Wanda's Secrets, Chapter 2

Chapter 2: The Secrets

Wanda went straight to her bedroom after school. She felt safe there. Her room was clean. She felt like it was anyway. There was no paint, chalk, glue or paste in her room. Nothing sticky, wet or gooey.

After choosing clean clothes, she went down the hall to take a shower. Back in her room, she flopped down on her bed. Her black and white cat jumped up and cuddled next to her. Cuddles was the perfect name for her.

Her mother's voice startled her. "Wanda, Mrs. Chester called today. She wants your Dad and me to come in after school tomorrow. She wants to talk to all of us."

Wanda sat up. "About what Mom? I haven't done anything wrong."

Mrs. Simpson sat down next to Wanda and took her hand. "She said something about you washing your hands a lot. Your dad and I have noticed you wash your hands a lot too. Maybe that's why your hands are so red and chapped. Mrs. Chester says you ask to go to the bathroom nine to ten times a day."

"I won't go!" Wanda yelled and threw herself across the bed.

"We have to go dear. I told Mrs. Chester we'd be there. She's not angry. She just wants to help."

"Leave me alone for a while Mom. I'll think about it."

Her mother left the room and Wanda pulled Cuddles close to her. "What will I do Cuddles? They're going to find out. I'm so scared."

She smoothed Cuddles' long soft fur. Wanda could tell Cuddles anything and she still loved her. Cats understood about being clean. Cuddles was always licking her paws and her black and white fur to keep them clean. Wanda was afraid of being caught in her lies. Lies about glue and dirty hands and stickiness. She knew her hands were never really dirty. Wanda never got glue on her hands. They just felt dirty.

"Now Mrs. Chester suspects something. She's going to find out about me, Cuddles. I just know it. She'll think I'm crazy. Maybe I am crazy. What am I going to do? I've tried to stop washing my hands so much, but I can't help it. I can't stop." Tears slid down her face.

Mom knocked on the door. "May I come in?"

Wanda wiped the tears from her eyes and said softly, "Yes Mom, come on in."

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