Troy grabbed a smaller bag and followed his father out to the car. The Autumn weather made him shiver slightly as he stepped outside. William stopped and put the bags he was carrying in, then took the one Troy had and put it in the back seat. He turned to his son and leaned against the side of the car. “I don't want to repeat your mother, but be good.”

“You've been nothing but nice to Vance this week while your grandma has him in that dress. I still feel bad for laughing, but I wasn't ready for it.” He bent down and put a hand on his son's shoulder. “Thank you for being the bigger man.”

November 21st 1982
Northern California

Troy woke up in his own bed just after seven. There was sounds of movement from the living room. He knew it was his parents, getting ready to take off on a yearly couples retreat they had started going to a couple years back. He knew that he'd be sharing a room with Vance at his Grandmothers later that night, mostly because they thought he was too young to leave alone and Vance wasn't responsible enough.

He thought about what needed to be done at his grandmothers place. He had done up most of his chores the night before, leaving the dining room and living room left to do. They had decided to go the extra mile and move all the furniture to get the deep clean so the house was ready for Thanksgiving.

He got out of the bed and went to the dresser to grab his clothes before he took a shower. A good half an hour later, he was coming out of the bathroom as his brother was headed past him, still looking like he was half awake and wearing a nightgown that his grandmother had sent over for him as part of his punishment. Troy put a hand up and stopped him. “Hey, when your ready, come on over to Grandma's. I'm going to go in a bit and make some breakfast for them. I'll wait till you get there and I'll fry you up some sausage and eggs.”

“I...” Vance blinked, surprised at his brothers kindness, even after what he had tried to do. “I was just going to have cereal.” He said.

“Suit yourself. Just figured you'd enjoy a nice warm meal, in case you and grandpa are working outside today.” He started down the hall and as he got to the kitchen, his mother came around the corner.

“Okay, we're almost out of here. You two be good for your grand parents.” She kissed Troy on the cheek, then walked down the hall to where her eldest was at.

As she gave Vance a hug, their father walked into the kitchen, looked at Troy and hooked a thumb to the living room. “Hey big guy, want to help me load the car?”

Troy grabbed a smaller bag and followed his father out to the car. The Autumn weather made him shiver slightly as he stepped outside. William stopped and put the bags he was carrying in, then took the one Troy had and put it in the back seat. He turned to his son and leaned against the side of the car. “I don't want to repeat your mother, but be good.”

“I will Dad.” Troy said.

“And I want to thank you Troy.” William said.

“For what?” Troy cocked his head to the side.

“You've been nothing but nice to Vance this week while your grandma has him in that dress. I still feel bad for laughing, but I wasn't ready for it.” He bent down and put a hand on his son's shoulder. “Thank you for being the bigger man.”

Troy blushed and looked to the ground. “Just being nice.”

“I think that's the point. If you had this punishment, he'd be teasing you left and right.” William pulled his son in for a big hug. “And that makes you the bigger person. You're willing to forget and forgive.”

“I try.” He replied. The door opened up and his mother stepped out.

“Now be good. Your mother and I got a long drive in front of us.” He stood up and went to the car. Maggie stopped by her son once more and gave him a hug too.

“Bye Son.” She went over and slid into the passenger seat, leaving him in the driveway to watch them drive off.

He went back in and grabbed his coat, in case he ended outside again. In the bathroom he could hear the shower going. He thought about waiting for Vance but he wanted to let Vance have some peace, so he headed to his grandparents place. As he got to the top step, he knocked, then pushed the door open slightly. “It's Troy.” He called out.

“Come on in Troy.” He heard his grandmother say. He went to the kitchen, where his grandmother was at the table, working on her crossword puzzle. His grandfather was reading the sports section of the paper and nursing a cup of coffee.

It was now just past seven, so he decided to get working on the breakfast. He was halfway though making the sausage when there was another knock at the front door. Then he heard it open and Vance called out. “Can I come in? It's Vance.”

“Sure Vance, we're in the kitchen.” Modine called out.

Troy kept himself busy as his brother walked in, not bothering to look at what clothes he had put on, but he looked when he grandfather let out a short laugh. There stood his brother in a short red skirt with matching red shirt. “My god boy, what are you wearing that for?” Conner asked.

Troy could see his grandmother glare at his grandfather and he also saw Vance slump his shoulders. “I told you why.” Modine hissed at him.

As Vance was turning to go, Conner got up. “I'm Sorry Vance, I shouldn't have laughed.”

“It's fine.” The older boy replied as he plopped, very unladylike, into a free chair.

A thick silence fell on the room as Troy started to set out plates for everyone. The meal continued in silence, till Conner looked up. He wanted to apologize again, but he knew Vance was a hard nut to crack. “Well Vance, we'll be skipping working outside today. We're going to help in here, moving the heavy stuff so they can clean for Thanksgiving.”

“Okay.” Vance replied in a monotone voice. He slowly ate, not bothering to look up at any of them.

A part of Troy felt bad for what Vance was feeling,. He knew the fear that his brother felt all too well. He also knew the pain of being laughed at. He wanted to hug him and tell him that it would be okay, but he knew his brother would only get mad. So Troy joined in on the silence.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It was almost noon when they had finished with the cleaning. Then came another silent meal. Sure, it was only sandwiches, but it felt awkward to Troy to eat in silence in that house. After Lunch, his grandfather took off to do the grocery shopping, something Vance would have helped with, but in his current dress, he refused to leave the property.

Troy took his grandmother to the side. “Grandma, can I talk to you?”

“Sure sweetie, what about.” She asked as they stepped into her bedroom.

“Vance.” He replied.

“You're feeling bad about what happened, aren't you?”

Troy nodded. “It's not just Grandpa, Dad laughed at him on Monday. He's barely eating and he's been hiding in the bedroom.” The little boy let out a sigh. “Is there anyway we can cut the punishment short?”

“Do you think he learned his lesson?” Modine asked.

“I don't know.” Troy shrugged. “But he knows what it's like to be laughed at.”

“I'll talk to him, but I want you to do me a favor." She leaned in, just in case Vance was listening and whispered in his ear.

A few moments later, Modine came walking into the living room, followed by Troy. Vance looked up from the TV for a moment, then he raised an eyebrow as his brother left the house.

Modine sat on the couch next to her grandson and turned to face him. “Vance, can I talk to you?” She asked in that grandmotherly tone she had.

“What?” He looked at her for a moment, then his eyes went back to the TV.

“You hate this, right?” She gestured to the skirt and shirt.

“What do you think?” He asked. “I hate it. I feel stupid.”

“And when your grandfather laughed at you, how did that feel?” She asked.

“I hated it.” Tears formed at the corner of his eyes and he looked away from her.

“What did your father do when he saw you?” She leaned against the back of the couch.

“He laughed.” Vance shook his head. “He thought it was funny.”

“I see. And what did you do?” Modine asked.

“I ran to my room and cried. Then I felt stupid for crying and I cried some more.” He replied.

“Have your friends talked to you lately?” She kept her tone comforting as she questioned him, trying to keep him talking.

“They keep laughing at me. Calling me fag and wimp and sissy.” He looked to her. “I thought they were my friends.”

“I know I can't pick your friends, but you can do so much better then them.” She sighed. "Losing friends was never a good thing and she had caused it, even though he was better off without them. Now do you understand why I made you wear this?”

“Because I was teasing Troy.” He replied.

“That is a starter. If Bruce and Frankie had seen him in a dress, they would have kept it up for a long time. They could have been worse.” She put a hand on his shoulder and turned him so she could see his face. The tears had made a path down his cheeks.

“Why does he do it? Why does he wear the dresses?”

Modine shrugged again. “I don't know all the reasons. He says it's a stress relief. He puts on the dress and he becomes someone else. No father, no brother, just the people who love her.”

“He thinks I hate him, doesn't he?” Vance asked.

“You are mean to him. He's had many days where he's just been in tears after dealing with you.” She nodded.

“I don't know why I do it. At times it's like he gets whatever he wants. Like these chores, he gets to come over here and hang out with you and cook and stuff, but I have to work in the field with grandpa.”

“It's not that easy for him. He's learning how to be a better cook so he can take over your mothers cooking at the house. That way she can relax a bit.” Modine shook her head. “Remember, he has to clean the houses each week.”

“It just seems unfair.” Vance muttered.

“What would you suggest?” Modine asked.

“Less work?” He said with a halfway, hopeful grin.

“The work is to help you be responsible.” She replied. “He's cleaning the house and making dinner. He does that almost daily. You only help in the field Saturday and Sunday. Plus dishes when he cooks. Isn't it unfair if you get to do less then he does?”

Vance wanted to say no, but he knew that was the wrong answer. “Yeah, it is.”

“What if we talked your parents into an allowance?” Modine suggested. “I could ask Conner about one for when you help him too.”

“Really?” He leaned forward. “That would be cool.”

“But that's still in the 'I need to ask' column. So don’t go thinking it's a set plan.” She said with a grin.

There was a knock at the door and it opened slightly. “Is it okay?” Troy asked.

“Yes, you can come in Troy.” Modine replied before turning her attention to Vance again. “So you know, I'm ending your punishment today. I'm ending it because your brother felt bed for your Grandfather and Father both laughing at you. He asked for me to end it.” Vance looked to Troy as he came in with a pair of pants and a shirt in his arms.

“You did?”

Troy nodded. “Yeah. It sucks to be laughed at for wearing something different, or being different.”

Vance started to stand, but Modine stopped him. “This doesn't mean you can just tell people about Troy. I still have that picture of you. I don't want to use it, but if you spread a rumor about Troy in a dress, or try to get those two kids over here to see him, I will punish you somehow.”

“Not the dress thing again, please?” Vance pleaded.

“How about you just focus on being a good brother and not telling anyone about Troy. Then you won't have to worry about getting in trouble for it.” She smiled and gestured to his brother. “Now you owe him a thank you, then get dressed. We can have some of the pie that's in the fridge when your changed.”

“Cool.” Vance stood up. He went over to his brother and the two of them shared one of those awkward hugs where neither is sure they want to follow through with the thought. He finally gave Troy a short, light hug, then took his clothes. “Thank you.” He said in a quiet voice.

“You're welcome, big brother.” Troy said with a smile.

"But...um..." Vance was at a loss for words. "Why did you want it to end?"

"Because." Troy's smile got bigger. "I may hate how you treat me, but your my brother. If I can't forgive you, what type of person am I? Besides, I think you get how it feels now."

Vance nodded as he started to go to the guest bedroom. "I do."

"Good. Just remember that the next time you want to tease me."

"I will." Vance said, giving him a sincere smile, then he headed off to change.