Anam Chara

James— or Jamie?— Loves Gretchen

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James– or Jamie?– Loves Gretchen

James Pendergast & Gretchen Mueller have grown up together. Their favorite game? Playing dress-up!

Given his choice, James prefers to dress as his girl-self, Jamie, anyday. And why not? It's fun!

A Gift to Keep on Giving

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A Gift to Keep on Giving

This is a sequel to the short story "Midnight Mass," published at BCTS on December 27, 2010 at 6:33am CST.

James had attended Midnight Mass at the Cathedral on Christmas Eve en femme a year ago. After that, he presented himself to his parents as Jamie for the first time. So what has happened to him—or her—since then? Tonight James attires himself as Jamie for Midnight Mass once more.

To See Through a Glass Darkly 16

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To See Through a Glass Darkly

by

Anam Chara

Chapter 16

When Sasha wakes up Saturday morning from his sleepover with Sonia, Tina and their friends, his memory of the previous evening is sketchy. But now he seems to everyone more girl than he ever could have believed possible.

The Voice in My Head

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The Voice in My Head
by
Anam Chara

Like any other boy his age in junior high school, Danny has enough trouble steering his course through life. Parents, siblings, friends, classmates teachers, and everyone else are all telling him what to do. And that’s hard enough for him. But now, there’s this voice in his head questioning the decisions he makes for himself.

Bringing in the Sheaves: Stanza I

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Bringing in the Sheaves

by

Anam Chara

Have you ever had one of those days when you're a little slow on just about everything? And then you miss all the fun that everyone else is having? And then you suddenly get it when it's old news for everyone else?

Yeah! Sure you have!…

So now, a young couple, both officers in the Salvation Army, go out on logistics detail to collect used clothing…

Never Asked, Never Told

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Never Asked, Never Told

This tale of courage, heroism, and sacrifice was written to acknowledge the recent, official repeal of an Act of Congress known as “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”

The story is posted on this Veteran’s Day to celebrate the service and sacrifices made by any and all who have worn their nation’s uniform—and also by their families—regardless of which uniform…

Harrelson's Custom-Fit Boots: A Miss-Matched Pair

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~o~O~o~

Harrelson’s Custom-Fit Boots
A Miss-Matched Pair
by
Anam Chara

Although Henry Harrelson may always perfectly match the customer to the boot, the delivery can still go amiss. However, due to his long experience in the business, he knows that such problems have their own ways of working out.

Whose Irish Eyes Be Smiling? 6

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Whose Irish Eyes Be Smiling?
by Anam Chara

Sean and Mórag discuss why he abandoned his promising career as a violinist. The school nurse worries about Morgan’s anxiety, while Sean battles insomnia before his audition with the Daughters of Danaan. And Kelly seems to exert a profound influence on those around her, even from a coma…

Whose Irish Eyes Be Smiling? 5

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Whose Irish Eyes Be Smiling?
by
Anam Chara

Sean considers another request to stand in for Kelly, his injured cousin. Also, Sean is asked to reconsider his own abandoned career in music.

Masque in D Major

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Masque in D Major

To an audience, the conductor's technique and art are the most mysterious of all the orchestra. Whether it be a world-class philharmonic orchestra, or a youth orchestra of yet-blossoming talent, only a small part of the conductor's work is visible on-stage, glimpses seen perhaps now, as a wave of the hand or baton and maybe then, as a wild dance atop the podium. And the conductor must always perform turned away from the audience, appearing to the outside world as if his or her face were hidden behind a mask…

Masque in D Major: I. Allegro non troppo

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Masque in D Major

To an audience, the conductor's technique & art are the most mysterious of all the orchestra. Whether it be a world-class philharmonic orchestra, or a youth orchestra of yet-blossoming talent, only a small part of the conductor's work is visible on-stage, glimpses seen perhaps now, as a wave of the hand or baton & maybe then, as a wild dance atop the podium. And the conductor must always perform turned away from the audience, appearing to the outside world as if his or her face were hidden behind a mask…

Whose Irish Eyes Be Smiling?

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Whose Irish Eyes Be Smiling?

Cousins Sean and Kelly are as close to one another as they are to their siblings. Yet as close as they all are, their outlooks, interests, and aspirations have diverged while growing up— until circumstance binds them together again.

When Irish eyes are smiling
Sure, 'tis like the morn in Spring.
In the lilt of Irish laughter
You can hear the angels sing.
When Irish hearts are happy,
All the world seems bright and gay.
And when Irish eyes are smiling,
Sure, they steal your heart away.

The Birthday Party

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The Birthday Party
by
Anam Chara

Richard’s best friend, Robert, may be transgendered. So, just how far will he go to support his buddy? And what happens to him afterwards?

Whose Irish Eyes Be Smiling? 2

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Whose Irish Eyes Be Smiling?

II

Sean visits his cousin Kelly at St. Bonaventure’s Hospital. While he’s there, he meets a few of her very Irish girlfriends. But would Kelly approve of what they propose?

A Sermon from the Gospel according to St. Andrew of the May

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A Sermon from the Gospel according to St. Andrew of the May

This is a work of fiction in homiletic style. Short stories have been written as newspaper reports, magazine articles, diaries, log entries, emails, and letters. Then why not write one in the style of a sermon or homily?

Please note my thanks to Andrea Lena DiMaggio, whose previous short work, "Adara's Story," provides the background for mine.

* * *

To See Through a Glass Darkly 15

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To See Through a Glass Darkly

Chapter 15

Sasha pauses for a very much needed musical interlude as family and friends gather around him.

O My Son, My Daughter Absolom! 3

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O My Son, My Daughter, Absolom!
by
Anam Chara

Gabriel talks with both his Mom and his sister Mitsumi, then sees that his own life has changed no less dramatically that weekend than his brother Michael’s.

Whose Irish Eyes Be Smiling? 1

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Whose Irish Eyes Be Smiling?

by

Anam Chara


Cousins Sean and Kelly are as close to one another as they are to their siblings. Yet as close as they all are, their outlooks, interests, and aspirations have diverged while growing up—until destiny binds them together again.

O My Son, My Daughter Absolom! 2

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O My Son, My Daughter, Absolom!

The next morning, Michael’s—or Mikki’s—family sits down to a good breakfast complete with all the nutrition, controversy, insight, and wit needed to begin a long, busy day.

La Suite Danse Macabre 5

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La Suite Danse Macabre

V. Lentement mais pas trop

On Hallowe’en, Danny goes to school dressed as a Gothic princess.

To See Through a Glass Darkly 14

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To See Through a Glass Darkly

Chapter 14

Sasha visits Fr. Andrei, his priest, to discuss his feelings about the strange events in his life.

To See Through a Glass Darkly 13

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To See Through a Glass Darkly

Chapter 13

Sasha dozes off to find himself dreaming dreams of what he's lost and what he's gaining.

To See Through a Glass Darkly 12

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To See Through a Glass Darkly


Chapter 12


Sasha sits down again with his mother for a cup of tea and talks with her about his appointment with Dr. Torricelli. He also talks with his wife— well, with Tina, although she isn't there— well, she is, but…

La Suite Danse Macabre 4

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La Suite Danse Macabre

IV. Chanson d’amour

To get into character for the coming Hallowe’en party, Danny/Danielle dresses up for his/her first girls’ night out. However, this also creates some unexpected dynamics within the family.

O My Son, My Daughter Absolom! 1

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O My Son, My Daughter, Absolom!


The Rev. Dr. Edward MacDonald celebrates a Vigil for All Hallows’ Eve. He and the rest of the family meet Mikki for the first time.

La Suite Danse Macabre 3

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La Suite Danse Macabre

Danny knows that he must do something about his lack of confidence, so he visits his psychiatrist. But what can even Dr. Beecham do for him now? Has Danielle already won?

O My Son, My Daughter Absolom! 0

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O My Son, My Daughter Absolom!

by Anam Chara

A traditionalist minister discovers that his son is crossdressing and indeed may be transgendered. How does he, his wife, and their family deal with it? Can they reconcile all the various issues that they must face both as a family and as individuals?

La Suite Danse Macabre 2

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La Suite Danse Macabre


Mrs. Torre, Erica, and Vanessa give Danny a ride to school. The girls plan to tease him gently about Danielle’s début the previous year, but discover that his memories of the ensuing events are still painful.

La Suite Danse Macabre 1

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La Suite Danse Macabre

Danny Wiseborough is Vanessa Torre’s boyfriend and a gifted violinist. Although his technique and talent are a quantum leap beyond those of everyone else, he tends to suffer from very serious stagefright. Unfortunately, Danny has not been able to overcome his performance anxiety by any conventional therapy. However, the “treatment” that has twice helped him to face it, has not been entirely to his liking.

To See Through a Glass Darkly 10

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To See Through a Glass Darkly

Chapter 10

Sasha sees Dr. Torricelli about the hallucinations, but it's hard for anyone to ignore the boy presenting en femme.

To See Through a Glass Darkly 9

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To See Through a Glass Darkly

Chapter 9

Sasha learns why Mama married Papa & that when a medical appointment comes open, ready or not, you take it.

To See Through a Glass Darkly 8

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To See Through a Glass Darkly

Chapter 8

Sasha dresses for his first day as a girl as he begins bonding sister-to-sister with Sonia and girl-to-girl with their friends.

To See Through a Glass Darkly 6

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To See Through a Glass Darkly
by Anam Chara

Chapter 6

Sasha and Sonia talk about her fantasy for him. Soon, their friends will help out.

To See Through a Glass Darkly 5

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To See Through a Glass Darkly
by Anam Chara

Chapter 5

The school psychologist, Ms. Tollefson, visits Sasha and gives him a test.

To See Through a Glass Darkly 4

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To See Through a Glass Darkly
by Anam Chara

Chapter 4

Has Sasha awakened from a dream, or into one?

To See Through a Glass Darkly 3

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To See Through a Glass Darkly
by Anam Chara

Chapter 3

Home from school, Sasha tries to rest and avoid any more hallucinations by sleeping. Instead, he begins to learn about himself and the girls in his life.

To See Through a Glass Darkly 2

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To See Through a Glass Darkly
by Anam Chara

Chapter 2

Sasha visits Nurse Banner and begins to pay closer attention to whatever is happening to him.

To See Through a Glass Darkly 1

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To See Through a Glass Darkly
by Anam Chara

Chapter 1

As soon as he wakes up, Sasha begins to see and hear things that may not be quite what they seem.

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