The Baker's Dozen was a series of short stories I wrote under my previous pen-name, Shawna Stimple, featuring the Baker sisters, and the people in their lives, through the 1960s, and beyond. I'll be updating, and re-releasing these stories as I go through them, correcting the errors that came with my first attempt at storytelling. I do intend to take a crack at these again in the future, and possibly release this series as an anthology, fleshing out the characters a bit more but that's a little ways off. In the meantime, please enjoy this little trip back in time.

The first part of the series is the story of Jimmy Baker, a young boy whose father has recently passed. Being the only male in the household, he starts acting out, and after nearly ruining a family outing on a visit to his grandmother's, his sisters think they've found a solution.

Please enjoy, as in this story I play with a long underrepresented category, Bad boy to good girl, to bad girl.

“I think those books are wrong,” I said dismissively. “Sure, I enjoy being a girl, and Scott likes being me, but he’s not disgusted with being a man like those transsexuals we read about. I think what’s going on with us is more complicated than that. Or maybe simpler. I don’t buy that everybody who isn’t completely masculine or feminine is crazy, either.”

All was chaos in the house. With the forth of July conveniently occurring on a Thursday this year, those that could stretch the holiday into an extra-long weekend did so. Thus Chris and Sandy, a modern couple with demanding jobs, chose to leave their teenage children home to fend for themselves and spend four days backpacking in the woods. Naturally, this occasioned some acerbic comments from Melissa – age 13 – and Carter – age 15 – concerning the decrepitude of their aging parents and doubts as to their ability to survive without Cable, Internet and Fast Food.

Admit it. We all do it. How many times have you wasted far too much time just surfing the web and watching video after video about stuff you never knew was interesting?

Relationship Metamorphosis

4.

The next day, the much-anticipated day of Tommy's aunt's wedding arrived. The sun was shining brightly, and there was an air of excitement as the family prepared for the joyous occasion. As the family got ready, Tommy felt a mix of nerves and excitement. He knew that he had an important role to play as the flower girl for his aunt's wedding. Despite feeling a little anxious, he was also eager to take part in the special event.

I want to make some things perfectly clear.
First of all, I NEVER said I was a girl.
I was not girly in any way.
I wasn’t petite. I’m slightly above medium height (male).
I did not have long flowing golden locks. Not exactly short but certainly not long.
I was not a social outcast. Actually, I was quite popular in school and did honor list (though not potential Valedictorian) well in school.

Life Stolen By Mistake

Photo by Pablo Heimplatz on StockSnap

It happens when you're an old fart. You just sort of doodle along, until one day you open your dresser drawer and there is only one pair of shorts left in there and when you put them on they sort of droop and barely hang on, the elastic shot from too many washings. Back when I was married such things just wouldn't have happened, my wife would have replaced my worn underwear as part of her wifely duties. Seriously, that's how she thought of such things – wifely duties.

Sam has hid from the world for most of his life but a chance encounter has burst everything open. Sam meets Tracy at the park and they begin their training.

Author's Note: When I first wrote Complicit In a Lie, I had no thoughts, or ideas, to write a sequel. But thanks to a few readers, who asked about a sequel, ideas formed that made writing this sequel possible. It is necessary to have read Complicit In a Lie to understand why Charles is now with Jane, who the boy arriving in Kingston is and how he's involved in Charles' Court case. And to understand where Mr. Corporate, George Strom, fits into this story. This story starts off after Charles says, "When do we start," in Complicit in a Lie. So if you haven't read Complicit In a Lie, the beginning of this story won't make any sense. Hint hint!

Another thing I liked a lot was her healthy lungs, her ability to breathe so deeply and easily and go for hours without feeling the need for a cigarette.

Chapter 19

Everyone was having a grand time. The girls were racing around the pitch, dresses flying, while the guys were a bit more ponderous, no doubt weighed down by the beer they’d drunk. The sides kept changing as they all had a go.

Cherry Blossom Journey to Womanhood Part 3

Chapter 18

The open gate was in a stone wall, and looked like an electric one, with a speaker set into the gatepost. The gravel drive led towards the house, but I saw older farm sheds on either side as we entered. The house was a barn conversion, single storey for most of it, but I could see a second storey towards the back, on both sides.

“I can’t believe I’m advising women not to take their clothes off,” Randall said, “but I think you should be careful.”

Chapter 16

Wednesday morning was sunny and bright, if a little cool. It was, I decided, a good day to wear Anna’s wool dress, and to give my latest coat a try. When we had been modelling, I fell in love with it. It was longer than my favourite, and a bright mustard colour, with a fur collar.

I walked into the shop. It was full of a variety of long and short dresses and gowns made from satin and silks in a range of colours and styles. A strong perfume smell struck me as i entered, the door closed behind me and the immaculately dressed owner walked forward to greet me.

‘How can i help sweetie’ she said with a slight ‘knowing’ grin.

I swallowed ‘I would like to try on a dress’ i replied, complying with the dare.

[TW]

The months that followed for Elara were worse than she could have ever imagined. She could never prove it but she believed Catalina or one of her ladies were spreading rumors about her. Rumors made all the more believable by Olmund who favored her presence more and more and disregarded that of his betrothed's.

The real event of the evening for Elara occurred after the dancing began. The other ladies had come to find her and wouldn't take 'no' for an answer as they pulled her onto the ballroom floor.

It had begun quite simply enough. The Carole dance that began the session was a popular circle dance that was familiar even to a peasant like her. The nobles joined hands and moved in a circular pattern while they sang songs joyfully.

Torrid Transformation Part 2

Chapter 14

When I went into my apartment, I looked around at the mess. My early morning breakfast things were still on the table. In my bedroom I picked the expensive dress off the floor, found a hanger for it, then smoothed my bed. I found a new pillowcase to replace the smeared one.