they had missed each other.
Jasper was asked by his mums about the holiday and Jasper tried to tell them as much as he could. It had been a busy holiday, full of impressions, and Jasper had forgotten some things.
After more than half an hour of cuddling, Celine said it was time to get up. She picked Jasper up again and led him back to his own bedroom, where she sat him down in front of the bed and unzipped the sleeping bag on Jasper's back and helped him out. She took a closer look at the sleeping bag and marvelled at its design.
"I can see that some adjustments have been made afterwards," she said to Jasper, "Look at the openings here, they have been made afterwards," she continued as she examined the sleeping bag. "But these adjustments were only possible because the sleeping bag itself is of such good quality."
She looked at the label on the sleeping bag and saw snugglezzz.nl. "Did you sleep well in this sleeping bag?" Celine asked Jasper.
"Definitely, I've slept much better since I slept with it on holiday, I wasn't exposed once." Jasper beamed.
Celine later decided to have a look at the website; if Jasper slept so well in it, it certainly sounded worth buying more for him.
After helping Jasper out of the sleeping bag, the onesie, body and nappy were removed and she sent Jasper into the shower. Jasper had wet his nappy in the car yesterday before he went to sleep. She laid out a normal change of clothes and took his sleepwear to wash.
"Jasper, no more nappies, it's normal underpants again. Make sure you go to the toilet on time." Celine said to Jasper.
After breakfast, Jasper was quietly playing with his toys in his room, recovering from the holiday. Helga had already sorted out Jasper's dirty clothes and started to wash them. She took the sleeping bag first and hung it out to dry, hoping it would be dry by the evening. Jasper's request had been that he could have the use of it tonight for his sleep.
"Where's Gert anyway?" Jasper asked, enjoying the peace and quiet but still curious about his big brother's whereabouts.
"He's at camp this week, he'll be back the day after tomorrow." Celine said.
After lunch Helga and Kathy's mobile phones went off at the same time. Koen had sent a message that they had found some of Jasper's things while unpacking and would bring them later.
"Maybe we should invite them for dinner tonight?" Celine suggested to Helga. "After all they have given Jasper a fantastic holiday and they will still be busy tidying things away."
"That's fine, you can send them an invitation. I'll can cook for four more tonight." Helga replied.
Celine typed the message and a moment later the reply came.
<<Thank you, we are happy to come. We are tired from driving yesterday and last night and from unpacking today. We'll be there around six.>>.
Jasper heard this when Celine read the message.
"Yay, then I can play with Dries again, it's been so long!" exclaimed Jasper.
Celine and Helga laughed at this reaction. Helga looked at her watch. "Yes, sixteen hours. That must be a new record, Jasper."
Jasper also had to laugh at Helga's reply.
It was a beautiful evening. Jasper and Dries started playing immediately, as if they had not seen each other in weeks, and Heleen enjoyed the conversation between the adults around her. The first thing to be done was to return the things Jasper had forgotten. His identity card and the rest of his pocket money were given back. Celine then reimbursed the cost of the clothes and nappies. Although this was not necessary for Koen and Kathy, Celine insisted. She finally put the money in the hands of Heleen, who could not stand up to Celine, and passed it on to her mother, who had no choice but to accept it.
Curious, Helga looked at some of the things they had received. A new pacifier, toddler cutlery, nappies and a bottle.
"You have to explain how Jasper got all this stuff."
"It looks cute, but I'm also curious." Celine said.
Kathy got out the camera that she had brought with her on purpose. They hooked it up to the TV and from day one they started to go through the holiday based on all the photos they had taken. Heleen also contributed, filling in when her mother or father left gaps in the story. She enjoyed the fact that the adults all listened to her while she talked.
Jasper and Dries also stayed to watch the photos being shown, but it took too long for them and not much later they were playing together outside in the garden.
Jasper was tucked in by Helga that evening. The sleeping bag did not dry in time, so it was without a sleeping bag. Jasper wore one of his own pyjamas in two pieces. Even though his own room was familiar, with the right smells, colours and sounds, it still felt a little uncomfortable. He had become so used to the nappy between his legs, the bodysuit and the sleeping bag that he found it difficult to fall asleep; he could not find peace because of the absence of it all. It didn't feel right. With the sad thought that he missed his nappies, but would get used to his normal underwear again, he finally fell asleep.
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Author: Toet
Timestamp: Oct 29, 2024 at 10:44 PM
Content: Chapter 40, Epilogue
The trip had been over for two weeks, Jasper had played with Dries a lot in the last few weeks, but there had been no more sleepovers. The bodysuits were washed and folded up somewhere in the back of the closet in case they were needed again, but for the time being nothing had happened to them.
Helga and Celine sat side by side on the sofa in the living room, the TV on and the film paused. Jasper sat sideways on one mother's lap and with his legs on the other mother's lap. He was wearing his favourite onesie again, the one with the stars and planets that he had chosen, with a nappy underneath.
He hadn't worn a nappy since the morning after the trip, but before Celine helped him into his onesie for the night ahead, Jasper couldn't contain himself and sobbed, asking for a nappy. Celine was surprised, but gave in without arguing, grabbed one from the cupboard and put it on Jasper immediately, then grabbed another bodysuit and zipped up the onesie. She was worried because Jasper was so upset. He continued to cry throughout the process of putting the nappy on.
It took a while, but she found the pacifier, attached it to the onesie and put it in Jasper's mouth.
When Jasper finally calmed down, Helga and Celine asked him why he wanted to wear a nappy so much, he didn't need one, did he?
Jasper looked down as he took his pacifier out of his mouth. He played with it for a moment before speaking.
"It just feels nice. It's like being little again and not having to worry about anything when I wear it. I also like it when you or others take care of me. And I missed that so much, but I didn't dare ask, I was afraid of your reaction."
Helga and Celine looked at Jasper for a moment at this answer.
Celine put an arm around Jasper and said softly, "You can be whoever you want to be and if you're happy with the occasional nappy, that's totally fine."
Helga nodded in agreement and added, "We understand, Jasper. We love you and we want you to be happy, OK?"
Jasper nodded vigorously and smiled widely. "Of course."
And so they sat together on the sofa for a while, enjoying the silence and each other. Jasper felt safe and loved between his two mothers, knowing he could be himself without being judged. And that was the best feeling of all.
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Author: Toet
Timestamp: Oct 29, 2024 at 10:45 PM
Content: Hello,
I've finally finished translating the story, I actually have no idea how many hours of thinking, writing, proofreading and translation work I've put into this, but it's still considerable.
I want to thank Acorn (English) and Carg (Dutch) for the time and improvement work they put into it
Thank you for reading the story to this point, thank you to everyone who gave a thumbs up, or some tips and ideas, I hope you enjoyed it.
Here are a few more stats for the fans:
English version:
words: 135819
characters: 739787
pages: 274
Dutch version:
words: 141903
characters: 786409
pages: 238 (but with far fewer blank lines in between