Dottie’s Christmas dinner - A Jaci/Dottie Story

Young Dottie fiddled with the dress she was supposed to be putting on, trying prolong the process as long as possible.

Drea came into her room, and smiled at the fidgeting girl.

“First Christmas dinner with your boyfriend, no wonder why you’re nervous.”

‘Its not Robbie that’s got me worried. Its spending a night with his dad’s family. I ... haven’t been around a lot of adult men for a long time.”

“You’ll be fine, honey.”

“Are you sure you’re okay me going without you?”

“I promised Jaci I would go with her to Keith’s. With her parents on the warpath I don’t want her to be alone. But you better finish getting ready, Robbie and his dad will be here to pick you up pretty soon.”

Dottie put the Christmas dress on, and looked at herself in the mirror. The dress was a rich purple-colored lace dress that went down to her knees, and she had trouble believing the pretty girl she was seeing was her. But being a girl, being pretty, they felt so ... right to her, even if she had been mistaken as a boy at birth and lived most of her short life as one before being sent to Tante Drea’s.

A tear formed in her eyes, and Drea asked, “Sweetie? You okay?”

“Better than okay, Tante. I am so grateful to you, I never would have been able to be a girl without you.”

The two of them hugged, and then the doorbell rang.

“Robbie’s here!” Dottie squealed, and ran for the door.

Drea smiled, shook her head and followed behind.

Robbie wasn’t alone. His father was with him, and another man.

Dottie bit her lip and tried to stay calm.

Robbie noticed, and whispered in Dottie’s ear “I got on something special, just for you.” He lifted the leg of his pants, showing that he was wearing nylons underneath.
Dottie giggled, and it relaxed her enough to say “Hello” to Robbie’s father, and to the other man, who was in fact married to Robbie’s dad.

Soon, they were headed for Robbie’s dad’s house, and there they were greeted by Robbie’s grandfather, and Robbie showed her around the place.

“So you split your time between here and your mom’s?” Dottie asked Robbie.

Robbie nodded. “The divorce wasn’t easy at first, but the fact everybody really loved each other made it possible.”

They sat down for dinner, and the warm love shown by these men gave Dottie the courage to ask Robbie’s grandfather about their living arrangements.

“My son and the man he loves both opened my eyes, and now I am so proud of them, and proud of the man Robbie is becoming.”

“We could open your eyes because you were willing to listen, and to learn, Dad.” Robbie’s father sad.

After supper, Dottie and Robbie went to play video games in the living room.

During a break in the game, Dottie looked back at the three men laughing and cleaning up supper, and then at a small table where the Nativity scene had been set up. She reached over and picked up one of the wise men figures, and then looked back in the kitchen.

“Penny for your thoughts?” Robbie said.

“I was just thinking ... your family, its like you got the three wise men right in your house.”

“Well, my mom and sister are great, but this place is good too.I may be willing to dress up to help you, but I am a boy at heart.”

“I think I can live with that.” Dottie said, and gave him a kiss.

“Merry Christmas, Robbie.”

“Merry Christmas, Dorothy.’

Merry Christmas, From Dorothy Colleen!