Wetting Evaporated

Abigail is six, with round face, deep brown eyes and black hair, she loves her dolls and storytelling. Hailey, is her best friend because the two of them collaborate in imaginative play so well. Their elaborate plots are crafted on the fly as an unscripted movie. Abigail’s room is perfect for the adventure, spacious and well-appointed with all the dolls, accessories, doll house, furnishings, and the like.

           This Saturday is another play date for the two girls, and Abigail has already started thinking of story ideas, so they can make this the most wonderful of all they have done together, not that they are ever appreciated after the fact. Hailey was coming over to enjoy some lunch and spend the afternoon, her mother had some errands to run and Abigail’s agreed to watch them. This was never an issue, they would disappear into Abigail’s room to never come back out, till Hailey’s mom came to pick her up. It never ceased to amaze Abigail’s mother that the girls could stay so engaged with each other and the dolls for such long periods at six years-old.

           Abigail awoke Saturday morning having wet the bed, frustrated and embarrassed about this problem, she stripped the bed and brought the sheets to the laundry room. Her mother gave her a look of serious disappointment knowing what the sheets meant. Abigail felt so, so, small. She looked down, felt terrible about herself and having disappointed her mom.

           Abigail returned to her room deeply upset by her inability to control her wetting problem. She got that same look from her mom every time, but seemed to never get any other help with the issue. Was this something naughty like a lie? Or was this more like a mistake? In her mind she was confused, and dismayed.

When Hailey, with her narrow symmetrical features and strawberry blond hair. arrived around eleven thirty, Abigail was in a complete funk. While they ate lunch Abigail did not fall into their usual make-believe conversations in preparation for the afternoon’s event. Hailey tried to get her friend to come around with no luck. Abigail’s mom recognized her daughter’s mood but did nothing, hoping Hailey would be enough to draw Abigail back out.

           When they were done eating the two girls disappeared into Abigail’s room where the bed was still not remade with clean sheets. Now this normally wouldn’t ever disturb anyone, but it caused Abigail immediate stress. She did not want her secret revealed or worse yet discerned by another, most of all Hailey.

           The story line took longer than usual to get flowing due to Abigail’s mood. They came up with a family of characters, and established their home, and life style. Then shortly into their ever-changing story one of the characters just magically disappears and the story continues in two parallel worlds.

Hailey is continuing the story line of the family and how they are dealing with the disappearance, while Abigail is telling the story of the member who disappeared and the world they are currently inhabiting. Abigail is deeply into the fanciful world she has created for her character and how this world is so much better than what her character had left behind. She started thinking to herself that this was possible, that she could actually be transported like her character. Its then the story started to come apart.

           Abigail and Hailey clashed in how things should go in the parallel worlds, taking ownership of their own world. Words were had between them and just about that time Abigail’s mom came in with the clean sheets. Hailey said, “Mrs. Jones Abigail is not playing nice.”

           “I am too, I just want to be in control of my world!” Abigail protested.

           Mrs. Jones said, “Abigail you have to share with Hailey and allow her to be part whatever you have created.”

           “But Mom!”

           “Abigail, I don’t want to hear it. One disappointment today is enough.” She left the room with that comment leaving the sheets but left making the bed for later. Abigail was confused, angry at her mom, frustrated. Her heart sank, her stomach ached, and her head a blizzard of disappointment building drifts seemingly insurmountable.

           “Is today the day you wash your sheets?” Hailey asked just making small talk aware of Abigail’s preoccupation with something. 

           Abigail didn’t know how to respond, she did not want to lie, but did not want to tell the truth either. She just ignored the comment hoping Hailey would not pursue the thought any further. Her stress was at the surface and she quickly glanced at Hailey to see if she was busy with play or wanting to talk. Their eyes met and Abigail quickly looked back down.

           “Are we done with this story Abigail? I don’t feel its finished, but I am not sure you are ready to be done,” Hailey inquired.

           “No, I think we can find an ending for our two worlds, how about they collide and destroy each other!”

           “I was hoping for a happy ending where they become one.” Abigail let out a self-effusive sigh. “Well, maybe we should start cleaning up my mom will be here soon.” Abigail was in no mood to argue and the two of them cleaned up without speaking about their created worlds, about the day’s events or Abigail’s problem. When they finished Hailey jumped onto Abigail’s bed and noticed it felt damp. She got down and did not say anything. But looked at her friend with a questioning look. Abigail took the look to mean Hailey was mad or something. It was about then they heard Hailey’s mother arrive and the started toward the door so Hailey could go home.

           Hailey’s mother noticed Abigail’s mood and looked at Abigail’s mother as if to ask if there was anything she should know. Her mom just shook her head no. Abigail watched this interaction, and felt like her secret was no longer a secret. She said good-bye and bolted for her room. “Abigail come here, Abigail!” exclaimed her mom. Hailey and her mom left momentarily and Abigail watched from her bedroom window as Hailey got into the car and they drove off. She wondered if she’d ever see her again, would their two worlds ever join.

           Abigail stayed in her room till dinner was ready. She spent the whole time thinking about an alternate world where she would not have to deal with. She wanted freedom from her wetting, embarrassment, and disappointment. In her world none of these things would exist, everyone would play happily together forever. She just wished she could disappear into this world leaving all her concerns behind.

           After dinner her mother sat down with Abigail in hopes of addressing the mood today. They talked for a while, Abigail sharing her frustration with the wetting. But not disclosing her feelings about Hailey’s mom possibly knowing of her problem. She and her mom couldn’t seem to look at it from the same perspective long enough to devise a plan of action. Mrs. Jones put the onus on Abigail rather than finding solutions for her. Abigail once again wished she could just disappear.

           She watched some television with her parents till bedtime and enjoyed the popcorn her mom had made. When they were finished, Abigail fought about going to bed wanting to not wet again. She finally relented and got ready for bed. Her father came to check on her in a little while and the two chatted a bit. He shared some encouragement about the wetting, then read her a story she liked, and kissed her good night, shutting off the light.

           Abigail wished that she’d disappear and everything would go away.

           The next morning Mrs. Jones went in to wake Abigail. Her bed was dry, but Abigail had disappeared.