Copyright 2007 by Heather Rose Brown
The entries listed below are drabble cycles, which is a set of related but not necessarily chronological stories, each exactly 100 words in length. The stories in this particular drabble cycle give unique glimpses into the life of a transgendered woman who's fallen for someone who demonstrates what real, unconditional love really means.

Barrettes
Copyright 2022 by Heather Rose Brown

This is a drabble (100 word story) about a boy who decides to trust some new friends, and experiments with something he'd never had the nerve to try at home. It's a continuation of my Pigtails drabble, but told from Lenny's point of view.

=-=-=

I fidgeted on the shag carpet of a very pink bedroom. My heart thumped while I waited for the kids sitting in front of me to laugh. Neither of them did that.

Instead, Danny smiled at me, and Shel said, "Ya look cute in barrettes."

I reached up and touched one of the plastic things holding my bangs in place.

Bangs. Dad flipped the last time I used that word. But ... he wasn't here.

I smiled back at Dan, then turned to Shelly and said, "Could I ..." I took a deep breath, then tried again. "Could I try a ... dress?"

This is a drabble (100 word story) about someone who's run away from home.

Coming Home
Copyright 2012 by Heather Rose Brown
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

I reread the last few words of my father's letter.

"I'm so sorry for the way I reacted. It broke my heart when I lost your mother. When you said you weren't my son, I didn't really understand what you meant. I'd planned to apologize the next morning for what I said to you that night, but you had already run away to your aunt's house. Please come home."

I looked out the front window of the bus and noticed the distant lights were looking more familiar.

"I'm coming home," I said as I wiped my cheek.

"I'm coming home."

Elevator Ettiquette
Copyright 2013 by Heather Rose Brown.

In this drabble (100 word story), a transgendered woman finds herself in close quarters with a group of strangers while heading for a job interview.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

I was seriously regretting not being able to find a wide size eleven pump by the time the elevator arrived. There were a few curious looks as I stepped through the doors with a handful of business execs.

A woman beside me asked, "Do you work here?"

I smiled at her and said, "I hope to."

A few gentleman by the doors stepped aside when we reached my floor, and the woman said, "Go get 'em, girl."

As I walked down the hall, searching for suite 804, I prayed my interview would go as well as my trip up here.

This is a drabble (a 100 word story) about a first trip out of the house dressed as a girl.

First Outing
Copyright 2009 by Heather Rose Brown
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Walking down the street to the gas station for a Coke sounded like a simple first outing while dressed as a girl. It probably would have been if I hadn't lost my temper with the soda machine.

"Can I help you?" asked the station attendant as he approached.

"M-my change," I stammered as my heart thudded behind my ribs.

He nodded understanding, then reached into his pocket, opened my hand, and placed a quarter in my palm. "Sorry about that, mam," he said with a warm, friendly smile.

My hand was still tingling as he turned to help another customer.

Sometimes, acceptance can be found in the most unexpected places. The last place I ever would have thought to find it was on the school playground. Instead of being terrorized by bullies, for a moment, I experienced joy. The drabble below is a glimpse at that moment.

Jump Rope
Copyright 2007 by Heather Rose Brown
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Twin jump ropes hum as they slice through the air overhead, then take turns smacking the hot concrete underfoot. Dancing in this tiny space, the words of the jumping song are lost to me, but my feet move to the rythm of the chanting girls crowding around the rope turners.

What had started out as a joke, inviting a boy famous for clumsiness (or at least being very poor at sports) to join in the game, seemed forgotten. For the moment, I felt a part of the group I'd envied at a distance.

Maybe I can try jumping forever.

This is a drabble (100 word long story) that provides a glimpse into a defining moment between a pair of siblings.

Ladies Room
Copyright 2011 by Heather Rose Brown
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

"Aren't you going to finish your soda?" Margie asked when I started standing.

"I can't drink any more. I need to use the restroom," I answered.

"Actually, so do I," my sister said as she paid the tip.

"Okay. I'll wait for you in the car."

"Why not not use the ladies room here?"

I just mutely stared at her.

"La--urie, you've acted more like a lady this afternoon than many of the women I've met in there."

Before I could respond, Margie stood and took my hand, then led me to what had been, up until then, forbidden territory.

This is a drabble (100 word story) about what might happen when a mother catches her son using her makeup.

Mom's Makeup
Coyright 2011 by Heather Rose Brown
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

"Derrick, what are you doing?"

The lipstick clattered into the sink as I turned to Mom and said, "I was curious."

She stared at me, then pulled a moist towelette from the box on the toilet tank and handed it to me. "I want you to wash every bit off."

I scrubbed my face with shaking hands as she picked up the lipstick and said, "This is not for you." She then opened the medicine cabinet, pulled out another tube, and said, "This is more your shade."

"Oh wow ... thanks."

"Just ask next time you want to borrow my makeup."

Pigtails
Copyright 2021 by Heather Rose Brown

This is a drabble (100 word story) about pigtails, what they say about you, and how they can sometimes help you connect with others in unexpected ways.

=-=-=

"Am not!" I shouted over the playground noise.

"But ... you're a boy!" Lenny shouted back.

"Well ... yeah."

He tugged one of my pigtails. "And ya got these."

"Ow!"

"That makes you a sissy."

Shel slapped his hand away. "Does not!"

Lenny frowned. "Does too."

"Nuh uh! They just make him ... pretty."

Lenny's chin trembled, then he stomped off.

"Was he 'bout to cry?" I asked.

Shelly nodded.

"Why?"

"Think he's kinda like you."

"Ya sure?"

Shel grinned. "I was sure 'bout you."

"Wanna go find out?"

Shel nodded again, I smiled, then we both ran to catch up with Lenny.

This is a drabble (100 word story) about someone who's reflecting in more ways than one.

Reflection
Copyright 2022 by Heather Rose Brown

=-=-=

After rinsing off my hands, I dried them on the fluffy white towel hanging on the rack by the sink, then gave my reflection a good, hard look.

"Dang," I said while raking stiff fingers through my long, rumpled hair, "you look like crap."

I touched a smooth, plump cheek, and said, "You look like a girl who looks like crap."

I reflected on what I'd said, and grinned. My reflection gave me a sleepy grin back. I flicked off the switch by the bathroom door, then shuffled down the hall by the faint light of a brand new day.

April 15th

For many U.S. residents, this is known as Tax Day. To honor this auspicious occasion, I humbly offer my latest drabble. :)

Sex and Taxes
Copyright 2009 by Heather Rose Brown
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

I fidgeted in the plastic and chrome chair as my tax preparer looked through my paperwork. Eventually, she closed the folder, then leaned across her desk and studied me over her steepled fingers before saying, "So, Mr. Williams, was this your first job?"

Not quite having the nerve to speak, I just nodded.

"And where did you hear about this male tax?"

"Well, I'd found these tax advice videos online. ..."

Her smile was friendly, yet professional as she asked, "Is it possible they were discussing mailing tax forms?"

"Oh," I whispered as I tugged at the hem of my skirt.

This is a drabble (100 word story) based on a joke I'd once made about a company a friend of mine had worked for that sounded very close to Snap-In Tools. I'm not really sure of the rating. If anyone thinks I should change it, please let me know. Enjoy! :)

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Henry noticed the draft between his legs a moment before hearing the splash at his feet. Looking down, he saw his genitals sloshing around in the warm, sudsy water. With a heavy sigh, he scooped them up, stepped out of the shower, carefully dried them off with a fluffy white towel before doing the same for his crotch. Then he slipped his genitals back in place and twisted the base slightly until he felt muffled snick deep inside. With another deep sigh, he stepped back into the shower and muttered, “They really don’t make Snap-In Tools like they used to.”

Sometimes team sports can be a real challenge for someone who isn't athletically gifted. Of course, how much fun you have could depend on the team you're on.

Team Player

Copyright 2010 by Heather Rose Brown
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

"Hey!" Mandy shouted as she leaned her bat on home plate. "You can't kick him outta the game in the second inning."

Phil pointed to me and shouted back, "He can't catch or throw for crap. We're better off without him."

"You idiot! You've just got him playing the wrong position."

"What do you know?"

"Well, if you don't want him, let him join our team."

"Sure, take him."

Mandy grinned and waved to me. The girls on the bench shifted over, making room for me at the end.

Just like that, I switched teams ... in more ways than one.

This a very short and sweet story depicting how things might have gone if my father had been able to understand me when I was growing up and trying to figure myself out. It's exactly 100 words long. I remember there had been a specific name for stories this short, but for the life of me, I can't remember what it is now.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

My father pulled the lacy strap of the nightgown he had caught me wearing back onto my shoulder, then stroked the top of my head. "Son, it's okay. I understand how these kinds of things happen."

"If I don’t understand what’s going on with me,” I thought, “how could you? How could anyone?”

I wanted to ask so many questions, but the words caught in my throat. All I could do was hang my head and hope Dad wouldn't see my tears. It was then I noticed the frilly hem peeking out from the bottom of his old, threadbare robe.