I want to thank all the people that have helped me edit and critique this story and especially Maddy Bell for allowing me to join her universe and giving me permission to write in it.
Based on the story Gaby, Book # 4 - Once Upon A Time In America By Maddy Bell
All Characters portrayed in the story are copywrited to Maddy Bell for her Gaby series found at Maddybell.com
Scene 39
Sunday,
“Hey babe, how ya doin? Want to join me and see a movie?” he said, grinning at me.
He looked handsome and I smiled at him. “Sure, what are we going to see?”
“You'll love it, I promise.”
“Ok,” he looked cute, so why not.
We took our seats in the movie theatre just as the movie was about to start. The guy looked at me and he smiled a sinister smile and I started to worry. All of a sudden his arms turned into tentacles and was groping me everywhere.
“Stop! Stop! Leave me alone! Leave me alone!”
I couldn't pull away from him he was drawing me closer. His tongue was starting to get bigger and his mouth was growing too. It looked like he was about to eat me.
I started to struggle even harder. “Let me go! Please let me go! EEEEIIIIIAAAAAA!”
“Em! Em! Wake up Em, it is just a bad dream. Wake up!” Sandy yelled.
I was hearing something; I'm not sure what it was. His tentacles where starting to bind me and shaking me, his mouth was getting bigger and he was starting to put my head in his mouth. It was getting dark and I was being shaken hard.
“Em! Come on Em! Wake up, it is just a nightmare!” Sandy was shaking me.
“EEEEIIIIAAAAA!” as I suddenly sat up and woke up
I was breathing hard, and I was sweaty, I realized I was all wound up in my blankets and Sandy had been shaking me.
“Em, are you alright?”
“Oh my God, it was just a dream. Thank goodness.” I looked around, trying to get my bearings.
“Em, what happened?”
“Oh Sandy it was horrible. I went to the mall and there was this handsome guy there and he asked me if I would be interested in seeing a movie. I said yes. So he took me into the theatre having no idea about what movie we were going to see. As soon as we sat down the lights dimmed and I looked over to him and his cute smile turned into something sinister and his arms turned into that of an octopus, and he started to grab me and his tongue and mouth where getting bigger and bigger and then he went to eat me …” I shuddered, “Sandy it was so real, I …”
“Shhh, shhh Em, it was just a nightmare. My, you sure have an overactive imagination.”
I looked at the alarm clock and saw the alarm would soon go off. I decided to get up, Sandy helped me change my bed sheets and I got out of my sweaty nightclothes.
I told Sandy, “I'm going to take a shower.”
She said, “Sure go ahead. Since I'm up, I'll go make us some breakfast and something to drink.”
I finished my shower and got dressed in the dress that Mrs. J helped me pick out when we went shopping together.
I came out after I did my makeup and hair and asked, “So how do I look?”
“You look really great. Really.”
“Thanks.” I saw Sandy getting a remorseful look on her face.
“Sandy, are you going to be alright?”
“What? Oh yeah, don't worry about me, I'll live.”
“You sure?”
“I should be asking you if you will be alright being with my dad for most of the day.”
I just giggled. “I guess? I'll make sure he doesn't get too under my skin. I just feel bad you aren't coming along.” We both hugged each other.
“Don't worry too much about me. I'll be fine. It isn't like it is the first time, really. Sit down and I'll serve you up some breakfast.”
We ate breakfast and were just finishing up, when the phone rang.
“Hello?” Sandy answered.
“Oh, hi mom … Yes she is up and ready to go … Oh alright, I'll tell her. Have a good time today, mom. Yes, you too. Bye.”
Sandy hung up the phone and turned to me, “They're ready to go. So anytime you show up, they'll leave.”
Sighing, “I sure wish it was you going.”
“Hush Em, this is probably the only chance you'll ever get. I'm sure I will have my day to go there. Besides, I have a lot of work to do today.”
“Liar!”
“Well, just don't worry about me.” Giving me a small smile.
I got my coat and shoes on and went over to Sandy and gave her a big hug. “I'll see you later tonight sis.”
“Have a good time Em.”
“I'll try.” With that said, I went across to the house.
“Morning Em! Did you sleep well?” Mary asked.
“Yes, yes I did. Thanks for asking Mary. Mary, are you sure you won't consider taking Sandy, this is so not right, to leave without her.”
“Em, what did I tell you the other day? I'm not going to change my mind about this, besides you know she has to work today.” Mary said.
‘Only because she had nothing else to do today.' I thought.
Mr. J walked into the room and I saw a frown on his face. Great! Another person with an attitude.
“Morning Em, you ready to go?” he said.
“Good morning Mr. Jones. Yes, I'm all ready.”
“Good, shall we go then?”
We headed out for Richmond Virginia. I remembered the trip from the last time. We went by the school bus, NOT comfortable! At least now it is much smoother and faster than then.
Mrs. J was asking me all sorts of questions about school and how things were going. I just answered the best I could and thought, ‘won't she ever be quiet? I would love to catch some more sleep.' I guess it wasn't in the cards.
She finally asked how things went last night with Roger. I figured this was going to come up. I really didn't want to talk about it and I would much rather forget it ever happened; if you really want to know the truth. I gave her the abbreviated version of what went on and told her, “I am happy enough not to get involved with another boy while I was here, thank you very much. The guy was an octopus and his mother blamed me for everything that has happened and called me a … a … loose woman if you know what I mean. That I couldn't keep him happy, or that I was asking for it.”
“She did what?”
“Seriously, she blamed me for what had happened.” I saw Mr. J smirking.
“Do you find this situation amusing Mr. J?”
“Well you have to admit the boy has got spunk,” he replied.
“He's got something alright, and I don't want it.”
“Oh he is just a growing boy. I would love for my son to be doing that,” he said.
“What? You would want Kevin to grope his date and try to kiss and … and rape her on the first date or any date for that matter? You think it was my fault, that he was groping me, and all that? That he was in the right and I was in the wrong? Excuse me Mr. J, but I behaved last night, but he was all over me, and I didn't appreciate it.”
“No not Kevin, he is too young. I mean … ah … oh ah,” as Mrs., J smacked him in the side, “Well you can't blame the boy for trying, Em. I mean you are a beautiful woman and he was just trying to show you a good time. After all, he did pay for the tickets and food, didn't he? The least you could've done for him was give him a nice kiss.”
“If it was just a kiss he wanted I would gladly have given him that. He turned into a bloody OCTOPUS! I don't appreciate someone who takes those kind of liberties with me. Especially on a first date! Wouldn't you have been concerned if it had been Sandy being groped?”
He didn't answer for a bit and I thought I heard him muttering under his breath, “Would serve him right if he did. The fag.”
“What did you say Mr. J? I didn't hear you.” I saw Mrs. J smack him in the side again and gave him a dirty look.
He took a deep breath and said, “What? Oh, I said, it would serve him right if she smacked the fellow!”
Right, that is not what I heard you say, you jerk. “Well, basically yes, and that is sort of what I did. I just got away from him and hid in the girl's loo. It wouldn't have been so bad, except when that mother of his started calling me a slut, and said I must have given him permission to do all of those things. Her perfect little ANGEL would never do that without consent. I just wanted to … to … tear her eyes out of her head. He does all the groping and I get the blame. As if!” I fumed.
“I'm so sorry this happened to you Em. Do you want me to have some words with his mother?” Mary said.
“I doubt it will do any good Mary, I think she is more clueless than her son. She seems to be a bit dim if you ask me. Please leave it go, I just want to forget all about last night's date.”
“Ok Em, but if you feel you want some retribution, please come to me first. We can square that family away. I am sure she will listen to reason once I explain everything that happened to you last night.”
“Please don't, Mary. Like I said, I don't want to be reminded of the date at all; so the sooner we forget about it the sooner I will get over it.”
“Ok Em. I understand.”
I could tell Mr. J was just sitting there fuming and shaking his head muttering things. I couldn't make out what he was muttering but, I could tell it wasn't very complimentary, whatever it was.
Things settled down for the rest of the trip, I finally did get some rest and fell asleep in the back seat.
I heard Mrs. J exclaim, “She really is a very cute girl, but she is really naive when it comes to handling boys. Being so beautiful, I would have thought she would have learned by now.”
“Well, I would rather have her for our daughter then that f … ow!” Mrs. J must have hit him again.
“What did I tell you? You watch your mouth when it comes to Sandy, do you hear me? Or so help me, you'll live to regret it.”
‘Way to go Mary!' I thought. I put a smile on my face when I heard that. It was finally quiet for the rest of the trip and I know I fell into a deep sleep.
The next thing I knew Mary was saying, “Wake up sleepy head, we're here.”
What can I say about the play. ‘Joseph and the Technicolor Dream Coat' was an interesting production and the music was very upbeat. I was told it was based on a parable of a bible story. I finally realized what a parable meant. It means it is about a story that is written within the bible, or so Mary tells me.
It is a story about Jacob and his 12 sons. Joseph is the youngest of the twelve and he was the favorite of his father. The other brothers were very upset and jealous with this and they threw Joseph down a well to get rid of him. He climbed back up and the brothers grabbed him and sold him into slavery.
He then was sold to a rich nobleman and made a lot of money for him, but the nobleman's wife found favor of Joseph and tried to seduce him.
The other people around Joseph was jealous of him, so one of the other workers told the nobleman about what was going on with his wife and Joseph.
Joseph fought off the wife's advances and she was upset with him. The nobleman had Joseph thrown into the dungeons for adultery, which he never committed.
While in the dungeons, many people found out that Joseph could interpret dreams. The pharaoh heard about this and since he was having these strange re-occurring dreams, he commanded that Joseph be brought before him.
Joseph interpreted the dreams to be that there would be 7 years of feast and then 7 years of famine. Joseph also told the pharaoh on how they could survive this calamity.
So the pharaoh freed Joseph and made him head of the people to oversee that the plan, he laid out for pharaoh, would be followed. When the seven years of famine struck, Joseph had save the people and everyone was happy.
However back at Joseph's home, his father and brothers were starving, and the brothers ended up coming to him for food and help. They never recognized Joseph as their brother.
Joseph recognized them and decided to enact some revenge for what they had done to him and he made it look like the youngest of his brothers stole things from the pharaoh.
This terrified his older brothers and they pleaded for mercy; the penalty for stealing was death. Finally, he confessed to his brothers who he was and he forgave them. So they again lived happily ever after.
Hmm forgiveness? Would Mr. J ever forgive his oldest son, who is now his daughter? Oh well.
We went out after the play, and got something to eat and then we drove home.
I was hoping Mr. J would start up something about Sandy, for I sure wanted to rub a little forgiveness into his face. He calls himself a Christian and a religious man, but he sure doesn't seem to live by those words of forgiveness. I dislike religious zealots that swing bibles in people's faces, using things in the bible out of context and make it sound the way they want it to sound and use it to their advantage, just to start trouble and get things their way.
I know God loves me just the way I am, and he definitely loves Sandy too, or should I say she loves us too. What gender is God? Hmmm; good question!
Why do so many religious people hate other people that do not conform to their ideals? Love one another, as long as they love the same thing you do. Some love I would say.
It was about three in the afternoon when we arrived home. I thanked Mary and Mr. J for taking me and dashed up to the flat.
“Sandy, I'm home!”
“Hey Em, how was it?”
“Being with your dad wasn't all that fun, he definitely has some warped ideas about dating. I think he thinks women are only good for two things. Sex and to get beer or food.”
Sandy started laughing, “You've just figured that out, have you?”
“As far as the play went, it was a really nice production and a great story. The singing was fantastic. It was a great crew they used. Your dad could have been taught a useful lesson about forgiving people, but I think that went right over his head. It's amazing he is not bald for all the things that pass over it,” giggling.
Sandy agreed, “Hey I got a call from Diane, she wants to know if you and me want to go shopping with her at the big mall. I know it is another forty five minute drive south of here, but are you game?”
“As long as I don't have to go out with your dad, I'm all for it.”
“Why don't you change into something more comfortable and we can go.”
“Gladly, I won't be a moment.” I exclaimed, as I dashed for my bedroom.
“I'll give Diane a call and tell her we're coming.”
“Ok!” I hollered back.
While driving over to Diane's, Sandy said, “Oh, guess who showed up at the diner today?”
“Who? I haven't a clue.”
“Maddy. She arrived with some guy named Samual. I even saw them kissing. She came over and talked with me for a bit. She's a nice girl.”
“Kissing Samual? I thought her boyfriend was Drew?”
“Boyfriend was Drew? You mean she has another boyfriend in England?”
Oh crap, what do I say? Em you dope you really blew it. “Um, … ah yea … yes she has a boyfriend back in Warsop called Drew. I don't think he will be well pleased if he hears what she has been up to here.”
“Interesting that there is a boy named Drew there and a girl named Drew here.”
“Yes, it can be confusing at times. When they are together and someone yells hey Drew, they both turn around and reply. It is funny at times.”
“I'll bet.” Sandy chuckled, “Oh here we are.”
Saved by the arrival at Diane's house. Gees Em, be more careful. You almost blew it. Yet it is interesting that Maddy is kissing another boy. Just wait until I tell Drew. I bet he is going to have a cow. Maddy has a new boyfriend, Maddy has a new boyfriend. This is going to be so great! I can't wait to see Maddy so I can kid her about it. She kidded me enough over the years. It is payback time.
“Hey, hi Em, did you have a good trip today?”
“Oh hi Diane, didn't see you coming. I was deep in thought about something.”
“So I see. Well did you have a good time today?”
“Well if you don't consider going with Mr. J, yes, I had a great time today. Mr. J though, is a definite prat. I don't know where he gets all of his ideas from, but he is definitely from some other planet.”
After filling Diane in about my day, we had arrived at the mall.
The first thing we did was find a hair salon so we could make an appointment to get her hair and nails done. We got her scheduled for two hours from now.
We also want to teach her how to use makeup; so we had a plan. We would first look for some dressier clothes for her, get her hair done, then take her to the makeup counter and let them make her over.
So we went to one of the local large clothing store chains and we went wild. We promised to help Diane get some more ‘GIRLY' clothes so she can look more feminine, instead of looking like a tomboy, a girl that looks like a guy all of the time. This was fun, I never realized how much fun this was. It was like we had our own living dress up doll and we would hand her clothes in the changing booths. She would put it on and do a fashion show for us. We found many beautiful outfits that really made her look good. We walked away with a few outfits. We stopped at several shoe departments and got her shoes to match the new outfits, a pair of black three inch heeled, open toed, dress pumps, a pair of three inch heeled, bone colored dress pumps, some low heeled court shoes in black and bone, some dark brown colored thigh high boots with a three inch stiletto heel, they looked really great. I would have loved a pair of those myself.
We had to rush back to the hair salon, so she wouldn't be late. While she was being worked on, Sandy and I went shopping. It was our turn to go shopping, and shopping we did. We looked at all styles of clothes and tried them on. We even went looking at evening gowns and prom dresses.
Sandy swooned when she looked at some of the prom dresses. She took a few and tried them on. She was absolutely gorgeous, there is no way she was ever a male when you saw her dressed up here. She looked so natural and beautiful.
“I would so love to buy a prom dress. But it would be a waste of money.”
“Why do you say that Sandy?”
“Well, this is my senior year in High School, and I doubt anyone will ever ask me to the prom. Even if they did, I'm sure my parents wouldn't let me to go.”
“Awe, Sandy, I am sure there is someone out there that is interested in you. Who knows, maybe your chance to get asked may be soon. You're a sweet girl, and I can't imagine no one has ever taken notice of you. Sandy. You need to open up to people. You are a girl, don't be afraid of socializing. I have only ever seen you at work or school. Don't you have other hobbies or interests?”
“Em, you don't understand, if I would bring a boy home, my dad would simply freak out. He would probably call the boy a pervert, or a fag lover, to his face. I don't want to take that chance, or give him the option of really embarrassing me in front of them. Frankly, I don't know what my father would truly do, if ever I brought a boy home. Most boys are afraid of me, because my mom is a councilor there, and that too scares them off and they leave me alone.”
“I bet that is not true. I bet you do it to yourself. You're subconsciously doing it for fear of your parent's retribution. Even though they really might not have a problem with it, actually.”
“Em, trust me, they as much as told me not to get involved with boys, or other people. They are both ashamed of me, and they don't want people finding out about who I was and stuff. Very few people know about me, and frankly, the fewer that know the better I like it anyway.”
“Girl, you have a major social issue going. You need to open up and trust people. Not to the point that they can betray you, but to the point of being friendly and let them return that friendship.”
“I beg your pardon! I do that everyday when I work at the diner. I talk to people all the time.”
“So then, what is your problem? Look how many people you talk to everyday? Do they look at you and say, look at the freak standing there, talking to me? No, they talk to you because they honestly like you. Take Diane for instance, you think she would like you any less if she found out about your … ah umm unusual circumstance, if she knew? I bet you would find her still one of your wonderful friends and would support you in anyway she could to help you. Would she have asked us to join her shopping if she knew what we truly were?”
“I can answer that question pretty well. I know she would still be our friend, and yes she would still ask us to help her with her shopping.”
“See, you already have one confirmed friend, that will stick with you no matter what. I bet if you really thought about your friends, you may find you have many more that are just like Diane.”
“Yes maybe you're right Em, but that still doesn't help with my parents.”
“Don't worry about them, they'll come around eventually. I think your mum has come a long way since I have been here. She is finally defending you, instead of just agreeing with your dad.”
“You're kidding?”
“Nope, your dad was hit a couple of times today for the derogatory remarks he made towards you. Your mum was really getting upset with him, and it showed. Your dad was pretty much quiet, for most of the ride to and from Richmond. I bet the ribs on his right side are pretty sore and will be for quite a while. It was hard to keep from laughing. He went out of his way to dig himself into a deep hole. It was quite funny, actually. Your mother has been standing up for you Sandy. I believe if you approached her and talked it over with her, you may be surprised what she would say about dating.”
“My mother actually stood up for me? That's a first.”
“I don't think so. I think she really feels bad about how your dad is treating you and she is trying to change his opinions of you. I think you won your mum over. She confided in me that she feels bad about how she used to treat you. She never realized what she was doing to you. I saw her sit down and cry when she realized it. Work with your mum, talk with her, take her shopping for clothes and stuff with you, you may be surprised to see that she does want to go shopping with you, and she will buy you your own clothes. Just give her a chance Sandy, trust me on this. I think she is ready to put down her old fears and prejudices, and work with you.”
“You really mean that? You aren't just saying that to make me feel good?”
“Definitely not, why should I want to do that to you? I know you well enough by now, to get you to realize something that has been happening in front of your very nose. You where too blinded, being angry at them, to realize it.” I looked at Sandy, “Your mum really does feel bad, because of what she did to you. I think she is trying to decide how best to make it up to you. Why don't you let her try? She doesn't know how to approach you. I think if you made the first move, it would help her to understand how she could help you and start feeling good about it and you.”
Sandy started to cry, “You really think she would want to go shopping with me?”
“Yes Sandy, I really think she would.” I gave Sandy a facial napkin to wipe her tears from her face. “Come on girl, let's try on some more of these gowns.”
We had a grand time trying on different dresses and clothes. We even went shoe shopping and we tried on some of the boots Diane tried on. I really liked the thigh high boots myself, I thought they look cool. After looking at the price sticker I about choked and said, “Ouch, I don't think I'll be getting these boots anytime soon, they may look nice, but it would break my budget.”
Sandy looked at the boots, and said, “They are really nice aren't they. They really look good on you. Such a shame.” I didn't notice that she was writing something down on a slip of paper, because I was looking at other shoes at the time.
We behaved ourselves and didn't really buy too much, we both had our reasons.
We left and went back to the salon. When we got there we saw this beautiful girl. When we realized it was Diane.
“Wow Diane! That hairstyle is so you, you look really great.” I said.
Sandy said the same thing. We both oohed and ahhed at her look.
Sandy said, “Wow, I look like the plain girl here now. Why don't you put on one of your new dresses and wear those new open toed shoes. I bet you would look really hot.”
“Come on Sandy, quite kidding me.”
“Who's kidding, I agree with Sandy”
We got her to put on one of her dresses before we left the shop. Even the girl that worked on her said, “Wow, Diane you really do look great. I'm glad my boyfriend isn't here. I would be worried you would try to steal him, and it wouldn't take much the way you look now.”
“If you think that is going to effect how much I tip you, your right. Stop embarrassing me, all of you.”
We just smiled at her and said nothing. Both Sandy and I looked like the plain Janes, and we probably looked more like boys when compared to Diane. Don't get me wrong, I was definitely happy for Diane, but gees, give us a break too.
We headed for the makeup counters in one of the major stores. Shizedo, was the first counter we got to. The girl behind the counter was told what we were looking for, and she got very excited, figuring she was going to get a huge commission if she could convince Diane to buy the cosmetics she was going to use.
She removed all of the makeup that she did have on, which wasn't much, just some eye shadow and lipstick. Then she went to town with facial cleansers, moisturizers, foundations, powders, Liners, blushers, lipstick, gloss and perfume. The perfume was Pleasures by Este Lauder. It smelled heavenly. When she was finished, I don't think even her mother would have recognized her, she was absolutely drop dead gorgeous. I know I wouldn't have recognized her on the street, if I bumped into her. Gone was that tomboy look she had going for her. The girl at the makeup counter made sure that Diane knew what to do, and she wrote out the makeup she used and the instructions on how to put it on. Diane ended up buying the lot.
She told us she never used makeup, because no one ever took the time to show her how to do it.
Who would have thought, that it would take two TS's, to make one genetic girl be the woman she was born to be. If she only knew that we were both boys underneath all of the clothes we wore. I started to giggle.
“What are you giggling about?” Diane asked me.
“Oh nothing, I just had a strange thought go through my mind, that's all.”
“Care to tell us?”
Giggling, I just said, “NOPE!”
I gave Diane credit, she never pushed for an answer, thank God.
We finally got all of Diane's things together, and we headed out to her car. After getting it filled with all the purchases, she turned to us and said, “Let's go to a restaurant, my treat. I want to thank you both for coming with me to do this. I could never have done this by myself. What do you two say?”
We looked at each other, and smiled, “Ok! We'll let you.” We all giggled at that.
To be fair, I was starving, it had been a long time since lunch.
Diane took us to a Texas Longhorn Steakhouse. I have never been to one of these places. It was all done up in a cowboy western motif.
“How may I help you ladies?” The Maitre'D asked.
“Table for three please?” Diane asked.
“Certainly, please follow me.”
As we were walking to our table, I noticed all the guys were looking at the three of us, especially Diane. This kind of gave me a thrill, but at the same time put butterflies in my stomach.
“Here you go ladies,” as he pulled the seats out for each of us, then handed us the menus. “The waitress will be with you shortly.”
We thanked him, as he started to walk away.
“Diane, did you see all the guys looking at you, as we walked through the restaurant?” I asked.
“Yes I did. It was a bit unnerving, actually. I'm not used to that type of attention.”
“Well get used to it girl, for if you keep dressing this way, you will get a lot of that type of attention.” I said.
“Good evening ladies, my name is Monique. Can I start you off with something to drink?”
“Hi Monique, Could I have a diet Cola please?”
“Is a Diet Coke alright?”
“Yes, that would be fine,” I said.
Diane and Sandy gave her their choices.
“I will be right back to take your orders.” With that she left.
I opened up the menu and saw mostly all types of steaks. Wow, there sure seems to be a staple of steaks here. I looked through the menu to see if they had any vegetarian food here. I noticed on the back that there were some vegetable medleys. I guess I could order them.
“Go ahead and order anything you like, don't worry about the cost. If it is too much food, don't worry they have doggie bags here. So that means you get another meal out of it.”
“What are you going to have Sandy?” I asked.
“Ummm, I think I am going to get a ten oz. prime rib. I haven't had one of those in a long time.”
“What are you going to have Diane?”
“Lets see. I think I'll have the twelve oz. Porter House.”
This was no help for me, I had no idea what it was I wanted. Mum and I couldn't afford too go to a place like this. Besides I don't eat meat.
“What are you going to have, Em?”
“I really don't know. I have never eaten at a place like this back home, we couldn't afford it actually. What would you suggest? Besides, you're forgetting I'm a vegetarian, I can't eat meat without getting sick.”
“Oh Em, I totally forgot! This was cruel, to have you come here. Do you want to go someplace else?”
“No, it's ok. I found a list of vegetarian meals on the back of the menu.”
“I'm so sorry Em, I wasn't thinking.”
“It's no big deal Diane, don't worry about it, I'll find something to eat.”
“I have an idea Sandy, why don't I order their twenty four oz. deluxe Porter House steak and we share it. It is way too much for just me, but it may be good enough for the both of us. How do you like your steaks?”
“Cooked!” I said without thinking.
Both Diane and Sandy cracked up laughing at that reply.
“Ummm, ah, medium rare to medium,” Sandy finally said, between giggles.
I started to giggle when it dawned on me what it sounded like.
“Do you like sweet potatoes?” Diane asked.
“What are they?” I asked
“They're an orange colored potato that has a sweet taste to them.”
“Is that something like a yam?”
“I believe they are the same. It is just what area of the world they are from.”
“I'll try it, I can't say if I ever had anything like that.”
“Do you like green beans?”
“Yes I do.” I said.
“Mind if I order them with the meal, Sandy?”
“No not at all.” Sandy said.
“Ok then, we have the makings of a meal.”
The waitress brought us our drinks and then asked, “Are all you ready to order?”
“Yes we are.”
“Ok, who wants to go first?”
“I would like to order your twenty four oz. Porter House deluxe, medium rare, with a Sweet potato and green beans.” Diane said, “Oh, and we are sharing this steak, so could you just get us an extra plate for Sandy?” pointing to her.
“That's no problem. What would you like on your salad or would you prefer soup?”
“Could I have Italian please?”
“Certainly. Would you like an extra salad for you Hun?” referring to Sandy.
“Um, what kind of soups do you have?”
“We have potato and cheese, French onion and chili.”
“I guess I'll have the salad with Ranch dressing.”
“Very good. What would you like Miss?”
“Do you have any vegetarian dinners?”
“Well sort of, we can get you things ala-carte if you wish?”
“I would like to try your sweet potato, green beans, and umm could I have the French onion soup, and a salad, ah with French dressing?”
“Very good, I'm sure we can do that. Do you want cinnamon sugar and butter with your sweet potato?”
“Ah sure, it sounds interesting.”
“Very well, I will be out with your salads shortly.”
She walked away.
“Oh Em, I am so sorry about coming here. I totally forgot you were a vegetarian.”
“Don't worry about it Diane, I'll survive. After all it was the thought that counted.”
“Won't it bother you, us eating meat in front of you?”
“Not at all. Seriously, just relax, I'll be fine.”
“Ok. I really appreciate you two coming with me today. I have never been so pampered in my life. The hair, nails, makeup, the clothes, I feel so … so womanly. I just never felt this way before.” Looking around the restaurant Diane noticed all of the guys looking our way, “What are all those guys looking this way for?”
“They are looking at you Diane. The most beautiful looking woman in the restaurant.” Sandy said.
“Sandy, stop that, they are not looking at me, they must be looking at you two.”
“Uh, uh, they are looking at you Diane, I have been watching them.” I said.
“Em, you stop it too. I say.”
“Honestly Diane, they are not looking at us, they definitely looking at you.” Sandy stated.
“This feels so weird!”
“What, being a sex object? Get used to it Diane, if you take care of yourself and dress this way all the time, men are definitely going to notice you.” Sandy stated.
“I don't know if I want men to notice me. At least not in that way.” Looking around and noticing some of the guys smiling at her.
Smiling, “Well Diane, you might as well get used to it.”
The evening passed quickly and I loved the sweet potato. I don't recall ever having one. Diane apologized a couple of more times and I told her to stop it. I think she really enjoyed the attention she was getting, to be honest. I know she never had that before.
I was looking around the restaurant admiring the wood quality of it and the Texan look about it, with the horns everywhere and the fireplace in the center of the room, with the big timber around it and the stonework of the chimney, when I spotted someone that looked familiar. It was that woman I saw Mr. J with, over at Grace House restaurant. She was sitting with some guy about five tables away.
I turned to Sandy and said, “Sandy, remember that girl I told you about, that was with your dad, the one you thought was just a client?”
“Yes, what about her?”
“She sitting over there,” discretely pointing towards the table, “Five tables over.”
Diane looked at me with questioning eyes and wanted to look, but it was behind her and it would look too obvious if she did.
Sandy looked over and I could see her eyes focusing on her. All of a sudden I noticed the look of recognition and she started to smirk, then she started to giggle, then turn into a laugh.
I looked at Diane, as she looked at me and we both raised our shoulders in an ‘I don't know what it is all about' kind of look. Sandy started to cry, she was laughing so hard. People around us started to look, to see what was so funny. I was starting to get embarrassed.
Sandy took her napkin and started to carefully dab her eyes with it, while still laughing, but she couldn't say anything. I looked over at the other table and saw that the woman had stood up, took her purse and I assumed, was going to the ladies loo. Sandy was still laughing and finally started to choke a little and started to settle down. She still couldn't talk. She pointed to my purse and flagged me to stand up and follow her. She choked out, “Diane, we will be back in a moment.”
Sandy grabbed hold of my arm and about dragged me to the loo.
When we walked into the loo, she looked under the stall doors to see if anyone was in here and she noticed only one pair of legs and us. She stood up and smiled. “Em, lets freshen up over here.”
We walked over to the corner by the mirrors and I wanted to ask her what this was all about, but she just shook her head and put a finger to her lips to indicate to stay quiet. She was still smiling. I wondered what this is all about?
I heard a flush of the toilet, and a bit later the door opened, and there was the woman that I recognized. She walked between us and washed her hands and smiled at us, with out really looking. She reached into her handbag, for some makeup, when Sandy said, “Hi Clair. How have you been?"
Clair stopped what she was doing and looked at Sandy. All of a sudden she broke out into a huge grin and shouted, “SANDY!” and threw herself into her arms.
Sandy, hugging her back, and said, “Hi Clair, it has been a long time. What have you been up to?”
“Oh a little of this and a little of that, anything to survive.” She looked over to me and then got apprehensive.
“Oh Clair, let me introduce you to my foreign exchange student from England, that is staying with me. Mfanwy Morgan meet Clair Davies. Clair and I go back a ways.”
“Pleased to meet you Mfanwy is it?”
“Please call me Em, Clair. All my friends do.”
“Thank you for calling me your friend.”
“So Clair, what are you doing now, seriously?”
I could see Clair blush, “Well, I tried to get many jobs, but as you know … ah … history has a way of coming back to haunt you. Because of this, I have not been able to keep a job. So I turned to the only other asset that I have to help me pay bills. I'm not proud of it, but it seems to work, I'm still looking for a permanent job though. I may have to ah … well move out of the area to be able to get a job.”
“Em tells me that she saw you a couple of day ago at Clare House, with a … man. Ah, she thought you looked really good.”
“Oh, him, well yes I was. The guy was so sad looking. It turns out he felt he was about to lose his job, and his wife kicked him out of his bedroom and his oldest son was some kind of pervert and his wife was supporting his son in whatever it was and it bothered him. I guess I took pity on him and we went off for a bit to cheer him up. He paid me pretty well too.”
“Really? Hmm, do you know what his name is?”
“His name was John, ah umm ah, oh yea, a John Jones.”
“I thought so. He is my father.”
“NO! Oh Sandy I'm so sorry, I had no idea, honest. Who is your brother that he dislikes so much? ”
“I don't hold it against YOU! I am pissed at my father. If only he knew? There is no other older brother. It is just my youngest brother Kevin, who is five years old and me.”
“You mean he was talking about y … oh. Oh my God. … If only he knew what?” Clair asked.
“What? Oh sorry, nothing. Well it was good seeing you Clair, I do so hope you finally get a job soon. What you're doing is dangerous, you never know what might happen if a guy finds out certain things. They are so unpredictable, and highly volatile.”
“Thanks for caring Sandy.” Giving Sandy a hug. “You take care too Em, it was a pleasure meeting you.”
“You too,” I said.
We left the bathroom and Sandy was still chuckling. I looked at her trying to read what was so funny, but she wouldn't say.
Diane paid for us and we all grabbed our coats and bags, then left the restaurant. I didn't say anything with Diane there, but Diane did.
“What was so funny back there? Is there something we should understand? Who was that girl Em was talking about?”
“Oh, the girls name is Clair Davies. I've known her for quite some time. We met at some meeting a while ago, I can't remember when. The sad thing about her is, she can't get a decent job and is hooking for a living. That in its self is not fair. She is a nice girl, but like she said, she has to do whatever it takes, to stay alive. I guess she is doing well.”
“Well, that certainly doesn't explain why you were laughing so hard.”
“Oh that. Well … ah … she reminded me of something really funny she had once done. I guess it just tickled my funny bone. It really wasn't that funny after all. It was just the mood I was in, is all.”
“Care to tell us about it?”
“Um no, it wasn't that funny after all. Like I said, it just tickled my funny bone at the time.”
I looked at Diane, she looked at me and we both shrugged our shoulders.
We got all of Diane's stuff out of the car and into her house. She offered us a cuppa, but we begged off, stating we were tired and I had some stuff I needed to finish for school tomorrow.
We all hugged and said our goodbyes.
“I really had fun with you girls today. We need to do this again and soon.”
“I agree,” Sandy said, “We definitely have to do this again, this was the most fun I had in a very long time. Going shopping with my two best girl friends.” Sandy hugged Diane. “Bye Diane, see you later.”
“See you later Diane, I had a ball.” Giving Diane another hug.
Diane whispered to me, “What was all that about, with Sandy and Clair? You obviously know more than what you're telling.”
“Honestly, I haven't a clue. Really. I'm as puzzled as you are.”
“Oh, ok then, let me know if you ever figured it out, Please?”
“Will do. Take care Diane, later!”
With that, I hugged her, and turned around to get myself to the car.
Once I got into the car and Sandy started driving, Sandy started to crack up again. She started to laugh like a maniac.
“What so funny?” I asked.
“Em, you aren't going to believe this. You know how my old man treats me because I'm transgender right?”
“Yes, so?”
“Welllllll, what would you think he would do if he knew he had sex with a post-op Transsexual?” Breaking out laughing again.
Then it struck me. “Are you telling me that Clair is like us?”
Laughing, “Yes! We were using the same therapist at the time when I was younger, and we were in the same support group. That is were I really got to know her. She is four years older than me, but she truly is a great person. I really do feel bad that this is the only life she has to support herself with. I was just thinking of my dad, and what his expression would be, if he ever got wind of what Clair really is.” Laughing some more.
Then it hit me. Yes, her dad would have heart failure if he found out the beautiful girl he had sex with and was probably so proud of having done it, would find out that she used to be a he, it would totally trash his ego. He would probably have heart failure right there on the spot. I started to giggle and then turned into full laughter.
We laughed all the way to the house. We didn't start to settle down until we were out of the car. We looked at each other and we lost it again, laughing all the way up the stairs to our flat.
We entered the flat and put all our stuff away and was about to settle down, when the phone rung.
“Hello?”
“Oh, hi mom, what's up?”
“Oh ok, let me ask.”
“Em, mom wants to know if we could come over for some dessert. She made an apple pie this afternoon, and she wants to share it with us. You game?”
“Sure, that sounds wonderful. I'm not really hungry, but I could eat a little piece.”
“Ok.”
“Mom, you still there? Em said that was fine, will be over in a little bit.”
“Ok mom, talk to you in a bit. Bye.”
“Speaking about talking with your mum, would it be ok if I called home one of these days? Just to let my mum know I am still alive? She is probably wondering what happened to me over here.”
“Sure that won't be a problem Em. We could do that tomorrow if you wish.”
“Hmm, tomorrow would be good, but I would have to do it before I go to ballet class, otherwise it would be too late for her. She is five hours ahead of us.
We made it over to the house and I heard the usual thunder of little feet. The kitchen door opened, and Kevin first looked at us, then he came charging in yelling, “Auntie Em, Auntie Em, you're here!” and launched himself into my arms.
I hugged him and gave him a kiss on the lips. He put his little arms around my neck and squeezed me tight. I can get to really enjoy this affection. I whispered to him to give his sister a hug and he was all smiles, wriggled out of my arms and ran over to his sister and jumped into her arms, which she held open for him. He hugged and kissed her too, asking, “How's my big sister tonight, I missed you too?”
I saw Sandy break out into a big smile and she said, “I missed you too little squirt.”
Sandy carried her brother into the dinning room.
“Ah, there you are. Good evening ladies, I set the desserts on the table. Come pick a spot and join us.”
Letting Kevin down, and picking her seat Sandy looked at me, then looked at her dad, then back at me and started to giggle. I couldn't help myself, and looking at Sandy, I too started to giggle.
“What's so funny tonight, that you two are giggling so much?” Mr. J asked, giving Sandy a dirty look.
“Oh nothing, it is just a private joke is all. We had a fantastic afternoon with Diane today, and a lot happened.”
“Really? What did you all do today?” Mrs. J asked, sincerely.
“Well we took Diane to one of the salons and got her a hair appointment, and we had her get the works, then we went to all of the clothing stores and got her some sheik new clothes, we even went to Victoria's to get her some fashionable lingerie and such …” Sandy went on.
After we filled Mrs. J on all we did this afternoon, I could tell Mr. J was having a fit. He wanted to yell at Sandy for going with Diane and me and doing all of this ‘Girly Stuff' as he so calls it.
He was just about to yell at Sandy for being there with Diane and me. Before he blew up though, Sandy finally got to the Restaurant and what went on there.
“… So Diane took us to Longhorn Steakhouse and paid for the meal. She really looked hot in the new clothes she decided to wear. She is a real looker. She better watch out for she will have all the guys flocking after her if she keeps the look. She had never worn makeup before, so we suggested she should have a makeover and wow did it transformer her.” Sandy was beaming to her mother, and her mother was enjoying this side of Sandy. “Well when we sat down at the restaurant, I noticed someone I knew and hadn't seen in a long time. She was there with this really hunky guy. I wasn't sure if it was her though, so I waited until she went to the ladies and I got Em to come with me to the ladies to see if it was who I thought it was.”
“What? You went into the ladies room?” Mr. J yelled. “What were you doing in the ladies room?”
Mrs. J looked at Mr. J like she was going to throttle him! If looks could kill, that was a city she just wiped out.
“Well DUH! What do you think? I was going to the bathroom and checking my makeup. What else would I be doing?”
He took a look at his wife and realized he just put his proverbial foot in it this time. “Well … uh … oh …” looking right at me and then back to Sandy, “Oh ah … well … never mind. I don't know what I was thinking. Sorry!” Mr. J went back to scowling and eating his apple pie.
“Anyway, getting back to the story. The girl I wasn't sure of, was who I thought it was. She's Clair Davies; I hadn't seen her in years.”
When Mr. J heard the mention of her name, all of sudden he was choking like crazy and spitting apple pie all over the place. He dropped his fork and was reaching for a napkin and he just coughed and choked into it.
“Honey, are you ok?” Mrs. J asked.
He was just waving her off. Sandy and I were looking at him and wanted to help, but didn't know what we could do.
After he finally composed himself, and cleaned himself up, he asked, “How do you know this girl?”
“We met a couple of years ago at a meeting. She was one of the speakers, and we hit it off. What makes you say that dad? Do you know Clair?”
“What? Oh … ah I don't think so. Umm did she say anything?”
“She told me about her life. She was having a tough go of it getting and keeping a job. So she has become and entrepreneur and started her own business. I hear it is very profitable for her. She didn't give me the details, but I think she said she was an anger management consultant. She makes people feel better about themselves. I hear she is doing quite well. I wonder if I should join her in her business when I graduate college.”
“What! Ah … oh … ah … I just think you should look for other pursuits.” Mr. J said, looking nervously at his wife.
“Why is that dear? It sounds like Clair has a lovely job. I hear a lot of people these days need to take a course in anger management, as you found out so recently. Maybe you should see if she could help you with your problems. I am sure it couldn't hurt. I think Sandy would do a wonderful job as an anger management consultant.” Mrs. J said.
At hearing this, it took everything I had to keep from laughing. I could see that even Sandy was having a hard time of trying to keep a straight face, at what her mother just said. We both knew what Clair really was, but we definitely didn't want to enlighten anyone with this knowledge, especially Mrs. J. I could see dawning comprehension on Mr. J's face that Sandy knew something, and he turned pale.
“Dear, are you alright? You look extremely pale. Are you feeling ok? Can I get you something?” Mrs. J said.
“Ah no, I have to ah … I just realized I have a report I need to get finished for tomorrow. I better get to it. If you will excuse me … ah ladies and Kevin.” With that he got up and hastened out of the room for his bedroom, leaving half of his pie uneaten.
Both Sandy and I looked at each other and we both sort of smirked. Sandy wanted to punch the air and yell YES! I could tell.
“Well dear how did the rest of the afternoon go?” Mrs. J asked, like nothing unusual happened.
“Well, after we got done talking with …” Sandy continued.
After Sandy finished filling Mrs. J in on the rest of the excursion, we helped clean up the dishes and I got to put Kevin to bed. He gave me a another great big hug and said, “I love you Auntie Em.”
I started to choke up and said, “I love you too Kevin. Sleep tight, and we will see you tomorrow ok?”
“Can we play a few games then?”
“Well, I have a busy day tomorrow, but I will see if I can set some time aside so we can play a few games.”
With that he hugged me even tighter and said, “Goodnight, Auntie Em.”
“Goodnight sweetheart.” If anything, I was going to miss him once I go back home, he is such a darling. I wonder if I'll ever be able to have children when I'm older? Sighing to myself.
“Em, are you alright? You look rather lost.” Sandy stated.
“What, oh sorry, I was just deep in thought. I was just thinking about your brother and wondered if I would have any kids when I get older; like your wonderful little brother.”
“Oh Em, you are so silly. I am sure you will have kids when you get married. I know you will be a wonderful mother to them.” Mrs. J said.
Sandy just nodded and she too started to look pensive. I just smiled at Mary and said, “I hope so. I would love to have at least two children.”
“I hope you get them Em. You deserve to have two wonderful children. You are so good with Kevin, and I think he really likes you too. You should see how his eyes light up when he hears you come into the house. He is like a brightly lit sun. His face just glows when he knows you are here. I haven't seen that response in him in quite some time. It is so good to see him happy, and you too Sandy. It has been too long since we have seen a happy household for a change. I have you to thank for that Em. You have turned this household around, and I am not going to let it go back to what it was before you arrived. I am glad you opened my eyes to my wonderful daughter. I really enjoyed talking with you two this evening, it brought me back to my high-school days. It is so nice to see Sandy has finally come out of her shell that she was in. You girls are wonderful.”
I could see Sandy choking up at those words. I could see tears starting to fall. Her mom saw this and went to her, giving her a very wonderful hug. I could see both of them crying. I started to cry for them. This was such a lovely sight to see, mother and daughter finally finding and hugging each other. Does this mean she is starting to accept that her son was never her son, but always was her daughter? It sure sounds this way from what she just said. I hope this keeps up. Sandy sure could use some positive encouragement for a change, from either parent.
We left to go back to the flat. As soon as we closed the door, Sandy looked at me and pulled me into a big hug. “I don't know how to thank you Em. That was the first time ever, my mom acknowledged me as being her daughter without thinking about it and speaking so freely and positively about me.”
I hugged her back and said, “Sandy, I did nothing. This time it was all you. Did you see the look on your dad's face when you talked about Clair? It took everything I had not to burst out laughing, especially when your mum said to your dad he should go see Clair for help with his anger management. If only she knew. It took everything I had to keep from losing it.”
“Wasn't that a stitch? I really had a hard time to keep from losing it. When mom said what she did, I thought I would die. I loved the look on his face. OHH I so wanted to smack him and tell him he went to bed with a post-op TS, but I am sure he would have died with a heart attack right there and mom would have fallen to pieces. I hope I didn't give anything away about who Clair really is, for if I did, there is no telling what my dad would do. I don't want Clair to get hurt. My dad could make it quite tough on her by telling others what she is, if he figures it out. Did you like the look on his face when I told him I should go into business with her? He knows she is a prostitute, he would probably kill me for sure, if he thought I was serious about joining her.”
Laughing at the thought of her dad's look of horror when she had said that, I said, “I wish I had a camera ready, that look of surprise was absolutely priceless. What was that commercial I saw on the telly? A missed Kodak moment?”
“Yes, too right Em, that definitely was a missed Kodak moment. I so wanted to punch the air when he realized I knew what he had done. You think he will treat me any different now? Now that he knows I know.”
“We can only hope. You think he is smart enough to realize what we know?”
“We'll just wait and see. Time will tell all truths. You want something to drink before I get ready for bed?”
“No Sandy, I am really knackered. I'm going to go and get ready myself.”
“Ok, see you in a bit then.”
We each got ready for bed. I heard Sandy turn on the telly and I decided to put a new log in my journal.
Sunday, Day 15
I had quite a busy day. Mr. and Mrs. Jones took me to Richmond Virginia to see a real live play today. It was called ‘Joseph and the Technicolor Dream Coat'. The play and the music were really good and I really enjoyed it. Some guy by the name of Donnie Osmond was the star singer and he did have quite the voice.
When we came back, Diane called and invited us to join her to go shopping at the mall. We did and it was a real trip. I really like Dianne and she can look absolutely beautiful if she gets all dolled up. She usually looks like a tomboy because of the business she runs. She is no ordinary girl. She loved what had happened to her today.
Mr. Jones had experienced a minor set back tonight. It seems he got himself into a spot of trouble and it seems Sandy knows what it is about. I don't think Sandy's dad is going to bother her for a while, and Sandy loves it. I hope it all doesn't back fire on Sandy.
I put the journal away, and went out to chat with Sandy for a bit.
“Hey Sandy, what time do you think I should call my mum and let her know everything is ok?”
“Why don't you do it when you first get home from school, then it shouldn't be too late for your mom. You said she was 5 hours ahead of us didn't you?”
“Yes she is, and you are right. That would be a good time to call her. Thanks Sandy.”
“You're welcome Em. Sure you don't want to join me and watch some TV?”
“No, I'm a bit tired. It's been a long day and I want to be fresh for tomorrow. If you don't mind?”
Smiling, “I don't mind at all Em. Goodnight little sis, see you in the morning.”
To be continued:
Joni W 03.02.08 (revised 13.02.08) © 2008
If you enjoyed
this story please let me know click here 
to Email me