After all the new experiences, fights with his mother and his internal discussions, which way will Joe go when the pressure builds.
This is as far as I will take Joe in his life, unless I can be persauded (not bullied off course) otherwise, or someone else can see his potential :)

Joe was quiet at work the next day, when Kay asked him what was up she listened to his tale. Then told him he should not be upsetting his mother, but if he was sure he wanted to try a dress then she would help him in any way she could. Her first offer of help was to let him read through some fashion magazines suggesting he pick out a style he liked. Over lunch he looked and looked but was unable to settle on any one style so Kay suggested he think what he wants from the dress and asked him to pick a few words to describe what he likes about his favourite clothes then.
'Soft, smooth, nice colours.'
'Ok, so how about patterns?'
'Yes I suppose flower patterns would be more feminine'
'What about length, short, knee or long, what fits your idea of feminine?'
'Short is what girls wear, knee is more mature, more what a woman would wear. I suppose long is elegant'
'Ok we are getting somewhere. A mid length, soft cotton maybe, print dress. Flared skirt works best with soft fabrics.'
'I guess that sounds about right'
'good it is late night shopping in town tonight so get yourself down there and have a look round'

He got home about eight and with some delight told his mum he had been out looking at dresses that evening, she asked if he had chosen anything but said nothing seemed right. When she suggested he was taking this very seriously he replied that she was making it a serious issue. To which she backed down but not before reminding him he had till Sunday to make his mind up. It might have felt like a truce but it was just a tactical reorganising of strategy really.

Sunday came and he had spent his wages on his first dress, a pink and cream print with flowers running up the skirt and bodice, the fabric was a truly soft cotton which had been rouched around the bust and fell in flowing pleats down past his knees, a round neck and little puffed sleeves completed the dress. He had also bought himself some more tights and a pair of cream court shoes. He felt he had gone far enough, the dress felt lovely as it wafted around his body, he had the heels as she had wanted but he was at a loss as to how to alter his shape. So he dressed and did his make up, put in the long pink chandeliers and hung the pendant around his neck to remind his mother that she had given him them.
'hi mum, what do you think?'
She looked him up and down realising this could be a big moment in their lives. 'Very pretty, where did you get it?'
'Debenhams'
'Always nice stuff there, how does it feel?'
'Very nice, ever so gentle on the skin'
'Would you wear it again?'
'I think so it is very nice on, and if you don't mind'
'Well I think we have a problem if you want to look like a girl' she looked him in the eye 'you have failed in at least two ways today, one you are flat chested and though I can't see it I guess your waist is no smaller. I think I could add that the shoes are a bit plain for that dress, higher and dressier would look good'
'sorry I was trying my best' then he inexplicably said 'do you like the dress?'
'I do, but before I let you have some dinner you must fulfill my instructions' he began to look distressed as he had no idea how to do what she wanted. 'Come this way' she lead him to her bedroom 'Take the dress off' Then after a little rummaging in her drawers passed him a white satin padded bra 'Here slip this on' After a little fumbling he had the bra around his chest 'Now to give you a waist, lift your arms' She wrapped a corselette around him and pulled the laces tight 'Pull your stomach in and breathe out' and the laces went a bit tighter.
'Mum is this necessary?'
'If you want to feel feminine, you have to look feminine. Now slip these shoes on' she pointed at a pair of brown mules with just a strap across the toes and a narrow 3" heel. Her last action was to spray scent on her son. 'Ok put your dress back on and lets see how things have improved'
He had difficulty standing in the new shoes and had to take them off as he lower the dress over his head, but then once it was positioned correctly he stepped back into the shoes and carefully went to look in a mirror.
'Better?' his mother asked
'I see what you mean'
'Right, this is how it will be, if you want to be feminine I will expect you to wear a bra all the time, the corset until you have lost some wieght and heels, maybe not high like those but at least not flats or trainers.' She was hoping that making such tough rules would make him think again about being so girlie.
'But mum what about college'
'That is your problem Josie unless you want to be called Joe all the time'

His mum was pushing him and she hoped pushing him into backing down and being more of a son even if it was a very feminine son, but Joe was wanting to prove himself and reckoned a baggy top would hide his mother's new additions, the shoes he could swap once outside with a pair in his bag. Besides that set too, the rest of Sunday went well, Josie being reminded to tuck the skirt underneath when sitting, a few tips on walking in heels and small portions to start the diet.

The following Monday to prove a point to himself and his mum, he went to the shops at lunch time and bought himself several bras and when he saw some low wedge heeled black ankle boots he bought those also. So come Tuesday morning he went out of the house wearing an unfilled bra the corset and his new boots. His mum said nothing as she was not sure if this was a victory or not. The reaction of Kay at work was very different, she noticed the bra pushing the top out first and then the boots.
'Oh very nice I must say, but why?'
'Mum says if I want to feel feminine, then I have to look female, hence the boots and bra'
'Oh that is interesting, so was the dress nice?'
'Very'
'I see. Anything else your mum wants you to do?'
'Wear a corset'
'Thought you were but did not like to say, why?'
'Because I need a waist to be the right shape'
'If only I had a waist, but I think I know what she means. All or nothing is what she is getting at'
'Yes'
'and you can't give up the nice feminine things?' I nodded, 'so it will be full on female from now on'
'Well except for college, I am known as Joe there'
'Bit of a cop out and you will look very camp on you days in class, but it is up to you. Now the bra, what size did you get and have you anything to fill them?'
'32 B I think'
'Well for today get some tissues and pad them out to make them look more realistic, and might I suggest you save up and buy some inserts like the women who have a breast removed use, they would look so much better'

It was not long before Joe had saved up for his inserts and besides college days wore his filled bra all the time. And as the autumn chill grew he bought leggings and long tops, which he assumed rightly were just short dresses. With these new additions and another pair of low heels to work in, plus a new jacket he was unrecognisable as the boy that first started at Kutz the hair and beauty salon.

His mum was working on his diet as a way to make his life harder, but what was more of a challenge was the feelings Joe had for a lad who had come in for a trim. A nephew of Kay's who was a bit older and far more masculine in looks and manner than Joe could ever be, but what got Joe was that besides being good looking, Lee flirted with him. And then a week later with some lame excuse of a message from his mother for Kay, he turned up again and once agian flirted with Joe.

When Joe was alone with Kay next he asked if Lee knew that he was a femmy boy. 'Should think so I have mentioned it to his mum'. This confused Joe because he could not get his head around the thought that a boy would or should be chatting him up, even more worrying was that he enjoyed the attention. Kay broke into his thoughts, 'Nice boy Lee, don't you think?'
'Err well yes' stammered Lee.
'He fancies you, it is written all over him'
'Nooo, cant be I am a lad really'
'And he is gay'
Joe swallowed deeply, 'Oh'
'You should be flattered, nice lad like Lee. Does it make you feel more girlie to think of yourself as being chatted up because of how you look?'
'Not sure just yet, I need some time to think about that one' but Joe was blushing all the time.
'You are really cute when you blush you know' and after a pause 'So should I tell him you will see him after work?'
'What?'
'He asked me to find out if you would meet him after work and maybe go for a pizza or something, so yes or no?' Josie blushed some more and fiddled with his hair 'I shall tell him yes, being with a hunk like Lee will make you feel so feminine'
'But what should I wear, do I need to redo my make up? I will feel so awkward, are you sure?'
'Don't worry, wear what you are in now, he is not taking you anywhere for a date, just spending time to get to know you, but maybe we could give your face a little more sex appeal'
'Sex appeal !!'
'Just make you look a bit more girlie, not full blown night club look but something that says, I want to look nice for you, but not necessarily to have sex'
'Ok but definitely not an I want sex look'

Kay made the call, and at half five Lee was waiting for them to lock up, Joe had used a darker eye shadow and a darker pink on his lips with a wet look gloss which got Kay and Denise's encouragement. His mum was not expecting him home after he had called to say he was meeting up with some friends and would get something to eat. She had asked what friends as he lately hardly went out, from college he lied, admitting that a lad had been flirting with him was not something he felt his mum would like to hear. They walked round the local park that lead them into the town where Lee made for a Pizza Hut. They chatted about his family, his aunt Kay, the salon, Lee's job at a local newspaper. But after the small talk dried up Joe could stand it no longer and asked the only question that was bothering him 'You know I am not a proper girl don't you, I just prefer to dress femmy'
Lee took one of Joe's hands on the table and looked straight at him 'It is what makes you so special, you are real pretty and yet being a boy means I still fancy you, wierd I know. Maybe some sort of half way for me, with you I could hold your hand and not worry about being called queer, you look so great and yet I know that you are not really a girl. For me perfect'
'sorry I am not sure about all this, I just like being feminine never really considered if I like boys more than girls' then Joe thought he might have offended Lee 'but tonight has been lovely, I am enjoying myself. Honest'
Lee did not let go of Joe's hand until they had to leave. And once out of the building took hold of the hand again 'Have you kissed a girl?'
Joe was surprised by the question 'Well er, one or two'
'Have you kissed a lad?'
'No'
'Would you like to find out what it is like?'
'Er' was all Joe managed before Lee had stooped down a little and kissed his lips gently.
Joe did not have to pull away 'So now you have kissed a boy, any objections?'
'Er' he could not think what to answer but then said 'No'
Which meant Lee leant in and let his lips carress Joe's for a little bit longer. Joe opened his mouth slightly to breath which Lee took as a sign of acceptence and kissed a little harder letting his tongue lick Joes lips. Joe was even more confused than ever, this was the best kiss ever but it was not with a girl which is what he had always thought would be his default kisser. After what seemed like an age, but was barely a minute, Joe moved back and broke the moment.
'I take it you have no objections then?'
'I think I should be getting home' was Joe's reply, but instead of walking off, kept hold of Lee's hand as he moved away. Lee followed keeping a firm grip on his 'girlfriends' hand.

That was a rather defining evening in more ways than one. Yes he had kissed a boy and not been repulsed by it, but it was what his mum said when he got home.
'Right then Josie I have been working with you on this feminine boy life style you seem to like, but I think it is time for you to decide if you are a boy or a girl. You look like a girl but I know you are a boy and it is doing my head in.'
Joe had always felt his mum was more black and white than himself but still asked 'Why can't I be a boy that looks pretty, sort of somewhere in between'
'I have tried to put you off by forcing you into more and more aspects of being a girl, but you just go one step further it seems, so I want you to either make a commitment to stop or to consider that you might be transgendered'
'Trans what?'
'It means you are a girl trapped in a boys body, your physical looks do not match your emotional state'
'So you want me to go back to being a scruffy lad or what?'
'Go and see a specialist who knows about these things, maybe you are a girl'
Joe then had a flash back to his kiss with Lee and did not even have to consider the options, he had enjoyed being with Lee and to be with Lee would mean he had to behave like a girlfriend, if he went back as he suspected his mum wanted, to being an ordinary Joe then Lee would not want him. Decision made 'I am a girl, I like looking like this, I feel better when I am not dressing down to look less female for college days. Yes I want to be Josie.' but then added 'Sorry I am not sure that is what you wanted to hear'
His mum was starting to well up, 'No it is fine, you have to be true to yourself' she managed. But Joe felt himself drawn to her and gave her a hug.
'We'll be fine, you'll see, just let me be your daughter and I will try not to dissappiont you'

Joe went to bed in his satin nightie that evening after working through his beauty routine beforehand, but sleep was not easy after the evening he had just had. A kiss, the first that felt like a connection and not something that should be done. Then his declaration that he was a girl inside if not on the outside completely. Questions such as how different is Joe from Josie? Could he become a real girl? What does a real girl feel like? Are breasts important? In the end he fell asleep at what seemed to be just before the alarm went off.

That morning for work he picked out a long floral top, leggings, his higher heels and used scent for work which was a new thing to him.
His mum said 'You look nice this morning'
Then at work. Kay said 'Last night went well then'.
To his mum he said thank you.
To Kay he blushed, she knew where he had been and what might have happened.

Lee was waiting for the salon to lock up at the end of the day. 'You look nice. Would you like to go to the pictures at the weekend or something?'
Kay came out of the door 'Oh hi Lee'
'Hi aunt Kay'
'If he asks you out, make sure he pays, and if it is to see a film pick a chick flick, none of that macho sci fi stuff' Kay said to Josie.
'That would be nice, Saturday, but give me chance to get home a change after work'
'Seven?'
'See you at seven then'
He walked home considering what he had just done, this was a proper date with a boyfriend the whole thing. Sometimes he thought about what he should wear, alternating with times he thought he must be mad to have accepted.

Saturday came and Kay gave him a quick wash and style before he went home. He had already told his mother he was going out and would not be eating, so she was partly ready for going out socially, something he had not done for months. What she was not ready for was the sight of her son coming into the living room wearing his dress, some new sandals with really high narrow heels, a neat jacket and for the first time a handbag. She was just getting used to the sight of her son when the front door bell rang.
'I'll get it' Josie said rather too quickly. 'Oh hi Lee' then turning back into the house 'See you later mum.' And he was gone, the door shut behind him. His mum was up and looking out of the window like a shot. She told herself she should have expected something like this but to see her son walking down the road with Lee was a rather abrupt shock. She had until recently always imagined seeing her son walking down the road as one half of a couple, with Joe walking beside a pretty girl, not Joe being the pretty girl. But then as she watched them walk away she felt an odd sort of pride, Lee was a good looking lad and Josie made a good looking girl beside him. This she knew would take some getting her head around as she went back to watching a Saturday evening game show.

Sunday and Josie was up early and making herself as pretty as possible, Lee was coming round later and they were going for a walk. Leggings, top that doubles as a mini dress and high heels. Josie wanted to look as much a girl as was possible for Lee and his mum noticed.
'This boy, more than just a mate I guess.'
'Oh Lee is just one of Kay's nephews, we enjoy each others company.'
'You seem to enjoy being more feminine for him as well.'
'Do I?' Josie said hoping to sound surprised.
'Yes you do, I would even say you fancied him if you were a girl.'
'Well I'm not, I don't fancy him and we are just friends.' Josie lied.

But the day was to get far worse than a little spat between mother and child. Josie was done up to the nines and walked down the road not considering how others might be reacting, teenagers can be quite unaware at times. But that afternoon while she was tidying the garden on more than one occasion neighbours passed comment over the front fence about a girl they had seen coming out of the house and Joe was wearing some unusual clothes lately. She defended by saying he was training as a hair dresser and it has changed him a little but she had no real answer to the questions about who the girl was that day.

When Josie came home he found his mother sitting quietly in the back room clearly upset. He gave her a hug and asked what was wrong but she told him nothing then went to get the tea ready. It was later that she asked how serious he was about his new feminine look. His reply was pretty much expected, he liked it and to the question of whether he preferred to look like a girl or a boy his immediate answer was a girl. This made her go quiet and Josie knew he was the cause of her distress. Eventually she told him about the comments and his bubble was burst. He never really thought anyone bothered, yes it had been a concern at the beginning but as the changes got more feminine so his ability to hide them got harder and he stopped trying and had felt no one really cared how he looked anyway. This was a big shock. There was not much said after that, Josie went to his room and cleaned himself up then tried to work out who he was, what he was and what he was going to do. The upshot was that he went to work in the morning with no make up on, flat hair, baggy jeans, trainers and a loose sweat top, he even clipped the nails shorter. His mum saw him and cried a little.
'Oh Josie, I am so sorry I should have said nothing.'
'No mum I am fine, maybe best if I just accept that people with my body should dress like this.'
'Still I am sorry.' she repeated as she gave him a hug.

At work Kay was shocked and sent him in the back so they could have chat, she knew something must have happened and initially thought it was Lee, but as she got the tale right she became rather indignant that nosy neighbours should be controlling him to this extent. Surely he should be able to dress how he wants, though in truth she did know there was a lot of people who were rather narrow minded to anything they dont understand, Lee had had to endure some unkind comments so could understand something of Joe's upset.

The dressing like a boy continued for a few days but it was clear that Joe would rather be Josie, comments from customers like 'Where is that nice young girl today' only made things worse. In the end Kay rang his mother and they had a discussion after work, Kay, Denise, Joe and his mum. Joe was the only topic, did he see himself as a boy? what would he do if he could not dress as a girl? how much did he fancy Lee? could he live as a girl all the time? Not that any of the others knew it but Kay had a plan and once they had asked questions and discussed the merits of Joe versus Josie, and was satisfied Joe would be happier dressing like a girl, she made her offer. She lived some distance away and had a large house, Josie could be her lodger but there were conditions so as nosy neighbours were not a problem again. Joe would have to present as female all the time, ideally ultra feminine so as to leave no doubts, she would contact the college and infrom them of the changes and make sure that there would be no problems, if there were then he should enrol at another the next year hopefully his history better hidden.

Joe and his mum went home hardly speaking until the evening meal was on the table.
'So what do you want to do?'
'What do you want me to do?'
'I want you to be happy, if that means you live with Kay and I have a daughter then I will handle it.'
'I am so sorry, this was not meant to be how I wanted to be.'
'But it is, and the choice is yours, not mine. Unfortunately it is what nieghbours say not me, so how do you want the world to see you?'
'Will you be upset if I say Josie.'
'I will cope, you have to leave home sometime.'
We hugged a lot that evening but the world was changing and life would be different from then on.