Quarantine: 8 - Adjustments

 

Things get more complicated as Jordie and Melisa grow closer.

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Author's Note: I apologize for the long wait between chapters. Real life is such a pain in the butt! Please, please, please leave comments, both to let me know if you like the story, and to let me know if you're ok. ~Clara.
 
This version of Quarantine: 8 - Adjustments has been updated with many corrections towards spelling and grammar.~Sephrena.
 
Image Credit: Image created through the use of ai at https://perchance.org/beautiful-people .~Sephrena.

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Chapter 8
 
 

 

"Of course," Judge Amanda Lang said, "this is a desperate ploy by a man who needs to gain back a win from a huge loss. I know some of the partners at his firm. They're pretty brutal. My guess is that they probably demanded that Leary do whatever he can to get the account back. A hundred million dollars probably doesn't constitute their biggest account, but it's a lot of money, nonetheless."

"Not their biggest account!?" Susan said surprised. "I'll tell you the truth, it's the biggest account that I have ever dealt with and it's scaring the heck out of me."

The judge chuckled. "I understand, and that is a great deal of money and a great responsibility, but in wealthy circles, it's really only an entrance amount to the 'super rich' community. Investment law firms in the Boston, New York, DC, Atlanta areas deal with much larger estates on a daily basis. Heck, a lot of lottery winners win more than a hundred million dollars nowadays. Regardless though, no firm wants to lose that kind of money. Let's focus on our situation, though. They are demanding that we meet with the Bar Association this week, which is almost criminally fast, to at least give preliminary responses to these charges. Now, my former brother-in-law is one of the best attorney's in Massachusetts and I've already contacted him about both of our situations. He has agreed, provided it's what you want, to represent us at the hearing and have his firm do a little digging into Mr Leary's motives."

"That's fine with me," Susan nodded. "I just want to come out the other end of this still being a lawyer. Of course, I want what's right for Jordie, too, but I can't help in that area if I'm disbarred."

"Oh, Susie," Mary shook her head, "I'm so sorry to have brought you these problems."

The lawyer shrugged. "I can't blame you, Mare. You just followed instructions. Of all of us involved, you and the kids have nothing to answer for."

"That is true, Mary," Judge Amanda said. "I'll tell you what they are going to go after and that is how I led the defense rather than allowing Susan to lay out her own defense. Now, that was unusual, but hardly unethical and I'm sure that I can defend against that. Susan is really only being called to a hearing to create a distraction. I don't think there is any mud that they can really sling in her direction."

"That's good," Mary breathed a sigh of relief. "But you think you'll be ok, too, right."

"I think so," Amanda nodded. "What I did was well within my preview as a judge, but the other side will try to make me appear biased. I'll have to answer for that. The only two issues I really are - ONE - Since the hearing I have developed a friendly relationship with Jordie, which they will try to construe as a conflict of interest, but I will just frame as a mentorship. That should satisfy them."

"And the other issue?" Francis asked, half knowing the answer, but needing it to be said out loud.

Amanda took a deep breath and looked at Jordan and Melissa, then said, "The other issue is you two, I'm afraid."

"Us?" Melissa looked around to see if her mother was actually looking at someone else. "What do you mean, 'Us?'"

"I mean you and Jordie. Now, obviously, at the time of the hearing, you two had never met, but... well, you have definitely become... chummy.... Since then. Now, as a mother, I could not be more thrilled that you two have grown so close so quickly, but as a judge overseeing, what now appears to be, an ongoing case, this can easily be cited as a conflict of interests. Do you understand what I'm getting at?"

Melissa reached over and took Jordan's small, soft hand in hers. "I certainly hope that I don't!" She said with a sharp tone. "Look, mom, I will help you any way that I can, but Jordie and I just had our first real day together and we connected like I've never connected with anyone else before - male or female! Now, I understand how important all of this is for both of you, but this could go on for months! This hole dating thing has gotten incredibly difficult with the masks, social distancing, no restaurants, no movie theaters, no clubs to go to, and I am just not willing to put my brand new relationship on hold because some asshole, bully is trying to get Jordie's money. It's just not fair!"

"'Relationship?' Oh, Melissa, please," her mother said a bit thoughtlessly. "You met a couple of days ago and you've had one date. I'm asking for some consideration here, I'm not asking you to stop seeing Jordie forever. Maybe it will take a month or two, or maybe it will all resolve itself at the first hearing, regardless of how long it takes, though, I need you and Jordie to not be an item."

Melissa straightened up a bit and her eyes shot daggers at her mother. "I cannot believe that you'd ask that of me, mother. You have no idea how I feel about Jordie..."

Amanda cut her off, "I'm not denying your feelings, Melissa, but you have to see the reality of this situation."

"I am..."

"No! You're not seeing the big picture. I guarantee that, when we get home, someone will be watching our house, and if they see you leave, they will follow you, and if they follow you here, then there is no way that I can explain how my daughter is involved with the heir to the estate in question and still maintain that I can be unbiased in my decisions."

"Mom, be reasonable..."

"Oh, do grow up, Melissa," the judge's face was looking stressed, even with the mask covering the majority of it.

"Grow up!?" Melissa was revving up for a fight and Mary knew that this was not a productive situation.

"Ok, ok!" Mary held up both hands. "Let's all take a breath, here. We need a solution."

Mother and daughter both took a breath and shook their anger off.

"Do you have a suggestion?" Susan asked.

"I may," Mary shrugged. She looked at the judge and asked, "Do you think anyone followed you here, today?"

"No," Amanda said, quite certain of her response. "I was in Shrewsbury driving past a friend's house to wish her a happy birthday when I got the call and email. I'm sure that I wasn't followed. There are miles and miles of road with no houses between Shrewsbury and here. Most of the time, there was no one behind me for miles."

"Good," Mary nodded. "Frances, Robbie, go open the barn doors. Jordie and Melissa, pull Melissa's car into the barn and cover it with that huge, blue tarpaulin in there so if someone peeks in there, no one will see the license."

"Ok, but why?" Robbie asked.

Mary looked at Melissa and said, "You'll be staying here until this is resolved. That way you'll be safe and and no one will know about you and Jordie. Ok?"

"Perfect!" Melissa said and pulled herself off of the picnic table bench, took Jordie's hand and headed for the car while Robbie and Frances hustled to the barn.

"Look, Mary," the judge said. "I know that you're trying to help, but this could really blow up in our faces. If the opposition should find out about this... well... I'd have a hard time defending this kind of deceit."

Mary nodded. "Then we need to make sure that nobody finds put. Melissa will be inside at all times until this is resolved."

Amanda nodded. "It's still a very big risk, under the circumstances."

"Look," Mary said with a strange certainty, since she was the only person with no legal experience at the table, "Jordie has been through an awful lot lately and he's not just infatuated with Melissa - he's truly in love with her. Now, love is something that has been sorely lacking in that child's life and I will not allow the greedy manipulations of some overpriced lawyers to take that away from him. End of story. If you want to give in to this stupidity and make Melissa go home, then I guess I will have to agree to that. Perhaps I was a bit pushy, just now, but I think this is the right thing to do."

"No," the judge shook her head. "You're right. It's the right thing for them, and it takes Melissa out of the equation. I'll go along with it, but we need to be very discreet about this. There is a possibility that Jordie may be summoned and if she is, then we'll need to avoid any mention of this arrangement, if possible."

"Well, ok," Mary agreed. "I guess we'll have to cross that bridge when we come to it."
 

 

"So, Jordie just traded dresses with this complete stranger!?" Robbie was enjoying Melissa's retelling of the saga of Jordie's new dress.

"I believe it," Frances chuckled. "Jordie's sweet to everyone. You said that this girl was fourteen, right? Heck, most people's hearts would break for a sad fourteen year old. Jordie just knew how to make her happy and was willing to do what it took."

"He is pretty awesome," Robbie agreed.

Melissa smiled and looked down at the floor where three large bags from Target were laying on the carpet. They were filled with new bras and panties, new pajamas, several new chemise and a variety of bath and beauty products. She looked back up at Frances and said, "Thanks for getting me this stuff. When I left home this morning, I never expected that I'd be staying here."

Frances waved off the thanks. "As long as you're dating Jordie, you're family."

"So..." Robbie teased. "... do you really like him?"

Melissa glanced down the hall to be sure that Jordie had not yet emerged from the bathroom where he had gone to shower. "If I am being honest with you, I think I'm really falling hard for him."

"You mean," Robbie was intrigued, "... you love him?"

Melissa looked away and a smile played on her lips. "I don't know. I mean... it's only been one date, but... I've been with a few guys and I thought that I loved some of them, but... I feel entirely different when I think about Jordie and... when I'm with him... wow... it's like he's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen. It's like... it's like I've fallen in love differently. Like a guy falls in love, you know? I'm infatuated with him. I love how he feels when I touch him. How he smells so feminine. How he submits when I kiss him. Just thinking about him now, I'm getting shivers."

"Sounds like love to me," Robbie nearly swooned, "I'm so happy for him. Well... for both of you, of course, but... you know what I mean."

Melissa smiled. "I do. Thank you. Now, tell me about Jordie when he was little."

Robbie looked to her older sister. "There's not much we can tell you," Frances said, honestly. "We were, like, eight and six when we first met him. That was when mom started dating our dad. Jordie was around sometimes and mom would always tell us to be patient with him and play nice. I was seven when mom and dad got married and Franny was nine. Jordie's mom didn't like our dad, so after that we only saw Jordie on Christmas and Easter and only briefly then and... well... see... Jordie's always been very... what's the opposite of touchy-feely?"

"Standoffish," Frances offered.

"Yeah," Robbie nodded. "Standoffish."

"Really?" Melissa's eyes popped wide open. "That's surprising. I mean, we held hands on our first walk and we were touching each other all day, today. He didn't seem standoffish at all."

"Yeah, well, that's all part of the new Jordie." Frances explained. "The Jordie that sews dresses. The Jordie that wants to look pretty. That's the new Jordie. This Jordie has only been here a few weeks."

"That's unbelievable," Melissa shook her head.

"It's true," Robbie confirmed. "He barely spoke to us before. Now, he calls us his sisters."

"So," Melissa was enthralled in these stories, "what do you think is responsible for all these changes?"

Both Frances and Robbie were about to say, 'sewing,' but before they could, a voice came from the doorway.

"Love," Mary said. "It's very simple - Jordie was alone and he felt like a loner. He was struggling to find himself. He was a lost little boy who didn't think anyone loved him."

"And now?" Melissa asked.

"And now..." Mary smiled, "...now... he has all of us and he knows that he is loved. That's why he's afraid of ever leaving, right now. He's afraid that he won't feel the same way if he leaves. Hopefully, you can change that."

Melissa found that last part confusing. "Why? Do you want him to leave?"

Mary shook her head. "No, I love having him here, but I want him to be happy, Melissa. Just happy. He's happy here, now, but I want him to be happy here and out in the world. A month ago, I expected that in five years he'd be designing space ships for NASA. Now, he's a happy little seamstress. I suspect that there's somewhere in between those two levels of expectations that Jordie could find happiness."

"But he's not going back to school," Melissa was thoughtful. "So, he won't be an engineer."

"Well... he's not going back to school NOW," Mary agreed, "but he may decide to go back later. And don't get me wrong, if Jordie's bliss turns out to be sewing dresses all day everyday for the rest of his life, then I'll be grateful that he's found what makes him happy."

"That's not all that makes home happy," Robbie smiled as she looked at Melissa.

The girl blushed a bit and was grateful that the conversation was cut short by the sound of Jordan's voice coming down the hall. "I'm all done." He called. "The shower's available."

"Alright," Frances called back. "When you're ready, come in here and we'll help you with your hair."

"Ok," he called back as he disappeared into his room.

"You brush out his hair for him?" Melissa found the idea rather tantalizing.

"We brush out each other's," Robbie corrected. "We braid it, put it in ponytails, or pigtails..."

"It's kind of our evening ritual," Frances interrupted. "Why don't you go shower and you can join us?"

"Cool!" Melissa giggled as she rose. "I think I'm gonna like it here."
 

 

"Seventeen, eighteen, nineteen, twenty..." Melissa grunted on the floor of the beautiful room that Mary had prepared for her. The late spring morning sun was streaming into the open window and the smell of clean, fresh air and morning dew was everywhere.

"Thirty, thirty one, thirty two..." she grunted on. She'd slept very well, eventually. The hardest part of the night was actually falling asleep, though. She was used to the sounds of traffic and air conditioning units creating a hypnotic din when she laid down to go to sleep. She'd expected silence in the country, but that's not what she found. The soft sound of the breezes in the branches of the trees, the croak of a frog in a nearby pond and the spring peepers chirping away, the creaking of the old house, the soft snoring of people in nearby rooms - all these beautiful and romantic sounds that fill the country air were alien and disconcerting for the first couple of hours, but once fatigue overtook her, Melissa slept better than she'd remembered ever having done.

"Sixty four, sixty five, sixty six..." the 'boot camp' exercise regime she'd started six years ago had served her body well up until this point, changing her from tall, geeky, pudgy girl who was uncomfortable with her body, into a firm, toned, shapely woman who felt strong and safe in any situation. She had a love/hate relationship with her morning routine, but if she wanted her ungainly body type to be attractive, it was necessary.

"Ninety eight, ninety nine, one hundred," she gasped as she completed her abdominal crunches. She pulled herself to her feet and began her squats.

"One, two, three..." she grunted some more.

Suddenly, she became aware of someone watching her. As she continued her regime, she looked to the doorway where Robbie was watching. "Hi," Melissa smiled as she continued counting internally.

"Morning," Robbie smiled. "I'm sorry if this seems creepy. I just didn't want to interrupt you and mom told me to see if you'd like to have breakfast with us."

"Sure," Melissa continued to speak and squat. "Now?"

"In fifteen minutes or so. No rush, but we like to all have our meals together. It's kind of a family thing, you know? You don't have to join us, but we don't want to leave you out, either."

"No, no, I'll be down in a few minutes. I just need to finish these squats. I didn't even know you guys were up."

"Oh, yeah. We're usually up by seven thirty or so. Mom starts her appointments at nine, so we have breakfast around eight fifteen or eight thirty. Even though it's Sunday, we still get up and get things going. Actually, I think mom does have a few appointments today."

"So, Jordie's up, too?" Melissa was a little surprised that Jordie might be awake and not have come by to say good morning.

Robbie looked down the hallway and smiled. "He is. As a matter of fact, here he comes." Then, towards the hallway she said, "We were just talking about you. You look like you've been busy."

Jordan appeared in the doorway, just as Melissa whispered, "Ninety nine, one hundred," and completed her exercise.

"Hi," Jordan smiled, looking adorable in a very short, soft green, sleeveless sundress that, combined with his subtle makeup, bangs and high ponytail, made him look like a perfect, little, teenaged cutie. He surprised both the girls by slipping gracefully past Robbie in the doorway and giving Melissa a kiss on her lips. "You're sweaty," he giggled. He had a bit of pink material hanging from his arm.

Melissa kissed him back, her kiss was a tiny bit longer than the kiss Jordan had given him. "I'll clean up, now, and come down for breakfast in a few minutes."

"Did you sleep ok?"

"I slept great," she kissed him once more. "This whole house just seems magical."

"I know," he giggled and kissed her again.

"Ok, this is getting gross," Robbie laughed. "I'll leave you two and see you downstairs."

"No, I'll come with you," Jordan called back, but gave Melissa one more kiss before he started to leave the room. "Oh!" He said, stopping on the way. "I almost forgot. Here." He handed her the material he had with him.

"What's this?" She asked as she took the material and spread it out to see it.

"It's your new dress," Jordan smiled as he disappeared out the door, leaving Robbie smiling at their houseguest.

"My new dress?" She shook her head. "It's only eight o'clock."

Robbie giggled. "It was probably done an hour ago. He works fast."

Melissa shook her head as she looked at the shapeless garment. "I don't really wear pink."

"Why?"

Melissa shrugged. "It's kind of a little girl color and looks funny on someone as big as me."

Robbie entered the room, took the dress and held it up near Melissa's body. "I guarantee that you won't feel conspicuous in this dress. Jordie has a way of making everyone feel beautiful in the clothes he chooses for them."

"You think?"

Robbie nodded, knowingly. "I know."
 

 

"I'm only seeing two people this morning," Mary said as she stood by the stove, poaching eggs in a pot and frying Canadian bacon in a pan. "Dr Green and one of her colleagues. They say I can open for real next week. So, hopefully, things will be getting back to normal, soon."

"That would be nice," Frances said, next to her, working the hollandaise sauce to its correct texture with a large whisk.

Robbie was at the counter, toasting English muffins while Jordan set the table. Sunday breakfasts had become a bit more formal than the rest of the week during the quarantine. Mary always planned something special for Sunday mornings and everyone helped.

"Jordie," Mary turned to look at him, "Dr Green and her colleague are my clients today and they want to meet with you, too. So, why don't you come out with me when I go, ok?"

"Yes, ma'am," Jordie nodded.

Suddenly, the sound of a cat-call whistle rang through the kitchen. Robbie was the whistler and the object of her critique was Melissa as she entered the room in her new, pink, cotton dress, that exposed her toned shoulders and arms, formed perfectly about her ample, pert breasts, clung to her firm stomach, then flared just enough to hang in a feminine wave about her wide hips, falling to a crisp hem high up on her smooth, powerful, feminine thighs.

"You look like a super model," Robbie said, sounding shocked.

"Wow! You do!" Frances confirmed.

"Really?" Melissa seemed a bit uncomfortable with her appearance. "I don't usually wear a skirt this short and I never wear pink."

Mary stepped away from the stove and surveyed the young woman. "Well, you should. Both the style and the color really suit you." She raised her head and kissed Melissa's cheek. "Good morning. You look lovely."

"Thanks." She looked at Jordie. "Do you like it?" It was the first time that she'd expressed a need for Jordan's approval and it made him smile.

"You're beautiful," he smiled.

She kissed his cheek, lost her nervousness and actually felt beautiful. "Thanks."she kissed his cheek. "What can I do to help?"

"There are some tomatoes on the cutting board. If you want to slice them, that would be great." Mary bobbed her head in the direction of the sink where the cutting board and tomatoes waited. "Robbie, grab Melissa an apron out of the closet."

At this point, Melissa noticed that all three women and Jordan were all wearing simple, but pretty, full length aprons. Robbie handed one to her and she placed it over her head, pulled the sash tight and fumbled to tie a bow behind her back. "I don't think I've worn an apron since I was five years old," she chuckled.

"We only wore them when we were making holiday meals in the past," Frances explained, "but now that Jordie has us all dressed so well all the time, they've become mandatory during mealtime."

"Makes sense," Melissa shrugged, still struggling with the sash.

"I'll get that for you," Robbie smiled as she untied the mess that Melissa had made of the sash and tied the ends into a bow for her. "You'll get used to it, but make sure the bow in the back is perfect, or Jordie will flip out." She laughed.

Melissa looked at Jordan who just smiled back at her.

"What are we having for breakfast?" Melissa asked. "It seems like there's a lot going on. I hope that's not all on my account."

"Sunday morning ritual since the lockdown," Frances explained.

"We're having eggs Benedict," Mary said. "The tomatoes are just for the side of plate. We find that they go well with the hollandaise sauce and end the meal nicely."

"Huh," Melissa said. "I've never had eggs Benedict before."

"Really?" Robbie seemed surprised. "I guess that, since we got the recipe out of a cookbook from Delmonico's restaurant, I just assumed that rich people always ate this for breakfast."

"Not this rich person," Melissa laughed. "I've seen it on menus, but I don't think I've ever seen anyone order it, before."

"I hope you like it," Mary smiled. "It's one of our favorites. The knives are in the drawer by your right hand."

"Ok." Melissa opened the drawer and looked at a wide selection of knives. She stared at them for a few moments, not knowing what each was meant for. Finally, she took out a medium length one that appeared sharp. She was about to cut the first tomato when Jordan touched her hand softly.

"You'll do better with a serrated knife," he whispered. He took the blade from her and returned it to the drawer while also pulling out a fairly long, serrated tool for her.

When Melissa prepared to cut the tomato, Jordan realized that, just as when he had arrived at the house in Hardwick a few months earlier, Melissa had never cut a tomato before. Quickly and quietly, he took the knife from her and demonstrated how to cut them. "One pull of the knife from the hilt to the tip and it'll cut right through it. Each slice should be about three eighths of an inch thick. Ok?"

Melissa looked at him sideways. "Three eights of an inch, huh?"

"Yeah."

"And I should know how thick that is?"

Jordan smiled at her. Oh, that smile! God, he was adorable.

"Like this," he giggled as he sliced half of the first tomato "each slice is about three eighths of an inch thick. See?"

She smirked. "Ok."

She waited for Jordan to walk away before she began cutting the second tomato.

"Don't worry," Robbie chuckled as she moved close to her. "The slices don't have to be perfectly uniform. That's just Jordie being Jordie. Of course his are going to be perfect, but the rest of us aren't nearly as retentive as he is."

When all the food was plated and on the table, they all sat down to enjoy the food. Melissa didn't dig right in, though. She looked at the two little structures on her plate and marveled at the care that everyone had put into their part of the meal. Two halves of an English muffin side by side in the middle of the plate, each had a slice of perfectly fried Canadian bacon on top, followed by a poached egg and all that was covered with rich, creamy hollandaise sauce, a sprig of parsley on top of each and three slices of tomato on the right side of the plate.

Mary noticed that Melissa was not eating and asked, "I'm sorry, Melissa. I should have asked you if you wanted this. Would you like something else? I can make you scrambled eggs or an omelet... anything you'd like."

"Oh, no," she replied, snapping back to reality. "I'm just admiring it. I've never seen anyone make a breakfast like this in their own kitchen."

"Really?" Mary seemed surprised. It wasn't all that much work to do once a week.

"Don't you have a cook or something at home?" Robbie asked.

Melissa laughed and shook her head. "No, we don't have anyone like that. We eat a lot of takeout and we used to go to restaurants a lot before the lock down. Breakfast is usually a piece of fruit or an Eggo waffle. This is like a work of art."

"Well, it's meant to be eaten before it gets cold," Mary smiled. "So, dig in."

Melissa cut a small piece and loaded it onto her fork. Then, cautiously, she placed it into her mouth. "Mmm, this is delicious!" She giggled as she ate. "Everyone thinks that rich people have it made. I'll tell you, you guys know how to live! Good food. Time with your family. Talking to each other."

"Oh, come on," Robbie said. "You and your mom seem to get along great. Well, except for that fight, yesterday, but I understand how that happened."

Melissa shrugged. "Yeah, I love my mom, but... it's different."

"I understand," Jordan piped in. "When my mom and dad were alive, they were focused on their work all the time. No one cooked, it was always takeout. No one spent time together, it was always meetings and patients and phone calls."

"Well," Mary tried to be as sympathetic as possible, "that is the price of a successful career, I guess. The more successful you are, the more you can give to your family, but also, the more you have to work and that keeps you away from your family."

"I guess," Melissa shrugged. "This is really nice, though, the way that you guys are all together and get along so well. I kinda wish I had had this growing up."
 

 

"Are you sure that this is what you want to do, Jordan?" The woman who had been introduced as Dr Olsen, a psychiatrist who specialized in gender issues, asked. "You do realize that there are disadvantages to presenting as a woman. You understand that, right?"

Jordan stared at the woman, analyzing what she meant.

Dr Green filled in the gap. "She's right Jordie. I have faced a lot of challenges as a woman in the medical profession. Especially when I was younger. I'm sure that I would have had had more opportunities had I been a man."

Jordan still just considered everything being said.

"And then there's the everyday things," Mary pointed out. "Men just staring at your bottom or your breasts. Rude remarks. Being objectified just because you're wearing a cute outfit... you've been very shielded in the confines of the house, Jordie, but you're a very cute little thing and you're going to have to deal with that same kind of stupidity if you decide to go this route."

Finally Jordan nodded. "Dr Green, when you were first starting out as a doctor, were there any boys who were starting out with you?"

"Well, of course, there were, Jordie. Most of my colleagues were young men."

"No," Jordan shook his head. "Not young men - boys. No one ever thought I was a young man. If they didn't think I was a boy, they thought I was a girl. Not a man or a woman. A boy or a girl. How many boys and girls were working with you back when you first started?"

Mary was shocked at the force with which Jordan had asserted his point.

"Ok," Dr Green nodded. "Point taken, but there are other things to consider, too..."

"Like the impact of the low doses of hormones on my kidneys and liver? I've done a lot of research and it all says that the dosages you've recommended would have minimal impact on those organs, but would soften my appearance a bit and possibly redistribute my body fat and maybe widen my hips. It wouldn't even be enough to help me grow fully developed breasts of my own, but it might enhance implants if I get them."

"Ok, that's partially true," Dr Green held up a hand. "The low doses of hormones you'd require would probably redistribute a little body fat for you, but the fact that your body isn't really producing male hormones at the rate that it should means that you probably won't see any noticeable change in skin texture and, other than the redistribution of body fat, your hips will probably remain narrow."

"But if I get thicker thighs, that will give the impression of wider hips. Right?" Jordan countered.

Dr Green looked at Mary and raised her eyebrows. It was obvious that Jordan had done his homework and made up his mind.

"Are you one hundred percent sure that this is what you want to do?" Mary asked.

"Auntie," Jordan nodded, "I would rather go through life looking like a five foot tall woman than either looking like a stunted little boy in a dress, or a twelve year old girl, neither of which would ever be taken seriously or treated like an adult."

Mary ran her fingers along Jordan's soft cheek. "Well, if that's what you want, baby, then I think you should start talking to Dr Olsen and getting things started. That way, it'll all be underway when you have access to your inheritance."

Jordan nodded. "I don't really need my inheritance, though, auntie. If I go through the whole process, seeing a therapist and a living as a woman, then my insurance will cover it. So, either way, I want to do this."

"And you think that Melissa will be ok with all of this?" Mary asked. "I know it's only been a couple of days, but you two sure seem serious."

"I'm sure," Jordan nodded.

"Ok," Dr Olsen said. "I want to see you twice a week, then. I'll come by here on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Notify your insurance company and I'll take care of the paperwork. You'll just have to deal with the cost of the co-pay."

Jordan nodded. "How much is that?"

"Usually," the doctor smirked, "it's seventy-five dollars per session..."

Jordan's eyes popped open. A hundred and fifty dollars a week was going to get unmanageable very quickly if he didn't get his inheritance.

"...but I think we might be able to work something out, if you'd be willing to make me a couple of these incredible dresses I keep seeing Dr Green wearing." She smiled behind her mask. "Is it a deal?"

Jordan smiled, coyly. "How many dresses?"

"Just a couple." The psychiatrist crossed her arms, amused by the young man.

Jordan shook his head. "No deal."

Now, the three woman looked completely surprised.

Jordan continued. "It's one dress a week, or no deal."
 

 

The Sunday night movie pick was 'Josie and The Pussycats' - Three girls in a rock band being manipulated by a ruthless record company executive with the perky singer/guitarist, serious bass player and flighty drummer struggling to remain friends and do the right thing.

Robbie sang along with the songs as she braided Jordan's hair, songs that no one would know unless they'd seen the movie a thousand times. She sang, "Six whole hours and five long days for all your lies to come undone. And those three small words, were way too late, 'cause you can't see that I'm the one." She bobbed her head to the rhythm of the song as if it was a massive hit.

Jordan smiled at her enthusiasm and bobbed his head in unity with hers, making her smile and enjoy the movie that much more.

"They're like besties, I guess?" Melissa chuckled from the side of the room where she and Frances were in the midst of a game of chess.

Franny looked at her sister and cousin. "Yeah, but more than that, too. Jordie really is like our little sister. It's been a weird few months, but everything has changed since he got here."

Melissa moved a pawn forward, endangering one of Frances' bishops. "I have to say, I've always been around girls and women, but you guys and your mom are almost the girliest girls I've ever met."

Frances looked up from the board, unsure as to whether or not she should be offended. "What do you mean?"

"I just mean," Melissa saw that she'd overstepped the fragile friendship she'd formed with Frances, "that you guys are... very feminine. Not that that's a bad thing! I just mean... all of you are always wearing dresses and your mom... I mean she's a hairdresser... you can't get much girlier than that. Look... I didn't mean to offend you. Really, I'm kind of in awe of you. You all seem so much more comfortable in your own skin than anyone else I know. It's just that... well... it's like this is a real 'house of women.' Like there's no men allowed."

Frances was still wary. "Except Jordie." She looked at her cousin. "And my dad, when he was still alive. But even then, when we first moved here with my dad, my mom lived here with her mom - and her mom's mom for the first couple of years. So, I guess you're right, in a way. It's kind of been a 'house of women' since I got here."

"And you guys never wear pants?" Melissa wasn't trying to be judgmental, but she wanted to know how deep their belief in women only wearing dresses was because she had no intention of giving up her pajama bottoms or jeans.

Frances smiled and shook her head. "That's not a rule, or anything. It's just kind of what we do to remember our first mom." She explained that situation to Melissa and shrugged when she was done. "Mom, I mean our stepmom, Mary, even though we never think of her as a 'step' mom, just went along with it to support us. If you want to wear pants, feel free. We really don't mind."

Melissa looked down at the 'lounge pants' she was wearing as pajama bottoms. "I guess I already am," she smiled. "You guys all look so cute in your matching nighties and I'd love to join you, but I didn't grow up wearing nightgowns to bed. I've tried a few times and I just find the feeling of having the skin of my legs touching each other uncomfortable - especially on a hot night."

Frances nodded and moved her rook. "Check mate," she smiled.

"No, no, no," Melissa laughed. "I can move my king to here..."

"And my queen will take it." Frances' grinned. She liked to play chess against a good played and Melissa had done very well except for this one, fatal, exception.

"Damnit," Melissa saw the strategic error she'd made and shook her head. "I'll beat you tomorrow." She glanced at Robbie and Jordan again, both absorbed in the silly, girl-power movie. Jordan, his hair now braided prettily, was sharing the loveseat with Robbie, her arm around his shoulder. "And this closeness between your sister and Jordan... this is a new thing?" She asked.

Frances nodded. "Your not jealous are you? I mean, it's just a sisterly thing. It's not like he's interested in dating her or anything."

Melissa huffed out a tiny laugh. "Oh, I'm not jealous. As a matter of fact, after our date the other day, I'm pretty sure that I never need to be jealous of Jordie looking at anyone else. I can tell that he's smitten and I think it's adorable. I don't know why, but I just kind of thought that he was a little... shy. Like he didn't want to be touched and wasn't thrilled about touching me."

"You thought he was, maybe, a little autistic, right?"

"Yeah, I guess. I mean, autistic kids don't like to be touched, right?"

Frances shrugged, "I guess, but I asked mom if he'd ever been tested for autism or, specifically, Asperger's, and she said that testing would just confirm what she already knew."

"That he's autistic?"

"That he's a little different, that's all. But when he came here, back in March, he was a completely different person - stressed, quiet, isolated, intense... Now, look at him. He's relaxed and happy and able to connect with everyone. Oh, and just to be clear - Jordie not being able to touch you had nothing to do with whether or not he's got Aspergers."

"No?"

"No. It had to do with you. He fell in love with you before you had closed the door of your mother's car. That's why he was shaking."

Melissa smiled. "My God, could he get any more precious?" She giggled.

"The 'grownups' are talking about us, Jordie," Robbie said quite loudly as she pulled him tighter to her. "They're just upset because they're missing this awesome movie."

Frances and Melissa laughed.

"Well, I guess our game is over, so," Frances stood and crossed to the loveseat where she picked up Jordan with one arm under his knees and another supporting his back and she tossed him onto the couch, "it's time for you to sit with your girlfriend."

Jordan let out a playful shriek as he floated through the air and landed on the couch.

"Move over," Frances patted her little sister's bottom, "I'm sitting with you."

"No, you're too big," Robbie teased. "I want Jordie back. Jordie! Come back to me!"

Melissa stood quickly and then plopped herself down onto the couch, wrapping her arms around Jordan's torso. "Oh, no you don't!" She giggled. "Jordie is mine! All mine!"

"Argh!" Robbie grunted. "Move over," she demanded of Frances, "your butt is bigger than Jordie's."

"And your's is bigger than mine," Frances teased. She put her arm around Robbie's shoulders and pulled her close. "There. That's better, isn't it?"

"I guess," Robbie whined, playfully, "but Jordie's butt is still smaller."

Frances rolled her eyes.

"Do you like my braids?" Jordan asked Melissa, still unsure of how feminine he could look before she no longer saw him as a boyfriend."

"They're adorable," Melissa patted the tight plaits that surrounded his head before trailing down his back. "They make you look like a virginal little girl." She smiled at him and he blushed.

"And he'd better remain a virginal little girl until his wedding night!" Robbie teased.

Melissa looked into his eyes. "I don't know if I'll be able to wait that long, but I'll try."

"Well, see that you do," Mary laughed from the doorway. "It sounds like all Hell is breaking loose up here from downstairs."

Melissa sat up, a bit embarrassed, but smiling. "Sorry."

"No need to be, dear," Mary chuckled.

Just then, there was a loud, aggressive knock on the front door. Everyone sat up straight. "Who could that be?" Robbie sounded very frightened.

"It can't be anything good," Mary muttered.

"I'll go get it," Frances said, grabbing a light robe she'd left over the back of the couch.

Whoever it was knocked again.

"Don't open the door," Mary called behind her stepdaughter. "Be careful"

"Can I help you?" They heard from downstairs. It was followed by the sounds of a man's voice that was muffled through the door.

"Why?" Frances asked. More muffled man's voice.

"Just a minute," Frances said.

Finally, Frances appeared at the foot of the stairs.

"What is it?" Mary asked, already upset.

Frances took a deep breath. "The guy says that he's a deputy sheriff and he needs to see you and Jordie."
 
 
To Be Continued...