Danny woke up wrapped in Tim’s arms. It was the second day in a row that she woke up in such a position and she decided that she definitely enjoyed it. In fact she liked it a lot. Tim slept in a pair of shorts, allowing Danny to feel his hard chest muscles under her cheek. She wore one of his old T-shirts that was still too big and, though she didn’t mention anything, she wore nothing else.

“Morning Baby Doll,” Tim said as he gently pinched the younger child’s nose.

“Good morning Tim,” Danny replied in a sappy sweet tone that reeked of a prepubescent crush.

“You excited about today,” Tim said as he pushed the thin sheet from off both of them. As he sat up, the morning sun lit his bronzed skin.

“I’m more worried, I think,” Danny replied as she too got out of bed.

“I think things will work out fine, just tell the judge the truth.”

“I will, I just hope I go back to Aunt Carol. I miss her and I miss my puppy.”

“It’ll work out. I’m going down to get breakfast. I’ll bring you back something and give you time to dress.” Tim put on the T-shirt he wore the day before and slid his feet into an old worn pair of slippers.

Danny watched as the door closed. For the past thirty-six hours she didn’t venture out of the room. She didn’t want to hear from the other boys and the thought of being pummeled made the notion of leaving the room seem ludicrous.

A suit lay on the desk and Danny knew that was for her. After two days of wearing the same dress, she thought it was getting gamy and opted for the suit t-shirt she wore now. It was a decision she was now regretting because when Mr. Pritchard checked on her the night before, he gathered the clothing while she took a nap. The only thing that survived were the panties, but wearing the same underwear three days in a row was gross and so she put on the pair of boy briefs. The rest of the suit soon followed in due order. All at once the feeling of being uncomfortable returned. The boy underwear seemed to bunch, the shirt collar felt too constricting and as she walked, the polyester pants made an awful sound. Danny couldn’t help but feel like crying.

“Hey Danielle,” Tim said as he walked in holding a tray. “I brought you a bowl of Cheerios and a banana, I hope its okay.”

“Thank you,” Danny said glumly as he looked down at the shiny black shoes. For a while she picked at the cereal, occasionally taking a small spoonful.

Tim stood across from the child and stared. “You know what I think,” he suddenly announced. “Even in that ugly boy suit you sill look like one pretty little girl.”

“That’s ‘cause I am a girl,” Danny said slightly above a whisper.

“Sure there are lots of girls. But not all girls are as pretty as you.”

Danny blushed. “Thank you,” she said as she turned her head away.

“It’s time for you to go,” Tim said as Danny finished her bowl of cereal. “Come on and get a good luck hug and don’t forget to invite me over to swim in that pool once you get back home.”

Danny walked into the boy’s embrace, loving the feeling of being held. A moment later he was out the door and walking down to the first floor where Mr. Pritchard was waiting for her.

“Now that’s the proper attire for a fine young lad,” Mr. Pritchard said pointedly as he grabbed the boys hand none to lightly.

Once again, Danny found herself sitting in the director’s car, this time going to court and hoping that this would be the absolute last time he rode in this particular automobile. He watched the orphanage roll by through the window and hoped he wouldn’t be seeing the place ever again as well. The drive was long, or at least it seemed so, and Danny was led into the large court building, towards family court. The walls were gray, Danny didn’t know if they painted them that way or if they turned that color from years of neglect. It didn’t truly mater; it was just something to divert her attention away from the impending procedure. The sound of the hard soled shoes echoed the seconds away. Danny looked down at the shiny black shoes in disgust, thinking they lacked a certain something, elegance perhaps.

“Aunt Carol!” Danny’s face lit up as he saw the woman standing with peter and another gentleman in front of two large wooden doors.

“Oh no you don’t!” Mt Pritchard yanked the child’s arm as she almost took off running towards her would-be guardian. Danny immediately stopped after letting out a slight whimper of pain.

Carol put her hand on Peter’s shoulder. “Please don’t. Not here, not yet.”

Peter glared at the man as Mr. Pritchard and Danny walked past his group and entered the courtroom. “Not yet,” he sneered, “but soon enough, I tell you.”

She looks so sad,” Carol lamented. “She looks so uncomfortable in those clothes. Peter would you be so kind as to go out to the car and get the outfit we picked out for her.”

“Yes, I suppose I can,” Peter said sullenly, as if he were Danny’s age and just given a time-out. “It’ll give me time to cool off.”

Danny walked past the tows of benches and through a small swinging gate. A large figure loomed over her as she stood before the bench.

“Is this the youth in question,” the judge voiced boomed in the empty courtroom, seeming to bounce off the walls.

“Yes, your honor, and I am Harold T. Pritchard, for the state.”
Carol and her lawyer walked in at that moment and strolled down the aisle. The lawyer placed an expensive leather satchel on the table.

“From what I’ve been informed, the nature of this procedure has changed and now the state would like to oppose the adoption of the minor.”

“Yes, your honor,” Mr. Pritchard spoke formally and chose his words with care. “In light of some recent developments, the state feels that placing the child with Mrs. Carol Adams would not be prudent and potentially harmful to the child.”

“Counsel for the defense,” the Judged said as he looked at Carol’s lawyer.

“Your honor,” the lawyer spoke in a nasally tone. “What the state perceives as harmful was everything but. Instead of listen to the sound reasoning behind Mrs. Adams’ course of action, Mr. Pritchard made a series of rash assumptions and has mistaken them for fact. Not only is it prudent for the adoption to go through as planned but it would be in this particular child’s best interest.”

“Thank you counsel.” The judge lowered his voice, “Considering the nature of this particular case, I think the wise thing to do is to let the minor reside in my chamber so we can discuss the issues in further detail. I have read the briefs by both sides earlier and I believe I know the core issue. To avoid any trauma to the youth, Danny shall not be allowed in the court or to be unduly influenced by either side until I have had a chance to discuss things with,” the judge paused as he tried to decide which pronoun to use when addressing a child with gender identity issues, “with the youngster.”

Carol whispered something into her lawyer’s ear

“Your honor, may I approach the bench,” the lawyer addressed.

The judge motioned the short man forward and heard what the lawyer had to ask. “In this case, I find that acceptable.” The judge hit a small red button on the white intercom and spoke to an assistant on the other end, granting permission for the package Peter was bringing to be allowed in to his chambers. “You have five minutes to get it there and vacate,” the Judge addressed Carol and then turned his attention to the child. “Danny, if you would come with me, please.”

Danny watched the judge step down and realized the man wasn’t as large as he seemed. In fact, he was barely taller than Carol’s lawyer.

A moment later, Danny followed the black robed judge into a back hallway. This hallway was much different than the one Danny walked through to get to the courtroom; it had bright wood paneled walls that were lined with portraits of judges now long gone. The door to the courtroom closed behind the child and she knew her fate would be sealed within it without her present.

“Do you know why everyone is here today,” the judge asked casually, but with a caring tone.

“Because Aunt Carol wants to adopt me but Mr. Pritchard doesn’t want her to.”

“Very good.” The judge gave a wry smile. Do you know why I asked you to leave?”

The child thought for a moment. “So my feeling wouldn’t get hurt?”

“I suppose that’s part of it, but there is more,” the judge knelt down to be closer to eye level with the diminutive child. “After I hear from both sides I’m going to ask you for your opinion. Now, I can’t promise that what I decide in the end will make you happy, but what I do choose I will pick what is in your best interest and yours alone. I hope you can trust me to do that.”

“I do,” Danny answered in a meager tone.

“Good! Now let me show you my chambers.” The judge led the child down a maze of hallways and came to the door that led to his chambers. The assistant nodded at both of them as Danny was led into the Judge’s personal office, with the assistant just behind them. “Danny, I am going to trust you to behave yourself while I’m away. If you need anything, just ask Sandra here for it and she’ll do the best she can to get it for you.”
“Yes sir,” Danny answered as he scanned the room.

“Mrs. Adams thought you looked uncomfortable and brought in that bag for you in case you wanted to change. It is important for you to know that you are not obliged to wear the contents and no one will be angry with you either way. Do you understand?”

“Yes sir,” Danny replied.

“One last thing before I go. I understand your name is Danny Myers. Is the name Danny short for something?”

“Danielle,” the child said hesitantly, feeling a bit odd using her girls’ name while dressed up in a boys’ suit. “It stands for Danielle, sir,” she restated with more certainty.

“Well, Danielle sir,” the judge joked, “it should be a few hours before I return. Remember, be on your very best behavior.”

“Yes sir,” Danny answered and watched as the judge left.

The red-headed assistant stayed behind. “Danielle, that’s a very pretty name.”

“Thank you ma’am,” Danny said as she pivoted on her toe.

“Would you like some juice or some cookies, or maybe jelly beans?”

“No thank you ma’am, I had a big breakfast.”

“Okay sweetie. If you want you can use the TV in the corner. It only gets three stations so I don’t know if there’d be anything o. Maybe later I can find a good video or something you would like, doesn’t that sound nice.”

“It sounds nice indeed. I’ll be okay for now Ma’am.” Danny smiled faintly.

“Okay then. I have some work. If you need me, all you need to do is open the door.”

“Thank you,” Danny replied and then watched the lady exit the room and close the door.

Danny kept eying the large pink bag that was in the corner but purposely waited before going in it in case someone came back. Instead she walked around the room, looking at the large bookshelf filled with brown leather books that had a small red stripe at the same location and in the red stripe, gold numbers going in order from 1 to 999 and then starting over several times. Danny ran her hand over the mahogany desk as she walked around it and then she sat in the large black leather chair and tried to make it spin.

Satisfied that no one was going to walk in on her, the child gravitated to the pink bag. Carefully she pulled back the plastic and revealed the long flowing white dress that sparkled even in the florescent lights of the Judge’s chamber. The dress was brand new and Danny knew that Carol had purchased it especially for her. Folded in the bag was all the accessories that the child would need. Danny suddenly felt how uncomfortable the suit was more sharply and couldn’t stand one more moment wearing it. She took off the shoes she was wearing and placed them neatly in the corner. The socks came next and they were balled together and stuffed into the right shoe. The dress pants and shirt came off in succession and each was folded neatly with care. Finally the boys’ underwear came off and at that exact moment Danny felt free from the shackles of forced masculinity.

A pair of soft pink panties were pulled from the bag. Danny slowly slid them up her legs, savoring the feel of the material as it traveled up her skin and finally covered the only part of her that wasn’t all girl, “yet,” she thought. Danny let out a sigh of contentment. Next, the pair of white lace stockings were rolled up her legs and they felt even more luxurious than the panties as they clung to her thigh. After that, Danny slid her feet into a pair of shiny white Mary Jane’s which she found much more delightful than the shoes she walked into the room with. The small locket, which Danny was sad that she didn’t have with her at the orphanage, was at the bottom of the bag. With extreme joy, Danny clasped it around her neck. Finally the white dress that glittered was put on. Danny slid her arms through the long sheer sleeves that came to her wrist and was held into place by an elastic band. Even the neck was sheer to just above her chest where the solid white material began. At the bottom, the skirt flared out and came a few inches below the child’s knees. Danny reached back and zipped up the dress, the tiara that Carol brought from the ballet store and two heart shaped earrings provided the finishing touches.

“Finally,” Danny said out loud as she happily spun around the room feeling the skirt of the dress dance around her thighs.

A moment later Sandra walked in. She stared in wonder at the child as she held a tray with milk and cookies. “I see you’ve changed.”

“Yeah!” Danny was all smiles. “Aunt Carol dropped it off, isn’t it cute.” The child once again twirled causing the skirt to flare out.

Sandra chuckled. “It most certainly is. To tell you the truth, I was wondering why such a pretty little girl was doing in a suit. This looks much better.”

“I was in the suit because Mr. Pritchard picked out my outfit,” Danny explained. “Boys don’t know anything about what a girl should wear.”

“I know, my dad was like that too. I thought you would like some milk and cookies, be careful not to ruin your pretty dress.”

“I will be very, very careful and thank you,” Danny said happily.

“You’re welcome. Do you think you need anything else?”

“What’s going on in the courtroom,” Danny asked impulsively.

“Right now everyone is just talking to each other. It should be a little while longer before Judge Stevens comes back.”

“Okay,” Danny said, losing some enthusiasm as he sat at the Judge’s desk.

In the courtroom there was a lot of discussion, most of it heated. The doctor testified about Danny’s condition, which the state said was a fabrication despite the medical evidence of its existence. Mr. Pritchard openly and often accused Mrs. Adams and Peter of being pedophiles and perverts. In retaliation Carol accused Mr. Pritchard of being closed minded and out of touch with reality. The big shocker, however, was that Carol was originally known as Carl Davis until she was 18 and underwent surgery in a foreign country. It was Mr. Pritchard’s contention that Mrs. Adams sole objective in getting a male child was to impose the same sentence on the child that she so willingly placed on herself.

“There is a lot of evidence to weigh,” the judge said after four and a half hours. “If there are no further arguments, I will have a little chat with Danny and return with my verdict. Court is adjourned for one hour for lunch.”

The judge climbed from the bench and went to his chambers.

Danny was sitting in the judge’s chair sound asleep when the door opened. The Judge looked at the child and remembered his own daughters at the age Danny looked. “Perhaps not that difficult of a decision after all,” Judge Stevens thought. He coughed loudly to wake the child. “I hope I didn’t interrupt a good dream.”

“No sir,” Danny replied quickly. “I’m sorry for sitting in your chair, sir.”

Judge Stevens smiled. “It’s quite alright. I believe that it’s time for you and I to have a brief chat.”

“Yes sir. About where I want to live?”

“That’s right. What would you like me to choose,” the judge asked as he sat in the chair in front of the desk.

“That’s easy. I want to live with Aunt Carol. I like her lots and I like being part of a real home and I miss my room,” Danny blabbered.

“And you like it when Aunt Carol makes you dress like a girl,” the judge added.

“Oh, no sir,” Danny said as she leaned forward on the chair.

“I thought you liked dressing like a girl, you did it on your own while I was away.”

“Oh, I love dressing like a girl,” Danny admitted. “But Aunt Carol never made me do it, not once. I like that she let’s me dress like a girl though.”

“I see. Danny I have an interesting question for you. What are you?”

“You mean if I’m a boy or a girl, don’t you?” Danny rephrased the question.

“That’s exactly what I mean.”

“I’m a girl sir, all the way to my bones and out the other end. I felt so ever since I was little, but I had to pretend I was a boy and everyone believed me cause I have a wee-wee.”

After a few moments of silence the judge spoke. “Danny you’ve helped me make my decision, it’s time to tell the others.”

Danny walked with Judge Stevens to the court room. He stood in front of the judge’s bench, equal distance between a shocked and angered Mr. Pritchard and a very pleased, but worried looking Carol Adams.

“This case has a lot of elements that one doesn’t normally find in such a proceeding,” the judge started. “But the core issue is the same. It is a rarity that an older child finds an adult willing to take them in and care for them. Some of those people do not have the child’s best interest at heart and the court must be careful not to place a child in such a situation. On reviewing the testimony and talking to the minor I have come to the conclusion that this in not such a case and I grant Mrs. Adams petition to adopt the minor. Case closed.”

Danny mistook the gavel banging for a starter’s pistol and bolted into Carol’s waiting arms. Mr. Pritchard turned red, slammed the file on Danny to the floor and stormed out of the courtroom.

“Is it really true,” Danny said excitedly. “I’m really your little girl.”

“That you are, now give Aunt Carol the biggest kiss you can,” the woman demanded.

Danny kissed the woman on the cheek. “Ma’am do I have to call you Aunt Carol?”

“You don’t have too, but I think Mrs. Adams is a bit formal, don’t you?”

“I do,” Danny crinkled her nose. “But since I’m your little girl now, can’t I just call you mommy like all baby girls are suppose to?”

Carol let a tear fall. “Yes, baby. Yes you can.”

Danny realized in that instant that during the past month, not only did she find a family, but she also discovered her true self. That made her happy and her life, for the first time, seemed so full of wonderful possibilities.”

-FIN-