Cindy at Music Camp By Teek © 2019 Chapter 19 Mom, Dad, and Who Cindy Goes Home With

Before Cindy’s Dad arrived, Mrs. Elks got Cindy to change into a dry Goodnite and out of her concert outfit.

Cindy was scared to come out of the bedroom, but when she entered the living room her older sister came running up to her and gave her the biggest hug she had ever received.

“That was incredible little sis. I didn’t know you could play that good.”

“Thanks Holly,” Cindy blushed.

“It truly was,” Cindy’s Dad said as he slowly approached. “So, you have spent the last week as a girl. Cindy it is, huh? I could get used to having two beautiful daughters.”

Tears started to flow down Cindy’s face. She ran up and gave her dad a huge hug, “Really, Daddy?”

“After what Mom put you through, you still chose to dress as a girl here at camp. From what I have been told, you have been Cindy for a week. Even after facing a bully, you still chose to continue dressing as a girl. We will have to get a counselor involved, but from what I have heard over the last hour, Cindy is the flute player of the family. She is way better than Frank ever was. I suspect the last condition of those contracts Mrs. Dulles wants us to sign is that Cindy performs, not Frank.”

“Yup,” Cindy confirmed. “The conductors want Cindy. They have never heard Frank play, and I don’t want them to.”

“You had five famous musicians give you a $10,000 flute. They gave Cindy that flute. People don’t just give a nine-year-old an expensive flute like that. They see something special in you. It is time I stopped and tried to see it too.”

“But I can’t be Cindy. Mommy is going to make me be Frank and put me back in baby diapers.”

“Diapers? Why would Mommy put you back in diapers,” Holly asked?

“Been having panic attacks and potty accidents.”

Holly went in for a hug. Dad looked at Cindy and Mrs. Elks who was nodding her head.

“I am sorry,” Dad hugged Cindy tight. “I’m really sorry.”

Cindy looked straight at Dad, “She is mean Daddy. She hates Cindy. She is going to make me a baby again. I sort of need the diapers, so I guess that is okay. But, I . . . I don’t want to go back to being Frank. I like being Cindy.”

“We need to talk to a counselor about this,” Dad said. “I’ll make you a deal though. You can dress however you want until we see a counselor and get their advice. Now tell me about these panic attacks and potty accidents.”

“When she started to get bullied, the potty accidents started,” Mrs. Elks said. “The panic attacks come when something reminds her of incidents with her Mom or incidents with the bully. She started to wet the bed, so I got her some Goodnites. She’s gone to wearing them during the day too, because of the daytime accidents. She is afraid that her Mom will put her back in real baby diapers, instead of the pull-on style of diapers like Goodnites. She also wants the girl ones, not the boy ones.”

“Sounds like we will be buying some GIRL Goodnites on the way home.”

“Not baby diapers?”

“Definitely not,” Dad said. “You’re a big nine-year-old, not a baby.”

“What about Mommy?”

“Once she gets out of jail, we will talk.”

“What? Jail?”

“Threatening to beat you was bad enough but doing it in front of several Police Officers and a Judge was a very bad thing to do,” Cindy’s Dad explained. “Then, while trying to prevent you from leaving the stage, she hit a police officer, so they arrested her. It is a big no, no girls to hit a police officer.”

“Who did she hit?” Cindy inquired. “Are they okay? Was it Samantha’s Daddy?”

“It was Officer Granlin,” Mr. Elks said. “She will be fine.”

“In the audience, I also saw this lady named Mrs. Stone from Child Protective Services. She questioned us a few days ago. I bet she is going to make sure your Mom never follows through with her threats.”

“Daddy,” Cindy broke down into tears.

Dad got down on his knees and hugged Cindy until she stopped crying, “You okay now?”

“Cindy, we did it! We Did It!” Samantha said as she barged into the house. “We Did It Cindy. Did you see the look on their faces when we played that Celtic music? You should have seen the looks when you played your piece. Even the teenagers were amazed. We did it Cindy!”

Cindy, with her tear stained face, turned to look at Samantha.

“Cindy,” Samantha ran up to Cindy and hugged her tight. “It’s okay Cindy. It’s okay. Don’t cry.”

After about two minutes of hugging each other, Samantha turned to Cindy’s Dad, “What did you do to make Cindy cry?”

“Samantha Jean Ellsworth!” Samantha’s dad reprimanded. “You don’t talk to adults like that. Apologize!”

Samantha looked down at her shoes and said, “Sorry Cindy’s Daddy.”

“You’re a good friend Samantha,” Cindy’s Dad said. “Thank you for being concerned. We were just talking about Cindy’s Mommy.”

“Oh her,” Samantha huffed.

There was a knock on the door. Mrs. Elks answered it and let Jessica and her Mom in.

“Good, the two of you are here,” Jessica said. “Mom brought my American Doll Girls. You both go home with two dolls.”

“Samantha,” Mrs. Elks added. “Your new doll is on Lizzy’s bed.”

Samantha, Cindy, and Jessica went running off to Lizzy’s bedroom, with the adults following slowly behind.

There were four packages on the bed. Samantha went right up to the one that was obviously a doll box.

“Oh, cool Samantha,” Jessica said. “You have a Blaire doll.”

While Samantha was looking over her new doll, Mrs. Elks went up to the bed and started looking at the other packages, “This one is for Cindy.”

“What,” Cindy said looking at Mrs. Elks. “For me?”

Cindy was handed a package, while Mrs. Elks picked up another package, “This one is for Jessica, and the last one is for Samantha.”

“Jessica, when I heard what you were doing for Samantha and Cindy,” Jessica’s Mom said. “I decided to get each of you a gift for your dolls.”

“Mom?”

“You are still my little girl, and I get to buy you stuff for your dolls. Open it up silly girl,” Jessica’s Mom directed. “All three of you, open your presents.”

Jessica tore right into the wrapping paper, with bits flying everywhere. Inside was an American Girl Doll Piano set. Samantha and Cindy were more methodical opening up their presents. Soon everyone could see that Cindy had an American Girl Flute set, and Samantha had an American Girl Violin set.

Jessica’s Mom opened a bag she was carrying and pulled out three American Girl Dolls, putting them on the bed.

“We have Samantha, Kit, and Rebecca,” Jessica introduced each of the dolls. “I want you each to pick one doll. I like them all, so I know you will like whichever one you pick.”

Jessica turned her attention to the piano she got. Samantha and Cindy were looking over the dolls and commenting on their outfits. Cindy’s Dad just looked on as he watched his child be more bubbily and alive than he had seen in years. His son was definitely not acting like a boy. He had seen very similar reactions out of Holly when she was nine and got a new doll. Was he looking at a daughter named Cindy or a son named Frank? This child in front of him was happy, and definitely acting like a little girl. No boy would respond this way over a doll and doll accessories.

“Look Cindy,” Holly said. “If you got Kit, we would both have a Kit to play with.”

“Maybe, but that is also a reason not to get Kit,” Cindy said. “I really like the Samantha Doll’s Dress, but maybe Samantha wants the Samantha doll?”

“No,” Samantha said. “I have the Kit Kittredge movie at home. I think I want Kit.”

“I’ll take the Samantha Doll,” Cindy said, putting the Samantha doll next to the Molly doll. She then got the Molly doll to play the toy flute.

As Cindy, Samantha, Jessica, and Holly played with the dolls, the adults went to talk in the living room.

The girls were interrupted a while later by Ciara, “Oh cool, an American Girl party.”

“Hi Ciara,” Samantha said. “You come to get your dress?”

“Yes and no,” Ciara said. “Mommy said Cindy should keep the outfit. Something about wanting to keep it for future memories of her first concert as Cindy.”

“Thank You, Ciara,” Cindy said. “It certainly is a lovely dress.”

“See you next summer Cindy and Samantha,” Ciara said as she turned and left the room.

“Bye,” Cindy and Samantha said together.

“Will we see each other next summer,” Samantha asked Cindy?

“I don’t think so,” Cindy replied.

Samantha hugged Cindy.

“What do you mean,” Holly questioned? “Of course you will be back next summer. Money isn’t even an issue for Mom and Dad anymore, you won full tuition for next summer.”

“Holly,” Cindy glumly said. “Mommy will never let me be Cindy ever again. She will definitely not let me go back to a place I pulled off being Cindy for a whole week without her knowing it.”

“Dad!” shouted Holly. “Dad! Dad!”

“What is it princess,” Cindy’s Dad asked as he came into the room?

“Cindy says she isn’t coming back next summer because you and Mommy won’t let her. Tell her that isn’t true. Tell her she is coming back and will see Samantha and Jessica next summer.”

“Well,” Cindy’s Dad hesitated.

“What do you mean Dad?” Holly protested. “It can’t be the money. She won full tuition for next summer.”

“I know but,” Dad said.

“See,” Cindy said. “I told you Holly. Mommy and Daddy will not let me be Cindy and they definitely will not let me come back to a place where I managed to be Cindy for a whole week without them knowing.”

“It’s not that simple Frank, I mean Cindy,” Dad tried to explain.

“It is simple. You tell her right now that she can come back next summer as Cindy,” Holly demanded.

“Holly.”

“No Dad. You told Cindy that she could be Cindy. You told her that you will look at things differently. Were you lying to her? She is my little sister. She has been my little sister since she was two. You forced her to be Frank when she kept telling you she was Cindy. Now you see Cindy, but you are not letting her be Cindy. Are you going to hide her away in her bedroom again? If so, tell her now. Go ahead, tell her the truth!”

“It’s not that simple Holly,” Dad tried to explain.

“Bull,” Holly bellowed. “Cindy is my sister. She is coming home with us, and she is staying. I have looked up Transgender on the Internet. I know what it is, and so does that Mrs. Stone lady. The more you restricted Frank from being Cindy, the sadder she was. Look at her Daddy. Look at her. She is happy now. Are you going to take that happiness away?”

Holly and her dad looked over to Cindy. What they saw however, wasn’t a happy little girl or boy. They saw her in the middle of a panic attack.

“Cindy!” Holly shouted. “Cindy!”

Jessica and Samantha were already at Cindy’s side trying to calm her down. With Holly shouting Cindy’s name, the other adults immediately came running.

“What’s going on,” Cindy’s Dad said as he darted over to his child?

“You did this,” Samantha yelled at Cindy’s Dad. “You did this with all your fighting. She is having a panic attack because of you. Get away from us. Get away.”

Mrs. Elks was quickly to Cindy’s side and trying to talk her through the attack. Cindy’s Dad backed away and bumped into Samantha’s Dad.

“Scary, isn’t it?” Samantha’s Dad said to Cindy’s Dad. “Samantha’s right though. You did this to your child. Take a good look. Your child is suffering because of you. You may have stood up to your wife, but are you truly ready to accept your child. She has some serious psychological issues due to what you and your wife have put her through. Mrs. Stone will be here shortly. It is now up to her to decide what happens with Cindy and Holly.”

Cindy’s Dad looked on as Samantha got her violin and started to play a lullaby. Jessica got Cindy’s flute and tried to get her to play along with Samantha.

“What are they doing,” Cindy’s Dad asked?

“It is my understanding,” Samantha’s Dad explained. “That Cindy will usually pop out of the panic attacks once she starts playing.”

Before anyone could get Cindy to start playing, Mr. Dillinger showed up. He directed everyone except Samantha, Jessica, and Mrs. Elks to vacate the room, while he worked to bring Cindy down.

Samantha’s Dad got everyone else out of the room and into the living room.

“I did that?” Cindy’s Dad asked no one in particular.

“Yes, you did!” Jessica’s Mom said. “Emotional and Psychological Abuse is a crime, and from what I have heard today, Cindy is a long-term victim of Child Abuse. You told her she could be Cindy, but your actions showed her that you didn’t mean it. What is more important to you; raising your child to be everything they are capable of being, or maintaining a false image that you have a son? No, don’t answer that. Holly got us all to see that image is more important to you at the moment.”

Cindy’s Dad collapsed into one of the chairs in the room.

“Is she going to be alright,” Holly asked?

“Patty,” Samantha’s Dad asked his partner? “Are you alright looking after him. I am going to bring Holly in to see her sister. We already have one traumatized child in the family, maybe we don’t have to have two.”

“We are fine in here,” Officer Granlin replied. “I don’t think Cindy’s father is going to do anything stupid.”

Holly was brought to the doorway to watch the process to bring Cindy out of her panic attack. She wasn’t allowed in the room, but as long as she remained silent, Officer Ellsworth let her watch. Cindy was now holding her flute but not yet playing. Dr. Dillinger was softly and gently reassuring her the arguing was over and everything was okay now. When Samantha reached the end of the piece, Mr. Dillinger got her to continue playing.

Jessica came to the doorway, “It’s never been this bad before, but it should be over soon. She has her flute in hand and you can see she is about to join Samantha in the Lullaby.”

Moments after stating that, Cindy started to play her flute. Holly was amazed at how Cindy’s whole demeanor changed moments after she started to play. When they were done with the Lullaby, Samantha started to play Let It Go. Cindy, still not completely brought down, played along with Samantha. At the end of that, Dr. Dillinger asked Cindy to play her favorite flute solo.

Holly had heard Cindy play this during the concert and at home, but this time it was different. It sounded sad.

Once Cindy was back and aware of her surroundings, Dr. Dillinger asked everyone to leave. He wanted to talk privately with Cindy.

Everyone went to the living room and just sat there. When Mrs. Stone arrived, she was informed of the events and that Cindy was in with a counselor. She took Holly into the Dining Room with Officer Patty Granlin to question Holly some more about life at home. Mrs. Elks brought Jessica, Lucy, and Samantha into the Guest Room to let them play. Everyone else sat quietly in the living room. When Mrs. Stone was done talking to Holly, she interviewed a few of the adults in the house.

Dr. Dillinger talked with Cindy for close to an hour before coming out.

“Cindy is better now,” Dr. Dillinger explained to the group. “I sent her off to play with the other girls while I talk to all of you. She needs help. Both for her transgender issues and her family life. Suicide hasn’t entered her head yet, but if this keeps up, she will get to that idea quickly. She already believes she has to sacrifice her personality just to make her parents love her. If she does that, you are on a very short road to suicide.”

“But Frank is only nine,” Cindy’s Dad stated.

“I have seen children younger than her attempt suicide,” Officer Granlin said.

“You keep referring to your child as Frank,” Mrs. Stone pointed out. “I do not see a little boy when I look at your child. I see a girl. Emotional and Psychological abuse is hard to prove in court, but I think I have enough to support an argument down those lines.”

“From what I have seen today,” Judge Thompson added. “I would have to agree with Mrs. Stone. Before I leave today, I will be giving Mrs. Stone a statement to that effect.”

“Herbert,” Mrs. Stone continued talking to Cindy’s Dad. “In my professional opinion it is not safe for Cindy to go home with you. I have been in contact with your parents and they are on their way up here to take both Cindy and Holly home with them. You will need to be in court on Monday, where the family court judge will decide custody of the children.”

“But . . .”

“Herbert,” Samantha’s Dad stopped him. “Mrs. Stone has the authority to do that and I have the authority to enforce it. Please do not make this worse for the kids.”

Judge Thompson looked at Herbert, “Most likely, counselling will be ordered for all family members. A full Psychological Evaluation will be ordered for Cindy, which should confirm or deny the Transgender personality. I suspect the kids will be with their grandparents until that evaluation is done and reported back to the judge. You are close to accepting your child for who they are on the inside. You and your wife will have some serious decisions to make in the next few days. Your words and actions have gotten you to this point. You have control over how you choose to go forward from here.”

Herbert sat looking at his hands in his lap.

“Are you going to tell me that you are going to force this man to accept his son dressing as a girl,” George’s Mom asked. “The bible says . . .”

“Claire,” Dr. Dillinger interrupted. “The bible has nothing to do with any of this. You and I may not agree with LGBTQ individuals’ lifestyles, but there is no denying that they exist. Professionals will determine if the kid in there is Transgender or not. The courts will decide what to do with that knowledge. That kid in there is on the verge of a full mental breakdown. Lucy recovering from one dog attack has been extremely hard. That kid has had years of attacks on what she believes to be reality. George stated it best, the bible tells us that we are to love thy neighbor and God will judge the individual. So, Claire, stop judging and start loving.”

Claire looked around the room and stayed silent.

“I do love my child,” Herbert said softly to himself.

They only had to wait five more minutes before the Grandparents arrived. Mrs. Elks let them in and brought them to the living room where introductions were made.

“As I have explained on the phone,” Mrs. Stone said. “I am removing both children from the home due to child abuse. Until the court makes a decision on Monday, neither of the parents are to have contact with the children without me there.”

“Fine mess you got yourself into this time Herbert,” Grandpa said. “I didn’t raise you to be a child abuser.”

“Sorry Dad,” Herbert said.

“Sorry? Sorry?” Grandma reprimanded. “I have been telling you for years to get that poor child into counselling. Now, I hear that you have been punishing the child for dressing as a girl, publicly embarrassing the kid, assaulting the child with an inappropriate haircut, and whipping the kid for being themselves. And you never once took the kid to a counselor. Sorry, huh? Doesn’t look like it to me. The first chance the kid gets out from under your thumb and they find a way to dress as they feel, a girl! Doesn’t sound like some phase a little kid is going through. That kid faced bullies; his parents and other kids. Yet, the kid still chose to be a girl. Not a girl away from everyone, but a girl in front of everyone.”

“I know Mom,” Herbert responded.

“I don’t think you do young man,” Grandma continued. “Your nine-year-old child is back in diapers because of the abuse you inflicted on them. One of these nice people here is a Psychiatrist and they have to teach me how to deal with a severe psychological issue in YOUR child, because of the abuse you inflicted on them. I will see you and your wife in court on Monday, and I will have some choice words to say to that judge. And believe me, it is not going to be in your defense. I cannot believe Child Protective Services had to call me to help clean up a mess my son created.”

“Sorry Mom.”

“Sorry?” Grandma glared at her son. “Is that all you have to say. Well I do not accept your apology. Anyways, it is directed at the wrong person. You need to apologize to your two children. Your two daughters apparently. Nine years and I have never officially met this second granddaughter of mine. Does she even have a name?”

“Her name is Cindy,” Mrs. Stone said with a smile. “Apparently Holly gave her the name Cindy as a gift on Cindy’s 3rd birthday.”

“At least one person in your family Herbert has a brain and could see the truth,” Grandpa stated. “Six years with the name Cindy and this is the first we have heard it. Sad, very sad.”

“Before we bring the kids out, do either of you have any questions?” Mrs. Stone asked.

“Can someone tell me about my Granddaughter Cindy?” Grandma asked.

Mrs. Elks, Mr. Elks, and George told the grandparents about the last week. They told about Cindy’s love for Disney Junior TV shows like Vampirina and Sophia the First. They told about the way she wowed the music professionals, and the contract offers currently on the table. The $10,000 gift of a flute had the grandparents astonished. The group told about the clothes swap and the haircut. They even told about the three girls singing and dancing the Frozen song Let It Go in front of almost the whole camp. Then they got into the negatives of the panic attacks, toileting struggles, and about Cindy’s fears of what she thought would happen today and over the next few days. Mr. Dillinger explained some about panic attacks and what he had learned about Cindy’s attacks. Then George innocently mentioned that Cindy believes her parents won’t let her come back next summer because she pulled off being Cindy at camp this summer. He also went on to say that Holly confirmed this concept in a discussion with Cindy’s Dad.

“What the . . .” Grandpa said. His eyes were wide, and you could almost see steam coming out the top of his head. “Herbert. Cindy wins the Best Performer Competition at camp. She has world renowned conductors from around the world trying to get her to perform for them. She is so good they GIVE her a $10,000 flute just out of the kindness of their hearts. Yet, you refuse to let her come back next summer? Are you nuts? No, obviously you are. This camp is the best thing that has ever happened to that child and that child is coming back next summer. As Cindy or Frank, that will be up to her, but the kid is returning. No one in our hick town can teach her what she needs to grow as a musician, but here they can. Mr. Elks, go ahead and put Cindy down for next summer. I will pay for it myself if I have to.”

“Actually,” Mr. Elks said. “As part of the 1st place prizes in the Best Performer Competition, tuition for next summer is free.”

“Are you telling me Herbert,” Grandma questioned? “She has a free ticket to return, and you still were not going to let her come? In my opinion, that right there is child abuse. Now I am going to go back and get my granddaughters. We are going to come out here and you, Herbert, are going to apologize to both of your DAUGHTERS. Then we are leaving. Do you understand Herbert?”

“Yes Mam,” Herbert said looking straight at his mother before putting his head back down.

“So, where are my grandchildren?”

Mrs. Elks, Judge Thompson, and Mrs. Stone took the grandparents back to the kids. They walked in on Cindy, Jessica, Samantha, Lucy, and Holly playing with the American Girl Dolls and the new musical accessories.

Holly was the first to notice the adults, “Grandma and Grandpa!”

Holly went running over to Grandma for a hug, while Cindy got down on the floor behind the bed.

“Great to see you Holly,” Grandma said. “I have heard that you named my other granddaughter. I want to meet her. Do you know where I could find her?”

“Cindy’s right there Grandma,” Holly turned to point out Cindy, but there was one less girl with the dolls. “Well, she was a minute ago.”

Mrs. Elks walked around the bed and pointed down at Cindy, without Cindy noticing.

“Well this is terrible,” Grandma said with a huge smile on her face. “I wanted to give my Granddaughter a huge big hug before she has to get in my car for the long ride to my house.”

“Your house,” Cindy asked without getting up?

“Did that bed just ask if it is coming to my house? I’m not sure I have room in the car for a bed.”

Cindy peeked up over the bed.

Grandma turned Holly towards the bed, making sure Holly was between her and the bed, “Holly? Does that bed have eyes? First it talks and now it’s looking at me.”

“Silly Grandma,” Holly giggled. “That’s Cindy.”

“My Granddaughter is a bed?”

All the girls in the room giggled at that.

“I thought Cindy was a little girl, not a bed,” Grandma stated.

“I am a girl Grandma,” Cindy said standing up.

“Oh my, and quite a beautiful little girl you are,” Grandma said opening her arms in hopes of a hug.

Cindy hesitantly approached.

“I don’t bite Cindy,” Grandma said. “Just ask Holly. No matter how sweet she has been over the years, I have resisted eating her all up. And that is saying a lot, since like all little girls, she is made of 100% Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice. That just sounds so delicious, but I still haven’t eaten her.”

“Your silly Grandma,” Cindy said as she reached Grandma and embraced her with a hug.

“You two are coming home with Grandpa and me,” Grandma said. “And you will be staying with us for a while.”

Holly looked over at Mrs. Stone with a questioning look.

“Yes Holly. This is my doing,” Mrs. Stone said. “On Monday a judge will decide what happens.”

“Mommy,” Jessica said. “You’re going to decide what happens with Cindy’s Mommy and Daddy?”

“No Jessica,” Judge Thompson explained. “Because Cindy’s your friend, I can’t be the judge. Another judge will be deciding cases involving Cindy and her family members.”

“Holly and Cindy,” Grandpa said. “Let’s get your stuff together and get going.”

“Cindy,” Mrs. Elks added. “Go put on a dry Goodnite before the trip. Then put the rest of the Goodnites and the wipes in your bag to go home.”

When Cindy came back from the bathroom, she went to work packing everything up. Both of her flutes were packed, the outfit she wore at the concert was packed, and she put Molly’s new flute in the suitcase. Looking at the Molly doll, Samantha doll, and her panda bear, she put the bear in the suitcase, deciding the other two would be in the back seat with her.

“Bye Jessica,” Cindy said with a tear coming down her face. “Bye Samantha.”

“It’s not fair that she isn’t coming back next summer,” Holly grumbled.

“She will be back next summer,” Grandpa said. “Cindy, this is not Good-bye forever. It is just until next summer. You are going to come back to camp next summer.”

The girls all looked at him in confusion.

“We have already informed your Dad that Cindy, or Frank if he wants to come instead, is coming back next summer,” Grandpa explained. “I will drive you here myself Cindy, if I have to.”

Samantha ran up to Cindy and gave her a big hug, “See you next summer.”

Jessica looked at her mom.

“Based upon what they told Cindy’s Dad in the other room,” Jessica’s Mom stated. “I am fairly certain that Cindy will be back next summer.”

Jessica went up and embraced the Samantha and Cindy hug, “See you two next summer.”

Good-byes were said, addresses exchanged with promises to write each other, and lots of tears were released by all.

When they left the guest room, Cindy walked right through the living room without stopping or looking at her father. Holly did stop to listen to her father’s apology and then she turned away from him stating, “Prove it Daddy. Prove it.”

Out in the car, Cindy waved at Jessica, Samantha, and George as she left camp as Cindy. As they turned the corner, headed towards the exit, she saw Marcus waving good-bye to her. Cindy reached over and grabbed her sister’s hand. Squeezing it tight, Cindy smiled.