Warm Milk, A Jaci and Dottie Story

‘Drea DiMaggio put on her nightie, and was just about to head to bed when there was a soft knock at the door. Putting on a robe, she went to the door, and saw little Dottie standing there, in her favorite nightie, which had a picture of Tinkerbell on it.

“Dorothy? What is it sweetie. Nightmares, again?”

“No, Tante. Its... Can I talk to you?”

“Sure hon, come in, sit on the bed.”

“Kay.”

“So what’s on your mind, sweetie?”

“I’m worried about Jaci, Tante. She’s ... when she first came, I thought the pretending to be a boy was funny, but its more serious, isnt it? Is she like me, only the other way? A boy brain and a girl body?”

“I dont think so, sweetie. Its just ... you know you you got hurt for wanting to be a girl, right?”

“Yeah?”

“Its like that for her too. Her parents wanted her to be a boy, and they hurt her trying to make her into one.”

“I remember you telling me that, but why isnt she getting better? I’m getting better, arent I?”

“You are hon, but Jaci isnt ready to face it just yet. Its pretty scary, as you know.”

“I know, Tante. I just dont want her sad, and trying to be a boy is just ... to hard for her, I mean, she’s more girl than me! She’s got breasts, and a period, and everything! And she never wears pants or acts like a boy, except when she remembers she’s supposed to.”

“I know hon. We just have to be patient with her, and love her, and when she realizes she’s safe, she’ll be happy to be her, just like you are now happy to be you.”

“Sometimes, anyway, Tante. Sometimes, I still get scared, especially around boys.”

“Yes, but you’ve come a long way in a short time. You should be patient with you, too.”

“I’ll try, Tante. And thanks.”

“For what sweetie.”

“Helping me. Letting me be a girl. Making things ... safe for me. Loving me.”

“Loving you is easy, sweetie. You may not know it, but you’re very lovable.”

“Tante!”

“Its true. Now, how about a glass of warm milk and go back to bed?”

“Kay Tante.”

Later, with Dorothy safely snuggled into bed, Andrea took a peek at her other charge, who was seemingly asleep, and sighed.

“Funny how life changes. After my transition, I thought I would be alone for the rest of my life. Now, I’m “Tante ‘Drea” to two small, wounded girls, who would have seen that coming?”

“Just goes to show, I guess.” She thought, and then went to have a little bit of warm milk herself before dropping off to sleep.