As smart as Matilda was, there was one thing she didn't fully grasp, and that was just how remarkable she really was. She didn't know why adults sometimes gaped at her with glassy eyes, or why Miss Honey kept telling her she was special. She had never thought herself as special before. She had certainly never been told so by her family. She enjoyed reading and learning new things, but in her mind that didn't really set her apart from anyone else her age.
She didn't feel any different than her friends, Lavender and Hortencia. They all loved pulling pranks on Miss Trunchbull, but if anything though, if anyone was a "genius" it was Hortencia. Matilda and Lavender were in awe of her when it came to her bravery and how far she was willing to go to pull one over on the Trunchbull. They looked up to her, as any pair of six year olds would look up to an 11 year old, with awe and reverence. When Hortencia had told the tale of how she had single handedly snuck into the Trunchbull's office and sprinkled every single one of her pair of gym shorts in itching powder, it had elevated her to god status in their young eyes.
Once the doctor had left the room, Matilda changed back into her overalls, glad to be rid of the gown. She got her legs in fine by herself, but when it came time to hoist the straps up, she winced. Both her arms gave off a dull painful throb which she fought through as she tried to fasten the buckles.
There was something that Miss Honey had said that had bothered her. She didn't quite understand what she had meant by "she was usually so much more mature than other kids her age?" What did she mean she was being more childish than usual? Did Miss Honey expect her to act like an adult all the time? Matilda had a sinking feeling Miss Honey was putting her on a pedestal far higher than she deserved to be on. Matilda wondered if she meant childish because she needed help sometimes.
"How are you feeling? Still up for the trip?" Miss Honey asked, before taking the loose strap of Matilda's overalls and buckling them for her.
"Yes!" Matilda said and frowned as Miss Honey fastened her clothes for her. Was this childish? She had been enjoying having Miss Honey there, brushing her hair and tucking her into bed at night. It was a new experience for her, but was she not supposed to? Was that a childish thing to want help? Mom's always did that sort of thing for their kids in books, but Matilda wondered if that's why Miss Honey liked her, because she was "more mature". Was she the exception to the rule because she was different?
They walked in silence down a few blocks in the small village. Matilda stared questioningly at Miss Honey's offered outstretched hand before they crossed the busy intersection. Was it some kind of test, she wondered to herself. Before she could make up her mind on what to do, Miss Honey had taken her hand and led her across. Matilda let out a small whimper as she let her arm be raised. She had only expected pain during the actual injection process, but not after.
Once they stood in front of the large white multi-story building all thoughts of pain and childish actions were far behind her. Now she was the one who eagerly marched forward pulling Miss Honey by the hand. She was so excited to be here! The place was full of adults and children alike on a bustling Saturday afternoon. A banner hung on the entrance that read, "Come Meet our Award Winning Olympic Athletes! Today Only!"
Matilda was fascinated by the displays. Each room had a different civilization. There was Rome, and Egypt, Incan, Persian, Ancient Greek, Chinese, Mayan and Mesopotamian. That was just a traveling display that came and set up one month a year before packing up and moving to another city. There was still the Museum's usual year around displays she had never gotten to see. There were paintings, and sculptures, and the Garden Maze in the back that drew flocks of families. She heard along the way there were hundreds of different types of plants to see. She had seen pictures in a book and it looked so beautiful. In the center of the maze was a huge gorgeous fountain.
"So what do you want to look at first?" Miss Honey asked.
"You pick, I can't decide!" Matilda admitted.
"How about we start with Rome and work our way around?"
Matilda peered into various glass cases and read all about various inventions, and tools. There was a display about the founding of the Julian calendar she found fascinating. She hadn't even realized nearly 30 minutes had gone by in the first room alone. She had been reading about the history of aqueducts when Miss Honey reminded her if they wanted to see everything she couldn't stop and read every little plaque that had writing on it.
They passed through Inca and Mayan territory, but Miss Honey had to practically drag her out of the Egyptian room. She would have stayed in there all day if given the chance. The mummies history, and the pyramids were so interesting that she hadn't even flinched reading about the embalming process despite Miss Honey's concerns about it giving her nightmares. After two-and-a-half hours they had finished all the civilization rooms.
Matilda was ready to jump straight into the paintings, but Miss Honey pulled her in a different direction.
"How about we take a break for a bit?" Miss Honey said. Matilda noticed she looked moderately uncomfortable. She seemed to be looking around for something, spotted it and Matilda obediently followed until they came to a line for the Restroom. It was fairly crowded and by the time it was her turn, Matilda began to feel the effects of all the water she had drunk. There was just one problem though, she realized as she stepped into a stall and closed the door. She couldn't raise her dominant arm past her chest.
Matilda winced in pain as she tried and tried again to reach the straps of her overalls.
"Matilda, are you okay?" Miss Honey asked from the other side of the stall door after a few minutes. "Do you need help?"
"N-no!" Matilda lied, sighing in defeat. Needing help getting undressed to use the restroom fell squarely in the childish category. She didn't need to go bad anyway. She'd ask for help if it was an emergency, but for now she was fine. She kicked the plunger with her foot for show to flush the toilet and came out to wash her hands.
"Ready for more?" Miss Honey asked and Matilda eagerly followed. She quickly forgot about her predicament for the next twenty minutes until she found herself shuffling from foot to foot. She stared at the paintings with less rapt attention and focus to detail. After another ten minutes she was no longer enjoying the paintings at all. She was about to admit defeat and ask Miss Honey for help when a familiar voice behind her called her name.
"Matilda! Miss Honey!" Matilda spun around to find her older, blonde friend Hortencia and her mom.
"Oh, hello!" Miss Honey said as Hortencia made the introductions.
"Be careful out back at the Olympics display." Hortencia warned ominously. "The Trunchbulls here and in a foul mood."
"Why?" Matilda asked, her joy now turned to horror.
"Have you ever seen her in a good mood?" Hortencia shot back.
"No, I mean why is she here?" Matilda asked, but the answer to her question came to her the moment she closed her mouth. "The Olympics display."
"Yeah." Hortencia nodded before leaning in close and whispering in Matilda's ear. "And because I put something in her drink." She grabbed Matilda's hand and slipped something inside of it. When she pulled back away, Matilda examined the laxative wrapper crushed in her fist. She nearly lost control of her bladder from laughing, only recovering once she crossed her legs and leaned forward. "You okay?"
Matilda gave a side glance at Miss Honey, but she was busy talking to Hortencia's mom to notice. "I need your help." Matilda whispered. "Not here though." She waited for a break in the adults' conversation to ask as politely as she could if she could go show her friend something in the other room.
"I'll be right back!" Matilda reassured them both once she had gotten their consent and dragged Hortensia by the hand towards the restrooms. She froze in dismay as she read, "Closed for Cleaning."
"What, what did you want to show me?" Hortencia asked.
"Nothing, I needed your help with my overalls. I can't get them off and I need to pee."
"Why didn't you just ask Miss Honey? Why do you need my help for?"
"Because. Besides it doesn't matter, it's closed." Hortencia rolled her eyes.
"That's such a little kid problem. You little kids can't hold it for five minutes without peeing your pants. Fine there's another one downstairs. I'll take you." Hortencia groaned acting like it was the biggest chore.
"Thanks." Matilda mumbled, shifting her weight from foot to foot. "I can't lift my arms for some reason. "
"Why?" Hortencia asked as the two of them rode the escalator down.
"Got a bunch of shots this morning and-"
"Tetanus, wasn't it?" Hortencia nodded her head in understanding. "Had to get one after spending all day in the chokey. I came out with all these cuts and scrapes before Trunchbull let me out. I had to tell my parents I got cut from the metal in the jungle gym, but yeah, couldn't lift my arm for a week."
"So it's normal?" Matilda asked.
"I guess."
"Where are you two going?" A voice rang out. They turned to see Miss Honey and Hortencia's mom at the top of the escalator about to ride it down.
"The bathroom!" Hortencia yelled back up. "Matilda needs help getting her pants off!"
Matilda cringed. "Thanks." she mumbled. She could feel the heat radiating off her face. "Tell the whole place why don't you."
"I think I will." Hortencia said with a grin. "She's about to pee herself!" She yelled back up before letting out a laugh. "Lighten up, no one cares, you're just a little kid after all!"
Matilda was horrified and the worried expression on Miss Honey's face didn't help. Even worse, she could feel the pressure building behind her eyes. She rubbed at them as tried to get the sensation to go away.
"Jeez, don't cry I was only teasing you." Hortencia said.
"I'm not crying, there's something up with my eyes." Matilda said. She stopped at the bottom of the escalator and blinked trying to get the sensation to go away.
"Matilda! Are you okay?" Miss Honey said. Matilda could hear the worry in her voice without looking at her. She must have taken two steps at a time to get to her this fast.
"I'm fine, my friend is just picking on me." Matilda said, plastering on a fake smile. Try as she might, she couldn't stand still long enough for that sentence to ring true.
"Are you going to lose control?" Miss Honey whispered in Matilda's ear. Her face burned crimson.
"No! I don't have to go that bad!" Matilda said.
"I meant the other thing." Miss Honey said.
"Oh, umm, I- I don't think so." Matilda said, sounding unsure. The burning pressure was now worse thanks to the question and the realization that they were surrounded by precious and priceless artifacts was not lost on either of them.
"Let's go outside just in case." Miss Honey said.
"Can I use the restroom first?" Matilda asked, but she knew the answer to that question as soon as a poster fell off the wall behind them.
"Quickly! Let's get you out of here!" Miss Honey scooped Matilda up and raced outside, leaving behind a confused Hortensia.
"Uh, see you at school!" She yelled after them.
Miss Honey briskly walked outside only to find the courtyard packed from the Olympics display. There was nowhere for her to release the pent up energy without being spotted, and the last thing either of them wanted was to be caught by…
"Jen! Jen! What brings you by?" The Trunchbull asked. "Come to see me perform my famous hammer throw perhaps? Wait, what are you doing with the Wormwood brat?" The Large muscular woman sneered at Matilda, who hid her face in Miss Honey's shoulder. No matter how brave she was with her friends, her natural instinct was to shrink in terror when caught face to face with the horrible beast.
"Absolutely! I wouldn't miss it! When's the next demonstration?" Miss Honey asked, trying to appease the horrid women.
"You didn't answer my question. What are you doing out of school with the Wormwood brat?"
"We came to see the exhibits, and-" Miss Honey's words were cut off by a faint gurgling sound. Miss Trunchbull's face paled.
"What do I care what you do with the little vermin on the weekends?" The Trunchbull said before storming away inside while holding her stomach.
Miss Honey breathed a sigh of relief before spotting the maze. "Here!" She said, rushing inside around a few corners and into a dead end. She set Matilda down in front of a pile of leaves when they were sure they were alone. "Would that help, whatever it is to calm down?" Matilda nodded and stared fixated at the pile until it was as if a strong wind had entrapped itself in the corner of the hedge. Miss Honey watched the leaves swirl around for a few moments, until the small pocket of wind died down.
Matilda now kneeled on the ground with her ankles crossed and hands holding herself. Using her powers had made her urge to pee so much worse. She suddenly felt very weak. She gasped as she felt a small trickle escape into her pants. No. No. No. Not while she was awake! Not in public.
"Oh, Matilda, I didn't know you needed to go this badly. " Miss Honey said. She rested her hand on the small child's back.
" I'm-I'm fine." Matilda said, before standing up. She still shifted from foot to foot, but felt she could move on. She looked down at her pants alarmed at the tiny dime sized wet stain. She covered it quickly with her hands, but Miss Honey had already seen it.
"Why didn't you tell me you couldn't undue the clasps? I would have helped you." Miss Honey said gently as they slowly made their way towards the center of the maze. There had been a sign for porta-potties along with an ominous sign.
"Due to the recent cost of the dying plant life and flowers, please use the portable facilities located in several points along this maze."
A large red circle with a parent and small male stick figure peeing into the bush was crossed out with a big red line through it along with more text underneath. "Punishable by permanent ban and 250 pound fine."
"Because it was a childish thing to need help with." Matilda mumbled, as she shuffled along as fast as she could. "I can't lift my arms from the shots."
"Matilda, look at me." Miss Honey said. Matilda kept moving but looked up. "I want you to rely on me, okay? I know you're so used to having to take care of yourself you don't know what it means to rely on others. But If you ever need anything, big or small, I want you to tell me, okay? I don't want you to feel you have to do everything by yourself."
Matilda nodded, too preoccupied on the situation to let the words she was hearing sink in. Her eyes were watering and her pants felt suspiciously damp. She was afraid to look at the damage. After three more wrong turns, her heart soared when she saw the exit.
"It's the center!" She cheered rushing forward until she stopped dead in her tracks looking horrified.
"What? What is it?" Miss Honey said, until she saw the problem. "Oh no." She mumbled, before meeting the near crazed look in Matilda's eyes. "Well, I guess we better get in line."
They stood in the back and waited with Matilda occasionally letting out a cry. She couldn't hide her situation now. A tiny wet streak ran down a pant leg. Passerby's offered Miss Honey a sympathetic nod as if to say, "Been there with my little one."
The door to the only porta potty finally opened. A mother and her toddler were about to go in when the crowd jumped as something large barreled towards them all. People left and right were shoved out of the way with grunts of, "MOVE!" and "Out of the way!" were hurled at them.
The Trunchbull, holding her stomach, pushed and shoved her way to the front of the line, knocking over the mom and toddler in the process before going inside and slamming the door in the process with an angry THUNK.
Miss Honey looked down at the horrified look on Matilda's face as she held herself, tears now streaming down her face. She rubbed her back sympathetically, before guiding her away. "I have an idea." She said. Matilda whimpered as she saw her last remaining hope vanish in front of her. She couldn't make it through the maze to the other bathrooms. "Over here." Miss Honey whispered, leading her into a corner of the last dead end they had come across. "Take off your shoes and socks."
Matilda thought she knew what Miss Honey wanted her to do. Her face turned red, but it was better than having a full blown accident. Miss Honey was going to stand guard so she could pee in the grass like a dog. She kicked off her shoes before pausing to bend and hold herself again, before managing to slip off her socks.
"Please help me with the straps." Matilda begged.
"Why?" Miss Honey asked, before realization dawned on her. She gave Matilda a sympathetic smile. "No, sweetie. You need to keep them on." She gave her head a gentle pat.
"Wha-" Matilda choked out as she sobbed. "No, please no!" She tried to undue the strap herself, but her arm was now even worse than before. "I can't!"
"Sweetie, it's okay, I promise. Just get it over with."
Matilda sobbed. "No, I'll go back in line. I can make it!"
"Shh. Honey, you already didn't make it." The woman said, but her voice was gentle and non chastising. She knelt down until she was eye level with her. "There's no point in fighting the inevitable any longer."
"I- I-'m so sorry." Matilda cried. Another, larger streak had begun to form but then stopped.
"Matilda, really it's okay. You'll feel better if you just get it over with. I promise. I love you, and a pair of wet pants, or sheets isn't going to change that."
Matilda stood there stunned. It had taken her so off guard that she let go of herself and stood still, staring at Miss Honey as if seeing her for the first time. Had she just heard what she thought she did?
The distraction had been enough. Matilda whimpered and turned towards the hedge as she felt her bladder decide enough was enough. She leaned her head against the hedge and began to bawl as warm liquid began to freely flow down her legs, soaking the faux denim and coming out at the ankles, leaving a patch of damp grass at her feet.
"It's okay, it's okay." Miss Honey whispered gently, rubbing Matilda's back. "That's it. It's all over now." She gently spun the girl around to face her. She ran the back of her hand along the girls damp cheeks. There was still a look of uncertainty and shock in her eyes. "Talk to me, Matilda."
"Were you just saying that?" Matilda asked, almost a whisper.
"Saying what?" Miss Honey asked, but the young girl didn't respond. She was at a complete loss, until a sad thought crossed her mind. "Matilda," Miss Honey whispered. She felt something large and thick catch in her throat. "Has anyone ever told you they loved you before?" Matilda stood still for a moment before slowly shaking her head no.
Miss Honey sighed sadly before kneeling down and wrapping her arms around the trembling girl and rocked her back and forth. "I love you, Matilda."
"No, Miss Honey, you'll get all wet." Matilda said, but made no move to push her away.
"I don't care."
"Miss Honey."
"Yes?"
"...I love you too."
…..
When the two stood up and made their way back to the center of the maze, they noticed the line for the Porta Potty had not changed at all. Was Miss Trunchbull still in there? Matilda wondered. She had an idea, a terrible, but wonderful idea. She doubted she could pull it off, but the fluttering anticipation in her chest told her Maybe. Despite her current ordeal, she hadn't felt this happy and at peace… ever.
If she could smash a wall, and knock over shelving… what if?
"Is that lady still in there? The big one?" Matilda asked. A woman and daughter pair turned around and took in the state Matilda's clothes. The woman gave her a look of sympathy before nodding her head. It was all she needed to know.
"There's a fountain by the exit." The woman called out after her.
"Miss Honey, could I use my powers for evil, just this once?" She motioned something with her finger and Miss Honey knitted her eye-brows together. It took her a minute to respond, as being a good role model and poetic karma fought for dominance.
"You could try, I mean it's not like you could...right?" Miss Honey smiled for a second.
"I feel like I could do anything right now." Matilda whispered. She stared at the porta-potty. It had worked with the glass. She threw her whole mind into it. She summoned every emotion she had felt today. Embarrassment, shame, and lastly, a new one she had never felt before. Love.
Ever so slowly she could see the blue box begin to rock. Back and forth. Back and forth.
"KNOCK IT OFF YOU LITTLE MAGGOTS!" Bellowed an angry voice from inside.
Back and forth. Back and forth.
"I MEAN IT, IF I FIND WHOSE DOING THAT I'M GONNA MAKE YOU WISH YOU WERE NEVER BORN!"
The rocking began to pick up momentum. People in line began to back up.
Back and forth. Back and forth.
Finally with one last mental push, the porta potty tipped over.
"Huh, sure is windy today." Miss Honey said casually as they turned their backs and began the walk back home.
"Right, Miss Honey, It just seems to come out of nowhere." Matilda said with a grin.
"You know you don't have to keep calling me, Miss Honey."
Matilda took her hand in her hers. "What do you want to be called?"
Jennifer thought about it for a moment. "When you're ready, how about mom?"
Matilda smiled. "Okay, mom."
