"STEPCHILD"
By: Jacki Pett
My stepsisters, Amanda and Cathy, are sitting on the couch next to
me in the doctor's waiting room. My stepmother is in talking with the doctor.
Amanda and Cathy are both reading magazines. Janet, my other stepsister,
felt bad she couldn't be there with me too.
I feel kind of weird, sitting here, sort of spaced out. Mom gave me a
Valium to take before we left the house. She said it was to help me relax.
It's been a long time since I've felt this uncomfortable around other
people. Maybe it's because Dr. Morse is a gynecologist. This is my third visit
to her and I like her but I still feel awkward sitting here, in my dress, in her
waiting room. The women sitting around us don't realize I'm a guy. My life
wasn't always this confused.
I had just turned twelve a few days before my real Mom's accident.
She and I were really close. I miss her a lot. It was natural that I was really
depressed for a long time after she died.
My Dad and I never got along very well. His work kept him away
from home a lot. Mrs Bates, our house keeper, looked after me.
Dad had been a big football star in college and he always expected me
to follow in his footsteps. I was never the athletic type, being short and kind
of puny. He and I never got along very well. I was always a little jealous of
the relationships my friends had with their Dads.
I had no brothers or sisters to emulate. My only role models were
Mom and Mrs Bates, with Dad away on business so much.
Physically, and I suppose emotionally, I took after my mother more
than my father. He was 6'4" while my mom was a tiny 5'3". On my eleventh
birthday I was only 5'. Mom always told me that I would trim down and
build myself up when I got a little older. She never made me feel
selfconscious about my 'baby fat', she called it. It bothered Dad a lot more
than her.
Dad was always trying to get me involved in sports but I was never
very interested. He constantly encouraged me to build myself up, so that I'd
be better suited for sports. He made me try out for everything but I always
failed miserably. I seemed to lack the skills, the coordination that other kids
had. He always said I threw a ball like a girl.
That frustrated him and he took it out on me often. I wonder what
he'd think of his son if he could see me now?
I was upset at Dad today. It seemed like Mom's funeral was only a
few days ago and he brought home this woman for me to meet.
"Dennis, I'd like you to meet your new mother, Ms Worth." He
introduced her as his fiance. How could Dad fall in love with this woman?
He was supposed to have loved Mom?
I know I sounded a little cold but I couldn't help it. "Hello Ms
Worth."
"Please call me mother, Dennis. It's very nice to meet you at last.
Your father's told me so much about you." She said sweetly with a warm,
but phony smile, as she took my hand.
I bet he has, I thought to myself. The woman didn't fool me. I could
feel the coldness toward me. I could see it in her eyes.
I tried to excuse myself but Dad wouldn't let me go to my room just
yet.
"We're going to be moving in a few weeks. I'm selling the house and
were going to live in Georgia."
"We're moving?" I didn't want to leave New York. I didn't want to
go live in a strange place and leave my friends. "What about Mrs Bates?" I
asked. She had been with us since I was born. I didn't want to leave her
behind.
"We won't be needing a housekeeper any more Dennis. I'll be taking
care of you from now on." Ms Worth, 'Mother', said with that same phony
smile on her lips. She made me very uncomfortable.
I didn't like it. Mrs Bates had been like a Mother to me since my real
Mom died. I didn't want a new Mom, especially not this woman.
After dinner, Dad went off to tell Mrs Bates about his decision. Ms
Worth and I were left at the table.
"I think you'll enjoy living with us in Georgia. We have a really nice
house in the country, just outside of Atlanta. You'll have new friends to play
with and I have three daughters who are just dying to meet you."
GIRLS! I'm going to have to live with three girls? Now I liked the
idea even less. I didn't know what to say to the woman.
"Janet's 15, Cathy is 13 and Amanda is your age." She told him.
She took her wallet from her purse and showed me their pictures.
They were all very pretty, like their mother.
"They're pretty." What else could I say? The youngest girl didn't look
much like her sisters. I didn't realize at the time but she had my Dad's eyes.
"I know that all of this is very sudden Dennis but I'm sure you'll just
love Georgia." She was no more convincing now than she had been earlier. I
know she didn't really want me coming to live with them.
"I'm sure." I said sarcastically.
The woman's smile turned to a frown. "You will learn to accept me
Dennis." She said coldly.
Dad came back and I excused myself from the table. It was obvious I
wasn't going to get a chance to talk to him alone. I went to my room. I had a
lot to think about.
Dad came in around eleven to tell me to turn off my TV.
"Mother thinks you're very nice." He told me.
I knew he was lying. "No she doesn't Dad." I was hoping to find
some compassion. "She doesn't like me. And she's not my mother. My Mom
is dead."
"Dennis, I've had enough!" He said menacingly. "Ms Worth and I are
going to be married next month in Georgia and you will show her the same
respect as you did your real mother. She's your mother now and I expect
you to act accordingly. You will call her Mother or you'll be a very sorry little
boy. You and I have never gotten along very well. You've let me down time
after time and it's going to end now. You are not going to ruin the happiness
I've found. DO YOU UNDERSTAND?"
Dad scared me. The look in his eyes was something I had never seen
before. "Yes sir." I answered meekly.
He was still upset. "I expect you to obey her. You will do as you're
told and that's the end of it."
"Yes sir." I replied again, cowering. He really scared me and as I sat
there on the edge of my bed I heard a noise at the door. I looked past Dad to
see the woman standing in the doorway, smiling with satisfaction. I had
been put in my place and she knew it.
She stayed the night. I guess she slept with my Dad in the bed he had
shared with Mom. The thought made me angry.
Dad got me up early the next morning. Ms Worth made Dad and I
breakfast. Mrs Bates was strangely absent. She always had breakfast with
me, even when Dad was home.
'Mother' tried to be really sweet to me in front of Dad. She said she
hadn't cooked for men since her husband died years ago and she enjoyed it.
When Dad left to go to the office the woman got on my case almost
immediately. I got up from the table to go out to play. "And where do you
think you're going?" She said.
"I was going out to play." I answered innocently. I had none of the
sarcasm of the night before in my voice. Dad had warned me.
"Not until the table is cleared and the kitchen is cleaned up, you're
not." She commanded. "The girls do their chores around the house and you
might as well start getting used to the same. Boys don't get any special
privileges under my roof."
Witch, was the first thought that came to mind. I didn't say anything.
I cleared the table while she went in the living room to read the paper and
drink her coffee. It wasn't fair.
I had put everything away and put the dirty dishes in the dishwasher.
I was on my way to my room when she stopped me.
"Wait a minute young man. Come with me and we'll see what kind of
a job you did cleaning up." She herded me back into the kitchen.
"Just look at those counters and the stove. You're not going to get
away with doing half the job. I want to see those counters sparkle and I
expect this floor to be swept before you go anywhere."
She wasn't kidding. I never had to do this before and I resented her
making me, but what choice did I have. It was almost ten before I was
allowed out of the house to play with my friends. She made me wipe down
all the appliances and wash the sink on her second inspection. Where was
Mrs Bates?
I was on my way out the door and she made be go back to my room
and change. She didn't like my old jeans and tee shirt. I had to put on school
clothes and was told, in no uncertain terms, not to get dirty. It was
embarrassing but I knew she could make life difficult for me.
Dad got home around six. 'Mother' made dinner and to my surprise,
she cleaned up herself. I figured out that it was because Dad was there.
No one objected when I went to my room after dinner. They didn't
want me around. I heard them go to bed around midnight.
She left the next morning, to go home. Dad didn't have much to say
when he got back from taking Mother to the airport. Mrs Bates was back and
that was a relief. I told her how the woman treated me.
"You can't expect her to be exactly the same as your mother Dennis.
She is obviously a very orderly person and she thinks she's just teaching you
to take care of yourself. You're going to have to give her the benefit of the
doubt." Mrs Bates explained.
I guess she was right. I just figured that all mothers were the same. I
was wrong. I still didn't like the idea of my Mother being replaced by this
woman.
I tried to tell Dad what the woman was like when he wasn't around,
but he got mad at me again. He said I was overreacting and he didn't want to
hear any more about it.
I don't understand him. He is more distant toward me than ever.
We stopped for the night at a motel off I95 in North Carolina. I said
goodbye to my friends this morning and Dad and I left in the car for Georgia.
I was surprised that we didn't even stay around to wait for the house
to be sold. Dad arranged for a real estate agent to sell it for him.
Dad explained that he didn't want to bring old memories into our new
life. That's why all our old furniture was being sold with the house. He
wouldn't even let me bring my bed. Dad is acting funny. We don't even talk
like we used to. He's hardly said two words to me since we left.
The day was overcast and It reflected my mood, gloomy.
We got a late start this morning. Today was bright and sunny. I guess
the weather brightened my mood, and Dad's as well. We talked a little. Our
conversation centered around the new home we were heading for, Ms
Worth, my new Mother, and her girls. That's all he talked about the whole
way.
We reached the house around 2:00 in the afternoon, after driving
through Atlanta. We left the city behind and the scene changed to rural
countryside.
The house was on a large piece of property. It was like the ones you
see in southern magazines. It was a gray, two story house with white trim
and shutters. The front porch wrapped around both sides of the house. I had
expected it to be bigger, the way Dad had described it.
Ms Worth and her daughters came out on the porch to meet us when
Dad honked the horn. I recognized each of them from the pictures the woman
had shown me.
Janet, the oldest, was almost as tall as her mother. She had to be
5'9". In the picture she had long curly, light brown hair but now it was
almost yellow blond. She's even prettier than her picture.
Cathy stood next to her. Cathy wasn't as tall as her sister and her hair
hadn't changed. She had long straight dark brown hair. She looked a lot like
her sister only she looked softer, more sweet and innocent. They both had
great figures.
Amanda's curly red hair was not a surprise. It was the same color as
Dad's. I had wondered before but now I was sure. She had his chin and nose
too. I had Mom's light brown hair and features. Amanda hadn't blossomed
yet, like her sisters. She was slender and almost flat chested. She was only a
little taller than me.
I thought to myself, it's too bad that they're going to be my
stepsisters. I watched the four of them as Dad and I got out of the car and
walked toward the house. They turned and whispered to each other after
seeing me. Something they saw was apparently funny because the girls were
giggling. The oldest whispered something to her mother and a grin crossed
her face too. I didn't like the way it made me feel.
Dad hugged an kissed Ms Worth then turned to the girls and hugged
them like he had known them for a long time. I was becoming more and more
convinced that my suspicions were correct. Dad had been seeing this woman
long before Mom died. How could he?
"Girls," Ms Worth said. "This is Dennis. Dennis, these are my girls
Janet, Cathy and Amanda." She proudly announced.
They stood lined up next to their mother. Dad stood at the woman's
side with his hand around her waist. I was an outsider and the look on the
girls' faces did nothing to make me feel welcome.
"Hello Dennis." Each said in turn with a distinct lack of enthusiasm
"Hi." I said to the three of them.
"We waited lunch for you." Mother said to Dad.
"Wonderful. It's been a long ride. I'm hungry." Dad said smiling. He
turned and headed for the house. The girls gathered around him and their
mother. They seemed to forget about me as they left me standing there.
Dad called after me from the porch. "Come on Dennis."
Amanda was the last one through the door and she let it swing closed
with a cold backward glance at me. I mounted the steps and followed them
into the house.
Everything looked brand new. The furniture looked expensive and it
appeared to have hardly been used. It was like a show house, a model that
had never been lived in. The kitchen was ultra modern, much nicer than ours
at home. HOME? This was my home now, I thought with regret.
I sat at the large kitchen table with the others. No one said a word to
me. The girls fussed over my father. They called him Dad as if they had
known him forever. I resented them and their familiar attitude toward my
father.
They were just like their mother. I was sure they resented my being
there.
"Girls, why don't you give Dennis a tour of the house." Mother
suggested. They were reluctant. They didn't have to say anything, you could
tell by their reaction to her request.
"Come on Dennis." The oldest, Janet, said as she got up from the
table. She took her dishes and deposited them in the dishwasher. The other
two did the same and then cleared the condiments from the table. It didn't
take a genius to figure out that I was expected to help. I got some nasty looks
from the girls when I got back to the table from the dishwasher to find that it
was already cleared and everything was put away. I guess they figured I was
too slow.
We went through the formal dining room and living room that I had
passed coming in. In the rear of the house, through an archway in the living
room, was a large recreation room. This was definitely a room that was lived
in. I was shown the downstairs bathroom. It was spotless. The laundry room
was next. I could have cared less about seeing that room.
Cathy pointed to a closed door off the recreation room. "That's Mom
and Dad's room. It's out of bounds."
I wasn't sure it that meant it was out of bounds to just me or to all of
us. "Ok." Was all I said. Dad's room had never been out of bounds to be
before. It really bothered me.
I followed them back through the living room to the stairs and up to
the second floor.
"This is my room. You never go in there." Janet announced. I didn't
say anything. I just nodded.
"This one's mine. Same thing goes." Cathy announced in nearly the
same tone of voice.
The third door was obviously Amanda's. That left the one at the end
of the hall that I assumed was mine. I was shocked when Amanda opened her
door and said coldly, "This is our room."
I turned to her with surprise. "What do you mean 'our' room."
"Are you stupid?" Janet said sarcastically. "She said it's your room.
Your's and Amanda's." Janet shook her head. "Your brain must be a puny as
the rest of you."
I let it go by. As a matter of fact, I hardly heard her sarcastic
comment. I turned to Amanda, "I have to share a room with you? I don't get
my own room?"
"You think I like the idea? It stinks, But Mom and Dad said I have to,
so I guess I'm stuck."
Janet shoved me through the door. She towered over me. I wanted to
belt her but I got the feeling she wanted nothing more than for me to try.
They all did.
"That's your bed," Amanda pointed to a single bed against the wall by
the closet. "and that's your dresser." On the far side of the closet was a little
narrow four drawer dresser. It was half the size of the one I used to have.
I walked toward the closet when harsh words from Amanda stopped
me. "That's my closet." She announced.
I turned. "Where's mine?" I asked in a nasty tone of voice.
Amanda pointed to a cloth covered wardrobe that stood against the
wall, beyond my dresser. "That's all I get?"
"That's it." Said Cathy. The three stood side by side staring at me in
defiance.
Living here was going to be hell. They must have sensed my
depression.
"We heard you were a sniveling little Mamma's boy but we didn't
think you'd be such a little wimp." Janet taunted me.
"I'm no wimp." I had had enough of their insults and started toward
them. None of them budged.
Janet knocked me back on my ass with one hand. She was stronger
than she looked. "Don't mess with us wimp." With that warning, the three
sisters turned and walked out of the room.
I didn't know what to do. I just sat there on the floor for the longest
time. How could I stand up to them? There was no question in my mind
where I would stand with their mother if I tried. I had a pretty good idea
where I would stand with my Dad if I gave the girls any trouble. They were
obviously closer to him than I ever was. Was it because they were girls and
he didn't expect anything more from them than to be themselves?
Dad had betrayed me. He had obviously talked about his
disappointment in me. It hurt me that he had told these strangers. Did he
really think of me as a wimp and a mamma's boy?
They left me alone the rest of the afternoon. I had hoped that Dad
would at least would come up and see where I was but he didn't. I could hear
everyone downstairs having a good time. They were all in the rec room
talking and laughing. I never felt so alone.
Janet came up around six. "Come on down for dinner." She told me.
You could tell by her tone that she really didn't care if I did or not. "You
better learn to start doing your share around here if you know what's good
for you." She told me as she left.
I sat quietly through dinner. Everyone else talked but me.
The girls told Dad they were glad he was finally moved in. He had
betrayed me and Mom. There was absolutely no doubt any more.
As the girls asked to be excused I got some pretty harsh looks. I
didn't have long to debate what to do.
"Help the girls clean up Dennis." Mother commanded. Dad didn't
even look up. It didn't matter to anyone that I wasn't finished eating. They
piled all the dishes on the counter and I was elected to load the dishwasher.
The others cleared the table and put away the leftovers. I was the last one out
of the kitchen by the time I finished washing the pots and pans and drying
everything.
They were all in the rec room. I didn't care to join them. I went back
up to the bedroom. I hesitate to call it my room. On Amanda's side of the
room is the bathroom. I went in there and locked the door and put on my
pajamas and brushed my teeth. It was only eight o:clock but I went to bed
anyway. I fought back tears as I lay there waiting for the escape of sleep.
At least I don't have to go to school with the girls. They go to a public
school. Dad drove me this morning, on his way to the airport, to the private
school he had enrolled me in. Private school was fine with me. I have been
going to private school for years.
Ms Worth doesn't seem to care for the idea though. She told Dad it
was a waste of money. She thinks I should go to public school, just like her
girls. I'm surprised Dad didn't give in to her. He seems to go along with
anything she wants. He always figured I have a better chance at sports in
private school.
My first day wasn't so bad. It will take a little while to make new
friends, I suppose.
I miss Mrs Bates. She was nice. More than that, she cooked, did the
laundry and cleaned. Mother cooks sometimes but she doesn't clean or do
laundry. The girls and I are expected to do it all. I hate it.
I no sooner walked in the door from school than I was expected to
dust and vacuum the entire downstairs. I didn't finish until dinner time, since
Mother made me redust half of what I did. She wasn't satisfied with the way
I did it.
The meal she cooked was a lot different than we had last night.
"You're going to learn to eat healthy Dennis. Apparently Mrs Bates
didn't know a great deal about nutrition."
It bothered me that she put down my friend. "Mrs Bates was a good
cook. She made the kind of food I like." I was floored when her open hand
met my cheek. It stung and my face turned bright red.
"Don't you ever talk back to be young man." She stood over me. Her
face was red with anger. "You'll eat what I give you and like it. You're going
to learn to eat healthy. You're pudgy and it's about time you start to shape
up."
I could see the girls smiling. They enjoyed seeing me humiliated.
"What do you have to say?" She asked, still fuming.
"I'm sorry?" I answered.
"I'm sorry, what?" She asked.
"I'm sorry Mother!"
"That's better. Now eat your dinner and then you can go to your
room." The redness drained slowly from her face.
I did as I was told, as quickly as I could. I should have known she
had a temper. The girls got no end of pleasure out of seeing me humiliated.
Mother packed me a lunch to take to school. The two crackers, an
apple and an orange were hardly enough to fill me up but I had no money to
buy anything, so I made do.
Sharing a room with Amanda hasn't gotten any easier. The other two
continue picking on me too. I didn't do anything to them. Why do they hate
me?
School's not bad. I made a new friend today. Unfortunately Jack
lives about twenty miles away. I'd like to make some more friends, some that
live closer but there weren't any guys around and Mother didn't let me go
out to play. It was only my second day and I was so homesick.
I'm better off at home if I stay off by myself as much as possible.
The wedding was a big affair. I thought Dad would want me to be his
best man or at least take part in the wedding somehow but a guy he works
with had the honor. I was hurt.
My new mother was impossible, screaming at me to do this and do
that. The girls gloated. They got to be part of the wedding. They were
bridesmaids. Everyone seemed to ignore me, as if I wasn't even there.
It's been almost a year since we moved to Georgia. My life's been
horrible, I hate it. Outside of school, I don't have any friends. I never go
anywhere. Not even to the stores shopping.
Dad's always away on business. Mother goes off with him
sometimes, leaving the girls in charge of me. It's awful when she's gone. He
doesn't see the way Mother and the girls treat me, or he just doesn't care.
I do chores as soon as I get home from school. The girls seem to be
doing less and less. True, they get home from school much later than I do but
it doesn't seem fair.
The girls seemed to have backed off a little over the past year but I
still try to stay out of their way.
I've lost weight a lot of weight in the past year. I think I'm too skinny
but mother insists I'm fine. I really envy those guys that eat normal food.
They make fun of my lunch in school.
She started me on vitamins some time ago. There's always four or
five at my place at the table with each meal. I objected at first but Mother
made me take them. I'm used to them now.
I hate my life. I hate mother and I hate the girls. When Dad's gone
they treat me like dirt. Again, I told Mother I needed a hair cut and she told
me no. She said she liked it long and that I would have to leave it that way.
"There's nothing wrong with your hair. Just put it in a pony tail.
Lot's of kids your age have long hair."
That was the end of the discussion as far as she was concerned. I
tried a pony tail when I went upstairs but I looked ridiculous. It was just too
long.
Clothes were another problem. I couldn't remember getting a single
new item of clothes in months, except for my school uniforms. When I asked
for a new pair of jeans Mother said I should make do. The girls are always
getting new clothes. It's not fair. I can't even wear a lot of my clothes, they
don't fit anymore. My shirts are all too big but I have to wear them anyway.
They're all I've got. Mother's constantly telling me to be careful not to ruin
my clothes cause she won't buy me more.
I don't mind so much anymore that she only feeds me small portions
of food, like she gives the girls. I think my stomach must have shrunk.
Dad was finally home for a few days. He had promised to take me to
a ball game but, because of Mother's nagging, we ended up taking all of us to
the theater instead. We saw a ballet, YUCK. We hardly spend any time
together, ever. He's always too busy.
I Went to the dresser when I got out of bed to get ready for school
and found that I had run out of clean underwear.
Amanda had done the laundry yesterday so I went to our bathroom
door to ask her if she had seen any of my clean underpants.
She called out to me, "Mother said that the ones in the laundry were
disgusting. She threw out all but one pair."
Apparently Mother was in the hall and overheard our conversation. I
turned to the sound of the bedroom door opening. "What's the problem." She
asked, coolly. She was always on the alert for problems between her girls
and I. She was always ready to rush to their defense.
"I don't have any clean underpants to wear." It was as much a
question as a statement.
"So, just borrow a pair for today. You can do laundry when you get
home." She suggested.
"Borrow a pair?" From who?
Mother went to Amanda's dresser and opened one of her drawers.
"Here, wear these." She tossed me a pair of Amanda's panties.
I caught them in mid air, by reflex. I looked at the white cotton
panties with their lace trim and then looked back at Mother. "These are girls?"
"So?" Was mother's response.
"I can't wear...."
She knocked me sideways but I managed to stay on my feet.
"You'll do what I tell you to do. Now put them on and stop your
fussing." She stood there waiting.
Amanda opened the bathroom door when she hear the commotion.
"Mother, those are mine!" She was upset that her mother gave them to me.
"You have more than enough honey. I bought you four new pairs just
last week."
"Well I don't want them after he's worn them." She complained.
"Don't worry. They're his now."
Mine!? I didn't want them. She was still waiting for me to put them
on. "Can I get dressed in the bathroom?" I asked.
"You'll get dressed right here. Amanda, go back in the bathroom and
finish getting ready for school."
I didn't miss the look on her face when she looked back as she closed
the bathroom door. I was going to be wearing her underwear today and she
thought it was hilarious.
I turned away from Mother and dropped my pajama bottoms to the
floor. It was embarrassing. I quickly pulled on the panties. I wished I had
laid out my pants but they were hanging in the wardrobe. I wasted no time in
getting them out and pulling them on. I gave me some relief to cover up but
they knew what I had on and I knew that Janet and Cathy would too, in a
few minutes.
"That's better." Mother said. "Now get ready for school." She left.
I was in the kitchen having the small bowl of cereal that Mother
proportioned out for me when the girls walked in. They were all three
swishing their hips. Their intent didn't escape me.
"Hi Denise." Cathy said as she sat down next to me." I was
trembling. I wanted to crawl under the table.
Janet added, "I bet you look adorable in your pretty panties Denise."
"He does. I saw him through the keyhole." Amanda told her sisters.
"Now you girls stop that." Mother told them smiling.
I glared at the girls. I looked to their mother. Her tone with them was
anything but harsh. She thought it was funny too.
They continued to make faces and make exaggerated feminine
gestures when their mother wasn't looking. I wanted to die.
The guys at school are already teasing me about my long hair. I
skipped gym today. I couldn't let them see what I was forced to wear for
underpants. I got detention and Mother yelled at me when I got home late. I
pleaded with her not to tell Dad and she agreed.
I found a few pairs of my own underpants in the laundry and washed
them out in the sink. I swore I would not run out again. I hid the pair of
Amanda's panties in the pile of clothes in the laundry room.
It was a few days later when I found Amanda's underwear in my
drawer. When I tried to give it back to her she reminded me that Mother said
it was mine now. I buried it in the back of my drawer. Amanda laughed.
They all tease me constantly.
I'd give anything for a greasy hamburger. I've lost a bunch of weight
and I'm as skinny as a rail.
Mother expects me to clean my room without any help from Amanda.
This includes picking up after her. She leaves her underwear and things all
over the floor. I know she does it on purpose.
I wash out my two remaining pairs of underwear out each night in the
sink. Mother said I would have to make do. If I needed clean she would
borrow a few pair from the girls for me. I told her I was alright with what I
have.
Somebody took my underwear from the bathroom last night and
replaced them with two pair of Amanda's lacy panties. Mother thought it was
cute and she insisted I wear them when I told her what happened. Just for
fun, She also made me take off my tee shirt and made me wear one of
Amanda's lace trimmed ones. The girls laughed at me over breakfast. It was
humiliating. Mother thinks it's hilarious.
I forged a note to get me out of gym today but how long could I get
away with it?
Mother's supposed to give me allowance but I haven't gotten any for
months. After school I took the few dollars I had stashed away and went to
the store and bought myself new underwear.
When I walked in the front door with the bag and Janet saw it, she
told Mother. Mother became furious with me for wasting money on
something I didn't need and she took them away from me.
I don't get it. Dad makes good money where he works. Mother and
the girls get anything they want. I have to talk to Dad when he gets back but
I'm afraid to tell him about what's going on. He always sticks up for her and
the girls.
Just the other night, over dinner, some one made a comment about
me. I think it was Janet. Dad responded with, "You're such a crybaby
Dennis. You should have been born a girl."
His remark really hurt. It wasn't the first time he'd implied that I was
more like a girl than a boy. The girls all smiled at each other. I caught the
smirk on Mother's face too. How could I tell Dad now, about what had been
going on? I couldn't, it was too embarrassing.
My birthday came and went and no one even remembered. Amanda's
had only been three weeks ago. She was thirteen now too. As if I wasn't
already depressed enough.
Dad was home when I got home from school today but Mother and
the girls stayed close by all the time. They didn't give me a chance to talk to
him alone.
I won't pretend that I haven't thought about running away. There's
just no where to go.
The next morning, a Wednesday, over breakfast, Dad told us that he
would be gone for 3 weeks to a month, on business. I was given explicit
instruction to obey Mother, as always, while he was gone.
When I got home from school on Tuesday afternoon the girls were all
home already. Everyone was in tears. The girls surrounded Mother on the
couch. She was wailing. Dad's plane went down somewhere in the Pacific.
All I could think of was that I was alone now. What was going to happen to
me? I suppose I should have felt grief but I didn't.
Official word came on Thursday. Dad's definitely dead. They didn't
recover a body, the search yielded no sign. The funeral is Saturday. I don't
understand why I don't feel sad.
Mother isn't happy about being stuck with me. She said that things
are going to be a lot different around here from now on and that scares me.
Things couldn't be much worse.
It's been a week since the funeral. I've been spending a lot of time in
my room. I should say 'our' room. I still can't cry. I miss him, I suppose,
but I should feel sad.
The girls are acting weird. Every time they look at me they smile and
laugh. I don't get it. 'Mother' has been treating me differently too. She calls
me 'dear' and 'sweetheart', just like she calls the girls. I don't like it.
I missed a lot of school, with the funeral and everything. I had forged
another excuse for gym and it got me out of it for a while but my luck finally
ran out.
Each day I waited around as long as I could for the other guys to get
out of the dressing room before I changed into my gym clothes.
One particular day, I thought I was alone. I wasn't. I had just taken
my shirt and pants off when Bill came around the lockers and spotted me
standing there in Amanda's panties and tee shirt. I didn't know what to do.
Bill laughed and ran off. I barely had time to get my street clothes back on
before a dozen or more of the guys came rushing into the locker room with
Mr Marks, the PE teacher. He took me to his office. Once he confirmed what
Bill had told him, he called the principal's office. I tried to tell him why I
was wearing girls' underwear but I know he didn't believe me. He sent me to
the office at the end of the period.
I don't know how the whole school found out so fast. The walk from
the gym to the office was the longest I can remember. All the kids, the guys
and the girls, seemed to know what had happened. I was taunted and teased
the whole way there. I couldn't look at them. I stared at the floor. I was the
'pretty little long haired sissy in girls' underwear'. How could I ever face
these kids again?
The office called Mother to come and get me. She was told that I
would not be allowed back into school until I got help with my problem.
Mother assured them that she would see to it that I was put on the right path.
Mother dragged me out of bed on Saturday morning. She said that
was enough mopping around.
At breakfast I discovered more new vitamins at my place. Mother
didn't bother to explain and I didn't ask. I just took them. I didn't argue with
her.
When breakfast was over she gave me a list of chores to do and said
she expected them done when she got home. Janet was staying home to make
sure I did everything I was told. I wasn't in a mood to argue.
I didn't read the entire list until she was gone and was shocked to read
that I was expected to wash and iron all their clothes and to even hand wash
all their underwear and delicates that had been left in the bathrooms.
When I tried to explain that it had to be a mistake, Janet told me in no
uncertain terms that it was no mistake and that if I didn't do everything on the
list I would be in a lot of trouble.
It took me all day to do everything. I did the washing, cleaned all the
bathrooms, and there are four. I cleaned the kitchen and vacuumed and
dusted the entire house. Janet watched to be sure I did a through job,
bitching all day about being stuck at home with me.
By the time the others got home, I was exhausted.
I tried to skip dinner but Mother wouldn't let me. The same new
assortment of vitamins were there by my plate. The vitamins weren't so bad.
They couldn't hurt me, I decided.
Mother let me go to my room after dinner. I was tired and wanted to
go to bed.
As always, I undressed, getting off the borrowed underwear quickly
and went to put on my pajamas. They weren't in my dresser where they
belonged. In their place was one of Amanda's nighties. I didn't know what
was going on.
I had an old pair of shorts in the bottom drawer and was stepping into
them as Mother walked in on me. I was very embarrassed to be caught
without my clothes on. I usually changed in the bathroom, with the door
locked.
"What do you think you're doing?" I was embarrassed.
She was angry. "You're not going to bed in those." She told me.
"But my pajamas are gone." I knew better than to tell her that Amanda
had swiped my pajamas and replaced them with her nightie. She just get
made at me for complaining about the girls again.
I didn't know what else to do. I just had to show her what Amanda
had done.
She laughed. "So what's wrong with that?"
She had slapped me just this morning for complaining. I had not
forgotten the way it stung.
"Just put it on and stop being such a whiner." She told me.
Her tone was unmistakable. I pulled it over my head. It was white
cotton with lace trim and it came down to my knees.
"Now put on your underwear." She said.
I begged. "Please don't....."
"DO IT!!" She slapped me hard, twice.
I tried to tell her through my tears. "But I don't have any clean
underwear."
She pulled open my underwear drawer and showed me at least a half
dozen new pairs of girl's panties. I was floored.
She turned the light out when I was in bed in the nightie and my new
underwear. When she was gone, I undressed under my covers and slept
naked. I had a hard time falling asleep. I felt ridiculous and dreaded the
morning when I would wake up with Amanda in the other bed. I knew I'd
have to put them back on before woke up and saw me. There was no doubt
that Amanda would tell her mother if I didn't have the nightie. I cried myself
to sleep.
Mother came into the bedroom the next morning, when Amanda
announced that I was awake. I was still under my covers and had already put
the nightie and panties back on.
Mother didn't say much as she emptied my dresser drawers of all my
clothes. I was speechless, in shock. I watched her stuff all my clothes into a
lawn bag. She emptied the wardrobe next. Even my shoes and sneakers
were dumped into the bag. I was afraid to ask what she was doing.
Janet and Cathy came in to watch what was going on. They looked
thrilled. Amanda looked equally delighted.
Mother put the bags of clothes outside the bedroom door and turned
back to me. "Now get out of bed."
I was mortified when I reluctantly slid out from under the covers and
stood next to the bed in the nightie. I couldn't bring myself to look at any of
them.
The girls laughed and Mother just smiled. "Come on down for
breakfast now." She told me.
"Please let me have some of my clothes to wear." I pleaded, almost in
tears.
"You're fine the way you are. The rest of us are in our nighties too."
Mother let me put my long hair into a ponytail before she paraded me
down the stairs to the kitchen.
I had breakfast, terrified the whole time that someone would come to
the door. The girls teased me until Mother told them to stop and leave me
alone. She never did that before, she surprised me.
I ate quickly and hurried back up to the bedroom. Amanda followed
me and got dressed in the bathroom. I got back into bed, ashamed to be seen.
About a half hour later Janet and Cathy came into the room with
Mother.
"We have things to do today. Get dressed." She demanded. My heart
sank when Janet dropped a pair of brightly colored print tights and a long
white cotton blouse on the bed. I just stared at the clothes.
"Do as I tell you!" Mother came over to the bed as stood over me until
I got out from under the covers. She helped me get the nightie off and waited
until I pulled on the tights. I felt so strange in them.
"Tuck yourself in between your legs." She said.
I looked down and I could see the small bulge of my penis. I put my
hand into the tights and under the panties an pushed it between my legs.
"That's better." She turned to the girls, "Help him get ready and bring
him downstairs. We don't want to be late for our appointment." Mother
turned and left.
I stood there staring at the three of them, dumbfounded with what
was happening.
Janet had a wicked smile. "Put your blouse on Denise."
I had to try to stand up to her. "It's Dennis."
"From now on, it's Denise. Now put on the blouse!" She demanded.
I was on the floor, on my ass again.
"Cathy, let Denise borrow a pair of your sneakers." Janet suggested.
"Coming right up." Cathy hurried to her room.
I put on the blouse and buttoned it up. They called it a tunic top. It
was big and loose fitting. The collar and cuffs were lace trimmed. At least it
covered my ass. I felt like such a fool.
Cathy returned in a minute with the sneakers and a pair of pink socks.
"Here Denise, put these on."
All three stood over me as I pulled them on and tied the bright pink
laces. Where were we going? What was the appointment all about?
"I need to do something with his hair." Janet said as she picked up
Amanda's brush from her dresser top.
I tried to get away from them but the three of them cornered me. I had
to stand there while Janet took out my ponytail and brushed out my hair.
The last thing I wanted to do was to leave the house dressed like this.
What if someone saw me? It was Sunday and everyone would be out at the
stores.
I rode in the back seat between Cathy and Janet.
"You look really cute today Denise." Janet teased.
"I think she looks adorable in her tights." Amanda said to Cathy.
"Don't you."
"Now girls, don't tease Denise." Mother scolded, smiling in the rear
view mirror at me.
I ignored them. At least I tried to. We pulled up at the mall. All I
could think about was the crowds of people inside who would stare at me and
laugh. The way the kids in school did.
Mother took my arm and, holding it tightly, paraded me through the
middle of the mall. I didn't want to look at the people who passed us but I
couldn't help myself. I was surprised that hardly anyone took a second
glance.
I was as skinny as Amanda. My hair was as long as Cathy's, down
past my shoulders. But my face was still my old face. Did I look that much
like a girl?
Mom had always said I looked more like her than Dad and I supposed
now that was true. I had big green eyes and a small nose and mouth. My face
had always been small and narrow, even when I was heavier. I had often
hoped it would grow to be more masculine as I got older, but it hadn't.
I hadn't reached the age of puberty. I had anxiously awaited the first
signs of manhood. My voice was still high and I hadn't begun to sprout
hair.I was never more aware then at that moment of how I wished I looked
more masculine.
We stopped outside the beauty parlor. Mother leaned close and
whispered in my ear. "If you don't go along with this I promise you will live
to regret it." She squeezed my arm so tightly that it started to go numb.
There I was. Standing in the doorway of a beauty parlor in girls'
clothes and I was about to go in and have God knows what done to me, and
there wasn't a thing I could do about it.
We were apparently on time for the appointment. The hairdresser was
waiting for us.
Mother introduced me to the woman. "This is my stepdaughter
Denise. Denise this is Carolyn."
"Hi Denise." The woman said with a smile.
"Hi." I said cautiously, ashamed.
Mother pretty well took things from there. She told the girl what to
do. She explained that I was very shy and unsure of myself.
"It's time for Denise to have a new look. It's time for her to grow up
and put her tomboyish ways behind her. She could use a boost in her self
confidence." Mother told her friend Carolyn.
The woman took me and sat me down in her chair. As she brushed
my hair she said to Janet, "It's so very sweet of you girls to care so much
about your stepsister." Carolyn commented.
They just smiled.
What a joke, I thought to myself.
I had no idea of what was going on. She washed my hair then spent
almost a half hour with her scissors, giving me what she called a layered cut.
I just sat there while the woman worked on me. I felt almost sick.
"Is Tina too busy to give us any appointment today?" Mother asked
the woman.
"Let me check for you." The woman returned a moment later. "She
says she could fit you in, in about a half hour."
"That's perfect. There's something else we need to do. Thanks
Carolyn." Mother looked at me then smiled at the woman. "Denise looks
100% better."
"Do you like your new look Denise?" Carolyn asked me.
I turned and looked at myself in the mirror again. I was stalling. I
didn't know what to say. I couldn't tell her the truth, that I hated it and would
just as soon be shaved bald. "It's a lot different than I'm used to." That was
the truth.
"I think she just needs to get accustomed to it. Thanks Carolyn."
Mother lead me out to the front of the salon where the girls were waiting.
They all stared at me with surprised looks on their faces. I think
Amanda was sincere when she said, "Denise, you look fantastic. I can't
believe the difference."
Cathy looked at me funny. "She looks adorable. What a difference it
made."
Janet wasn't impressed. At least she didn't appear to be. "We better
get a move on."
"Alright, come on girls." Mother looked at me and smiled when she
said it. Why? Why were they doing this?
A few shops further on, we came to a small jewelry store. "Here we
are." Said Janet, smiling. "Come with me Denise."
Janet took me by the hand and led me inside. We walked up to the
counter. "Hi. My sister would like to get her ears pierced."
My ears pierced. No! No! NO! I tried to pull my hand from Janet's.
She wouldn't let go and squeezed my hand hard. She had me across the
knuckles and it really hurt.
"Sure, we can take care of you right away." The girl indicated that I
should follow her to the rear of the store. Janet didn't let go of my hand until
I was sitting in the girl's chair. She stayed right by my side as my earlobes
were sterilized and tiny studs were shot into them. I didn't hurt, not
physically. Emotionally I was a disaster.
I heard very little of what the girl said about washing my ears. I was
staring at my reflection in the mirror. If I thought I looked like a girl when I
walked into the mall there was no doubt that I looked like one now. My
stomach was doing flips. I turned to Janet. "I need to use the bathroom."
Janet must have seen me turning green. The girl pointed to a door in
the back wall of the store. "The bathroom is in back." She told us.
I just make it to the toilet before I threw up.
We joined the others waiting out in the mall. Mother smiled at me
adoringly. Cathy and Amanda were delighted. I knew they were laughing
inside. I wanted to run but there was nowhere to go.
"Come on girls. We need to get back for Denise's nail appointment."
Mother herded us back toward the beauty parlor.
Nail appointment? That too? I looked at my hands. I chewed my nails
to stubs, constantly. What could they possible do to make them look like
girl's nails?
I found out. When we left the salon, a little over an hour later, I had
perfectly manicured acrylic nails. They were all a little more than an eighth of
an inch longer than the tips of my fingers and had two coats of clear nail
polish on them. The woman had assured my 'Mother' that there was no way
that I would be chewing these nails off.
I felt very strange as we started walking through the mall again.
Mother still held my arm and Janet walked on my other side. Cathy and
Amanda followed us.
"Now I think we better find you some new clothes for school
tomorrow." Mother said.
I stopped in my tracks and stared at her. "I can't go back to Bentley
looking like this." My eyes were filling with tears.
"Of course you can't sweetheart. You're going to start going to public
school tomorrow, with your sisters."
There was a bench right behind me. I squatted down on it. "I can't.
Please don't make me Mother."
"You don't have to call me Mother anymore. You're one of my girls
now. Call me Mom." They were all looking down at me smiling.
"Why?" I asked.
"Why what honey?" Mother asked.
"Why are you doing this to me?" I asked weakly as the tears started to
run down my cheek.
"Why, to make your father proud of you. You were a horrible failure
to him as a son. He often said you would have been better off if you were
born a girl. Besides, the girls and I agreed from the first time we saw you
that you'd make a much better girl than a boy. We don't want a boy living
with us anyway. We'll all be much happier now as long as you behave
yourself."
That was it. He should have known. He knew he was a
disappointment to his Dad. He'd probably have been happy about what they
were doing to him.
Mother took a handkerchief out of her purse and dried my tears. "Lets
go now Sweetheart. We need to get you a few new outfits. You can borrow
some of Cathy's and Amanda's things but I'm sure you'll be much happier
with clothes of your own."
I let them lead me into shop after shop. One of the girls went back
into the dressing rooms with me each time as I was made to try on skirts,
blouses and dresses for them. Mother had to approve of everything before
she would buy it. The others had picked up a lot of things I never saw when I
was in the dressing rooms.
Each of us had at least one bag in our hand when we made our last
stop at a shoe store.
I learned that I was only a size six. I had always been embarrassed
about having small hands and feet for a guy. Mother said I was lucky because
there were always more styles available for girls with little feet. If that was
supposed to make me feel better, it failed.
They bought me five pairs of shoes and a pair of sneakers. I had three
pairs of flats; black, white and navy. I had two pair of low heels that I
wobbled on when I walked around the store; one cream colored to go with a
dress they had bought and a black pair. I wanted none of them. I wanted my
old clothes back.
We were getting ready to leave the mall when Amanda ran into some
of her friends. I tried to hide behind Mother and Janet but they wouldn't let
me. Amanda introduced me to the two girls and their boyfriends, as Denise.
I had to play along. I couldn't let them know the truth.
The girls were glad to meet me and to learn that I would be going to
school with them starting tomorrow. I wasn't so thrilled but I pretended to be
happy to meet them. I avoided looking at the guys.
I was relieved to get home. I never thought I would feel that way
about this house.
The girls got a big charge out of putting everything away for me. I
just sat on the bed and watched. I could see myself in the mirror from there
too. I still couldn't believe it was me staring back from the mirror.
I threw up my dinner. Mother made me take another dose of my
vitamins when I finally stopped heaving.
The teasing wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. In a strange way,
they were more accepting of me like this. Mother treated me nicer and the
girls were more than willing to teach me little details of how to act and what
to say as we sat talking at the kitchen table. I wasn't a very willing pupil but I
did appreciate being treated better so I at least listened to what they said.
Mother seemed delighted to see us get along better. Was it worth the
price I paid? Not as far as I was concerned.
It was about eight o:clock when Mother suggested, "Why don't you
girls take Denise upstairs and help him figure out what to wear to school
tomorrow."
Cathy and Amanda were more than willing. They were having a ball.
Janet seemed reluctant but followed us upstairs.
I sat on the bed as Cathy and Amanda argued over what I should
wear. Janet didn't take much interest. She sat on Amanda's bed and said very
little.
Cathy, being older, made the final decision. "His green skirt with that
white blouse that Amanda picked out." Cathy said, smiling at me.
Janet spoke up. "This is ridiculous. He'll never get away with this."
What was bugging her? She seemed so much different earlier, in the
mall. I hadn't said two words since we left the table and I wasn't about to
start now. Just the thought of going to their school, dressed up as a girl, was
terrifying. I would have done anything to get out of it.
"What's wrong with you." Cathy asked Janet in annoyed tone of
voice.
"This stinks. He's going to screw up and everyone will know that we
have a queer living with us. We'll be the laughing stock of the whole
school."
"He looks terrific. No one will know." Amanda told her sister.
"Oh, he looks like a girl but he doesn't know the first thing about
acting like one." Janet turned to me. "Just look at the way he's sitting."
I was sitting, straddling the corner of the bed.
"We can teach him." Amanda tried to convince her sister.
"I suppose." Janet gave in a little. She looked at me. "You better learn
fast because if you give away your little secret I promise you your life will be
a living hell."
I had no doubt she meant what she said.
Cathy came over and sat on the floor by me. "You've got a lot to learn
and there's a lot of stuff that you'll have to pick up on your own. Watch us,
watch our friends and try to mimic what you see."
Easier said than done. I thought I knew Mother's reasons for what
they were doing but I didn't understand why these three would go to all this
trouble. As long as they were talking to me I decided I might as well speak
up. Things couldn't get much worse. "I can't do this." I turned to Janet.
"You know I'm going to mess up."
Janet's expression changed to ice. "You better not and you better be
convincing."
"Why are you doing this?" I asked straight out.
"You heard Mom." Cathy said to me.
I didn't look at Cathy. I kept my stare locked on Janet.
She studied me for a moment before saying what was on her mind.
"I'm only going to say this once so listen good. Dad left our mother
everything in his will."
That was no shock to me.
She went on. "But there was a condition. She got it all, only if she
took care of you and raised you as her own. Dad had a lot of money, this
house and a big insurance policy. None of us have any intention of giving
that up. If Mom says we have to teach you to be a girl than that's what we're
going to do. If you screw things up for us," Janet leaned over close. "you're
going to be a very sorry little girl. Understand!?"
Now things made more sense. "I understand." I answered meekly.
Cathy and Amanda had been sitting on the floor watching me as Janet
told me this. They looked relieved that I didn't have the nerve to talk back to
their older sister.
"Good, we understand each other. Tomorrow you're going to be the
sweet, shy little stepsister and you'll do as you're told. Now, we're going to
spend the next few hours showing you how to walk, sit, stand and, in
general, how to be a girl. So pay attention."
She was true to her word and I was too afraid of what might happen
tomorrow not to take in everything they taught me.
Before bed I went into the bathroom with Amanda. We were both in
nighties.
"Tonight you can borrow by cream but we'll get you your own
tomorrow. Watch me and wash your face the way I do."
I had seen her using her deep cleansing creams before. It felt odd
doing the same. I had to use her lotion too, on my face, hands and legs. It felt
oily and slimy until I rubbed it in.
As we laid there in our beds, in the dark, I could hear Amanda's
breathing slow as she fell asleep. The clock on the dresser said it was eleven
thirty. I was still awake and staring at it at three.
Amanda had set the alarm for an hour earlier than usual. It was a good
thing because I took them forever to get me ready.
Janet did my hair, showing me how to use the curling iron on my
bangs.
Cathy and Amanda had everything laid out on my bed for me when
Janet and I came out of the bathroom.
The panties were not the familiar cotton. They were silky with lace
trim. They felt strange against my skin as I pulled them up. The girls were
decent enough to turn their backs while I put them on.
I wasn't expecting the next thing they handed me. It was a struggle to
put on pantyhose. Standing there in them, in front of the others, I felt really
strange.
The white blouse with its funny collar looked uncomfortably feminine
and with it tucked into the short green skirt I felt ridiculous. How could I go
out dressed like this, much less to school? The weather these days was cool
so Amanda loaned me one of her sweaters to take with me. In my black flats,
they led me downstairs to breakfast.
"You look lovely Denise." Mother stood next to the stove beaming.
"Girls, you did a beautiful job with her." She gave them each an appreciative
look and smile. Looking back to me, she added, "You'll do fine today.
Don't be afraid."
Afraid wasn't the word for it. Terrified didn't even seem like a strong
enough word.
She looked at me strangely then Mother said, "Where's her purse?"
Amanda jumped up. "I forgot Mom."
"Well, go get it for her." She said smiling. Mother was really
enjoying this.
Amanda returned a minute later and hung a small shoulder bag over
the back of my chair, next to the sweater. I had to carry a purse too? I should
have known. I wasn't happy.
Amanda went back to eating her breakfast. "He has his new wallet,
tissues, a pen and pencil, his brush, a pack of gum and some loose change."
Mother checked the purse. When she pulled out lipstick she looked
annoyed, she turned to Amanda. "You know the rules young lady, only
gloss."
She didn't expect me to wear that, did she?
"You might as well know the rules too Denise," Mother said, turning
to me. "No heavy makeup to school. If you want to wear it at home, that's up
to you. Church and special occasions are another story. Do you understand."
She was smiling the whole time but I didn't think it was funny.
Janet obviously thought the whole thing was extremely funny. "We'll
show Denise what she needs to know." She assured Mother.
My stomach was doing flips. I couldn't eat the cereal in front of me.
"That's alright honey. Just eat your toast and drink the juice." Mother
said. "I know you're nervous. I wouldn't want you to get sick this morning."
"Thanks." I said sarcastically.
"Just thanks?" Mother asked, looking at me funny.
"Thanks Mother?" I tried, not so boldly.
"Mom" She corrected me, still waiting.
"Thanks Mom." I conceded. I got a funny look from Janet.
"That's better sweetheart." Mother said with a smile.
She looked at the others. "You girls better get going before you're
late."
"See you in school Denise." Amanda said with an odd smile as she
and her sister got up from the table.
"Don't forget what I told you Denise." Janet said as she slung her
purse over her shoulder and picked up her books.
I just looked at her. Resignation on my face. I was not about to get
her mad at me. "I won't." I had no intention of giving myself away, if I could
avoid it.
"Don't be nervous. Just remember what we taught you. See you
later." Cathy said with a smile. She and Amanda were excited about today.
As far as being nervous, I was that. There was nothing she, or
anyone could say that would change that.
Mother, or rather Mom, and I were alone in the kitchen. She was
apparently going with me. That made sense. She had to enroll me. I wasn't
sure how she was going to pull that off. I was almost sure you had to have
records from the last school a person attended and some other identification.
"All ready to go Denise?" She asked, pushing her chair back from the
table.
"I can't do this. I'm not a girl. Please don't make me." I had to try
one last time. I begged her.
Her mood changed abruptly. "I told you how things are going to be.
Don't give me any more trouble." She was standing over me now and I was
scared. I covered my face. "You are Denise from now on and if I catch you
acting like a boy again I will punish you severely. The sooner you get that
through your head the happier you will be. That's the end of it."
"Yes Mom."
"All right now. Let's get going and don't forget your purse."
I followed her out the back door and we got in the car.
The drive to the school seemed endless. I actually considered jumping
from the car and running but I didn't have the nerve.
We parked in the lot in front of the office and I walked a step behind
Mother, through the front doors and into the office. I felt terribly
selfconscious as I walked along in my outfit. I could feel the air waft up
under the skirt, through the sheer material of the pantyhose. I knew I looked
absurd.
"Good morning Ms Worth." The woman behind the desk said when
she saw Mother.
"Good morning Elizabeth. How are you."
"Fine." I told the woman, scared to death to say anything.
The woman behind the desk looked at me and back to Mother
smiling. "Amanda said you'd be in this morning to register her stepsister."
Mother corrected her. "We don't think of Denise as a stepsister or
stepdaughter. She's just the girls' sister and my new daughter."
"That's sweet. I'll remember." She turned to me. "Good morning
Denise. Welcome to Bremond."
"Good morning." I answered the woman, terrified. Would my voice
give me away? Apparently not. The woman turned back to mother.
"Do you have her transcripts and birth certificate?" She asked Mother.
That's what I was afraid of. She would see that my real name was Dennis.
I watched as the woman studied the documents. She handed the birth
certificate back to Mother without so much as a raised eyebrow. "Everything
seems to be here." The woman looked up smiling.
"I would prefer that Denise didn't have to participate in any physical
activities until she's had a little more time to recover from the accident."
Accident? What accident? What was Mom talking about?
The woman turned to me. "Are you alright dear?"
"I'm fine." I told her.
The woman turned back to Mother. "What happened?"
"Oh, it's nothing serious. Just minor trauma. It would just be better if
she didn't have to take gym."
"Well, since we're so close to the end of the year I don't see why we
can't just give her a study hall. That should be alright."
I was relieved. I had no idea how I would have handled taking a girl's
gym class. I had been so nervous about everything else that I hadn't give
gym a thought. Mother saved me, thank God.
"Please see if you can put Denise in as many of the girls' classes as
you can. I know she'd be more comfortable around them since she doesn't
know anyone yet."
She was smoothing the way for me as best she could. Of course it
would be easier if I was close to them. Fortunately for me, Janet was in high
school.
"I'm sure we can accommodate Denise in at least a few of her classes.
If you and she will just take a seat, I'll get her a schedule made up."
That was all too easy, I mused as we sat on the chairs in the lobby. I
was very careful to remember how to sit the way the girls had shown me with
my knees tightly together and my feet slid off to the side. It felt awkward but