TGIF by Maggie “Kitten” O’Malley

Parts of this story use ideas and characters from Shalimar’s Kid’s Kamp universe and The Dream by Prudence Walker. It is given to my friends and family who have always shared their love and magic with me. Special dedication is given to Rebecca Anne Stewart, affectionately known to us Becky, who will always be in our hearts. Special thanks to Holly Hart for translating this from “Toddlerese.” Hugs and love to everyone, from the Kitten and her Moose.

****************************************************************

Heather Rose checked her “Hello Kitty” wrist watch as she rolled up to the cycle rack just outside the bank. “8:28, made it with two minutes to spare,” she sighed, relieved and a touch out of breath.

Normally she was there at 8:15 with bells on, but this was Friday, her favorite work day of the week, and she was lucky to make it in by 8:30 with bows on: two little pink bows to be specific. It was “TGIF, Thank Goodness It’s Friday,” a casual dress day which was just one of the new and popular policies instituted by the new and popular bank manager Miss Hart, and Heather Rose took full advantage of it.

While most of her co-workers celebrated the day by wearing comfortable shoes, relaxed fit jeans, and a free flowing jumper or shirt, Heather Rose found comfort, freedom of spirit and boundless joy in a little Japanese kitty, and clothes better suited for a child’s play day at the park, than an adult’s work day at the bank.

Heather Rose loosened the straps on her riding helmet and removed it. Immediately, two long braids of chestnut brown hair, held in pig tails by pink bows, fell to her shoulders. A short sleeved pink t-shirt was tucked inside blue jean overalls that sported the image of her favorite feline, “Hello Kitty,” across the chest and the name scripted down the left leg. White socks trimmed in soft pink lace, pink canvas trainers, and a faded pink backpack with the same image and name as the overalls completed her favorite Friday ensemble.

On an eight year old, this look would be absolutely adorable, but on a thirty five year old, it would normally be absolutely ridiculous. However, Heather Rose was anything but a normal woman on the cusp of middle age. Even though she was nearly 5’8, she was small-boned and slender with a youthful sparkle in her big brown eyes, a sparkle that never shown brighter than it did on Fridays.

And of course there was her personality. While she was dedicated, proficient and totally professional in dealing with all facets of the banking business, she did it with the bright eyed smile and youthful exuberance of the eight year old she modeled her outfit after. She seemed to carry hope, giggles, and the childhood innocence that most of us lose long before 35, and yet she did her job so well, so maturely if you will, that she had the respect of her peers and the admiration of the customers. In a word, she had balance. She seemed to be a unique blend of woman and child, perfectly balanced and blended to allow her to bring the best of both to work each day. But today was Friday, and the scale was tipped ever so slightly in favor of the little girl and her cute, cuddly kitty.

Aside from looks and personality, there was one other attribute that separated her from other 35 year old women. In fact, some would say it separated her from women in general. Heather Rose was a male to female transsexual. In simpler terms, she had been born with the heart, the soul, and the mind of a girl, only somehow it had ended up packaged in the body of a boy.

As a small child, she had known she was a girl even if she didn’t look like one. She went to bed every night with a child’s faith that when she awoke the next morning she would find that magic had given her a girl’s body to match her girl’s heart and then everyone would see she had been a girl all along.

By the time she was a teenager, her faith in magic had waned, and so had her hopes of anyone ever believing she was really a girl. By young adulthood, she could no longer bear being the invisible girl. She took matters into her own hand, sought assistance and began her transition to womanhood. At age 25, she became Heather Rose, and for the better part of 10 years she’s lived, worked and strived to be the happiest girl she could be. Today was Friday. She was one happy girl.

Heather Rose placed her bike in its customary position and set the lock. She always put her bike in the last spot on the rack, even though the only other regular bike rider was Miss Hart. The bike rack had been another of Miss Hart’s innovations. She was a big believer in being environmentally conscious and encouraged all the employees to park their gas guzzlers and cycle for the planet’s health as well as their own. That idea hadn’t taken on quite as well as TGIF, but the spirit behind it was well respected by the employees, just as Miss Hart was.

Heather Rose skipped up to the lobby doors, and tapped on the glass, greeting Bob the security guard with a smile, a wave and a bounce. The older man really liked Heather Rose. He appreciated her passion and courage to skip to the beat of a different drum.

“Hello, Heather Rose,” Bob greeted her as he ushered inside. “You’re looking awfully sweet today. I think of all your Friday outfits, that one’s my favorite.”

“Thanks Bob.” She blushed and beamed as she curtsied. “I think it’s my favorite, too.”

Bob locked the door behind her. “Go get’em princess. TGIF!”

Heather Rose winked. “Thanks Bob. TGIF!”

Most of the employees were gathered in the break room, nibbling on bagels, getting their caffeine fix, and chatting about plans for the weekend. Heather Rose poked her cute little nose in and gave her usual cheery good morning and wave. She was greeted with a few, “Hi Heather Rose’s and Morning, Heather Rose’s,” by most of her co-workers, save for the few who never had a good word to say to anyone before 10:00 a.m.

Heather Rose stepped lively past the Gathering at the coffee pot, eventually stopping at the break table to set down her backpack and remove her food supplies for the day. Coffee was definitely not on her breakfast menu, especially on Friday. Orange juice in a Hello Kitty mug and a blueberry cereal bar were soup de jour. Lunch was hidden in a brown bag, but everyone there knew what Heather Rose’s Friday feast was: a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, heavy on the peanut butter and jelly, carton of milk, fruit cup, and a bag of jelly babies which she always offered round, but had few takers.

A few of the women commented on how much they liked her TGIF wear, but not too surprisingly, none asked where she bought it, or if it came in their size. Most of the men tried to get lost in sport talk rather than go eye to eye with Heather Rose in the break room. Thirty five year old women in pig tails dressed for climbing monkey bars made most men either a bit uncomfortable, or a bit horny, neither of which was conducive to their eight hour shift at the bank.

On the whole however, everyone pretty much liked Heather Rose. Most of the women thought her Friday attire and everyday attitude to be cute and endearing, even if it was a bit “eccentric.” Her childlike innocence and enthusiasm brought out the maternal instinct in the women, and they tended to discreetly watch over her, especially on Fridays, should any customer or male co-worker take issue to her attire or demeanor. Most of the men thought Heather Rose to be a competent worker and a nice enough woman, but perhaps a few sandwiches short of a full picnic. Some thought she probably still lived at home with an overbearing mother who wanted to keep her little girl little. A few thought she had some boyfriend who liked playing “Big Daddy” and had her cast as the naughty little daughter. But there was one thing no one knew, or thought, or could possibly have imagined, and that was that Heather Rose, the pink princess in all her Hello Kitty glory, could ever have lived as a boy.

Well … almost everyone. One person there knew. That person not only knew that Heather Rose was a transsexual, but they also knew just how much TGIF and the chance to wear pig tails and Hello Kitty meant to her. That person was just passing Bob at the front doors. That person was the environmental friendly and people friendly boss at Union Savings and Loan. That person was none other than Miss Hart.

Miss Hart, or Miss H. Hart as the nameplate on her desk proclaimed, came in with the second biggest smile at Union bank, waving to her team and singing, “Happy TGIF” to all.

Despite the fact that it casual dress TGIF, Miss Hart was dressed in her usual business day attire: a smart navy or gray business skirt, blouse and jacket, dark hose and low heels. Auburn hair neatly up in a bun and dark rimmed glasses, gave her the very prim and proper look of a middle-aged manager, but the gleam in her smile and the sparkle in those green eyes hinted that a much a younger and much freer spirit lurked close to the surface.

When her employers asked why she didn’t join in with the spirit of the TGIF policy she had implemented, she said that regrettably, her position as bank president didn’t allow her to break out her sandals, gypsy skirt and flowing peasant blouse, even on TGIF. She did add though, that she expected the other women to dress casually for her, and then usually winked at Heather Rose as if to say she knew Heather Rose had her covered in spades on that account.

Miss Hart slipped into the break room and emerged shortly with her trademark “I my cat” mug filled with cranberry juice, and never ever coffee. As usual, she made her morning rounds, chatting with as many employees as she could before the business day started. Sometimes she was only able to chew the fat with a few, but she always found time for Heather Rose.

“Good morning, Heather Rose. My, don’t you look sweet today.”

Heather Rose grinned and blushed. “Thank you Miss Hart. Hello Kitty is my favorite, you know.”

Miss Hart smiled and rolled her eyes. “I think everyone knows Hello Kitty is your favorite, Heather Rose.”

Heather Rose blushed a little brighter and dropped her head like the shy little one she was portraying.

“And those pig tails really suit you. You look just like one of those little girls at the playground I cycle past every night.”

“Really Miss Hart? Really!”

Two extra weeks holiday and a $5.00 an hour raise couldn’t have pleased Heather Rose any more than being included in the company of girls who routinely play hopscotch at the school yard.

“Yes, really,” Miss Hart confirmed with the same smile and sincerity as a parent informing their child that they really were going to Disneyland on the weekend.

“Oh thank you Miss Hart. Thank you so much,” Heather Rose gushed.

“You’re more than welcome, my dear.”

Miss Hart looked up at the bank lobby clock: 8:59. A quick glance to the main doors showed the usual Friday morning crowd cueing up.

“I guess it’s show time, kids,” she announced to all, before heading toward her desk.

A soft sweet voice that could only be Heather Rose called out, “Miss Hart?”

“Yes dear?,” the matronly manager turned on her heels.

“TGIF Miss Hart!,” Heather Rose offered with exuberance and that sparkling smile.

“TGIF Heather Rose, TGIF!” Miss Hart returned with her own sparkler and a wink, before resuming her journey desk ward.

Heather Rose watched her boss and best friend leave in a cloud of Chanel #5 and just enough wiggle for her to know that beneath those layers of business armor was an hourglass figure and a heart of gold. The heart of gold had never been more evident than on that fateful day that Miss Hart got to really know the age and gender challenged bank clerk in her employ.

It had been a Friday, the first of the TGIF days instituted by Miss Hart, and Heather Rose’s first modeling of her pig tails and Hello Kitty attire. As always, Miss Hart closed the bank, and as luck would have it, it was Heather Rose’s turn to be last teller out. The pair finished their duties at about the same time and exited together, both leaving Bob with a wave and well wishes for the weekend.

Both women had cycled in as usual, but normally went off in different directions as they lived at opposite ends of the city. However, this time, Miss Hart wasn’t going home. She was going to pop in on one of her sisters who lived less than a mile from Heather Rose’s flat, which meant the two could keep company on the long trek home.

For the most part it was an uneventful journey. Conversation was light, as traffic was rush hour heavy and both women tried to keep their concentration and wheels squarely on the road. They had come to within just a few blocks of Heather’s flat when they came within view of the “Brownie Magic Daycare.” Children were playing and running and squealing happily as work weary parents were giving chase, trying to corral the little wild ones for the journey home.

The daycare was very much like the schoolyard near Miss Hart’s flat. She usually slowed down, sometimes stopping, just to watch happy children running and playing like children should. She never stayed long though, never once ventured out to the playground to push a child in the swing or catch one as it rocketed down the slide. Oh she wanted to, she desperately wanted to, but she wouldn’t allow it, couldn’t allow it. It was just something she was convinced that wasn’t in the cards for her. She was the mother of two adorable cats, and that was all she could ever hope to manage.

Heather Rose always slowed down when she came up to the daycare. In fact, she routinely stopped for a quick game of hopscotch, double Dutch rope jumping, or a lively game of tag with the kids. Even dressed in her more professional Monday through Thursday attire, the kids accepted her as a larger version of themselves, just as the caregivers did. Heather Rose never felt more at home, more alive, more herself than she did playing with the children. Yes, she knew she was different from the other little girls. She was bigger, older, knew her multiplication tables all the way to twelve, and of course she’d been born in a boy’s body, but in her heart and soul she was their equal, a twin sister in both gender and age. Heather Rose though, like Miss Hart, had already accepted that her fate was sealed. She was a thirty something tg woman with delusions of childhood, who lived for TGIF and twenty minutes of heaven on a daycare playground. Pure and simple, it was all she could ever hope to manage.

With Miss Hart in tow, there was no way that Heather Rose was going to stop and play; however, her little playmates didn’t know that, and as soon as they saw their special friend cycling up, they immediately starting running toward her. Heather Rose, in her haste to discourage their advances, took her mind off the road ahead, most importantly on a parked car ahead, and took a nasty header into the back of a gray Chrysler Minivan.

Fortunately, she had slowed considerably by the time of the collision, but she’d still had a pretty fair fender facial, and a nice spill onto the pavement afterwards. The children who had come cheerfully to greet their playmate were now crowded around her, crying and frightened, begging her to please get up. Heather Rose was doing her best to accommodate them, but it was a wobbly effort, as her legs were slow to come under her and she was seeing thirty children instead of the ten that were actually there.

Miss Hart was quickly at Heather Rose’s side, promptly dispelling any notions her friend had about standing up in the immediate future. Several of the caregivers and parents arrived shortly thereafter. Someone suggested they call 911, another asked if Heather Rose needed an ambulance. At the sound of the word ambulance, Heather Rose went wide eyed and bolted to her feet. “I’m fine. I’m absolutely fine. Please, please don’t call the police, don’t call an ambulance, please!”

Miss Hart could see her friend was anything but fine. She was still a bit wobbly, pale as a ghost, and had a nasty looking elbow scrape, but rather oddly, she was absolutely frightened right down to her pink trainers at the idea of the police being involved, or a trip to the hospital. Perhaps she was one of those people who had a fear of doctors and needles, or possibly she was a hard core felon on the run from the law. Miss Hart pondered those two options and determined the first one while being possible, wasn’t probable and the second one was completely impossible, not just because of the extensive background check done by the bank on all applicants but because if she knew anything about Heather Rose, she knew there wasn’t a bad bone in her body, just possibly a fractured one.

In the end, she decided it didn’t really matter at least for now, as to why Heather Rose didn’t want medical attention, it was just more important to calm her and get her home without further distress.

Miss Hart assured all there that no phone calls needed to be made and that she would escort Heather Rose home and see she received proper care. The adults on hand accepted the proposal, the children gathered round to give healing hugs to their fallen playmate, and Heather Rose breathed a sigh of relief.

Heather Rose pronouncing herself well enough to walk her bike, if not ride it, led Miss Hart the short distance to her flat. Once at the main entrance she apologized if she’d made her late for dinner at her sisters and thanked her for walking her home. Heather Rose turned toward the door and her trembling hand struggled to place her key in the lock.

“Hold it right there, Missy,” Miss Hart said in a stern voice Heather Rose had never heard coming from her before.

“If you think I’m just going to let you go off on your own after a nasty tumble like that, you’ve got another thing coming.”

“But … but Miss Hart,” Heather Rose stuttered, “I’m … I’m fine. Really, I am.”

“Uh huh … sure you are. Well that line may have gotten you out of an ambulance ride to the hospital, but it’s quite obvious to me you’re anything but fine.”

Heather Rose turned to plead a final protest, but never got the chance as her knees buckled and she started to swoon.

Miss Hart snatched the falling girl just short of the pavement. “Oh for heaven’s sake, you’re a stubborn child.”

Holding Heather Rose against her, she took her free hand and inserted the key. Pushing the door open with her foot, she carried Heather Rose up one flight to the apartment number on the second key. Turning the key on that lock, she entered Heather Rose’s apartment and what could only be described as another world.

Heather Rose was starting to come round, but now Miss Hart was getting a bit light headed. She had known Heather Rose had a childlike quality about her the first day she met her, and she’d always felt it was more than just a fondness for peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and cartoon kitty attire. She had noticed something childlike and innocent in Heather Rose’s eyes and her smile. It was something she brought with her every day of the week, and not just on Fridays. It was something she could never put her finger on, but now as she looked around the little pink princess paradise that was Heather Rose’s flat, she had loads to put both hands on.

The entire flat was a little girl’s dream house. Everything was pink and white and lacy as far as Miss Hart’s eyes could see. Stuffed animals seemed to be having a convention at Heather Rose’s house. The living room was completed furnished in early childhood with board games, toys, story books, dolls, and remnants from a recent tea party where the guest of honor appeared to be Hello Kitty herself.

She gently sat Heather Rose down on the pink fluffy couch, then headed into the kitchen to get her some water. The kitchen was as well stocked as any eight year old would have it. There appeared to be enough peanut butter, jelly and animal crackers to get her through to the second coming. She grabbed a Hello Kitty cup from the drying rack and filled it with tap water.

“My goodness, I never knew they made pink microwave ovens!,” Miss Hart said in disbelief.

By the time Miss Hart returned with cup in hand, Heather Rose was awake and struggling to get up from the couch. The frightened look in her eyes was the same one Miss Hart had seen earlier when someone suggested an ambulance be called, a possibility that Miss Hart hadn’t completed dismissed.

“Ummm … Miss Hart. I ummm ... I’m ... I’m really alright now. It was ummm … just the heat but I’m perfectly okay, so you really don’t ... ”

“We’re not going to go through that again, are we?,” Miss Hart cut across her with that no nonsense voice.

Heather Rose dropped her head, “No ma’am”.

Miss Hart smiled at the big little girl, “Good! I’m glad that’s settled. Now be a good girl and drink some of this water, but above all else … do not try to get up.”

Miss Hart looked around at the thick white plush carpet. “Not that you’d probably get hurt if you fell, it’s just that I’m not as strong as I used to be and not quite as adept at catching a 120 pounds of dead weight.”

Heather Rose smiled shyly. “Okay Miss Hart I won’t try to get up. I promise.”

“Good girl!” Miss Hart rewarded her as if she truly was the eight year old girl that dreamed up this fairy tale flat.

“You have a ummm ... really ummm ... cute place here, Heather Rose,” awkwardness clearly evident in Miss Hart’s voice.

Answering even more awkwardly, “Thanks Miss Hart, but ummm … it’s really not my place.”

“It isn’t?,” Miss Hart answered with some surprise and disbelief.

“Well I mean … that is … it is my place and all … but I ummm … ummm … that is to say I ummm … share it, yeah that’s it. I share it, share it with my little niece.” If Heather Rose were a ship, it’d be time to man the life boats because she was sinking fast.

“I see,” answered Miss Hart with the kind of skepticism that a parent would have for a child who was wearing a chocolate facial but swore they hadn’t got into the Mars bars.

“So … tell me about your niece. What’s her name? How old is she? Will she be coming home soon? I’d really love to meet her.”

The good ship Heather Rose was continuing to sink. The only names for “niece” that she could think of were Cinderella, Little Mermaid and Dora the Explorer. Suddenly the room started spinning, and she received a reprieve as she went down for the last time.

Miss Hart lifted her dead weight one more time and carried Heather Rose into the bedroom. Like the rest of the flat, it was fit for a little princess, right down to the canopy bed, fluffies, and pink pj’s laid out and ready for the night.

Miss Hart reached for the princess phone (what else could it be) at the bedside and prepared to dial for an ambulance. Her fingers hovered over the keys, weighing her friends unconscious state versus the fear she had seen in her eyes at the mention of medical attention.

Heather Rose was already coming round again, when Miss Hart decided to cancel the police emergency call, but still get the sick girl proper medical attention. Leaving Heather Rose’s bedside just long enough to go to her handbag, she returned carrying a small address book. Removing her glasses, she searched through the D’s until she found the number she was searching for: Misty Dawn M.D. Dr. Dawn was actually a pediatrician, but she was the only doctor that Miss Hart knew who would make house calls without question or delay.

Miss Hart’s nails quickly typed the numbers. “Misty? Hey, it’s me, Holly. Listen, I hate to bother you but I’ve had a friend whose had a little accident ...”

“No, no, there’s no bleeding, just a nasty elbow scrape.”

“No ... I don’t think anything’s broken but ...”

What? ... no ... no she’s not complaining of any pains. She’s not complaining at all. She keeps passing out.”

“Yeah right. I’ll keep her lying down and do my best to keep her awake.”

“Her age? Well ... I’d say thirty-five going on eight.”

“What? No, I’m not into the cooking sherry. I’m serious, but you’ll just have to take my word for it until you get here. Okay?”

“Okay ... okay, I got it. Right. And can you find this place through the phone number or do you need directions? Right, okay ... I’ll see you in a few.”

“Misty? Thanks, thanks bunches, you know you’re my favorite sister in the whole world don’t you?”

“What do you mean you’re glad you’re wearing hip boots? Giggle. Okay ... okay see you soon sis, byeeee ...”

Miss Hart shook her head and laughed as she hung up the phone.

“Your first name is Holly?,” asked a soft sleepy voice.

“Well hello, Sleeping Beauty. Do you think you can stay awake for awhile?”

Heather Rose nodded and waited for a response to her question.

Miss Hart sighed, “Okay, yes ... my first name is Holly.”

“Holly Hart. … Wow, that’s kind of cute. It sort of sounds like a doll’s name or something. I really like that.”

“Well ...,” sighed Holly, if you like my first name you’re going to love my middle name.”

She gave a slight pause for effect and then did a drum roll on Heather Rose’s nightstand. “It’s Happy.”

“Giggle ... you mean your name is really Holly Happy Hart? Wow, that really does sound like a doll’s name!” More giggles ensued as Heather Rose was now wide awake.

Holly took all in good stride, considering she would have done cartwheels across the room if it would have kept Heather Rose in good spirits and awake until her sister got there.

“Well Heather Rose, the truth of the matter is my last name is really Logan, but my niece Maggie made this sort of ummm ... you might say, wish that my name was Happy Hart and well ... it sort of stuck and we can’t seem to ummm ... get it unstuck.”

Heather Rose gave her a perfectly logical puzzled stare, “Your niece made a wish, and now your name’s changed? I ... I don’t think I get it.”

“Trust me ... you don’t want to. If I tried to explain it any further we’d might both pass out. So ... let’s just say I’m Holly Happy Hart and leave it at that, okay?”

Heather Rose nodded and smiled. “Holly ... can I call you Holly?”

“Sure, sweetie.”

“Ummm ... Holly, who’s Missy?”

“Missy? Oh ... you mean Misty ... Misty Dawn. Right! Well I don’t know how much of that phone call you caught, but Misty is my sister, and ... she’s also a doctor.”

Heather Rose’s eyes went wide and she pulled back from Holly, curling up into a little Hello Kitty ball. “I don’t need a doctor. I’m fine.”

“Heather Rose, we’re not going through this again. If you were fine, you wouldn’t keep checking into dreamland. Now Misty is already on her way. She’s a very fine doctor. She’s actually a pediatrician which ummm ...”

Holly stopped as she took a quick scan of the custom built Barbie dream house, “… which I think ought to really make you feel a bit more comfortable.”

Heather Rose was not persuaded and snuggled down deeper in the covers until only a pair of big brown eyes peeked out at Holly.

Holly, noting Heather Rose’s reaction then offered her another alternative, “Okay then, if you won’t see Misty, I suppose I could call an ambulance and have them cart you off to causality. Either way you’re going to see a doctor. So which will it be then?”

Heather Rose pulled her chin up above the covers and then pushed out her lip in a very cute pout. It was all Holly could do to keep a straight face. “Well if I gotta see a doctor ... I guess Dr. Misty is okay.”

“Good girl! Oh and by the way, it’s actually Dr. Dawn but most of the kids call her Dr. Misty, so I didn’t see why you should be any different.”

That coaxed a smile from Heather Rose, and further convinced Holly that there was as much little girl in front of her as there was all around her.

Five minutes later there was a soft knock at the door. Holly left Heather Rose to answer it and when she returned, she was accompanied by a very petite and very blonde pixie with the biggest blue eyes Heather Rose had ever seen.

“Hello, Heather Rose. I’m Doctor Misty Dawn. My sister says you’ve had a bit of an accident, and thought I should give you a little look see to make sure you’re alright.”

Heather Rose met Misty’s broad smile with a much tighter, more nervous one of her own. “No shots and ... and no talking all my clothes off, okay?,” Heather Rose pleaded as much as stated.

The “no shots” plea was one Misty had heard from more children than she could remember, but Heather Rose’s reluctance to disrobe struck her as slightly odd. Doctor’s intuition told her it was something more than just modesty.

“It’s a deal Heather Rose, no shots and no ummm ... taking all of your clothes off, okay?”

Heather Rose smiled and gave a heavy sigh of relief, another reaction the doctor silently noted.

With patient consent now established, Misty reached out to examine the badly scrapped elbow. Holly soon found a free hand squeezing hers tightly as Heather Rose braced for Misty’s touch.

Despite the fact that Misty knew she was dealing with a patient in her thirties, the Hello Kitty bed sheets wrapped around Heather Rose spoke otherwise. She was beginning to understand what her sister said about the patient being, “thirty five going on eight.” Trusting her intuition, she left her bedside manner on child autopilot.

Misty cooed softly, “That looks like a pretty bad owwie there, honey. I bet it hurts lots, huh?”

Heather Rose responded immediately and with enthusiasm. “Uh huh, Doctor Misty. It hurts lots ... and ... and I kinda keep falling asleep, too.”

Her intuition had not failed her. Despite what this woman’s birth certificate might say, Misty was definitely dealing with a child, and would proceed as such, but obviously she had some questions and some concerns. A quick glance at her sister told her that Holly was just as concerned, but also just as in the dark about the patient’s strange behavior as she was.

Misty examined the wound and pronounced it a first class owwie, but nothing to really worry about as long as it was kept clean. A healthy dose of no sting antiseptic cleansed the area and a plaster with none other than Hello Kitty was applied. As soon as the famous feline covered the scrape, Doctor Heather Rose pronounced herself totally, “all better,” which met with chuckles and rolling eyes from those bedside.

Misty then pulled a few instruments out of her little pink bag, (yep little pink bag) and after reassuring Heather Rose, that no loss of clothes would be necessary for this examination, began looking Heather Rose over in earnest. Now Heather Rose wasn’t a medical student, but she’d played, “Operation” enough times to know what most doctor’s carried in their bags, but she’d never seen anything like the gizmos and gadgets that Doctor Misty produced.

The first item out of the bag was a small gold tube with a white cap on the top. To Heather Rose it slightly resembled a kazoo, so when the good doctor asked her to blow into one end as hard as she could, she thought nothing of it. However, no musical came forth, but loads and loads of pink soap bubbles did! In seconds, Heather Rose’s bedroom was filled with bubbles and little girlish giggles. Lost in the bubble fun, Heather Rose never saw the glances and nods exchanged between Holly and Misty. Holly did quip that Heather Rose’s bedroom looked like the stage from the Lawrence Welk show, but when her audience gave her a silent blank stare at that reference, she just rolled her eyes and mumbled something about “kids!”

The next item out of the bag appeared seemed to be some sort of swivel headed screwdriver that produced a light and made a high pitched whine. Doctor Misty ran the strange tool up and down Heather Rose’s body, but never actually touched it. Heather Rose noted that while the tone of the whine stayed constant, the color of the light seemed to change back and forth between pink and blue. When the doctor turned off the device, she gave Holly the same knowing nod, and in turn, Holly acknowledged it.

Heather Rose watched closely as Misty eventually emptied the contents of her bag. There was a big white feather wrapped in plastic that said, “To be opened only in a milkshake emergency.” There was a glass jar full of a gray lumpy goo that had what appeared to be jelly beans and green moldy cheese in it. The label said “Special Oatsmeal, not to be opened in any emergency.” There was a very old looking gold medallion, a lifetime pass to some seaside resort called, “Bikini Beach,” a judge’s gavel that said property of the Andersonville Supreme Court, a coupon good for 10% off your next purchase at “Spells’R’Us, and two silver spray cans labeled with what looked like two ladybugs hugging. Finally, the petite pediatrician reached for the least outrageous of all the contents: a small wooden box with the picture of a rose on the top. Misty placed the box in Heather Rose’s hands and told her to concentrate on it. A few seconds later the box opened on its hinges and Heather Rose went wide eyed.

“Heather Rose, can you tell me what you see?”

“Sure Doctor Misty, that’s easy. It’s a tiny pair of shoes, and they are so cute.”

“Very good Heather Rose. By chance do these shoes have any color?”

“Uh huh ... they’re pink ... really hot pink, just like your high heels, Doctor Misty.”

Holly looked down and rolled her eyes at her high fashion, high heeled sister with a passion for pink.

“That’s excellent, Heather Rose. I don’t suppose you hear anything coming from the box do you?”

Heather Rose listened intently and then smiled. “I sure do. They’re playing Toyland! You know the song Holly, ‘Toyland ... toyland, magical girl and boy land’.

“Yes Heather Rose, I know it well”.

More looks were exchanged as Heather Rose sang another chorus.

“Just one more thing, honey. Can you tell Doctor Misty if you can smell anything?”

Heather Rose brought the box up to her nose and inhaled deeply. “It don’t smell like shoes. It kinda smells like peanut butter ... and a little like jelly, and maybe a little like chocolate too.”

“That’s very good, Heather Rose,” praised the doctor.

“Oh wait a minute ... I smell something else ... it’s ... it’s ketchup. Yep, definitely for sure it’s ketchup.”

Misty noted the final addition without comment.

“Doctor Misty did I do good? Am I going to be alright?”

Holly’s little sister sat down next to Heather Rose and held her hand tightly. Those big blue eyes were all smiles. “Heather Rose you did very good, and don’t you worry a bit. You’re going to be just fine.”

“Wow, Doctor Misty. Thank you, thank you lots. I was really scared at first, but not anymore.” Heather Rose showed her appreciation with the biggest hug she could muster.

Doctor Misty giggled and took payment for service happily. “Now I’ve got a little pill for you. It’s just a tiny little pill and it tastes just like ... like”

The good doctor paused and then gave Heather Rose a smile. “What’s your favorite food in the whole wide world?”

Heather Rose sighed as went deep in thought. Twenty seconds later she emerged and exploded, “PIZZA!”

Doctor Misty smiled and shook her head, “Sometimes I don’t even know why I bother to ask kids that question.”

“Okay, Heather Rose,” the doctor started again. “This little pill will taste just like your favorite kind of pizza, so eat it all up like a good little girl okay?”

Heather Rose nodded, “Okay”.

A few seconds later the patient was happily munching away, enjoying the afterglow of a pepperoni and mozzarella high.

“Doctor Misty” asked a suddenly very sleepy Heather Rose, “Is this pill gonna make me all better now?”

Misty gently caressed one of Heather Rose’s pigtails. “No honey. That little pill is just going to make you rest and have very sweet dreams. I’m afraid it’s going to take just a bit more than a pill to make you all better, but we’re going to do our very best. Okay sweetie?”

Doctor Misty never got an answer to her question as Heather Rose had already drifted off to dreamland.

The two women then slid Heather Rose out of her TGIF outfit and into the pink jammies. Both women noted the way the woman’s panties fit her, or more aptly, didn’t fit her. No words were spoken, just more knowing glances and a pair of nods.

Five minutes later Holly and Misty were sitting on the pink couch sipping a pair of fruit punch juice boxes. It wasn’t either one’s drink of choice, but it was the only thing other than milk, that Heather Rose had chilled.

Misty looked round the Kids’R’Us showroom that was Heather Rose’s flat. “Holly, I thought I was the Pipster (Princess in Pink), but this girl takes the crown! I’m serious, sis. When I walked in the front door I felt like Ken coming to pick up Barbie for the prom! You gotta admit it’s impressive.”

Holly sighed, “Impressive ... Yes, I’ll give you that, but actually I think it’s more sad and more tragic than anything else.”

This time it was Misty who soberly nodded in silent agreement. A few moments of reflective silence followed before Holly broke it.

“Misty, about Heather Rose ... she is going to be alright ... isn’t she?”

Misty noted the deep concern evident in Holly’s voice, “Alright? If you mean alright as in will she be able to jump rope and play hopscotch this weekend, and rejoin the world of high finance come Monday morning ... then I’d say yes, she’ll probably be alright, at least for now. But ... you were there, you saw me run the tests, Holly. The results were absolutely conclusive, a first year med student couldn’t misdiagnosis this one: it’s a classic case of GD/AD ... Gender Dysphoria with acute Age Dysphoria. Is she alright? You’ve seen enough of these cases to know that Heather Rose has never been alright.”

Tears welled in Holly’s eyes, as she searched her handbag for a tissue.

Misty reached into hers and found one first, “Hey, are you going to be alright?” Misty asked with true sisterly concern.

“I’m fine, really I am,” Holly sniffled, “It’s just that ... that when I see things like this, it just really gets to me, you know?”

Misty wrapped an arm around her compassionate sibling, “I know, sis ... I know, but ... there’s something a little different about this one isn’t there?”

Holly blushed and wiggled a bit uncomfortably on the pink fluffy couch.

“C’mon sis, it’s me, the Pipster. You can’t kid a kid sister, so out with it.”

Holly sighed heavily, “Okay, guilty as charged. She has really gotten to me. There’s just something special about her. I just had this feeling that we connected the first day I took over the bank. She just had this sort of ... sort of glow, almost like an aura about her that drew me toward her, made me ... made me feel ...”

“Protective?,” Misty found the word her sister was searching for.

“Yeah ... protective, that’s the word. Somehow I just knew she was an innocent, and I just had to watch over her, but witches honor, I didn’t know she was a GD/AD, although ...” Holly paused as she began putting the pieces together, “I ... I suppose I should have figured it out months ago. The signs were right there in front of me. I feel so stupid.”

“Hey, red, don’t be so hard on yourself. I’m the one with the shingle, and I’ll tell you right now, if I hadn’t run those tests or saw what I shouldn’t have been able to see in those Hello Kitty knickers, I would never have guessed she was a transsexual. There’s absolutely no physical giveaways, and the voice, well ... the voice is positively spot on, and just as cute as she is. Really, sis, I mean it. There’s no way you would ever have known about the GD unless she’d told you about it or unless something like this happened.”

Holly forced a weak smile, “I guess you’re right, but ... but I should have at least picked up on the Age Dysphoria. I mean, c’mon Misty, it’s as plain as the nose that used to be on my face! You should see her on TGIF at the bank. I mean when she comes walking in, almost skipping in, with those pig tails and overalls, it’s like she’s walking on sunshine. She just looks so ... so …”

“Happy? ... Radiant? ... Over the moon?,” offered Misty

“Yes, yes, yes ... and so much more, but I just didn’t really put it all together.”

“Most people don’t, Holly, even ... shall we say, special people like us, don’t always pick up the AD, and even less, really understand or are willing to accept it. It’s amazes me how so many of us are now willing to recognize the invisible woman trapped within the body of a man, but so few are willing to recognize the invisible child trapped within the body and the life of an adult! The same so-called professionals who once proclaimed GD was a perverted sexual fetish, a desperate mental illness, or simply an escape from reality, are now saying the same things about Age Dysphoria. When will they ever learn! Those like Heather Rose, and the others I’ve seen, that all of us have seen, are real children, the same way they are real males or females: in their hearts and in their souls. They are just as innocent, just as precious, and just as vulnerable as any other child. They need hugs, attention, love, and the ability to play until they drop. They need it every bit as much, if not more so than any other NC …” Seeing the puzzled look on her sister’s face, she said, “NC, Natural child. As I was saying, They need it just as much as any natural child needs it!”

Now it was Misty getting misty-eyed and Holly being handy with the hanky. “Thanks Holly ... sniff ... I’m sorry, but ... well, you know how I am by the little ones. It’s why I became a doctor. I just can’t stand to see them suffer.”

“I know, little sis, and that’s why you’re the best kid doctor in the business,” Holly added with a smile and a hug.

“And the most beautiful?” grinned Misty.

“Don’t push it,” teased the older sibling.

Hugs and giggles filled the room, as both took a step back from the soapbox.

Misty got up and took a tour of the real life Barbie Dream house. She too was impressed with the pink microwave, and made a note to ask Heather Rose where she’d bought it.

Holly’s thoughts were returning to the accident earlier, and the little flower child that wilted no less than three times in her presence. “Misty ... what about Heather Rose’s fainting spells? Are those resulting from the accident at the daycare?

Misty walked back over and then sank deep into the pink fluffy couch. “No, absolutely not. No head trauma, no concussion, just a couple of bumps and bruises and a pretty nasty skinned elbow.”

“So why did she keep doing a swan dive?”

Misty sighed, “I’m pretty sure it’s complications from the AD. I’ve seen it a few times before, very extreme cases, and I’m sorry to say, but Heather Rose is a very extreme case. She’s definitely having a balance crisis and well ... that’s both serious and dangerous.”

“Balance crisis?”

Misty took a quick sip from her juice box and then scrunched her nose at the pure sugar hit. “Okay ... let me try to explain it. You’re familiar with the transition process for transsexuals. It can be a long, painful ordeal, where the individual is often forced to live two lives: one as the man her family, friends or co-workers might know and one, more secretly as the woman she truly is. Depending on the situation, the individual might have to lead a dual life for quite some time before they can transition fully. This means in order to maintain their jobs, their relationships, and mostly their sanity, they have to keep a balance between the two worlds, the two genders, the two lives. They have to find a way to function as a man when necessary, and then be able to live and breathe as a woman the rest of the time. That’s the balance I’m speaking of, and it can be far more difficult for ADs than it is for GDs. And Heather Rose is fighting both.”

Holly was getting a real life lesson, and each word only made her heart go out in further to the sleeping woman/child in the other room.

“With transsexuals or GDs, most eventually complete transition and then they no longer have to balance between two worlds, but for most ADs it never ends. Very few ever get the chance to live full-time in Never Neverland, and it’s not just the fact that for most, full-time childhood isn’t a practical option. It’s the fact that even in a pink princess palace like the one Heather Rose has built, they will always be prisoners of their bodies. There’s SRS and hormones to shape shift the body of a transsexual, but there are no magic pills or surgeon skills to shrink the body and lift away the years. No matter what world Heather Rose builds for herself, she’ll never have to stand on tippy toe to reach the short water fountain, or be lifted onto a carousel horse, or be strapped into a car seat. She’ll never buy her Hello Kitty dresses from the children’s section, or be carried off to bed, or to fly on little legs and launch herself into her mother’s arms, or just be the same as every other kid at the playground, even if in her heart and soul she is the same. She’ll always be halfway home, and for most, halfway is never enough. Most go on with their lives just like Heather Rose. They get up every morning, slip out of their Disney Princess jammies, and into some adult, drag business suit. They head off to work and try to get through the day as if it were an 8 hour dress up game. And mark my word, no matter how competent and professional they may appear to be, they are playing a game. The stress levels these children endure, and that’s exactly what they are: children, are almost off the scale! Just imagine expecting a 5 or an 8 year old to handle the stresses in a hectic call center, or to process orders in a busy factory or ... or ...”

“Or to deal with customer’s accounts and loads of money all day?,” Holly offered sheepishly.

Misty reached out and took her sister’s hand. “The point I’m trying to make, is that with AD, almost any adult situation could be potentially dangerous. You have children out there trying to cope with an adult world, and in time, most will become just as overwhelmed, just as frightened, and just as frustrated as any NC would in the same situation. However, the fortunate ones, if any of them can be called fortunate, slip into their child friendly world when they get home, just the same as they slip out of their heels and into their Mary Jane’s.”

Holly was starting to putting it together now, “You mean this little pink palace that Heather Rose has built is sort of her sanctuary?”

“Exactly! It’s her safe place to be the child that she really is. The world outside is where she exists, but it’s here ... here in her safe place that she truly lives. It’s within these walls, that she fills her heart with joy as she fills each little tea cup with imaginary Earl Grey, or plays Chutes and Ladders with a stuffed teddy bear, or when she giggles and blows PB and J kisses to the cute Japanese kitty on the telly. And it’s that joy that she takes into the adult world to sustain her until she can return home again. It’s a balance, a balance between two worlds, two lives, that Heather Rose has to sustain to survive and to maintain any joy and any sanity.”

Misty paused, wishing she didn’t have to say what she was about to say, but knowing she had to say it, “Holly, the fainting spells are classic warning signs that the balance is in jeopardy, and that Heather Rose is struggling more and more with the adult world. The more she is forced into the adult world, the more frequent and severe the symptoms will probably become.”

“Well ... isn’t there anything she can do to get back in balance? Is there anything I can do to help her?” The panic in Holly’s voice said she wasn’t far from needing one of those pizza tasting sedatives that Doctor Misty had slipped Heather Rose thirty minutes earlier.

“You really do care about that little princess, don’t you Holly?”

“I just want to help her Misty, pleeeeze?”

“Okay sis, okay! But actually, you already are helping. Your TGIF plan allows her to bring a little bit of little Heather Rose to work with her. Just being able to dress in proper little girl clothes and put her hair up in pigtails really lowers stress levels. You also mentioned that the kids and the caregivers at the daycare know her. That means she probably spends a small amount of time playing with NC’s there. That can be very therapeutic as well.”

Misty then wiggled out of the fluff and walked over to a small white desk covered with heart stickers. “This is good, very good. She has a home computer with internet connection. More than likely she chats with other GD/ADs, or possibly reads or even writes GD/AD fiction. These are also great stress relievers, but ...”

“Misty I don’t like buts ...,” warned Holly.

“Yeah I know,” quipped Misty trying her best soften the blow. “You always keep that cute one of yours hid in that business suit battle armor you wear.”

“Misty!”

“Okay ... okay, bottom line is, there are some things she can do, things she is probably already doing to help relieve the stress and restore the balance, but I’m afraid they’re only stopgap measures. Heather Rose, is far more little girl than she is woman, and I fear it’s only a matter of time until she will no longer be able to keep the balance or be able to function in the adult world. I mean, I can run the tests again and again and again, but I know I’ll get the same results. There just isn’t anything else that she can do, or for that matter, you can do.”

Holly’s green eyes were dark and piercing, her voice low and direct, “But ... there is something that WE can do.”

Misty’s baby blues grew wide and she took a quick glance toward the bedroom to be sure her patient was still sleeping. “By WE, do you mean the Sisterhood?”

Holly nodded solemnly.

Misty took a deep breath and then blew it out slowly as she tapped her long pink nails on the desktop. “There’ll have to be a Gathering and that might take some doing. You know Prue won’t be back from New Zealand until the end of the month, and I don’t think anyone’s heard from Janet since she rode off to “Harleyfest” last weekend.

“I know ... and I know it won’t happen today, Misty, but it’s got to happen. Heather Rose needs it to happen.”

“Well ...,” Misty drawled, “It could happen today. It could happen right this very minute, and you could do it. Technically, she could be in danger, and as a physician I would attest to that if any of the others question your action.

Holly was tempted, oh so tempted. She didn’t want Heather Rose to wait. She wanted her to wake up and for it be like Christmas morning, but she knew she’d be breaking the law, if not in the letter, at least in the spirit.

“I can’t do it Misty, and neither can you. You know this is truly not a life threatening situation, at least not the kind the provision was made for. I can’t, and I won’t circumvent the rules, no matter how much I want to help that little girl. Those rules are there to protect both us and those we help. We each agreed to uphold them the day we became part of the Sisterhood.”

“Okay Miss Straight Arrow ... I know the pitch. Shelly reminds me of it every time I get in trouble for breaking those rules.”

Holly hugged her slightly wayward sister, “Yes, I know,” she added with a giggle. Shelly says you coined the phrase, ‘Rules are made to be broken”.

Misty dropped her head, guilty as charged, taking the sisterly slam as the good natured fun it was intended.

“Holly ... all kidding aside, I know Heather Rose’s situation does not warrant the emergency rule, but I am concerned. Those fainting spells mean trouble. I’m not very comfortable about her being here all alone until we can have a Gathering. Perhaps we should speak to Shelly about having Angel fly in. She is a trained nurse, and just like me when it comes to kids.”

“There’s no need to have Angel fly in from the coast, I can look after her!” Holly quickly fired from the heart. The words came faster and easier than she would have believed possible.

“I see,” and indeed Misty did see. “Well ... I guess that settles that then. You are now her official caretaker, and sponsor for the Gathering. Congratulations Holly, you’ve just become a Special Auntie!”

Through her sisters’ many children, Holly was an auntie many times over, but this was her first tour of duty as a Special Auntie. Special Auntie’s are sort of more than aunties, but less than mommy’s. They are in essence, temporary guardians who watch over children, (and Heather Rose was more than qualified for that status), until a formal Gathering can be held. Once the Gathering is finally held, they sponsor the child, which means they stand up and tell the Sisterhood why they believe this child qualifies for their help. It is a tremendous responsibility, one that Holly felt compelled by both duty and compassion to take on.

“Thanks, Misty,” Holly blushed ever so slightly, “It ... it just seemed like the right thing to do.”

“Yes, I think it is the right thing to do, for both you and Heather Rose. And ... I’ll tell you another right thing to do. Let me toss that bike of yours into the back of my jeep, and come with me to Jenna’s for dinner. If it hadn’t been for a certain little girl, we’d both already be there by now. And remember ... you promised Cathleen a broom ride.”

Misty was right. If it hadn’t been for Heather Rose’s accident, she’d be over at Jenna’s with most of the other sisters, enjoying fine food and fine company.

“She’s making Prue’s Spaghetti Bolognese and mozzarella garlic bread,” Misty teased and tempted her big sister, “And if it’s the little one you’re worried about, you really needn’t be. That pill will make her sleep through the night. She’ll be perfectly fine until the morning.”
“Yeah ... I know she’ll be fine and that dinner sounds to die for, and I hate to disappoint Cathleen but ... but”

“You just want to stay and watch over her, right?”

Holly smiled sheepishly, “Yeah ... I guess you think I’m being a bit silly, don’t you?”

“No,” Misty hugged her sister tightly, “I think you’re being a Special Auntie, a really good Special Auntie.”

“Thanks Misty, thanks for understanding”.

Misty released the hug and picked up her little pink bag. “No probs, sis. In fact, I should thank you. If I’m lucky, I’ll get your garlic bread.”

Holly giggled, “Only if you get going. You’re late as it is, and with the way Paul Bunyan, aka Jenna’s husband Richard, puts it away, you’ll be lucky to get a strand of spaghetti or a crust of bread.”

“Well ... I can always share with Cathleen. By the time that three year old is done, she’s got at least two servings on her face alone.”

“Ewwww ...,” Holly cringed, and then both women laughed heartily and for the last time.

Holly walked Misty to the door, “You’ll tell Jenna I’m sorry about missing dinner, won’t you?”

“I’ll tell Jenna everything. You know she’ll understand, and she’ll be just as happy as I am about what you’re doing.”

Holly heaved a sigh, “I just hope I know what I’m doing.”

“Don’t worry, you do. It comes natural with the package you know,” Misty lightly tapped her sister’s chest.

Holly gave her little sis a light peck on the cheek. “Thanks Misty ... thanks for coming over, thanks for everything. You’re the greatest.”

“Yeah I know, but you’re not bad yourself. Of course ... you could be even better if you’d let that Rapunzel length hair of yours down and stop buying your clothes at “the Forties ’R” Us” store.”

“Misty ...,” Holly warned gently.

“Awww ... c’mon sis. Just one little Saturday Mall hop, you, me and Visa Gold.”

“Misty ...”

“Okay ... okay, it was just a suggestion. So, I guess I’m out of here before I get arrested by the fashion police as an accomplice”.

Misty then gave her big sister a peck on the cheek to let her know the teasing was given with no offense intended. Holly returned the peck to let her little sister know that no offense was taken.

Misty stepped out the door, but then turned on her spiked heels, “Like I said, I’m sure she’ll sleep straight through, and when she does wake up she probably won’t remember much from the examination, but ummm ... if there’s any problems, any problems at all ...”

“I won’t hesitate to call,” promised Holly, “Now go get your pasta fix, and get the word out for the Gathering. Oh and Misty, I’m not sure how comfortable Heather Rose will be around the men. Tell Shelly, that as far as the official proceedings are concerned, I think we should make it a ladies only affair.”

“Consider that done and done. Chaio!,” And with a flash and flair that could only be Misty Dawn M.D., the “Pipster” left the building.

Holly shut the door and headed in to check on Heather Rose. The picture warmed Holly’s heart and made it is as happy as her middle name proclaimed. Heather Rose was snuggled beneath her comforter, clinging tightly to her dolly and smiling the sleepy smile of an innocent child.

“They really do look like angels when they’re sleeping,” Holly thought out loud as she eased into the rocking chair at Heather Rose’s bedside.

Night eventually became early morning, and just as Misty had promised, Heather Rose slept peacefully. Holly never took her eyes off the sleeping child, mostly because the sight was just too beautiful to turn away from, and some because the only other thing she could have done was read or get a bite to eat. However seeing the only nearby reading material was Dr. Seuss’ “Green Eggs and Ham,” she found herself no longer interested in either.

At around 8, little sleeping beauty started stirring. Big brown eyes fluttered open to find lovely green ones smiling.

“Good morning, Heather Rose,” Holly sang.

Heather Rose’s eyes went wide as she sat straight up. Fear and confusion evident in her voice. “Miss Hart? How on earth ... I mean what ... what are you doing here?”

“I’ve been keeping an eye on you after the doctor gave you that sleeping pill.”

Heather Rose shook her head in disbelief, “Sleeping pill? Doctor? ... I ... I don’t remember that?”

“Well, you do remember the accident at the daycare, don’t you?”

Heather Rose began to tremble, “I ... I don’t remember that either. Oh no, I’m ... I’m doing it again. I’m ... missing things. I’m one place or ... or doing something and then ... then suddenly I’m some place else or doing something else and ... and I don’t know what happened in between.”

Holly knew that Heather Rose’s memory lapses was proof positive that yesterday’s episode was not the first fainting spell she’d experienced. Misty was right, Heather Rose was losing her balance.

“Heather Rose,” Holly cooed softly, “try to think back to the last thing you remember.

Heather Rose nodded, “Ummm ... ummm ... I left the bank and started riding home, and ... and you were with me, Miss Hart. I remember that!”

“That’s very good, dear,” Holly praised, “and can you remember what happened on the ride home."

“Well ... we turned down LaGrande. I always go down LaGrande even if it is faster to take Applegate, because that’s where the daycare is,” Heather Rose paused, and her eyes went wide, “The daycare! We were riding by the daycare and then ... then I got dizzy and I started to fall and ... and”

Heather Rose broke into sobs, in part from the fear and in part from the frustration of yet another “time out” in her life. Holly was at her side, holding her close and offering comfort.

“There, there now. It’s all over, and you’re going to be fine.”

Heather Rose sniffled back tears,” But ... but what happened?”

“Well ... you fainted and then rear-ended a minivan, needless to say you got the worst of the collision.”

“Did ... did I break anything?” Immediately Heather Rose started wiggling toes and fingers, which brought a smile to Holly’s lips.

“No dear, the worst of it is that nasty scrape on your elbow.”

Heather Rose immediately checked elbows and found the large Hello Kitty plaster firmly attached to her left one. The friendly feline made her smile, the thought of seeing what lay under stole it back. Curiosity about what’s beneath the cat got the better of Heather Rose and she pulled back the plaster.

“Wait, Heather Rose, I wouldn’t do that!,” warned Holly, but it was too late. Heather Rose and Holly both received quite a shock and a pleasant surprise when they found nothing beneath the patch save for healthy, pink skin.

“Wow, Misty really is the best kid doctor,” Holly said silently to herself.

It was then that Heather Rose awakened enough to realize that she was no longer wearing TGIF attire, “Hey, I’m in my jammies. How did I ... ummm ... get undressed?”

Her heart sank as she knew the answer: Miss Hart. And that meant that Miss Hart knew something as well, something that made her almost wish for one of those fainting spells just so she could disappear into the darkness.

“Miss Hart ... I ummm ... I know that you know ... I mean that I know what you saw or that is, I mean, I know what you didn’t see, but I can explain it, if you give me a chance.”

“Honey you don’t have to explain anything. I understand better than you might think. You’re a pre-op male to female transsexual, or in simpler terms you are girl with some physical issues. Either way, as far as I’m concerned, you’re a girl. In all the ways that truly matter, you’re a girl.”

Heather Rose was gobsmacked. She knew Miss Hart had always seemed very open-minded and liberal despite her very conservative dress style, but the word “transsexual” had rolled off her tongue so easily. There was no look of disgust or revulsion in her eyes, just compassion and understanding.

“Then ... then that means I’m not fired?,” Heather Rose dared to ask.

“Why of course not, silly girl. Why on earth would I fire my best bank officer over a gender condition?”

Heather Rose smiled brightly. Tears of joy welled in her eyes as she opened her arms for a hug and Holly honored her request gladly.

When Heather Rose reluctantly broke the embrace, a look of concern had replaced her smile. “I ... ummm ... suppose you’ve had a good look round. I guess you must think it’s pretty weird for a 35 year old woman with no kids to have all this kids stuff.”

Holly smiled knowingly, “Yesterday you told me that you had a niece who lived with you.”

Heather Rose sank down into the comforter, looking very much like a little girl caught in a big lie. “Well ... that’s not the truth, although I’m sure by now you’ve already figured it out. I guess you know that all this stuff is mine, and ... and I guess you must think I’m pretty sick, huh?”

Heather Rose dropped her head in shame, but Holly gently lifted it to meet hers, “Hold on there, little girl, and I do mean little girl. I don’t think you’re the least bit sick, unless you mean heartsick for the girl’s childhood you were so wrongfully denied. Yes, you’re living as a woman now, entitled to do anything any other woman your age can do, but what about the little girl, the little girl that is within all women? Your little girl never got the chance to do the things other kids her age were doing back then, so what’s so terribly wrong for her to do those things now if she wants to?”

Heather Rose could hardly believe her ears. Her wonderful beautiful boss, who had instituted TGIF and stayed up all night looking after her while she slept, not only totally accepted her as a woman, even if she didn’t have the chromosomes or the genitalia to back it up, but completely accepted the little girl within that she shared her flat and her life with. Happy tears flowed freely and once again Holly cuddled her.

“Miss Hart?,” a soft voice, a voice that belonged to the little girl from last night, whispered softly in Holly’s ear. “I think I can remember stuff, stuff from last night. It’s sort of coming back to me.”

Holly pulled the limpet from around her neck. “Really?, that’s great! Sooo ... what do you remember?”

Heather Rose smiled a sweet little girl smile, “I remember that your full name is Holly Happy Hart, and ... and ... I remember that when you were looking at your address book, you took off your glasses to read it. I don’t understand why you wear glasses if you don’t need them.”

Holly sighed and thought, ’Why is it kids only remember the things you don’t want them to remember?’

“Yes, my full name is Holly Happy Hart, and you can call me Holly if you like, but ... let’s just keep the Happy part to ourselves, okay?”

“Okay, Holly,” Heather Rose said with a smile and giggle.

“As for the glasses ... well you’re right, I don’t need them to see, but I do need them, nonetheless. I’m a young woman in a business that is dominated by old men, and it’s really important that I put across a strong, professional image or no one will take me seriously. I wear those glasses for the same reason I keep my hair up and wear those conservative suits. It’s the only way I can do my job.”

Heather Rose accepted Holly’s explanation as easily as Holly had accepted her as a woman with a hyperactive girl within.

“I remember something else, too, Holly”.

Holly was almost afraid to ask, but in for a penny, in for a pound. “And what would that be?”

“I remember Doctor Missy”

“That’s Doctor Misty,” Holly corrected.

“Yeah, Doctor Misty, and she had long blonde hair and was really, really nice, and she didn’t give me a shot, but she gave me some tests. I think they were really fun tests, but I can’t remember them so good.”

Holly was glad she remembered Doctor Misty. If things went well Heather Rose would be seeing her again very soon, but she was even more glad that the patient had a fuzzy memory of the tests and treatment she received. She was not ready today to explain sonic screwdrivers, little white soul boxes, and the many contents of Misty’s little pink bag.

“And I remember one other thing Holly, Doctor Misty said I was going to be all better.” Heather Rose looked to Holly with the eyes of the hopeful innocent she truly was. “Holly? I am going to be all better aren’t I?”

Holly pulled her close once again and gave her the guarantee she needed. “Heather Rose, I promise that you’re going to be all better and then some, or my name isn’t Holly Happy Hart.”

Heather Rose held on to Holly and her promise, taking both of them to heart. Holly sighed as she stroked Heather Rose’s hair, and said a silent prayer that Janet and Prue would return soon, as she would need the support of the Sisterhood to make good the promise she’d just made.

“Holly?,” Heather Rose said softly as she snuggled against her, “I guess now that I’m awake, you’re probably going home now, huh?”

Holly could hear the sadness in Heather Rose’s voice. “Well ... I should be getting home soon. I need to check on my babies.”

Heather Rose’s eyes went wide in disbelief, “You got babies!”

Holly laughed, “No not that kind, silly. I mean my cats. You know ... Neptune and Bleu. They’re the closest thing to kids I’ve ever had, and probably ever will have.”

Heather Rose didn’t know why Holly thought she’d never have kids of her own. She was young and nice, and obviously quite pretty beneath the disguise she wore. She was sure lots of boys would like her and she could have loads of babies, but for some reason, Holly didn’t think that would happen and that was making her sad. Heather Rose didn’t want Holly to be sad, so without a word, she wrapped her arms around her and hugged her tightly.

Holly drank in the love from a child’s hug and it chased away all sadness from her heart.

“So that means you are going then?,” Heather Rose sighed, reluctant to turn loose of Holly.

“Yes I am, but I’m not going alone. You’re going with me.”

Heather Rose stared open-mouthed, “I ... I am? You want me to go ... go to your house?”

Holly smiled, “Yes ... I want you to come to my house. Now it’s not Buckingham Palace or anything, although the cats think they’re royalty.”

“Oh … Wow, Holly! Thanks, thanks so much. I’m so glad you invited me and I can’t wait to meet the babies. And ... and I’m really, really glad that you want me to go with you, ‘cause ... well ... I didn’t ... I mean it’s just that I’m glad you’re here and I don’t want you to go home.”

Holly felt a tug on her heart strings every bit as strong as the hug Heather Rose now held her in. “Well little bit, if you’re glad I’m here, then I’ve got some news for you that should send you right over the moon.”

Heather Rose perked up with a smile and a look of anticipation.

“Dr. Misty thinks you should have some one to keep an eye on you for a while, you know ... just to be sure you stay out of trouble, eat your green vegetables, and most importantly, don’t try to tangle with anymore minivans, so ... I know I must be crazy, but I’ve volunteered for the job, which means you and I are going to be spending loads and loads of time together. Of course, if there’s someone else you’d rather have?”

Heather Rose answered by Tigger pouncing Holly, bouncing them both off the bed and into a heap on the floor. Heather Rose giggled. Holly rubbed her aching bum, “I’ll take that to mean you’re satisfied with the arrangement?”

Once Holly returned to an upright position, she immediately went into auntie mode. “Now ... I’m pretty hungry for breakfast, and considering you didn’t have dinner either, I suppose you are too. Sooo ... why don’t you get a quick shower, making sure you wash behind the ears, mind you, and then as soon as you get dressed, we’ll go have breakfast.”

Heather Rose rubbed her tummy and licked lips, “That sounds really good to me Holly, cause I’m really hungry too.”

Heather Rose started to bounce off to the bedroom. “Oh, do you want a take shower here Holly? I got lots of shampoo, and it’s all the kind that don’t make you cry.”

“Nooo ... thanks anyway. I think I’ll just wait until we get back to my place. It’ s not that I wouldn’t mind having a shower before we left, but I don’t have a change of clothes, and I don’t think your wardrobe has anything in my size, or especially my age.” Holly rolled her eyes and smiled to let Heather Rose know she was only gently teasing.

Heather Rose giggled to let her know she understood. “Ummm ... Holly,” Heather Rose started tentatively, “About clothes ... I know that it isn’t TGIF anymore, and that we’re going out to have breakfast, so ... don’t worry. I won’t embarrass you. I’ll dress ... well you know, I’ll dress like an adult and act like one. Okay?”

Holly stood quietly for a few seconds, looking at the little girl in front of her, trying so hard to please, so hard to be good, and so willing to be something she really wasn’t. She could not and would not be responsible for that kind of sacrifice. “Heather Rose, I want you to dress and behave in whatever manner feels right and comfortable for you. If that’s the bouncy little Hello Kitty groupie who skips into my bank every Friday, then so be it, but ... when I say that you can behave in whatever manner that feels right, don’t think that means you can run wild either. If you’re going to be a little girl, I expect you to be a good one, okay?”

Heather Rose ran from the bathroom door and pounced Holly once again. However this time she saw it coming and properly braced herself for impact.

“I’ll be good Holly, I’ll be good. Oh wow, this is just like TGIF, only it’s Saturday!”

“Well as far as I’m concerned, from now on, everyday is going to be TGIF for you, or at least as much as we can get away with.”

Tears of joy welled in Heather Rose’s eyes and she kissed Holly on the cheek before scurrying off to the bathroom.

Holly felt a little mist in her own eyes. She was so glad to see Heather Rose so happy, and hoped she could always keep her that way.

The sound of shower spray alerted Holly that Heather Rose wasn’t dawdling, which was good because she was really hungry.

“Heather Rose,” Holly shouted. “Your bike needs a bit of repair, so I thought instead of cycling, we’d just catch the trolley uptown, have breakfast there, and then go to my place, okay?”

“Kay!,” shouted Heather Rose.

Holly turned to walk into the living room when she heard giggles and a few loud squeals from the bathroom. “Oh well,” she sighed as she patted her empty stomach, “Kids do love to play in the shower. I guess it’ll be late breakfast after all.”

Thirty minutes later Heather Rose emerged cheerfully dressed in attire age appropriate for a play day at the park. Holly towel dried Heather Rose’s long locks and then braided two very cute pigtails for her.

While Holly did a quick three minute repair job on her make up and hair, Heather Rose loaded up her backpack with all of the day’s necessities: coloring book, crayons, story books, hair ties and a bag of jelly babies.

When Holly emerged from the bathroom wiping the lenses on her “Clarkette Kent” glasses she was met by a totally adorable little girl ready for a day out. She noticed Heather Rose was holding a doll in her arms and smiling hopefully.

“Can Katie come too? She didn’t get any dinner last night either you know.”

Holly smiled, “Well of course Katie can come. I wouldn’t dream of leaving her behind, but ... she’ll have to share your pancakes, okay?”

Heather Rose giggled, “Thanks Holly. Me and Katie love pancakes!”

“I’ve never met a little girl or her dolly who didn’t,” Holly said with a wink as she ushered Heather Rose and friend toward the door.

Just as Holly was about to close it behind them, Heather Rose pulled Katie close to her ear, and listened to her whisper in dollspeak. Heather Rose nodded, and then looked at Holly with a hopeful smile.

“Ummm ... Katie really likes you Holly and ummm ... she was wondering if ... if it was okay if she called you Auntie Holly.”

There went those heart strings getting another work out on Holly. The young woman knelt forward speaking in a soft voice just above a whisper. “Katie ... you can call me Auntie Holly anytime you want to, except maybe when you visit me at the bank, and the same goes for you, too, Heather Rose.”

Heather Rose doubled hugged her new auntie tightly, once for her and once for Katie. When the embrace finally broke, Heather Rose slipped her hand easily into Holly’s. Holly took it just as easily, and off to find food and fun they went.

Saturday turned out to be a beautiful day, beautiful weatherwise,, and beautiful for all the joy that both Holly and Heather Rose experienced. However, in the beginning, Holly had some deep concerns about little Heather Rose stepping outside her sanctuary.

They hadn’t been on the street five minutes when people began staring at the 5’8, thirty something woman, skipping along the sidewalk and dressed like a fashion model for Kids’R’Us. Most just stared in disbelief. Some laughed, some whispered and pointed, and some shook their head in disgust. For Holly, it was a reminder of times long past, of a life long past, when she remember receiving those reactions herself,, but for a different reason. She remembered the pain and frustration of those times, when she’d wished she could just walk down the street as easily and as invisibly as any other woman. She feared Heather Rose could suffer the same fate, and she was ready to protect her, to take her away to sanctuary at the first sign of sadness in her eyes, but amazingly it never came.

Heather Rose seemed to be oblivious to it all. She walked and skipped and giggled, and talked to Katie, and was obviously having the time of her life, which made Holly quite relieved, but also a bit puzzled. When they stopped for breakfast, the waitress gave Heather Rose and Katie an icy cold look of disgust as she dropped the menu in front of them. Holly watched Heather Rose closely, but saw not the tiniest look of anger or sadness in her shining eyes.
Finally, Holly just had to ask. “Heather Rose, does it bother you sometime when people stare at you like our waitress did, or say bad things to you?”

Heather Rose sighed, and her face seemed to change and take on a more serious look. Holly knew it was the adult coming through to make an appearance, “I guess it does a little. I mean, it doesn’t feel very nice to have people dislike you just because you’re trying to be you, and they don’t understand. But what really hurts is when I go to the daycare playground, and parents who don’t really know me tell their kids to stay away from me like I was some sort of pedophile or something. I so want to make them understand that I’d never hurt their kid, or do anything to ruin their childhood because I know how precious this time is and how sad it is to not have it. But ... there’s nothing much you can say or show to people who won’t listen and won’t see, so you just have to go on and be you. When little Heather Rose comes out, she doesn’t let those frowns get her down. She has way too much fun, skipping and playing and giggling to waste what little time she has being all sad or mad because some silly people don’t understand. Does that make sense to you?”

Holly’s love and respect for the strong and wise adult who timeshared her life with little Heather Rose grew in leaps and bounds in that short statement, and so did her understanding of little Heather Rose. The child within was a true innocent, who simply ignored silly mean people when she came out to play, simply because they were no fun at all and she was a little girl who wanted and deserved to have fun. Holly’s determination to see that Heather Rose had the fun and everything else that comes with the childhood package, strengthened rock solid.

“I think I understand now. Thanks for explaining it to me.”

“You’re welcome,” Heather Rose said with a smile that said the child was back.

It was then the waitress returned with her scowl and a large stack of pancakes which she sat in front of Heather Rose. “Wow! Look Katie, it’s pancakes! Thank you “Myrna,” Heather Rose said with a bright smile as she read the waitresses name tag.

“Thank you Auntie Holly. Can we have booberry syrup on the pancakes? Booberry is Katie’s favorite you know.”

Myrna shook her head and grumbled as she went off to fetch Holly’s platter. Holly smiled, admiring the courage of one so young.

“Yes, you may, Heather Rose, and I hope you and Katie enjoy them.”

Heather Rose smiled, nodded and then tucked into the tall stack straight away.

After breakfast, and a quick stop by a toy store that was advertising a special on Hello Kitty merchandise, Holly and Heather Rose finally made it over to Holly’s place where Holly got her much needed shower, change of clothes, and the cats made a new friend. Neptune and Bleu took to her as if she was made of catnip. The cats were pouncing and playing like they hadn’t in years. Holly found herself wondering if the fountain of youth in Heather Rose’s soul might be contagious.

The highlights from the rest of the day included lunch and play at the nearby park, then a quick nip home for a much needed cat and kitten nap, finally followed by a return to Heather Rose’s place where the pair stayed up playing some rousing games of Chutes and Ladders, and finally culminating with Holly reading Heather Rose, “Sleeping Beauty” until she finally became one. Holly then crawled onto the pink fluffy couch and slept the sleep of a very tired Special Auntie who would still be wide awake at the first sound of a child’s cough or cry.

Sunday was pretty much a repeat of Saturday, although this time the night was spent at Holly’s, as Monday was a work day. When Holly woke, she found Heather Rose already up and preparing for work. The look of determination in her eyes told her that little Heather Rose was neatly packed away in the Hello Kitty backpack, along with little Katie and her other cherished favorites.

When Holly rolled her car into the parking lot, Heather Rose gently kissed her on the cheek, a little love tap from the little one within and then it was time to go to work and play the banking business for eight hours.

For the next three weeks this became the regular existence for Heather Rose and Holly. By weekday they were prim bank manager and bank clerk extraordinaire, save for TGIF where little Heather Rose got a look in. By weeknight and weekend, they were Auntie Holly, little Heather Rose and Katie: the three amigas, having the time of their life.

During these twenty plus days of fun, frolic, and banking business, Holly had contact with most of her sister’s from the Sisterhood. Prue had called from New Zealand saying she’d gotten the word from Misty and that she, hubby and little Sara would be there at month’s end, be it by plane, boat or even moose. Kimmie emailed saying she had a friend on standby at the counseling center who would cover her shift as soon as the time and date for the Gathering had been announced. She added that both she and little Allie couldn’t wait to see Holly and to meet Heather Rose. Misty phoned to check on Heather Rose’s condition and to confirm she was ready to stand with her at the Gathering.
On a slightly disconcerting note, Janet had yet to check in, but on a positive one, there was a sneak peek showing of the new Harley Davidson’s for 2008 at the Coliseum on Friday, so at least they knew exactly where to find her and when. The only sister who would not be there was Tina Michelle. In accordance with the rules, she had been excused from the Gathering, as she was out of town and involved with a delicate rescue mission of her own.

It had been exactly four weeks since that fateful Friday that brought Heather Rose and Holly together. Heather Rose was at her post in full Hello Kitty fashion, greeting each customer with a beaming smile and a rosy glow, when a strikingly beautiful young woman with a brood of children in tow entered the bank and headed straight for Miss Hart’s office.

Heather Rose had seen her a few times before, and two things always stood out. The first was this woman’s hair, which dropped to just below waist length, but it wasn’t her Repunzel-like tresses that amazed Heather Rose as much as it was the array of colors that highlighted them. There seemed to be every shade of color ever featured on a box of Clairol, all beautifully blended together like a real life Rainbow Bright. The second thing was lots of things, more accurately about nine or ten of them: children. The kids ranged anywhere from what appeared to be about 16, down to a sleeping infant in her arms. Now Heather Rose wasn’t a math or a biology major, but she knew enough to know that this woman couldn’t be a day over 24, if that, and there was no way all of these children could be hers, yet as her entourage passed by, she heard nearly every one of them refer to her as Mom, Momma, Mommy, and even Mummy.

As Heather Rose watched Holly greet the woman with a hug and then be literally mobbed by the mass that followed, it was obvious she knew them all quite well.

“That’s Shelly Von Haber. Miss Hart says she’s her sister,” whispered Ida as she leaned over from her counter. “But that doesn’t seem like a good enough reason to come all this way just to bank here. Especially when there are so many of them, what with all those kids they say are hers, and their cousins and aunts and uncles.”

Ida was a woman on the high side of fifty who some said had been at the bank since the day they laid the first brick. Sometimes she could be a bit surly, especially with the customers who brought in too much loose change, but all in all Heather Rose thought she was a nice enough woman who above all else, loved to talk. And when Ida talked, it was most always gossip about employees, and certain customers of the bank. She was so good at uncovering dirt to dish that she could have been an operative for J. Edgar Hoover, and for as much as Heather Rose knew, she may have been.

But for as good a detective as Ida was, she’d clearly met her match in Miss H. Hart. Six weeks after the new boss took over, Ida had said she must have friends in high places, because all of her inside people at corporate said Miss H. Hart’s records were strictly confidential. The only string she’d ever gotten on her was an unconfirmed report that Miss Hart had been recommended for the bank presidency by a wealthy east coast financier by the name of William D Picklesworth.

Heather Rose wondered if Ida would blow the stays in her corset if she knew that Heather Rose knew that there was a third H in Miss H. Hart and that it stood for Happy. Heather Rose would never have considered telling her and even if she had, it was doubtful that Ida would believe her. No doubt her pride would never admit to being bested in the espionage game by a pigtailed amateur.

Ida, who had all but admitted defeat in the Miss H. Hart mystery, finally found an informant. It was none other than one of the small children that had came in as part of the herd belonging to Shelly Von Haber. An auburn haired, freckled face five year old by the name of Maggie, had wandered off from the pack and found herself staring up at Ida. Ida, expert in these matters, immediately bribed the child with an assortment of lollies for any information leading to the identity of Miss H. Hart.

Maggie drove a hard bargain. She didn’t tell until she had one lolly in the mouth, two in her hand, and half a chocolate chip cookie: the other half promised after she’d spilled the beans. In the end, Ida felt she’d been a bit short-changed by the crafty toddler, but not empty handed. The H in Miss H. Hart stood for Holly, and to Maggie, she was Auntie Holly, which meant that she was Shelly Von Haber’s sister.

Maggie did add that her momma and all her aunties, including Holly were witches with magic powers, and that Maggie herself was a witch too. Of course she wasn’t allowed to cast spells until she got bigger. Ida like any other good operative, knew that to get to the gold, sometimes you have to dig through crap, and Maggie was really shoveling it.

“That Shelly Von Haber’s a strange one, you know,” Ida spoke quietly in confidence. “You see all that hair? You know it’s not real, don’t you. I heard it’s a wig ... she’s bald as a billiard ball beneath it. And all those kids? Well ... first off, you know they’re really not hers don’t you? You think a woman her age, with a figure like that could have had all those kids?”

Heather Rose blindly shook her head, not daring to contradict anyone as wise and as informed as Ida obviously felt she was.

“This is something you have to keep strictly confidential. I got suspicious when I saw the address on her deposit slip, and got in touch with a friend of mine who works at City Hall where Mrs. Von Haber lives. She runs main register in the cafeteria, so you know she gets all the good stuff, and she says there’s some sort of official investigation into Shelly Von Haber and some kid’s camp she’s running outside the city. Word is the whole thing’s some sort of front for kidnapping, slavery and possibly child pornography. No less than two CIA agents have disappeared during covert missions to infiltrate the complex, and two others came back completely brainwashed, totally unable to account for the 48 hours they were there.”

Ida shook her head in disgust, “For all we know these children she walks in with are kidnap victims, brainwashed into believing some fairy tale she feeds them, or too frightened to try and run for help. And to think Miss Hart is involved with all that. I wouldn’t be surprised if she’s not funneling bank money into the whole operation.”

Heather Rose was positively gobsmacked. She didn’t know Shelly Von Haber, but she knew Holly, and the same woman who had opened her heart and her home to her simply wasn’t capable of being party to anything like Ida was preaching. Auntie Holly was a good person, and neither little or big Heather Rose was having any of it.

Ida had then returned to her station where a large bag of loose change had been dropped in front of her. Ida was not happy.

Heather Rose was busy dismissing the horrible picture that Ida had painted for her, when a soft and sweet voice called to her. She immediately looked from side to side, but apparently there was no body to go with it. It was at the second call that she leaned forward and looked down to see a smiling, freckled face, red haired imp, carrying a fluffy white unicorn, that could only be Ida’s paid informant, Maggie.

“You gots Hello Kiddy on! Dat’s one of my faborites!,” squealed the excited little one.

Heather Rose smiled at her kindred spirit, “Mine too! ... I’m Heather Rose, and I bet your name is Maggie, isn’t it?”

Maggie nodded, and then licked her lips as she saw the cup of lollies displayed on Heather Rose’s counter.

“Would you like one, Maggie?”

The toddler mulled her offer over a bit, “Ummm ... what’s I gots to tells you to gets one? I knows penty.”

Heather Rose giggled, “You don’t have to tell me anything, Maggie. You can just have one.”

Heather Rose handed down a big green one that matched Maggie’s emerald green eyes. “Gee Header Rose, tanks. Auntie Ida neber gibed me none wiff out me habins to tells her somefins.”

Heather Rose glanced over at Ida, still scowling as she counted yet another stack of pennies, before she looked down to Maggie again. “I’m not like Ida, Maggie, I just want to give you a lolly, that’s all.”

Maggie took a big lick and smiled from the sugar rush. “I knows your not likes Auntie Ida, you is just likes me!”

Heather Rose smiled, “You mean because we both like Hello Kitty?”

Maggie shook her head, “Nopers ... we is da same, cause ... cause you is weally liddle just likes me, onwy ... onwy ... on da inshide, and nots da outshide.”

Heather Rose went ashen. How could this child see straight into her very soul? How could she know how much Heather Rose felt just like Maggie, and wished with all her heart she had an outside to match her inside. Granted, her TGIF attire gave her the appearance of a little girl, something Maggie had noticed straight away, but this went way beyond that.

“I knows tings, Header Rose, tings bout you?”

Heather Rose was afraid to ask, but Maggie didn’t need an invite. “I heards tings when I posed to be seepin.”

Heather Rose listened and thought what a good team Ida and Maggie would make. They could probably put the FBI and the CIA out of business.

“I heared Momma talkin wiff Auntie Jenna and ... and dey saided Auntie Holly wants to fixs you so you won’t be sads no more. Dats why eberybody gots to comes to our house and habs a ... a ... gabberin.”

“A gabberin?” Heather Rose asked, thoroughly confused.

Maggie sighed, frustrated, as her friend obviously wasn’t fluent in toddlereze, “A gabberin, Header Rose! And dens you’ll be all fixeraded cause my mommy is a witch.”

Heather Rose shook her head, “Maggie, I’m sorry, but I don’t think I understand.”

Suddenly, another person entered the party. She was a young teen with reddish brown hair, big hazel eyes, and spoke with a lovely British accent, “That’s alright ... she’s my little sister and most of the time I don’t understand her either.”

Maggie looked up and then gave heavy sigh as she slumped and dropped her head, “Uh oh, I’m busted.”

The young girl hoisted her lightweight sister up into her arms. “That you are, Maggie. When Mummy finds out you’ve wandered off again, there’ll be no pudding for you tonight.”

Maggie sniffled and hugged her unicorn, “Awww ... Ally, peas don’t tell. I won’t be bad no more.”

Ally rolled her eyes and smiled at Heather Rose. “If I had a shilling for every time I’ve heard that one.”

Heather Rose giggled.

“Hi, I’m Alysson,” the young girl warmly greeted her, “Friday is my day to be keeper of the rugrat. I hope she wasn’t too much of a bother.”

Heather Rose smiled, “No ... none at all. We both like Hello Kitty.”

Alysson rolled her eyes, “Yes, we all know how much you like Hello Kitty, don’t we Magpie?”

Maggie pulled a pout and quietly cuddled with her unicorn as she worked on the free lolly.

Alysson gave her own teenage version of a pout and looked helplessly at Heather Rose.

Suddenly realizing she’d forgotten to return an introduction, Heather Rose quickly added, “Alysson, I didn’t mean to be rude, I’m Heather Rose”

Alysson smiled and nodded, “Yes, I know.”

Heather Rose gave her a puzzled stare. “You know?”

Now it was Alysson’s face that went positively ashen. This of course immediately improved Maggie’s disposition, and had Alysson floundering for recovery, “Ummm ... well, yes, that is to say ... ummm ... of course I know your name. It’s right there on your plaque.”

“Oh right, yes, silly me, I sometimes forget that,” Heather Rose apologized and accepted Alysson’s explanation, but the worried look on the teen’s face and the triumphant smile on Maggie’s said that really wasn’t the truth of it.

There was an awkward moment of silence, as Alysson plotted her discreet getaway and Heather Rose tried to sort out all the information she’d been given, which Maggie took full advantage of.

“Ally you don’t got’s be fwaid. Header Rose is just wikes us. Mommy’s gonna fixerades her at da gabberin tonight.”

Alysson went from ashen to ghost white, “Maggie ... you know better than to talk about ...”.

Her voice trailed off as she knew Heather Rose was hanging on every word and she was just about to hang herself with the rope Maggie had provided. “I’m terribly sorry Heather Rose,” Alysson quickly shifted, “Maggie does tend to have quite the imagination. You know how little kids are.”

Alysson was doing her best damage control, and hoped that Heather Rose would buy it.

However, Maggie wasn’t having any of it. “Its twue Ally! It’s twue! It’s not my maga ... maga ... maganay ... shun. Mommy is gonna fixerades her cause Mommy’s a witch!”

“Maggie, you shouldn’t say such things,” Alysson warned.

“Ally’s a witch too, Header Rose, a weally good one. She fixerades my spells dat go wrong, and ... and dey always go wrong, ebery time.”

“Maggie, that’s quite enough!,” Ally scolded in a voice that Maggie knew meant just that.

“Heather Rose, I’m very sorry about all this. Obviously Maggie is tired and needs to be put down ... for her nap.” Isn’t that right Margaret Baruchah?”

Maggie eyes went wide. Hearing her first and middle name in proper fashion, told her that she’d gone too far this time. Nodding silently to her sister, she wondered if she’d ever get pudding again.

Alysson then whispered something in Maggie’s ear that made her realize pudding was the least of her problems.

“It was nice to meet you, Heather Rose,” Alysson said with a tight smile as she turned to rejoin the others in Holly’s office.

“Nice to meet you too, Alysson and you too, Maggie,” Heather Rose sang with a wave.

Maggie looked over Alysson’s shoulder and gave Heather Rose the most pitiful, lamb going to slaughter look she’d ever seen, and then returned her wave before disappearing into the office.

Heather Rose had loads of questions, but was almost afraid to find the answers. It was nearly noon by the time Shelly Von Haber and crew left. Heather Rose kept a watchful eye on Maggie as they filed out, but her hand and her attention was firmly held by the woman she called Momma. Not even Alysson ventured a look or a wave in her direction.

Heather Rose decided the only thing she could do was go to the source. She had to talk to Auntie Holly. Auntie Holly would somehow straighten everything out. She was just like Maggie’s momma. She could do anything, although she wasn’t a witch or at least she didn’t think so.

Heather Rose suddenly got a funny feeling in the pit of her stomach and it wasn’t a lunch call for her peanut butter and jelly. It was a nagging feeling that made her wonder if truth could come from the mouth of the lolly sucking babe. Could Shelly Von Haber really be a witch? And if so, could that possibly mean that Auntie Holly could be one too? And what on Earth was a “gabberin”?

Heather Rose scolded herself for giving into such wild thoughts and then put them away as she headed to the break room. After she retrieved her lunch, she headed straight for Holly’s office. She noted Ida watching her rather closely. No doubt she was adding to the file she’d been compiling on her as well.

She was nearly half way through the maze of half doors and desks that led to Holly’s office when she realized she’d been cut off at the pass. A lovely young woman with long strawberry blonde hair, a huge mountain of a man with a gentle smile, and a very cute little toddler with her mother’s hair and eyes, were already at Holly’s door.

Holly greeted them as she had Shelly Von Haber and company earlier, and then ushered them in quickly. A very dejected Heather Rose went back to the break room and ate her lunch in silence. Apparently, she was just going to have to wait until after work to sort this whole thing out. In the meantime, she wasn’t going to let anything Ida or Maggie said drive her round the bend. She was just going to smile, play bank clerk, and be a good little girl.

Heather Rose returned from her lunch to watch the strawberry blonde emerge from Holly’s office, give her hug and then leaving with her husband and child. Ida leaned over the counter, “That’s Richard and Jenna Stewart. I think the little girl’s name is Cathleen. Jenna is another one of Miss Hart’s sisters, and if you ask me, just as likely to be up to something.”

Heather Rose really didn’t want to hear more of this. It made her feel terribly uncomfortable, terribly upset, and terribly overwhelmed, but if there was even a smidgen of truth in any of Ida or Maggie’s ramblings, which surely there couldn’t be, she needed to know it. Her life could very well depend upon it.

Ida waited for an employee to pass by and then started again, “You know Richard is a foreigner don’t you? He’s Canadian, and I have it on good authority that he’s a spy working undercover for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. But ... if that isn’t true I’ve also heard he was a former Vancouver Canuck left winger who injured his knee and then retired to join a rock and roll band. Either way you can tell he’s one shifty character. And this Jenna, well ... she’s definitely an odd one too. The story on her is that she used to be the Spatula Girl on that cooking show called Iron Chef, and then gave that up when she got pregnant and had to marry Richard. Two years ago she opened up a little toy store down in the village, but then six months ago, it all got very ... interesting.”

Ida leaned a bit closer and lowered her voice to barely a whisper, “My friend Selma down at the DMV ran the vitals on this Jenna, and said she received three parking tickets in front of her store in a two week period. Now the really interesting part is that they were all given to her by the same meter maid, who incidentally turned up missing the very afternoon she gave Jenna her last ticket.”

Ida paused to smile and gloat over her fine detective work before starting once again, “Selma said the only thing they ever found of officer 431 was her bike parked at a nearby cafe, apparently damaged from some sort of scuffle, and her ticket book. Well ... you don’t have to be Agatha Christie to put this one together. Obviously, the poor unfortunate meter maid stumbled on to something down at Jenna’s toy store, possibly that it was a front for procuring children for that Kid’s Kamp, and as a result, she had to be taken out of the picture. You know ... they rubbed her out. I’m sure when the SWAT teams finally raid that Kamp, they’ll find her remains and quite few others. I’m also sure that when everything comes out into the light, that our good Miss Hart will be sent up the river with the whole lot of them.”

Heather Rose stared blankly at the contently smiling Ida. She knew she should probably say something, something in defense of Holly. She didn’t want to believe her friend could be involved in anything that would hurt children. She wanted to look Ida in her little beady eyes and tell her that Auntie Holly was the kindest, sweetest, and most loving auntie a little girl could ever wish for, but she couldn’t speak a word. She just turned away and walked over to the water cooler for a drink. When she returned, Ida appeared to be a bit miffed at Heather Rose’s lack of appreciation for the privileged information she shared with her, and said barely another word the rest of the day For Heather Rose, this was a blessing, for she had already been given far more that she could handle.

Heather Rose tried to throw herself into her work, and each customer who came to her window received the usual prompt and courteous service, but for the first Friday since TGIF was instituted at Union Savings and Loan, they didn’t get the complimentary bounce, smile and sparkle that could only come from the child within.

As 5 p.m. rolled round, Heather Rose couldn’t stop thinking about Ida’s damning allegations, or the heartfelt pleas of a little girl who tried to tell her about witches and gabberins, and who somehow knew Heather Rose far too well. She watched Bob usher the last customer out, locking the door behind them and TGIF was now officially over. For Heather Rose, it seemed to be the worst one ever, but she couldn’t help but fear that worst could be yet to come.

By the time Holly finally closed up her office, only Heather Rose and Bob were still remaining. Holly greeted Heather Rose with a tired smile and an apology. “Hey kiddo, I’m so sorry we didn’t get to do lunch as usual, but I was so busy I was beginning to feel my office had a revolving door on it.”

Heather Rose smiled sympathetically but said nothing as she grabbed her backpack and walked toward the door with Holly. Holly had been a Special Auntie less than a month, but she knew her girl well. There were only three times when Heather Rose was quiet: when she was sleeping, when she was sick or when she was sad. Obviously, she wasn’t sleeping. She showed no signs of being ill; therefore she had to be sad. Holly wasn’t sure why her little one was singing the blues, but she was absolutely sure that what she had planned tonight would be the ultimate cure.

The pair wished Bob a wonderful weekend, and made a long, silent walk to Holly’s beautifully restored 1969 Mustang Mach I, “Lady Galadriel.” Commuting to and from work on bikes had been temporarily shelved while Heather Rose’s bike, “Miss Kitty” was on the mend at the cycle shop. The job was taking quite a while, because something in the gear shift had been broken, and they couldn’t seem to find the right part anywhere.

Heather Rose climbed into her seat, buckled in, and pulled Katie from her backpack. Holly watched as Katie whispered something to Heather Rose who nodded, then pulled Katie close.

“So, what’s Miss Katie have to say? Holly asked cheerfully as she buckled her straps.

Heather Rose shrugged, “Not much. She’s just thinking about lots of things and it’s kinda making her sad.”

“I see,” and Holly was beginning to do just that. “Well then, we’re just going to have to give Katie something to think about that won’t make her sad aren’t we?”

“I guess so,” Heather Rose said with little enthusiasm.

“Hmmm ... now I wonder what we can give Katie to think about it, that will make her happy?”

Heather Rose wasn’t nibbling at the bait, and just shrugged her shoulders.

“Well ... now I’m only just getting to know Katie, but I think I know her well enough to know that I bet she’d get awfully happy if she had a surprise to think about it.”

“A surprise!,” Heather Rose swallowed the bait and suddenly brightened up, “What kinda surprise?”

Holly smiled and then began slowly reeling her in, “Well ... it might be a dinner surprise.”

Heather Rose bounced in her seat, “Is it MacDonald’s? Is it Burger King? Is it In and Out Burger?”

Holly shook her head, “No ... it’s not them. It’s going to be something a whole lot better than burger and fries, and ... you’re really going love this part, there’ll be lots of kids there for you to play with, too.

Heather Rose tested the strength of her safety belt as she nearly exploded out of it. “It’s pizza! It’s Chuck E. Cheese. Yeah! We’re going to Chuck E. Cheese pizza!”

If the Gathering hadn’t been set for tonight, she’d have taken Heather Rose to Chuck E. Cheese pizza, and suffered through the cheese covered Frisbeeâ„¢ they called a pizza, just to see her this happy. However, she was pretty confident by night’s end that Heather Rose would know a kind of joy far greater than any she could have ever received from pizza, prizes and games.

“No ... I’m sorry, Heather Rose. We’re not going to Chuck E. Cheese’s and I’m pretty sure we’re not going to be having pizza. The surprise is ... we’re going to have dinner at my sister Shelly’s house, and when you taste her cooking, you’re going think you’ve died and went to heaven!”

“Died and went to heaven,” Heather Rose thought. If Ida was right, that could be exactly the way her evening ended. Heather Rose’s spirits sank as she sunk back in her seat, “Oh ... that’s ummm ... a really great surprise, Auntie Holly.”

Holly sighed as she turned the ignition and checked the rear view mirror. Heather Rose’s lack of enthusiasm was obvious and understandable. For a child, how could dinner with an auntie and the best Jewish cuisine this side of New York, possibly compare to cardboard pizza and a cartoon mouse?

Of course if Holly could tell Heather Rose about the magic, and the miracle she’d be offered for dessert, then the little girl would be completely over the moon, but how could she? Heather Rose would no doubt think her Auntie Holly had gone stark raving mad, and Holly couldn’t blame her for that. In a word, it was unbelievable, and despite the fact they had grown so close in the last month and that Heather Rose was a trusting, innocent child, she couldn’t expect her to accept the truth on her word alone. No, she had to wait until Heather Rose could meet Shelly and the others. Then if Heather Rose was accepted, she could hear the whole story, and most importantly, see the magic. Yes, seeing would be believing, and once she believed, then she could allow herself to want, and then she’d be given, and finally she’d be happy, but all of that had to wait for the Gathering. In the meantime, all Holly could do was ease Heather Rose’s worry, and tempt with her delicious food and cousins to play with.

Holly backed the car out of its place and then rolled up to the car park exit, “Heather Rose, I know eating at Shelly’s house doesn’t seem as much fun as going to Chuck E. Cheese, but I promise you’ll have a wonderful time. And I do understand if you’re a bit nervous about meeting her, but please don’t be. She’s one of the sweetest, funniest, most loving ladies you’ll ever want to meet, and ... besides being a phenomenal cook, she is great with kids. But of course when you have as many as she has, you’d better be good with kids.”

Holly smiled at the bit of lighthearted humor, but it appeared lost on the little girl who sat quietly rocking her doll.

“Come to think of it, I’m sure you must have seen her come in today. She was the lady with the mobile day care unit following her.”

Heather Rose nodded, “Yeah, I did. I ummm ... met two of her kids: a young teenage girl with a British accent, and a little freckled face girl who really likes Hello Kitty, and loves to talk.”

Holly laughed, “Well that would have to be Alysson and Maggie. Alysson’s a lovely English girl that Shelly adopted, and Maggie, or as we often call her, “Kitten” is well quite a handful, although I’m sure you noticed that.”

Heather Rose gave just a hint of a smile, “I noticed,” but then the hint slowly faded. “Auntie Holly? ... Maggie knew who I was. I mean really knew who I was, and I’m pretty sure Alysson did, too.”

Holly blew out a breath, “Yes ... well, I’m ... not surprised that they do. As you know, I talk to my sister’s quite often, and well ... I’ve told them all quite a bit about you. And ... and I know Misty has as well. So, there’s no doubt that Shelly’s kids have heard your name mentioned.”

Heather Rose shook her head, “But ... but it’s more than just knowing my name, Auntie Holly. Maggie said she knew me. She said she knew I was just like her, only on the inside. How could she know that?”

Holly really didn’t want to start a discussion she couldn’t really finish until the Gathering, but she had to give Heather Rose something, or she’d suspect the worst and possibly lose the trust they’d built.

“I could say that Maggie is a very perceptive child with an insight that most children don’t have, an insight that allows her to see the child within you, and that would be true, but it’s not the whole truth. There’s much more to it, but I can’t share it with you right now. Please don’t ask why, just know that you will get to see and hear everything tonight, and then I promise you that you’ll understand. However, in the meantime, I can tell you that I have told Shelly and all my sisters everything about you, including the fact that you are transsexual and that you are more little girl than big girl.”

Holly paused to gauge Heather Rose’s reaction and finding her to be pretty much calm but obviously concerned, she pressed on. “Now I don’t blame you if you’re upset with me for sharing your story with my sisters, but I promise you I’ve done it with the very best of intentions. I ... I really wanted you to meet them and I didn’t want you to worry about how they would react, or for you to feel you couldn’t be yourself. Trust me, they understand your situation, and are as comfortable with it, and as supportive of it, as I am. I know when you meet them they’ll welcome you with open arms and warm hugs. Why in no time at all, they’ll seem just like family.”

Heather Rose heard everything, but one word nearly made her pigtails stand on end: “them,” as in, “when she met them,” making her wonder, ‘Just how many sisters does it take to make a them?’

Heather Rose clutched Katie tightly, “Auntie Holly I thought it was just your sister Shelly and her kids that we were having dinner with. It sure sounds to me like there’s gonna be a whole lot more people there.”

Holly glanced in her rear view mirror, and was glad to see the only other car in the lot was Bob’s, so it didn’t matter if she blocked the car park exit while she tried to ease Heather Rose’s fears.

“Honey,” she cooed in softest auntie voice, “You’re right. There are going to be more people there. Along with Shelly, her husband and their kids, you’re going to meet my eight other sisters and their families, although I suppose it’s only seven, since you’ve already met Misty.”

“That sounds like an awful lot of people to me, Auntie Holly.” Heather Rose squeezed Katie just a bit tighter.

Holly’s heart melted at the sight of the frightened little girl. She released her safety belt and slid in next to Heather Rose, pulling her close for a cuddle.

“Yes, I suppose that is an awful lot of people to meet at once, and I know you’d probably be a bit more comfortable if we took one sister at a time, but it’s absolutely necessary that you meet everyone tonight.”

“Why, Auntie Holly? Why do I got to meet everyone tonight?”

Holly sighed, “I’m sorry sweetie, but that’s something I can’t tell you now. You’ll just have to think of it as a surprise, a very good surprise. I promise.”

Heather Rose snuggled, “Okay, Auntie Holly”

“Did you know that two of my sisters, Cindy and Prue came from all the way outside the country just to meet you?”

A pair of brown eyes went wide in surprise, “Really Auntie Holly? Just to meet me?”

“That’s right, little princess. Just to meet you.”

“Wow!”

Holly gave Heather Rose a smile and a wink, “And ... it’s not just my sisters who want to meet you either. There’s probably going to be about ...,” Holly paused to do the math, “about 17 kids there, although don’t hold me to that. The way Shelly reels them in, it could be 20 by now.”

“20 kids! Gee Auntie Holly that’s like a whole day care!”

Holly giggled, “Sometimes more like a zoo, but nonetheless, they’re all excited to meet you.”

“Wow!”

Holly leaned forward and gave her little one a kiss on the forehead, “I meant what I said. These people really do understand, and they will accept you for who you truly are, so there’s absolutely no reason to be afraid or nervous. I promise you nothing bad will happen except for maybe getting a good squeezing from Shelly. She really loves to give big hugs, and she told me that she couldn’t wait to get her hands on you.”

Heather Rose giggled and cuddled with her auntie, but then suddenly she had a flashback to the events of earlier that day. She could almost hear Ida laughing and saying she had no doubt that Shelly would love to get her hands on a sweet little one like Heather Rose. She could probably get a hefty price for a rare commodity like a tg little girl, or maybe she’d end up out at Kid’s Kamp, buried next to the grave of meter maid 431.

Then Ida’s voice and image was replaced by that of little Maggie’s. Suddenly, Heather Rose found herself tied down in the middle of a pentagram, black candles everywhere and surrounded by characters in dark hooded robes. Heather Rose had seen enough grade B horror movies to know she was in the clutches of evil witches. One by one they removed their hoods until finally it came down to the last one. Slowly she pulled her hood back to reveal auburn hair put up neatly in a bun, dark rimmed glasses, and a broad smile that could only be her Auntie Holly. Magically a knife appeared in Holly’s hand, and she raised it high above Heather Rose. Heather Rose wanted to scream, wanted to move but she could do neither, as the knife came plunging down.

“Auuuggghhh!,” Heather finally screamed as she pushed back from Holly and bounced off the passenger door.

“What on Earth?,” asked a startled Holly, “Are you alright Heather Rose?”

The frightened future human sacrifice caught her breath and nodded, “I’m okay Auntie Holly. I ummm ... ummm ... just had a pain in my tummy, and it really hurt me.”

Holly shook her head and seemingly bought the line, “Well ... it’s no wonder. I can’t see how anyone can eat peanut butter and jelly sandwiches with pickles, a fruit cup, and a bag of jelly babies for lunch and not have a tummy ache.”

Heather Rose shrugged her shoulders and smiled sheepishly, glad her Auntie Holly hadn’t pressed her.

“Well ... we’ll soon take care of that tummy of yours. You’re about to have a dinner fit for a princess. Why Shelly’s such a good cook she can even make green things taste good!”

Heather Rose let out a tiny giggle, which pleased her auntie to no end.

“Although ... I just remembered something. Friday sunset is the start of Sabbath for Shelly. She’s Jewish, and that means there are certain rules and traditions she has to observe, and some of those do involve food preparation I think. But ... don’t worry, whatever Shelly can’t fix tonight, Jenna will, and when it comes to cooking, she can match Shelly recipe for recipe.”

“So tummy ...,” Holly reached over and tickled Heather Rose’s angry belly, “… get ready to be very happy, and very full.”

Heather Rose was bouncing and giggling and squealing at the mercy of the tickle monster, and at least for the moment, all thoughts of slavery, unmarked graves, and human sacrifices faded away. Holly, content her little one had sunshine in her smile again, finally put “Lady Galadriel” into gear and headed out of the car park.

It usually took about twenty minutes from the bank to Shelly’s house and Holly spent most of it telling Heather Rose things about her sisters, their significant others and of course the children. Heather Rose listened quietly, but in all honesty she drifted between Holly’s words, and those of Ida’s and Maggie’s, and in the end she found herself split right down the middle.

The adult part of her that lived mostly in her mind, told her to examine the evidence which Ida and Maggie had provided plenty of. Now she wasn’t sure she could buy everything that Ida was dishing out, but ... she did seem awfully sure of herself and there was absolutely no mistaking the knowing look in Maggie’s eyes and Alysson’s nervous reaction when her little sister brought up witchcraft. There were also a few strange things that Heather Rose had noticed during the month she’d spent with Holly, things that at the time that had seemed pretty much inconsequential, but now caused her to consider them in a different light.

One thing that struck her as slightly odd was that when Heather Rose asked Holly about what she liked to do when she was a little girl, Holly got very quiet, and then really struggled to come up with an answer. When she asked Holly if she had any pictures of herself when she was a little girl, Holly seemed to get nervous again and then said she didn’t have any.

She’d also noticed that when Holly took off her phony glasses, put her hair down and slipped on a nightshirt, that it took nearly twenty years off her appearance. Although Heather Rose never asked Holly her age, it was obvious she couldn’t possibly be more than 25, which raised a few more interesting questions. How could a twenty five year old woman be a bank president? And ... why would a 25 year old keep her car radio on the oldies channel and have her house decorated in something straight out of Pleasantville?

And what about Dr. Misty Dawn? Heather Rose’s memories of that night still weren’t very clear, but she remembered enough to know that she’d never been given an examination like that before, and wondered if anyone else ever had.

And what about Holly, or Auntie Holly as she truly thought of her? Why would this woman so readily accept her, look after her, and be so intent on helping her? Why was it so important she meet all of Holly’s sisters, and how could Heather Rose be important enough for these sisters to fly in from all of the world to meet her?

Finally and most damning in the eyes of the adult, was Holly’s own admission that she couldn’t tell her the whole truth of what tonight was all about. She said it was a surprise, a very good surprise, that couldn’t be revealed until she arrived at Shelly’s for dinner. Well that might be true enough, but it reminded her of words from an evil witch trying to lure an unsuspecting child into her cottage for dinner. The surprise would be that the child was the main course.

While the adult struggled to reason it all out, the little girl which owned her heart and soul felt it was all child’s play. Little Heather Rose didn’t really trust “Auntie Ida.” If anyone was an evil witch, it was her, because she was the one who tempted Maggie with lollies and candy, and she was the one who frowned all the time and said bad things about people.

Little Heather Rose did trust and liked Maggie. Maggie told the pure truth when she said that Heather Rose was just like her, only on the inside. They were two kids and they had connected as such. Little Heather Rose didn’t completely understand what Maggie meant by saying that her momma was a witch and somehow she was going to “fixerade” her, but despite the nervous look on Alysson’s face , and all those evil witch flicks that had been running through her adult mind, the child’s heart somehow knew there was no evil, no hurt, no bad in any of this. The joy in Maggie’s eyes and heart at the prospect of her momma “fixerading” Heather Rose was as pure and as innocent and as true as she was. If there was going to be magic that night, little Heather Rose knew it could only be the good kind.

As all of these thoughts were running through the girl’s mind, Holly was glad she’d calmed down. Glancing over, and seeing her preoccupied, but no longer appearing frightened, Holly was even happier, as Heather Rose didn’t seem to even be paying attention to the scene outside. They had left the center of town, on the winding canyon road Holly usually used to get to Shelly’s. Reaching around the steering wheel, Holly pressed in on what appeared to be, and could be used as, a lever to adjust the steering wheel. She pulled it towards her as far as it would go, then pulled it out before releasing it.

As Holly had hoped, the child Heather Rose hadn’t noticed a thing. Her mind was to set on trying to decide if she wanted to meet Shelly and her ‘sisters’. She finally decided that the ace in the deck stacked against the damning suspicions, the fears and the things the adult Heather Rose didn’t know was Auntie Holly, and all the things that the child did know. She knew as only a child could, that her auntie genuinely cared for her, possibly even loved her, and that trumped anything else.

In the months prior to Heather Rose’s accident, Miss Hart had been an understanding and friendly boss who’d made the bank a great place for the adult to work and for the child to quietly play, but in the last month, she recognized, accepted and cared for the child. And ... she did it in the way that every child truly wants and needs. … She made time for her. She listened to her, she played with her, she comforted her, she challenged her, and she encouraged her. Those things are far more important to a child than trips to Chuck E. Cheese or a boatload of toys and dolls. They are the reasons why the little girl had the courage and conviction to trust and believe in her Auntie Holly when the adult would be afraid to do so. To the child, it doesn’t matter if Auntie Holly has a few secrets, or dresses funny or listens to old music. That’s okay, because what she has shared and given, is so wonderful and has made the child so happy, that all the rest isn’t important to her. What was important, is that she loved her Auntie Holly, and that she wanted to be good enough so that her Auntie Holly would always love her back.

As the car rolled to a stop in front of a rather stately looking three story Tudor with a half dozen cars jammed into the driveway, Holly announced that this was Shelly’s house and the journey was over. For Heather Rose, the battle within was over for now, the child had won a decisive victory. She was going to trust and believe in her Auntie Holly and the joy she had seen in Maggie’s eyes.

That did not mean she had totally forgotten Ida’s words, … human sacrifices and unanswered questions. It also did not mean she would go in their deaf, dumb and blind to whatever she would find. What it did mean was that she was going to do exactly what Holly had asked her to do: she was going to be herself, and she was going to give Holly’s family a chance, and she wasn’t going to be afraid, unless ... she found reason to be. Despite any evidence that Ida had dredged up about illegal activities involving Holly and her sisters, Heather Rose subscribed to the highest justice of all. She would presume these people innocent, until they actually did something to prove they were guilty.

Holly came round and helped Heather Rose out of the car, adjusting a crooked pig tail just like a good auntie would. then she smiled proudly at her charge and hugged her tightly. “I know it’s a little scary, Heather Rose, but once you meet everyone you’ll see what I said about them is true, and you’ll have no reason to be scared at all.”

Heather Rose smiled, drinking in the hug and the reassuring words. “I believe you Auntie Holly. Honest I do. I won’t be scared. I promise.”

Holly winked, “Well ... just in case you do get just a little bit scared, or overwhelmed or just want to show me something really neat you’ve found, just come get me, I promise you I’ll never be far away.”

“I know Auntie Holly, I know,” and the child within truly did know.

Holly opened the front gate and reached out a hand into which Heather Rose easily slipped hers. Without anymore fear or anymore words, Heather Rose followed her auntie to the front door and her destiny that lay behind it.

Holly had just raised her hand to knock on the door when it swung open and she was greeted a smiling familiar face. “Holly! It’s so good to see you. Come give us a hug!”

Holly released Heather Rose’s hand to step into a hug from a lovely young woman with long blonde hair and big brown eyes. Heather Rose watched the two embrace and deduced that this woman had to be one of the sisters she’d yet to met or see.

The beautiful blonde then released Holly and smiled brightly at Heather Rose, as proved her assumption correct. “Hi!, I’m Holly’s sister Kimmie, and you must be this little Heather Rose I’ve heard so much about.”

Heather Rose, like the child she truly was, blushed at the praise, and then dropped her head, answering barely above a whisper, “Uh huh, that’s me.”

Kimmie turned to her sister, “Oh Holly, she’s adorable. She’s everything you said.”

Holly gently nudged her shy niece, “Heather Rose, you should say thank you for the compliment.”

Heather Rose looked up with a pair of her own big brown beauties and smiled, “Thank you, Kimmie.”

Kimmie leaned forward and said softly, “You can call me Auntie Kimmie if you want to. Most of the other kids do.”

Heather Rose smiled and nodded, “Okay ... Auntie Kimmie”

“Now that’s a good girl,” praised the buxom blonde. “So how about a hug for your auntie, then? I won’t let you past the door until you do?,” she added with a tease.

Heather Rose let a pouncing hug be her answer and her new auntie held her tight, as Kimmie gave Holly the knowing look that said, “You’ve done the right thing.”

Holly returned a look of her own that answered with, “I think so too.”

When Kimmie ushered the two in, Heather Rose found herself in the foyer of a beautifully furnished older home with the sounds of adult conversation, the giggles and footfalls of what had to be a herd of children, and something else: smells, delicious, mouth watering, tummy rumbling, plate cleaning smells. For Heather Rose it was music to her ears and her stomach. Both Holly and Kimmie quietly noted Heather Rose’s reaction without comment. They’d seen it so many times before.

When the trio entered the main living room, conversation came to an abrupt halt as all eyes turned to greet them. Heather Rose squeezed Holly’s hand to let her know this was one of those times she needed her auntie to be there. Holly squeezed it back and added a warm smile to say, “I know, and I’m here.”

Heather Rose quickly scanned the crowd for familiar faces and found only one: her pretty in pink pediatrician, Misty Dawn. The petite princess was sitting in a love seat holding hands with a very handsome dark haired man. The way the two were snuggled next to each other, the love seat seemed to be the perfect setting (literally).

Very soon, Heather Rose found herself enveloped in a sea of smiles, hugs and warm hellos. Holly was doing her best to field hugs and make introductions, but they were coming far to fast for either her or Heather Rose to keep up.

In a matter of what seemed less than a minute, Heather Rose and been introduced to, and hugged by, what had to be at least a dozen adults if not more, but she still had not seen Shelly of the Rainbow Bright hair, Jenna, the strawberry blonde with the Repunzel length hair, nor had she seen any of the children she’d definitely heard while in the foyer.

A few seconds later, she received all three, as around the corner came the thundering hooves of at least a dozen children ages 2 to 12, with Shelly and Jenna in hot pursuit, shouting and whistling like cowboys rounding up stray doggies.

Coffee cups and glasses were grabbed and held close for protection as the children spilled into the living room, collapsing on the carpet in a pile of giggles.

Jenna reached into the herd and pulled out her own, hoisting the wild one up on to her hip. “Cathleen ... you know there’s no running through the house. You should be outside playing in the back garden,” she gently scolded.

The too cute toddler shrugged her shoulders and played the innocent, to which the expert mom played her ace. “Very well young lady. If you want to stay inside then I might as well run your bath.”

Cathleen had been trumped! Big blue eyes went wide as she squirmed and pleaded, “No baff Mommy! No baff! Wanna pay outshide!”

Heather Rose’s giggle at the exchange drew the attention of the other children. For a moment they hesitated. They saw the adult, but they saw the child’s clothes and hair. They heard a child’s giggle, but in an adult’s voice. Finally they looked into her eyes and smiled knowingly, for the eyes truly are the window to the soul and this window clearly looked in on a little girl.

Soon Heather Rose found herself mobbed by the mass and being pulled in three different directions like a piece of salt water taffy. Fortunately, parents stepped in, pulling their children back before there was nothing left of Heather Rose save for a Hello Kitty patch.

Jenna stepped forward, releasing Cathleen who went off like a shot toward the back garden, and introduced herself. “I’m Holly’s sister Jenna, and the soap-phobic princess who ran away to hide in her mudcastle is my daughter Cathleen.”

Heather Rose was slowly starting to warm to it all, and feeling a little less nervous, “Hi! I’m Heather Rose,” she said with a wide grin. Then remembering she’d left her best friend hiding in her backpack, she reached round and grabbed her cherished doll. “Oh ... and this is my best friend. Her name is Katie.”

Jenna smiled lovingly. “Oh she’s every bit as adorable as you are.”

Heather Rose blushed, “Thank you ... ummm ... can me and Katie call you Auntie Jenna?”

“Why of course you two can. That would make me very happy.”

“Me and Katie too!” she said with a bounce.

“Sooo ... at last we meet,” said hostess Shelly, as she wiggled past the wall of children, “I’m sorry we didn’t get to at the bank, but I had so much to do here.”

Heather Rose stared wide-eyed at those long and colorful shimmering Von Haber locks. Shelly noticing the child’s enchantment, grabbed a lock. “Would you like to touch?”

Heather Rose glanced over at Holly for permission and received it with a smile and nod. Gently she took the hair in her hand and caressed it, “Wow! It’s just as soft as it is pretty. It ... it must be magic!”

Shelly giggled and rolled her eyes, “Magic, smagic! It’s Panteen Hot Oil treatment and you can get it at Walgreens, for $6.99 on sale.”

A chorus of laughs and giggled reigned as Shelly winked at her new niece. “As you probably already know, I’m Holly’s sister Shelly, and before you ask, you can call me Shelly or Auntie Shelly or for that matter, you can call me the Old Lady Who Lives in the Shoe,” but you’re a bit too young to call me what my 16 year old twins call me when I won’t let them borrow the car.”

Heather Rose clasped her hand over her mouth, but it had no chance of containing the giggles. Shelly had gotten the desired effect and pulled Heather Rose in for a hug, whispering softly, “Welcome, honey. Just relax and be yourself. You’re among people who love you and understand. Okay?”

Heather Rose smiled and nodded which netted her a Shelly Von Haber wink.

“Now all hands hear this,” Shelly bellowed like a battleship captain, bringing a quick hush to the room “Women ... all those ready, willing and able, please report to the kitchen for light cooking duty, taste testing and general gossip. “Men ... please assume your usual position out in the garage or down in the basement. You’ll find a fresh supply of beer and girlie books hidden in the usual place that you think I don’t know about.”

The men’s’ assignment brought giggles from the women, laughs from most of the men, and a playful glare from one man, letting Heather Rose know he had to be Auntie Shelly’s husband.

“And children ... everyone is to be in the garden playing and out from under foot. Any kids found lurking about in the house sixty seconds after this message, will be dropped in the stew pot and served for tonight’s dinner.”

At the conclusion of the message there was absolute silence for about ten seconds, and then it was proceeded by squeals, screams, giggles and the thundering sounds of trainers making a hasty getaway garden ward.

Heather Rose watched the last little one disappear out of sight and then helplessly looked up at her Auntie Holly for direction. Holly gave her a sly smile. “Well ... what are you waiting for? Didn’t you hear your Auntie Shelly, or would you rather play in the stew pot?”

“Eeeep!,” Heather Rose squealed, and pulled Katie close. She started to scurry out of the room, only to turn round and run back seconds later. Stopping in front of Holly, she smiled and hugged her tight, before turning once again and heading for the garden.

Misty slipped up beside Holly, “You’ve done well, sis. Just look at her. You don’t have to worry now. She’s going to be alright.”

“I ... I hope so,” Holly sniffled and then a torrent of tears came as Misty and the others gave their sister a group hug. Finally, Shelly led the women into the kitchen where they divided and conquered the dinner menu. Just as Holly had thought, Shelly, in accordance with the traditions of her religion took on a Sabbath friendly supervisory role as her sisters made the meal. For the next two hours, there were loads of giggles, taste testing, gossiping, and of course, conversation about the guest of honor, Heather Rose.

Outside in the back garden, Heather Rose found enough toys, swings, slides and games to fill three day cares, and very quickly made loads of new little friends she could all call cousin. She played hopscotch with two girls, and jumped rope with two others who were twins. She swung so high on the swings she almost touched the clouds. She pushed the swings for two of the toddlers, Jenna’s little girl Cathleen, and a thumb sucking sweetie name Allie who belonged to Auntie Kimmie. She sat beneath a big oak tree and colored pictures with a beautiful little blonde haired girl named Sara, who had an accent similar to Maggie’s sister Alysson. Heather Rose found out that the little art angel was from New Zealand and belonged to another of Heather Rose’s aunties, Auntie Prue.

For two of the most carefree hours of her life, Heather Rose played and ran and jumped and laughed along with the other children. Amazingly though, not one child ever looked at her, spoke to her, or reacted to her as anything else other than the little girl they somehow knew she was, and that Heather Rose longed to be. Heather Rose couldn’t understand it, but like she’d decided earlier, some things weren’t important to know why. She was just happy they were.

However there were two things she did want to know. Where was her little friend Maggie and where was her big sister Alysson, or any teenagers for that matter? Well, the teenager mystery ended up being easy enough to solve. The older kids could pretty much be trusted to not jump on the beds or write on the walls, and therefore had room privileges during the day. Most of them were upstairs in their rooms, talking on one of probably ten different phones lines, doing air guitar solos while wearing headphones, or as with Alysson, perched by the window, escaping from it all in a Lord of the Rings book.

When Alysson took a break she glanced out over the yard and saw Heather Rose looking up at her. She smiled gently and wiggled a few fingers which Heather Rose returned and then Alysson was lost in the adventure once again.

The Maggie mystery, however, was a bit more difficult to solve. After polling six different kids as to her whereabouts, three said she was probably in trouble, two said they didn’t know and one said that Heather Rose didn’t want to know.

It wasn’t until a cute little five year old came up and tugged on Heather Rose’s overalls that she got any kind of a real answer. The little girl with dark reddish brown hair and a cute smile informed Heather Rose that her name was Baruchah, and she was Maggie’s “fat-turnal” twin sister. She said that she thought Maggie was up in her room all by herself, and nobody was allowed up there, not even her fat-turnal twin sister.

When Heather Rose asked her if Maggie was in trouble, Baruchah sighed, “Maybe ... her kinda mostly is, but ... I don’t knows if her’s in twouble yet. I tinks her’s just upstairs doin stuff. Hers pwobably won’t beez in twouble till Mommy finds out what it is her’s doin.”

Then like the wind, Baruchah was gone, surrendering to the call of the sand pit. Heather Rose was sad for the first time she’d entered Shelly’s house. She was worried about her little friend Maggie. The last time she’d seen her, she was heading for trouble and now it looked like she was doing the same. She was almost tempted to risk the stew pot and slip up the back stairs (she was sure a place this big had to have a back stair) and be sure her new cousin was alright.

Her worry about Maggie let Ida and some of the old fears sneak in for a minute. ’What if all of this ‘s a front, a beautifully staged front, with brainwashed kids, and adults too good to be real? What if they slip a little something in her juice box and pretty soon I’m was a happy little Stepford child too, soon to be shipped off to Kid’s Kamp and never heard of again? What if for some reason Maggie had broken free of the drug-induced mind control and had been locked in her room so she wouldn’t give the game away? What if a pentagram was being drawn right now to suit her measurements?”’

A slap on the back by her new cousin Karen Anne, broke her dark thoughts and informed her she was now officially “it” in a garden wide game of tag. She was tempted to cry that she wanted a “do over” because she wasn’t ready, but decided to be a good sport and scampered off in search of a new “it”.

The dark thoughts that had slipped in quietly, slipped out just the same during the game of tag. They had no place, no proof and no substance in the garden. Heather Rose’s heart would have none of it. This place was heaven, and she would not give in to fears of it becoming hell.

As Heather Rose bobbed and weaved, trying to catch the smaller, but faster and more elusive kids, Holly and the other sisters watched her closely from the kitchen windows.

“It didn’t take her any time at all to fit in, did it?,” Kimmie said with a knowing smile.

“She’s definitely a natural,” Jenna confirmed.

“Quite frankly I don’t know how she survived out there all alone in the adult world. It’s bad enough being GD, but to be AD too …” Prue wiped her hands on her moose print apron.

“These kids do what they have to do to survive Prue,” answered Misty, the voice of too much experience. We’ve all been touched by the GD condition in one form or the other, and we’ve pledged our help to those afflicted by that, but these GD/AD kids that I treat, that truly breaks my heart. When I think of them out there struggling in a body that’s the wrong gender and the wrong size, often scared, frustrated, and alone, I ... I just lose my professionalism.”

Showing the truth of her words, Misty lost her composure and a few tears as the flood gates broke and the compassionate kid’s doctor was held and comforted by Prue like the kid sister she truly was.

“I just want go out there and grab her, and let her know she’s loved and safe,” wished Angel, the willowy little blonde sister, whose pale complexion and white nurses uniform earned her the nickname “Ghost”.

“I feel the same way, Angel. That’s why I just had to help her, and why I had to come to all of you for help. I ... I couldn’t let her ... suffer,” sniffled Holly, “I just couldn’t”.

Shelly wrapped an arm around Holly, “I know you couldn’t. None of us could. You did the right thing by calling a Gathering. Heather Rose, and others who suffer GD and GD/AD are the reason we formed the Sisterhood in the first place.”

“Speaking of the Gathering,” Cindy, a tall and well tanned sun goddess with long dark hair held high in a tight pony tail asked, “Has anyone seen Janet yet? You know we can’t officially do this without her?”

“She called me on her mobile and said she’d be here in twenty minutes. Of course that was an hour ago …” answered Jenna, “but ... she could have said an hour and twenty minutes. It was really hard to hear her with all those engines roaring in the background.”

Prue and most of the other sisters just smiled and rolled their eyes. They knew every family has to have the wild child, and that was Janet, hands down. Not even motherhood really slowed her down. She had just added a side car to her Harley for Tamara, her six year old, bought her a Dora the Explorer helmet and off they went on the open road. However, Janet was just as committed to the principles of the Sisterhood as all the rest of the women, and no one doubted that she would be there for the Gathering. As to exactly when she would arrive, well ... that was another story.

By 7:30 dinner was nearly ready, the kids were wearing down and the men had probably gone through most of the “hidden beer” and stag magazines, so it was time to get things moving along.

Shelly and the other ladies went out to the back deck. The teenagers had finally decided to come out and brave the munchkins. Stephie had her ball cap on, and was playing catch with a few of the kids. Elsa had her boom box out and was teaching a few some dance moves, while Alysson was playing “Nessie,” giving two year old Sara, not to be confused with eight year old Sara the artist, the dragon ride of her life. Heather Rose was putting little Emma’s hair in pig tails like her own when the calls to come in and wash up for dinner went out.

Little Emma struggled to get up on her short stubby legs and then pulled on Heather Rose’s pant leg. “C’mon Header Wose, last one in gets no puddin”.

Heather Rose didn’t believe for a minute that any of these kids missed out on pudding, except for maybe Maggie. Heather Rose stopped and looked up at the darkened bedroom windows, wondering which one belonged to Maggie, hoping her little problem child friend would be down for dinner, and more importantly, hoping she was alright.

A final warning call from Shelly got the lead out of Heather Rose’s pink trainers and she scurried into the house to join the others jockeying for position at one of four bathroom sinks.

After semi-clean hands and faces were passed for inspection, Shelly informed the men and kids that dinner would be delayed, as Janet had called to say she was still fifteen or so minutes away. This brought a few cheers from the kids who translated the delay into extra playtime and a few groans from the men, whose stomachs were growling from too much beer and not enough food.

Holly slipped over and sat with Heather Rose, asking her if she’d had a good time playing with the other kids and then listening as Heather Rose chatted on enthusiastically about all the reasons why she had. When she was through, Holly gently encouraged her to tear herself away from some of the other children so she could meet some of her aunties and uncles that she hadn’t met earlier.

Heather Rose circulated the room, sometimes getting an introduction from her Auntie Holly and at other times being pulled in by those too anxious to meet her to wait for introductions.

She instantly took to Angel, her auntie that was a nurse to both people and animals. She sat spellbound as Angel told her about the magic woods she lived in, where she took care of the animals by day, and then went to the hospital to take care of people at night.

When Heather Rose asked her, “When do you find time to sleep?” The beautiful blonde smiled slyly and whispered, “I don’t really sleep. I’ve just got way too much to do, but sometimes I sneak a little cat nap underneath the big tree with my bears. They’re really comfortable to cuddle with, but they snore something terrible.”

Heather Rose giggled. She didn’t know if her Auntie Angel really slept with bears in the magic woods, but she did know that she really liked her new auntie, and gave the ghostly gal a hug to prove it.

She then chatted with her Auntie Prue, who she instantly took to as well. Her Auntie Prue keeping saying things where she sort of used the wrong word, but on purpose, and everybody laughed when she did it. Sara whispered to Heather Rose, “Those are called puns, and my Mummy is the best in the whole world at making them, too.” Sara got no argument from Heather Rose on that account.

While Auntie Prue chatted about her attack trained sheep that guarded her house in New Zealand, Heather Rose couldn’t take her eyes of Prue’s dangly ear rings. When Prue noticed she smiled and said, “Those are my moose.”

Heather Rose took a closer look and much to her amazement that’s exactly what they were, 14k gold moose. ( Mooses, meese, meeses? Heather Rose wasn’t sure what two of them were. But she was sure it wasn’t mice. ) Prue told her that one of the moose whispered stories in her ear, and that was why she was a writer. The other moose however, didn’t really say much at all. She was more a muncher than a writer. She liked to slip off the ring when Prue wasn’t looking and sneak into little girl’s hair and munch on it.

“Munch on it?,” Heather Rose cried in disbelief

“Sure ... you know how some kids are messy eaters? Well ... when those kids get spaghetti and pizza and macaroni and cheese in their hair, my moose can smell it and she likes to sneak over and graze there awhile.”

Jenna who was nearby and caught the gist of it added, “It’s true, Heather Rose. Prue’s moose is always on the loose in Maggie and Cathleen’s hair. Quite frankly, I don’t mind. It’s actually easier and far less dangerous than trying to give them a shampoo.”

Heather Rose giggled. This time she knew her new Aunties were telling tall tales, but it didn’t matter. She was loving every minute of it.

She spent a little while chatting with her new Auntie Cindy who was tall and tanned and very toned. Of course it made perfect sense that she was in perfect shape, as she was professional tennis player, born in California, but now living with her husband Lynx, a professional musician in Denmark. Heather Rose was absolutely spellbound by Cindy’s stories of all the places she’d visited while playing tennis and sailing the Mediterranean with Lynx.

From Cindy, she was lured off to the sound of music. She traced the source to her Uncle Richard and Uncle Lynx who were having a guitar jam session and drawing quite the crowd. Heather Rose could have easily lost herself in the music when the sound of an engine roaring drowned out the guitar play.

A chorus of, “Janet’s here!,” went up from the crowd.

The engine roar sounded to Heather Rose as if was about to come straight through the door, which sent her running to the arms of her Auntie Holly. Finally the engine died down, followed by the sound of something that faintly sounded like broken glass.

The door pushed open slowly to reveal a tall thin woman wearing a biker’s helmet, dressed from the neck down in a black leather cat suit like the one made famous by the Avenger’s Emma Peel. The woman pulled off her helmet with one hand and loads of thick black hair fell half way down her back. Her other hand was behind her, and when she produced it, was holding the remains of a small ceramic flower pot. The lovely lady with dark eyes to match her dark hair smiled sheepishly in the direction of Shelly. “Hi’ya sis, uhhh ... about the flower pot. Well ... you see, the throttle’ sticking a bit and it kinda jumped on me when I was coming in and ...”

“Glad you could make it Janet,” Shelly quickly cut her off. It was her sisterly way of saying, “Don’t worry. All’s forgiven.”

Janet smiled, relieved and then was upstaged as a miniature copy of the motorcycle momma came flying round from behind her. Save for the helmet which proudly proclaimed, “Dora the Explorer,” she was her tiny twin, right down to the black leather boots.

When the little one pulled off the helmet, it was obvious that the similarities went well beyond clothing. She had the same thick dark hair, big dark eyes and charming smile. She was without a doubt, Janet’s daughter Tamara, though she preferred to be called Tamar.

The six year old came bounding into the room and squealed as soon as she saw her aunties. Jenna being the closest she pounced on her first. “Auntie Jenna ... Auntie Jenna, me and mommy went to see da new Hogs!”

Jenna cuddled her close, “Did you have a good time sweetie?”

“Uh huh,” she nodded, “I sure did and ... and I saw lots of tings too. I saw dis man with a big old sign and he kept waving it, but only at the girls.”

“Tamara,” Janet called out, “Why don’t you go and get washed up, honey. I’m sure it’s almost dinner time.”

Tamar used her selective hearing loss to disregard her mother’s orders, “And ... and the sign saided, ummm ... Show ... Me ... Your ...”

“TAMARA ANNE!,” Janet shouted, before softening considerably, “please go and get washed up now. Alright honey?”

Tamar blew out a heavy sigh as she climbed down from Jenna’s lap, “Okay Mommy ... I just wanted to tell Auntie Jenna bout the funny sign, dat’s all.”

Janet walked over with that same sheepish smile again. Shelly scolded her lightly. “Really Janet ... you ought to leave her here when you go to those cycle shows.”

“Yeah I know ... it’s just that she really has so much fun there, and most of the time things like that don’t happen, at least not at the places I take her.”

Shelly just smiled and hugged Janet. One by one the others joined in to welcome the last sister home. Holly was the last sister to give hugs and once she did, she introduced Heather Rose to her wild child sister with a need for speed and a heart of pure gold.

Janet pulled off her gloves and shook Heather Rose’s hand, “It’s nice to meet you, kiddo. I know this whole shindig is sort of in your honor, and I’m sorry you had to wait on me, but I bet you had fun playing with all the rest of the kids, didn’t you?”

Heather Rose lit up, “I sure did, Auntie Janet. We had lots of fun and Elsa brought out music and we danced, too!”

Janet leaned forward and whispered in Heather Rose’s ear, “Hey, speaking of music, does your Auntie Holly make you listen to the “moldy oldy channel” on the radio?”

Heather Rose nodded.

“Bummer ... but don’t worry. Your Auntie Janet will hook you up with some tunes from bands whose greatest hits album isn’t on a 78. I’ll give you some stuff that’ll fog her glasses and blow her speakers.”

Heather Rose giggled as Holly quickly cut in sternly, “I heard that, Janet”.

Janet quickly pulled Heather Rose in front of her as a makeshift shield. “Now Holly, I was only playing. There’s no reason for you to do something that will get Heather Rose hurt.”

Heather Rose went wide eyed, “Hey!”

Holly shook her head, “Janet ... you should be sure I have my hearing aid turned off before you say things like that you know”.

“Hearing aid? What hearing aid?,” Janet asked suddenly concerned, “Hey I didn’t know you wore a ...”.

Holly couldn’t hold it any longer, letting out a laugh that stopped Janet in mid sentence.

The biker babe dropped her head, “Oh man, Holly. You got me good on that one.”

Holly smiled as she racked up an imaginary point with her finger, “Well there’s one for the older generation.” She then opened her arms to Janet for a hug, which was quickly joined by Heather Rose and a fresh faced Tamar.”

As soon as they were through, Shelly came to the center of the living room and called things to order. “Okay everyone, I know we’re getting this together a little later than intended, and I know everyone’s hungry, but now that our lost lamb,” Janet gave her best sheepish look, “has arrived, I think we should take care of the business at hand before we sit down to dinner.”

The sisters quietly nodded in agreement. The guys playfully groaned a little more about dying of malnutrition, but in all seriousness knew that the business at hand was far more important than feeding their love handles. The kids were happy, as they knew this meant more play time and a temporary reprieve from having to eat anything green.

Shelly and a few of the other sisters glanced over at the older kids, who nodded silently and began shepherding the rest of the flock off to toward the playroom.

Heather Rose grabbed Holly’s hand and looked at her pleadingly. “Can I stay Auntie Holly? Pleeeze?”

“No honey, I’m sorry, you can’t.”

Heather Rose sighed and then nudged out her bottom lip in a semi-pout, “But why?”

It was every mother or Special Auntie’s nightmare, “The Why Cry,” and Holly wasn’t going to fall into the “Because I Said So, trap,” or dinner might never get served.

“Heather Rose,” Holly smiled lovingly, “you can’t stay because there is something that my sisters and I have to talk about.”

Heather Rose sighed, “Okay Auntie Holly I understand, but ... but can I ask you a question?”

“Sure sweetie?”

“Are ... are you gonna be talking about me?”

Holly gently adjusted one of Heather Rose’s fallen pigtails as she spoke, “Yes, we will be talking about you, but ... you needn’t worry about that. You’ve been such a good girl that I’m sure there won’t be one bad word said. And ... as soon as were all done talking, I’ll come get you okay?”

“Okay, Auntie Holly.” A timorous smile replaced the pout.

Holly drew her niece in for a quick hug and then spun her around, giving her a playful little slap on the bum, “Now you and Katie go join the others in the playroom.”

Heather Rose giggled, blew her auntie a kiss, and skipped off to find the other kids.

Holly watched the bouncing pig tails and pink overalls disappear round the corner and then the smile she’d found for Heather Rose’s benefit, disappeared too. “I hate sending her off like that. She knows we’re talking about her, and well ... it does seem kind of wrong that she won’t be here while we’re doing it, especially considering what’s at stake.”

Angel slipped over beside her worried sister, “I know ... but I think, that is ... we all think, that it would be even more wrong to have her find out what we have the ability to give her, and then decide that we can’t. It would be like ... like waving chocolate cake in front of her nose and then not giving her a piece. It would just be too cruel. Holly, you know it’s for the best, and that’s why we all agreed to do it this way when we started the Sisterhood.”

Holly laid her head on Angel’s soft shoulder, “I know ... I know, but nobody ever said doing the right thing was easy.”

“Amen, sister!,” Janet’s sly smile got laughs all around the room and finally got everyone relaxed and ready for the business at hand.

Heather Rose and Katie slowly made their way down the hallway. While she wasn’t exactly sure where the playroom was located, she had no doubt she would find it, as the sounds of laughter and play were leading her straight toward it. However, while she was looking forward to more fun and games, she was distracted by something far more serious: the meeting taking place in the room she’d just left.

Holly had confirmed that Heather Rose was on the agenda, and even though she had assured her with an Auntie loving smile that Heather Rose had nothing to worry about ... she couldn’t fight the feeling that she should be worried, and ... that she had the right to be there. After all, she was an adult, if only in body.

Heather Rose stopped and turned to look at her reflection in a lovely old full length mirror mounted on the wall. Yes, despite the pig tails, youthful smile, and fashions by Hello Kitty, her body still said adult, just as part of her mind did. The child within blindly trusted her Auntie Holly, and while she was bit curious about the goings on in the other room, she was far more interested in what was going on in the room she was heading to. The adult however, not only wanted and needed to know, but felt it had the right to know.

Heather Rose sighed, weary from the battle waging within her between the child and the adult. She smiled sadly at her reflection, the conflict and contradiction in appearance that exemplified the one going on within her now, had been going on all her life.

Heather Rose reached toward the mirror, feeling the need to touch the girl that lived on the other side of the glass, and in doing so, received quite a surprise. No, she didn’t step through the looking glass like Alice, but she came close, as the mirror gave way to a tiny passage within the wall.

Heather Rose peeked in to the darkened passage. This time both the child and the adult were curious, and had to explore. Who could possibly find a secret passage and not explore it? Certainly not Heather Rose and Katie.

Heather Rose took a step into the passage, checking for spider webs and instantly dim lighting came on.

“Wow, Katie!,” Heather Rose said excitedly, “We don’t even need a candle.”

Heather Rose turned and looked back out into the hallway, “Katie, I know we probably should go back and ask Auntie Holly if it’s okay to explore, but she might say no, so I don’t think we should ask her.”

Child logic firmly proving she’d made the right decision, Heather Rose with Katie in arm, slowly made her way down the passage. Several steps into her journey she heard the mirrored-entrance close behind her and was tempted to run back and be sure the entrance worked just as well as an exit, but being in brave Dora the Explorer mode, she resisted the urge to go back.

Lights, obviously somehow motion sensitive, continued to flicker on as she slowly made her way through the winding passage. At one point the sounds of laughter and play were almost coming through the wall and she knew she was close to the playroom. Spying what looked to be a tiny opening just big enough to look through, Heather Rose went to it and peeked in.

Her suspicion was correct, she was just outside the playroom. She could see the little ones running and playing and the older ones lounged about with headphones on or faces stuffed in books. She giggled, knowing that she could see them and they not her. It was the ultimate hide and seek play place, but when one of the bigger children seemed to be coming straight for her, she was sure she’d been found out.

Heather Rose pulled back from the opening and hugged the wall, sure she’d been spotted, but no one called out to her and said, “Gotcha.” She did hear some bumping and thumping against the wall and then nothing. Curiosity brought her back to the opening and nearly face to face with Alysson who had a stack of books in her hand.

The thumping and bumping was Alysson shelving books which meant the opening was through a built in bookcase. Heather Rose watched until Alysson covered the opening with a thick hardbound book.

“Oh well,” sighed Heather Rose, “C’mon, Katie let’s see where else this takes us.”

Heather Rose made several turns in the passageway until she was sure she must have doubled back on herself at least twice by now. She hadn’t seen another peep hole or doorway since the one to the playroom, and was about to turn round and head back when she heard voices coming through the wall. “Ladies, ladies are we all ready then?”

A chorus of “Yes,” was followed by the sound of heels clicking and chairs being scooted across a wood floor. Heather Rose had indeed doubled back. The familiar voices told her she was outside the main living room where the women were holding their meeting. It seemed as though the adult within had gotten her wish and she was going to get to sit in on the proceedings after all.

Hoping she could get a little visual to go with the audio, she looked round for another peep hole like she’d found to the playroom. Walking down a few steps further she found two eye level ones covered by small plates and quite a bit of dust. She brushed the dust away and swung the plates up. Peeking in she found that somehow she’d gone up at least half a floor as her vantage point seemed to be a good distance above the ladies below her.

“Alright, if everyone is settled, shall we call this official Gathering together?”

Heather Rose pulled back from the peep holes as another chorus of “Yes” sounded in response to Shelly. “Gathering,” she’d heard that word before. She quickly searched memories of recent conversation and then the penny dropped. It was Maggie. Maggie had tried to tell her about a “gabberin” when she was at the bank. Now she realized that gabberin was toddlerspeak for Gathering, and remembering the worried look on Alysson’s face, suddenly felt a little worry deep in her own tummy. Heather Rose hugged Katie to calm them both and then took her place back at the peep holes.

“Who so calls this Gathering of the Sisterhood together?”

Holly stepped forward, “I do.”

“And are you the sponsor of the pledge?”

“I am,” Holly stated with pride and strength.

“And as sponsor, do you knowingly and willing accept the responsibilities that go with the position?”

“I do.”

Heather Rose listened intently, amazed by the formality, almost ritualness of the ceremony before her. Despite the fact everyone was dressed in comfortable summer wear instead of heavy black cloaks, there was a similarity to the evil witches/human sacrifice scenario that had frightened her earlier. By the way her hands were trembling and her knees were knocking, it was obvious that it was frightening her now.

Shelly looked solemnly round the room, “Is there anyone at all that would care to make a statement at this time, in favor of, or against, the sponsor or her pledge.”

Heather Rose watched as Misty stepped forward and in to clear view, “I examined the pledge one month ago tonight after she had been involved in a cycling accident and sustaining a fainting spell or blackout. I performed a very thorough examination, with the results you all have received from me prior to this evening. My original diagnosis was gender Dysphoria with acute Age Dysphoria, which as we all know commonly as GD/AD. It is also my professional opinion that the blackouts are a clear sign that the AD has moved past what conventional medicine has the ability to deal with. There is absolutely no denying the evidence. Within three to six months, the pledge will no longer be able to sustain balance, and as result, her quality of life could be severely jeopardized, her ability to live unassisted will definitely be jeopardized.”

To Heather Rose this started sounding less like a coven meeting and more like a doctor’s caucus. Doctor Misty’s comments left her confused and concerned. Heather Rose knew what Gender Dysphoria was, ever since the day her therapist had told her that was the official name for having the body of one gender, and the heart, mind and soul of the other, but she’d never heard of Age Dysphoria, however if it was based on the same principles as gender Dysphoria, she’d bet her pig tails she had it.

What really sent shivers through her spine was Misty’s claim that Heather Rose’s Age Dysphoria or AD had moved past what conventional medicine has the ability to deal with, and that her quality of life and ability to live independently was in jeopardy. Now Heather Rose wasn’t a doctor, but she’d been examined by enough of them to know “crazy talk” when she heard it, or in other words, it sounded as though Misty was saying that Heather Rose was slowly losing her marbles, and was going to end up looking for them in one of those places with the padded walls.

“I would like to add one other thing for consideration,” Misty continued. I have been in constant contact with the pledge’s sponsor, who has assumed “Special Auntie” status as in accordance with the rules concerning a pledge suffering from AD. I have observed the pledge twice since the initial examination, both times without her knowledge. I have also observed her interaction with the adults and other children here today. My original diagnosis still stands, as well as my prognosis for the future and my recommendation for treatment.”

“Treatment?,” Heather Rose thought, “Hmmm ... I'm not sure I like the sound of that word at all." Treatment for mental illness could mean about anything from mind numbing pills to electro shock therapy to a frontal lobotomy, to imprisonment at Happy Acres. Suddenly it was starting to look more like they were wanting to commit her, rather than sacrifice her. Either way, she wasn’t interested in being the guest of honor.

Misty stepped back after finishing her bit and received a warm smile from Shelly, “Thank you, Misty. I think I can speak for all of us when I say we appreciate the work you’ve done in not only providing us with this information, but also for the work you’ve done with our own children and so many others. You have our love, our respect and our support.

“Thank you, Shelly, thanks, everyone,” Misty sniffled, as Prue wrapped a comforting arm around her.

Shelly moved the proceedings to the next step, “Janet, are you ready to make a statement at this time?”

“Yes I am.”

Leather and lace stepped forward with a thick folder in her hand, “I have copies here for everyone, but to save on time I’ll give you a quick overview. My investigation has netted the following pertinent information: Heather Rose Brown, single, age 35, no dependents, currently employed as a teller for Union Savings and Loan. As far as pledge history is concerned ... at age 5, secretly had tea parties and played dress up with her older sister; Age 8, spent two weeks at a lake with her Grandmother who allowed her to dress female and first took the name Heather Rose; Age 12, began writing magical transformation stories; Age 16; caught dressing by parents and sentenced to two years therapy; age 23, depression spiked, considered suicide but opted for more therapy instead. Diagnosed gender dysphonic at age 24, began living full time as a female age 25. Numerous incidents confirming the scope and severity of the Age Dysphoria, noting a definite upswing in the last two years, and supporting Misty’s diagnosis and prognosis.”

Heather Rose’s eyes went as wide as the peep holes. How could Janet, how could anyone, get that kind of information about her? Some of those things were deep secrets that only her a few others ever shared, and no one, not even her many therapists, knew that she once considered suicide. Yet even bigger questions plagued her. Why did these women need her life story? What were they going to do with it?

Janet sat the file down on the table. “In summary, ladies, it’s all pretty much GD/AD typical stuff, right down to her nightly prayers wishing she would wake up a little girl.”

“Janet?,” Kim interrupted, “What about the P-R-E? What kind of wave are we looking at?”

Janet opened the folder and pulled out a computer generated spread sheet. “I ran her data on Apple Wiz last night, the Possible Ripple Effect is only 5.8. Of course as we all know, there a maximum +3.2 variable to consider, but even with that we are still talking a less than 10 fallout on the reality wave. Girls, that’s just about as good as it gets.”

“In non-computerese,” Cindy teased lightly, “you’re saying because Heather Rose lives alone, no significant other, no children and no close family ties, that her disappearance isn’t likely to create any problems.”

Janet smiled impishly, “Bingo, give that lady a cigar!”

While the rest of the Sisterhood had a good laugh, Heather Rose nearly had a good coronary. She didn’t know what P-R-E’s or reality waves were, but she certainly knew what disappearance meant, and she wasn’t too thrilled at the prospect, even if it wasn’t likely to create problems. In fact, the only disappearing act Heather Rose was contemplating was one that would get her out of this mad house and away from the wicked witches of the west.

Heather Rose held Katie tightly and had just turned to begin the journey back when a familiar voice from down below stopped her. It was her Auntie Holly. If there was one woman there who wouldn’t let Heather Rose’s picture end up on a milk carton, it would be her. Surely, she would stand up for her and stop the madness. Heather Rose had to stay and find out. She looked back through the peep holes to see that Holly now had center stage.

“You’ve all heard Misty and Janet’s report, and as her sponsor, I have a report to share with you as well. Now I don’t have any medical records, transcripts or flow charts to share with you, but I do believe that what I have to say is every bit as valid, truthful and absolutely pertinent to the decision before us.”

Holly paused as she looked into the faces of her eight sisters. She saw the love, encouragement and acceptance she knew she would find which gave her the courage to begin again.

“Heather Rose has been working with me at the bank for several months now, and while I stopped and chatted with her on many occasions, I didn’t really get to know her until after her accident a month ago.

“When I carried her into her house after her second blackout, I was absolutely shocked to find the little Barbie house she called her home. When Misty examined her and ran the tests that proved she was not just a female trapped in a genetically male body, but also a child trapped as well, my heart went out to her as it would any soul who carried the double curse.

“Yes, like all of us, I’m quite familiar with the transsexual condition, and I have pledged to help those who suffer it, and while I’ve also pledged to help those who are Age Dysphoric, I don’t think I truly understood what it means to be a child trapped in adult’s body and an adult’s world until I became Heather Rose’s Special Auntie.

“During this last month I’ve watched her and I’ve watched over her. I’ve seen the little girl within who plays and giggles and dreams and looks at the world with the same wide-eyed innocence as any other child. I’ve felt her boundless joy, energy and enthusiasm. I’ve comforted her through fear, sadness, boo boo’s and thunderstorms. I’ve been charmed by her shyness, overwhelmed by her childlike faith and devotion, and heart warmed by her never ending need to give and receive hugs.

“I’ve never known a child who is more entitled to be a child than Heather Rose. When I tuck her in at night and she falls asleep half way through a story, I’m filled with a joy and love that I never believed I could ever know in this life.

“But ... but when a weekday morning comes, and I ... I have to watch that beautiful little child be forced to hide herself away for eight to ten hours while she plays make believe adult, my heart breaks, and I get so angry at the injustice of it all.

“When we cycle past the playground, or pass by a children’s clothing store in the mall and I see that longing look in her eyes, I ... I want her to have all those things just as much as she does. I want her to have everything ... everything every other child is entitled to, and if you ... if we, don’t help Heather Rose and the others like her when we have the chance, then ... then ... we’ve wasted this gift we’ve been given.”

Tears flowed freely down Holly’s cheeks as did those of her sisters and one little girl looking in. “So, my sisters, I’m ... asking you, I’m begging you to accept my pledge, to open your hearts and give her what we have the power to give, and give her what she has the right to have.”

Holly was spent, and the tears overtook her. Prue and Cindy were the first ones at her side, followed by the others shortly thereafter.

Heather Rose was nearly in sobs herself. She was so confused, and so overwhelmed, … and almost nothing seemed to make any sense. She didn’t know if these eight women wanted to put her away, sell her to the highest bidder, enroll her in the sacrifice of the month club, or give her some kind of special gift that she seemed to be entitled to have, … but she did know one thing about the ninth woman. The ninth woman was her Auntie Holly, and her Auntie Holly loved her very much, and all she wanted to do was run to her and tell her so.

It was at that moment, Heather Rose got her wish granted, but in a way that surprised both her and the Sisterhood on the other side of the wall. As Heather Rose leaned back against the wall to wipe her eyes, she heard a “click” and then suddenly felt the floor give beneath her. She was flying through darkness down some sort of slippery slide, clutching Katie and screaming as if she was on a roller coaster.

When the ride finally played out, she found herself covered in black dust, dumped in the center of the huge living room fire place, and with all eyes trained on her.

“What on earth?,” Jenna cried

“Father Christmas?,” Angel giggled

“Guess whose coming to dinner?,” Janet quipped.

Prue cracked them up with the tired old, “Sanity Clause?”

Shelly and Misty were the closest to the uninvited guest and were there to gather her up and be sure she was unharmed.

“Heather Rose, I see you’ve been exploring,” Shelly gently chided.

Misty gave her a quick scan as she dusted off a layer or two of dust and saw nothing bruised except perhaps for the child’s pride.

Heather Rose pushed a fallen pig tail out of her eyes and searched the room for the one person she needed to find. When she saw Holly walking toward her, she bolted from Misty and Shelly and went straight for her.

Three hops and a jump later, she pounced into Holly’s waiting arms. Once she felt safe, the dam finally broke and everything poured out in a torrent. “I love you Auntie Holly ... I love you Auntie Holly. You don’t have to give me no gifts ... just please ... please don’t let them make me disappear ... please Auntie Holly please. I ... I promise I won’t tell nobody nothing, nothing bout witches or Kids Kamps or ... or ... the CIA or ... or the missing people or P-R-E’s or nothing. Honest I won’t, Auntie Holly ... just please don’t let them sacrifice me, or put me away or sell me ... pleeeeeze.”

Holly ignored the soot that was now getting all over her, too, holding Heather Rose tightly, rocking her and cooing softly in her ear while her sisters were still absolutely gobsmacked.

“How could she possibly know about Kid’s Kamp?,” Janet shook her head in disbelief.

“Yes, and what’s all this about sacrificing her or selling her?,” Cindy added quickly.

“And the CIA for heaven’s sake?” Angel said, equally surprised.

“Well I’d like to know how she found the secret passage and exactly what she heard before coming down the chimney,” Kimmie stated with concern.

“It’s no wonder the poor thing’s scared half to death if she thinks we’re a bunch of mean old witches,” Jenna said sympathetically.

“Yeah, but how did she know we were witches?,” Misty asked the obvious question.

“As for knowing we’re witches,” Shelly sighed, “I think little Maggie let that black cat out of the bag when we were at the bank.”

Suddenly Heather Rose lifted her head off Holly’s shoulder and glared at the charming hostess. “What did you do to Maggie? How come she’s not here? Did you make her disappear, too?”

At that point the tears ended further communication and Holly cuddled her again, as she looked around the room silently saying she was as befuddled as her sisters.

Shelly taking the initiative stood up and slowly walked toward Holly and Heather Rose. “Heather Rose, I assure you Maggie’s not disappeared and neither will you, little one.”

“But ... but you said, and ... and I heard ... heard what Janet said about making me disappear.”

Shelly smiled lovingly as she eased another step closer. “Yes, that’s true. We did talk about disappearing, but you don’t understand. It’s not what you think. You’re just frightened and confused, little one.”

“I’m definitely confused,” Angel said with a heavy sigh.

When Shelly eased yet another step closer, she crossed Heather Rose’s comfort zone and immediately the child drew back and latched onto Holly. “Don’t let them get me, Auntie Holly! Don’t let them get me.”

Holly motioned for Shelly to hold her ground as she lifted Heather Rose’s face from her chest and wiped away fresh tears. “Heather Rose, I promise you that no one here is going to hurt you. Everyone here loves you, and wants to help you, just like I do. Okay? So, do you think you can be my big brave girl and give us a chance to sort everything out? Please?”

Heather Rose thought for a minute, looked into her Auntie’s love filled eyes. “I ... I guess so, Auntie Holly.”

“That’s my big girl. I knew you could do it,” praised Holly.

“Heather Rose,” Shelly started again, not moving any closer. “Your Auntie Holly is right. You’re not in trouble. Nobody is going to hurt you or make you disappear. Okay?”

Heather Rose nodded, but kept a tight hold on her Auntie Holly.

“Great. Now what I think would probably be best is for you to tell us the whole story, and that means everything you’ve heard about who we are and what we do. Then ... we’ll tell you who we are and what we do and how we’d like to help you if you’ll let us. Oh, and you can ask any questions you want, and we’ll do our best to answer them. Does that sound pretty fair to you?”

Heather Rose thought silently for a minute, looked to Holly for encouragement and finding it, agreed to Shelly’s terms. Then she began replaying the events of the day. When she mentioned Ida’s name, a collective groan went over the room.

“What are we going to do about her?,” moaned Kimmie. “I know she’s relatively harmless, and most people write her off as old crank, but she could cause us some problems in the long run.”

Janet smiled slyly, “I could take her for a ride on my hog!”

Shelly laughed as did everyone else in attendance and then answered dryly, “We’d only want to stop her from gossiping, not from breathing.”

“Hey, it was just a suggestion,” Janet offered innocently.

“I think maybe we should invite her over for one of our big family dinners,” suggested Jenna.

“Or ... or ... how about sending her a complimentary weekend pass to Kid’s Kamp? You know her curiosity wouldn’t let her pass up an opportunity like that,” Angel contributed. “We might have to provide transportation too, but we can afford it.

“Yeah,” Prue followed, “Maybe if she finds out how good it could be to join us, she might just quit trying to beat us.”

All in attendance agreed that both Jenna and Angel’s suggestions merited further consideration, but at another time, as Heather Rose had the floor and everyone’s concern.

Once Heather Rose began passing on Ida’s accusations and half truths in full detail, the women completely understood why Heather Rose had been so frightened and confused. The information on the missing CIA agents, and the connection of Jenna with the meter maid who had disappeared were new material from Ida’s rumor mill, and netted concerned looks from most of the sisters.

As Heather Rose continued on, Shelly exchanged a few knowing glances with the others that silently said the Ida situation would indeed be considered further, and much sooner than later.

From Ida, she then went on to Maggie and the true confessions from a toddler witch. Shelly, like everyone else there, knew that Maggie had meant well when she tried to tell Heather Rose about the “Gabberin” and being “fixeraded by witches.” However, when Heather Rose shared with the sisters her visions of dark robbed figures, black candles and getting a membership to the sacrifice of the month club, it was obvious Maggie’s good intentions had misfired like most of her spells, and ended up with the worst of results. Again, it was no wonder that by the time Holly had brought Heather Rose to Shelly’s house, she had wondered if she was entering the “Temple of Doom.”

What made Heather Rose and all the sisters smile, was how Heather Rose’s tale changed from a horror story to a happy fairy tale once she had entered Shelly’s house, met everyone and the little girl within got a chance to come out and play. Her eyes beamed with joy and her voice was sweet as she barely took breaths between her accounts of the games she played, the friends she had made, and the falling down, giggling, unbridled ecstasy of just being a kid with other kids. It was obvious to all that her spirit had soared high and free, just as her body had on the play swing.

While no official vote had been taken before Heather Rose dropped in literally, it was quite obvious to all, that as Heather Rose continued her talk and glow, she, and lost children like her, were one of the reasons the Sisterhood had been formed. There was no doubt, Heather Rose would be a first ballot unanimous selection.

Heather Rose’s tale then turned to her Nancy Drew like adventure, where she had stumbled onto the secret passage which eventually led her to the sisters and the Gathering proceedings. The conversation she’d heard, had her putting two and two together and getting 8, 8 wicked witches that would terrify any adult, let alone a little girl.

By the time Heather Rose finished and looked into the faces of the women around her, she saw no anger, no disapproval, and no fiery red eyes or fangs. She saw only their love, compassion and acceptance.

It was then Shelly reached out her hand in a peace offering, and Heather Rose gently took it, but still stayed cautiously close to Holly

“Honey, you’ve had quite the experience, haven’t you? And we all understand how frightening and confusing this has been for you. Honest we really do, but I think we can wash away all those fears with the truth if you’ll give us a chance, okay little one?”

Heather Rose nodded as she held Katie tight.

“Good girl!” Shelly praised. “Now for the real story of who we are, what we do, and how we came to be.”

“Auntie ... Auntie Shelly?,” Heather Rose interrupted softly

“Yes dear?”

“Are you, and ... and all the sisters for real witches, even Auntie Holly?”

“Yes Heather Rose, we are for real witches, even your Auntie Holly.”

“Wow!, Do you ride brooms and everything?”

Janet quipped, “Shelly doesn’t have a broom. They don’t make brooms with child proof locks, car seats, or big enough to seat 17.”

This got chuckles from all and giggles from Heather Rose. Shelly didn’t mind the gentle tease at her expense She was just glad to finally see a smile out of the child.

“Heather Rose honey, I’m sure you have loads of questions. Really good questions, but if you can, just let me tell you the story first and then you can ask them okay?”

Heather Rose nodded as Shelly prepared to tell the tale that first changed the lives of not only nine souls and made them sisters, but also eventually brought in a tenth sister and had given life to so many others.

Before starting, Shelly turned to Jenna, her voice filled with empathy and love, “Jenna, please don’t feel you need to stay for this. We all know the pain and the memories this story brings back to you.”

“No, I want to stay. I need to stay,” Jenna said with the strength she’d found from going through those dark times. “Yes, it’s hurts, but it’s such a sweet pain, and those memories, even the sad ones, are part of her, part of what we all shared. I couldn’t ... I wouldn’t lose those for anything.”

Prue and Cindy flanked their sister, ready with hugs and a helping hand if she needed it, but Jenna’s love and her determination was strong. “Every time we tell the story, every time we help someone, it’s ... it’s like she’s still here ... still bringing joy to others, and we’re ... we’re helping her to do that. My pride in her and my love for her, grows stronger and deeper each time. Please Shelly, go on.”

There was mist in the eyes of all the Sisterhood and even Heather Rose’s, although she didn’t know exactly why. Understanding and appreciation would come quickly as Shelly finally began the tale.

“Five years ago, you wouldn’t recognize me at all, Heather Rose. In fact, you probably wouldn’t recognize most of my sisters, and certainly not any of the children you’ve met and played with today. Five years ago, I was a 53 year old male to female transsexual, struggling with my transition, my father, my diabetes, my religion, and at times, my very sanity.”

Heather Rose stared wide-eyed in disbelief at the exotically beautiful young mother with the perfectly sculpted body, shimmering multi-colored mane, and soft voice, who claimed to be her transsexual soul sister.

Shelly expected the reaction, she’d gotten it without fail every other time she’d told the story. “I know ... I know, it seems impossible, but I promise you it’s true. I really was the middle-aged, transsexual artist formerly known as Stephen.”

“Just as I,” Misty stepped out, “was once a young boy whose life and gender was changed due to a vicious attack on a baseball field.”

Misty gently caressed the tiny silver baseball mitt that dangled from her charm bracelet. “Once I struggled to walk, struggled to breath, struggled to live, but ... that all changed.”

“It changed for all us, each of us in our own ways,” Cindy added.

“Yes, and for me, being able to really do something about the suffering of those around me, those that medical science were powerless to help, has brought me more joy than the changes in my own body and life,” Angel testified with true conviction.

“All of us are thankful, and all of us have incredible stories to share with you, Heather Rose.” Shelly took the floor once again, “But you need to know how all this is possible, and who made it possible.”

Heather Rose noted a tear running down Jenna’s cheek as Shelly started again. “Five years ago, everyone of us, save for your Auntie Holly, were either male to female transsexuals or sympathetic genetic women who met regularly in an internet chatroom for writers at a site you may have heard of: Crystal’s Storysite.”

Again, Heather Rose made with the wide-eyes. She was quite familiar with Crystal’s Storysite. While not frequenting the chatrooms, she did check it quite routinely for new stories that touched the child within her.

“Each of us wandered into the chatroom for own reasons. Some of us were writers of tg fiction and we went there to bounce ideas off our fellow writers. Some of us dropped in to volunteer our services as proofreaders, some of us came looking for guidance about transsexual issues and we all came there for companionship, and the chance to be ourselves without our bodies or our outside lives getting in the way. We shared our stories, our pain, our joys, and even our spaghetti recipes,” Shelly sneaked a loving glance at Prue whose Bolognese recipe was legendary, and had been the savior of countless dinner parties.

“And as more of us came and shared, we found the confidence to open up and live our dreams there, dreams that we would never know in the outside world. I became the “Evil Witch” who appeared in the chatroom very much as I am now, and who despite the moniker, wasn’t really evil at all.”

“Depends on your point of view and which side of the magic you were on when she got angry,” Jenna teased gently.

Shelly stopped just long enough for a smile and wink at her spell slinging sister before she continued on. “Jenna was a witch as well, Misty became the pediatrician in pink, looking after all the kids and looking for the best bargains on mall hops. Janet was the leather and lace wild child, while Angel was a true angel who had a magic feather that gave milkshakes and cured just about everything imaginable.”

Shelly paused just a moment to draw a breath and to be sure Heather Rose was still following along. The look in her eyes said she was still drinking it in as best she could, so Shelly journeyed on.

“The point is, through the magic of the chatroom we each became the people we all truly wanted to be, and then something even more magical happened. As we grew, as our relationships with those around us grew, we became a true family. I became a soul sister, if not a genetic sister to every woman in this room, a mother or auntie to most every child you’ve played with today, and a friend to countless others.”

“When Shelly says we became a family,” Jenna slipped in to add, “she wasn’t exaggerating. I loved every one of these women, as if they were my natural born sisters, even if most people in this world, would say that most of us didn’t have the natural born right to be anyone’s sister.”
“Jenna’s right,” Janet agreed, “Long before the magic came that made us sisters in flesh, we were already sisters in heart, and the love I felt and gave while logged into that chatroom sustained me long after I returned to face the real world.

Kimmie nodded as she added her own affirmation, “Yes, long before I could do “finger wiggle” magic as the kids call it, we shared a different kind of magic in the safety and sanctuary of that room. It was fueled by love, acceptance and trust that opened my heart to everyone here, and brought my daughter, my little Allie into my arms and into my life.”

“Allie?,” Heather Rose asked still in disbelief, “Little Allie, used to be a little girl trapped in a transgender big girl body just like me?”

“That’s right, honey,” Kimmie confirmed, “She was very much like you, just like all of us, but then that all changed one night.”

“Yes, one night that started out so dark, a night when we lost a friend, a sister, and for Jenna, a daughter,” Cindy said as her heart went out to the still grieving mother across the room. “A night we all thought was an ending suddenly became the beautiful sunrise to a new day and a new beginning for all of us.”

“I ... I don’t think I understand,” Heather Rose said as she looked pleadingly at Shelly.

Shelly smiled and squeezed the child’s hand lightly. “It’s okay. Just be patient.”

“The night that Cindy and Kimmie are talking about is the night a very special lady left us to go to heaven. Her name was Becky. She was a strong, compassionate and loving woman, who was not only a talented writer, but also suffered the same transgender curse that most of us did. Unfortunately, Becky waged yet another battle beyond gender. She had cancer, terminal cancer, which on that night finally won the battle, but never defeated her spirit.”

“I’m sorry ... really sorry”.

“It’s okay Heather Rose, that was a sad time for all of us, but I promise you this story has a happy ending. However for you to really understand it, we need to go back, back to the time when we first found out about Becky’s cancer.

“Obviously we were all heartbroken when we first out that our friend was dying. We all wanted to comfort her and help her as best as we could, but we really didn’t know how, and for awhile it was very awkward. Whenever she came into the room, we didn’t know if we should speak of the cancer, or just go on as if nothing had happened. Fortunately, Becky, even in the throes of her own pain, sensed ours and told us how to help her and ourselves. She reached deep within herself and brought out the little girl within, the same little girl within that is in your heart, Heather Rose. She let the adult deal with the cancer, the pain, the fear, the sorrow and the knowledge that she didn’t have many tomorrows left. But in the chatroom, the little girl came out and played and laughed and loved and lived for as long as she had the energy to do so. It was then, that this bouncy little girl would log on in a cloud of pink smoke, and come to play.”

“It was also then, and perhaps even before that,” Jenna said with a smile, “that she became my daughter, and Cathleen’s big sister. Ricky, who was her friend in the world outside and her caretaker as the cancer grew worse, eventually became her father, and ... the love of my life, and together we did our best to give her a loving, happy life within the confines of the internet and the time she had remaining.”

Prue smiled as warm and wonderful memories flooded back, “I can’t tell you how proud it made me feel when she asked me if she could call me Auntie Prue. No real world niece could have ever made me any happier than she did … and the way she used to come in there and play.”

“Oh yes,” Angel agreed with the same smile, “She’d come bouncing in on that cloud of pink smoke, running around giving hugs, getting into mischief, chasing after her cyber puppy Beagle Bailey.”

“Beagle Bailey!,” Heather Rose burst in, “That’s Cathleen’s doggie, I played with her outside. She likes to steal shoes.”

“One and the same,” Jenna confirmed.

“But ... but ... Auntie Angel said, Beagle Bailey wasn’t real. She was Becky’s puppy in the chatroom.”

“Yes that’s true honey, but you have to hear the rest of the story to understand,” Holly spoke for the first time since the story began.

“As the others were saying,” Shelly began again, “Becky, in the miracle of cyberspace and the love that truly was the chatroom, lived, played, and loved as a true little girl and at least for a little while, as if the cancer just didn’t exist. It was willed away by giggles and love and play.”

“There were times,” Janet joined in, “that all serious conversation pretty much came to a screeching halt and all of us just marveled at the magic and the joy Becky spread as she typed from the heart, and made it come true on the screen.”

“The times where she played magic princess with Maggie and Cathleen, or when the three of them chased after Beagle Bailey to recover a lost shoe were priceless,” Misty reminisced.

“Or ... when the three of them would try to hide under my skirt to avoid bath time,” Prue added with a laugh. “That was some of the best fiction, and yet somehow, fact, that I’d ever lived, loved or read. It was incredible.”

“It was,” Kimmie agreed. “It was absolutely pure, life giving magic, but to anyone else who might stumble into the chatroom, it probably seemed like nothing more than a role playing game.”

“But it was anything but a game,” Shelly stated. “Yes, Misty knew she wasn’t really a pediatrician in the outside world, just as Janet knew she wasn’t Miss Harley Davidson 2002, just as Tina Michelle, whom you’ll have to meet later, knew she didn’t really own the Bear Market toy and hobby shop in the village. Jenna and I knew that we weren’t really witches with magic powers, and Becky knew that outside the reality of the chatroom she was just a woman dying with cancer. Yes, we all knew the world outside, but the love we felt for each other inside, the joy we experienced being this family, was very real and it was no game, I promise you.”

Heather Rose quite cutely raised her hand to ask a question, which Shelly quickly granted. “I kinda think I understand Auntie Shelly, but ... but I still don’t see how you became a real witch, or how like little Allie became a real little girl?”.

“Yes, quite so I would think, but now we get to the part you’re waiting for. Then you’ll understand, I promise you,” Shelly said with a wink and a smile.

“That night we got the word from Ricky that Becky had passed away quietly in her sleep. We were all devastated, sad for ourselves, sad for our friends and families, and sad that the world had lost someone so wonderful and so special, but yet relieved that she no longer suffered. Each of us did our best to console the other and then went off line to say our own personal goodbye’s to our very special friend.

I said the prayers for her that had been said by those of my faith for over two thousand years, and then I said goodbye to her before finally drifting off to sleep. Little did I know, that those words would be anything but the final ones we would share.

I think it was sometime around 4 a.m. when I woke to a bright light in my room. When I first woke I thought it was a car’s light shining in through the window, but considering the heavy drapes were drawn I knew that wasn’t it. For a moment I thought my father had came into my room and turned on the light, but then as its brilliance blessedly dimmed, I could finally see the source.

There, not more than ten feet from me stood an angel bathed in a heavenly glow and smiling. And there was no doubt that she was an angel, as she had the golden halo, the white robes, and a pair of feathery white wings, partially drawn in at her shoulders.

I wanted to speak, but what do you say to an angel? Fortunately, she knew what to say to me. She told me her name was Genni, Children’s angel, special needs division.

Somehow I found my voice and asked. “Why have you come here and what can I do for a children’s angel from the special needs division?”

Her smile was as bright as her halo as she told me that there was nothing I need do, but she had someone with her that did need to see me.

It was then a beautiful little blonde haired girl stepped out from behind her. To say she was angelic, would be true Prue, to say she was Becky, would be the absolute, amazing truth. That’s right. It was Becky, not the woman who had bravely fought the cancer and lost, but the adorable, happy little girl, who had played in the chatroom, and won our hearts.

As unbelievable, as impossible as it had to be, there she was ... eight years old, grinning from ear to ear, dressed in favorite play attire, and bathed in the same glow as the angel.

I wanted to get up and run to her, to hold her for as long as this dream, as this madness, as this magic would last, but I couldn’t move and somehow I knew I wasn’t supposed To. She would have to come me, and that she did.

She ran up to me and dove on me. I found I had freedom of movement and quickly wrapped my arms around her. I felt her heart beating and her warmth against my own. I didn’t know how and I didn’t know for how long, but I had no intentions of letting her go.

But then she whispered in my ear that she didn’t have very long, and she had another stop to make. I was sure it was Jenna, and come morning I found out I was right.

I reluctantly released her and she stepped back. She frowned ever so slightly at the tears running down my cheeks, then lightly scolded me as if I were the child. She told me to turn that frown upside down because I shouldn’t be sad for her.

She told me that she was okay now, and that she wasn’t sick no more. She told me that Genni was going to take her to a special place for kids where they didn’t get sick, or hurt, or scared or sad, or have to eat anything green, or even have to take a bath if they didn’t want to.

I smiled through my tears. I had to. I knew she’d found heaven, or at least her version of it.

I told her that I was happy for her, but when the tears started again, she asked me why I was still crying. That’s when I told her that I guess I was sad for me and her momma, and all those that were going to miss her.

She smiled at me again with that knowing, “I’ve got a secret smile” that kids get, and told me that she wasn’t really going to be gone. Genni had told her that she would always be in our hearts and could always see us from the magic window in heaven.

It was then she told me something else that changed my life, everyone’s life here, and hopefully will change yours too if you’ll let it. She said that because she had been transgender, and suffered so much in life, that she was considered a special needs child in the afterlife, and therefore was entitled to a little something extra to compensate for what she suffered through in the life she’d just left. Her compensation was a wish: one special wish.

She said that Genni told her that since she was just a little girl it had to be just a little wish, nothing so big like world peace or making all the soap in the world turn into chocolate, just something small enough to fit in her dress pocket and perhaps not powerful enough to change the whole world, but possibly to change a small part of it.

She said she thought long and hard over a strawberry sundae that Genni had given her and then she knew the answer.

Of course she then teased me with the dramatic pause which had me begging for the punch line. Well, when she gave it to me, it nearly knocked me out.

Her wish was for Jenna and I to become real spell slinging, broom riding, caldron stirring, heavens to Samantha Stevens, witches! Just like we were in the chatroom, only this time with real magic at our fingertips that wouldn’t fade as the internet connection severed. Real witches in the real world with real powers!

Again, I was speechless. I was torn from being touched by the thought behind her wish, and how much I was about to regret telling her that such things aren’t possible, but then I looked at Genni, and she smiled at me in such a way that I knew that she had the power to make Becky’s wish good.

Becky smiled at me impishly, and then playfully scolded me that I could still call myself the Evil Witch, but I had to promise to be good or she’d get her daddy to spank me. I blushed as I cross my heart promised to be good. I felt that it was only appropriate that Jenna should be the recipient of any spanking Rick was going to give.

It was then that Genni reached out to me and while her fingers never reached me, the light coming from them did and suddenly I felt as though every inch of my body was tingling. I couldn’t see myself but I knew I was glowing, just as Becky and Genni were.

The sensation lasted but a few seconds, but left me totally spent. I wanted to hold Becky again. I had so much more to ask and say, but all I could do was ease back down onto my pillow.

Becky and Genni were close by me then and Becky told me that when I awoke the next morning I would have all the powers of the Evil Witch, and then along with her mommy, I could use my magic to not only help the rest of the family be “all fixeraded” too, but maybe even the whole world.

Sleep then took me firmly in it’s grip. I remember her kissing me on my cheek, an angel’s kiss, and then reaching into her dress pocket, she pulled out a handful of pink dust. Blowing it gently, she disappeared from my room, just as she had always disappeared from the chatroom; in a cloud of pink smoke.”

“And ... and when you woke up you were a real witch Auntie Shelly?,” Heather Rose asked excitedly.

“Well, yes I was, but I didn’t really know it at first. Sadly, I still looked the same, felt the same, and thought it all had been an incredible dream, but a dream nonetheless. I grabbed my robe and headed over to the computer to send Jenna and email. I just had to tell her about the dream.

I sat at the keys and started to type the email when I thought about how lovely it would be if it all had been true. I thought about how wonderful it would be to have the body I had always wanted, and that shimmering smorgasbord of colorful hair that hung to my waist. Suddenly I was pushing a waterfall of hair out of my face. I looked down and saw that things that I had wanted to be rid of all my life were gone, and the things in their place were things that not even the greatest surgeon could have given me.

I had simply wished it to be and it was. I knew then that the dream had been reality, and I was truly the Evil Witch. I left the email in mid-sentence and went straight to the phone to call Jenna. Like me, she’d awakened thinking Becky’s visit was just a beautiful dream and the promise of becoming a witch, just a wishful thought. Well, it had been a wishful thought, Becky’s wishful thought, and like Shelly, Jenna had just discovered how wishes can come true.”

“Wow, Auntie Shelly, you and Auntie Jenna must have been so happy to be real girls and real witches!,” Heather Rose exclaimed.

“Well ... we were always real girls, just like you are, only now we had the bodies to prove it, and as for being witches, yes we were excited about our new powers, but we knew that those great powers came with great responsibilities and duties. Jenna, with a flick of her fingers and a wish found herself standing in my bedroom, as the now beautiful strawberry blonde you see before you.

“Together we wasted no time in visiting our seven other chatroom sisters, showing them the magic, more than telling them about it, and offering it to them as well. In half a day seven more witches had been born, and the nine sisters of the Sisterhood came to be. From there, each one of us went out, and rescued our chatroom family members from all over the world, giving them the chance for life and happiness they had never known outside the chatroom, some of them becoming a part of our new real life families.

“Within the chatroom, my cybermagic allowed me to fulfill dreams of children just like you, lost in bodies of the wrong gender and in an adult world far too big for you. They had become my children and I their momma, and if for only those few precious moments of the internet connection, we were truly happy.

Now, thanks to the miracle of heaven sent witchcraft, I’ve rescued many of those children, and now I am blessed to have 10 of them at home as my very own, two more in university on the honor roll, and thanks to Norman and not witchcraft, I think I have one more on the way.”

“You mean Alysson and Baru and Elsa and ... and Maggie were just like me and then ... and then you used real magic to make them your real kids?,” Heather Rose asked hopefully.

“Yes little one, all of them, especially Maggie,” Shelly added with a laugh, “were all just like you: real children in their hearts, and then I gave them the body and the life to match.

“It’s all true, Heather Rose,” confirmed Prue. My little Sara, was once a very talented, but very tortured transsexual artist in England. Now she’s my daughter, who works in crayons and water colors, and I can’t tell you how happy we both are.

“Same for me,” added Kimmie. I rescued my little Allie from England, the same time Prue picked up her Sara. As wonderful as were all those hours we’d spent being cybermom and daughter had been, the reality of holding her in my arms and knowing she’s happy and safe and mine, brings me more joy than I ever dreamed possible.

“And for me, I’m a real pediatrician now,” boasted Misty. “Got the pink shingle to prove it. I’m healthy and happy, and I love being able to help all children be healthy and happy, be they witchcraft created or by the old school method.”

“Well as you can see, I didn’t choose to become a real halo wearing angel,” the Earth Angel pointed out with a giggle, “but with the help of the magic, sometimes I feel like one. As a nurse, I’ve been able to slip in a little finger wiggle here and there to help some patients get better when the doctors had said it wasn’t possible. At my home in the woods, I’ve been able to create a real enchanted forest where the animals come and play and sometimes even talk to me. I guess you might say I’m sort of a female Doctor Doolittle with a magic feather in my medicine bag.”

“But ... but Auntie Angel,” asked Heather Rose, “how come you don’t make all the patients better? And how come you don’t just do one magic spell and fix all the transsexuals and kids like me everywhere in the whole world?”

Shelly jumped in to field that one. “Heather Rose, do you remember when I said there is a great responsibility that goes with the great power?”

Heather Rose nodded silently.

“Well, even if we had that kind of power, and we most certainly don’t, we wouldn’t just go about casting spells left and right and altering people’s lives and bodies. We have to take responsibility for every spell we cast, and to be sure we are doing the right thing for the right reason. Like little Maggie, we might have had the best of intentions, but it could have the worst of results if we had acted hastily or for the wrong reasons.”

“This is why,” Jenna continued, “that we all have agreed to use our powers sparingly and seldom without conferring with our fellow sisters”.

“You mean like this Gathering?”

“Exactly, Heather Rose,” praised Janet, “That’s why we do all that pomp and circumstance and official sounding stuff you heard. It’s for us to try and be sure we are doing the right thing and using our powers wisely when we offer this gift to someone, someone who truly has the kind of need that only we can help.”

“You mean someone just like me, don’t you Auntie Janet?”

Janet winked, “That right my little biker babe to be. Someone just like you.”

“And someone just like me,” Holly bravely offered.

“Like you Auntie Holly? You were just like me?”

“Well, I wasn’t a little girl like you, but I was a transsexual like most of my sisters here. Up until two years ago, I hadn’t even began to transition. I was a sixty year old widower, who never thought he would ever get the chance to become the woman that had lived only within his heart and dreams. But then one day I stumbled upon a little girl in the park, a very vivacious little toddler with red hair and big green eyes, who told me I looked too sad, and that she was sure her mommy could make me all better.”

“Maggie?”

“That’s the one. She just went on and on as Maggie tends to do until I finally agreed to meet her mommy who was sitting at the picnic surrounded by a swarm of other children. As young as she looked, I knew they couldn’t possibly all be hers. Well I walked over with Maggie and met Shelly. I not only found out all these children were hers, but I also eventually found out that Maggie was right. Her mommy could make me all better, and bless her heart, bless all my sisters hearts, they did make me all better, better than I ever believed possible.”

“And ... and are you a witch now too Auntie Holly?”

Holly answered her with a smile and a wink, “I most certainly am.”

“Wow! That’s so cool, but ... but,” Heather Rose stumbled.

“But it’s all so hard to believe?,” Shelly read her mind.

“Well please don’t be mad at me, Auntie Shelly, cause I’m not saying it’s not true, but it’s all just so much like the stories I read on the computer and everything.”

“No ... no that’s alright, Heather Rose,” Jenna offered gently, “It is just like a fairy tale, and if I hadn’t been touched by the magic myself, I’m not so sure I would believe it either.”

“I think what the little lady needs,” surmised Cindy, “is some pudding, as in the proof of the pudding is in the eating.”

Heather Rose did her best imitation of the deer in the headlights look.

“I think what Cindy is saying,” translated Kimmie, “is that you’ll believe it when you see it.”

Heather Rose looked round and then nodded, “I kinda guess it would be more real if I saw some magic.”

“Very well my dear,” said Shelly, “Jenna, if you’ll do the honors, use a little of that finger wiggle magic of yours to return me to my pre-Evil Witch form.”

“You don’t have to go back to being a boy, Auntie Shelly, I’ll believe you!,” Heather Rose cried.

“Don’t worry little one, it’s only for just a moment, and trust me I won’t feel any pain.” Shelly then paused for a moment before adding with a giggle, “That is as long as these t-bottoms shift to boxers in time.”

Everyone gave that a good laugh, but Jenna quickly pointed out what was not a laughing matter. “Shelly I don’t think you should do the change if there’s any chance you could be pregnant. There could be complications you know.”

“Oh dear, I hadn’t thought of that sis.”

“I’ll do it,” volunteered first Kimmie, then Janet.

“No, please, let me do it,” pleaded Holly. “I’m her boss, her friend, and her Special Auntie. I’m the one who brought her here. I’m the one she needs to trust above all else. I should be the one. I want her to see this person she’s given so much trust to.”

“Very well Holly, prepare yourself,” warned Shelly.

“Who would like do the honors then?”

“I’ve got cooking oil on my hands,” said Jenna. “I wouldn’t want to risk the chance of a misfire.

“I’ll do it, Shelly,” Cindy volunteered, “It’s been awhile, and I could use the practice.”

Heather Rose let go of Shelly’s hand and ran into Holly’s arms. “Please Auntie Holly you don’t have to do it. Really you don’t”

Holly gently wiggled the little one free, “I know I don’t, but I want to, and like Shelly said, it’s only for a bit and it won’t hurt at all. I promise”

Heather reluctantly accepted the promise, and Shelly led her back away from the blast zone. Cindy took a deep breath, raised her hand, and mumbled a few words as she wiggled her fingers.

“Are those magic words, Auntie Shelly?”

“No, not really. I think she just throws them in for show,” Shelly quipped with a giggle.

Suddenly a ball of light, appeared above Holly and then dropped to engulf her. When the light finally dissipated, there, where once stood a lovely, young smartly dressed woman with a mountain of auburn hair neatly arranged in an updo, now stood someone who appeared to be in their late 50’s, or early 60’s. This person was taller, heavier, and dressed as androgynous, as her body seemed to be. There were hints of the auburn hair Holly had, but far shorter and far thinner than the thick mane she’d had just moments before. She still had glasses, but they were heavier and thicker and Heather Rose had the feeling that for this Holly, they weren’t just a cosmetic appliance.

The change was so dramatic that Heather Rose was almost tempted to think that a totally different person had somehow been switched during the light show. She wondered if her Auntie Holly was hiding behind a chair or the sofa and would pop out at any minute to say the whole thing was a Harry Houdini trick. However, there was no denying those eyes. She remembered hearing once that the eyes were the window to the soul, and when she looked into the eyes of the strange and unfamiliar person before her, she saw something there that whispered Auntie Holly to her.

“Auntie Holly, is that really you?”

“Yes princess, it’s really me, or at least the old me, very old,” she groaned in a much deeper voice.

Heather Rose stood quietly staring, until she realized she was staring and then turned away, crimson faced.

“Heather Rose, it’s alright. I know my appearance must be quite a shock to you, and probably quite a disappointment. Well ... I understand. I used to be shocked and disappointed with my mirror image as well. When I was a child I was shocked every morning when I awoke to find myself still in the body of a boy after I’d clearly asked the angels to come fix this obvious mistake they’d made at my birth. And ... as I got older and more male looking and the angels continued to not return my calls, I got more and more disappointed too. By the time I met Shelly and the others, I was sixty years old and had just begun transition. I knew my body would never come close to matching my soul. I feared no one would ever truly recognize the woman inside me, just as you have felt that no one would truly see you for the little girl that you are. I was very sure that the woman within me would die without ever having lived, and just as sure that I’d probably never go through with SRS. So, Heather Rose, now you see the real, non magic improved me. Pretty scary, huh? But hopefully now you’ll believe in the magic.”

Heather Rose’s heart, like everyone else’s there, was breaking at Holly’s pain, a pain that Heather Rose and everyone else knew in their own personal definition. Heather Rose bolted from Shelly’s arms and ran to Holly, just wanting to do what Shelly had done for her before: somehow make her all better. Holly greeted her with open arms and then wrapped them round her, drinking in a child’s pure and unprejudiced love and indeed, feeling “all better”.

“Auntie Holly,” Heather Rose started with tears welling in her eyes, “I do believe in the magic, honest I do, but ... but ... I don’t think you’re scary at all. You’re my Auntie Holly no matter what you look like, and I love you just as much.”

Holly hugged Heather Rose tightly, mist in her own eyes, “Thank you Heather Rose, thank you so much for saying that, and ... I love you just as much, too.”

A mist rolled freely through the room as everyone was touched by the moment where Holly stood truly naked and without the benefit of magic, and was seen for the woman she had truly always been.

“Well,” Shelly walked over to join the pair, “I think we can finally finish the business that this Gathering was called for.”

“Auntie Cindy?,” Heather Rose interrupted, “Can you change Auntie Holly back now? I don’t want her to be sad.”

“Who is sad?,” Holly said, her soft voice and magic made body now fully restored.

Heather Rose turned in surprise and hugged her auntie tightly. When she finally released the embrace she had questions to ask.

“Auntie Shelly?”

“Yes Heather Rose?

“Ummm ... I really do believe that you are all witches, and not the bad kind I thought you were, and I’m really sorry about that, but ... but I still have some questions. You said I could ask questions.”

“Why of course you can. Children always have questions,” she teased with a wink. “Please fire away when ready.”

Heather Rose shifted from foot to foot, a bit like the shy child that she truly was. “What’s Kid Kamp, Auntie Shelly?”

“Oh yes, that’s right ... I’d forgot to explain about Kid’s Kamp didn’t I? Well we can’t have you believing what Ida said, now can we?”

Heather Rose shook her head.

“Kid’s Kamp,” Shelly started, “is a place that the sisters and I have created for kids, all kids, Heather Rose, but especially kids just like you”.

“Like me?”

“Exactly like you! Kid’s trapped in bodies of the wrong gender and wrong age who just want to come out and play for awhile. Some ... for a day or a weekend, some for a few weeks, and some ... who decide they want to go on being the child they truly are and have a second chance to grow up, are offered that chance.”

“Wow!,” Heather Rose sighed in amazement.

“You’d really love it there,” Jenna tempted her, “It’s out in the country with fresh air and trees and a lake.”

“And loads of friendly animals,” added Angel, “Including unicorns!”

“Unicorns! They’re my favorite!,” exclaimed Heather Rose.

“They usually are for most little girls,” Kimmie said with a mother’s knowing smile.

“And you get to play all kinds of games and have lots of fun with other children,” continued Cindy, “and all of us volunteer to work there, which means there’s plenty of us to watch over you, so nobody ever gets hurt, but ... just in case they did …”

“… Dr. Misty will be there before you can say, “I got an owwie,” the good doctor finished.

“And it’s a very private place, so anyone who comes there to visit need never worry about anyone finding out,” Janet promised.

“Ida knows about it Auntie Janet, only she thinks it’s a bad place,” Heather Rose quickly corrected.

“Yes,” Shelly answered with some concern. “It does seem our security isn’t quite as tight as we thought it was, and she does seem to have the wrong impression doesn’t she?”

“I really think we should give her a complimentary pass,” suggested Prue, “It might just give her a whole new outlook.”

“Auntie Shelly, did two men from the CIA come to the Kamp and really disappear?”

“Well, first of all, it wasn’t the CIA, it was just two regular police officers who were working on a missing person case. They inspected the campgrounds, and finding nothing out of the ordinary, left shortly thereafter.”

“However,” Kimmie continued, “they decided to sneak back in at night and inspect things a bit closer. Unfortunately ...”

“They walked in on a magic transformation,” Holly finished, “and that created quite a problem. Fortunately, we were able to convince them to stay with us for the weekend, experience the magic themselves, and then decide whether or not they wanted to report what they found.”

“By Sunday night,” Jenna added, “they had experienced so much joy and love as children, that they not only agreed to never turn in a report on the Kamp, but also asked if they could keep the new bodies and new lives they’d be given. So in a way, they did disappear, but not really.”

“One of them,” Shelly said proudly, “became my own daughter.”

“Auntie Shelly, I understand about Kid’s Kamp now, but what about the meter maid that disappeared by Auntie Jenna’s store? Did she get the magic too?”

“Oh yes, she got the magic alright,” laughed Shelly. “The trouble is, despite all my warnings, she keeps trying to give it back, and that’s when things really get interesting around here.”

Heather Rose gave her auntie a puzzled stare which Holly did her best to unpuzzle. “Heather Rose, that transsexual meter maid that disappeared is none other than Ida’s lolly-paid informant, toddler witch in training, and all around hug monster, Maggie.”

“It’s hard to think of Maggie as a grown up meter maid,” Heather Rose said with a giggle, and then quickly added, “but where is Maggie? Baru said she thought she was up in her room, and maybe in trouble, because most of the time she is.”

Shelly and all the sisters chuckled lightly, knowing just how true Baru’s words were. “Actually,” Shelly answered, “she’s not in trouble. She’s been upstairs all day in her room working on something special for you. She said it was a secret, and she promised me she wouldn’t use any magic making it.”

“That’s one promise I hope she keeps, for all our sakes,” Cindy added with a giggle.

“Auntie Shelly I only got one more question. If ... if you make me a real little girl, what happens to my old life before?”

“Well, and I’m not sure how the magic does this, but when the change becomes a permanent one, history and reality seem to sort of change along with it. That’s what Janet was talking about when she mentioned the P-R-E, or Possible Ripple Effect. We do look at the current situation of a pledge, and try to gauge the potential disruption when we alter reality by altering a body and a life. Occasionally we run into a few problems, but for the most part it goes pretty smoothly, and it will be as if you have always been the little girl that the magic makes you. As for the life you’ve left behind, sometimes the magic makes it as though you never existed and sometimes it’s as if you’ve just disappeared. It’s hardly an exact science.”

“Yeah, the magic’s kind of funny that way,” added Holly. “Sometimes it’s almost like it has a mind of it’s own”.

“Funny,” Prue quipped, “That’s what Maggie always says.”

“Auntie Shelly I still got one more question. If you fix me and make me a whole little girl, will I ... will I remember who I used to be before?”

“Well ... with simple adult transformations, you retain full memory, just as I remember everything from my life before, and so do all your aunties, but with children, it’s a bit different. I won’t say you forget everything, but with all my children I’ve noticed that they seem to have so much joy living the new life they’ve been given, that they just don’t want to stop playing long enough to think much about the life they had before. They don’t really forget it, but it does sort of drift back to the place where old memories tend to go.”

Jenna, Prue and Kimmie all confirmed Shelly’s observations of her children with those of their own, and finally Heather Rose had no more questions.

“Now if there are no more questions?,” Shelly asked, “I think we can finally take care of the business at hand, and then tuck into that fine dinner awaiting us.”

“Yes, and I think we’d better hurry,” Jenna joked. “If we don’t feed the men and children pretty soon we’re liable to have a mutiny on our hands.”

“I quite agree, sister,” Shelly smiled. “So, Heather Rose, you’ve now heard our story and you’ve seen the magic first hand, and we’ve answered all your questions. I think I can speak for all of us when I say that we find you a very worthy candidate for our help.”

Shelly paused a moment, not really expecting a dissenting vote, but in accordance with the rules, gave her sisters a chance to voice an objection. When a few quiet seconds passed and all she saw were smiles and nods, she knew it was unanimous.

“Heather Rose,” Shelly started in a tone as formal as the early proceedings Heather Rose had eased dropped on, “we of the Sisterhood now offer you a chance, a chance for the life you’ve been so wrongfully denied. We give you this chance by giving you the body to match your soul. We give you this chance by offering you a family who will love you, watch over you and help you grow into a woman. We give you this chance, because every soul, be it male or female, deserves a chance in this life to be themselves, to find true happiness, and to reach their full destiny. Heather Rose, will you accept our gift of magic and of love?”

Heather Rose stood on the threshold of everything she’d ever wanted but thought could only have in a magical fairy tale or with the intervention of angels. Suddenly she smiled when she realized that’s exactly what had happened.

“I accept it, Auntie Shelly. I accept it with all my heart.”

One by one the sisters came up to Heather Rose and hugged her, the last one being Holly, as Shelly then prepared to turn the magic loose.

“Auntie Shelly, do I have to do anything for the magic to work?”

“No little one, we run a full service coven here. All you have to do is stand there and the magic will take care of everything.” She glanced at Holly, telling her without words that the dispensations she had asked for were to be included.

Shelly raised her right hand and closed her eyes. The same bright ball of light that had appeared above Holly, reappeared now over Heather Rose. As Shelly lowered her hand, the ball fell until it engulfed Heather Rose.

The ball flickered, glowed and then finally became a shower of sparks like falling stars across the night sky.

Then, where once stood a thirty-five year old classic case of GD/AD, now stood a beautiful little eight year old girl, with brown hair up in pig tails, big brown eyes, and a mile wide freckled-face smile. She was dressed in the same Hello Kitty attire she’d been wearing before Shelly cast the spell, only now it was it was a children’s size 8, and could be bought from the girl’s department at Macy’s.

The sister’s stood back quietly, letting Heather Rose have this moment of her life, her new life. They watched as she stared in amazement at her small hands and feet. They smiled as she ran her hands over her new body, touching, and poking and prodding, just to be sure it wouldn’t all go up in a cloud of pink smoke. They saw a look of amazement laced with pure joy as she looked round the room and realized how much things had grown while she had shrunk, and yet somehow everything seemed to be the perfect size it should be.

When Heather Rose spied the floor length mirror on the wall, she ran straight to it and there before her was the little girl she’d always been, no longer invisible, no longer impossible, and no longer a prisoner. She turned and pirouetted in front of the mirror, wiggling and giggling, and hogging it like the sixteen year old she’d be in eight more years.

Once Heather Rose finally tore herself away from the mirror, she suddenly felt a rush of pure energy. She wanted to run and fly and play and climb and explore and swing and then run some more and the only time she ever planned to stop was for a drink of juice, a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, or a hug. Sleep was nowhere on her new schedule.

When she realized she’d been an actress in a silent movie, she spoke her name softly, barely a whisper, and she smiled when the soft, sweet sound of a child’s voice filled her ears. From that point the volume was on high as she literally danced around the room, proclaiming proudly she was Heather Rose, and a real little girl.

She then ran up to each sister, showing her joy and gratitude in hugs and kisses, and getting it all back ten fold when she felt small in their loving arms. She saved her last hug for the last sister to join the Sisterhood, and then stayed by her side, as Holly held her small hand within her own.

“Auntie Shelly,” her new voice called out, “I’m so happy, so very happy, so happy I think I could fly if I just spread out my arms, but ... but there’s one thing that worries me.”

Shelly quickly closed the distance between her and Heather and then knelt down a little to make eye contact and lovingly caress a pig tail, “What’s the matter little one?”

“I don’t know where I’m going to live now or who ... who my mommy is? I think maybe the magic forgot to give me my mommy.”

“No little one, the magic gives you your body, but you have to look into your heart to find your mommy, to find that special person you love above all others and need above all others. She’s the person you want to run to when you’re scared or hurt, and she’s the person you want to share your greatest joys with. She’s the person you most want to be proud of you. She’s the person you want to guide you into womanhood.”

Heather Rose looked into her heart and into the faces of the wonderful loving women before her. She knew anyone of them would be a great mother, and most already were, but was one of them her mommy?”

“Heather Rose,” Shelly broke the silence, “I would be honored to have you as my daughter if you think you could want me as your mother and didn’t mind having to share me with 12 other kids, possibly thirteen. There’s always room for one more in my house and heart.”

The offer was tempting for Heather Rose. She loved the idea of having a big family with lots of sisters, and it could never be boring anywhere that Maggie lived, but ... she’d already given her heart to someone else, the day she woke up to find Holly in her bedroom watching over her.

“Auntie Shelly, I know I would be very happy being your daughter, or yours too, Auntie Jenna, or ... or ... being the daughter of anyone here, because I know I would be with someone who would love me, but ... but ... my heart already picked out the one person who I want to belong to and who I hope will want me back.”

When Heather Rose turned and looked at Holly, the only person who seemed surprised by her choice, was Holly. Heather Rose ran to her friend and auntie and wrapped arms around her waist.

“Please Auntie Holly, please let me stay with you. I promise I’ll be really good. I’ll be the best kid ever, and I’ll doing everything you say!”.

Janet smiled and whispered in Misty’s ear, “Holly should get all this in writing, so she can use it against her when she hits the terrible teens.”

“Please ,Auntie Holly!” Heather Rose begged, “Please say I can be yours! And please say you love me and want me too?”

Holly was deeply touched and totally overwhelmed. The little girl within Heather Rose had stolen her heart, long before the magic gave her life in the outside world. There was no doubt she wanted the job, but could she do the job? Save for her cats, she hadn’t been responsible for anyone since before the magic gave her a new body and a new life. Could she really be a mommy? Could she really give Heather Rose everything she needed? Could she really help her become a woman, when she’d only fully embraced her own womanhood two years ago?

“I ... I do love you Heather Rose and I do want you to be with me. I wish every day for the rest of my life, could be like this last month we’ve spent together, but ... but ... I don’t know how to be a mommy. I’m afraid I won’t be good enough at it.”

Heather Rose smiled up at Holly with misty eyes, “That’s okay Auntie Holly, you ... you don’t have to be my mommy if you’re afraid to. You ... you can just be my auntie, you already know how to do that really good, but please ... please just let me live with you.”

Holly held the begging, crying, loving little innocent in her arms, and knew she could never let her go. She had to make the rest of her dream come true, and in doing so, she knew she would be making a part of her own dream come true, a part she never thought she would know.

“Heather Rose, of course you can live with me. I ... I love you so much sweetie, and I’ll try with all my heart to be the best “auntie mommy” I can be.”

When the two broke from their tearful embrace, Shelly was at there side.
Heather Rose sniffled and smiled up hopeful at Shelly, “Auntie Shelly, can Auntie Holly be my auntie-mommy?”

“Well, we will have to add a new word to the Witches Unabridged Dictionary, but I see no reason why she can’t.”

Shelly then looked to Holly who had the same smile and wet cheeks, “Holly, are you willing to be Heather Rose’s “auntie-mommy”?”

“Yes Shelly, I do want to be her auntie, her mommy, or anything else she ever needs me to be.”

Shelly smiled, like the other women there, she knew the joy that was swelling in Holly’s heart. “Very well then, by the powers granted to me by this coven, I know pronounce you auntie-mommy and niece-daughter. You may now hug each other.”

Prue giggled and whispered in Cindy’s ear, “I’ll lay you to 2 to 1 odds that the auntie/niece part gets dropped in less than two weeks.

Cindy smiled but refrained from taking any of the action Prue offered. She knew a sucker bet when she heard one.

Holly and Heather Rose hugged, and hugged, and hugged, and soon were joined by all the Sisterhood. Holly said she knew she’d made the right decision, but she still couldn’t help worry about her lack of experience in child rearing.
Jenna and Shelly told her, “Kids don’t come with owner manuals. It’s purely learn as you go.”
Kimmie and Prue added, “Your maternal or auntie instinct will kick in and you will know what to do when it is time to do it.”
Janet said, “If a wild child like me could settle down enough to be a mother, I know a sensible older woman like you can handle the job.” She even added, “It might get you to let your hair down once in a while and that will be no bad thing as far as I’m was concerned.”

Once hugs and tears and kisses had finally been passed all around, Jenna said it was time to call the others in to meet their new niece and cousin, and time to feed the hungry natives.

It was then that a freckle faced little redhead peeked round the corner and was spied by Heather Rose. “Maggie,” she cried, “Look! I’m all better now.”

Maggie came flying in, dragging her Disney Princess backpack, and then pounced on her new cousin. “Header Rose, I tolded you dat you was just wikes me, and ... and ... now you are, onwy a liddle bit bigger cause you is older, but not too old no more. Now you is just wight.”

“Oh Maggie,” Heather Rose cried, “I really am just right.”

When Maggie finally broke the embrace she picked up her backpack and reached into it. “I gots two pwezzies to gibs you.”

Heather Rose’s eyes went wide and her smile wider, as Maggie pulled out a beautiful unicorn fluffy with a rainbow mane. She recognized it immediately as Darla, the same fluffy that Maggie had carried with her at the bank.

“Here Header Rose, Darla is yours now.”

Heather Rose took Darla from Maggie and cradled her lovingly in her arms. “Maggie I ... I would love to have Darla, but she’s your baby. I ... I can’t take her.”

“But you gots to Header Rose, cause she wants to libs wiff you. Her tolded me so.”

Heather Rose then graciously accepted the most precious gift, promising to take very good care of Darla, and assuring Maggie that she had full visitation rights anytime she wanted to see her.

Maggie then reached into the bag and pulled out a stack of papers, all decorated in wide range of colorful scribbles. “Here Header Rose, I maded dis pecial for you. I colored on it for a whole long time all day. It’s a stowy wiff picshures.”

Heather Rose held the loving gift in her hands, looking at the pictures and the four letter title scrawled across the top page in big pink letters. Thanks to the magic, she was now quite fluent in both toddlerspeak and pre-adolescent modern art. She thought it was the most beautiful story she’d ever seen, especially the vibrant colors Maggie had used.

“Maggie this is really pretty, and I love all the colors. What kind of crayons did you use? I don’t think I’ve ever seen crayons make colors like these before.”

Maggie smiled triumphantly, “I didn’t no use my cwayons, I kinda borrowed Ally’s cwayons and colorin stuff.”

Shelly who had been a silent spectator to the children’s exchange, suddenly felt compelled to join in, “Maggie, Alysson doesn’t have crayons or coloring things. What did you get into?”

Maggie never had to answer, as Alysson provided all the information needed when she screamed from the top of the stairs, “Mum! Somebody’s messed my room all up and got into my make up. They’ve smashed up all my lipstick, broke some of my eye-liner pencils, and ... and they dumped out all my blush and eye shadow and mixed it all together!”

Maggie looked to Shelly, pleading for mercy and understanding, “But ... but mommy I haded to mix alla da colors up cause I was making a wainbow for Header Rose’s stowy.”

Alysson quickly appeared at the opening to the dining room carrying her empty make up box and looking sternly at the guilty party. “Maggie! When I get my hands on you.”

“Uh oh, Header Rose, I tinks we needs to go now,” and that said, Maggie grabbed Heather Rose’s hand and pulled her toward the nearest escape route. Heather Rose looked back at Holly for permission, and getting it, followed Maggie out of the room on a full scamper, with Alysson in hot pursuit.

Holly watched a very happy little girl squeal and giggle as she disappeared round the corner with her cousin, and knew that her own heart was now just as happy as Heather Rose’s. Indeed it had been a wonderful day, the best of her new life, and as she thanked her sisters and an angel named Becky for the miracles that both she and Heather Rose had received, she smiled and said aloud, “TGIF, Thank Goodness It’s Friday!”

Editor's Note:
Maggie called me Holly Happy Heart for quite a while before sending this story to me to edit.
She spelled it that way the few times I saw it in writing.
I was never totally 'happy' with the name, Holly Logan, and when I read the part where Miss Hart told Heather Rose her full name, I stopped editing to phone Maggie and than her for christening me. Now, 3 years later, ( June 2010 ), I am only months away from making Holly Happy Hart my legal name.
Thank You, Maggie, for the name, and for your wonderful stories.

Maggie graciously let me make a couple of changes to this story while editing, to make connections for my own first story posted here, California Girls, and as it turned out, my second one as well, Ida the Spy, plus maybe I can get teh 3rd one out before the end of 2010.

Holly Happy Hart