The Jade Box

By Genni Smith

  16 June 2001

 

 

“Phone Susan,” Emma, the receptionist told her. “It’s your daughter.” 

 

Susan Denton looked at her watch and frowned. With a mother’s intuition She knew something must be wrong. “Jade. What’s up?” 

 

“You better get home mum.” Jade’s voice betrayed her normally stoic approach to all emergencies. 

 

“What’s wrong? Is it Stuart?” 

 

“sort of. Just come home. Please.” 

 

On the twenty-minute drive back to her house all manner of possibilities ran through the mother’s mind. Everything from a bad cut to a broken bone right up to a freak twister that knocked down the house leaving her son in the rubble. 

 

She blamed herself for not being at home more often but since the divorce six years ago She had to work to pay for the little luxuries of life. Like food, the mortgage, her kid’s schooling and electricity. 

 

She also thought about her two children. Jade at almost seventeen was a lot like her in many ways. Petite and blonde Jade was very good looking, a fact She used to her advantage on many occasions.  The girl was the student of the two and sometimes took life a little too seriously for Susan’s comfort. 

 

Her son, Stuart, two weeks off his fifteenth birthday, was much more laid back, much more like his father. At nigh on six foot tall he towered over both her and his sister. He had his father’s darker colouring and winning grin and he was also a pretty good sportsman, playing both Australian rules football and cricket for his school and A-grade tennis for a local club during the summer.  In fact, the one trait Stuart seemed to inherit from Susan and not her ex-husband was a love of music. He was pretty good at the guitar and has organized a few of his friends into a half way decent garage band. 

 

God alone knew what was happening back at the house but as She pulled up She was overjoyed to see the place was still pretty much as She left it that morning. She quickly parked her car and raced into the house only to be met by Jade. “What?” She snapped at her daughter. “What on earth is wrong?” 

 

“Come and see for yourself mum.” 

 

About this time Susan was ready to kill her daughter. After the terrible business trip to Hong Kong the last thing She needed was the drawn out torture She was feeling. But She followed her daughter into the kitchen where She saw a girl in her early teens sitting at the kitchen table. It looked like the girl was in shock and She’d recently been crying. Susan tried to work out what the hell was going on and why She’d been summonsed from work for a girl She’d never seen before. And then She saw the box. “My God,” She gasped. Hand rushing to her mouth. “It can’t be.” 

 

“It is,” Her daughter replied. 

 

Susan continued to look at the girl dressing in a pair of denim shorts and powder blue T-shirt with a sweetheart neckline. The girl hadn’t even acknowledged Susan’s presence. The look in her eyes told both Jade and her mother that She was off with the fairies. For the moment, Susan thought, it might be the best place for her. 

 

“You’d better come and see this mum.” Again Susan followed her daughter, this time down the hall. “Notice anything different?”  the sixteen-year-old asked. 

 

It took her a second but once again Susan simply said, “My God.”  In every family photo hanging on the hall wall the young girl sitting in shock in her kitchen was now in the shot. 

 

“But wait. There’s more.” Jade Denton said, sounding like a cheesy presenter on the home shopping channel. She lead her mother to Stuart’s bedroom and threw the door open with a bit too much melodrama for Susan’s liking. The room that She had last seen before work that morning was totally changed. It had been, like most teenaged boys” bedrooms, a complete pigsty. Now it was ordered and distinctly feminine. The colour was changed. White walls and a floral bedspread seemed to leap out at her, as did the piles of make up on the dresser and a jewellery box that had once belonged to Susan’s mother. 

 

“When did it happen?” 

 

Jade took a deep breath, something She did when She was about to launch into a long explanation. “Well,” She started. “I went out shopping this morning at around ten and the little jerk was still snoring away. When I got home I found him where he is now and saw the box, put two and two together and then rang you. All I’ve been able to get out of him since is that he found it in your wardrobe when he was looking for his birthday presents. I guess he got more of a surprise than he bargained for.” 

 

Susan headed back for the kitchen and looked at the shocked kid who was now sitting in the foetal position. It didn’t much matter, boy or girl, the scared child was hers and She hugged her and bruShed away her tears. “I”m sorry honey. I didn’t mean for you to find the box.” 

 

“You know about that thing?” Stuart asked her pointing to the intricately carved Jade box on the table. “You know and you didn’t tell me?” The words hung in the air like some kind of noxious gas then the girl/boy raised herself to her full height which was now much closer to five feet than six, and announced.  “Great, now I have to go to the toilet.” 

 

“Remember to sit.” Jade smiled and was rewarded by a murderous look. 

 

“That was uncalled for,” Susan said to her daughter after Stuart left the room. 

 

“Why? Look at him. He’s only been a girl for a little over an hour and He’s totally gone to pieces. I’d hate to see him getting touched up by some guy or be around for his first period if this is any indication of how he”ll handle it.” 

 

“How can you say that Jade? His whole world it turned upside down and He’s scared.” 

 

“Well as far as I am concerned He’s a typical guy and a little spell on our side of the fence would teach him lessons he’d never dreamed existed.” 

 

“OK,” Susan shot back. “Let me put it this way. Do what you can to help him or say goodbye to sunshine because you”ll be grounded until You’re thirty. Is that clear?” 

 

“Crystal.” 

 

In the toilet Stuart struggled with the button fly of the little shorts he now wore and looked over his breasts to see the white lacy panties he had on. With a snort of disgust he pulled both the tight shorts and panties down in one fell swoop and then turned and sat on the "throne". That seemed about all he was doing, sitting. He tried to clench and release different muscles but no urine flowed even though he felt like he was about to burst. “How the hell do you do this?” he whispered to himself still stunned at the sound of the voice coming from his throat.  To him he sounded like a little girl. Finally it felt like he did explode as urine came out in a hurry. There seemed to be no way to aim it and he heard the very feminine sound of water hitting water. Another thing he found out was it seemed as difficult to stop as it had been to start, not like when he was a guy and he could turn it off and on at will. It was, he guessed, a practiced art and one he hoped he wouldn’t have time to perfect. The one bright spot was the fact that his mother seemed to know what the story was with the box and so She should be able to get him back to normal, at least in theory. Eventually the flow ceased and he was about to stand and pull up the feminine underpants and a short when he realised this lovely trip to the "Ladies room" wasn’t quite over. Stuart grabbed a big wad of toilet paper, not knowing the amount he needed, and dabbed his new private parts.  He didn’t even know if he was supposed to just wipe the pubic hair or actually go between the pink lips he now possessed but judging by the wetness he felt down there he decided on the latter. 

 

“You took your time,” Jade said and her mother flaShed her a warning look. 

 

“so sue me,” Stuart replied understandably sullenly as he slumped back down into a kitchen chair. “I’ve never had a... a...” 

 

“...Vagina,” Susan finiShed off the sentence. “In this house we call it a vagina. At least if you want to keep breathing. You might find out that all of the slang names for that part of the female anatomy aren’t so funny now you have one yourself.” 

 

Stuart had already run through the long list of names as he sat on the toilet. Snatch, gash, flaps, pussy, cunt. His mother was right. 

 

“How you feeling?” Susan asked her son sympathetically. 

 

“How do you think I feel mum?” He snapped back at her. “I feel like I woke up in the twilight zone. Like I am having some weird kind of nightmare. I mean I’ve got boobs for Christ sake. I”m shorter than Jade now and I feel like I have the body strength of a three-year-old. I sound like a three year old too and on top of all that I’ve got more hair than a old English Sheep dog.” Stuart grabbed a hand full of his long brown hair and then unconsciously tucked it behind his ear in a very feminine gesture. 

 

“But apart from that You’re OK hey?” Jade managed to say with a straight face. 

 

“The only thing I want to know,” the new girl said, ignoring his older sister, “is how? Why? And what?” 

 

“That’s three things.” 

 

“Jade Lydia Denton,” Susan said, coming very close to the end of her tether. “How does Catholic boarding school sound to you?”  That seemed to stop the interruptions from her eldest child so Susan continued. “OK Stuart,” Without realising it She took a deep breath just like Jade had and then kept right on going with her story. “Do you remember when I came back from Hong Kong last week I wasn’t in the best of moods?” The boy’s breasts jiggled slightly as he nodded. “Well, I was meant to go on the business trip with Bob Drummond but his son was in a car accident so they sent me over there with Lou Stevens.” 

 

“Ah ha.” 

 

Susan was a Personal assistant at one of the largest Internet providers in Australia. “I get on fine with Bob but Lou is a different story. We were over in Hong Kong to try and get a contract with a Chinese firm and Lou basically worked me like a dog. I don’t mind that, I get good money, especially when I am away from time to time. What really got me was the way he acted in front of the Chinese. He more or less treated me like a slave and was just about as sexist as a person could be. I could put up with even that, to a point. On the last day there I found out that while I was working my butt off Lou had one of the women from Accounting staShed away in his hotel room at night and in the day She went out and saw Hong Kong. The only bit of the Island I saw was on the way from the airport to the hotel or out of the window on the seventeenth floor.” 

 

Susan stopped to light a cigarette and look at both her children.  “I was fuming. I mean really fuming. I”m surprised I didn’t burst into flames, I was so hot. I was sitting in the bar, having some wine, trying to work out what to do about it and I got talking to this lovely waitress named Mei Ling. I poured out the whole story to her and She could see I was mighty angry. In the end She gave me a piece of paper with an address and a name on it. Mamma Chow.  She said Mamma Chow could help me and told me to go see her. She wouldn’t elaborate on it but I got the feeling that Mamma Chow, whoever She was might well be the right person to talk to.” 

 

Taking a deep drag on the cigarette, using it almost like a comma in a sentence, Susan continued. “It was Sunday, we flew out heading for home early the next morning and I went out and saw a bit of the place. I really didn’t care if I got the sack. It was wonderful, so full of people and the shopping was great but all day I just kept thinking of Mamma Chow. I didn’t know how She could help me but in the end I just sort of drifted to the address I had.” 

 

Stuart inwardly groaned. He hated the way both of the women in his house used a thousand words to tell a story he could have told in two hundred. On this occasion though, his masculinity was on the line so he let her go. 

 

“Anyway, before I knew it I was knocking on the door in this dirty little alley in one of the older parts of Hong Kong. This kid, about eight years old, opened the door and I told him Mei Ling had sent me to see Mamma Chow. He just nodded and led me up some very rickety old stairs. Mamma Chow looked like She was Eighty but She was probably more like sixty. She was wearing this blue Mao suit and didn’t speak a work of English so the boy translated for us. Mei Ling had already phoned her and She knew all about my problem. That box,” Susan pointed to the box that was on her kitchen table, “was placed in front of me and I was told it would turn Lou into a woman. I didn’t believe it but the old woman insisted I take it. She told me that any man who opened the box would become female and the only people who would ever know the difference was the person transformed by it and anyone who knew the boxes purpose. All the old woman asked was that I write to the hotel and praise Mei Ling so She might get a better paid job.” 

 

“so you left the box lying around the house for anyone to open it?” Stuart snapped. 

 

Susan looked her son up and down. “Well if you call hidden behind my shoe rack in the wardrobe of my bedroom "lying around" then I guess I did.” The boy grimaced at that last statement. “And believe me you haven’t heard the last of that.” The mother said in a way only mothers can. “Of course I didn’t believe it but the thought of Lou in a dress was enough to make me smile the whole flight home. When Jade picked me up at the airport I told her about my strange Sunday in Hong Kong.” 

 

Jade cut in at this point. “The thought of it made me laugh so hard I almost wet myself. You see, mum didn’t know but last year, at the firm’s Christmas picnic Lou had tried to put the hard word on me and he didn’t look like he was going to take no for an answer. Luckily his wife wandered over to where he had me cornered and that was the last I heard of it. I didn’t tell mum because I knew She’d quit her job just for the satisfaction of telling Lou where to stick it.” 

 

“That’s right,” Susan said. “I would have. But I thought about the box and was going to gift wrap it and leave it on Lou’s desk when the contract is signed and then wait for the fun to start.” 

 

Stuart took all of this in quietly. It would have been nothing more than bad fairy tale if he himself wasn’t evidence it was all true. “I take it,” he said slowly and deliberately, “that there’s no reverse switch on this thing?” He pushed the box away from him but he did it gingerly, as if afraid of what else it could do to him. 

 

Susan grimaced. “No,” She said simply, leaving the implications hanging in the air between them. 

 

“Please tell me you have a plan? Something to get me out of this body?” 

 

His mother shook her head. The three of them sat around leaving a lot unsaid. Susan was at a loss but She needed to try something, if only to make Stuart feel better. She reached for her Filofax and dialed the hotel She had stayed in Hong Kong. Turning on the speakerphone She waited until the call was answered. 

 

“Hello, Emperor Ming Hotel," came a heavily accented female voice. "How may I help you?” 

 

“Yes, my name is Susan Denton, I stayed at your hotel on the 15th, 16 and 17 of this month. I want to talk to a woman named Mei Ling.” 

 

“What room please?” The receptionist asked. 

 

“No. She was a waitress.” 

 

“What room please?” was the frustrating answer. 

 

Susan fell into the old trap when it came to talking with people who didn’t speak English all that well. She slowed her speech down and raised her voice, hoping it would make things clear.  ‘She’s Staff. A waitress. Mei Ling.” 

 

“No personal calls,” was the curt reply followed by the receptionist hanging up. 

 

Stuart was not feeling a great deal better. If anything he felt a lot worse. “That went well.” He said. 

 

“That was only step one.” Susan told him. “There was a guy there, Wang, who helps set up business conferences and does some translating if It’s needed. I have his e-mail address somewhere.  If all else fails I can find Mamma Chow if we go back to Hong Kong.” 

 

“Then lets go.” Stuart said in all seriousness. “We could catch the next plane. It’s about a 7-hour flight. I could be normal by the time we go to bed.” 

 

Jade had kept quiet for as long as She could. “Mamma Chow must be powerful but I doubt even She could make you normal Stuart. Male?  Yes. Normal? No one’s that good.” 

 

Susan looked at a smiling Jade and shook her head. “Don’t you have some where else to go?” 

 

“Nope.” 

 

“I’ll put it another way Jade. Go. I don’t care where. Go see a movie or a friend. Go shopping. Just go and leave this to me.”  She couldn’t really blame the girl. Her kids were usually at each other’s throats, Stuart giving as good as he got, and Susan could see this was too good to pass up but it wasn’t helping anyone. 

 

Knowing that tone of voice well Jade stood. “Well, I did tell Sandra I’d go over to her place today. We were going to try out some hairstyles for her job interview next week.” 

 

“Good.” 

 

“I’ll be home later.” She kissed her mother on the cheek and headed for the door. At the last minute She turned to Stuart. “If You’re a good girl I’ll help you with your hair when I get home.” 

 

“Goodbye Jade,” Susan sighed. 

 

Mother and transformed son were silent until they heard the car start off down the driveway. Susan took both of her son’s slimmer, daintier hands and looked him straight in the eyes. “You have to know how sorry I am that this happened to you,” She started. “I don’t have any idea what this is like for you honey but I can understand You’re upset.” 

 

“But...” 

 

“But you have to face some realities here. I promise you I’ll do what I can to make sure you spend as little time as possible as a girl. It’s just there are a few things we both have to take into consideration. I’d love to go back to Hong Kong but I’ve used up all of my holiday time spending Christmas with you and your sister. I’d ask for more but with this China deal on at work at the moment I wouldn’t get it and the plain and simple truth is we don’t have the money for plane fares or Accommodation. You don’t even have a passport so even if I could take the time off and we had the cash you’d have a two week wait for that.” 

 

It sounded reasonable to Stuart even though he’d never admit it.  Looking down at the breasts that now dominated his view he quietly said. “How long?” 

 

“Two, maybe three months.” Susan told him. “Four months tops.  Unless Wang can pass a message on to Mei Ling” 

 

It sounded like a jail sentence to the boy, a bloody long one from where he sat. A thousand emotions seemed to flash through him at once. Anger, pain, sorrow, self-pity, fear, horror and vulnerability. “Just keep Jade off my back.” Was all he said as he fell, sobbing into his mother’s arms. 

 

 

 

 

Jade got home around ten o’clock that night no knowing what to expect. Her mother was sitting at the computer checking her e-mail every five minutes in case She got word from Wang or Mei Ling. “Hi,” Jade said, unsure of her mother’s reaction. 

 

“Oh, hello. I didn’t hear you come in.” Susan got up and gave her daughter a quick hug. 

 

“sorry about before Mum. I went too far.” 

 

“I think you know who you should apologise to.” 

 

“Yeah,” Jade nodded. “This whole thing is weird and I guess I didn’t think about it from his point of view... Even if he is a little jerk.” 

 

"Stuart’s all right normally. He’s just a typical little brother.  Your uncle Andrew did far worse to me when I was your age.” 

 

“It’s Strange. Sandra was asking about Amy and I didn’t know who She was referring to at first and then I worked it out that Stuart is Amy. No one knows he was ever a guy.” 

 

Susan frowned a little. Feeling guilty and not for the first time that day. “Amy Jo Denton to be exact. I gave her a sleeping tablet and put her to bed.” 

 

“I might go off to bed too. Good night Mum.” 

 

‘sleep tight Jade.” 

 

Jade went to the toilet and was heading for her room when She past her brother’s door. She heard sobbing and knocked. 

 

“What?” 

 

“It’s just me Stuart. Are you okay?” 

 

“Ah ha.” He said in a voice that sounded anything but. 

 

Jade opened the door and entered. In the little bit of moonlight that spilled into the room She could make out the much smaller form of her brother in bed. “sorry about before.” 

 

“Whatever.” 

 

“No really. I’m sorry.” Jade sat down next to him and put her hand on his arm. “Being a girl isn’t that bad. You’ll see.” 

 

“You Just don’t get it do you?” He spat as he put on a pink bedside lamp and sat up. “You don’t have any idea what It’s like?” 

 

“I am a girl you know.” Jade was a little taken aback at this outburst even though her brother was now smaller than She was. 

 

“You don’t get it at all.” 

 

“so tell me Stu.” She said softly. “Make me understand.” 

 

He thought about it for a bit, tears running down his smooth cheeks. “Okay. Look, I’m your brother, or at least I was, so I never say this sort of stuff to you. If you tell anyone what I’m about to say I’ll deny it.” 

 

“Go on.”  

 

“You’re pretty, smart, you have a good personality and most of my friends think You’re hot. Things come easy to you. Now imagine you wake up tomorrow and You’re a fat chick named Ethel, with glasses, pimples and bad breath. Now imagine you as Ethel are in the pilot’s chair of a 747 and you have to land the plane even though you don’t have a clue how. Getting the picture?” 

 

“Yep.” Now it was Jade’s turn to feel guilty. 

 

“I don’t have a clue about girls. God they’re hard enough to work out as a guy but now I have to be one and I don’t know how.” 

 

“That I can help you with.” Jade smiled. “I can teach you how to be a girl.” 

 

“I don’t really want to know Jade. My whole life has changed because of Mamma Chow and that stinking box. No one saw Stuart kick five goals in the grand final last year because it didn’t happen. No one saw me take a hat trick in cricket because I didn’t play in the game. No one has heard me play guitar because from what I read in Amy’s diary...” 

 

“You, I mean She has a diary?” 

 

“... Doesn’t every girl?” Stuart asked. 

 

“No. Well, back in the dark ages maybe.” 

 

“Well Amy does, or I do. Whatever. She plays the flute. I can’t play a note on the thing. She does ballet.” Jade giggled a little at the thought of her brother in a pink leotard. He ignored it and ploughed on. “I tried to do a pass de whatever the hell you call them and fell flat on my arse. You want to know what It’s like for me? Well, from now until I get back to normal, That’s assuming I do get back to normal, I will have to be acting with everything and everyone whether I want to or not.” 

 

Silence filled the air for a minute or two as Jade took all of this in. Finally She said, “I get it Stuart. I really get it. Let me do what I can to help? Please?” 

 

He nodded and took her outstretched hand. “Okay. Truce.” 

 

Susan walked past the room and saw Jade and Stuart do something She hadn’t seen since her kids were really little. Hug. She hurried off so She didn’t break the clinch. 

 

“Good night Amy.” Jade said as She left the room. 

 

“You are pushing it.” Stuart said as he threw a pillow at his sister. 

 

“Oh there is one more thing before I leave you. Exactly which friends of yours think I’m hot and what are their phone numbers?” 

 

“Night Ethel.” 

 

 

 

 

Amazingly his mother had been right Things didn’t look as bad after some sleep. They were bad enough in Stuart’s view but now they only looked Titanic bad as opposed to the Black plague bad he felt the previous night. 

 

Stepping out of the shower he paused to look at his new body, really look at it. He still didn’t like what he saw, not on him anyway. On some one else it would have been fine. What he hated about it most of all, probably even more than the femininity that seemed to leap out of his petite body, was the cutesy factor he now possessed. His face was all girl. From the cute little button nose to the dimples on chubby cheeks, each side of a pretty smile. There was a bit of a resemblance to his mother and Jade but a lot of his father and Aunts about him. Lowering his glance his eyes drifted past the wet hair that stuck to his slender shoulders and onto two smallish but very feminine breasts. They were much more conical in shape to the ones he liked to look at in playboy and on-line but he put it down to his age. Going lower still he registered the slimness of his arms and he missed he muscles he’d spent ages building up. Now they were so small they reminded him of pipe cleaners. A trim waist and a flat stomach with a belly button that stuck out rather than his old innie gave way to hips that flared just enough to make him look in proportion. He looked quickly at the triangle of pubic hair that covered a barely visible vertical cleft. He thought of all of the girls he liked and wondered if that triangle was worth all of the efforts he and his friends put in. The one in the mirror was almost a let down after all of his hormone driven fantasies about them. 

 

“Are you ready Stuart?” Susan called from the hallway. 

 

He wrapped the towel around himself, the same way his sister always did and opened the door having made a big decision. “You and Jade had better call me Amy Mum.” He sighed. “At least for the time being.” 

 

“Are you sure love?” 

 

“Yeah. We all know who I really am but it would look kind of weird if You’re running around calling me Stuart.” 

 

 

 

 

Being a Saturday Susan had the day to spend with her kids who were off school for the summer holidays anyway. Normally Stuart would be out with his friends playing cricket or doing what ever it is that teenaged boys do when they’re together and Jade was either at work or sleeping in. Susan herself did her weekly grocery shop on Saturdays but this morning they all had a more pressing problem. What was Amy going to wear? 

 

“I hope you two don’t expect me to get dressed by a committee meeting every morning.” Amy grumbled as She stood in her room dressed in an apricot coloured satin robe. “I can dress myself you know?” 

 

‘sure you can sweetie,” Susan said. “Just think of us as training wheels. Just for a few days.” 

 

Amy was directed to a seat in front of a vanity mirror so Jade could blow-dry her hair. “Have you heard from Wing or Dung or whatever the hell his name is?” She half shouted to be heard over the noise of the drier. 

 

“Wang,” Susan corrected. “Not yet but if I still haven’t heard from him by Monday I’ll talk to a guy we’re using on the China contract. He’s lived in China for 6 years and he speaks fluent Mandarin. He shouldn’t have any problems getting on the phone and talking to Wang or Mei Ling.” 

 

It took about ten minutes to dry and comb her hair and then She was handed a pink pair of panties and matching Bra. “Well?” She said to her mother and sister. “Turn around.” 

 

“We have seen it before Amy.”  

 

“Not on me you haven’t.” Amy stated. “Humour me.” 

 

Both of the other women sighed and turned away as Amy took off the robe and pulled up the panties but Jade couldn’t resist wolf whistling as her sister pulled on a pair of panties for the first time. 

 

“I don’t know why I can’t just dag around in my normal clothes,” Amy griped as her mother did up the straps of the bra and told her how to put it on the easy way, clasping it in front of her and then spinning it around. 

 

“I know you Amy. Half the time on weekends you slipped on a pair of football shorts and that was it. If You’re going to be a girl you will look the part. I don’t want other people looking at you and saying I am a bad mother for letting you get around looking like......” 

 

“...like a boy?” Amy interrupted. 

 

“Exactly,” Susan nodded. “If nothing else I would have thought you’d have learned in the last day that boys and girls are different. Besides, don’t think I am going to waste my energy on fighting you about what you wear. I already have a perfectly adequate teenaged daughter to do that with.” 

 

Susan pulled out a pair of black three-quarter length jeans and a pink T-shirt with a large butterfly embroidered on the chest. 

 

“At least let me wear normal jeans and a black T-shirt.” 

 

“Do you think people will mistake you as a boy if you wear them?  Look at yourself Amy, you could wear a sack and people will still see a girl.” 

 

“At least I could be a comfortable girl.” 

 

“Please Amy, you know fighting stresses me. Do you know what happens when I get stressed?” 

 

“I got a feeling You’re going to tell me,” the girl replied as She tried not to look at the figure clad only in lingerie staring out of the mirror. 

 

“I forget things.” Susan said. “It’s funny, I thought I wouldn’t have a problem finding Mamma Chow in Hong Kong but now? Now I am not too sure I could. I know It’s off a main street with lots of Chinese people. There can’t be too many of them in Hong Kong can there?” 

 

“Okay, okay.” Amy conceded defeat. “I’ll wear the stupid things.”  He reached for the pants only to hear his mother and Jade laugh again. 

 

“What? What did I do now?”  

 

“You’re trying to put the pants on the wrong way.” Jade giggled.  “The zipper goes on the back.” 

 

“How the hell am I supposed to go the toilet that way?” 

 

“Think about it Amy.” 

 

All of a sudden a light bulb went on in Amy’s mind. “Oh.” She said. “You two are enjoying this far too much for my liking?” 

 

The T-shirt followed and then Jade set to work on her sister’s hair. She figured She’d tortured her enough so She just put it in a ponytail and used two little clips to keep the stray tendrils at the side out of her face. Make up was pushing it too hard so She didn’t bother. Susan had gone to answer the doorbell. 

 

“some one here to see you Amy.” 

 

“What? Who? Tell them I’m sick or something.” She stammered. It wasn’t a lie. The thought of anyone seeing her dressed like a girl was making her sick very quickly. 

 

“Don’t be silly Amy.” Susan brushed off the hysteria. “It’s only Katie.” 

 

“Katie from next door? That’s bad enough.” Katie and Stuart grew up together and Katie was a bit of a tomboy so the two got on well. She could out kick, out run and out fight every boy in school when She was younger. Every boy but Stuart. 

 

What made Susan and Jade smile was the fact that the poor girl had a huge crush on a totally oblivious Stuart. As puberty hit Katie had softened in both her dress sense and boisterousness and in the past year or so had done everything but throw herself naked on to Stuart. Sometimes Katie didn’t think Stuart even knew She was a girl. A very cute blonde girl with almost sky blue eyes. 

 

“Well It’s too late.” Susan stated. ‘She’s waiting for you in the lounge room.” 

 

 

 

 

Stuart, now Amy felt totally strange in her pink strappy sandals as She walked out to meet Katie with about the same enthusiasm Marie Antoinette must have felt as She headed for the guillotine 

 

Katie didn’t seem to think anything was wrong. “Hi Amy,” She said, hugging her best friend. “I was just wondering if you wanted to go to the mall with me?” 

 

Amy was once again reminded of her new height as She looked Katie in the eyes for the first time in three or so years. “I’d rather swallow razor blades,” She mumbled truthfully. 

 

“sorry, what was that?” 

 

Susan jumped in saying ‘She said She’d love to go.” 

 

“Mum.” 

 

“sorry Amy? my memory is going again.” 

 

“I’d love to come,” Amy told her friend in a not so lady like tone. 

 

“Did I miss something in there?” Katie asked when the two girls got outside. 

 

“Only a form of child abuse.” Amy replied sullenly. 

 

“You are a wicked, wicked woman.” Jade Told her mother. 

 

“Ah ha but you have to push the chick out of the nest one way or another.” Susan grinned. 

 

 

 

 

Stuart never got shopping. He just never *got* it. For him it was a case of get in, get what you want and get the hell out again.  About all he’d do at the mall was sit in the food court and look at the girls with his friends. Now, as Amy he was one of the girls but shopping was still a mystery. She and Katie had linked up with two other girls from School, Terri, a tall brunette who now dwarfed Amy, and Emma, who had beautiful red hair and piercing green eyes. 

 

They spent hours going from one shop to another to try on and even worse, discuss every item of clothing in the mall. It wasn’t even until the shopping trip was about half an hour old that Amy worked out no one had any money to spend on clothes or make up.  Shopping for them was a social outing and She was amazed to find out that the shopping was just a setting for talk. Talk about boys, bands, boy bands, the school gossip and of course clothes and make up. 

 

Stuart never got the talking thing. To him it seemed a waste to use hundreds of words when a few grunts could convey much the same message. And what he didn’t get about girls is they seem to think silence is just there to fill in with words. Around Katie, Emma and Terri, if silence was truly golden then Amy would be bankrupt forever. 

 

Amy tried to hold up her end of the conversation but She was way out of her depth and before too long the other girls seemed to sense something was wrong. He knew this because Katie said, “is something wrong Amy? You don’t seem yourself this morning.” 

 

“You don’t know the half of it.” Amy smiled as She sat in the food court trying not to look at the boys looking at her. 

 

“Anything we can help you with?” Terri asked, reaching out and taking Amy’s hand. 

 

“I don’t think so, unless you know someone in Hong Kong.” 

 

“Huh?” 

 

“Forget it. Don’t worry, I am OK.” She smiled, finishing a salad sandwich She had bought when the others did even though She’d rather have a burger and fries. 

 

“Where to now?” Emma asked. 

 

“I need to go to the ladies room.” Katie announced. 

 

Thus Amy was introduced to another female tradition. Going to the ladies room in groups. The women’s toilets weren’t half as smelly but there was a bit of a queue so the four of them waited patiently and chatted some more. 

 

Feeling ready to burst by the time She finally got to a stall Amy struggled out of the pants and then sat and peed, feeling very relieved. Being the last in She was the last out and She found her new friends standing around the mirror either washing their hands or re-applying make up. She walked to the basin and washed her hands, only half listening to the conversation. That was until they discussed what they were doing that night and Katie mentioned the fact that She was going out with Steve Ellis. 

 

“I thought you hated him?” Amy said. 

 

“Hated him? I have been going out with him for over six months.” 

 

“Yeah,” Emma giggled. “They’re practically married.” 

 

This was news to Amy. As far as She knew Katie did hate the guy.  He’d sniffed around her for awhile but She wasn’t interested.  Steve and Stuart didn’t exactly get on, coming to blows on more than one occasion especially when Steve wouldn’t take Katie’s answer of no. It seemed like more than her gender had changed. 

 

 

 

 

“How was your day honey?” Susan asked Amy a She walked into the kitchen. 

 

“Great,” Amy answered sarcastically. “We shopped, we bonded and we even peed together. The perfect day for any girl. And to top it all off nicely some nice boys invited me to show them my tits as I walked home.” 

 

“Well, as Tammy Wynette once said: sometimes it hard to be a woman.” 

 

“I have no idea who Tammy Wynette is but I would have gladly taken her word for it without this practical demonstration.” Amy grumbled as She motioned to her body. “And I could have done without the shopping trip today.” 

 

“Well, you did have to get out of the house and sooner is better than later.” 

 

“I could have lived with later Mum.” 

 

“You have to get used to being Amy now. If we can’t get you back to normal in the next two weeks you will just have to go to school as Amy.” 

 

The girl shuddered at the thought of the school dress She’d seen hanging in her wardrobe earlier. “I know. It’s just not easy for me Mum.” 

 

“I know sweetie.” Susan said hugging her. “There still hasn’t been a reply from Wang though so we may well have to go to Hong Kong.” Susan searched her daughter’s eyes for a second and said, “there is something else bothering you isn’t there?” 

 

“sort of. Did you know Katie has a boyfriend?” 

 

“No but good for her.” 

 

“You think? She’s going out with a real jerk.” 

 

“He must have something going for him. I mean Katie is a sensible girl and She seems to like the good guys.” 

 

“Well not this time,” Amy said, wondering which nice guy her mother was talking about. To her knowledge Katie had never really like any guy in particular. “Oh well,” She added. “Terri and Emma invited me over to Emma’s house to watch some stupid chick flicks tonight. But before you say anything I said no.” 

 

“so what are you going to do instead?” 

 

“Take off this damned uncomfortable bra, put on a pair of shorts, a baggy T-shirt and then I am going to sit down and watch the football and think boy thoughts. I have had enough of girl world for one day.” 

 

Susan thought about it for a second and came to the conclusion that Amy was probably right. No point in pushing the girl too far. Besides, Susan though later as She looked at Amy stretched out on the sofa, even in shorts and a T-shirt She still looked very cute. 

 

 

 

 

“Oi, Faceache, get up. We’ve got work to do” 

 

“Huh?” Amy said as She was wrenched from her slumber. 

 

“I said get up,” Jade repeated. “I said I was going to help and I will but I get to pick the lesson times.” 

 

“Lesson?” Amy looked at the bedside clock. “Bloody hell, It’s only 9:30. I didn’t think it was ever this early on a Sunday morning.” 

 

“Well there’s a lot you don’t know sister dear. That’s what today is about. I am going to teach you everything you ever wanted to know about being a girl but were afraid to ask.” 

 

“Doesn’t the Bible say something about not working on the Sabbath?” 

 

Jade nodded and smiled. “Yeah and I may be wrong but I seem to remember something in there that goes: Thou shalt not pisseth off thou older sister. Lest older sister useth her new found height and weight advantage and slappeth you into last week.” 

 

“You even thought about getting into motivational speaking?” Amy asked as She swung her legs out of bed and sat up. 

 

“No.” 

 

“Good.” 

 

Jade ignored that last little bit. “You’ve got 45 minutes to eat some breakfast and then get that round little butt of yours into the shower. By the way, you look so cute.” 

 

Amy looked into the mirror as She stood. She was wearing the same baggy T-shirt She had on the night before and her panties just peeked out from underneath but worst was the fact that her hair had that "Just been shagged" look, as Stuart and his friends referred to it. “Forget what I said about the Bible Jade, because if there was a God he’d do the honourable thing and strike either me, or preferably you, dead.” 

 

“Hustle sweetie,” Jade laughed. “You’ve got a lot to learn today.” 

 

 

 

 

After two pieces of white toast and a long, hot shower Amy felt a little better but as She wrapped a towel around herself She wasn’t looking forward to Jade playing teacher. Jade for her part was anxious to get underway. “Did you wash and condition your hair?” She asked when She walked into the bathroom. 

 

“Yep.” 

 

“Good. Now let me feel your leg.” 

 

“Jade! I never knew you cared.” 

 

“I’m seeing how hairy they are you little jerk. And they are. “ 

 

“Oh no, call the follicle police.” Amy sniped sarcastically. 

 

Jade simply reached into the cupboard and pulled out a bar of soap, a tube of cheap moisturiser and a Silk care ladies razor.  “Be nice Amy, it may well get bloody.” 

 

“You’re kidding?” 

 

“Nope. Any girl that doesn’t shave her legs and under arms is seen as either a Lesbian or a French woman. And personally I don’t know what’s worse.” 

 

“Just wet the soap and cover your right leg from just above the knee down to the feet. There are just some things I won’t do for you.” She stopped while Amy did that. “Now watch carefully because you’ll be doing most of this.” Angling the blade so it was just right Jade started from the ankle and in a long, careful continuous stroke She ran the razor right up the front of her sister’s calf. “It’s that simple.” She stated. “Just keep doing that including the back and then repeat it for the other leg.  It’s pretty much the same for the under arms. When You’re done rub some moisturiser over them and meet me in your room.” 

 

 

 

 

“How’d you go?” Jade asked as Amy walked into her bedroom wearing the same robe as She had the day before. 

 

“I see what you mean about getting bloody,” Amy replied showing a bit of a nasty nick on the back of her left calf. 

 

“Call it a war wound.” Jade smiled. “Now come and sit and I’ll teach you some basic hair styles” 

 

“You know that this is all being stored up here,” Amy tapped her forehead. “And I will repay you back for every little bit of it.” 

 

“I wouldn’t expect anything less.” Jade shrugged. “Now I borrowed some books from friends, there are all sorts of styles in here. I want you to study them and there will be a test at the end of the week. Right now I will teach you the basic ponytail, how to do plait your hair and how to put it up.” 

 

“Trust you to be so helpful now. Where were you when I wanted Kelly Barnes” phone number?” 

 

‘shut up and watch Amy and then we’ll move on to make-up.” An hour and a half later Jade pulled out some make up and said, “now the trick to putting on make up is to make it look like You’re not wearing it.” 

 

“At the risk of putting Max Factor and L’Oreal out of business Jade, there’s an easy way to achieve that. Don’t put any of the shit on your face.” 

 

“That would be too easy Amy, and much less fun.” 

 

“How did I know you were going to say that?” 

 

It was one p.m. when Amy finally got out of her sisters clutches and got dressed. She could still taste the lipstick and smell the perfume Jade had liberally applied. Jade had been pushing for a dress but She wouldn’t hear of it. Instead She put on Jeans and what he later learned was a Lavender coloured peasant shirt with a scooped neck line and cap sleeves. She didn’t overly care, it was feminine enough to keep her mother and sister off her back yet comfortable enough to get around in. By this time Amy had been a girl for a little over 48 hours and She knew more about being a girl than She even wanted to know. But even She had to admit She was no closer to understanding the "Fairer Sex". If anything She was further away from that understanding than She had been when She was Stuart. 

 

 

 

 

She walked into the kitchen where Susan was sitting, looking at some paper work and eating lunch at the same time. “Your daughter is a sick perverted girl.” She said to her mother. 

 

“Which Daughter would that be?” Susan shot back with wry smile.  

 

“Funny mum. Real funny. What are you doing?” 

 

“Just working out our finances love. It’s always important but if we want to get you and me back to Hong Kong we’ll really have to tighten our belts.” 

 

“Well at least I have the waist for it now.” Amy quipped. 

 

“something doesn’t add up here,” Susan said running some more number though a calculator. “There seems to be over 500 dollars missing from my bank account.” 

 

“Probably a bank error Mum, you know what they’re like.” 

 

“True. I’ll give them a call tomorrow to see if they can straighten it out. Anyway sweetie, while I’ve got you here there are a couple of things we need to talk about.” 

 

“This doesn’t sound good.” The girl said sitting at the table.  “Go on then, let’s get it over with.” 

 

“Well the first is your birthday.” Susan said as She picked at her stir-fry. 

 

“That’s easy. It’s cancelled this year. Next?” 

 

“Not so fast princess.” Amy grimaced at that. “You know what a big deal your grandmother makes for the four of you. To her, Jade’s, your two cousins and your birthdays are the highlights of her year. The whole family goes out for tea at a nice restaurant.  That is not going to change this year.” 

 

“Okay, but I’m not getting dressed up.” 

 

“Yes you are, Dress, pantyhose and heels. The whole deal. It won’t kill you for one night. It’s not your grandmother’s fault you went looking for your presents early and I’ll be buggered if I have to put up with her whineing to me about missing out on a birthday meal. This is non-negotiable. If you don’t do it to help me out I won’t help you out by going back to Hong Kong. Got it?” 

 

“I don’t have a choice do I?” Amy grumbled. 

 

“Good. Now, getting back to the money. I get good money at work but when I have to pay for the house, run the car and keep you and Jade fed and clothed there’s not much left over. The simple fact is we need more money coming in. The sooner some one earns it the quicker we find Mamma Chow.” 

 

“some one? I take it you mean me?” 

 

“You’re quick. I think you can do a few nights a week after school and maybe a Saturday as well. Anything you can add to the kitty I’ll match dollar for dollar.” 

 

Amy got up and started to walk away. 

 

“Where are you going?” Susan asked. 

 

“Just going to check my room and make sure there are no wire hangers in there. You’re reminding me of some one.” Amy told her. 

 

“Keep that up and I’ll get Jade to teach you about feminine hygiene. Think about that job OK?” 

 

Amy sighed, long and loud. “Yeah, alright.” 

 

 

 

 

“This really sucks,” Amy said a little later. 

 

“What does?” 

 

“I’m bored stupid Jade.” 

 

“Well that wouldn’t be a long journey.” 

 

“I’m serious. There’s two weeks of holidays before the new school year starts and here I am looking like a stupid teeny-bopper girl.” 

 

“so?” Jade said as She absently flicked through the channels on the TV hoping to find something other than sport to watch. 

 

“so, last Sunday I was playing cricket with my friends and then we spent the night rehearsing the band. It may sound stupid but I miss my friends.” 

 

“That bunch of losers?” Jade laughed. “Exactly whose turn is it to have the brain they share this week?” 

 

“That’s great coming from a girl whose friends have all of the mental capabilities of a Barbie Doll but none of her looks.” Amy shot back. 

 

“Will you stop bothering me Amy? If you miss the Neanderthals so much go and see them.” 

 

Amy seemed to look down at her cleavage and think for a second.  “Uh, I might give it a miss.” 

 

Jade turned off the television and smiled. “Oh, I get it.” She said. “You’re worried about what your dead beat friends will make of the new you.” 

 

“No... Well, sort of. Yes.” 

 

“Plant your butt sister dear. School is back in progress.” Jade waited until Amy sat on the couch and then She continued. “The most important subject of all. Boys.” The younger sister was about to interrupt but Jade put her hand up to stop her. “Before you start. You know about boys as a boy. A totally different thing to understanding them as a girl.” 

 

“I don’t suppose there is any way I can get out of this chat? At least let me put it off until tomorrow.” 

 

“Nope.” Jade said emphatically. “It’s simple really. Rule one: All boys are arseholes. Rule two: if in doubt refer to rule one.” 

 

“What can I say?” Amy asked. “That was worth waiting for wasn’t it?” 

 

“You really want me to tell you about boys?” Jade asked, a little surprised. 

 

“No, but I guess I should know.” 

 

“Okay,” Jade sat back and sighed. “The thing you really need to know is that all of the rules have changed for you. If you don’t look interested in boys You’re either seen as a lesbian or frigid. If you look too interested You’re a slut. If you send out the wrong signals, even without knowing it, and then back off You’re a prick tease. And probably for you, the worst is the fact that you’ll go back to school without a boy friend.” 

 

“And That’s bad how?” Amy asked in all innocence. 

 

“God you can be dense sometimes.” Jade said, shaking her head.  “It’s a new school year and reputations are important. Any boy with a pulse who doesn’t have a girlfriend is on the prowl. So any girl without a guy is considered fair game. I’ve got a feeling You’re going to be very, very popular.” She finished with a big grin. 

 

“You know something Jade?” 

 

“What?” 

 

“I used to think you were a sadist.” 

 

“And?” Jade asked 

 

“I was right.” 

 

 

 

 

The next morning Susan got worried. Amy was up early and even showered without having to be pushed into the bathroom when the stink got too much. Jade woke up not long after and She too was shocked. “Bloody hell,” She said to her mother. “Normally Stuart doesn’t start the day before 11 am and I always thought he was allergic to water or afraid of it. What’s going on?” 

 

“Your guess is as good as mine.” Susan replied with a shrug. 

 

About 15 minutes later the bathroom door opened and Amy stepped out, one towel around her petite body and another wrapping her damp hair. “Oh,” She smiled seeing a curious pair at the other end of the hall. “Morning. Jade can you do me a favour please?” 

 

“Ah... yeah, I guess. What’s up?” 

 

“Can you give me about twenty minutes and then come into my room?” 

 

“You haven’t found a gun or something have you?” 

 

“No mum. I just need her help.” 

 

“All right. What’s going on?” 

 

“All will be revealed,” Amy said somewhat enigmatically. 

 

Amy stood in front of the full-length mirror that was now stuck on the back of her bedroom door. Dropping her towel She peered in wonder at her naked reflection. Up until now She’d been in some sort of delusional denial. Even when She was sitting to pee and wiping her new equipment, some of her long brown hair fell across her eyes or a breast shifted in her bra Amy was denying the change. Almost three days of denial had got her no closer to getting back to normal and normal was exactly what She wanted.  The sooner She got back to Mamma Chow the sooner Stuart could make a come back and Amy would be a bad dream. 

 

“Let’s do it.” She said, trying to sound forceful but the new voice failed dismally. 

 

She put on a black Kimono styled robe She had found in her wardrobe and then set to work. First She blow dried her long locks and combed them until the were soft and shiny. Next on the agenda was the clothing for that day. “This is not going to be pleasant, She thought, strangely enough her thoughts still had Stuart’s voice and it was comforting to hear. “A girl trying to get back to being a boy has to do what a girl trying to get back to being a boy has to do.” She opened her underwear drawer and was once again dazzled by the choice of both styles and colours before her. Too many choices but in the end She went for a lacy white Bra and Panty set after putting them on She hesitated at the wardrobe wondering what image She wanted to present. Only one image that suited what She needed that day sprang to mind. Ally McBeal. Thank god for Television. Flicking through the clothes She picked out a short skirt in charcoal grey and a feminine, pink satin blouse and went back to the underwear drawer to get a packet of black pantyhose. The only small problems there was the reversed buttoning of the blouse and making sure She didn’t put a run in the hose. That accomplished She prepared her self for the comments and called Jade in. 

 

Jade did a double take when She entered her sister’s bedroom. “If you ask me if your butt looks fat in that skirt I am calling the psych ward.” Was all She managed to say. 

 

“No, I need your help. I tried to do something with my hair but it didn’t look right. Maybe you can... I don’t know... jazz it up a little?” 

 

“Jazz it up?” The elder girl asked puzzled by the turn around in Amy. “I guess I can braid it... If That’s what you really want” 

 

“Oh would you? That would be wonderful. And then maybe some make up. I’d be really grateful.” Amy tried to hide her smile, which was hard with the dimples She now possessed. This was the first time since She opened that stupid box that She had Jade on the back foot rather than the other way around and She was enjoying it. 

 

“Ah... Yeah, if you want. Are you all right?” 

 

“I’ve been a bit of a prima donna the last few days haven’t I?”  Amy asked picking up a large Teddy bear and cuddling it to her bosom and added a little twirl for good measure. “It’s silly really. I mean you and mum are women and so is over half the world’s population and I have been prancing around like It’s a punishment. Well, That’s all behind me. I have decided to embrace my femininity and the world anew. What better way to start than to look as pretty as a picture.” 

 

“You’re joking,” Jade asked uncertainly then added. “Aren’t you?” 

 

‘shit yeah,” Amy said in a more normal tone. “I want out of this stupid weak body as soon as possible and I won’t get a job as easily in jeans and a T-shirt.” 

 

Jade let out a loud sigh and slumped down on Amy’s bed. “You had me worried there for a second Stu.” 

 

“I know,” Amy laughed. “Anyway, can you help me? I’ve been looking at those books a little but I was up late last night writing up a resume.” 

 

“I don’t know why I should after that little stunt. Then again it might serve you right if I make you look as feminine as possible.” 

 

“Thanks Jade, Just one more thing I need your help with.” 

 

“You’re pushing you luck. Go on then.” 

 

“Does this skirt make my butt look big?” 

 

Almost half an hour later Amy was jangling with jewelry and smelling like the cosmetic counter at the local department store.  Susan had already guessed what was going on. Stuart had only two speeds when it came to doing anything. Either neutral or flat out. Why would Amy be any different? What did surprise her was just how pretty her son now was. The girl standing in front of her looked wonderful, every bit the working girl on her way to a job interview. About the only things missing were high heels but Amy hadn’t mastered them yet. 

 

“You look... Beautiful Amy. Good luck with the job hunt and good for you for taking it so seriously.” 

 

“Thanks mum,” Amy smiled nervously as She licked her lipstick covered lips and hung her handbag on her left shoulder. 

 

 

 

 

“Amy.” Katie said when She opened her front door. “You look great. What’s up?” 

 

Amy tried not to shrink back when the girl hugged her. “Hi Katie.  I’m just going job hunting. I want to see your mum actually.” 

 

‘sure, come on in. Did you watch Video smash hits yesterday?  Ricky Martin’s new video clip was on. God He’s a babe.” 

 

“Yeah... He’s... buff.” Amy said with absolutely no conviction as the two girls walked through the house to the kitchen. 

 

“Morning Amy,” Mrs. Frances said. “My, my, aren’t we all dolled up?” 

 

“Hi Mrs. F.” The girl replied as Stuart normally would but it sounded strange coming from her new voice. “How are you?” 

 

“Enjoying the last week of my break love. Back to work for me next week.” 

 

“Ah, It’s your job I wanted to see you about. Well in a round about way.” 

 

Margaret Frances was the professor of education at Adelaide University. “Oh. This sounds serious. What can I do for you?” 

 

“I’m looking for a job and wanted to see if It’s okay to put you down as a personal reference.” Amy said. She was a little nervous because even though Stuart got on all right with Katie’s mum She did tend to blame in when ever Katie got into trouble. Probably because he was usually to blame. But her name on a reference would make a job a lot easier to get. 

 

“Of course you can love. You didn’t need to ask you should know that I’d do anything to help.” 

 

“Where are you going to look?” 

 

“I thought I’d start at the mall Katie,” Amy smiled with relief.  “It’s only a ten minute walk so It’s easy to get to work if I get a job.” 

 

“I think that lingerie shop is looking for a sales girl.” Katie offered. “That’d be great if you worked there.” 

 

Mrs. Frances offered the girls a drink and grinned at her daughter. “Not that you’d ask for a discount or anything?” 

 

“Me?” Katie said, all mock innocence. “The thought never crossed my mind.” She turned to face Amy. “You want me to come?” 

 

“Ah... No, It’s okay thanks. I think I should go on my own. It might look a bit strange to go job hunting with a support group.” 

 

 

 

 

“How did you go love?” Susan asked not liking the dejected look on her daughter’s pretty face. 

 

“Not good mum. Not good at all.” 

 

“You didn’t get a job? Oh well I’m proud of you for trying.” 

 

“I got a job.” Amy said still looking nonplussed. “You’re looking at the newest waitress at the Copper Kettle.” 

 

“That little coffee shop on the upper level at the mall? Amy That’s fantastic.” Susan gave the girl a delighted hug. 

 

“You reckon? The boss is a sexist jerk. I think I only got the job because I’m, and I quote, "A pretty little thing". I start Thursday and I have to wear the stupid uniform.” 

 

“What’s that?” 

 

“A short, very short, black skirt, pantyhose and a white blouse.  With that and the school dress I’ll never get to wear pants.” 

 

“Just think of the money love.” Susan said. 

 

“Oh yeah. Speaking of that can I borrow some, I need some more stockings and a comfortable pair of flats if I’m going to be on my feet all day.” 

 

“I think I can manage that.” Susan said. “You’ll just have to pay me back when you get your first pay cheque.” 

 

“What? Do you have any idea what pantyhose cost? I’m going to have to get three or four pairs every week.” 

 

“Gee, let me see. I’ve worn pantyhose every working day for years Amy so I think I know the price of them. You get the same deal Jade does. Anything you need for work and any other clothes you want to buy you pay for. My pay packet can’t keep you two in the latest fashion.” 

 

“That’s so unfair.” Amy mumbled. Sounding like any other petulant teenaged girl. All that was missing was the stamp of the feet. 

 

“Not really. I pay for your school uniforms and now You’re a girl you need two summer and two winter uniforms each. That’s almost six hundred dollars there. Oh and I found out some more good news too.” 

 

“What?” 

 

“I’ve tracked down the missing five hundred dollars.” Susan said. 

 

“Was it a bank stuff up like we thought?” 

 

“Not really. I found my last cheque book and it turns out I paid that money to the Adelaide Dance, Music and Drama Academy for your ballet tuition for the next 6 months.” 

 

“There is no way in hell I am doing Ballet,” Amy stated forcefully. “Not a hope in hell.” 

 

“I figured you’d say that so I called the woman who runs the Academy and She has agreed to refund half of the money but only on one condition. She gets some government funding and if you pull out all together her numbers will drop and She’ll lose her grant. If you want the two hundred and fifty dollars in the Hong Kong fund your going to have to do something. Acting or something like that. Otherwise we blow the whole five hundred” 

 

Jade had walked in and was listening. “When I was doing your hair this morning we had the radio on and we were both singing to that Christina Aguilera song. You have a pretty good voice Amy. A bit of training and you’d be great.” 

 

“so?” 

 

“so, your dead head mates can almost play music. Get them back together and you can make some money playing at some school dances and stuff.” 

 

"You’re trying to make my life sound like the Blues Brother’s movie.” Amy complained. 

 

“More like Pink sister.” Jade smiled. “Just trying to help.” 

 

 

 

 

Eleven days later Amy was not in a good mood. Her feet we killing her, her pantyhose were bloody hot and She seemed to be dropping a lot of stuff. Not good in a shorter than short skirt. What had Jade said about it when She saw Amy dressed for work the first time? Oh yeah. “Any shorter and the whole mall will be you gynecologist.” Worst of all was the fact that her bra must have shrunk in the wash. Talk about sore breasts Work was the pits, no wonder She had put it off so long when She was Stuart. Why was it She was thinking of Stuart as a totally independent person from herself? 

 

“Customers at Table 13 Amy,” Her boss Sam told her pointing at two women. “They don’t have all day sweetie.” 

 

‘screw you Sam," Amy thought as She made weaved her way across the coffee shop. “Hi,” She dutifully smiled as She approached a table, pen and notebook at the ready. “What would you like?” 

 

The Copper Kettle was on the upper level of the shopping mall, far away from the fast food outlets and noisy teens in the food court, so it tended to attract older clients who preferred café latte’s and cappuccinos to diet cokes. Unfortunately for Amy, not all of those clients were women. More and more of the older men who work in the shops were taking their coffee in the Copper Kettle, most of who liked to watch her as She worked. Some enjoyed rubbing up against her as they took their seats. 

 

It was after one of these "accidents" that Amy took her break.  “You okay Amy?” Jenna, one of her coworkers asked. 

 

“Not really,” Amy replied as She sat, making sure She crossed her legs. “I think I overdid it on the chocolate this morning.” The two had nibbled on some of the chocolate that went into the brownies and muffins and Amy kept going back for more. 

 

“I did try and warn you,” Jenna laughed. “These skirts don’t give much leeway when it comes to eating.” 

 

“They are a little tight. If anything it seems to be getting tighter. The problem is I really needed a chocolate fix and now my stomach is paying.” 

 

“It was cooking chocolate, maybe it was just a little rich for you.” Jenna suggested touching the other girl’s arm. “You tell me if you feel really sick and I’ll cover for you for the rest of the shift. There are only a couple of hours to go. 

 

A couple of hours? That felt like a life sentence to the new girl, but these days, everything was a matter of time. There had been no word from Wang or Mei Ling despite her mother’s friend’s help. Amy found herself either marking off the days as they finished or dreading what was yet to come. Saturday would mark her fifteenth birthday and She was not looking forward to the family dinner and all that it entailed. If She managed to get through that She faced at least two months as a high school girl. 

 

She and Jenna talked a little more while Amy sipped diet lemonade. “Oh well,” Jenna sighed, looking at her watch. “Time to get back to the salt mines I guess.” 

 

“I’ll be there in a tick. I need to...” Piss, Amy wanted to say.  Siphon the python, take a leak, have a slash, say hello to my best friend. “...Visit the ladies room.” 

 

“Okay, don’t take too long. You know how Sam is.” 

 

"You want to powder your nose you do it on your time missy, not mine." Both girls giggled as they quoted their boss verbatim. 

 

Amy went through the kitchen and into a hall that ran behind all of the shops feeling grateful that the "Little girl’s room" was so close. Entering a stall She lifted her skirt and happily, if briefly, pulled down her pantyhose and panties. It was when She had finished peeing and had bent over to pull up her underwear that She saw something unusual. It took about five or ten seconds, a very slow five or ten seconds for her brain to take in what She was seeing and at least as much time again for her to put two and two together. 

 

Another woman was washing her hands when She heard a voice come from one of the stalls. “Fuck Mamma Chow,” said a young sounding girl with an agonised tone to her voice. The woman would have stayed to say something about her terrible language but thought it might have something to do with drugs so She quickly wiped her hands, picked up her purse and got out of there. 

 

Amy rushed back to the Copper Kettle and went through her handbag. “Fuck, fuck, fuck.” She whispered. Keys, a purse, some loose change, some old tissues and a lipstick. Finally right at the bottom She found what She was looking for and headed back to the bathroom. She was hoping to avoid Sam if at all possible but of course luck wasn’t on her side. 

 

“Hang on a second.” Sam said standing between Amy and the kitchen. “Where are you off to? You just had a break cupcake.” 

 

Cupcake? “I have to go to the ladies room Sam.” She almost whispered. 

 

“Didn’t you just go? What’s the matter? Did you forget to re-do your lipstick? I am running a business here and I might be wrong but cafés don’t make a lot of money if the waitresses are all gossiping in the bloody toilets.” 

 

Amy just stood there, unsure what to do next. Thankfully Sam’s wife, Lena heard the conversation. Seeing the pleading look in the young girl’s eyes and put two and two together. “It’s OK Sam,” She said to her husband. “I asked Amy to go in there and see if She can find my purse.” 

 

“You’ve lost your purse?” Sam started ranting. “Bloody women. You lot would lose your heads if they weren’t screwed on.” 

 

“I’m sure it will turn up Sammy.” Lena smiled. “Just see if It’s in there please Amy.” 

 

She didn’t need to be told twice and bolted off to the ladies room before Sam changed his mind. 

 

Lena pulled her aside a little later. “You okay love?” 

 

“Ah... Yeah. Thanks.” Amy smiled. 

 

“Catch you by surprise huh? Mine does that sometimes. Don’t worry about Sam, you know how men can be when it comes to these things.  Totally oblivious.” 

 

"You don’t know how right you are." Amy thought. 

 

 

 

 

Amy sat in the food court, sipping a chocolate milk shake and reviewing her life as it stood. Less than two weeks ago She had been a happy, reasonably well-adjusted teenaged guy. Now, She was a girl who was about to turn fifteen, She had almost no social life apart from two shopping trips with Katie from next door. She was a waitress in a coffee shop and to add insult to injury She was going through her first period. 

 

To say the blood She had seen in her panties was a surprise would be a huge understatement. It’s not like She didn’t know girls had periods. Hell, She’d lived enough time with her mother and Jade to know when to keep her head down when it was their time of the month. But never in the whole time She had been female had She thought to expect her time of the month to come. At least She found one sanitary pad in her handbag. The thought of asking someone if She could lend one of there wasn’t even worth thinking about. 

 

It was now a little after two and a half hours since She had put the stupid thing on. Was that even the right phrasing? Did one put them on? Maybe the correct wording was in? Shit, She didn’t even know how long before She needed to replace it. Thinking about things She couldn’t remember seeing any feminine hygiene products in her room, not that She was looking for them. Maybe there were some, somewhere in her room or maybe She’d run out of them. Not liking the idea of going home and telling her mother or sister, at least not until She’d had time to get her head around it, She went looking in one of the supermarkets. 

 

“No one makes this easy do they?” She asked herself as She stood looking at the amazing variety of products. Normally She would walk past this aisle and not even think about it, now She some how had to make a choice between maxi and mini-pads, wings or no wings, there were even sanitary products that fit in a gee string. Was this a heavy or a light day? Her eyes briefly passed over the tampons. “I don’t even want to think about going there.”  She whispered. “Applicator or no applicator.” Come to think of it, it sounded pretty stupid. Like a Hollywood Movie. Arnold Schwarzenegger is The Applicator. 

 

She took a guess and grabbed a pack of Carefree sanitary pads without wings. “Carefree? That’s a joke.” She said as She headed for the check-outs. 

 

Standing in line all She wanted to do was get out of there, get home and get into a bath. What She had thought was a stomach ache was in fact menstrual cramps, the tightness of her skirt She now knew was bloating and the chocolate craving was something She had seen in her mother and sister. Now it all made sense. She put the sanitary pads on the counter and slammed down a five dollar note. 

 

The woman serving tried scanning them. Nothing. She tried again, still it didn’t register. To Amy’s absolute horror the woman grabbed a microphone. “Price check on Carefree pack of twenties please. Price check on Carefree sanitary pads, twenties to check out nine.” 

 

Amy was sure every eye in the place was on her and She tried to shrink while She waited for some one to tell the check out chick the price. It seemed an eternity but finally She was out of the supermarket and on her way home. 

 

 

 

 

Lying back in the bath Amy felt a little better. Things hadn’t been helped when She sniped at Jade on her return home. 

 

“Jeez, what’s wrong with you? That time or the month or something?” Jade had asked in fun. Then She saw the look on her ex-brother’s face. Her hand rushed to her mouth in a vain attempt to stifle a giggle when She worked out that was indeed the problem. 

 

“Piss off.” Amy said. 

 

“When did it start?” 

 

“Piss off Jade.” 

 

“No. No, I promised I wouldn’t make it harder for you so I won’t laugh.” 

 

“Piss off.” 

 

“Actually, I might laugh just a little,” Jade grinned. “I’ll try to keep it to a minimum.” 

 

“What’s up?” Susan asked as She entered the room. 

 

‘should you tell her or can I?” 

 

Amy looked at both of the main women in her life and blushed. She tried to say something about it. After all, it was no big deal.  Both of them had periods. It was all totally natural for women to menstruate. “Oh...Piss off the both of you.” She snarled and stormed out of the room, every inch the drama queen. 

 

Later Susan had knocked on her door and despite another invitation to piss off She entered. “Oh, sorry. I thought it was Jade coming to rub it in some more.” Amy said not looking her mother in the eye. 

 

“Do you need some help?” Susan asked softly. 

 

“Nothing a hysterectomy couldn’t fix.” The young girl churlishly replied. 

 

“I think you and I should have a talk love.” 

 

At least She knew what She was doing now. If anything She knew too much about the female reproductive system, periods, discharge and working out her own menstrual cycle. As She enjoyed a bubble bath She hoped She wouldn’t have too many more periods. As it was She was going to face three or four more days before it was over. 

 

Part 2

 

“Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday dear Stuart and Amy. Happy birthday to you.”

 

“What?” Amy said sitting up in bed and glancing at her clock radio. “Bloody hell, It’s only nine thirty. Can’t a guy get a sleep in on her one day off?” Jade and her mother were standing at the end of her bed holding a cake.

 

“Aren’t you going to blow out the candles?”

 

“If I do can I get another hour sleep?” Amy asked pushing a stray lock of hair out of her eyes.

 

“Nope,” Susan replied. “I just had a call from Katie and some of your friends are going to the beach.”

 

“Good for them.”

 

“so are you.”

 

“Aw mum.” The girl complained. “Can’t I just veg today? It’s bad enough I have to get dolled up and go out with the family tonight.”

 

“sorry young lady. Jade and I have to get the house clean in case anyone comes back here after the restaurant. We also have to wrap your presents. I should have done it weeks ago but there was this guy who used to live here who liked to spoil the surprise.”

 

“No.”

 

“Look on the bright side,” Susan said trying to soothe the situation. “At least your period has stopped.”

 

“Til next month.” Jade said none too helpfully.

 

“Great. So I was meant to be hanging out with my mates, rehearsing the band but instead I’m going to be prancing around a beach with a bunch of girls while wearing a bikini?”

 

“Not necessarily.” Jade smiled. “

 

“You mean I can still get out of this?”

 

“No, but I have a lovely pink one piece you can borrow.”

 

“Come on Stuart,” Susan prodded. “You haven’t gone out apart from work and to shop. You can’t sit in your room all the time waiting for your penis to miraculously grow again.”

 

“Mum.” Amy groaned and buried her head back under the covers.

 

“Well It’s true honey. You need a social life and you have two choices. You can hang around with boys or girls. The girls you are going out with are the same ones who will be with you at school. You need to know how to act around them and to do that you need to be with them.”

 

One eye peeked out from under the blankets. “I’d rather not.”

 

“Okay then, I’ll ring your male friends up and invite them over for lunch.”

 

“You wouldn’t.” Amy cringed.

 

“I think you know her enough by now to know She would.” Jade said ."Yeah, You’re right. She would.” Sitting up Amy smiled just a little as She saw the cake. Half was blue and half was pink. “Did you cook this Jade?”

 

“No mum did. Why?”

 

‘suicide was my last hope.” She replied as She took a deep breath and blew out the candles.

 

 

 

 

“Don’t talk to me,” Amy said as She entered the house, marched straight past her mother and headed for her room.

 

“Good day Dear?” Susan asked somewhat dryly.

 

“I am not in the mood Mum.”

 

Susan checked her watch. “Well get happy kiddo because you’ve got less than three hours until we go out.”

 

“The meal is cancelled.” Amy shouted back from her room. “My birthday is cancelled in fact the whole of my life has been well and truly cancelled.”

 

Jade came in from the back yard where She had been picking some flowers to take for her Grandmother. “What’s all the commotion?” She asked getting a vase down from a cupboard.

 

“Just Amy throwing a tantrum.” Susan shrugged.

 

“I heard that,” a voice echoed down the hall. “I am not throwing a tantrum. Well, ok, I am.” She re-entered the kitchen and slumped down at the table. “But It’s a well-deserved tantrum. If anyone has a reason to throw a tantrum It’s me.”

 

“Oh?” Susan arched her eyebrow a little. “What’s up?”

 

Amy looked at her mother like She didn’t believe the question. “Oh, you mean apart from the fact that I am a girl?”

 

“Ah ha.”

 

“Where do I start? Okay, I spent my birthday almost naked on a public beach pretending to enjoy the fact that I was pretending to perv on guys who weren’t pretending to ogle me. And mind you we compared each guy’s butt to the last one. The conversation centred on every topic under the sun I know nothing about. I just don’t understand girls.”

 

“You’re kidding?” Jade asked sarcastically. “Gee, I never would have guessed.”

 

“How am I supposed to understand a species who act totally violated if you see them in their underwear yet they put on a bikini that makes their panties and bras look like they are neck to knee. And while we are on the subject what’s the deal with calling them a pair of panties and a bra? Surely it should be the other way around.”

 

“You’re ranting Stuart.” Susan said. “What’s up?”

 

“Up? Nothing. I spend the day in a bikini and now I have to get ready to go out with my family. I am about to go into my room, pick out a dress, some pantyhose, a bra and panties and then get into the shower, shave my legs and under arms then do my own make up and style my hair. On Monday I am going to put on a school dress and go to school like a good girl. Nothing is up.”

 

Jade and Susan looked at each other as if to say “something is up alright.”

 

Amy ignored them both and headed for her room. She carefully locked the door and then pulled out her diary, or rather the diary Amy kept before She took over her life. Flicking back through the pages She searched for one entry that would confirm or refute what She had learned that day.

 

It actually hadn’t been a bad day if you disregard the fact that She was comparing guy’s buts with the best of them. She was enjoying the closeness with Katie, Emma and Terri, a closeness She never had with any of them when She had been a guy. Even Katie whom Stuart had always considered to be one of his best friends seemed to be closer to Amy now. Even if some of the conversation was a little outside of Amy’s interests She felt totally accepted by all of the girls and even managed to relax a little.

 

All that changed when Katie looked at her watch. “sorry guys, I have to go.”

 

“Go?” Amy replied. “Go where?”

 

"Steve is picking me up by the Esplanade.” Katie said, picking up her towel and slipping a sundress over her bikini. “Happy birthday Amy,” She bent and gave Amy a quick peck on the cheek and squeezed her arm. “I hope the family thing goes off okay. Talk to you all tomorrow.”

 

Emma and Terri seemed to take it all in their stride. It seemed to Amy that in this reality this was nothing new. Katie smiled and waved at them all and headed off up the reasonably crowded beach. “What the hell does She see in him?” Amy asked no one in particular.

 

Emma smiled to Terri. “I don’t know. What did you see in him?”

 

“Yeah,” Terri added. “Talk about fickle.”

 

“What do you mean?”

 

“Come on Amy. I think you don’t like the fact that Katie is going out with Steve after he dumped you.”

 

Amy found the entry in question.

 

Sat : 25th Nov 2000

 

Wow !!! What a day, more importantly, what a night. The great day started with a shopping trip with Katie. I bought this great pink baby doll T-shirt with "Bad Girl" written in white right across the chest. It will look great with my denim cargo pants. Anyway, Katie bought this really cute top too. It’s a metallic blue coloured halter top and it shows her tummy off. God I wish I had her figure.

 

Later on Katie and I were at my house. Mum was out having dinner with this guy called Robert and Jade was over at her friend Jenny’s house so I hired Pretty woman, the directors cut and Katie and I were going to watch that.

 

We’d only just started the movie when some one knocked on the door. I still can’t believe it was Steve Ellis and his mate Martin. Martin was kind of cute. A little like a young Chris O’Donnell even though he does have a few pimples. Steve though is an absolute babe. I kind of let it slip to Steve that my mum and sister would be out when I saw him in he food court this morning but I didn’t really think he’d show up. They came in and Katie was all, “Ah… you guys shouldn’t be here.”

 

I played it cool, despite the fact that my heart was beating a mile a minute (even more when Steve looked at me, which was often) God he looks like Rick from The bold and the Beautiful, right down to that funny little dimple in the chin. I got them both a glass of coke and then asked them if they wanted to stay. Katie poked me in the ribs and pulled me into my bedroom leaving the boys alone in the kitchen. She told me her mum would go ballistic if She found out we had boys here but I asked how She was going to find out. It turns out Katie has had a crush on Marty for weeks but She has never had the guts to tell him. She was freaking because She didn’t want him to know She liked him. I just told her to play it cool so we put on some lippy and went back down into the family room to watch the movie.

 

I sat next to Steve and he smelled soooooooo good. He told me I looked nice and I must have blushed redder than my nail polish. Martin sat next to Katie but he was further away from her than Steve was from me.

 

I doubt I heard a minute of the movie. I kept waiting for something to happen and I kept on sneaking peeks at him when he wasn’t watching. I caught him looking down my top at one stage and I pretended it bothered me but it didn’t.

 

Martin got closer to Katie but She kept moving away so much so that in the end She was almost sitting on Steve. Poor Marty.

 

About an hour later the boys were getting silly. You know boys. They started throwing chips around the room and acting all silly, trying to show off. Then all of a sudden Steve yawned and I felt his arm around me. God, I didn’t think anyone actually did the old yawning thing. I would have laughed but I was afraid he’d pull his arm away. I waited so long for it to happen I didn’t want it to be all over in a second. I snuggled up against his chest and watched the movie. I could have died happy then, hearing his heart. Boom boom. Boom boom. Boom boom.

 

The next thing I know he was kissing me. My god I almost died. He tasted wonderful and I melted in his arms. We just kissed the whole of the rest of the movie and even Katie and Martin were smooching when the video ended.

 

I had to go to the toilet and I was really wet down there. It felt WONDERFUL but a little squishy. I wiped as much as I could away and hoped Steve wouldn’t know. Maybe he could smell it. We left the TV on but it was on mute and all of the lights were out. We kissed some more and then Steve put his hand under my top. In next to no time I felt his hand on my right breast. It was a little cold and I could feel my nipple rise straight away to his touch. I could hear Katie make little moaning sounds so I did the same. God I got so wet. And then we heard Jade’s car in the driveway.

 

FUCK. FUCK. FUCK. Trust Jade to mess things up.

 

The boys freaked. Katie freaked and I freaked. I jumped up and flicked up the light Katie picked up all of the stuff the boys threw around and I hid their cups.

 

Steve and Martin snuck out of the side door as Jade came in the front. She must have guessed something was up but She didn’t say anything. She just smiled and Katie and I said nothing until Jade was in the toilet and then we both burst out in fits of giggles.  Amy couldn’t believe her eyes. She would have read the entry again if She could cope with the mental it evoked. Her and Steve… YUCK.

 

 

She was still trying to get the terrible taste out of her mouth when her mother knocked on her door. “Time to get ready honey.”

 

Amy got up and opened her door. “I’ll pay you every cent I own to call this off.”

 

Susan grinned a little. “I’ve seen your bank balance Amy. No go.”

 

“Bugger. All right, here are my rules. No cake, no singing and we get the hell out of the restaurant as soon as we’ve had dessert.”

 

Susan shook her head. “Here are mine. We have cake, singing and we stay until your Grandmother gets tired.”

 

“And if I don’t?” Amy challenged.

 

“Do you remember that catholic girl’s school I mentioned to Jade on the day of your accident?”

 

“All right. You drive a hard bargain. But I am not going to wear high heels.”

 

“Yes you are,” Susan chuckled as She walked off down the hall.

 

Amy contemplated throwing a real tantrum but decided it would be easier to just go with the flow. She headed for the shower, the only luxury of which was She could still stand to pee. She shaved her legs and under arms and then put on a robe and went back into her room. She already knew what dress She would be wearing so She picked out some black panties and a matching bra. No matter how many times She stood in front of the mirror the sight of the cute girl with the wet tresses was always a shock to see looking back. Carefully drying and combing her hair Amy simultaneously picked out some jewelry, a pair of gold hoop earrings, a ring, a nice gold bracelet and a gold necklace with her zodiac sign, Aquarius, on a small ingot. When her hair was dry She took off the robe and pulled on the black lacy panties and bra.  She didn’t like to admit it but one of the only pluses to her gender change was the feel of her panties, the bras She could do without. She reached for a new pair of pantyhose and sat down at her mirror. Gathering one of the legs of them up in her hands She slid her smooth right leg into it, making sure the seam at the toes was in the correct place. She repeated it for the other leg and then stood to pull them up around her waist until they fit snugly to her flat crotch and round behind. Next came the dress. Black with cap sleeves and a square neck line it was simple but elegant and with the jewelry, make up and her hair styled Amy had little doubt She would look more like seventeen than her fifteen years. Using the trick of doing the zipper up most of the way before She put the dress on She easily reached up and pulled her hair out of the way and the zip up all the way to the top. She thought for awhile about what to do with her hair. Maybe up? No, on second thoughts She decided on something a little simpler. She had to have two goes at it after her first attempt at loose a loose plait was a little bit off to the left. On her second try the plait ran straight down her neck and She moved on to the make up. Following Jade’s instructions about less being more She simply applied some eye liner, some mascara, a little blush on her cheeks and a nice shade of red lip stick and put on her jewelry.

 

Finally Amy pulled on a pair of high-heeled shoes. She had been practising walking in heels for an hour a so a night after word and now She was pretty good at it but even a short amount of time caused quite a bit of pain. One last look in the mirror and She picked up a handbag and headed out.

 

 

 

 

The small Italian restaurant had been one of Stuart’s favourites so Amy wasn’t surprised when Jade steered the car into the car park. Getting out of the car She had a bit of an unsteady gait as She tried to negotiate the pock marked bitumen in heels. “How the hell do women walk in these all of the time?” Amy asked herself. Her feet were already hurting, the bra was digging into her shoulders, the pantyhose were hot and She could feel them some how manage to ride up her butt and sag at the same time.

 

“You ready?” Susan asked.

 

“Nope.” Amy quickly replied.

 

“Too bad.”

 

Amy followed her mother, sister and the waiter Dominic over to a large table. Counting the number of settings Amy tried to work out whom to expect. Twelve places were set so She ticked off the usual suspects. Her mum, Jade and herself. Grandma Nelson, Uncle Dean, Auntie Di and their two kids, Kym and Shayne. Add her Dad’s sister, Auntie Pam and her two, Robbie and Johanna. Who the hell was number twelve? Amy was still contemplating that when She realised her mother was coughing, trying to get her attention. Dominic was holding a chair out, She smiled self-consciously at him and, smoothing her dress under her as her mother had taught her She sat.

 

In next to no time relatives started arriving, all smiles, kisses and presents. Then, just when Amy was beginning to relax and enjoy herself She felt hands on her shoulder and a kiss on her cheek. “Hi ya Princess,” A familiar voice said from behind her. “I couldn’t miss my little girl’s fourteenth birthday.”

 

‘She’s fifteen Jim.” Susan said as he gave her a quick unconvincing peck on the cheek. With a more meaningful one for Jade.

 

Amy’s dad sat at the table with that dopey grin on his face. Amy headed for the toilet.

 

“I didn’t know honey,” Susan told her as She joined her daughter in the ladies room.

 

Stuart and his father never really got on. They were too much a like not too fight when Jim Denton was a member of the family and the relationship went down hill after the divorce when Jim moved to Perth and eventually married and had a new family.

 

“How could you not know?” Amy asked as She looked at the alien reflection in the mirror.

 

“For any number of reasons. He might have heard from Pam, or maybe Amy asked him before Stuart took over.” Susan paused and put her hand on the girl’s shoulder. “Believe me, I didn’t tell him.”

 

“Now what the hell I am supposed to do?” Amy asked. “I can’t go out there and play Daddy’s girl. No way.”

 

“Just be polite. Is that too much to ask?”

 

“God, I am so nervous now I have to pee. Now I have to pull all of this down and then rearrange it when I am done.”

 

“Well,” Susan started. “One more trick of the trade. Do you want to know how to tell if you accidentally tuck your dress into your pantyhose?”

 

“Not really,” Amy sighed truthfully. “But I guess it might come in handy.”

 

“Everyone will be staring at you when you come out of the ladies room.

 

 

The meal was great even though Amy couldn’t eat a quarter of what Stuart used to put away.  She did have to mind her Ps and Qs a little when it came to the family. For reasons beyond her understanding the gender change had totally messed up her role and position within the family. Stuart was second eldest of all the male cousins, only Kym was older than he was, and the four boys were pretty close. Johanna was always left out because She was only twelve so Jade was too old to pay much attention to her. Now Amy found Kym, Shayne and Robbie basically ignored her. Even when She tried to talk about cricket, voicing exactly the same sentiments Stuart had at Christmas time, they told her She didn’t know what She was talking about and to leave sport to the guys where it belonged. Johanna on the other hand sat right next to Amy and talked away like they were best friends. After a few dirty looks from her mother Amy started to be nice to Johanna in return. It was her father who caused most of the nights aggravation. It was as if all of the fights Stuart had with his dad never occurred because Jim Denton acted the doting father and was quite bemused when Amy didn’t act the loving daughter. She was even more hurt when She found out her father was in Adelaide on business. Amy knew her dad enough to realise that if he wasn’t there on business he probably wouldn’t have even sent a card.

 

The other big let down of the night was the presents Amy received. They were all either clothes, make-up or jewelry. Jim Denton had actually paid quite a bit of money for a gold heart shaped locket, which he insisted, on placing around Amy’s slim neck. Susan made some snide comment about him being able to afford it when he was so far behind in his child support payments. Jade, as ever the peacekeeper, jumped in to stop a fight. The locket was ok but Amy wasn’t all that impressed. Jim noted his daughter didn’t even open it up.

 

Finally, after what felt like 10 hours, Amy’s grandmother announced She was tired, which was always a cue to wrap things up. Amy had to kiss her uncle Dean and her father again before She was able to head home. Her mother and father had a small argument in the car park and her dad just smiled an apologetic little smile at the girls, kissed them both again, and wished Amy a happy fourteenth.

 

“I’m fifteen dad,” Amy said.

 

“Whatever. I love you princess.”

 

Amy knew he wanted her to say it too but She couldn’t bring herself to say it. The divorce had hurt her a lot more than it had hurt Jade and She felt abandoned by him. “I know you do,” was all She could manage to say.

 

Jim shrugged; looking a little hurt, and left heading back to Perth.

 

 

 

 

“You were a little mean to Dad.” Jade said as both girls kicked off their high heels and sat on the sofa.

 

“No I wasn’t. I just couldn’t play daddy’s little girl. That’s more your area of expertise.”

 

“You still don’t like it that I always got on better with him than you did.”

 

“The guy’s an arsehole Jade. At the first sign of trouble he nicked off and left mum to do all of the work.”

 

Jade shook her head, her hair bouncing and shifting. “You didn’t see it like I did. Dad has his faults but so does mum. I love her but She would have been hard for him to live with. They were both so different and mum fell into the same trap a lot of women do.”

 

“Oh please enlighten me with your boundless wisdom.” Amy said sarcastically.

 

‘She married him thinking She could change him. Mum was always much more serious about work and money than Dad was. She was as much to blame for the divorce Amy.”

 

“That’s not how I remember it.”

 

“Your sister is right Amy.” Susan said as She entered the room and sat between her daughters. “I loved your dad. I still do. We just came to a point where we enjoyed hurting each other and when we did that we hurt the two of you. You have been blaming him when it was as much a joint effort as the marriage was.”

 

“I’m going to bed.” Amy announced, bringing the discussion to an end.

 

 

 

 

Stuart went on stage first, followed by his mates. All of them stood there, transfixed on the forty thousand people who had come to see them play. Their debut CD has already gone platinum and Stuart was feeling very comfortable with his rock and roll lifestyle, not to mention the groupies.

 

He couldn’t see the audience because of the lights but the applause was like rolling thunder. Forty thousand people all cheering and clapping for him and his friends. Quickly glancing at his friends he reached for the microphone, plugged his guitar into the amp and launched into the worldwide smash hit single.

 

All of a sudden, just as he started singing he heard some one’s pager go off. It got louder and louder until Stuart stopped the song and started looking for the source of the noise. Eventually, off stage he found his clock radio beeping away.

 

Amy woke to the incessant beeping of her alarm and sighed. She always dreamed She was still Stuart which made it doubly hard when She woke and found herself under a floral bed spread in her feminine room. She swung her legs over the side of the bed and pulled the nightie down her body from where it had ridden up during the night. Padding gently to the bathroom She pulled down her panties, pulled her nightie back up and sat. Of everything different in her life now, sitting to pee was the one thing Amy couldn’t get used to. She could ignore the clothes for the most part and even the sway of her boobs wasn’t too bad but whenever She needed to pee She was faced with the incontrovertible fact that She was now a female. She wiped herself and then pulled her panties back up.  Jade was sitting at the kitchen table when Amy entered.

 

“Morning,” Jade said sounding like She was developing a bad cold. “I feel like shit.”

 

“I need a few more hours sleep until I am good enough to feel like shit,” Amy shot back.

 

“Worried about today?”

 

“Only a little bit.” Amy lied. “Well a lot actually.”

 

‘school will be okay Stu. Just hang around with Katie and her crowd. I’ll be around  if you need me. Just try not to draw attention to yourself.” Jade tried to smile a little but sneezed instead. “I’m going to have a shower. : I’ll call you when I am done.”

 

“Great.” Amy groaned.

 

Susan rushed into  the kitchen still putting her earrings in. “Morning love.”

 

“Morning mum.” Amy said trying to imitate Jade’s cold. “I feel awful.”

 

“Really?” She walked over to the girl and put her hand on her forehead. “You feel a bit warm.”

 

“I do? Ah… I mean, yeah, I am really hot.”

 

“Gee. Maybe you should take the day off.” Susan frowned.

 

“Yeah?”

 

“In your dreams Amy. Eat your muesli then have a shower and get your self off to school.”

 

“I hate you.”

 

She showered quickly and then pulled on a pair of panties and a bra. “I guess I better get this over with.” She said to herself. Reaching into her wardrobe She grabbed the blue plaid cotton school dress. It was short, falling only half way down her thighs and Amy made a mental note to make sure She always crossed her legs. She’d spent too many days as Stuart looking at girl’s panties in classrooms so She was determined not to give any boy the same cheap thrill. She brushed her hair and  then put on a blue hair band, picked up her school bag and headed for school.

 

 

Walking in to school in a school dress was probably the strangest experience Amy had had so far as a girl. No matter what She wanted there was no hiding now. She was just like all of the other girl’s in school and She had to act the part.

 

“Hey Amy,” She heard a voice call in greeting. Turning She saw it was Steve Ellis and before She knew it he had his arms around her slim waist and had lifted her clear off the ground. “Looking good sweet thing.”

 

Amy didn’t like to admit it but She was scared. If the sight of all of the guys She used to hang around with wasn’t enough to demonstrate her new size, or lack there of, then the way Steve had lifted her like She was a rag doll amply showed how weak She now was.

 

“Put me down you fucking jerk.” She squealed pounding him with lots of punches that did absolutely nothing to hurt him.

 

“Calm down Amy, I was just having some fun.” Steve protested as he put her gently back on feet.

 

“Fun? God, if That’s your idea of fun you must find pubic lice hilarious.” She regretted saying it as soon as it came out of her mouth. Steve’s eye sight shifted from her face to her groin. “Oh just grow up.” She shouted and stormed off.

 

She was still steaming so much She didn’t even think where She was going. She almost forgot who She was when She saw her old friends. Noah Lane, Jordan Davis and Joel Warren  just looked up and said. “Hey Amy.”

 

It was the first time She’s seen them since her transformation. Lano, Davey and Rabbit were normally Stuart’s partners in crime but now She was just another girl in school and all of their shared history never happened. She responded with a weak, "Hey,” and walked on feeling a huge sense of loss.

 

She met up with Katie and some girl’s She had barely known as Stuart. All of them acted like they were her best friends so She just tried to relax and go with the flow. It wasn’t too hard because everyone was talking about what they’d done on the summer break. “What about you Amy? Do anything special?” A girl called Rachel asked.

 

“Not really.” She said smiling. “Just got turned into a girl,” She thought to herself. “Happens everyday.”

 

 

 

 

Amy was surprised at the reception She got from teachers. Normally, when they saw Stuart they groaned at least. “Not you again Mr. Denton? I hope you intend to pull your socks up this year. "Now they seemed genuinely pleased to see her. “Hi Amy, welcome back.” Was this girl She had become a teacher’s pet?

 

It was her third lesson of the day that She had a new Teacher. He was old, in his early forties at least and he looked pretty square, all suit and tie.. On the blackboard behind him was written “Mr. Fisher.”

 

Amy took a seat next to Katie and waited for the noise to quiet down and the lesson to start. That’s when She saw him. He wore ripped jeans rather than the regulation grey trousers, his shirt wasn’t tucked in and he had a pair of Ray-ban sunglasses on.

 

Fisher noticed him too. “You,” he said to the new kid. “Where’s your tie boy?”

 

The kid just grinned and pointed to his right thigh  where his school tie was.

 

“The rules state you must wear a tie. Consider yourself lucky I am only giving you one detention.”

 

The boy shrugged. “I think you’ll find that the rules say I have to wear it but it doesn’t say where It’s meant to be worn.”

 

“Where on earth do you think a tie is meant to go son? The neck, That’s where.”

 

“sorry sir but I have doctor’s advice stating that wearing a tie around the neck can limit blood and oxygen to the brain leaving the wearer with limited mental capabilities.”

 

Fisher shook his head. “I’ve worn a tie every working day for the past twenty  years.”

 

“I rest my case.”

 

“Think You’re smart do you?” The teacher asked getting more flabbergasted by the second.

 

“That’s what I am in school to find out sir.”

 

“Do you have a name?”

 

“Yes sir, but thanks for asking.”

 

“What is it?” Fisher shouted.

 

“Danny.”

 

“Danny?  Well Danny, after wasting five minutes of my time I think I deserve a last name.”

 

“You have one sir. It’s Fisher. At least That’s what’s written on the black board.”

 

By now it was pretty obvious that Fisher was losing control of the classroom. At first just a few titters broke out but by now there was plain old laughter. “Your last name boy, not mine. I already know mine.”

 

“Yeah? Then why do you need to write it on the black board?”

 

“WHAT IS YOUR LAST NAME?” The teacher shouted.

 

"Simpson, Danny Simpson but most people call me Simmo.”

 

“Right, That’s two detentions  for insubordination Mr. Simpson”

 

“Call me Simmo, were old friends now,” Danny grinned as he pulled out a Palm computer. “As for detention, I can fit you in Thursday and Friday next week. I’m booked solid before then.”

 

“I think you should go to the principals office.”

 

“No need, I’ve already been. But thanks for the offer.”

 

Fisher looked like his head was about to explode. “Go and then maybe I can get on with my lesson?”

 

“Hey, don’t let me stop you.”

 

“Get out of this room now Simpson and take off the sunglasses. There’s no sun in this room.” Simmo did as requested and Amy saw the most amazing blue eyes She’d ever seen.

 

“All right but you won’t be popular with him, He’s already said that if he sees me again today there will be hell to pay.

 

“I’m sure I’ll live,” Fisher said dryly. “Now the rest of you have a copy of William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet on you desks. We’ll be studying that for the first part of this term.”

 

Amy was still transfixed by the blue eyes when he walked past her on the way to the principal’s office because he grinned at her. “Don’t work to hard babe.” He said winking.

 

 

 

 

“Hi sweetie,” Susan said when Amy entered the house.

 

“Mum. I thought you’d be at work.”

 

“No. Most of what I needed to do can be done here and then e-mailed into the office. I just had to go in this morning for some meetings on the China deal. How was your first day of school?”

 

“so so.” She answered. “Is Jade back yet?”

 

“Not yet honey. I think She was going to Alicia’s house.”

 

“Okay, can you tell her I need to talk to her when She gets in please?”

 

“Will do. Anything wrong?” Susan asked.

 

“No, I  just need to ask her advice on something. I’m going to get out of this stupid school dress.”

 

“Okay, just do me a favour and hang it up. Don’t just throw it on the floor. I’m going to be too busy tomorrow morning to iron anything.”

 

 

 

 

Amy was watching TV in her room when Jade stuck her head around the corner an hour or so later. “You wanted to pick my brains little sister?”

 

“That’d be a quick job,” Amy said. “Close the door.”

 

“Oh, this sounds serious.” Jade shut the door and sat on the bed beside Amy. “What’s up?”

 

Amy looked at her feet and said, “listen, I am asking you something in confidence here and if you so much as even laugh I’ll tell everyone at school you still wet the bed.”

 

“Yep,” Jade grinned. “This is serious all right. Fire away.”

 

“Ah… I kind of… I sort of…”

 

“Do you want me to leave the room so you feel more comfortable talking?”

 

“There’s this boy.”

 

“Actually there are a lot of boys Amy.”

 

“Yeah, but there’s this one in particular. Simmo.”

 

“Is this the kid that stuffed around that new Maths teacher?”

 

“Ah ha.” Amy said.

 

“I’ve heard He’s cute.” Finally a light bulb went off over Jade’s head. “Don’t tell me you like him?”

 

Amy shifted uncomfortably on the bed. “I… He’s… I think He’s cute. I’m a sicko right?”

 

Jade though about it for a second. “I don’t think so.” She said. “Look, we had to watch this documentary in Social Studies last year. It was all about the different genders and why there seem to be differences between guys and girls.”

 

“I’ve kind of worked that out in the past few weeks.” Amy said pushing her breast.

 

“I’m talking about mental differences. Like how guys seem better at reading maps and working out where they are and women are better at communicating.”

 

“Yeah, and?”

 

“Well scientists say It’s got a lot to do with the hormones you get while still in the womb. Your whole brain is wired either male or female when the foetus is only about eight weeks old. That’s why you get transsexuals. Something goes a little haywire before they’re born so they end up with a male body but a female mind or vice versa. They also now believe that the same hormone cocktail has a lot to do with sexuality and sexual preferences.”

 

“And this helps me how?” Amy asked.

 

“Well, apart from you, me and mum everyone thinks you’ve always been female right?”

 

“Ah ha.”

 

“Well then,” Jade said rolling her eyes. “Doesn’t that mean that the body You’re now in was always female? If That’s the case It’s only natural you are starting to see guys the way most girls do.”

 

“You think?” Amy said.

 

‘sure. It’s not something you can control.”

 

“I guess not but I still feel guilty.”

 

“Amy, Amy, Amy. There’s nothing to feel guilty about. Is this guy cute?”

 

“He has the most amazing blue eyes and his smile would put Tom Cruise’s smile to shame. I kept looking at him all day and I just… I don’t know. He talked to me at lunch time but I got all tongue tied and giggly.”

 

“Well, You’re a girl. He’s a guy. Nothing unnatural about it.”

 

“I guess not. I just hate feeling like this.”

 

“Amy my dear, welcome to the wonderful world of being a girl.”

 

 

 

 

Amy was lying on her stomach on the bed trying to get used to the new feeling. It wasn’t uncomfortable but it sure was different. Until the moment She first lay on her stomach She didn’t think much about the feelings the same position gave her as Stuart but now She was acutely aware of her new groin area and of course her boobs, which were pushing into the bed.

 

She was bored. Sure She had homework to do but why change the habit of a lifetime? Stuart always put it off as long as humanly possible, justifying it by saying he worked better under stress. Instead She was half watching TV and half flicking through the diary. Most of it was pretty boring stuff from what She could see. A lot about make up and clothes. She was skimming through trying to find any juicy bits when She noticed red stars on some of the diary entries. The last of which were for four consecutive days, around two weeks before Stuart became Amy. She found some more a month or so before that and then another month before that None of it made any sense to her until She counted back from when her period started. Twenty-eight days. As much as it disgusted her She knew it would also help to have her menstrual cycle for the past two years. At least now, if She was sill a girl, She would know when to expect  that little visitor. She was putting a star on the date She had her last period when some one knocked on the door.

 

“Yo?” She said sticking the diary  under her pillow.

 

“It’s Katie. Can I come in?”

 

Amy got up and unlocked the door. ‘sure you can. Come in and park your butt.”

 

Katie smoothed her skirt and sat, demurely crossing her legs, a position Amy still wasn’t overly comfortable with. “You busy?”

 

“Me? Well I’d be lying if I said I was.” Amy smiled. “Just trying to come up with reasons not to do my English homework.”

 

Katie smiled weakly at her best friend, waiting for her to notice She was upset. For some reason Amy had been a little distant  for the past few weeks. She didn’t talk half as much as She used to and She never hugged any of her friends, it was always them hugging her. And it was kind of strange that She stopped doing ballet after seven years of it. Worst of all She wasn’t as tuned in as She used to be. Amy of a few weeks ago would have known She was upset in a second. Now She was totally  oblivious. It reminded Katie of some one else but for the life of her She couldn’t work out whom.

 

“so, what’s up?” Amy asked concentrating more on the  TV than her friend.

 

“Not much,” Katie sighed.

 

“Cool. You want to do something?”

 

“What?”

 

“I don’t know.” Amy shrugged. “Anything I guess.”

 

“We could listen to some music I suppose,” Katie replied sadly.

 

Amy got up from the bed and went over to her CD collection. This was a huge  let down now. When She was a guy She had a great CD collection  and loved to listen to some of the heavier bands. She had heaps of AC/DC, Cold Chisel, Nine-inch nails, some Linkin park. Marilyn Manson  and  Silver chair. Now it was all back street boys, N’synch, Britney Spears and other bubble gum pop.

 

“Uh, lets pass on that.”

 

“Okay, do you want me to paint your nails?”

 

Amy quickly put on some N’synch, anything to get out of a make over session.

 

Katie couldn’t stand it any more. "Steve and I had a massive argument,” She blurted as She started crying.

 

Thankfully Amy turned off the CD and then sat back down next to Katie. She hesitated before She put her hand on Katie’s shoulder. “Let me guess, You’re still bugging him to join  the human race and he can’t pass the physical.” She mumbled

 

“This is serious,” Katie bawled. “We’re over, through, finished.” She threw her arm around Amy and then leaned over so her head rested on Amy’s breast. “Men are arseholes.” She cried.

 

Amy tried to ignore the feeling of a head pushing into her boob but it hurt a little and felt extremely strange. “What happened?”

 

“He called me fat.”

 

“Oh god, why me?” Amy thought. She said, “yeah, you and Kate Moss. Both of you are world famous bubble butts?”

 

“Really?” Katie asked.

 

“No silly. You’re as skinny as a rake.”

 

"Steve doesn’t think so.”

 

“Well Steve is a moron. Did he actually say you were fat?”

 

Katie sat up and sniffed. “As good as.”

 

Amy was already sick of the round about way this was all  coming out. “What exactly did he say?”

 

“Well, I made a comment that my jeans were tight and how I must be getting fat.” Katie said as She wiped her nose.

 

“And he agreed?” Amy asked.

 

“Well no. But he didn’t disagree  either. He just went on watching the cricket.”

 

Ah, now it all makes sense. “The jerk,” She said, even though She would have done exactly the same when he was Stuart.

 

“What am I going to do now Amy? I love him.”

 

“I know you do. He’ll come back, begging on his knees  to get you back then you can make him pay.”

 

“True,” Katie grinned and Amy saw the light at the end of the tunnel. “But what if he doesn’t?”

 

“Then That’s his loss,” Amy said giving the other girl a hug. “Now, didn’t you want to paint each other’s nails?”“What was wrong with Katie?” Jade asked after the girl had gone home.

 

“How do you know anything was wrong?” Amy challenged.

 

“I saw her giving you a make over.” Jade shrugged. “You wouldn’t  do that even for Katie unless something was up.”

 

Amy nodded. ‘She had a fight with Mr. Australia.”

 

"Steve?”

 

“Ah ha. God knows why She is going out with him.”

 

“You can be thick sometimes Amy, you know that?”

 

Amy just looked at her sister. “Huh?”

 

“When you were Stuart She wasn’t going out with anyone right?” Jade asked hoping She didn’t have to draw a diagram to get Amy to work this out.

 

“Yeah. So?”

 

“so now Stuart isn’t around She’s going out with Steve.”

 

“And?”

 

“Work it out you drop kick.”

 

 Amy looked like a light bulb went off over her head. “Me? Katie had the hots for me? Nah, You’re wrong.”

 

“No I am not.” Jade smiled. “Everyone knew.”

 

“I didn’t

 

“Well everyone with half a brain knew then.”

 

“Fuck me.” Amy exclaimed.

 

‘She might have if you’d played your cards right.” Jade laughed as She walked away.

 

 

Amy woke the next morning and couldn’t work out what was missing. Then it hit her, the house was quiet and that definitely wasn’t right. Normally Jade was rushing around getting ready for school and her mother was trying to do a hundred things at once before heading off to work. Looking at the clock radio Amy let one word out. ‘shit.”

 

She had slept through the alarm or hadn’t set it properly and now She was twenty minutes behind schedule. Then it came to her, Her mother had to go into work early, something about the China deal and Jade wanted to go over to one of her poxy friends for some project they were working on.

 

“Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.” She shouted racing to the toilet. “Where’s my fucking dick when I need it?” She asked as She sat. “Come on. Hurry up. You’re as slow as an old lady.”

 

Finally She heard the tinkle of urine hitting the water in the toilet. After wiping She bolted for the shower. In and out in record time She at first cursed her long wet hair and then swore at the hair drier when it started sparking. She ran to Jade’s room and grabbed her drier. Glancing outside She saw that it was raining and hunted down a raincoat. She threw on a pair of panties and a bra that didn’t match. “It’s not like anyone can see them,” She told her self. Slipping in to her school dress while putting her hair up into a ponytail with a blue scrunchie and then She grabbed her school bag and rain coat and headed out of the house.

 

The rain was pelting down when She got outside and Amy knew She wouldn’t make it to school on time if She walked.  Cursing life in general and Mamma Chow in particular She put the raincoat on and grabbed a light blue girl’s bike from the garage.

 

“Whoa.” Was all She managed to say, as the bike seat massaged her new crotch, not sure yet if She liked the sensation or not. As She pedaled like a lunatic She asked herself one question. “Am I rushing to get to school so I don’t get in the shit with anyone or am I rushing to see a certain boy?”

 

It was still unanswered when She cycled into the bike rack area.

 

 

 

 

“Ah,” Fisher said as Amy walked into his class. “Glad you can join us Miss. Denton.”

 

“Wouldn’t have missed it for the world Sir.” She smiled taking her normal seat next to Katie.

 

“Glad to hear it.” Fisher said turning back  to the black board where ROMEO AND JULIET was written. “Now, for homework I asked you to read  the first twenty pages of this tragic romance. But before you graced up with your presence Miss. Denton, I had some complaints from your friends that they couldn’t understand it. Would you agree?”

 

“Ah… pretty much Mr. Fisher. All that flowery language takes awhile  to work out.”

 

“I see,  well, there is an easy way to rectify this.”

 

“Not read it?”

 

“And how would you learn anything then Miss. Frances? No, I think the easy way to see what’s happening is to see real people perform the play. Miss Denton?”

 

“Yes?” Amy said.

 

“Congratulations, While you weren’t here we all took a vote and you will be our Juliet.”

 

“Fuck that,” Amy thought.

 

Fisher looked at the door when a  noise alerted him to something. “And here’s our Romeo now.”

 

Amy spun around in her chair to see who it was.

 

“Huh?” Danny Simpson asked, all sunglasses and smile.

 

“You will be Romeo to Miss. Denton’s Juliet. We are going to put on a play.”

 

“Which moron came up with that crappy idea?” Simmo asked.

 

Fisher almost smiled but not quite. “Um, that moron would be me.”

 

“I guess I’ll be heading for the principals office.” Simmo sighed.

 

“I guess you will. Send him my best.”

 

 

 

Part 3

Amy hung back after class had finished and slowly approached   the Teacher.

 

 “What can I do for you Miss. Denton?” He asked.

 

 “Um...this play thing.”

 

 "Shakespeare.”

 

 “Yeah. I...ah...I’m not good at that acting thing.”

 

 “Well now is your chance to get good then. I intend for the   class to perform it in front of the school.”

 

 Amy tried another tact. “Is there any way I can get out of   doing this?”

 

 “Well one was to be on time for my class. But I guess there   is one other way?”

 

 “What?” Amy asked hopefully.

 

 “A death certificate Miss. Denton. Namely, yours.”

 

 “Or yours,” Amy thought ruefully.

 

 

 

“Any luck with Fisher?” Katie asked when Amy came out of the   room on their way to Math.

 

 “Nope.”

 

 “Oh well, look on the bright side. Think of all that time   you’ll have to spend with Danny.”  Her friend smiled. “He is   so cute.”

 

 “That’s what I’m afraid of,” Amy mumbled.

 

 

 

 

 That day, after school, Amy pedaled over to Mary Anne’s   Performing Arts Studio. She didn’t want to but if She had   any hope of getting some of the money back She had to attend   at least one afternoon a week.

 

 On top of all of the hassles her gender change had caused   was the fact that She had to try and look comfortable in a   place where She’d never been before. That was especially   true of Mary Anne’s P.A.S. where She was greeted as a long   time member of the family.

 

 Set back from a main road Mary Anne’s studio was actually an   old warehouse that had been converted around ten years ago.   Stuart passed it almost every day but barely gave it a   second glance, unless a pretty girl was exiting.

 

 Now it was going to play a big part in Amy’s life, at least   until She could get her hands on that old Chinese woman.

 

 A woman who She’d never seen before came up and gave her a   hug. “I was sorry to hear you were giving up Ballet honey.   You were damn good at it.”

 

 “I just wanted a change,” Amy said trying to sound   convincing. The fact was She didn’t want to change. Not into   a pink leotard with matching tutu at any rate.

 

 “I guess It’s hard to keep up the practice ballet requires   and your school work as well.”

 

 “And my job.” The girl nodded.

 

 “Okay sweetie. Have you given any thought to what you want   to do here now?”

 

 ‘singing or acting maybe.”

 

 “Okay, I’ll send you over to Louise.”

 

 “Louise?”

 

 “Yes, She’s the drama coach here.”

 

 Amy excused her self to go to the little girl’s room. To her   amazement the toilets were in the changing room and She   found herself in the middle of a gaggle of girls all in   various stages of undressing. She literally didn’t know   where to look. She wanted to look everywhere but knew how   strange it would seem if this girl was perving on all the   rest. Lesbian was not a label She thought suited her.   Heterosexual girl scared her even more.

 

 The lesson wasn’t too bad as lessons go. At least She didn’t   have to write anything down but some of the exercises were   pretty bloody stupid. Pretending to be a tree was a little   painful when She considered the two hundred and fifty   dollars She wouldn’t be able to add to her Hong Kong fund.

 

 She did meet a few more girls, some of whom seemed to know   her and other who were meeting her for the first time. Even   Louise set some homework. She had to pick out a small   passage from a book or play and perform it in front of the   drama class the following week.

 

 

 

 

 When She got home She went straight to her room to change   out of the school dress and most importantly take off her   bra. She had just slipped on some comfortable bike shorts   and a bright yellow sleeveless T-shirt, anything but pink,   when the phone rang.

 

 Knowing the answering machine was on She grabbed a diet   coke, for some reason She now preferred that to normal coke   that Stuart drank by the bucket..

 

 She listened to her mum say, “You’ve reached the Denton’s.   We can’t get to the phone at the moment so please leave your   message after the beep.”

 

 The caller on the other end of the phone had a shocking line   and Amy listened carefully to try and work out what was   being said. About the only words She could make out through   the static was “Rocket.” And “good bye.”  As well as a phone   number She couldn’t work out. Then the line went dead.

 

 “What the fuck was that?” She asked. Shrugging She left it   for her mum to deal with and went to watch some TV.

 

 Jade got home half an hour later. “Hi Amy, any messages?”

 

 “some dopey phone seller trying to off load a toy rocket by   the sounds of it. Why? Are you expecting some one to call?”

 

 “That would be telling. How was your day?”

 

 Amy sighed. “I might as well tell you, You’re going to hear   about it anyway.”

 

 “What?”

 

 “Our English class is going to put on a play. Romeo and   Juliet.”

 

 “so?”

 

 “so guess which part I got lumbered with?”

 

 “You’re kidding?” Jade laughed, “This I have to see.”

 

 “Well it looks like you’ll get your wish. Unless I can get   out of it I am going to have to perform in front of the   whole school.”

 

 “And I thought there was no god,” Jade giggled. “My brother Juliet. Who’s the lucky Romeo?”

 

 "Simmo.” Amy said quietly.

 

 “Oh ah. Mr. Puts Tom Cruise to shame. The plot thickens.”

 

 “You’re lips will thicken if you give me too much shit.”

 

 Jade shrugged. “The bee stung look is in.” She paused for a   moment and looked at her sister. “I saw you at lunch today   hanging out with all of those other girls. You must be   learning heaps about the fairer sex.”

 

 Amy grabbed her boobs. “There’s nothing fair about this   body. In fact It’s plain sodding unfair. To answer your question, no. I haven’t learnt much at all about girls.”

 

 “Nothing?” Jade asked incredulously.

 

 “Not really. Sure I can fix my hair and do my make up but   when it comes down to it I am jus t acting a part.” Amy   replied. “My drama coach…”

 

 “You have a drama coach?” Jade interrupted.

 

 “I do now. Anyway, my drama coach would say I was just   speaking the lines and I don’t really understand my   character.”

 

 Jade thought about it for a second or two. “Maybe You’re   looking at things the wrong way.”

 

 “Oh god. This’ll be good.”

 

 “Look Amy, the way I see it you have a fifty-fifty chance of   getting turned back into Stuart right? I mean even if you go   to Hong Kong and find Mamma Chow She might not help you.   True?”

 

 “I guess so,” Amy grudgingly agreed.

 

 “so, either You’re stuck that way for good and you’ll just   have to get used to it, or you get turned back to normal.”

 

 “I kind of worked that one out for myself Jade.” Amy said.   “But thanks for the insight.”

 

 “Do you want to hear this or not?”

 

 “You mean I get a choice?”

 

 “Well no.” Jade admitted. “Listen, the girls your hanging   out with don’t see you as Stuart. To them you’ve always been   Amy. I’ve seen the photo’s and some of them were at your   fifth birthday party, when were you all dressed as fairies.   You don’t have to act with them so they’ll see you as   female.”

 

 “True I suppose,” Amy mused. “But I need to keep on my toes   so I don’t slip up with basic stuff I should remember but   don’t”

 

 “I just hope that if you do go back to being Stuart you at   least understand girls a little bit. Not just understand   what It’s like to wear a dress or do your hair, but really   understand girls.”

 

 “And how the hell am I meant to do that?”

 

 “Well for a start you spend all of your time thinking about   the differences between your old life and now, between boys   and girls. Maybe you should try looking for the   similarities.”

 

 “Oh, I get it.” Amy said. “You mean that all Hitler had to   do was say to Churchill, "Winston, I will admit we have our   differences. I want to take over the world; you want to   defend freedom and liberty. But we have much more in common.   Both of our peoples come from the same basic stock. We both   like beer and sausages. Let’s forget about this silly war   and we can go back to hating the French like normal." Yeah,   that makes perfect sense.”

 

 Jade got up from where She was sitting. “I can’t talk to you   when You’re in one of these moods. Just promise me you’ll   think about it?”

 

 “If it’ll get rid of you I’ll promise to jump over the   moon.”

 

 Jade rolled her eyes and headed out of the room. She stopped   just before the door. “By the way,” She said turning to face   Amy. “Did you hear the school’s putting on a formal?”

 

 “A formal dance?”

 

 “No, a formal apology you Nigel. Of course a formal dance.”

 

 “When?”

 

 “In about six weeks. I am still deciding which boy I’ll go   with.”

 

 Amy shrugged. “Is that your only problem? I can help you out   there.”

 

 “You can?”

 

 “Yep. Always pick the guy with the guide dog.” Amy laughed

 

 

 

 

 “I’m going out mum,” Amy said just on dusk.

 

 “Out? Where?”

 

 “I just have to run to the Mall, I need some more pantyhose   because the pair I wore the other day has a ladder in them   so long you could use it to climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge.   Sam goes off his face if we don’t wear them, sexist prick   that he is.”

 

 Susan just raised her eyebrows letting Amy know She wasn’t   happy with the language. Mothers must go to some sort of   school to learn how to do that, Amy thought.

 

 “Well have you asked Jade if She has a new pair to spare for   you?” Susan asked.

 

 “Yes and She hasn’t. What’s the big deal mum? The Mall is a   ten-minute walk away. I can be there and back in half an   hour.”

 

 “The big deal is, It’s getting dark.” Susan said.

 

 “so? It’s never bothered you before if I go out after dark,”

 

 “Have you had a look at yourself recently Stuart? You are a   young pretty girl. You’re what? Five foot three inches? You   weigh almost nothing and you have lost a huge amount of body   strength.”

 

 “I’ll be ok mum,” Amy said trying to placate her. “What’s   the worst that can happen?” She regretted asking is as soon   as the question passed her lips.

 

 “Oh I don’t know,” Susan began. “You could be murdered,   raped, and assaulted abducted and sold into white slavery.   God knows why, its not like you do any work around here.”

 

 “I don’t think That’s the point of white slavery mum.”

 

 “Don’t argue with me Amy. I’ll drive you to the mall.”

 

 “Mum, It’s a madhouse up there when it comes to parking.   It’ll take you half an hour just to park. I can be there and   back in that time. You’re never this protective of Jade.”

 

 “There are three very good reasons for that. She’s older,   She has a car and She’s been a girl her whole life so She   can read the warning signs.” Susan said, nailing each point   home by holding up a finger.

 

 “I promise to walk on the main roads and not take a side   street. It’s not that late anyway.”

 

 “All right, but take my mobile phone with you.”

 

 “Now that I can do.”

 

 

 

 

 Amy walked along the road feeling a little paranoid. She   jumped at every little sound. She heard footsteps behind her   and her heart raced but it was only a young couple out for a   stroll. The main street was well lit but there were dark   patches where the light didn’t reach and it was in these   dark spots where Amy’s imagination ran wild.

 

 She was happy when She saw the brightly lit mall ahead and   felt relieved to get inside where it was as bright as day.   She paid a quick visit to the Copper Pot and said hello to   some of her colleagues then headed for the department store   where She purchased 5 new pairs of black pantyhose.

 

 When She got out of the mall it was pitch black and the   Stuart half was ragging on the Amy half for being scared but   it didn’t stop her. She had just set off across the large   car park when a car pulled up beside her. At first She   didn’t look at it, half expecting it to be a homicidal   maniac or at best some randy guys who wanted to invite her   to perform all sorts of acts.

 

 “Amy?” A familiar female voice said. “Would you like a lift,   love?”

 

 “Oh, hi Mrs. Frances,” Amy said feeling a wave of relief   rush over her. “That’d be great thanks.”

 

 “Hop in. How’s school?”

 

 ‘school’s school.” Amy shrugged. “You know how it is.”.

 

 “It’s been a long time since I was in high school sweetie,   but yes, I know how it is.”

 

 They drove a little further with Amy trying to think of   something to say. Eventually Mrs. Frances was the one to   break the silence. “What do you think of Steve?”

 

 “Ah… Katie’s Steve? Why?”

 

 “I’m just interested honey. Katie doesn’t talk to me much   these days and I haven’t had a great deal to do with the   boy.”

 

 “He’s ok, I guess.”

 

 “You don’t like him do you Amy?”

 

 “Is it that obvious?” Amy laughed. “No, I don’t like him.”

 

 “I always thought you were a good judge of character.”   Katie’s mother  said as they pulled into her driveway. “Can   you do me a favour?”

 

 “Name it.” The girl nodded.

 

 “Well I don’t think either of us want her to get hurt but if   She does I’m the last person She’ll come crying to. She   knows I’m not keen on him. If the worst happens between her   and Steve just look after her ok?”

 

 ‘sure Mrs. F. what are friends for?”

 

 “Good girl. Thank you.” The woman smiled as if a weight had   been lifted off her shoulders. “Will you be ok to get home   from here?”

 

 “Yes thanks.”

 

 

 

 

 Amy was at her locker the next day at lunch time changing   her books over, when Katie said, “oh my god.”

 

 “What?”

 

 “Don’t look now Aim but He’s coming over here.”

 

 Amy turned and saw Danny Simpson heading straight for them.   “Oh god.” She explained.

 

 “No, but He’s not too far from being one.” Katie smiled. “I   think I need to use the ladies room and leave you two   alone.”

 

 “Katie!” Amy said pleadingly but it was too late. Katie   scuffled off and gave Danny a wink on her way past.

 

 “Hi,” he said.

 

 “Ah… Hi.”

 

 “It looks like Fisher is serious about this play thing.”

 

 “It looks like it.” Amy conceded trying not to blush and   failing.

 

 “Well, the way I see it we have three options. One, we can   put a contract out on him. Two, we can each break the other   person’s legs. Or three, we act better than Laurence Olivier   just to stick it up the old bastard.”

 

 Amy cursed herself for giggling like a schoolgirl but then   thought that was exactly what She was. “Well, I can’t spare   the cash and I kind of like my legs as they are...”

 

 “I like your legs as they are too,” Danny smiled as his eyes   turned down to have a quick look at  them.

 

 Amy couldn’t believe a guy was flirting with her and She   didn’t feel like vomiting. “so that leaves us with a bit of   rehearsing to do I guess.”

 

 “I guess so.” The boy nodded. “Are you free this afternoon?”

 

 “Oh. Sorry. I have to work.”

 

 Danny  thought for a second. “Oh work. That’s where you do   stuff for some one for a certain amount of hours and they   pay you money right?”

 

 “so I’ve been told.” That’s it Amy girl, play it cool.

 

 “Interesting theory but it’s never work in practice.” He   grinned. “Not for me anyway. I find that digging myself into   and out of the shit is a twenty four-hour a day job. How   about the weekend?”

 

 “Um...I have to work Saturday morning but I’m free after   one.”

 

 “Damn, and That’s the time I usually set aside for robbery   and murder.” He laughed. “But for you, I’ll clear my   calendar. Your place or mine?”

 

 Amy instantly thought of the stirring Jade would do if he   turned up at their house. “Yours.”

 

 “Okay.” He took out a pen and some paper from his bag and   wrote down his address. ‘say two o’clock?”

 

 “That should be fine,” Amy shrugged. “I’ll let you know if I   have something else planned.”

 

 “Cool. It’s a date.”

 

 “No,” Amy snapped defensively, “It’s a rehearsal.”

 

 “Ok, It’s a rehearsal then.” Danny smiled. “By the way, we   have a pool and It’s supposed to be hot so bring your   bathers if you want. We can swim.”

 

 Amy was going to say there was no chance of that but Danny   had turned and walked away before She could get her brain   into gear. “Bugger.” Was all She managed to say.

 

 

 

 

 Amy rushed home from work on Saturday and threw on a pair of   jeans and a red sleeveless T-shirt but then made the mistake   of looking in the mirror. “Ugh,” She said on seeing her   appearance. She tried on three other outfits before settling   on a denim skirt and a light blue halter neck. Her Bikini   bottoms were on and She had the top in her handbag, just in   case. She left her hair the way it was but did put on a   little lipstick and some eye shadow, wondering all the while   why She was getting so worked up about it.

 

 “Can you give me a lift please Mum?”

 

 “What happened to little Miss independent? “ Susan asked as   She looked up from the book She had been reading.

 

 “Fine, I’ll ask Jade.”

 

 “No, It’s ok. I’ll take you. Where are you going?”

 

 “I have to go to a friends house to study.” Amy said not   wanting to give her mother a reason to laugh like Jade had.

 

 “You? Studying on a weekend? Ok, now I am getting worried.”

 

 “Come on Mum, don’t bust my balls over this. If you want me   to go back to acting like Stuart I can but I thought you’d   be happy I was taking an interest in my school work.”

 

 “I am sweetie.” Susan said feeling a little chastised. “It’s   just a little surprising. Let me get my keys. Can you lock   the back door for me please?”

 

 

 

 

 Susan pulled up in front of a large and obviously expensive   house that was situated in the part of the suburb called   Mortgage Hill.

 

 “You know some one who lives here?” Susan asked.

 

 “He said he did,” Amy didn’t sound all that sure.

 

 “He? Are you sure You’re just studying?”

 

 “Not you too.” Amy groaned. “It’s an English assignment.”

 

 “Ok sweetie. Give me a call when you need a ride home.” The   mother said giving her daughter a quick peck on the cheek.   “I’ll stay until you get inside.”

 

 Amy slowly got out of the old station wagon and walked up   the steep driveway. She grabbed the brass knocker and banged   twice, ringing a doorbell for good measure.

 

 She was looking back down the drive at her mother when the   door opened and when She turned back She was face to chest   with Danny who wasn’t wearing a T-shirt.

 

 Susan grinned as She saw Amy look anywhere but at the tanned   muscular chest of a rather cute guy.

 

 “Hey,” Danny smiled. “Come on in.”

 

 Amy quickly waved to her mother and couldn’t help but notice   the grin. “Hi Danny,” She said awkwardly. Still avoiding   looking at his chest. It was silly really and Amy couldn’t   understand why the sight of it made her feel uncomfortable.   After all, only 3 weeks ago She looked much the same. Maybe   She didn’t have the six pack that Danny possessed but there   wasn’t much difference.

 

 Entering the huge house She was amazed at the furniture and   knew in an instant that Danny’s parents weren’t short of   money. “Nice place,” was all She said.

 

 “You reckon?” Danny grunted. “Well I guess It’s better than   the last place we lived. Sit down. Do you want a drink?”

 

 “Ah...Coke please. Why? Where did you live before you moved   here?”

 

 “I’ll tell you Amy, there’s nothing more scary  than two   hippies with a bit of money.” Danny laughed from the   kitchen. “Mum and Dad were both activists in Uni in the   early 70’s and  they still hold on to some whacked out   ideas.”

 

 “I don’t understand?”

 

 “Mum’s a Lawyer, Dad’s a doctor, a Surgeon to be exact. Both   of them do a lot of free work. Well, they can afford it.   Anyway, they got sick of the rat race a few years ago and   dad sold everything off to buy a hobby farm. I tried to   point out that since it was the only money we had coming in   it was hardly a hobby but you know parents, they don’t   listen.”

 

 “so what happened?”

 

 “They missed the rat race.” Danny  laughed . “And here we   are.” He came back into the large lounge room, passed her a   drink and then sat on a chair across from her. “You look   nice.”

 

 “Have you got any brothers or sisters?” Amy asked as She   sipped her coke.

 

 “Nah, I was kind of a shock to my parents.” Danny grinned.   “I think mum’s still in shock to tell the truth. What about   you?”

 

 “I’ve got one sister, Jade. She’s a couple of years above us   in our school.”

 

 “And parents? I mean I know you’ve got them. What do they   do?”

 

 “Mum works at an ISP and Dad works at being an arse hole.”   Amy shrugged.

 

 “Oh, he teaches English huh?”

 

 Amy laughed. “No, He’s not that bad. He lives in Perth so we   don’t see him much.”

 

 ‘speaking of arseholes, I have been thinking about this   play. Fisher has already cast the rest of the play hasn’t   he?”

 

 “I think so.” Amy nodded. “Why?”

 

 “Well, get out a pen and a calendar and mark this down. I’ve   had an idea.”

 

 “I bet that hurt Danny.”

 

 “You’re a cruel, cruel woman.” Danny laughed. “I think we   should have a bit of a laugh at Fisher’s expense.”

 

 

 

 

 “Hi Mum,” Jade said.

 

 “Hi Honey.” Susan said giving her a kiss. “Where you been?”

 

 “Over at Jessica’s place. Is Amy here?” Jade asked as She   sat down on the sofa next to her mother who was just    watching a tennis match.

 

 “No, I dropped her off at some boy’s house about two hours   ago. She says She was studying.”

 

 “Ok. Can I talk to you then?”

 

 ‘sure you can Jade. It looks like Agassi has this game   wrapped up anyway. What’s on your mind?”

 

 “You’re not that confident about finding Mamma Chow again   are you?”

 

 Susan looked surprised and then turned the TV off. “What   makes you think that?”

 

 “I’m not stupid mum and neither is Amy. If you were sure   he’d be back to normal in a matter of months, and no one   would ever know the difference, why worry about how She   looks or what She wears? I think you aren’t too sure about   her ever getting back to being Stuart and You’re getting her   used to it so the news won’t hit her as hard.”

 

 The mother sighed and then said nothing for awhile. “I’m not   sure what else I can do Jade.” She finally admitted. “I feel   responsible for her predicament and I know that if She can’t   resume her old life it will hit her hard. But if the worst   happens and She is stuck then at least She will be able to handle  all of the things She needs to as a girl. Until we   know one way or the other I prefer that we looked at the   situation optimistically.” She stared off into space as if   too ashamed to look at her daughter. “My grandmother always   said; expect the worst, hope for the best and take what  You’re bloody well given. What else can I do?”

 

 “I do understand mum. For what It’s worth I think You’re doing the best you can.”

 

 “Then why do I feel so terrible about it?” Susan asked.

 

 

 

 

 Amy was still laughing about Danny’s plan when She got home   and still giggling about it the next day when She went next    door to spend some time with Katie.   She couldn’t help but look at Katie with a slightly   different perspective since Jade told her about  Katie’s   feeling towards Stuart, but She was enjoying the girl’s   company as much as She had as Stuart. It was a different   sort of friendship but no less enjoyable. Since that day   when Katie had the fight with Steve Amy relaxed around girls   and just went with the flow. She knew enough now to hold her   own in any make over session and could speak on most topics   the other girls might bring up. About the only thing She was   a little unhappy about was how quickly Katie and Steve made   up.

 

 She stayed for a traditional Sunday roast and then headed   home around two PM, surprised to see a familiar car parked   in the driveway.

 

 Her mother was in the lounge room with her dad’s sister and   husband.

 

 “Here She is,” Colleen Denton said. “Hi honey.”

 

 “Hi Aunty Colleen.” Amy replied, happily giving her   favourite Aunt a hug. “G'day Uncle Phil.”

 

 “How are you Amy?” The man who now seemed incredibly huge to   Amy smiled. “You’re looking well.”

 

 “I’m pretty good thanks. I just had some roast lamb and I   never get it at home.” She threw a look at her mother who   responded with a “so, sue me" shrug. “What are you two doing   here? Where’s  Lachlan?”

 

 “Phil’s mum is baby-sitting for us. We have some news.”

 

 Amy’s raised her eyebrows. “Oh? Good or bad?”

 

 “Well we’re happy about it.” Phil smiled. “We want to wait   until Jade gets back before we tell you though.”

 

 Jade came home about fifteen minutes later and the whole   hug, hi and how are you routine started again. Then finally   they got to the point. “We’re going to get married.” Colleen   beamed.

 

 “Ah...hello. You two are already married.” Jade said.

 

 “Well technically we are. But we didn’t have a big do. It’s   our tenth anniversary in a little over a month and  your   aunty Colleen and I have been talking about the original big   day and it was pretty small. We didn’t have the money to put   on a fancy show. We want to do it right this time around.”

 

 “That’s right” Colleen smiled and took Phil’s hand. “Church,   white dress...”

 

 “You’d look lovely in that  Uncle Phil.” Amy grinned.

 

 “...Tuxedo, Limos and all the trimmings.” Colleen said   ignoring her niece.

 

 Jade gave them both another hug. “It sounds great. Do we get   an invitation?”

 

 “Well, we were hoping to make it a real family event.   Lachlan will be a groomsman and so will your Dad. We are in   the market for two young beautiful girls to be bridesmaids.”

 

 Amy didn’t like the sound of this.

 

 “I’d love to.” Jade gushed.

 

 “Amy?”

 

 She tried to think of a way, any way, to get out of it   without upsetting her Aunt and Uncle and also incurring the   wrath of her mother. Unfortunately none sprang to mind.

 

 “What the hell.” Amy grinned. “I’m in.” What else could She   do?

 

 

 

 

 Life settled into a routine for the next couple of weeks for   Amy Jo Denton. She had school, work, acting and singing   lessons. She hung out with Katie and numerous other girls   and She spent a lot of time with Danny Simpson rehearsing   Romeo and Juliet and even had a few fittings for her   bridesmaid dress.

 

 It wasn’t like She didn’t enjoy herself. If She stood back   and could look at her life from afar She’d see it wasn’t too   bad at all. But it wasn’t really her life, it was Amy’s and   Amy was in truth Stuart. The only truly bright spot of the   week was payday when She could see her bank balance slowly   creep up. Amy literally counted the day until She could go   Hong Kong. One more hurdle was over come when She applied   for a passport.

 

 Money, passports and Amy’s grumbling about dresses all   looked pretty petty when She slept over at Katie’s house on   Friday night.

 

 Amy woke up early one morning, around six AM. She was on an   inflatable mattress on the floor in Katie’s room and after   remembering where and who She was She looked at Katie’s bed   expecting to see the girl curled up asleep. Instead, there   was an empty bed.

 

 Amy assumed Katie had woken early and had left her to sleep.   She padded quietly to the bathroom to pee but the door was   locked and strange sounds were coming from inside.

 

 “Katie?” She whispered so as not to wake the girl’s parents.   “Is that you?”

 

 “Ah...Hang on.” The girl replied sounding like She had been   crying.

 

 Amy heard some movement and then the door opened an inch or   so. “What’s going on?”

 

 “Come in,” Katie sighed opening the door wider.

 

 Amy entered the bathroom and her nose was immediately   assaulted by the smell of vomit. “Yuck,” She said. “Did you   take something that didn’t agree with you?”

 

 “In a manner of speaking.” Katie said sarcastically and   almost laughed.

 

 “What?”

 

 “More like who.”

 

 This didn’t make any sense to Amy. Here was Katie, obviously   head down in the toilet, bringing up last night’s meal and   She was trying to tell her something. “Was it the pizza?”

 

 “I’m pregnant Amy.” Katie blurted.

 

 Amy sat down on the side of the bath; scared her legs were   going to give underneath her.  She didn’t even know Katie   was having sex. “Are you sure?” She asked, mentally kicking   herself for asking such a stupid question.

 

 “I’ve already missed one period and I’m late for this one.   I’ve been speaking on the porcelain telephone most mornings.   I’m pretty sure.”

 

 “Have you...do you...Is there anyway this can be a false   alarm?”

 

 “I doubt it.”

 

 “Have you been to a doctor? “

 

 “Are you kidding?” Katie spat. “Doctor Hughes will tell my   mum and mum will go nuts.”

 

 “I don’t think they’re allowed to tell anyone Katie.” Amy   said getting her breath back at last. “But if you want to be   sure then there are plenty of other doctors around.”

 

 “They’ll have to tell some one Aim. I’m underage and any   doctor will have to tell the cops. Won’t they? I don’t want   Steve to get into trouble.”

 

 At the mention of his name Amy saw red. “Steve? You don’t   want Steve to get into trouble? Jesus Christ, does Steve   know the trouble your in? Does he even care?” She hissed.

 

 “Amy, please keep it quiet. I don’t want mum waking up.”

 

 ‘She’s not going to be asleep for the next eight months   Katie.”

 

 Katie put the lid of the toilet down and sat on it, looking   directly at Amy. “I haven’t told Steve. I’m not sure if I am going to.” She shrugged.

 

 “You have to.” Amy stated. “You didn’t wave your magic wand   and conjure up a baby all by yourself. Your beautiful   assistant had to help.”

 

 “I love him Amy. You know guys, he could run a mile when he   hears.”

 

 “If he does, is he really worth having?”

 

 The two girls sat in silence in the dawn light that filtered   into the bathroom. Amy broke the silence when She hugged her   friend. “It’s ok honey. I’ll help you through this.”

 

 “Really?”

 

 “Hey, what are friends for? The first thing we need to do is   get you to a doctor. You really should tell your mum.”

 

 “No.” Katie said rejecting the idea outright.

 

 “Ok. We’ll play it your way. I’m always around if you need a   shoulder to cry on. Right now though, I really have to pee   or I will explode.”

 

 

 

 

 Tuesday  afternoon Amy accompanied her friend to a doctor’s   surgery a few suburbs away. Both girls had changed out of   their uniforms in the ladies room at the mall. Katie said   She didn’t want the doctor looking down their nose at the   pregnant schoolgirl. Amy happily  put on Jeans and a top.

 

 They sat in the waiting room, Katie jumping every time some   one walked in, Amy calming her friend down. All the time    Amy held the other girl’s hand to give her strength.

 

 “Katie Frances.” A doctor called. He was in his late   thirties or early forties, dressed casually in jeans and an   opened collar shirt.

 

 Both girls got up and followed him down a hallway to where   his surgery was.

 

 “I’m Katie,” the girl smiled nervously. “This is Amy, my   best friend.”

 

 The doctor sat and looked at the pair. “You haven’t been to   this medical practice before?”

 

 “No.”

 

 “Okay, I just have to ask you a few questions. Medical   history, that sort of thing.”

 

 Katie answered them all as well as She could given her   emotional state.

 

 “Right,” Doctor Bennet smiled. “Now what can I do for you   today?”

 

 “I think I’m pregnant.”

 

 “I see,” He said, his voice taking on a harder edge. “When   was your last period?”

 

 “Two months ago.”

 

 “Well, we’re going to need a urine sample. You’ll find a   toilet at the end of the hall to the left.” He said handing   her a small plastic jar.

 

 Both girls stood up again and returned shortly after with a   warm container full of yellow liquid.

 

 The doctor walked over to a bench with his back to the girls   so Amy couldn’t see exactly what he was doing. After a few   minutes of him fiddling around he went back to his chair.   “Well, you are indeed pregnant Miss. Frances.”

 

“Shit.” Katie said. It was one thing to suspect it but a   totally different thing to have it confirmed by a doctor.   “What do I do now?”

 

 “I would have hoped that way something you would think about   before finding yourself in this predicament, not after.” Amy   could see Katie’s body stiffen up. The Doctor continued,   “apart from pregnancy, girls like you leave yourself wide   open to sexually transmitted diseases. Everything from   herpes to H.I.V. Honestly, one condom could have saved you   all of this and virtually stamped out any risk. If you must   have sex at least be adult enough to do it responsibly.”

 

 Amy looked over at Katie who was almost in tears by now. “It   was just once,” Katie whispered, eyes locked on the floor.

 

 “Well once is all it takes.” Doctor Bennet said. “You know   that now, don’t you?”

 

 Amy had had enough. She raised herself to her full five feet   three inches and let the Doctor have it. “Talk about closing   the stable door after the horse has bolted,” She yelled.   “Katie is not a slut, She’s not a tramp and She’s not   stupid. She simply fell into a trap that women have fallen   into since time began. And It’s not all her fault either. I   bet if a guy came in here and told you he got his girlfriend   pregnant you wouldn’t bat an eyelid. No, go for the easy   target. Well here’s some news for you, you jumped up little   quack, Katie walked in here thinking She couldn’t possibly   feel any worse and thanks to your caring, concerned bedside   manner, some how She does.”

 

 “Amy,” Katie said. “Let it go.”

 

 “What ever happened to the Hippocratic oath?” Amy said   ignoring Katie. “Well you go home and sleep well tonight   because if You’re supposed to make your patients feel three   inches tall you’ve really done your job well Doctor Bennet.”

 

 With that She got up and pulled Katie out of the room. Katie   looked like She was about to cry and Amy felt bad but She   couldn’t sit there and let that miserable jerk talk to her   friend like that. They were outside when Katie began to   laugh.

 

 “What?” Amy asked.

 

 “Do you think we’ll get a Christmas card from him next   year?” Katie responded.

 

 

 

 

 Susan was worried about Amy. She had been spending a lot of   time with Katie recently and the two were very secretive.   Susan had been a mother long enough to know something was   up. She had quizzed Jade on it but that hadn’t revealed any   new information so She let it drop. Until a week later when   She received a call from Amy’s school counsellor.

 

  Amy had no idea when She walked though the door that her   school had called. “Hi mum,” She said a little quietly.

 

 “Hi. How was school?”

 

 “Ok I guess.”

 

 “Do anything interesting?” Susan asked.

 

 “Nope. Just a normal school day.”

 

 “Don’t lie to me Amy. Mrs. Cox rang. You weren’t at school   today and nor was Katie. Where were you?”

 

 “Ah...We went in to town.”

 

 “Oh, you two just decided that there were better things to   do than go to school? You just don’t think some times do   you? This is something I’d expect from Stuart, not you.”

 

 “Reality check Mum. I am Stuart.” Amy shouted back. "Stuart is me. We’re the same person. I think you forget that a lot   of the time.”

 

 Susan followed the girl down the hall and into her room. “so   what did you do today? What was more interesting that   school?”

 

 “A frontal lobotomy would be more interesting than school   Mum.” Amy said. “We just went in to town and...looked around.   I’m very sorry. It won’t happen again. Please, can we drop   this?”

 

 “Drop it? I haven’t even warmed up.” Amy made a huge mistake   by rolling her pretty eyes. “Fine,” Susan said. “You want it   dropped. You’re grounded for two weeks. You will go to   school, work and Mary Anne’s and that is it. Any other time   you will be here. See? That was easy. Consider it dropped.

 

 

 

 

 Jade knocked on Amy’s door later that night. “What gives?”   She asked her little sister.

 

 “The Salvation fucking Army.” Amy spat, not even looking at   Jade.

 

 “Oh aren’t we a barrel of laughs? I mean what happened with   you today?”

 

 “I wagged school, played hooky, went truant.” Amy shrugged.

 

 “I guessed that Amy. What I want to know is why?”

 

 “Well for once something in the world will just have to   happen without Jade Denton knowing the reason.”

 

 “Are you in trouble?” Jade asked softly. “Apart from with   Mum I mean.”

 

 “Nope.”

 

 “Because if you are, you can trust me you know? I know you   don’t like being a girl but one of the good things has been   how much closer we are.”

 

 Amy looked up for the first time. “I know,” She sighed.   “It’s not me with a problem, If it was I’d tell you. I can’t   say any more because Katie has asked me to keep quiet.”

 

 “Are you sure You’re ok?” Jade asked.

 

 “Yeah, I’m fine.” Amy smiled. “Thanks for worrying though   Jade. I really do feel closer to you now.”

 

 “Do you?”

 

 “Yeah, but if they can cure polio I’m sure a vaccine for   what I have will be out soon.”

 

 

 

 

 Amy slid on her school dress the next morning, put her hair   up in a pony tail and walked out of the house with out even   looking at Susan. Parents weren’t the only ones who could   play the silent treatment. Katie was waiting for her at the   bottom of the driveway. “Hi Katie, how are you feeling this   morning?” She asked rubbing the other girl’s arm.

 

 “I am happier about seeing that other doctor yesterday, She   was pretty cool.”

 

 “Yeah, at least She didn’t treat you like a slut. I could   kill Bennet for that.”

 

 “I reckon for a moment there he thought you would kill him.   You’re a great friend Amy.”

 

 “Do you know what You’re going to do?”

 

 “Well, Doctor Tims was right. I guess I should tell Steve   and see what he thinks.”

 

 “Hello. I said that days ago.” Amy said in mock hurt. “Did   you cop much shit from your parents?”

 

 “One month grounded. You?”

 

 “Two weeks,” Amy shrugged. “But then I only have one parents   anger to deal with.”

 

 

 

 

 The girls split up at school. Amy had a history lesson to go   to and Katie took Spanish at that time.

 

 “Hey Amy,” Danny called. “Wait up.”

 

 “Danny. I was hoping I’d see you. I can’t come  over to your   house after school.”

 

 ‘shit,” the boy said. “We still need to rehearse.”

 

 “Well we’re rehearsing with the rest of the class at lunch.   I guess that will have to do.”

 

 “You working again?” He asked as they walked to class.

 

 “Nah, I got grounded for ditching school yesterday.”

 

 “Bummer. Do you think your mum will mind if I come over to   your place?”

 

 Amy found herself wanting to tell Danny that her mother   would kick him out but She couldn’t. Why should She? She   enjoyed the guy’s company and where was the harm in that?   “We are doing something for school so She can’t really   complain.”

 

 “Cool. I’ve got to go or I will cop another detention for   being late. I’ll see you later to get the address.” Danny   threw her that killer smile and took off running.

 

 

 

 

 “Have you seen him yet?” Amy asked Katie in whispered tones,   when the two met up for maths.

 

 “Not yet.” Katie frowned. “I think He’s avoiding me.”

 

 Probably, Amy thought, the guys a dick head. “No way, he   loves you.” She told her friend. “He’s probably just hanging   with his buddies.”

 

 “Amy,” A voice boomed across the room. “This is a maths class, not a gossip session. Perhaps you’d like to share   what you were saying with the whole class?” Mr. Davidson   said.

 

 “Ah, I’d rather not Sir. It’s rather personal.”

 

 “Listen up everyone. Miss. Denton is about to reveal some   personal information. Go ahead.”

 

 Amy shrugged and looked at Katie who just buried her head in   a book. “I was just...”

 

 ‘stand up please,” Davidson demanded. “I’m sure the people   in the back row want to hear it.”

 

 Amy stood. “I was just asking Katie if some one should tell   you that your zipper is down Sir.” She said. “I guess It’s a   moot point now though.” She sat to laughter from her fellow   students.

 

 “Erm...Turn to page 238 of your text books please class.”   Davidson grumbled as he turned and pulled it back up.

 

 

 

 

 Amy had just enough time after rehearsal to rush to the   toilet. She chose her stall, entered, pulled her dress up   and her panties down and sat when She heard some one crying.   It was strange, ever since She had been a girl She found it   hard to pee when She knew others were listening. She sat   there for a few minutes but nothing would come out. “Will   you just piss off,” She said to the phantom crier. But the   tears kept coming and the urine didn’t.

 

 Eventually Amy gave up. “Are your all right in there?” She   asked as She knocked on the door of the only occupied stall.

 

 “Amy?” The door opened and Katie was sitting on the toilet   lid with tears streaming down her face.

 

 “Either you told Steve and it didn’t go well or you ate   something from the cafeteria.” Amy said. She had noticed   Katie hadn’t turned up for rehearsals but thought that   because She was only in charge of stage decoration She    wasn’t needed there.

 

 “Men are arse holes.” Katie cried.

 

 “Not all of them.” Amy wanted to say all of us but caught   herself in time. “But I take it Steve wasn’t happy at the   prospect of becoming a dad?”

 

 “He told me that it was my problem.”

 

 Amy put her arm around her friend. “Prick,” was all She   said.

 

 “How could I be so stupid? Why didn’t I see him for what he   really is?”

 

 “Well they say love is blind.”

 

 “Yeah but It’s not supposed to be retarded Amy. Do you know   how it happened?”

 

 “How you got pregnant?  I have a fair idea.”

 

 “No, I mean how we ended up doing it?”

 

 “Tell me.”

 

 “His parents were out one night and we had a few drinks from   the booze cabinet. I was drunk before I even knew it. God,   it wasn’t even fun. Wham bam thank you ma'am. I was left   wondering if that was it. And then I missed my period.”

 

 “You can’t go to classes in this condition Katie. Go home   and I’ll cover for you.”

 

 “You sure?”

 

 “Yeah. Go home and I’ll call you tonight.”

 

 “Thanks Amy,” the girl said, smiling weakly. “I love you.”

 

 Amy returned her hug, wiped the tears away with her hand and   then headed off to class whispering “I love you too Katie,”   as She went.

 

 

 

 

 “Hey babe,” Steve said to Amy a little later.

 

 “I’m trying to work out what’s smaller, your dick or your   compassion.” Amy growled. “so far your compassion is winning   but It’s close.”

 

 “Jesus, keep it quiet.” Steve Ellis said taking her off to   one side. “I didn’t do anything wrong.”

 

 “No? How about getting an underage girl drunk and then   taking advantage of her?”

 

 ‘She was all over me,” Steve said defensively. “

 

 That should have been a clue dick weed. You’d need to be off   your face to find you sexy.”

 

 .”Look Amy, It’s really none of your business. It’s between   me and Katie.”

 

 “No It’s not you bastard. You used her, fucked her and   dumped her. No She’s pregnant you don’t want to know her.”

 

 “I said I’d help pay for an abortion.”

 

 “Oh That’s big of you. Let’s stick a vacuum cleaner up your   arse and put it to full mate. That’ll give you a tiny idea   what abortions are about. You better pray She doesn’t have   this baby because I will personally make sure You’re named   as the father and then tell Katie how to get  you to pay for   child support .”

 

 “I don’t have a job.” Steve grinned. ‘She can have a hundred   per cent  of what I earn. Nothing.”

 

 “There’s one small flaw in that plan. The payments will last   until the kids eighteen and even a dead head like you will   probably have a job by that time. As for now, underage guy’s   parents have to cough up the cash. I bet that will make your   mum and dad happy.”

 

 “Are you finished?” He asked.

 

 “Not quite. I want you to know that if you so much as look   at Katie the wrong way I’ll kick you in the balls so hard   you’ll have to open your mouth to take a piss.” Amy walked   away leaving a speechless  Steve standing with his mouth   hanging open and fear in his eyes.

 

 Finally something good about being a girl, Amy thought. If   She had been Stuart and said the same things She had no   doubt that She’d have at least one black eye and maybe a few   cracked ribs. She felt powerful for the first time since   opening the Jade Box.

 

 

 

 

 “Are we going to bury the hatchet?” Susan asked when Amy   entered the house that afternoon.

 

 “Yeah. I’m sorry mum. I can’t tell you why I ditched school   but please believe me when I say I had a good reason.”

 

 “Ok.”

 

 “What? You’re going to let me off the hook?”

 

 “You’re still grounded but I hate arguing.” Susan said   giving the girl a hug. “If you have to take a day off school   then at least let me know. I worry about you more now.”

 

 “You’re on. Listen, I have a friend coming over soon if   That’s ok. We are rehearsing a play for school.”

 

 “Is this Mr. Pectorals from the other day?” Susan grinned.

 

 “Yes it is. His name’s Danny and He’s a friend.”

 

 “A cute friend.”

 

 “I hadn’t noticed.” Amy lied.

 

 “Well you know you can invite him to Colleen and Phil’s   wedding. Jade’s inviting a friend.”

 

 “I didn’t think She had any.” Amy giggled. “I am going to   get out of this bloody school dress. If Danny turns up   please don’t embarrass me.”

 

 “Me?”

 

 “Yes, you.”

 

 "I wouldn’t dream of it.” Susan said.

 

 “No, of course you wouldn’t dream of it. You’d just go right   ahead and do it.”

 

 “Well I have to get my fun somewhere.”

 

 

  “Okay, That’s me done. Any more learning lines and my brain will explode.” Danny   said later that night.

 

 “And I am supposed to tell the difference how?” Amy laughed.

 

 Danny was in the middle of throwing a cushion at the girl when Susan looked in   on them in the family room. “Would you like to stay for something to eat Danny?”   She asked. “Jade is going to have dinner at her friends house so I have heaps   left. It’s just Spag Bol.”

 

 ‘spaghetti is fine for me thanks Mrs. Denton.”

 

 “Call me Susan hon.” the woman smiled. “I’m sure Amy will show you where the   phone is if you want to call your parents.”

 

 Amy and Susan were laughing at one of Danny’s stories when Susan bought up the   wedding renewal.  “Did you know Amy is going to be a bridesmaid at her Aunty and   Uncle’s wedding?”

 

 “Jesus,” Danny exclaimed. “Why did you kick me Amy?”

 

 “I was aiming for mum. Sorry.” Amy said Sheepishly. ‘She’s just being her subtle   self.”

 

 “I just mentioned it,” Susan said in mock innocence.

 

 “It’s amazing isn’t it? When us kids just mention something parents accuse us of   stirring.”

 

 Susan got the hint and changed the subject. Unfortunately for Amy it wasn’t a   subject She really wanted her mother to know about. “so, what are you two   studying anyway?”

 

 “Romeo and Juliet” Danny shrugged. “We have to perform it in front of the school   in a few weeks.”

 

 “You never told me this Amy.”

 

 “Gee, I wonder why that is?” Amy said sarcastically.

 

 “I’ll have to come and see it.”

 

 “Oh yeah, That’s why.”

 

 Amy didn’t want to appear rude but She was happy Danny started thinking about   leaving before Jade came home and checked him out. They were standing on the   front porch, waiting for Susan to get her car keys when Danny asked if She was   looking forward to the wedding.

 

 “Well, yes and no,” She answered honestly. “I was kind of hoping to ask Katie to   come but it turns out She has to go down to Mount Gambier that weekend for her   cousin’s eighteenth.”

 

 “Bummer.”

 

 “I don’t suppose you want to come? It won’t be anything great. Mostly my   relatives and stuff but they are pretty funny drunk.” For some reason She found   that She was breathing harder and miraculously holding her breath at the same   time waiting for his response.

 

 “Drunk relatives huh?” He smiled. “sounds like my kind of thing. I’d love to   come.”

 

 “Cool.” Amy sighed with relief. “Well... ah... great then.”  He said LOVE, She   thought. “It’s next weekend.”

 

 “No problems.” Danny grinned.

 

 Susan came out of the house. “Found them. They were still in my jacket pocket.”   She said rattling the car keys.

 

 Amy thought it was a little suspicious that her mother came out at exactly the   right time but seeing as how She couldn’t prove anything She let it slide.

 

 That night Amy’s second period started.

 

 

 

 

 Saturday morning Amy took what is colloquially known in Australia as a sickie.   She rang work early and told them She was ill and would be unable to do her   sift. Sam wasn’t too impressed saying he was already short staffed but Amy   mentioned vomiting and diarrhea and Sam backed down.

 

 She still put on her work uniform and then met Katie on the corner of their   street. “Are you sure you want to do this?” Amy asked for the thousandth time.

 

 “No,” Katie admitted sadly. “I don’t have much of a choice though Aim.”

 

 The two girls stood in silence until a bus rattled down the road and picked them   up heading for town.

 

 The building was a little hard to find. They walked past it three times before   they worked out that what looked like an old house was actually the clinic.    Katie took a few deep breaths before heading for the door. She was almost there   when this guy in his forties came out from nowhere. Amy grabbed Katie’s hand   tighter with her left hand and her handbag closer to her body with her right.

 

 The man thrust forward a picture and  said “This is what they do in there.”

 

 Amy didn’t have time to assimilate a blurry photo of what looked like a skinned   rabbit with the man’s words.

 

 “It’s not to late to change your mind and come back to God.” The man continued.   He gestured at the photo and asked, “Is that what you want for your child?”

 

 All of a sudden it hit Amy what this guy was about. “Get out of our way dip   shit.” She snapped.

 

 “The Bible makes it clear that every life is sacred.” He said and stood in front   of the pair.

 

 “Get that photo away from me,” Katie screamed.

 

 “When was the last time you were pregnant?” Amy demanded of the man.

 

 “We are all children of the lord.” The man said in that sanctimonious way of   speaking that all religious people seem to get.

 

 “Well you’ll be meeting your father soon if you don’t get out of the way.” Amy   growled, or at least She tried to. She looked up and down the street hoping some   one would come along and get rid of this guy. As Stuart She would have beaten   him to a pulp by now but as Amy She was intimidated by both his physical size   and his zealousness. Katie was losing it and Mr. Bible was making the most of   her discomfort.

 

 “Go home and have your child girl. If you enter this building you will not only   ruin your life but murder the life inside of you.”

 

 “Lets just go Amy.” Katie said, beginning to cry.

 

 “Yes Amy, listen to your friend, She has obviously seen the error of her ways.”

 

 There was no way to argue with the man and no way to get around him. Until a   police car pulled up at the curb. “Hey Ben,” one cop said. “You know you can’t   stand here and stop women from going inside.”

 

 “I obey the laws of god.” Ben, who ever he was, said.

 

 “Well the magistrate is going to love that one. Get in the car Ben.” The other   policeman said as they grabbed him and pushed him into the backseat.

 

 Amy felt like a Damsel in distress must have felt when her knight in shining   armour rode up to the castle. “sorry about him Ladies,” The younger of the two   officers shrugged.

 

 Katie sat on a railing of a fence and took a few deep breaths. “Well that was   fun.”

 

 “Do you want to go home?”

 

 “No. A thousand Bens can’t be worse than one mother. Namely mine if I go home   and tell her I am pregnant.”

 

 “I think your mum deserves more credit than that Katie.”

 

 “Oh, I know She will support me Amy but after all of the times She’s told me   about birth control I don’t want to see that disappointed look in her eyes.   Well, that and the I told you so look.”

 

 “Your mother is good at them too huh?”

 

 “Aren’t they all? I know this is the right thing for me at the moment.”

 

 “Okay then.” Amy smiled helping her friend up. “Just as long as you know you can   back out any time.”

 

 

 

 

 Amy was exhausted. She’d been to work and then did an hour and a half at Mary   Anne’s. She wanted to go home, get changed into some old sweats and crash but   that was not to be.

 

 “Have a shower” Susan said as her daughter walked into the kitchen. She was   preparing some trays of finger food, never a good sign for Amy.

 

 “Huh? Why?” Amy said stifling a yawn.

 

 “I told you this morning, were having a bridal shower for your Aunty Colleen.”   Susan told her. “I’ve laid out a nice dress on your bed. Put it on.”

 

 “A bridal shower?” Amy said. “Isn’t it enough that I am going to be a poxy   bridesmaid?”

 

 “That you are doing out of the goodness of your heart.”

 

 “And this?”

 

 Susan nibbled on a celery stick. “This you are doing to get me to drop your   grounding.”

 

 Amy thought about it for a second or three. “Fair enough.” She said.

 

 She went to the bathroom and disposed of her sanitary pad. Her period had been   heavier this time but still it was a lot easier to cope with now She knew what   to do. She quickly showered and then dried her hair. The dress her mother had   picked out for her wasn’t too bad, as dresses go. It was made from a silk or   satin material, mostly white shantung style with little red flowers printed on   it. Amy brushed out her hair, pulled on a pair of fresh panties and replaced the   sanitary pad, pleased to think that there was only a little bit of blood that   day, hopefully it would be over by the next morning. The dress fell to the   middle of her thighs and had spaghetti straps to Amy gladly didn’t worry about a   bra. She put on some lipstick, eyeliner and a little mascara, slid her dainty   feet into the black high heels and pronounced herself ready to face the night.

 

 She was pleased to see Katie and her mother appear soon after. Katie had been a   bit withdrawn since Saturday but Amy expected that and did what She could to   help, which was to be there with a shoulder for Katie to cry on.

 

 More and more people arrived and Katie couldn’t help but think of the night the   guys were having at her Uncle Phil’s house. They had hired a bunch of action   films and very likely a few pornographic films and were at that very moment   proceeding to get rat arsed drunk. She was wearing a dress and heels and looking   at a night of women sitting around giving the bride sex toys and lingerie. Where   was the fairness in that?  Even her father and little cousin, Lachlan, were over   there with the rest of the guys and She was stuck having a period and talking   about vibrators.

 

 The night actually wasn’t as bad as She thought it would be. The women seemed to   either forget Katie and She was in the room or they were just accepted as women   rather than girls for the night. Some of the talk could make a sailor blush and   Amy was amazed at some of the more graphic details that women talked about.  She   did enjoy some of the party games her mother made her play. The only weird time   came when they were playing a game where they had to kiss a piece of paper,   inhale a little to hold it to their lips, and then see if the next woman could   take it in the same way and pass it on down the line.  Amy was first in line and held the paper no problems but as She was passing it   to Katie the paper slipped and Amy found her lips and Katie’s were touching each   other. All of the women laughed, after all, that was what made the game fun, but   Amy felt weird. Her first kiss with Katie was while She was a girl. She tried to   laugh along with the rest of the ladies but her mind kept locking onto that   kiss.

 

 At around One AM people began to leave. Colleen was exhausted and decided to   sleep at Susan’s house rather than going back to what was undoubtedly a pigsty   at her own.

 

 Amy collapsed on her bed after taking off her make up and replacing the sanitary   pad again. She kept thinking of the sensations She got from the accidental kiss.

 

 

 

 

 “You got a tick?” Amy asked as She knocked on Jade’s door.

 

 Jade looked up from a magazine. “Oh, let me just check my social calendar. Yep,   looks like I have. What’s the problem?”

 

 “This wedding.” Amy started. “I’ll be expected to dance right?”

 

 “That is a normal thing to do at a wedding.”

 

 “I can’t.”

 

 “You can’t? You can’t dance?”

 

 “Well let’s just say the Bolshoi’s jobs are safe,” Amy said. “I am supposed to   have done ballet for years but I have all of the elegance of a hippo on roller   blades.”

 

 “I’ve seen you dance Stu, You’re over estimating it.”

 

 “so is there any hope you can teach me without making snide comments?”

 

 “Not a snowballs chance in hell I am afraid.” Jade smiled.

 

 “I thought not. I’ll go ask mum.”

 

 “Have you seen mum dance?” Jade asked

 

 ‘shit.”

 

 “That’s what  I think of her style too.”

 

 “Okay,” Amy sighed. “I’ll get some CD’s and you can start cranking up the   snide.”

 

 “I love that box.”

 

 

 

 

 Amy woke up that Saturday morning early.  It was getting easier to wake in her   body but it still made her yearn for her old form. She swung her legs over the   side of the bed, sat up and then marked off a calendar on her bedside table.   This would be her fifty-first day as a girl.

 

 Over seven weeks had passed since Stuart first opened that box. In that time She   had two periods, worn a skirt or a dress countless times, learned how to do her   make up, hair and even how to walk in high heels. She could put on pantyhose   most times without causing a run in them and She now knew the difference between   a sweetheart and a scoop neckline.

 

 All of this would pale into insignificance compared to the day She was about to   have. Stuart Denton was about to be a bridesmaid.

 

 She went to the toilet and then made her way out to the kitchen where Jade, her   mother and Colleen were already seated enjoying breakfast.

 

 “Here She is,” Colleen smiled and gave the girl a hug. “How’s sleeping beauty?”

 

 “Better if I was still sleeping.” Amy yawned. “so today is the big day huh?”

 

 ‘sure is,” Susan smiled. “I just hope Phil is the right guy for you Col, you   know what men are like. They run away from commitment.”

 

 “Yeah, he’ll probably split right after the wedding.” Jade agreed getting into   the joke.

 

 “Pity he doesn’t take off now. I might be able to get some sleep and forget this   whole wedding thing.”

 

 “You were always a grumpy kid in the morning Amy. I see nothing has changed.”

 

 “What’s first on the agenda?”

 

 “Well the ceremony isn’t until two this afternoon so we have to be at the Salon   at eleven. They’ll do our hair and make up then. We should all be out of there   by one and then we come back here to get changed and we should just about make   it to the church on time.”

 

 “Not too early.” Jade laughed. “It’s traditional for the bride to be late.”

 

 “Yeah,” Amy grumbled. “How does the year 2007 sound?

 

 

 

 

 Amy walked into the salon not knowing what to expect. Marcel, a stereotypical   gay man, met the four women. “Hello ladies,” He lisped. “Well, well, well.   Aren’t we all adorable! If you were any more beautiful I’d be out of a job. Now,   Cherise has some bubbly for you all and we’ll get this all done as quick as a   wink.”

 

 A tall woman bought Champagne to them and each lady took a glass. “None for   those two,” their mother said pointing to Jade and Amy. “They’re under age.”

 

 Marcel waved away her concerns. “Who needs to worry about a little thing like   the law on such a special day?”

 

 Susan threw both of the girls a look that clearly said "Not too much"    “Here’s to a great day.” She said as they clinked their champagne flutes   together.

 

 Amy downed her drink a little too fast for Susan’s liking and then She was led   over to a comfortable chair with a tray table next to it. Colleen and Susan were   shown to the sinks for a wash and Jade waited in another chair for her turn.

 

 Cherise started on Amy’s fingers while Marcel and another guy called Simon   started to wash the older women’s hair.

 

 It was pretty fun really, if She could put the reason they were there out of her   mind. Everyone was in a good mood and the stylists did their best to make it a   fun occasion.

 

 When the manicure and pedicure was done Amy found herself with 1 inch nails on   her fingers with both her toes and her finger nails painted a red colour to   match the lipstick they would be painted with later.  She felt like Freddy   Kruger and kept trying to keep the long nails out of the way but it was   impossible. The damn things made it hard to even pick up the champagne flute.

 

 She moved on to the basin for a shampoo and condition while Jade took her   vacated seat at the manicure table. Colleen was in the chair getting a trim   done.

 

 An hour and a half later, feeling pretty close to being drunk, Amy was coiffed   and made up. She’d had her hair washed, dried, curled, styled and then topped   with a floral headpiece that her Aunty had chosen for her bridesmaids. She’d   contorted her face in every known way to get her make up done and She was slowly   getting used to having long acrylic nails glued on to the end of each finger.

 

 Walking back to the car was a little weird. Most people saw Colleen and the rest   of them and knew straight away that they were on their way to a wedding. But it   must have been a strange sight to see four, half drunk, women made up to the   nines from the neck up yet still dressed in casual clothes.

 

 Arriving home there were five or six messages on the machine. All from Phil who   was pulling their home apart to find his cravat. Colleen rang and told him   exactly where it was and ended the call with , ‘see you at the church honey. I   love you.”

 

 “We better hustle,” Colleen told the others. “I know I am supposed to be late   but it takes a lot of hard work to make this old girl look good.”

 

 Amy went into her bedroom to get the dress and some underwear and sound a small   present wrapped and sitting on her bed. Upon opening She saw a very expensive   panty and strap less bra set along with a garter belt and real silk stockings.   Attached was a card ; To my sweet niece. Thank you for being a part of our   special  Day. Aunty Colleen.

 

 Amy was truly touched. Now if She could just work out how the hell to put the   garter belt on and attach the stockings She’d be feeling great. Jade came to the   rescue. “Make sure you put the garter straps trough your panties,” She told Amy.   “You can pee easier that way.”

 

 “Great. Now all I have to worry about is skewering myself with these bloody   talons when I wipe down there.” Amy moaned.

 

 “Wait until you put the stocking’s on. They feel like heaven against your skin.”   Jade took the opportunity to have a little fun. ‘speaking of which, I bet Danny   will look nice tonight.”

 

 “Yeah, yeah. Shut up and help me into this damn dress.”

 

 The dress. That damn stupid dress. It was all Amy had heard about since her   first sitting for measurements. It was a French Blue taffeta ball gown   silhouette dress with a square halter neckline and a Plisse bodice and an long   skirt. All of this was Greek to Amy but the words had been bandied about ever   since Colleen and Phil had announced they were going to renew their vows.

 

 Whatever the name of it was Amy had to admit it made her look like a princess   and even though She wouldn’t admit it to anyone She felt what She imagined a   princess must feel like.

 

 Amy and Jade spent the next half an hour or so helping Colleen into her dress   and making sure She had something old, something new, something borrowed and   something blue.

 

 Eventually a large limo pulled up out the front of their house and all of them,   bouquets in hand, piled, well, climbed somewhat delicately, into the back. Next   Stop, the Church

 

 Amy should have been paying more attention to the minister but all She could   think was “Fuck these heels are killing me. How much longer?” She’d been   standing now for what seemed like hours and there were still photos to go.   “Hurry the fuck up,” She wanted to tell the priest. “It’s not like they aren’t   really married.”

 

 Finally they got to the “I now pronounce you husband and wife... again,” and Amy   smiled. She had to admit it was all going off rather well. Colleen was beautiful   and even her Dad had scrubbed up well.

 

 She followed the happy couple out of the church, holding her spray of flowers.   Out on the steps of the old stone church they all paused and arranged themselves   for the first of millions of photographs.

 

 “How you going?” Jade whispered.

 

 “I am busting for a piss.” Amy admitted.

 

 “You too huh? Keep your legs crossed. Where’s lover boy?”

 

 “I don’t think he was coming to the ceremony. He’ll meet us at the restaurant.”   Amy told her in hushed tones. They stopped talking long enough to smile for the   photographer. “And He’s just a friend.” She added as they passed under a shower   of rice.

 

 

 

 

 “Ladies and Gentlemen,” The M.C. announced. “Please be upstanding for the bridal   party.”

 

 “That’s our cue.” Jade hissed to Amy.

 

 “Give me a tick will you? It’s not exactly easy to piss in this bloody dress.”

 

 Susan took young Lachlan by the hand and walked into the room

 

 “The Best man and the Matron of Honour, Lachlan McCoy and Susan Denton.”

 

 Amy and Jade rushed out of the ladies room and Jade took her place next to   Phil’s brother.

 

 “Groomsman and bridesmaid, Darren McCoy and Jade Denton” the M.C. said.

 

 “You look wonderful,” Jim Denton told his youngest daughter.

 

 “Thanks,” She smiled.

 

 “I am glad You’re wearing my present.”

 

 “Huh?” She was trying to look around the corner into the room to see if She   could spot Danny.

 

 “The locket.” James reminded her. “You’re wearing it.”

 

 “Oh yeah. That.”

 

 “Groomsman and Bridesmaid, James and Amy Denton.”

 

 Amy took her father’s arm and strode into the room and headed for the bridal   table where the rest of the party stood waiting for Phil and Colleen.

 

 “And now, introducing, or maybe that should be reintroducing, Mr. And Mrs.   Philip McCoy.”

 

 Everyone stood and clapped as a very happy couple walked into the room. Amy was   looking for Danny though. She didn’t know why She cared so much that he was   there but She did.

 

 Just then She spotted him, at a table in the middle of the room. He looked great   all dressed up in a dark grey suit. She smiled at him and he flashed that   trademark smile back at her.

 

 She had to put him out of her mind for the time being though. There were  speeches to listen to.

 

 

Part 4

 

“Okay, That’s me done. Any more learning lines and my brain will explode.” Danny said later that night.

 

“And I am supposed to tell the difference how?” Amy laughed.

 

Danny was in the middle of throwing a cushion at the girl when Susan looked in on them in the family room. “Would you like to stay for something to eat Danny?” She asked. “Jade is going to have dinner at her friends house so I have heaps left. It’s just Spag Bol.”

 

‘spaghetti is fine for me thanks Mrs. Denton.”

 

“Call me Susan hon.” the woman smiled. “I’m sure Amy will show you where the phone is if you want to call your parents.”

 

Amy and Susan were laughing at one of Danny’s stories when Susan bought up the wedding renewal.  “Did you know Amy is going to be a bridesmaid at her Aunty and Uncle’s wedding?”

 

“Jesus,” Danny exclaimed. “Why did you kick me Amy?”

 

“I was aiming for mum. Sorry.” Amy said Sheepishly. ‘She’s just being her subtle self.”

 

“I just mentioned it,” Susan said in mock innocence.

 

“It’s amazing isn’t it? When us kids just mention something parents accuse us of stirring.”

 

Susan got the hint and changed the subject. Unfortunately for Amy it wasn’t a subject She really wanted her mother to know about. “so, what are you two studying anyway?”

 

“Romeo and Juliet” Danny shrugged. “We have to perform it in front of the school in a few weeks.”

 

“You never told me this Amy.”

 

“Gee, I wonder why that is?” Amy said sarcastically.

 

“I’ll have to come and see it.”

 

“Oh yeah, That’s why.”

 

Amy didn’t want to appear rude but She was happy Danny started thinking about leaving before Jade came home and checked him out. They were standing on the front porch, waiting for Susan to get her car keys when Danny asked if She was looking forward to the wedding.

 

“Well, yes and no,” She answered honestly. “I was kind of hoping to ask Katie to come but it turns out She has to go down to Mount Gambier that weekend for her cousin’s eighteenth.”

 

“Bummer.”

 

“I don’t suppose you want to come? It won’t be anything great. Mostly my relatives and stuff but they are pretty funny drunk.” For some reason She found that She was breathing harder and miraculously holding her breath at the same time waiting for his response.

 

“Drunk relatives huh?” He smiled. “sounds like my kind of thing. I’d love to come.”

 

“Cool.” Amy sighed with relief. “Well... ah... great then.”  He said LOVE, She thought. “It’s next weekend.”

 

“No problems.” Danny grinned.

 

Susan came out of the house. “Found them. They were still in my jacket pocket.” She said rattling the car keys.

 

Amy thought it was a little suspicious that her mother came out at exactly the right time but seeing as how She couldn’t prove anything She let it slide.

 

That night Amy’s second period started.

 

 

 

Saturday morning Amy took what is colloquially known in Australia as a sickie. She rang work early and told them She was ill and would be unable to do her sift. Sam wasn’t too impressed saying he was already short staffed but Amy mentioned vomiting and diarrhea and Sam backed down.

 

She still put on her work uniform and then met Katie on the corner of their street. “Are you sure you want to do this?” Amy asked for the thousandth time.

 

“No,” Katie admitted sadly. “I don’t have much of a choice though Aim.”

 

The two girls stood in silence until a bus rattled down the road and picked them up heading for town.

 

The building was a little hard to find. They walked past it three times before they worked out that what looked like an old house was actually the clinic.  Katie took a few deep breaths before heading for the door. She was almost there when this guy in his forties came out from nowhere. Amy grabbed Katie’s hand tighter with her left hand and her handbag closer to her body with her right.

 

The man thrust forward a picture and  said “This is what they do in there.”

 

Amy didn’t have time to assimilate a blurry photo of what looked like a skinned rabbit with the man’s words.

 

“It’s not to late to change your mind and come back to God.” The man continued. He gestured at the photo and asked, “Is that what you want for your child?”

 

All of a sudden it hit Amy what this guy was about. “Get out of our way dip shit.” She snapped.

 

“The Bible makes it clear that every life is sacred.” He said and stood in front of the pair.

 

“Get that photo away from me,” Katie screamed.

 

“When was the last time you were pregnant?” Amy demanded of the man.

 

“We are all children of the lord.” The man said in that sanctimonious way of speaking that all religious people seem to get.

 

 “Well you’ll be meeting your father soon if you don’t get out of the way.” Amy growled, or at least She tried to. She looked up and down the street hoping some one would come along and get rid of this guy. As Stuart She would have beaten him to a pulp by now but as Amy She was intimidated by both his physical size and his zealousness. Katie was losing it and Mr. Bible was making the most of her discomfort.

 

“Go home and have your child girl. If you enter this building you will not only ruin your life but murder the life inside of you.”

 

“Lets just go Amy.” Katie said, beginning to cry.

 

“Yes Amy, listen to your friend, She has obviously seen the error of her ways.”

 

There was no way to argue with the man and no way to get around him. Until a police car pulled up at the curb. “Hey Ben,” one cop said. “You know you can’t stand here and stop women from going inside.”

 

“I obey the laws of god.” Ben, who ever he was, said.

 

“Well the magistrate is going to love that one. Get in the car Ben.” The other policeman said as they grabbed him and pushed him into the backseat.

 

Amy felt like a Damsel in distress must have felt when her knight in shining armour rode up to the castle. “sorry about him Ladies,” The younger of the two officers shrugged.

 

Katie sat on a railing of a fence and took a few deep breaths. “Well that was fun.”

 

“Do you want to go home?”

 

“No. A thousand Bens can’t be worse than one mother. Namely mine if I go home and tell her I am pregnant.”

 

“I think your mum deserves more credit than that Katie.”

 

“Oh, I know She will support me Amy but after all of the times She’s told me about birth control I don’t want to see that disappointed look in her eyes. Well, that and the I told you so look.”

 

“Your mother is good at them too huh?”

 

“Aren’t they all? I know this is the right thing for me at the moment.”

 

“Okay then.” Amy smiled helping her friend up. “Just as long as you know you can back out any time.”

 

 

 

Amy was exhausted. She’d been to work and then did an hour and a half at Mary Anne’s. She wanted to go home, get changed into some old sweats and crash but that was not to be.

 

“Have a shower” Susan said as her daughter walked into the kitchen. She was preparing some trays of finger food, never a good sign for Amy.

 

“Huh? Why?” Amy said stifling a yawn.

 

“I told you this morning, were having a bridal shower for your Aunty Colleen.” Susan told her. “I’ve laid out a nice dress on your bed. Put it on.”

 

“A bridal shower?” Amy said. “Isn’t it enough that I am going to be a poxy bridesmaid?”

 

“That you are doing out of the goodness of your heart.”

 

“And this?”

 

Susan nibbled on a celery stick. “This you are doing to get me to drop your grounding.”

 

Amy thought about it for a second or three. “Fair enough.” She said.

 

She went to the bathroom and disposed of her sanitary pad. Her period had been heavier this time but still it was a lot easier to cope with now She knew what to do. She quickly showered and then dried her hair. The dress her mother had picked out for her wasn’t too bad, as dresses go. It was made from a silk or satin material, mostly white shantung style with little red flowers printed on it. Amy brushed out her hair, pulled on a pair of fresh panties and replaced the sanitary pad, pleased to think that there was only a little bit of blood that day, hopefully it would be over by the next morning. The dress fell to the middle of her thighs and had spaghetti straps to Amy gladly didn’t worry about a bra. She put on some lipstick, eyeliner and a little mascara, slid her dainty feet into the black high heels and pronounced herself ready to face the night.

 

She was pleased to see Katie and her mother appear soon after. Katie had been a bit withdrawn since Saturday but Amy expected that and did what She could to help, which was to be there with a shoulder for Katie to cry on.

 

More and more people arrived and Katie couldn’t help but think of the night the guys were having at her Uncle Phil’s house. They had hired a bunch of action films and very likely a few pornographic films and were at that very moment proceeding to get rat arsed drunk. She was wearing a dress and heels and looking at a night of women sitting around giving the bride sex toys and lingerie. Where was the fairness in that?  Even her father and little cousin, Lachlan, were over there with the rest of the guys and She was stuck having a period and talking about vibrators.

 

The night actually wasn’t as bad as She thought it would be. The women seemed to either forget Katie and She was in the room or they were just accepted as women rather than girls for the night. Some of the talk could make a sailor blush and Amy was amazed at some of the more graphic details that women talked about.  She did enjoy some of the party games her mother made her play. The only weird time came when they were playing a game where they had to kiss a piece of paper, inhale a little to hold it to their lips, and then see if the next woman could take it in the same way and pass it on down the line.  Amy was first in line and held the paper no problems but as She was passing it to Katie the paper slipped and Amy found her lips and Katie’s were touching each other. All of the women laughed, after all, that was what made the game fun, but Amy felt weird. Her first kiss with Katie was while She was a girl. She tried to laugh along with the rest of the ladies but her mind kept locking onto that kiss.

 

At around One AM people began to leave. Colleen was exhausted and decided to sleep at Susan’s house rather than going back to what was undoubtedly a pigsty at her own.

 

Amy collapsed on her bed after taking off her make up and replacing the sanitary pad again. She kept thinking of the sensations She got from the accidental kiss.

 

 

 

“You got a tick?” Amy asked as She knocked on Jade’s door.

 

Jade looked up from a magazine. “Oh, let me just check my social calendar. Yep, looks like I have. What’s the problem?”

 

“This wedding.” Amy started. “I’ll be expected to dance right?”

 

“That is a normal thing to do at a wedding.”

 

“I can’t.”

 

“You can’t? You can’t dance?”

 

“Well let’s just say the Bolshoi’s jobs are safe,” Amy said. “I am supposed to have done ballet for years but I have all of the elegance of a hippo on roller blades.”

 

“I’ve seen you dance Stu, You’re over estimating it.”

 

“so is there any hope you can teach me without making snide comments?”

 

“Not a snowballs chance in hell I am afraid.” Jade smiled.

 

“I thought not. I’ll go ask mum.”

 

“Have you seen mum dance?” Jade asked

 

‘shit.”

 

“That’s what  I think of her style too.”

 

“Okay,” Amy sighed. “I’ll get some CD’s and you can start cranking up the snide.”

 

“I love that box.”

 

 

 

Amy woke up that Saturday morning early.  It was getting easier to wake in her body but it still made her yearn for her old form. She swung her legs over the side of the bed, sat up and then marked off a calendar on her bedside table. This would be her fifty-first day as a girl.

 

Over seven weeks had passed since Stuart first opened that box. In that time She had two periods, worn a skirt or a dress countless times, learned how to do her make up, hair and even how to walk in high heels. She could put on pantyhose most times without causing a run in them and She now knew the difference between a sweetheart and a scoop neckline.

 

All of this would pale into insignificance compared to the day She was about to have. Stuart Denton was about to be a bridesmaid.

 

She went to the toilet and then made her way out to the kitchen where Jade, her mother and Colleen were already seated enjoying breakfast.

 

“Here She is,” Colleen smiled and gave the girl a hug. “How’s sleeping beauty?”

 

“Better if I was still sleeping.” Amy yawned. “so today is the big day huh?”

 

‘sure is,” Susan smiled. “I just hope Phil is the right guy for you Col, you know what men are like. They run away from commitment.”

 

“Yeah, he’ll probably split right after the wedding.” Jade agreed getting into the joke.

 

“Pity he doesn’t take off now. I might be able to get some sleep and forget this whole wedding thing.”

 

“You were always a grumpy kid in the morning Amy. I see nothing has changed.”

 

“What’s first on the agenda?”

 

“Well the ceremony isn’t until two this afternoon so we have to be at the Salon at eleven. They’ll do our hair and make up then. We should all be out of there by one and then we come back here to get changed and we should just about make it to the church on time.”

 

“Not too early.” Jade laughed. “It’s traditional for the bride to be late.”

 

“Yeah,” Amy grumbled. “How does the year 2007 sound?

 

 

 

Amy walked into the salon not knowing what to expect. Marcel, a stereotypical gay man, met the four women. “Hello ladies,” He lisped. “Well, well, well. Aren’t we all adorable! If you were any more beautiful I’d be out of a job. Now, Cherise has some bubbly for you all and we’ll get this all done as quick as a wink.”

 

A tall woman bought Champagne to them and each lady took a glass. “None for those two,” their mother said pointing to Jade and Amy. “They’re under age.”

 

Marcel waved away her concerns. “Who needs to worry about a little thing like the law on such a special day?”

 

Susan threw both of the girls a look that clearly said "Not too much"  “Here’s to a great day.” She said as they clinked their champagne flutes together.

 

Amy downed her drink a little too fast for Susan’s liking and then She was led over to a comfortable chair with a tray table next to it. Colleen and Susan were shown to the sinks for a wash and Jade waited in another chair for her turn.

 

Cherise started on Amy’s fingers while Marcel and another guy called Simon started to wash the older women’s hair.

 

It was pretty fun really, if She could put the reason they were there out of her mind. Everyone was in a good mood and the stylists did their best to make it a fun occasion.

 

When the manicure and pedicure was done Amy found herself with 1 inch nails on her fingers with both her toes and her finger nails painted a red colour to match the lipstick they would be painted with later.  She felt like Freddy Kruger and kept trying to keep the long nails out of the way but it was impossible. The damn things made it hard to even pick up the champagne flute.

 

She moved on to the basin for a shampoo and condition while Jade took her vacated seat at the manicure table. Colleen was in the chair getting a trim done.

 

An hour and a half later, feeling pretty close to being drunk, Amy was coiffed and made up. She’d had her hair washed, dried, curled, styled and then topped with a floral headpiece that her Aunty had chosen for her bridesmaids. She’d contorted her face in every known way to get her make up done and She was slowly getting used to having long acrylic nails glued on to the end of each finger.

 

Walking back to the car was a little weird. Most people saw Colleen and the rest of them and knew straight away that they were on their way to a wedding. But it must have been a strange sight to see four, half drunk, women made up to the nines from the neck up yet still dressed in casual clothes.

 

Arriving home there were five or six messages on the machine. All from Phil who was pulling their home apart to find his cravat. Colleen rang and told him exactly where it was and ended the call with , ‘see you at the church honey. I love you.”

 

“We better hustle,” Colleen told the others. “I know I am supposed to be late but it takes a lot of hard work to make this old girl look good.”

 

Amy went into her bedroom to get the dress and some underwear and sound a small present wrapped and sitting on her bed. Upon opening She saw a very expensive panty and strap less bra set along with a garter belt and real silk stockings. Attached was a card ; To my sweet niece. Thank you for being a part of our special  Day. Aunty Colleen.

 

Amy was truly touched. Now if She could just work out how the hell to put the garter belt on and attach the stockings She’d be feeling great. Jade came to the rescue. “Make sure you put the garter straps trough your panties,” She told Amy. “You can pee easier that way.”

 

“Great. Now all I have to worry about is skewering myself with these bloody talons when I wipe down there.” Amy moaned.

 

“Wait until you put the stocking’s on. They feel like heaven against your skin.” Jade took the opportunity to have a little fun. ‘speaking of which, I bet Danny will look nice tonight.”

 

“Yeah, yeah. Shut up and help me into this damn dress.”

 

The dress. That damn stupid dress. It was all Amy had heard about since her first sitting for measurements. It was a French Blue taffeta ball gown silhouette dress with a square halter neckline and a Plisse bodice and an long skirt. All of this was Greek to Amy but the words had been bandied about ever since Colleen and Phil had announced they were going to renew their vows.

 

Whatever the name of it was Amy had to admit it made her look like a princess and even though She wouldn’t admit it to anyone She felt what She imagined a princess must feel like.

 

Amy and Jade spent the next half an hour or so helping Colleen into her dress and making sure She had something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue.

 

Eventually a large limo pulled up out the front of their house and all of them, bouquets in hand, piled, well, climbed somewhat delicately, into the back. Next Stop, the Church

 

Amy should have been paying more attention to the minister but all She could think was “Fuck these heels are killing me. How much longer?” She’d been standing now for what seemed like hours and there were still photos to go. “Hurry the fuck up,” She wanted to tell the priest. “It’s not like they aren’t really married.”

 

Finally they got to the “I now pronounce you husband and wife... again,” and Amy smiled. She had to admit it was all going off rather well. Colleen was beautiful and even her Dad had scrubbed up well.

 

She followed the happy couple out of the church, holding her spray of flowers. Out on the steps of the old stone church they all paused and arranged themselves for the first of millions of photographs.

 

“How you going?” Jade whispered.

 

“I am busting for a piss.” Amy admitted.

 

“You too huh? Keep your legs crossed. Where’s lover boy?”

 

“I don’t think he was coming to the ceremony. He’ll meet us at the restaurant.” Amy told her in hushed tones. They stopped talking long enough to smile for the photographer. “And He’s just a friend.” She added as they passed under a shower of rice.

 

 

 

“Ladies and Gentlemen,” The M.C. announced. “Please be upstanding for the bridal party.”

 

“That’s our cue.” Jade hissed to Amy.

 

“Give me a tick will you? It’s not exactly easy to piss in this bloody dress.”

 

Susan took young Lachlan by the hand and walked into the room

 

“The Best man and the Matron of Honour, Lachlan McCoy and Susan Denton.”

 

Amy and Jade rushed out of the ladies room and Jade took her place next to Phil’s brother.

 

“Groomsman and bridesmaid, Darren McCoy and Jade Denton” the M.C. said.

 

“You look wonderful,” Jim Denton told his youngest daughter.

 

“Thanks,” She smiled.

 

“I am glad You’re wearing my present.”

 

“Huh?” She was trying to look around the corner into the room to see if She could spot Danny.

 

“The locket.” James reminded her. “You’re wearing it.”

 

“Oh yeah. That.”

 

“Groomsman and Bridesmaid, James and Amy Denton.”

 

Amy took her father’s arm and strode into the room and headed for the bridal table where the rest of the party stood waiting for Phil and Colleen.

 

“And now, introducing, or maybe that should be reintroducing, Mr. And Mrs. Philip McCoy.”

 

Everyone stood and clapped as a very happy couple walked into the room. Amy was looking for Danny though. She didn’t know why She cared so much that he was there but She did.

 

Just then She spotted him, at a table in the middle of the room. He looked great all dressed up in a dark grey suit. She smiled at him and he flashed that trademark smile back at her.

 

She had to put him out of her mind for the time being though. There were speeches to listen to.

 

 

 

Amy danced with her father first but only out of duty. All of the bridal party danced with the person they had been paired with.

 

“Have I done something to upset you?” Jim asked as Amy tried to keep up with the dancing.

 

“You mean apart from divorcing mum and marrying what’s her name?” Amy replied not looking him in the eye.

 

“Her name is Francesca Amy,” Jim sighed. “But you know that already.”

 

“Whatever. Look Dad, you bugger off to Perth and remarry. You had another kid and you forgot about me and Jade.”

 

“I never forgot Amy. You made it clear you weren’t happy with me. I just tried to give you some room.”

 

“Moving to Perth gave me plenty of room.” She spat. “Just don’t come and act like You’re a great father.”

 

“I know I’ve let you down.” He said as softly as the bridal waltz would allow. “I did what I thought was right but here’s a news flash, parents make mistakes too.”

 

“Gee, I am glad you told me that, I would have never guessed.”

 

James Denton shrugged and gave up.

 

 

 

“so you made it then?” Amy asked as She snuck up behind.

 

“You promise drunken relatives and  you can’t keep me away.” Danny grinned. “You look fantastic.”

 

Before She could stop herself She replied, “you don’t look too bad yourself.”

 

“Do you want to dance?”

 

“Maybe later,” again She answered without thinking. “My heels are killing me. Do you mind if we grab a dink and sit for awhile?”

 

“Not at all.” They made their way over to the bar and both asked for cokes and then they found a nearly empty table. “so have you had a good day?”

 

Amy thought about the question this time. “Yeah,” She eventually said. “Yes I have. I never thought I would but I do.”

 

“I thought you girls get into this whole wedding thing.”

 

“Well in the immortal words of Racey; Some girl’s do. Some girl’s don’t .”

 

He laughed a little and they chatted. When they came to an awkward pause She stood up and took his hand. “Lets dance.”

 

Thanks to Jade, Amy did pretty well on the dance floor. At least She didn’t look like an idiot, which was more than you could say for some of the guests as the night wore on and the drinks kept flowing.

 

A slower dance came on and Amy was about to get the hell out of there by using the excuse She needed to pee but Danny pulled her in closer. His warm breath on her neck did strange things to her and his hands on her back sent little electric shocks through her body. She felt more uncomfortable about the fact that She didn’t want to let him go than She did about him holding her that way in the first place.

 

The song ended and She really did need to use the bathroom. Unfortunately Jade was already in there with her friend Jessica. She grinned at Amy leaving little doubt that She had seen the pair snuggled up close on the dance floor. She ignored her sister and entered a stall to begin the huge task of peeing in such a voluminous dress.

 

 

 

Amy was standing on the line of guests as the Bride and groom left the restaurant.  It was late and like most of the women Amy had long since abandoned her heels under one of the tables so the long wait for Colleen and Phillip wasn’t as bad. She chatted a little more to her dad, he wasn’t off the hook totally but Amy could see he wasn’t as bad as She first felt.

 

“Thanks love,” Colleen said when She at last reached Amy. “You were much better than my last bridesmaid.”

 

“Who was that?”

 

“I am buggered if I remember.” Colleen laughed very drunkenly.

 

“Well I am glad I could do better than that then. I hope you won’t forget me.”

 

“No chance sweetie. What did you say your name was?”

 

“Come on,” Phil said to his "new" wife. “We have to get home and get some sleep if you want to fly out to Bali tomorrow.”

 

“I’ve decided I am keeping my maiden name.” Colleen told him.

 

“I think the world has enough Denton’s” Jim laughed as he hugged his sister and shook Phil’s hands.

 

After thanking Jade, Susan, Darren and giving Lachlan a hug they jumped into an old pink convertible and left waving.

 

 

 

“I’ve really enjoyed tonight,” Danny said a little later as they both stood out in the courtyard.

 

“Me too,” Amy smiled. “I’m kind of glad Katie had to go away.”

 

“Come with me to the dance next week.”

 

The girl blinked a few times, unsure She heard right. “sorry?”

 

“I am asking if you’ll come with me to the dance. You are going aren’t you?”

 

“I didn’t really think about it.” Amy admitted.

 

“so think about it.” Danny took her chin in his hand, tilted it upwards slightly and kissed her.

 

Amy was stunned. Stunned to be kissed by this guy in the first place and stunned that it was so good. With out thinking about it her lips parted slightly and She felt his tongue. He tasted good and Amy continued to kiss him until he stopped and looked at her. 

 

“What do you say?”

 

Amy looked at him for a second or two and then turned and ran away as fast as She could, pushing Jade out of the way as She went.

 

“I’ll take that as a no,” Danny said to Jade who had walked up behind him.

 

“Let me work on her.”

 

“You have a very mixed up sister.”

 

“Danny, you have no idea how right you are.”

 

 

 

Amy lay awake, replaying the kiss again and again in her mind. It was a hot night and for the first time since She opened the box She had gone to bed naked.

 

“Why did he kiss me?” She thought.  “I didn’t  do anything to lead him on did I?”

 

The more She thought about it, the more it seemed that the rough bed Sheet rubbing her nipples was having an effect. It was as if the rubbing was generating some sort of electric charge that was building up into a warm ball that was situated behind her groin. Amy could feel something strange was going on down between her legs so She tentatively reached down and let a finger explore. Since her change the only time She had ever touched her vagina was wiping it after peeing or washing it in the shower but this was different. She was wet.

 

It took a few seconds to realise what this meant. Thinking about the kiss was making her horny.

 

Once more her hand snaked its way beneath the Sheet and She gently rubbed her new lips and That’s probably where it would have stayed except She touched her clitoris. “HOLY FUCK” She whispered in surprise as She reeled from the sensation. Gingerly She rubbed a little more. It wasn’t easy with the nails attached and more than once She jumped in pain as the acrylic poked into soft flesh but when She worked out the right way to do it She persisted through to orgasm.

 

It only took about five minutes but when it was done She felt amazing. The first time She had masturbated as Stuart She thought She had stumbled onto something new that no one else knew about. Now She tried to picture women She knew in the same position, legs spread and hand gently caressing their genitals. “Women don’t do it too, do they?” She wondered. “If they do why do they get out of bed?”

 

She finally fell asleep with Danny in her mind.

 

 

 

Jade entered Amy’s bedroom the next day. “You ok?” She asked. “I saw the kiss, and you running off.”

 

“I feel like crap Jade,” Amy said in a quiet voice. “It’s like my head and my heart have gone to war. My heart says go for it, you love him. But my head keeps saying I am a guy, guys don’t fall for other guys.”

 

“I could always bring you the girl’s survivor pack.”

 

“Do I want to know what that is?”

 

“All the chocolate you can eat and some copies of Cosmopolitan” Jade explained

 

“Does Cosmo have an advice column on what to do if you are a guy who’d been turned into a girl and now You’re falling for another guy?”

 

“I don’t think so. It does have 100 ways to lose weight.”

 

“That ain’t going to help me.”

 

“Do you want my advice?”

 

“I don’t know.” Amy said honestly. “Will it help?”

 

“It might.” Jade shrugged.

 

“Okay, I guess it can’t hurt.”

 

“I’ve seen you change over the past seven or eight weeks Amy. You may not be 100 % girl but you are closer now than you know it. If That’s true I can save you a lot of hassle. Your heart will kick your brain’s butt in any competition.”

 

“Gee, I guess that makes me gay.”

 

“No,” Jade stated, “just a normal girl.”

 

“I may be a lot of things but I am hardly normal.”

 

“I don’t think You’re worried that that your not a normal girl Amy. I think You’re scared that you are.”

 

“I hate it when You’re right.” Amy said lying back on her bed. “What am I going to do?”

 

“I don’t know. I have never been in your situation before but I am telling you that a girl’s heart always wins in the end.”

 

“That’s what  I am afraid of.” Amy grumbled putting the pillow over her face and pretending to smother herself.

 

 

 

Amy was watching the football on TV later that day when She heard a knock at the door. She was expecting Katie home soon from her cousin’s eighteenth so She raced to the door hoping to get some more advice about Danny.

 

“Hi.” Danny smiled. “Can I come in?”

 

Shit. “Yeah, I guess you’d better.” Amy sighed with a mixture of disappointment and relief. She had thought Danny wouldn’t want to know her any more.

 

“Would  you like a drink or something?” She asked motioning him to a chair in the lounge room.

 

“Ah... coke please.”

 

She went out to the kitchen to get two glasses of cokes. Looking in the glass on the wall oven She tried to make her hair neater and cursed herself for only wearing sweats. In the end She shrugged and went back to him.

 

Both of them started talking at the same time. “sorry,” She said. “You first.”

 

“I’m sorry if I overstepped the mark last night Amy.” He said not looking at her.

 

“I’m sorry for over reacting.”

 

“You...I... Ah... You’re not like other girls I know.”

 

“You’re right there.” She smiled in spite of herself.

 

“There’s something different about you Amy but I can’t put my finger on it.”

 

Amy didn’t know how to respond to that one so She simply asked, “different good or different bad?”

 

“Good,” Danny said quickly. “Definitely good.”

 

A pregnant pause fell over the pair of them.

 

“I didn’t mean to upset you last night you know?”

 

“I know Danny.”

 

“so will you go to the dance to me? I swear I won’t try anything unless...” He left the sentence hanging in the air.

 

“Can I think about it a little bit?” She asked shyly. “Just two days.”

 

‘sure, if you think it will help.”

 

“It will.”

 

“Cool, see you at school tomorrow.” Danny smiled as he passed the cup back and headed for the door.

 

“Well?” Jade asked as soon as Danny had gone.

 

“Well what?”

 

“Come on, its like pulling teeth here.” The older girl groaned. “What happened?”

 

“He asked me to the dance again.”

 

“And?”

 

“And, I asked him to wait a couple of days for my answer.” Amy shrugged.

 

“You mean to tell me that a gorgeous guy who you like and who is crazy about you, asks you to the biggest social event of the year and you send him home to spend not one, but two sleepless nights until he gets an answer?”

 

“More or less,” Amy said realising how awful that sounded.

 

“And You’re still trying to say You’re not a girl?” Jade asked, shaking her head as She walked off.

 

 

 

“Today’s the big day huh?” Jade asked as the two sat down to breakfast on that Wednesday morning.

 

“Huh?”

 

“Hello, is anyone home? Today is the day You’re going to give Danny your answer.”

 

“Oh, that.” Amy said as if it was of no importance.

 

“Yes, that. Have you seen him since Sunday?”

 

“We do share a few classes and we’re still rehearsing for that poxy play.”

 

“Apart from that I mean.”

 

“Yeah, a bit.”

 

“so, don’t keep me in suspenders here,” Jade rolled her eyes. “What’s it going to be? Yes or no?”

 

“I still don’t know.” Amy shrugged munching on some muesli.

 

“You must know.”

 

“Nope, sorry. I want to go because Katie is going but I don’t know if I want to go as Danny’s date.”

 

“Poor bastard doesn’t know what He’s letting himself into.” Jade mumbled.

 

 

 

“So what are you going to tell Danny?” Katie innocently asked later on that morning on the way to school.

 

‘Sheesh,” Amy snapped. “What is it with you and Jade? My life is not a soap opera just for your enjoyment.”

 

“You haven’t made up your mind yet have you?” Katie said, easily seeing through Amy’s anger.

 

“Nope.”

 

“I don’t see what the problem is Amy.”

 

“Well you don’t have all of the information.”

 

“You like him, he likes you. It’s a school dance Amy, You’re not bloody marrying him.”

 

“But what if...?”

 

“My dad always says that if you aunty had a moustache She’d be your uncle.”

 

Amy laughed at the aptness of the saying. “What the hell is that supposed to mean?”

 

“I don’t really know.” Katie admitted. “But it sounds good. Oh oh, looks like He’s not waiting for an answer.”

 

“Huh?”

 

“He’s walking towards us. I’ll see you later.”

 

“Hi Amy.” Danny said.

 

“Hi Danny.” All of the emotions ran through her mind in that one second. She actually felt better for seeing him, even though She knew She had to either upset him or go with him to the dance. “Is that offer still open?”

 

“About the dance? I was sort of thinking of asking Miranda Salisbury instead.”

 

“You’re a shit, do you know that?”

 

“That’s Mister shit to you,” he grinned and held his hand out. Slowly She put her much smaller hand to his and they walked the rest of the way to school like that.

 

 

 

“Package for you,” Susan said to Amy when She walked in from school on Friday.

 

“What? Where?”

 

“I put it in your room.”

 

Amy rushed to her bedroom, for some reason expecting it to be from Danny. She was both disappointed and amazed when She opened the large package to see who sent it.

 

She picked up the note; enjoy the dance princess. Sorry I won’t see how beautiful you look in this. Love Dad.

 

She took the package back out to the kitchen to show her mother. “Did you tell dad about the dance?” She asked.

 

“I did,” Jade said as She walked in.

 

“so you put him up to buying me this?” Amy said accusingly.

 

“I didn’t put him up to anything. I simply said you were going and you were nervous about it.”

 

“He can’t buy my love like this.”

 

“Shit, he can buy mine. Let me have the dress.”

 

“At least have a look at it honey,” Susan told her youngest daughter while throwing a dirty look at Jade.

 

 Amy grabbed the straps and slowly pulled it out of the box. It was beautiful and obviously expensive. It was a slim line; full-length dress made from red satin.

 

“Whoa mamma,” Jade whistled. “Danny is going to love you in that.”

 

“I haven’t said I am going to wear it yet.”

 

“Oh come on Amy, we can see in your eyes that you love it.” Susan smiled.

 

“And besides,” Jade jumped in “It’s not like you have other dresses you can wear to a formal.”

 

“I was going to wear the bridesmaid dress.”

 

“Amy,” Jade squealed. “You can’t wear that. Danny has already seen you in it.”

 

“Since when have clothes had best before dates? One wear and then you have to throw them out. You women are weird sometimes. And anyway, why didn’t he buy you a dress?”

 

“Stop trying to change the subject and just wear the damn dress.” Susan said firmly.

 

“I’m not going.”

 

“Why not? Did you run out of tins of dog food for the guys guide dogs?”

 

“You’re about as funny as a fart in an elevator Amy. No, I just decided not to go.”

 

“It must bug you like hell that even your brother has a boy to take to the dance and you don’t

 

“I am sure It’s something I’ll tell a shrink in years to come.” Jade said. “Hey, what’s this?” Jade reached into the box and pulled out an envelope.

 

Amy opened it to reveal a gift certificate for two at the local beauty spa. For you and Katie, the note said. Relax and be pampered. “Wow, Katie will freak over this. She is always going on about that place. I am going next door to tell her”

 

When Amy had left the room Susan looked strangely at Jade. “What?” The girl asked.

 

“Jade, I am your mother. I gave birth to you and have watched you grow for the last 16, almost 17 years. Something doesn’t add up here.”

 

“I don’t know what you mean.” Jade said trying not to return her mother’s gaze.

 

“Amy gets all of that and you don’t bat an eyelid. I know you, if Stuart got more dinner than you did there’d be a tantrum.”

 

“Would you believe that I am closer to Amy than I ever was to Stuart?”

 

“Yes, but something else is going on.” Susan said.

 

“Okay, how about if I told you I am trying to help Amy get used to the fact She might be a girl for good, out of the goodness of my heart.”

 

“That is a stretch. Now tell me what your father has given or promised you.”

 

“You know that ski trip I want to go on in winter but you said no because you don’t have the money?”

 

“Ah ha.” Susan said tight-lipped.

 

“Ah... I need some more warm clothes.”

 

 

 

Amy and Katie were lying on tables chatting away. It was certainly a new experience for Amy, She’d been waxed, plucked and pampered all morning and now they were both wrapped in mud that they had been told was specially imported from Austria.  Amy wouldn’t have known if it came from the local creek. She didn’t like to admit it, but She was feeling nervous about that night and not at all sure what would happen. Katie was oblivious to this and kept on chatting about this and that. Amy tried to listen and even join in but her mind was on other things.

 

Three hours later Amy looked into the mirror and was stunned to see the girl staring back. She was a stunner. If She was worried about what Danny would do before She was petrified and strangely hopeful. Her hair was already done and it looked wonderful swept up and pinned expertly on top of her head. Katie well and truly took her breath away. She was always a pretty girl but now, after hours of expert ministrations She was absolutely fantastic. “I don’t know about you but I think we should hit the pubs after the dance,” Katie smiled. “We’d pass for legal age easily.”

 

“Legal age for drinking means legal age for other things,” Amy said quietly.

 

 

 

Amy got home and tried not to mess up her make up or hair until it was time to get dressed. She went to her bedroom and pulled on the strapless bra and panty set from the wedding and then pulled out a pair of nude pantyhose. She sat to carefully put them on and moved on to the dress. Carefully She slid it down her body and pulled up the zipper on the side. She looked in the mirror and admired her reflection. The spaghetti straps of the dress made her neck look longer and slimmer than it was and with her hair up her face seemed to be a different shape. She slipped on a pair of red high heels, made easier by the slit that ran up to the right knee, grabbed a small red hand bag and headed out just as the door bell rang.

 

Danny did a double take that would have put Lou Costello to shame when he saw her. Amy could almost hear the teenaged male hormones crank up.

 

“You look... wow.” Danny said.

 

He looked great himself in a tuxedo.

 

“He’s right honey,” Her mother smiled and grabbed the camera. “You look wonderful and your dad will kill me if I don’t get at least one happy snap.”

 

“I’ll kill you if you do.” Amy mumbled but took her place next to Danny none the less.

 

“We better go,” the boy said.

 

“Hang on, one more thing.” Susan handed an envelope to her daughter.

 

“What’s this?”

 

“Open it silly.”

 

Amy opened it but it took a few seconds to take in what She saw. “My god,” She screamed. “My god. Thanks mum.”

 

“You’re welcome sweetie,” Susan smiled as the girl threw herself into her mother’s arms.

 

Danny was discreet enough not to ask what it was even though he was obviously dying to know.

 

Jade had no such problems. As soon as Amy and Danny left the house She asked.

 

“That was the best contraception I have ever heard of.” Susan laughed when She heard the question.

 

“You gave her some condoms?”

 

“Oh no, much better than that.” The mother passed the envelope to her oldest girl.

 

Inside the envelope was two tickets to Hong Kong in Susan’s and Amy’s name. “You’re right. She’s not going to try anything tonight. It’s scary how well you can manipulate us.”

 

“Years of experience Jade. Years of experience.”

 

 

 

 

  

   

Comments?

 

 

Your name/pseudonym/email:

Pick a name, ANY NAME! It doesn't matter what.  It won't work if you don't.

 

How would you rate this story?

1 - 10 (Worst to Best)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

 

Please add any comments you have below:

or just Write Me!

Guestbook

Add/View

Back to Friends Stories

Hosted by www.Geocities.ws

1