(A sequel to "The Gentle Giant by" Anon Allsop") Written
with the permission of Anon Allsop
Author's note. I read Anon's story "The Gentle Giant" and
loved it. I am quite pleased when I read a story where
right overcomes wrong, especially when bullies finally get
their 'due'.
At Anon's invitation to write a sequel about Lester's
conversion I could not pass the opportunity. So here is my
version of what happens to Lester. This story resumes where
Lester has just received his humiliation at the hands of
Ryan and ends at the same point as Anon's Gentle Giant.
Additional note: Earlier releases of Gentle Giant had a
name difference. Lester was called Greg and Crystal when
enfemme. In this sequel and Anon's re-release of Gentle
Giant, Greg becomes Lester and Crystal becomes Leslie.
Thanks, Anon, for a very nice story and for the much
appreciated comments and assistance with this sequel.
Thank you also to Elrod W. the Creator of Bikini Beach for
the wonderful universe to write in.
***********************
1 The Letter
Lester slapped away the helping hands of his friends as
they attempted to help him out of the shallow water where
he sat unceremoniously. The pain in his fractured elbow was
a sore reminder of the thrashing he had received at the
hands of that "faggot" Ryan Trimmer. His ego was a shambles
and the only thing on his mind was retribution.
"Fuck off Mark!" Lester said as his friend offered a hand
to help him out of the water. "Just leave me the hell
alone." Lester continued.
"Come on Les. You need to get that arm looked at." Mark
said.
"Screw you Mark. Just leave me be. I didn't see you guys
helping me a few minutes ago when I needed it."
"Fine. Suit yourself, asshole. Besides you asked for it,
you should have left the girl alone like I suggested.
Whatever came over you anyway? She is not worth going to
jail over. Come on guys, lets get out of here." Mark said
to the others.
Lester had managed to get to his feet, the water dripping
from his clothes. Lester held his fractured arm tightly as
the pain became more intense, helping to reinforce his foul
mood.
"Yeah, good idea, just get the fuck out of here and leave
me alone." Lester said to the group as he walked away
towards the flower-lined pathway that lead out of the park.
He heard one of the group give a low chuckle. "He looks
like a drowned rat" he said, which sparked more pronounced
laughter. "Fuck you guys." Lester said called angrily over
his shoulder, his shoes making a sick, sucking sound as he
walked intensified his foul disposition.
"I'll get even with that wimp. He'll be sorry for this."
Lester said to himself as he made his way to the walk-in
clinic on Main Street.
***
Ryan had explained the episode to his "Grandmother". He
knew that she did not condone his use of fighting. Ryan had
long ago promised her that he would never use his skill in
Karate in anger. It had been one of the conditions she had
set when she agreed to help his Mom after his father had
been sent to prison and had ultimately passed away. This
was different. He had no other option but to fight Lester.
Ryan had protected Beth. Had he not confronted Lester, Beth
would have been raped right in front of him.
Ryan was mildly surprised that "Grandmother" had responded
the way she did. Instead of being mad at him she had
actually given him a hug and a "Well done" in response. The
incident was soon forgotten by Ryan and Beth, but not so
for Grandmother. She was very concerned about Lester. She
was well aware of what he might do in the way of
retribution but was more concerned of what would eventually
happen to him if he did not change his ways. He was not
going to like what she had in mind, but it was, in the long
run, in his best interest. This was something she would
have to do and, as much as she despised it, she would have
to keep it a secret. There was no need for Ryan and Beth to
know what happened, even Anya had no need to know. Then was
also the matter of what to do about Mark....
***
Almost a month had passed since the confrontation with Ryan
and Beth, a month in which his so-called friends had made a
point of avoiding him. Lester was sure that one on the guys
had opened their big mouth about the incident. He had not
intended to really screw her, just humiliate her a little
and in the process assert his dominance over Ryan.. The
word had gotten around that he had tried to rape the girl
though, and everyone was treating him like he had the
plague. This did not help Lester's mood at all. If anything
Lester had become even more vicious. He had even taken some
pleasure out of kicking or hurling stones at any stray
animals that he encountered. Being ostracized was bad
enough but the boredom was really getting to him. Even
Mark, his so-called best friend, had made his short "fat-
ass" somewhat scarce. He had only seen Mark twice since the
incident, each time at the Burger Hut and then only for a
few minutes.
It was a quiet Saturday afternoon and Lester was alone. His
parents and his fourteen year old sister Kristen had gone
to visit his grandparents for the weekend. Lester, feigning
a promise to help do some work on a friend's car, had
declined to go with them. Lester had really decided to
spend the afternoon watching the ball game and having a few
beers. It was halfway through the game when the doorbell
rang.
Lester got up from the recliner where he had been watching
a rather exciting ballgame. He was off balance because of
the cast on his injured arm and, losing his balance, he
slipped and hit his shin on the coffee table. In the
process, he knocked over the can of Bud Lite he had
pilfered from his father's stock. "Fuck, of all the times--
" Lester said in frustration at being disturbed. He gave
the can a swift kick, emphasizing his mood and sending the
remaining contents spraying over the carpet. He was glad
that the cast would be coming off the following Monday.
***
Lester was not expecting any packages but the small FedEx
overnight express package had his name on it. He looked at
the sender's name and all it said was Bikini Beach resort.
Return to sender if undeliverable to addressee.
Lester returned to the sofa, sat down and opened the
tightly sealed package. Inside was a membership card and a
letter. The card, a credit card affair had a Bikini Beach
logo and the words Five Year Membership. His name was
embossed on the front of the card and there was a magnetic
strip on the back and a place for a signature. it looked
real enough. Lester set the card aside and turned his
attention to the letter.
Dear Mr. Miller,
Congratulations:
Enclosed you will find a valid Five Year Membership at
Bikini Beach Water Park and Resort worth several thousand
dollars.
As part of our new process of reducing our tax liability,
we have entered the names of all students at the High
School in a drawing. You have won the Grand prize. Several
other students have also won prizes ranging from one day to
five year passes. These prizes are, for us, tax deductible.
This reduction in tax liability helps us and rewards the
winners. In order to prevent any influencing of the winners
decisions to become members later, the names of all winners
will be kept anonymous. As the Grand Prize winner, you have
actually won a five year full membership rather than just a
pass.
In order to activate the membership prize, you will need to
present the enclosed card at our main gate anytime up to 12
PM one week from Tuesday next. If you decide to decline
your membership prize, you may do so by not coming to the
park as scheduled, in which case the card will expire on
the date specified and will be subsequently awarded to
another student.
We again congratulate you and look forward to having you as
one of our members. Please bring your bathing-suit and be
prepared for a very interesting and fun filled experience
as a member of our family.
Regards,
Membership Committee
Lester set the letter aside and picked up the card and
examined it again. Nowhere did he see any fine print or
exceptions to the membership. It looked like the genuine
article. "Well that place ought to be interesting, a break
from this fucking boredom." He said to himself as he
slipped the card into his wallet. He had heard about the
place. Expensive but nice. There was supposed to be a lot
of good looking "chicks" that hung out there and Lester was
more than happy to check them out.
2 The Park Visit
The grayed haired woman was not happy at the prospect of
being so devious, but she had to make Lester believe that
he had won a membership at Bikini Beach in such a way that
would not get him suspicious. It had to be of his own free
will that he came to the park, however. Knowing human
nature as she did, she was sure that he would not pass up
the opportunity to get something for free. She smiled at
the thought of Lester's surprise when he realized what the
"conditions" were going to be. He would get one last chance
to back out. Grandmother always gave the changelings that
possibility.
***
On the last day before the card expired Lester sat in his
beat-up car in the Bikini Beach parking lot and enjoyed the
parade of pretty girls that headed towards the gate. He did
notice a few men and boys going in as well but they were
far outnumbered by the girls that entered. "Much better for
me." He thought at the prospect of the male to female
ratio. He could hear the voices of the girls inside who
appeared to be having the fun of their lives. He could not
see much due to the high fence. Just the top of the
waterslide was visible and not once did he see any boys.
"They must be all occupied with the chicks." He said to
himself. "I better get in there and check this out." He
thought with a smile. He was sure he would be able to score
big-time.
Lester got out of his old Pontiac firebird, his black
spandex swim trunks in his hand and headed towards the
gate. "Have a nice time Sweetheart." One middle aged woman
said as she passed him going the other way. Lester thought
to say something sarcastic in response to the woman's use
of the term Sweetheart but he held his peace. "Not with
you, hag." Lester whispered to himself.
The old woman at the gate window looked up as he
approached. "Can I help you son?" She asked with a pleasant
smile on her face. "Err, yes. I got this by FedEx the other
day." Lester replied handing the woman the membership card.
"Oh yes. You are Lester Miller?"
"Yes." Lester replied.
"Can I see your driver's license? I need to verify your
identity."
Lester handed the woman his student drivers license and
watched as she scrutinized the license against his
features. She handed him back the license. "Thank you.
Congratulations young man. You are very lucky. Can you
stand off to the side a moment while I take care of the
people behind you? Then we can go into the office and
activate this card."
Lester did as he was asked and waited for a woman of about
thirty five and her two boys to get tickets. The woman said
she was the boys' mother and that her two boys were ten and
thirteen years old. He was quite surprised when she bought
a day pass for herself and two lifetime memberships for her
boys. The woman wrote the large check without flinching at
the price. There was obviously a lot of well to do people
here that he could hit on, Lester thought to himself. He
was surprised when the old woman asked her if she was sure
she wanted lifetime memberships for the boys. Most business
people would not hesitate to make a sale like that. The
woman replied, "Oh definitely yes."
The sale was made and the woman and her boys went through
the gate with a reminder to shower before going into the
park.
"Hi Dude." Lester heard a call from behind.
Lester turned and saw Mark approaching.
"What are you doing here?" Lester asked as the short stocky
boy approached.
"I won a year's membership in some contest. Mark said
waving the letter.
"No kidding." I did too. A five year membership. The Grand
prize. Lester replied emphasizing he won the Big one.
"Really. How about that. Hey they say there are a lot of
'hot' chicks here." Mark said. That water slide looks like
a good place to start."
"Yeah, that ought to be fun." Lester said, glad he had his
best friend to share the day with.
"And you are?---" The old woman said to Mark as she left
the booth.
"Mark Prescott. Les here is my friend" Mark said as he
handed the woman his letter.
"Good. You boys should have a great time today. Come with
me and I will get your passes activated." Grandmother said
with a sly smile. The boys did not catch the emphasis on
"Great" that she had made. The three walked across the
parking lot towards the building that sat astride the
fence. A sign marked "Office" plainly visible from the
parking lot side of the building.
"First, everyone here calls me Grandmother, so please feel
free to use that name. Do you both think your going to like
it here as members?"
"Sure Mark replied. It should be a lot of fun.
"Yeah, with all the girls here it sure will." Lester added.
"Yes, I think you boys will get real close to the girls
here." Grandmother countered with a gleam in her eye. "Real
close. Now if you boys will sign the back of your cards and
give them to me I will activate your membership. Just
remember health rules require that you both take a shower
before going through the turnstiles at the park entrance."
Grandmother handed the plastic membership cards to Lester
and Mark. "You're all set. Enjoy. The showers are just
beyond that door." She said, pointing to the door at the
rear of the office area. "Oh by the way, you won't need the
cards today since your entering through my office but you
will need them when you come in again by the gate.
"Thank you Ma'am." The boys said almost in unison. They
almost tripped over each other as they made a bee-line
towards the door.
"So how did you get here Mark. I didn't see your car in the
parking lot? Lester asked as they walked towards the
clearly marked Men's showers.
"Aw, it broke down again so I took the bus. Mark replied.
"You have been avoiding me lately. How come?" Lester asked
caustically.
"You know damned well why. That stunt you tried to pull on
Beth could have gotten us in a lot of trouble. I didn't
need my folks finding out that I was there! It's a good
thing she didn't turn you in." Mark said forcibly.
"OK, OK. So it was a stupid stunt. I wasn't going to fuck
the girl, just scare her and that geek Ryan. He gets me so
pissed off. He has a lot of nerve trying to crash our
territory. And that Beth, I just don't understand what
makes her think she's so god damned superior to everyone
else."
"Well that's not what Nate told everyone at the Burger hut
that weekend. He told them that you were going to pin her
ass to the carpet."
"I never said that. That asshole. I'll fix his ...."
Lester's comments were cut short as they entered the
bathhouse.
"For such an expensive place they don't put a lot into the
bathhouse." Lester commented as he looked around.
There was a row of steel gray lockers flanked on each side
by a plain wooden bench against one wall and a row of
shower heads with short modesty panels between each on the
other wall. Lester and Mark each took a position at
opposite ends of the lockers. After changing into their
swim trunks, they stored their clothes in a locker and
headed for one of the shower stalls.
As the lukewarm water hit his skin Lester closed his eyes
and enjoyed the relaxing feeling. He did not notice the
pink mist that rose up from the floor as the water hit it.
Lester opened his eyes at the sound of a scream that
assaulted his ears. A little girl's scream. Looking towards
the end of the row of showers he saw her. A girl of about
10 years old wearing a pink and blue printed bikini bottom.
Lester started to tell her that she was in the wrong
bathhouse but stopped short when he heard the high pitched
sound of his own voice.
The girl at the other end of the room was pointing straight
at him. She seemed hysterical. "I, I saw you change, I saw
you change, Les, you changed into a, a girl."
The girl stopped screaming and settled down. She started
smiling. "Hey Leslie, are you going to stand there all day?
We got a date with the water slide remember?" She said
calmly.
Lester choked when he heard the girl call him by name.
Somehow he knew that he had promised to spend some time at
the water slide with her, but he just could not remember
why. He reached for the shower faucet and had to reach
upward. He did not have to do that when he turned it on.
That is when the long strands of wet blonde hair fell
across his face. He reached up to push it away and then he
saw his hand. A tiny feminine hand. He checked his spandex
trunks and in it's place was a black bikini bottom.
"Oh shit. Oh shit was all he could get out of his mouth.
Fear gripped him at that moment as he reached under the
bikini bottom and checked on his 'equipment". Lester almost
fainted as he felt the soft hairless nether region where
his now missing manhood had been replaced with the
comparable female equivalent. He reached behind his back
with his free hand and felt the long wet strands of hair
that fell just below his shoulders. He felt his legs go
weak at the realization of what he now was. At that moment
the outside door opened and grandmother entered.
"Well girls, are you going to stay in here all day? She
said with a smile. "Here put these on." She handed each the
matching top to the bottoms that they were wearing. "We do
not allow topless bathing here at Bikini Beach. Even young
girls like yourselves have to be properly covered. And
Leslie, young girls do not do what I just saw you doing.
"Thank you Ma'am." Mandy said, reaching for the bikini top.
"I thought I had lost it."
Mandy slipped the top across her flat chest with ease.
"Now run along dear. Your mother is outside waiting for
you. I need to talk to your friend for a few minutes."
"Yes Ma'am." Thank you. She said picking up her small white
purse which had been moments before a man's wallet. She
turned to Lester. "See you later. Don't forget to meet me
at water slide."
"Yeah ,sure. Later." Lester replied but not paying
attention. His eyes fixed on the old lady.
Mandy slipped out the door and was gone. Lester turned to
the old woman. You did this to us didn't you? You turned us
into girls. What are you? Some kind of witch? I demand you
turn me back into my real self.
"Demand? Demand, your in no position to demand anything.
Come with me young lady. I have a few words to say to you
in private." The old woman said sharply. Lester winced at
being called a young lady. He did not realize that he had
just tied the Bikini top onto his barely budding breasts as
if he had been doing it for a long time. Lester followed
the woman back to the office. He felt very self conscious
of his new girlish appearance. As he walked across the
grass towards the office several girls gave him a smile and
a friendly hello in greeting. He suspected that their
subtle greeting meant that they knew what had happened to
him. Lester had never felt so humiliated.
"Sit down and keep quiet." The old woman said sternly,
sounding like a school teacher talking to a wayward
student. She pointed to the chair that Lester had just
recently occupied as a strapping young man. Lester eased
his now much smaller feminine frame into the chair.
Grandmother sat in her swivel back chair behind her desk.
She allowed her half glasses to slide down her nose and
peered over the top of them effectively giving her an even
sterner appearance. She just looked at Lester for a solid
minute without saying anything. The pre-pubescent girl that
had been Lester slide down in her chair to avoid the stare.
The room's deathly quietness was interrupted as a teenage
girl walked in and placed a bundle on the edge of
Grandmother's desk. "The young lady's clothes." The girl
said. "I thought she might be needing them." She continued
as Grandmother raised an eyebrow.
"Thank you Louise." Just leave them on the counter for
now."
"Yes Ma'am. The young woman looked over at Leslie and
smiled. "Welcome to Bikini Beach." She said in a friendly
tone and then turned and left the office.
"Now, to answer some of your questions, which I am sure you
have. Don't interrupt me until I'm done and then if you
have any other questions I will be happy to answer them."
"First, you are being given a new chance to start your life
over. You may not believe this but I am doing you a big
favor. A few years from now, if things did not change, you
would have ended up in prison. Look at yourself, I have
changed you into a pretty 12 year old girl. If I can do
that it is obvious that I can also read the future and the
past. Believe me Lester, this is the best way I know to
help you help yourself."
"Second, Unlike your friend, who has no memory of being a
boy, you are going to keep your memories so that you can
relate your old life to your new one. Call it punishment
if you will but in the end it will make you a far better
person. This change into a girl, in your case, will last at
least five years - the length of your membership. Mandy, on
the other hand, will have the option to become his old self
again after spending a year as a ten year old girl. After
that he will be able to change back to his old self if he
chooses but he will vaguely remember spending time as a
little girl and he will make a better man for the
experience.
"Third, Bikini Beach is a refuge for the female gender. To
escape for a little while at least the likes of men and
boys like you. It is not the place you thought it was, a
place to score or hit on the girls. That is why the men
that do come in here do not stay that way. They become and
act like females for the duration of their pass."
"And lastly, an explanation. You picked the wrong boy to
bully, Lester. Ryan is the son of a very dear friend. When
his father died I promised to look after Ryan and his Mom,
so I have taken him under my protection as if he were my
own grandchild. I knew Ryan could take care of himself, but
when you attempted to rape his friend Beth you went too
far. I know that if Ryan had not broken his promise to me
not to fight anyone you would have succeeded in your dirty
deed. And yes, you would have gone to jail for that, but
Beth would have had to live with the stigma and humiliation
the rest of her life. For that you will now learn what it
is like to be the 'weak' female. As Leslie however, you
have a lot of potential for great things. Learn well dear.
I promise you this, if you do make the effort and become
the girl I know you can be, and decide to renew your
membership, I will remove the old memories and thus the
humiliation that you will experience. It will then be as if
you had always been a natural girl."
With the last comment the old lady smiled, removed her
eyeglasses and her countenance returned to her more gentle
and friendly nature.
"Any questions?"
"You have no right to do this to us. Change us back or I
will call the cops!" Lester responded with an weak attempt
a bravado.
"Now dear. What are you going to tell them?" She asked
pointing to Lester's now childish form. "That you are a
seventeen year old boy that was changed into a twelve year
old girl by a magician? The only thing that will get you is
a visit to the child psychiatric ward" Grandmother said
calmly.
"But you can't be serious. You expect me to go home like
this? I don't know anything about being a girl." Lester
responded pleadingly.
"Yes, Leslie. I do expect you to go home like that. I have
changed your reality and that of your family and Mandy's
slightly. To your sister and father and to Mark's parents,
both of you and Mandy will have always been girls and best
friends. Only you and I and your mother know the truth.
From now on everyone else will know you as Leslie Ann
Miller, a 12 year old girl with an exceptional talent for
the ballet.
"Ballet? You have got to be kidding! I don't know anything
about Ballet, that's for sissies!" Lester exclaimed. He had
missed the reference that his mother would now the truth.
"Yes, Ballet. Not the thing that a Macho boy would do is
it? Considering your current appearance I don't think you
have to be worried about being called a sissy. As for
knowing how to perform ballet, just concentrate, You have
all the knowledge you need inside that pretty head you now
possess. Just think about what you need to remember and it
will all come back. Now enough! Run along and enjoy the
park. Mandy is waiting for you at the water slide. I'll put
your clothes back in the bathhouse next to Mandy's."
Grandmother said as she picked up the bundle. "Oh, by the
way, here is you bag. Girls must always have that with
them. You never know when you are going to need the things
inside." Grandmother then held the office door open for the
young girl.
Lester took the small pink bag which had a tie-string at
the top from the old lady. It bore no resemblance to his
wallet that he had left in the bathhouse. The "Power Puff
Girls" Logo attested to that. He then got out of the chair
and walked outside into the bright sunlight. As he walked
towards the water slide in his black lycra bikini, he was
acutely aware for the first time of the small female body
that he was now compelled to live in. He felt a real sense
of fear, coupled with the humiliation at the loss of his
masculinity. He sat down on a nearby bench beside the
entrance to the water slide and felt tears cloud his eyes
and roll down his face. For the first time since he was a
little boy Lester started to cry. Lester did not realize
that at that moment, inside the very core of his id, the
long suppressed abuse suffered at the hands of his father
and the rebellion that had resulted began to heal. In this
reality the abuse had never happened.
***
"Leslie what's the matter?" The voice startling Leslie out
of her doldrums of self pity.
Leslie looked up at the girl and for a moment did not
comprehend why a little girl would be calling him Leslie.
Then reality flooded back. It was Mark. No, it was Mandy.
Lester/Leslie for a moment just stared at the girl. His
countenance appeared so foul that the young girl backed
away a step. "Leslie are you all right. You were crying.
What's wrong?" Mandy asked with obvious concern for her
friend.
Leslie had to think fast. I'm alright. Just something at
home that was bothering me. It's nothing." Leslie said
wiping the last tears from her eyes.
"Did you get in trouble or something?" Mandy asked
innocently.
"A little bit. Dad is a little mad at me that's all. Forget
it. Lets go to the water slide." Leslie said in an effort
to change the subject.
"Cool. Lets go. My Mom is waiting at the refreshment stand.
She said that she would treat us both to lunch first."
Mandy replied enthusiastically, instantly forgetting the
conversation.
For the rest of the day the two young girls enjoyed the day
at the park. Leslie had so much fun with Mandy and her mom
that she had totally forgotten the fact that just a few
hours earlier she had been a seventeen year old boy. It was
not until the two returned to the bathhouse that Leslie
became acutely aware again of who and what she now was.
***
When Lester had arrived at the Park he had been wearing
faded jeans, a cut off NASCAR tee shirt and Reeboks. When
he opened the door to the locker he found that he now had a
pink denim skirt, a white pullover top with a little pink
flower design and short ruffles sleeves and pink and white
Reeboks. Sitting on top of the clothes was a white pair of
cotton panties, a short half slip, pink ankle socks, pink
and white hair ribbon and a training bra. It took her a
minute to realize that she was expected to dress in the
clothes. Mandy had put on a light green sundress and was
buckling up her maryjanes when she looked at Leslie.
"What are you standing there for Leslie? Hurry up and get
dressed. My Mom is waiting to take us home. She said she
was going to put your bike in the back of her car. We have
got to hurry." Mandy said.
"What bike? I have my car outside." Leslie said forgetting
herself.
"Car? Leslie you can be such a clown at times. Mandy
replied with a giggle. Leslie/Lester had to be more
careful. He had almost slipped up and he was sure that
Mandy would tell her mom how strange her friend was acting.
Lester did not need that to happen. "Just kidding." Leslie
replied, realizing that the Old Lady would have covered the
car issue. Lester opened his purse and checked his license.
In it's place he now had a card marked Student ID with a
picture of a young girl on it. "Damn." He said to himself
as he became aware of just how thorough the Old Lady was.
With that Lester slowly got dressed in the girls clothes.
He hated every minute of the humiliating experience yet
still was surprised at how easily he had been able to put
on the unfamiliar clothes, especially the bra. It was so
automatic that it was like he had done it many times
before. Everything fit perfectly. Yet, he felt so
conspicuous. He was sure that Mandy's mom and everyone else
would know he was a guy in drag.
His worst fear did not materialize however. No one paid him
the slightest attention. All anyone saw was two girls
walking out into the park and towards the exit gate. The
only one that felt out of place was Lester himself. He felt
like a transvestite queer as the wind blew up around his
legs and under the pink denim skirt. Deep inside Lester
knew he had to find a way out of this ridiculous situation.
He did not comprehend the fact that it was going to get
worse before it got better.
3 Mom's revelation
During the ride home Leslie was withdrawn again into self
pity. She did not say much in response to the endless
chatter that her friend kept up. It was obvious that Mandy
had no recollection of her past self. Her topics of
conversation limited to clothes, the latest Disney movies
and her Barbie collection. None of which interested Leslie.
At least not yet. Leslie did retreat from her silence as
Mandy's Mom announced that she was home. Leslie looked out
the window of the car before getting out. Everything seemed
to be the same but she was sure it was not going to be
anything like Lester was used to. Fear at her reception
gripped the now young girl. It must have shown on her face
as Mandy's Mom, having set Leslie's bike on the edge of the
driveway asked if she was alright.
"You look a little pale dear. You have been quiet all the
way home. I had better talk to your mother."
"No I'm fine." Leslie replied.
"Just the same, I had better talk with her." She replied
just as June Miller came out the front door.
"Hi, Louise. I see you found Leslie in your travels."
"Hi June. Yes we did. As a matter of fact she was at the
front gate as Mandy and I arrived. We spent the entire day
together. She has seemed a little withdrawn though. I
thought she might be getting a little ill but she denies
it. I thought it best to let you know." Louise said.
"Oh, well I'll check her for a temperature and call the
doctor if it is necessary. Thanks for letting me know."
"No problem. It's probably not much. Maybe something she
ate at the park didn't agree with her. Mandy, stay in the
car." Louise said to Mandy, who had started to get out of
the car. "We had better get home and make your father his
supper."
"See you later Louise and thanks again for watching
Leslie."
"Like I said June. It's not a problem. When these two are
together it is quite easy, watch one is like watching
both." Louise replied
"Bye Leslie. I'll call you later." Mandy said from the open
window of the car.
"Bye." Leslie replied as she took the handles of the
unfamiliar girl's bike and pushed it towards the garage.
"Leslie, after you put your bike away come into the
kitchen. I want to talk to you." June Miller said giving
her child a strange look.
"Yes mother." Leslie replied. He had not used that term in
years and June smiled at the response as she turned and
entered the side door to the kitchen area.
As Lester walked through the breezeway that connected the
garage to the house his mind was in turmoil. He was sure
that everything he knew as a boy was going to be a lot
different unless he found a way to resist. Magic or not, he
was not going to let the old woman make a sissy out of him.
It was bad enough that he was now wearing a skirt and
everyone thought he was a girl. He would have to play out
the 'game' for the time being until he worked out a plan.
One thing was for sure, he had to get out of these sissy
clothes and cut this long hair. Yeah that was it, he would
start by cutting his hair and getting into some boy's
clothes. His mother had other plans.
***
"In here young lady." June Prescott said as Lester/Leslie
came into the mudroom just off the kitchen.
"Sit." She said to Leslie as she came through the door.
"So how does it feel Lester? Being a girl?" June said with
the biggest smile Lester had ever seen on her face.
"You know?" Lester said as a feeling of nausea overtook
him.
"Of course. Grandmother called me right after you got that
letter and told me what she had planned for you if you
showed up at the park and why."
"You let her do this to me! Mom how could you?" Leslie said
almost shouting.
"After what you did to Ryan and tried to do Beth? Just be
glad your sitting there in a skirt and panties and not in a
diaper. I was sorely tempted to have that happen Lester. I
really was. The only thing that stopped me after talking to
Mrs. Beach was that I did not want to go through changing
messy diapers again." June replied caustically. Softening
her tone a little she continued. "So now what? I'll tell
you. You are now Kristen's younger sister by two years. I
am putting her in charge of teaching you how to be a girl.
Neither she or your father remembers you as a boy so I
would be careful what you say and do unless you want
everyone to think you're gay or something. I will expect
you to learn from her - or else!" It will be your
responsibility to start learning to act like a young lady
and change your ways or I promise you this, you will be
getting a lifetime membership at Bikini Beach whether you
want it or not. I will make sure you never try to do to
another girl what you did to Beth! As for your question,
someday I'll answer that for you but not now."
Lester/Leslie sank lower into her chair at the withering
remarks from her mother. For the first time he had a real
fear that his mother was going to keep her promise and for
the first time he had no smart remarks with which to
respond.
"I see I made my point. Now get up to your room and take
your bath and then get changed. We are going out for dinner
before you go to ballet class. Your father has gone to pick
up Kristen at her cello rehearsal and we will be leaving as
soon as they get home and can get changed. I want you out
of the bathroom and properly dressed by the time they get
back. You have about an hour. I will have the clothes I
want you to wear laid out on your bed by the time you get
done with your bath.
Lester felt a little relief at the fact that his mother had
changed the subject and not wanting to get in any deeper
than he already was, hurried out of the kitchen and up the
stairs toward his room.
"And don't forget to use the bubble bath that is on the
counter." June called out to him as he went up the stairs.
As he walked into his bedroom he got the second shock of
the day and probably the one that, more than anything else,
drove home the hopelessness of what he was to face for the
next five years. He entered a little girl's fantasy
bedroom. It's decorations more like a six or seven year old
than a girl of twelve. Lester felt a wave of humiliation
overtake him as he looked around the room. He plopped down
on the edge of the pink canopied bed with it's "Little
Mermaid" motif and started to sob uncontrollably. All
semblance of the macho teenage male ego washed away as the
immensity of the events of the day struck overtook him.
4 Feminine Orientation
+++ Author's note: From this point the story, as regards
Lester / Leslie, is written in the first person as much as
possible. +++
To say that Lester's intelligence was below normal and that
he compensated for that with a demeanor of brutishness and
intimidation would be unfair and wrong. Lester was of above
average intelligence. His main problem had been the crowd
he had started to hang out with years earlier. His above
normal size and intelligence had, by the time he was in
high school, allowed him to dominate the group and the
girls that hung out with them. The sense of power he had
over others, like an aphrodisiac, had eventually overtaken
his common sense. Although he did not know it, he was on a
course that would lead him to much trouble. All that was
now gone. Only his above average intelligence remained and
of course the humiliation that he felt at now being a young
girl, and as he saw it, at the bottom of the pecking order.
He did have one thing in his favor, although he did not
appreciate it at this particular moment in time. As Leslie,
there was a clean slate to write on and his mother was
determined to do just that.
***
I sat on the edge of the bed crying my eyes out in self
pity. It was not until I heard mom's voice come up from the
foot of the stairs telling me to "Get a move on" that I
decided to do as she asked.
My hands trembled and my knees went weak as I removed the
girl's clothes that I had on and saw clearly for the first
time what I had become. I stood naked in front of the floor
length bedroom mirror and examined myself. Small breasts
were just starting to form on my now hairless chest. The
slim arms gave no hint of the muscular form they had had
earlier in the day. My legs and the slit between them gave
no doubt as to what I now was. My face was delicately
feminine and my long, soft golden hair gave off a
shimmering luminescence all it's own. There was no denying
it. I was a young, very pretty girl and I had the body to
prove it. I felt again the wave of self pity start to
course through me as the tears again started to form in my
eyes. I had always been in control and now I had no idea
how to undo what had happened to me. I felt hopelessly
trapped.
Stepping into the scented bath I settled down into the
water. It was strange, but the aroma of the bath seemed to
have a soothing effect on me. I took the sponge and started
to wash my new body. Sensations coursed through me that I
had never felt before as a boy. Certain sensitive areas had
me gasping for air as I washed them. I probably would have
stayed in the bath for hours if I had not heard mom moving
about in my bedroom.
"Come on Leslie. Don't drown in there. Your clothes are on
the bed and don't forget to wear a pad. I don't want any
accidents." Mom said from the other side of the bathroom
door.
"Yes Mother." I said as I stepped out of the bathtub. It
surprised me that I had called her that. I had always
called her Mom or Ma. I just had no control over how it
came out. I picked up the detangling brush and turned on
the hair dryer. I was halfway finished drying my hair when
I realized that I was doing something that I had no idea
how to do. It was as if I had been doing this routine
feminine act all my life. Then it hit me. "What pad? No
way!" I said to myself as it dawned on me what Mom was
talking about. "This can't be happening. She thinks I'm
having a period." I said to myself. I knew it happened to
girls sooner or later but not to me.
I ran out into the bedroom and checked the panties I had on
earlier. Sure enough they were spotted with just a tint of
red stains. "Damned. This is friggin' ridiculous." I said
in frustration as I threw the stained garment in the
hamper. I felt so embarrassed ant the though that I had to
wear the most intimate of feminine articles. It seemed as
though nothing had been left out to make me aware of my new
status. Boy was I soon to discover that I was not even
close to the truth.
***
Mom had laid out my clothes for the evening. A royal blue
satin dress with short puffy sleeves and white piping trim.
Matching Maryjane shoes with a one and a half inch heel.
Beside the dress was a black full slip. A matching set of
black panties and training bra and a small pink plastic
package marked "Kotex Napkin".
Wrapped in the bath towel I sat on the edge of the bed. I
had no idea what I was supposed to do first. In frustration
and defeat I slammed my fist on the bed. I took my
frustration out on the Little Mermaid image on the
bedspread as I started to cry again.
That's when Mom came back into the room. She was dressed in
a two piece skirt and jacket ensemble. The skirt and jacket
were black and she wore a white silk blouse. I had never
seen her wear that outfit before. She was obviously ready
to go out.
"Leslie, stop that crying and get dressed. Your father and
sister are home and we will be leaving for the restaurant
soon. Mom said with a hint of sympathy in her voice.
"I can't! I exclaimed. My voice breaking with sobs.
"Yes you can. Mrs. Beach assured me that you would know
what had to be done. You just have to concentrate. You
seemed to do fine with your hair. Now stand up and I'll
help you. Lets start with that pad and panties." She said.
A little more tenderly than when she had talked to me in
the kitchen.
I don't know if the cramps in my stomach were from the
start of my period or the tension I felt at the feel of the
pad between my legs as I pulled the nylon panties into
place put but I sure was feeling nervous and embarrassed.
One thing was for sure. It struck home that I was indeed a
girl now. Somehow getting dressed in the rest of the
clothes did not seem to matter. All I could feel was that
damned pad.
Fifteen minutes later I was dressed and mom had applied a
small touch of makeup to my face. As she applied a light
touch of pink lipstick to my mouth I felt like a sissy. No
guy wears lipstick I thought.
"There. done. Leslie you look lovely. Come let me show
you." Mom said as she took my and led me to the floor
length mirror.
I gasped as I saw my refection. Gone was any hint of my
former male self. In it's place was a very pretty young
girl. I reached up to touch my face. I was surprised at how
much I looked like my sister had two years earlier. Mom
caught me as my legs started to give out under me. I looked
like a Cinderella going to a ball. She helped me out to
the bed and had me sit while she buckled the Maryjanes to
my feet. "Much better Lester. Much better" It was not lost
on me that she had made a point of calling me Lester and
thereby making the point of telling me that she still knew
who I really was.
"Now, please get your ballet outfit from the closet. You
can change at the studio when we drop you off. It is time
to go."
I walked over to the closet and opened the door for the
first time. I was shocked at what I saw. The closet was
neatly arranged with a full complement of girls clothing.
Dresses, skirts, blouses, you name it. It even smelled
girlish inside. Not like my old closet that had the
unmistakable odor of a teenage boy. Hanging on the back of
the door was 'my' ballet outfit. Pink Leotard and ballet
slippers and a white and pink tutu. All neatly attached to
a padded hanger. Taking down the hanger from the hook I
carried the outfit from the closet holding the hanger by
the tips of my fingers like they were infected with a
plague virus. "Oh God, why pink?" I said to myself as I
headed down the stairs to meet my now older sister and
father for the first time as a girl. I felt like I was
walking to my "doom".
My only saving grace was that Kristen and my father had no
reaction to my appearance as a girl. Kristen commented on
how pretty I looked and Dad just gave me a peck on the
cheek in greeting. Kristen was dressed in a long tan dress
that came down to her ankles and her sandals just peeked
out from under the hem. Over the dress she had on a short
matching jacket. Her page boy hairdo just touching the
collar of the jacket.
Her practice had been a dress rehearsal for her upcoming
recital and she had not had to get changed to go to dinner.
Five minutes later we were in the car and head out of the
driveway. To say that I was not happy with the situation
would be an understatement. As we walked into the
restaurant I felt as though everyone knew I was a guy in
drag even though not a soul said anything that would give
that impression.
Dinner went as well as could be expected. Mom and Dad for
the most part ignored Kristen and me and Kristen just
endlessly chatted about her friends, school, and the latest
rock stars. I for the most part just kept quiet. Mom did
look my way several times and smiled. On one occasion when
Kristen mentioned her new boyfriend, Mom just winked at me.
After dinner, Mom and Dad dropped me off for my ballet
lesson at the Lady Slipper Dance Studio. Mom told me that
they would pick me up an hour and a half later. As I exited
the car Kristen passed me out the costume and a small tote
bag. "Don't make any passes at Jamie this time." She said
coyly
I wondered what that meant. As I walked towards the door of
the building a gust of wind tried to lift the back of my
dress and I struggled to hold it down with one hand holding
the tote bag and at the same time keep the costume in the
other. I heard Kristen laugh from the car at my
predicament.
As I entered the door of the Studio I was struck by it's
austerity. The place was no more than a gymnasium-like area
with a series of bars along two walls and a stage at the
back. There was a set of double doors on one side that I
soon learned lead off to a series of dressing rooms and a
lunch area.
There were several girls and a couple of boys doing
exercises at the bars and a few others milling about in the
center of the floor. I heard my name called but at first
the name did not register with me. "Over here Leslie
please." I heard a second time. "Your late dear." The woman
said as she approached me. Her name tag said she was Mrs.
Marsh.
"I'm sorry Mrs. Marsh. My folks just dropped me off. We
went out to the restaurant." I said trying to play it cool.
"That's fine then, dear. Go get changed. We have a lot to
do tonight to get ready for the summer performance. Jamie
will be your partner tonight."
I headed for the double doors where i had seen some of the
other dancers emerge. I walked down the hallway and found
an empty dressing room. I removed her clothes and donned
the dance costume. I was on autopilot, yet somehow I
"remembered" how to properly get dressed for the practice.
Deep inside I knew that I should not be doing such girly
things. I felt disgusted and humiliated. As much as I
wanted to just run from the place I could not. I had no
control over my actions.
Leslie found a pink package in her bag and from it she
removed a panty liner which she placed into the crotch of
her high cut panties before pulling her leotards into
place. She then stepped into her tutu and tied it around
her slim waist. From the tote bag she removed a pink ribbon
and knew she had to tie her hair into a ponytail. She found
that she could do it exactly the way Mrs. Marsh required.
Hanging her dress and other clothes in the closet she then
checked her appearance. She felt utterly foolish at the
reflection that stared back at her yet she knew even
without thinking that she would be acceptable to her very
strict instructor. She stepped into the ballet slippers and
after tying the long ribbon laces correctly she stepped out
into the hallway.
Her mind flooded with the dance routines that she did not
know she knew. The practice went off well. Jamie was an
expert and as each routine was performed Leslie found that
she automatically responded correctly. No one seemed to
notice that her eyes seemed a bit glassy.
During the entire time, that part of me that was my old
self was repulsed by the idea of having to be lead about by
another guy and one in a pair of tights, yet I was unable
to do anything but respond as a graceful young ballerina-
in-training. I was losing control and it did not sit well
with me. When the practice was over Jamie gave me a light
kiss on the cheek. "Very nice Leslie. Perfect as usual. He
said truthfully. I almost gagged.
I did not say anything. Instead I ran from the dance floor
in embarrassment. I had just been kissed by a guy in tights
and he felt queer. I was sure Jamie must be gay. Grabbing
my clothes I from the dressing room, I ran from the
building. I did not even want to take the time to change.
I just needed to get out of that place. Mom was just
pulling into the parking lot.
During the entire ride Leslie remained quiet and withdrawn.
June knew that this was not a good time to push the issue.
When they arrived home Leslie just ran into the house, up
the stairs and into her room slamming the door behind
herself. The slightly off balance door did not latch but
instead slowly reopened.
I ran to the vanity and sat down. Searched through the
drawers I found what I was looking for. A large pair of
scissors. Reaching behind my head and I grabbed the base of
the ponytail and raised the scissors to cut it off. My hand
stopped in mid air as a wrist was grabbed from behind.
"What are you trying to do Leslie?". Her mom asked sharply.
"What does it look like! I want to cut of this girly hair
that's what! Lester exclaimed. "I can't take any more of
this shit! He added.
With her free hand June gave the girl a slap and
immediately felt remorse for having done so. It was obvious
that the strain of the day was having an effect on them
both.
For a brief moment I did not react. I just stared at my
mother. Never before had she ever raised a hand to me. I
sat in shock at the physical rebuke. Then I started to sob
violently.
June reached for her and at that moment the young girl
wrapped her arms around her mother's waist and held tight.
Tears streamed down both their faces. "I'm sorry Lester. I
really am but this is for the best. June said softly.
There was no resistance as a few minutes later June helped
her daughter remove the ballet costume and slipped a soft
powder blue nightgown over her head. The stress of the day
had been too great for her to resist any longer. She got
into bed. June kissed Leslie gently on the forehead and
said goodnight. "Tomorrow, Mandy is coming over to spend
the day with you. Tomorrow will be much better. I promise"
As sleep overtook her, Leslie sobbed quietly into her
pillow. It had not been a good day for Lester. Not at all.
***
When I awoke the next morning and rubbed the sleepiness
from my eyes I was almost immediately assailed by a
multitude of unfamiliar sensations sights and smells, not
the least of which was the feeling of the soft rayon
nightgown that was wrapped around my legs and the damned
long hair that was splayed across my face. As I pushed the
hair from my face I looked up at that awful pink canopy
with the little mermaid design that was perched over my
head. The smell of strawberries flooded my nostrils. I sat
bolt upright as everything of the day before flooded back
into my consciousness. I had hoped it was all a dream but
that idea was dispelled as I looked around the little
girl's bedroom. The need to go to the bathroom pushed self
pity aside as I got out of the bed and went into the
bathroom. Lifting up my nightgown and sliding down my
panties I had slept in. I sat down and did my duty. The pad
in my panties were stained with a slight trace of blood and
in frustration I threw the damned thing across the room and
just sat there and started to cry.
The soft knock on the bathroom door brought my self
loathing to a halt. "Are you alright Leslie" It was the
soft voice of my sister. "Leslie are you OK." She asked
again when I did not answer.
"Yes." I sobbed, but trying to regain my composure. I got
up from the toilet and pulled down my nightgown. I opened
the door and ran out into the hall and into my bedroom
completely ignoring Kristen.
Less than a minute later Kristen came into my room and sat
on the bed next to me. She reached out to take my hand and
I immediately pulled it away.
"Leave me alone!" I said almost shouting.
"It's ok Sis. I know what you are going through. I saw the
pad on the floor. I've been there too you know. Does Mom
know?
"Yes she does and she didn't seem to care." I shot back.
"I'm sure she does Leslie but if you want to talk to your
'big sister' about it I'm a good listener and I can tell
you about it. The first time is hard but it doesn't have to
be the end of the world.
For the next few minutes Kristen explained all about a
girl's first period and what to do about it. She was trying
to be helpful but she had no idea what I was feeling and
the changes that I had gone through just the day before. I
could not very well tell her that I was actually her older
brother not her sister and that I was a guy having a first
period. She would have thought I had gone off the deep end
so I just let her talk and played the game. I still felt
awful ridiculous listening to Kristen talk about such
intimate details of her own first time but somehow I also
felt a little better about it.
"So, do you feel better now?" She asked gently.
"Thanks Kristen. Yes I do." I said, forcing a relieved
response.
"Good. Hey, Mandy is coming over for breakfast. How about I
help you get dressed and fix your hair. That will save you
some time and the we can go get some breakfast.
"Ok." That sounds good I said. I was actually warming to
Kristen's concern for me. I actually giggled with some
relief from the tension.
Kristen suggested the yellow sundress printed with little
pink and blue flowers and the white sandals. It was going
to be a warm day and I reluctantly agreed to the choice.
The dress was quite short and more like a little girl's but
at least it was devoid of frills and ribbons, except for a
little lace on the collar. I know I should have been
screaming 'murder" but I didn't. I was confused at my
passivity, but if Kristen had noticed it she said nothing.
Kristen took out a white cotton slip and plain white
panties from my drawer and some yellow ankle socks.
"I have a perfect hair loop that will match that dress. Why
don't you get into the undies and put on the pad while I go
into my room get it?" She was gone before I could reply. I
think she was trying to be polite and give me some privacy
while I got into the intimates. It was strange but I was
warming up to Kristen, something I had never done as
Lester. Still, I felt strange bacause I was about to let my
little sister see her "big brother" in a girl's intimates.
I was glad she didn't know the truth. By the time she got
back I had on the underwear and the slip. In her hand she
carried a small spray bottle of perfume and lacey yellow
hair loop. I knew what she was going to do and I didn't
like it.
5 A Lesson Learned
The days passed slowly at first. Although Mom kept
encouraging me to go outside and meet some new friends I
just could not bring myself to let anyone see me as I now
was even though I knew they would not think of me in any
way other than I appeared. Instead I just stayed home. I
ventured outside only at Mom's insistence but confined
myself to my own yard. Quite often I would rebel in some
way and Mom would punish me. Not physically mind you but in
a way that she knew I disliked. She kept making me dress in
one of the frilly dresses she was constantly buying and
making sure that I played only girl's games with Mandy and
some of her new friends that she would bring with her. I am
not positive, but I think Mom actually enjoyed that part.
Slowly I came to realize that open rebellion was not going
to get me anywhere. I decided that I would have to find a
subtle way to make it known that I still did not like being
forced into girlhood.
Mandy was coming by almost every day and would keep asking
me to go to Bikini Beach again. Each time I made some
excuse not to. I had no intention of letting that old lady
gloat over my predicament.
I felt sorry for Mandy. She seemed quite content to be a 10
year old girl. She was always dressed impeccably in pretty
dresses or skirts. her demeanor was always very feminine
and cheerful. She never once made any reference to her
former self. On one occasion she brought over her Barbie
collection and I had to sit and play dress up with her
dolls. Mom made sure that I did not do anything to upset
Mandy.
After a couple of weeks of being a "good girl" Mom actually
relented, just a little, and I was able to get into a pair
of jeans and a tee shirt for the first time since the
"change". Of course they were girl's jeans with an
embroidered rose on the single rear pocket and the tee
shirt was lavender with delicate lace trim around the cuffs
of the short sleeves but at I was least not in a dress or a
skirt. I think mom took pleasure however in making sure I
wore my long hair in double braided pigtails and tied the
ends with lavender ribbons. I might be in a pair of pants
but I still felt very much like a girl.
It was late summer and school was soon to start and I was
informed that I would be a entering sixth grade. As I was
supposed to have been a senior this year in high school,
the thought that I was going to have to go back to
elementary school and as a girl was not very pleasant. The
kids in the elementary school had to wear uniforms and I
was not happy at the thought that I would still not get out
of a dress. True, they called them jumpers but they were
still a dress to me.
As a final treat for the end of summer vacation I was told
that Mom and Mandy's mom was taking us to Bikini Beach.
Mandy was delighted at the news but I was far from like
mind. I had no pleasant thoughts of that place other than
what had been done to me. I told mom how I felt and she
just smiled and said "Get used to it. Mandy wants to go and
she is your friend. Stop being selfish." That was the end
of that.
I do have to admit that our trip to Bikini Beach was
pleasant. I did not see the Old Lady at all and after an
hour or so I was having a lot of fun with Mandy. She was so
outgoing and full of energy that it was infectious. It was
not until we got back home and I was alone that I felt like
I had betrayed myself. I was losing the battle and I knew
it. Being immersed constantly in nothing but the total
femininity of a young girl was making it a lot harder to
think of myself as a seventeen year old guy.
***
It was the Wednesday before school started when I finally
got up the nerve to venture out of my yard and into the
'world' again. Mandy had called and said she and Becky
Roberts, a new girl to the neighborhood, were going to
Taylor Park for the summer picnic and pool party that the
Town Recreation Deptartment ran each year for the kids. At
first I refused to go, making a lame excuse of not feeling
well. By mid morning it was getting hot and I was bored.
The park was only a half mile away and I decided to go
after all. I asked Mom if I could go with Mandy and Becky
and I thought she would feint right there. She did not
hesitate in giving me permission to go.
"It's about time you decided to get out of the house and
yard and start being human again." Here I bought you these
yesterday." She said handing me a plastic bag. "Some shorts
and a new pullover tee."
I took the bag and ran up to my room and took off the skirt
and blouse I was wearing and changed into a pair of white
cotton panties and the white shorts and light blue tee
shirt that was in the bag. I grabbed the one piece bathing
suit that Mom had had also bought me, pink of course. God I
was getting to hate that color. Taking a small tote bag
from my closet I placed my bathing suit and my small string
purse into the tote bag and headed out the door.
I ran to Mandy's house but she and Becky had already left
for the park. No one answered the door after I knocked
several times. I felt a little uneasy at the thought of
having to walk to the park alone but I was not going to go
back home and meekly ask Mom to drive me. My pride would
not allow me to be so timid. Besides, I thought, it is
broad daylight. What could happen in the middle of the day?
***
Taylor Park is a large, fifty acre complex that encompasses
a little league ball field, a bandstand, a swimming pool
and several walkways that meander through a series of
flower gardens and a cool wooded grove of stately oaks and
willows that wrapped around two sides of the park. The
pathways are lined with benches and an occasional drinking
fountain.
The park was the Town's main attraction on weekends but
during the week in the summer it was relatively quiet
except for the squeals of joy from the kids in the pool
area or the cheers of the kids in the evening during a ball
game. Lester had spent many hours here over the years and
was he was quite familiar with all parts of the park. After
dark the wooded area was a teenage hangout but during the
day a lot of the elderly would use the wooded pathways to
escape the summer heat. The guys and girls tended to stay
away as the cops patrolled the area quite regularly during
the day.
I walked the half mile to the park with some trepidation. I
was sure that everyone I passed would see right through my
facade and know I was a male impersonating a girl but no
one did. To the few people I encountered I was exactly as I
appeared. I got a few smiles and a "hello" or two and that
was it. I was not sure if I liked that idea or not. It gave
me a sense of permanence as a female.
The wooded area was the closest entrance to the park from
the way I approached and I could save about ten minutes by
going through the grove rather than walk all the way
around. It was no big deal, I had done that many times
before. I entered the park through the first gate. It was
normally closed and locked but I easily squeezed through
the two halves as there was quite a gap between them. The
main purpose of the gate was only to keep vehicles like
ATVs from entering.
I wasn't more than a hundred yards down the path and at
least a couple of hundred yards more to the end of the
grove when I had a bad feeling. I don't know what caused
it, maybe the lack of the chirping of the birds or the fact
that there was no one else around, none of the elderly who
occasionally sat on some of the benches was in the park
that day. I felt uneasy.
Thinking better of going the rest of the way through the
wooded area, I turned to retrace my steps and walk around
the grove on the street. That's when they jumped out of the
woods and into the path in front of me. I knew these guys.
Hank Matheson and Mo Pierce, they were both a couple of
assholes and troublemakers. I didn't like either of them
and had told them so when they tried to become part of my
inner circle as Lester. For the first time in a very long
time I was really afraid. I was acutely aware that to them
I was just a girl. I didn't like the look on Mo's face.
What he was doing with his hand left no doubt what h