As far as anyone was concerned I was totally useless, I was hopeless at any sport, couldn't manage the various crafts that boys of my age could do in their sleep. As far as everyone was concerned I was a real WIMP.
Part One
As far as anyone was concerned I was totally useless, I was hopeless at any sport, couldn't manage the various crafts that boys of my age could do in their sleep. As far as everyone was concerned I was a real WIMP.
Where I had the advantage over my peers in academics, acting and singing there I was always first in my class in all academic subjects and the my peers didn`t like that one bit. Oh I wasn't anymore intelligent than they were, just that I studied more than they did.
I was five foot two and weighed about ninety five pound and very slim, I wore spectacles and had to wear a hearing aid to help overcome the deafness in my left ear and was suffering gynnaecomastia.
At home it was ok my brothers and father didn't mind I was inept any of the stuff they did so I helped mum around the house.
I was one those people that were tidy with a place for everything and everything in it's place and used to annoy everyone by putting thing back were they should be but except for that I was usually left alone.
I was a loner and had no friends in the neighbourhood or at school and was content to sit and read a book more often than not. My parents were concerned by my lack of friends but I told them I didn't mind, friends or no friends made no difference to me.
My after school activities were usually choir, acting or at dance class, I didn't make money like the other boys by doing jobs like mowing lawns instead I used to help out the older residents in the area with shopping or similar errands or maybe helping them to clean around the house.
By the time I was ten I was helping mum doing the laundry and monday eveings would see us both the laundry room at our ironing boards doing the ironing while listening to the radio while dad and the boys watched sport on TV.
On my eleventh birthday we held the usual party except for my brothers there were never any kids so it was usually the older residents that I shopped for that came to the party.
This year was bit different as far as presents went from my guests, mum and dad got me the usual clothes and a new computer my brothers gave me book vouchers. The gifts from the resident this year included a sewing machine ( it wasn't new but worked) a sewing kit and a knitting and crochetting kit along with instruction books and patterns.
Mrs McEwan the oldest resident gave me a hug and told me that I should take these as hobbies and the older women in the area would teach me to sew, knit,do embroidery and crochette. I thanked them for the gifts and promised that they would be used.
After everyone had left dad took my brothers off somewhere what they were doing I didn`t know so mum and me went down into the basement to her sewing room and after moving a few things around moved my new gifts into my own work area and over the next few weeks I had managed to master the basics of sewing and knitting.
My time in junior school was due to end in a week and senior school was looming after the summer holidays, I knew I would get the same name calling and bullying but as long it didn't get violent I just tended to ignore it.
The school finally closed for the summer holidays and I had another appointment with the specialist I was seeing at the hospital which meant more blood testing to check on my gynnaecomastia.So far it hadn't got any worse.
At senior school we all had to wear uniforms so I was taken shopping to get what was required, I was excused Physical Education and was going to be doing what they called Domestic Science instead, Domestic Science was usually an all girls class and for the first time a boy (ME) was going to taking part.I had also been excused woodwork and metalwork and would be in the sewing class, I think everyone concerned about me injuring myself with tools.
Because a lot of the kids families took them away for the holidays there weren't any dance or acting classes so I was invited to join mum and the women at their sewing club which I did on wednesdays evenings and saturday afternoons. At last I found skills I could use in life and enjoyed the time in the sewing club.
Usually we went away for a couple weeks during the holidays but my parents wanted to make sure that everything was ready for me starting at my new school. My brothers did go away for a two week camping holiday before they started their respective apprenticeships.
While they were away mum and I decided to clean up their room, when we went in we found a right mess and new it would take at least two days to clean everything. First we got all the clothes that were lying about and put them in the laundry room, them stripped their beds then went and started their laundry.
The next day we dusted and vacuumed evrything and after ironing everything put everything back in their rooms, mum had shown dad the state of the room and he was furious with the mess that had been left. When the boys got back from their holiday dad tore a strip of them and them that they had better get their act together as mum wasn`t their to slave for them.
Mum had a good cleaning system, we were responsible for our own rooms and as the boys helped dad and did the real messy and heavy jobs around the house. She would with my help do everything else, laundry had to be put in the laundry room before leaving the house on monday mornings at the latest.
Eventually summer holidays were over and it was time to start school, as a first year I had to attend an indoctrination and orientation day the previous week, were we got our class time tables, shown around the school and told the various rules about bullying and discrimination. During the day I was taken to see the headmaster and headmistress to discuss my school curricullum.
They explained that they had been informed of my condition and that allowance had been made for my safety and well being. The headmistress started telling me about the sewing and domestic classes I was now to do and asked how I felt being the only boy in those classes. I explained to her that I could sew, knit, embroider, and crochette and could also cook, do laundry etc. At this she smiled and said that she thought all boys should be able to do the basics.
The two heads did their best to make me feel at ease and I felt I could trust them especially the headmistress. They asked about what else I did in my spare time so I told them I danced, did a bit of acting and was in the church choir as a soloist. This had them both beaming, the headmaster was the one that took charge of school plays and concerts and the headmistress ran the dancing that all pupils were required to attend. Before I left them the wished me luck and told me that if I had problems to come and speak to someone.
As I left the Headmasters study the headmistress asked me to go with her to her office for a minute or two which I did, she seemed a bit embarressed and had turned red with blushing. She asked me to take off my jacket which I did, I knew she was going to refer to my gynaecomastia but I had grown up with it and it didn't bother me anymore.
I could see that she wanted to say something but was worried it might offend me so I told her I wasn`t embarressed by condition, it was medical and nothing could be done about it at the moment. Sheepishly she told me that I should wear a bra as I would have to remove my jacket if it got too hot or because of some of the practical things we did in classes.
Mum had just arrived at the school to pick me up and was brought up to the headmistresses office were the apologetic woman repeated what she told me, my breasts could be seen through the shirt. Mum wasn`t faised by the suggestion and calmed the headmistress down telling her that I and the rest of my family knew I would face problems with this condition but that we all had to adapt to what was best.
After we left the school mum took me to a ladies foundation garments shop that a friend of hers owned and after explaining the problem had me fitted for several bra's one of which I kept on. Marion the woman who owned the shop was starting to get very sympathetic but I told her to stop, I had a problem that I had to live with a sympathy wasn't very helpful. I apologised to her in case I upset her but she just smiled and said if I needed any help or advice to get in contact with her.
The bra`s mum had paid for weren't very lacey but they were covered in a silk and were front fastening to make it easier to put them on they were the plainest she could get anda bra they did make me feel more comfortable.
Jacquimac Part Two
by
When dad arrived home that evening and saw I was wearing a bra he didn't bat an eyelid and just carried carried on as normal. He did speak to mum about it but she pointed out that I needed to wear one.
Over the weekend as well as helping mum around the house in the morning I started to get my uniform ready for monday morning. In the afternoon we went to the local supermarket and did the grocery shopping for the week after putting everything in the car we decided to walk round the local market and see what we could pick up.
I got some more wool and thread and a couple of knitting patterns, I was finding it very relaxing sitting doing some knitting or sewing and was getting quite good. I really liked it when we went to the to the sewing club although with the exception of me it was all elderly women.
Monday arrived and I found out that I needed two bags to carry everything in, today was my first Domestic Science class and we were going to be baking some what they called Fairy cakes. So I needed a second bag to carry all the ingredients in and mum had lent me one of her shopping bags, I new that I would get some stick form the kids for it.
As soon as I arrived and the some of older boys saw me the comments started "Show us your tits" etc but I just ignored them, at assembly the headmaster once again reminded everyone about discrimination and bullying.
At class registration the teacher check our names against the register names and got to mine John Davidson and I answered "here sir" and one bright spark said it should be Jane seeing as I was wearing a bra, the teacher sent him to see the headmaster and we didn't see him the rest of the day.
Lessons went well thought he day and the last period the other boys went of to Phys Ed and I went to Domestic Science, the girls were all giggling and talking until I walked in and everything went quiet and they all looked in my direction.
The Teacher walked in and welcomed everyone and one of the girls pointed out that there was boy in the class, the teacher said " I know there's a boy in class and he's very welcome" and the lesson began.
Mum hadn't been able to buy a suitable apron for me and hadn't really had the time to make one, so the teacher gave me one and just like the rest of classes aprons it had frilly ruffles along the edges. She told me tp take it home and bring it in for future lessons.
We were teamed up into pairs and I was working with a girl called Mavis who like me was smaller than everyone else and wore spectacles, we followed the instructions we were given and at the end of class has four dozen Fairy Cakes made. As there time was time left the teacher went round tasting our efforts, some of them were pretty bad going of her facial expressions and some were quite good, Mavis and myself handed out one of ours to each of the girls and divided the rest to take home.
Mavis and I became friends as we seemed to get teamed up with other on class projects, like me she was ignored by the other pupils except for the teasing that we both got. I found out she lived only a couple a few doors away and just moved into the area over the last couple of weeks.
We had another cookery lesson on Wednesday and this time it was Biscuits we made, On Friday afternoon the last double period was sewing the same girls were there and again I was teamed up with Mavis, the teacher was impressed when she saw that I could sew. At first after she asked if anyone could sew I put my hand up of course she didn't believe me until she tested me and proved I could sew better than most of the other girls if not as good. Before class finished she warned us all that later in the year we wou;d be doing a project, but wanted everyone to at least know the basics.
After class I was walking along the corridor with Mavis and could see some of the boys talking, one pf them asked why I wasn't doing metal and wood working with the rest and I told him I was hopeless with tools and had been put into the needlework class instead. The teasing started again and one of them said that seeing I was doing the girls lessons I should wear a dress to school and everyone started laughing, as usual i just ignored them and carried on with Mavis to get home.
I know dad was a bit upset that I would never be a normal boy like my brothers, but I knew he loved me just the same. Mum was glad to have someone to help her round the house, Me? I just carried on with my life as normal I couldn't help it that I was useless with tools or that I was more comfortable doing cooking sewing and cleaning.
Mavis and myself started to hang out together and she started to come to the sewing club with her aunt, who she lived with after the death of her parents, I had known her aunt since I was born as she was one of mums best friends but she hadn't mentioned that Mavis was coming to live with her.
Monday evening was drama class, Tuesday evening was dance class and Wednesday evening and Saturday morning was usually sewing club, It was called a sewing club but they did knitting crocheting and embroidery as well.
Mavis joined all the same clubs and we were soon good friends and were always seen together, my brothers teased me a lot about it but in a brotherly fashion with no malice and they like mum and dad liked Mavis a lot.
Mavis didn't have a computer so I let her come round and use mine until her aunt sorted one out for her and got her on line, Dad was going to sort a decent computer out for them. Mavis's aunt and my parents didn't have to worry about my whereabouts if we weren't at one of clubs we were usually at one our houses.
Jacquimac
At half term both mum and Mavis`s aunt took us to see the lights at Blackpool, we got to Blackpool around 11am and after getting a quick snack went to the Pleasure beach for a while, it was pointless going onto the beach in October the waves were pretty bad with the wind and it was too cold.
After a while we left the Pleasure beach and went for lunch in a nearby fish bar, after which we accompanied the two women as they descended on first the outside market them to various shops and stores. after they had got everything they wanted we took it back to the car.
Blackpool is always packed full of people for most of the year and we stayed near our mothers when on the streets, we took in a show and went for a late meal after which we went and got the car and joined the proccession of a few hundred cars to drive along the front and view the lights in all their glory.
We arrived home around 3am in the morning and after unloading the car went to bed, dad had been working and my brothers had been to watch a football match somewhere.
I got up around midday and was just having a cup of tea and some toast when Mavis and her mum arrived, the tow of us went to my room leaving my parents and Mavis`s aunt to talk.
Dad had an allotment and had decided that I use a section of it as I wanted to try growing herbs for the kitchen, we had dug it over and manured it for the coming spring, well dad had really I just cleared away the loose weeds as he threw them on the path.
Mavis was helping me to choose which ones to grow and we pouring over gardening books and checking the internet for the best ones to start with. We had already decided on Parsley, Basil and Thyme and we reckoned about half dozen in total would start us off nicely for our first attempt.
The area dad was letting us use was only about six foot square and we wanted to plan it so that tall plants didn`t block the sum from low growing plants. Dad already had a Rosemary bush so that was one herb we didn`t neet to worry about.
Mavis suggested that maybe we grow plants like lavender and such to dry and make small bundles of pot pourri or what ever it was called, apparently you could put it in small packets and put it in drawers to keep clothing nice so I agreed. I spoke to dad about it and he told me that there was plenty of Lavender growing around his green house and that Rosemary and Thyme could be used and suggested we try Lemon Balm and drying the flowers of plants that he dead heads. It sounded like a good idea and I knew dad would help us were he could.
Using the computer we made a plan of where and we would we would plant, we showed dad what we thought looked good and he said we made a good plan, so all we had to know was wait until after the new year and the planting season.
Later on we went down into the basement workshop where me and mum and had our sewing room and started to made some cloth envelopes to put the pot pourri in if we successful. We had lunch and watched a DVD for a while before it was time for Mavis to go home.
The next day mum dropped Mavis and myself of at schooll as usual the weather was really bad very windy and heavy rain, I had stuffed my cap into one of my bags Mavis unfortunately couldn`t the girls hats were too big and stiff for folding as we rounded the corner to the back of school the wind caught her hat and blew it off her head at first the elastic that went under her chin held it and but as she grabbed for the hat the elastic snapped and blew the hat along the ground.
I dropped my bags against the schools wall and went chasing after Mavis`s hat, the rain was almost a wall of water and making it difficult to see through my spectacles, I tripped and fell headlong into a very puddle and ended up soaked to the skin. I retrieved the hat and handed it back to Mavis, picked up my bags and we went into the school.
When we entered the pupils that had seen what had happened gave me a cheer a couple of the other boys started to make snide remarks but were soon silenced by the rest, those hats the girls wear don`t come cheap and Mavis`s would need a good cleaning now.One of the teachers who had seen what had happened took me to the main office and asked the secretary to see if there was anything in lost property that I could wear so I wouldn`t have to go round in wet clothes all day.
Everything she had in the storeroom was huge on me and I thanked her and said I was OK, the headmistress had heard what had happened came over and took me along to her office. After telling me I was very brave to chase after the hat said she had clothing in her storeroom that would fit but it was items of girls uniforms that had been donated by girls that had left.
She asked if I would object to wearing some of them for the day and as I was cold and wet said I had no objections. She quickly selected a load of stuff and took me to the staffroom were I took of my wet clothing and after rubbing down with dry towels put on what she had handed me. When I was dressed she came back in and smiling said I didn`t look like a drowned rat anymore.
I was handed a hot drink as the headmaster came in, while I had been getting changed the headmistress had told him what was happening and he come along to check I was alright. He smiled when he saw me and asked if I was OK I told him I was.
Assembly was just about to start and one of the other teachers took the headmasters place while he talked to me, Both heads told me that the school new what I had done and had been warned that any trouble against me would be dealt with by the police, my uniform was quickly bundled up and sent for cleaning.
I was escorted to my first class by the headmaster who again warned them about bullying as I took my seat, except for a the odd snide remark such as " Homo or Queer" none of the other pupils said a word about how I was dressed.
At break Mavis and I were usually alone but today we surrounded by others from our class, the saying I had a lot bottle wearing a girls uniform and everybody saying I looked a smarter in a dress than in trousers.
I was one of those boys that didn`t seem to fit anything and even tailored clothes didn`t look very smart on me, my clothes were always clean and pressed but it never seemed to matter they never seemed to look right on me.
At lunch break in the canteen Mavis and I were at our usual table in the corner and some of the girls in the class came and sat with us,they started to talk like girls do but Mavis and I didn`t join in unless we asked a direct question. The two of got up to leave and the rest said don`t go, they all apologised for not being very nice to us and from then on became our friends.
Because of what had happened and what I had for the day, I gained a lot of respect from boys oh they didn`t become my friends but the bullying stopped and I was left alone.The school bullies were also warned off that they could expect trouble if anything happened to me in future and they stayed clear.
Just before lunch break finished I was called to the staff room were the Headmaster was having a meeting with all the school staff, I knocked on the door and it opened. I was ushered in and everyone started clapping, every teacher said how impressed they were by decorum I showed during the morning and my form teacher said he was proud to have me in his class, they all wanted to make sure I was alright and that I wasn`t haven`t any problems, I assured them all I was alright and that I was having no problems with anyone.
All the lady teachers gathered round me and said how smart I looked and that I would look better if I had my hair fixed in a pony, I let them do it and they plaited my hair, when they finished I looked like all the girls in class especially with the school ribbons. A lot of the boys had longish hair as was the fashion and usually mine was kept in a sort of ponytail held with an elastic band.
I was told that my uniform wouldn`t be back from cleaning till the next day at the earliest and I assured the headmaster that I had my spare uniform to wear at home and that what i was wearing at the moment would be properly cleaned and laundered and returned. I accompanied the teacher to my next class and not a word was said when we entered, everyone carried on as usual i could see the girls smiling though.
Sewing class was the last lessons of the day and again the teacher was smiling when I entered, we all sat down and got out what ever we were working on, I was doing a tablecloth the piece had cut to size and I had already completed the hemming, now I was embroidering it along the edges. When I first started the teacher thought I was a bit too ambitious but she let me carry on and was surprised when it started to take shape, she was impressed when we she saw the embroidery taking shape and except for a bit of advice now and again let me carry on with it.
I was doing a bit of the embroidery at home as I wanted to finish the piece before term ended and the stitches were very tiny at times. Our project for the class hadn`t been announced as yet and we were all eager to get started on it.
When it was time to home the headmistress caught up with me and handed me a coat to put on, she said there was no point getting soaked again and it went with uniform. She told me that she rang mum and that she would be taking Mavis and myself home in her car. We arrived home and mum seeing the car pull into the drive had the door open ready for us, she was a bit surprised to see how I was dressed but didn`t say a word, just smiled. ( What is with all these womens smiling at me ???)
Mum took the headmistress into the lounge were Mavis`s aunt already was, and told me to put the kettle on, Mavis and I went into the kitchen to make a pot of tea and dad arrived home earlier than usual. He joined the three ladies in the lounge after hanging his coat up and putting his briefcase in his office.
We made the tea and putting everything on a tray carried it into the lounge and put it on the coffee table, dad saw me and pulled me on his lap, smiling he asked if he now had a daughter ?, I knew he was joking a smiled back. The headmistress had explained what had happened and why I was in a girls uniform and my parents told her that there was no problem as I hadn`t come to any harm.
Mavis and her aunt went home as the rain as eased off a bit, and the headmistress was asked to stop to dinner which she accepted, she turned out to be another friend of my parents and I ended up calling her Aunt Eileen, she was also my godmother.
As usual I helped mum with dinner and except for putting on my apron still hadn`t changed, I felt really comfortable and at ease with myself for the first time. My two brothers came home grabbed a quick sandwich and wnet to get changed for their rugby training, if they noticed how I was dressed they didn`t say a word.
I had laid the table and went and told our guest and dad that dinner was ready, they came and sat down and mum and I put all the food on the table so everyone could help themselves and after dinner we all went back inito the lounge and I still hadn`t changed.
I didn`t have any homework as usually did it at break or lunch so we sat there talking, dad asked how I felt having to dress as a girl all day at school and I admitted that I really felt comfortable and at ease with myself. the three of them smiled and mum asked if I would be prepared to wear dresses all the time?. I thought about it for a while and admitted I would rather wear girls clothes than boys.
Dad said that the time had come to tell me what all the medical tests had revealed, my body wasn`t reacting to testosterone like it should in a normal boy and that I producing more oestrogen than I normally would, My body was going through puberty as if I was girl that`s why I was developing breasts, it wasn`t as was thought gyneacomastia and the last set of bloods finally showed it.
Everyone went quiet and looked at me as I thought about what had just been said, I looked at dad and said "in other words I`m starting to turn into a girly boy" he nodded and told me that the doctors could try testosterone injections but they didn`t think they would work so that left two choices, carry on as I am or start living as girl fulltime.
Mum and Aunt Eileen were sympathetic and mum said " to be honest you make a better looking girl than a boy, you do all the home skills girls do and are hopeless at boys skills and sports". Dad told me to think about it but not to rush into making a decision, if needed I could change school and that whatever I decided the family would always be there for me.
I went up to my bed room and lying on the bed thought about what I had been told, if I decided to be a girl I knew it would cost my parents a lot of money having to replace everything everything I had. I hadn`t heard my brothers return home and when i went back downstairs they were sat with mum and dad in the lounge.
Everybody looked at me and mum handed me a cup of tea as I sat down, I looked at my family and could see the tension on everyones faces, I asked dad if he realised that it would cost a lot of money to replace everything I and he told me that money wasn`t a problem his business was doing well. Mum said that one one the spare rooms would be redecorated and furnished as girls bedroom if I wanted and that she would take me shopping and get everything I needed.
I asked my brothers " would you mind if i became your sister" they both came over and kneeling down in front of me said "sister or brother they would love me just the same and would support whatever I decided".
I thought for a few minutes and said "OK if I stay as I am I'll always look girly, everything I do is girly, and the only friends I have are girls so I want to become a girl. I was swamped in hugs and kisses by the family and mum phoned Mavis`s aunt to come round and bring Mavis with her.
It wasn`t long before all the neighbours arrived and dad told them what was happening and why, everyone hugged me and told me that like my family they would help and support me, one or two of the women said it`s about time you stopped being tomboy anyway, they didn`t say it out of malice but encouragement. Mavis hugged me and said she was glad and we would be able to really have fun shopping for dresses and eeerything else I needed.
When I got up the next day for school, mum told me that for the time being I wasn`t going to school, the headmaster and aunt Eileen were coming to dinner tonight to talk about school, so instead we were going shopping for my new clothes.
I has my school uniform on when we left the house and mum took me to a shop owned by another friend of hers, when we arrived she introduced me to aunt Sandra and explained to her the problem I had, aunt Sandra looked at me and smiled and said " well young lady lets get you out of those things into something more appropriate"
She took me into a backroom and told me to strip, handed me a pair of lacey panties and we spent morning trying on dresses,skirts etc after which we went to buy shoes, jewellry and all the other accessories needed. Mums credit card was busy and several hundred pounds had been spent. After we put everything in the car we had lunch and then it was the beauty salon for my hair and nails to be done, my ears pierced and a bit of make-up put on.
We left the salon with everyone hugging me and wishing me luck and it was back to aunt Sandra`s, as we entered she came over and hugging me said "thats better now you look like a young lady" she handed me a box which she told me not to open till I got home and I thanked her.
We arrived home around 6pm and started to carry everything in to house, dad, my brothers and all the neighbourhood women decended on the car and soon everything was in the house. I didn`t know that dad had taken the day off work but he took me upstairs and showed me my new room, he had gotten decorators in and bought all new furniture, it was definately a girls rooms now with all the pink and white. I hugged him and thanked him and he picked me up and carried me downstairs.
Aunt Eileen and the headmaster arrived just before seven and we had dinner, the two guests said how pretty I looked. After dinner we went into the lounge and the headmaster told us that as far he and all the was concerned there was no problem with me returning to school, but a meeting was to held the next day with the Board of Education before a final decision could be made.
Mavis came round the next round and said she had been given the rest of the week of school to help me, we went upstairs and she tried to get into my old room, I led her down the hall to my new room and she liked what she saw. She saw all my new clothes and wanted a fashion show but mum called us down.
The two women took us shopping again, the first shop we went to was a toy shop and dolls, a dolls house teasets and other toys were bought to be delivered the next day.then a new desktop and laptop computers were ordered, and we went for lunch. Yes it was definately a girly day all new barbie bedding was bought, towels toiletry items, hairdryer etc, and I know mum was really enjoying herself spoiling her new daughter.
The next couple of days was spent getting rid of my old stuff to various charity shops, my old uniforms were cleaned to be donated to the school and as everything ordered arrived it was unpacked and set up. Dad and my bothers made a fuss of me when they came home and all three admitted they were glad about my decision and were happy to have a daughter and sister. I felt relaxed and at peace at myself, I had never been so happy, I felt free although I had never thought anything about girls or being a girl.
Saturday morning and I went with Mavis to the sewing club as usual, the two women had gone while we were finishing breakfast, as we entered the women alll cheered and hugged me. They started to measure me and I was told they were going to make me some dresses, I thanked them and told them I had plenty. One of the older women said" nonsense a girl never has enough dresses" and everyone started laughing, one of the other women said "you have a lot to learn but don`t worry we`ll soon teach you"
by
JacquimacWhen we arrived home after the sewing club dad called me into the kitchen, when I walked in I saw the family doctor having a coffee, after we both said hello, dad said the doctor wanted to talk to me.
Appointments had been set up with a gender specialist, the doctor had shown the test results to the specialist and between them agreed that it would be better if my boy bits were tucked away so they couldn`t be seen, a provisional admission had been set up at the local hospital for it to carried out at the local hospital and if I agreed I could be admitted on monday. The doctor explained that they would remove my testicles as they were no longer needed then small incision made so everything could be tucked inside me, the would have reroute my urethra so I would have sit to pee.
After I heard everything and knowing and trusting the doctor I agreed and he immediately phoned the hospital to confirm the admission, before he left he gave us the usual no eating restrictions and told me I would be in hospital for two weeks.
At church the next day the vicar and congregation what was going on with me and only one family started to cause problems and they were politely told by everyone to leave, I again was assured by everyone that I would be given their full support.
Monday arrived and I was admitted to hospital, in the afternoon the proceedure was carried out and after a ten day stay was allowed to got home, they had kept me in to make sure that there was no infection or rejection, and I was not to attend school for another week.
It was windy when we left the left the hospital and I was bit worried in case my dress lifted up in the wind as I wasn`t wearing any panties underneath, but dad had fetched the car round to the main doors.
I spent the next week relaxing and helped mum when she allowed it, we were sitting in the lounge with Mavis`s aunt or aunt Debbie as I now called her and mum said she was happier than ever having the daughter she always wanted and hugged me. I was having the time of my life, I didn`t have to worry anymore that people thought I was weird doing sewing and cooking at school.
We finally got a letter from the board of education saying I could return to my old school or I could start afresh at an all girls school, I said I would return to my old school as I had finally started to make friends and Mavis being a real friend went there.
Mum asked aunt Eileen to come round so we could tell her and she was to bring the headmaster, they both came round that afternoon. I told them I had decided to stay at their school and that pleased them. I told however that I would now have to do Physical Education like the rest of the girls and that the all the pupils would be told of my return. The next day we went to buy my new school uniforms, as the girls were now wearing the winter unforms mum didn`t bother getting the summer uniform dresses we could get them when the weather got better. We did get books on the various girls sports, netball and hockey etc so I knew at least the positions and basics of the games.
We called in at aunt Sandra`s and I thanked her for the present my first doll, she had given it when we bought all those dresses, straight away she offered me a Saturday afternoon job modelling a few dresses and if I knew another little girl about my size she could model as well. I told her about Mavis and that I would her and her mum if she could and let her know. We left the shop with me being a few party dresses with accessories and mum decided I needed some shoes with heels so we got a few pair with one and two inch heels.
When we got home and unloaded the car and put everything away mum told me put on a pair of the new shoes but use the low heels first and I spent the rest of day helping her wearing one inch heels.
Aunt Debbie had gone to see her sister and Mavis was stopping with us that night so mum picked her up from school while I got something ready for us all to snack on till dad and boys got home for dinner. I told Mavis about about the job offer and when her aunt called and found out agreed she could it.
Dad arrived home and I didn`t hear him, he picked me up from behind and after a cuddle and a kiss looked at my feet and said" well aren`t you becoming the lttle lady" mum, Mavis and I giggled at that. My bothers finally got home and we sat down to dinner. I helped Mavis with her homework and told I would be back at school on monday she told me everyone was asking about me and that she hadn`t told anyone anything yet.
The phone rang the next morning before mum took Mavis to school and told them school was cancelled until Friday as the heating was broken, so Mavis changed and we had fun day playing with our dolls. In the afternoon some of other girls from our class came round, we were still upstairs and mum answered the door, she invited them and came to get me I knew I was going to school as Janet Louise on Monday and thought well lets start showing people now.
i thought there might have been a bit of problem but when they girls saw me they hugged and kissed me and told me I looked good. We all wnet into the kitchen and mum fixed sandwiches and drinks for everyone. the questions started was I going to be doing gym classes with them etc. I told them I would be doing all the lessons they did including gym they did suggest that I stick to netball because of my spectacles and they would help me with anything I was having problems with.
One of them asked if I was willing to join their Ballet classes on Wednesday evenings and she gave Mavis a look, I said I would if Mavis joined as we had been friends a long time and no way would I stop being her friend. The girl went quiet and the rest of them said "too right, there`s nothing wrong with Mavis she`s just a bit shy" and they hugged her.
No there was no way I would ignore or abandon Mavis we had been friends too long especially when all the other kids didn`t want to know us, we`d always been there for each other and always would be. Any person, club or organisation that rejected Mavis could forget it as far as I was concerned they weren`t worth joining or getting to know.
Mum and dad had always taught us about courtesy, manners and loyalty, as they said they didn`t cost anything and always said something good about type of person you were.
It was Mavis`s 12th birthday on Friday and I wanted to get her someting special, I went shopping with both women and told them I wanted to do something special for Mavis. I had plenty of money in my savings as i spent very little of of what I earned or my pocket money so we looked round the shops, I had asked aunt Debbie because I didn`t want to get something that had already been got for Mavis, we went into a jewellers and I was looking at some lockets, the two women helped me to pick one and I asked if it could be engraved, the jeweller said he could do there it and then, so I got it and had it engraved.
When we went to Mavis`s party that night and she opened her presents as people gave them to her I waited till last. I handed her the small package which she opened and reading the inscription started crying, she opened it and inside there were two pictures of me one as John and a recent one as Janet. She showed her mum and everyone else and thanked me, for as she said a very special gift from a very special friend.
The Engraving Read " To Mavis ---Best wishes and love to a special friend--- Janet.
Although my mum and aunt Debbie had seen it when I bought it the hadn`t seen the inscription I asked for. Both of them told me that I was sweet, caring and thoughtful and Mavis would treasure it always. All the years I knew Mavis except for school she never had it off. To me Mavis was a sister and I loved her as such, she was my only true friend and always would be.
by Jacquimac Part Six
The weekend went as usual with the sewing club on Saturday the morning and in the afternoon we went modelling for aunt Sandra. The dresses we modelled were a new line of party dresses for little girls, once they had got us into the first dresses and made up, we looked about 7 yrs old, we modelled for about 2 hours and then went grocery shopping with mum and aunt Debbie.
We arrived home unloaded the car into the respective houses and unpacked everything, we met as usual in one of kitchens for a brew and a bun and chatted away, saturdays were usually quiet as the menfolk were usually away at the football or rugby in the afternoons.
Aunt Debbie asked if I had everything for starting back at school on Monday and I said I had until she handed me a new bag, I had intended to use my old one but this one had pink piping on it and looked better for a girl than my old black one, I thanked her. Mavis gave me a new pencil case full of pens and a bag with some of her old old uniform skirts in, she`d grown a couple inches and they were a bit short on her.
Sunday and the weather was blowing gale and the rain was lashing down, Aunt Debbie came rushing in and said her electrics were out, dad put his coat on and went round to see if he could fix them but the main fuse had blown and a spare couldn`t be got till the next day so I went round and helped Mavis and her aunt bring everything they needed for the next day.
Looking out the window we could see the road start to flood out you could see the water starting to come over the kerb edges, Dad phoned the council emergency number and was told that trucks used to clear the drains were already out and one would get to our area shortly but Dad kept an eye out on the water level though. It would need a lot of water before it reached the houses as the were build well above the pavement, but we didn`t know if the river had broke it`s banks or not and better to be prepared.
Eventually a truck did arrive and the drains were sucked clean of all the debris that had been washed into them and the water soon went down, Dad opened the gargage and the rest of took tea and sandwiches out for the workmen who were grateful for a warm drink. They thanked Dad for the tea and eats and one mumbled that not everyone was as considerate, I don`t think he meant us to over hear though.We chatted with them while they had their break and Dad slipped a bit whiskey into their tea, too keep the cold out he said, and then as they left Dad thanked them.
We went back inside and watched a couple of DVD`s, my brothers had gone to away Rugby match and it had been cancelled due to the rain flooding the pitch so they came home arriving just before dinner.With everything happening and the weather we didn`t go to church, after dinner it was the usual get ready for school and baths before bed/
It finally arrived my first day at school as Janet, I put on my uniform and went down to breakfast I didn`t feel like eating but I forced a couple of bits of toast down. Mum looked at me and asked if I was nervous I told her I was but that I would get over it. Mavis and her aunt joined us for breakfast and soon it was time to go to school. I put on my blazer, coat and hat picked up my bags and got in the car, Mavis got in gave me a cuddle and said don`t worry the girls will look after you.
The rain finally stopped as we arrived at the school and nervously I got out of the car and picked up my bags, there weren`t many kids around yet and I had to report to the headmistress when I arrived. I arrived at her office and her door was open waiting for me to arrived, she told me to go in and take a seat.
Once I was seated she welcomed me back to the school, there was a knock at the door and the headmaster entered,he also welcomed me back. I was told that the school had told the all the staff and pupils about what had happened and the usual warning had been given. we chatted for a few minutes and the headmaster told me any problems tell one of staff straight away and he left, The headmistress had me stand up and she walked round me saying I looked very smart, she had me lift my skirt so could check I was wearing the navy blue flannel knickers we had to wear, I was. she told me that when it got really cold tights could be worn instead of socks as long as they were either navy blue or black.
I could hear assemby start and the headmistress continued talking, she told me that Mum had told her what the hospital had done and that was why the Phys Ed restiction was lifted, she kept me talking until it was time to go to class. She took me into class and introduced me to the teacher and class and I took my usual seat. There were no snide remark and sniggering today.
The teacher had me move to desk near the other girls, in our school girls were on side of the room boys on the other. As I moved across the room I got thumbs up and smiles from the all girls Class finished and we were starting to move to next class but the teacher told me wait behind, I waited and then he took me to see the school nurse.
The nurse told me I was to have a checkover, the school doctor turned out to be our family doctor and I was quickly examined and told to get dressed once I was dressed the doctor explained the nurse needed to see what been done in case I got hurt or anything after he left the nurse started to fill out a new medical folder which she told me would be locked away, she asked me what my new christian name was and I told her Janet Louise which she wrote on the folder.
We talked till it was time for my next lesson which she escorted me to, before I went into the classroom she kissed me on the cheek and wished me good luck. I entered the classroom and found it empty I had forgotten it break time. I left my bags under my desk and went to find Mavis.
By the time I had used the toilet it was almost time to go class so I went back instead of looking for my friend. The teacher was present when I got back and again I had to move my bags across the room the teacher Ms Madison smiled and told me she would like to see Mavis and myself after school. The rst of morning classes went the same I was assigned to a new desk each class but at least it would only be today that happened, I would use that desk when in this classroom.
At lunchtime the rain was on again so all the girls stayed in the canteen, a lot of girls from our congregated around Mavis and myself and we talked and joked, and before we knew it it was time for class again. the next two classes went the same as morning classes with me being assigned a new desk.
After break it was Sewing class and there I didn`t need a new desk, The class project was announced and we had to produce a skirt of our own design. That meant we had to get patterns and material, the teacher came up to me and Mavis and told us that she wanted our`s with a matching top seeing as we went to sewing classes outside school. Oh I was up for that challenge and I would give mavis all the help she needed. The double period we spend drawing design after design some of which a few of other asked it they could have, so we let them have them. I knew what we were going to make and I wasn`t letting on just yet.
As soon as class finished Mavis and me headed over to see Ms Madison as we got there her class was just leaving, once we were alone the headmaster joined us. The school was going to do a Christmas play and as we were soloists in the church choir would be do a couple solo`s in the play. Straight away we agreed and were promised scripts as soon as they were finished, Ms madison taught ballet on Wednesday evening and although we had just started us she wanted to do a few ballet steps during the play, she would give us extra tuition for that, Ok we said and were finally allowed to leave. What the play was we didn`t know as yet but it sounded like it could be fun.
When we finally got home everyone was at home, Dad had closed his offices for the day and my brothers places of work had been closed as well, water had got into the electrics at their places of work and blown the electrical systems. Straight away after hugs all round they wanted to know how Janets first day at school went so I told them about the day I had. I didn`t know my brothers had been down to the school and warned all the boys what they would do if they hurt me.
The electrics in Mavis`s house hadn`t been fixed, the part needed was out of stock and would take a few days to get, so they were staying at our house. I liked that especially as Mavis and I could sleep in the same room now. I found life wasn`t just getting interesting as a girl but fun as well, every evening I wore heels round the house and was getting used to them, I was getting make-up and hair lessons and enjoying every minute of it.
Once a month Mum would take me to the beauty salon and we would both get the works, hair, nails and make-up. and have a real mother/daughter day on our own. I had always been close to mum but now I was closer than ever. She was teaching everything a girl need to know and could talk me about things that she couldn`t before.
It continued to rain on and off for several days until the ground couldn`t soak up anymore water, the river didn`t just burst it`s banks but continued to rise and slowly along with water running off the hills started to flood the town, all the businesses closed and started to attempt to take preventative measures against the water and schools were closed for safety reasons, it was the worst rain I had ever seen, over the past few years we had heard of other parts of the country being devastated by flood water with a few peoploe drowning in each case.
The electrics in Mavis`s Aunt`s house had been fixed and they had moved back home, but dad didn`t like the way the water was continuing to rise, and suggested to mum that she and aunt Debbie along with a few other women and kids in the area go to our cottage until the water level dropped.
We had a largish cottage just north of Scottish border and it was on high ground, with the added bonus that the bedrock was solid granite. Mum started to ring round and got another four families interested so preparations were made for leaving until we were notified when to come back.
Dad had already had the 4x4 in the garage for a good servicing and to be made ready for driving in deepish water in case it was needed, he and my brothers would be staying behind to give what help they could.
We knew the emergency services were geared up ready and the local army units were on standby, most if not all the women and kids were leaving the area as a safety measure.
Mavis and myself were looking forward to a holiday, but it wasn`t to be mum had decided that the headmistress would accompany us so our education wouldn`t suffer and the mothers she contacted were also teachers, what a bummer.
It took us the best part of that and the next day to get everything packed and loaded into a truck dad had hired, so the only thing we had to take in the car was the bare essentials.
The morning we were due to depart the heavens opened again and the water continued to rise, we quickly got everyone together and after saying goodbye to those we were leaving started to head for the motorway hoping that the flood waters wouldn`t reach the road before we did.
After several hours driving with a couple of stops for toilets and a quick meal we eventually arrived at the house, we all pitched in and before long the cars were unloaded. The mothers decided that unpacking would be left till the next day and after a hot drink and sandwiches we all went to bed.
Everyone slept late the next morning and when we kids were finally up and fed it was the case of sorting out all the suitcases and other stuff that had been brought with us. With so many of us the place was a bit cramped, we had an old set of stables that dad had turned into offices which we turned into a temporary school, the old barn became a play and games area.
Once everything was organised mum decided to take all the mums and show them around the area so they would know where the shops and such were and to introduce them to her friends, aunt Eileen stayed behind to see that we didn`t get into to any mischieve.
I hadn`t thought much about it but it suddenly occured to me that there were no boys included in our little group of refugees, not that it mattered much anyway.
That evening all us kids were got together a the ground rules were laid down,we weren`t to leave the grounds without an adult,we had to help with the cleaning etc and which areas were out of bounds to us. Sheesh it was going to be like living in a prison camp.
The next day was saturday and we were bundled into a couple of the cars and taken to see of the sights in the local area, I had seen them before but wouldn`t be bored as there was plenty to see, especially the Lead mine museum or one the half dozen roman sights that were found in Scotland. Sunday we all went to church and spent the rest of day getting ready for school the next day until aunt Eileen said she would going to see the local education authority and schools and see what assistance she could get from them. We didn`t think we would be here for long but as she said better to be prepared.
On the monday we spent more time getting the classrooms ready, as there wasn`t any chalkboards mum had some large plywood sheets delivered which we painted matt black, school books that we had brought were in limited supply and they were arranged in a couple of empty bookcases we found, there weren`t enough desks for all of us so we used the bigger tables instead. There were only half a dozen of us and it made it easier because we were all in the same class back home.
Needlework and domestic science were to out of school subjects taught in the evenings or for cooking at meal times, yes it was going to be interesting for a while.
Aunt Eileen returned late in the afternoon with piles of books which we unloaded, arrangements had been made for us to join in dance classes at the local girls school but other than that we were to be left on our own unless we ended up staying long term then other arrangements would be made. The only lesson we would have problems with was science, Oh we could do the theory but not any practical lessons.
The first week went ok with few problems which were soon ironed out. News from home wasn`t bad, the water had finally stopped rising but at the moment was draining away too well. Evenings were pretty bad on occasions with frequent rows between the older women, but that was due to so many people living in a small area and were always about niggly little things.
Friday the barn had been off limits to us kids, and Saturday morning were only wore oue vests and knickers under our dressing gowns as we had been told, we hated those navy blue school knickers. In the afternoon we all bathed and dressed in party frocks, Mavis and me wore matching frocks in pink with matching rhumba panties which showed everytime we moved, the pair of us looked like seven year olds.Mum must have searched all over to find those outfits for us.
We had a party in the barn but I think it was mainly to relieve the tension the women were felling.
That evening we were all sitiing round talking, when one of mums asked me " How are you liking being a girl ?" the room fell silent and a the mums looked in her direction with angry glances.
"I love it especially with all the pretty dresses, and did it really matter as my body was developing like a girls anyway I replied.
Mum was about to say something to her but I stopped her.
" No mum it`s an honest question abd deserves an honest answer"
"for those of you that don`t know the whole story, I didn`t choose to be a girl but my body doestn`t respond to Testosterone and is only producing Oestrogen, this is causing my body to start and develope like a girls body. After all the tests I was left with two options , to leave things as they were and always look like a girlyboy or become a girl so I agreed to become a girl. As a man I would never be able to have a sexual relationship with a woman anyway."
The woman came over to me, apologised and hugged me she said it didn`t make any difference to her and that if I needed any help or advice I only had to ask her.
by Jacquimac Part Eight
As the week went on news from home was that the waters had now retreated back to the rivers and streams but that we should another week before returning as the streets were full of mud and debris washed down by the heavy rains, Dad was very critical of the government as they had for the past few cut back on spending money to clean and dredge the rivers as well as providing very little Aid to the people in our country why spending Billions in foreign aid.
The following week we spent on practical instruction, mainly household skills like sewing, cooking,washing and ironing which didn`t please a couple of girls at all, I didn`t mind though as I found them to be a bit relaxing especially embroidery.
Eventually Dad did sent us word that it was safe to return home so we packed up and returned home, not expecting to see the damage inflicted on our community, sorry to say that three people had drowned after being washed away in the torrent. Their bodies were recovered and being held at the morgue until a fitting funeral could be arranged for them.
You could see how high the water reached by the mud marking some of the walls on some of the houses lower down nearer the river, these houses had suffered the worse and their occupants were temporarily living with others around the town, it`s at times like these when you see whole communities rally and help and comfort each other, it`s a pity that takes a crisis to rally people and bring everyone together as one.
As we lived higher up the hillside the water only reached the lower slope of the garden and it being a bigger house than most we were taking in another family until their own home was put right although it might take some months.Luckily I knew the family as Jeanie was in my class at school and would be sharing my room. Mavis and her Aunt were taking in a family that had only arrived in the area days before the flood started.
It would be several months or perhaps longer before life really returned to normal, we weren`t the town affected and anger at the government was rising as was the overall bill for repairing the damage. I think that people were more angered by the needless deaths caused by the governments cutbacks on proper flood defences.
School was set up temporarily in Portacabins and although it felt strange at first we got used to it, it was about a month before all the kids arrived back home but live for us was forever changed. Most after school activities were suspended as everyone rallied around in the clean up, people who had hated each other suddenly became friends and old grudges were quickly forgotten.
One activity that did pick up were the cooking and sewing lessons, even the boys were made to attend one lesson a week, they moaned and grumbled at first but weren`t given the option of refusing by their parents or guardians. They soon picked up on the cooking and some of the basic sewing skills and eventually helped in the communial kitchens that had been set up in various areas of the town until power was fully restored to the whole area.
Girlhood was now becoming natural to me and there were one or two that made live a pain for me, on one occasion i was working alone in one of classrooms when two of the local bullies came in and started punching me around. Fortunatley it had only just started when help arrived and they were handed over to their parents who weren`t amused by their sons actions and promised that they would be dealt with.For the next two weeks their absence at school was noted by the rest of pupils and we all wondered if they had been sent to another school.
The two bullies returned after their absence and had to attend all the lessons that were specific to the girls including physical education which they definately hated as they had to wear gym knickers and skirts . In the sewing classes the girls were now learning the basics of dress making and of course the two bullies Paul and Daniel were included but they still didn`t seem to be learning their lesson about bullying, OK they were leaving me alone now but they started picking on some of the shyer girls who wouldn`t say boo to a goose.
Thing to came to head with their attitude and they were finally made to attend school wearing the uniform that we girls wore, it was their parents that had suggested this and they were to be called Pauline and Danica and treated as girls at school. I think they finally got the message and they stopped their bullying.
Dress making became quite easy and we were to make dresses for the school Christmas dance of course we still had to get a lot help with making the dresses including the Two New Girls Pauline and Danica who much to their horror were told that they would be wearing them to the dance by their mothers.
The town had returned to some sort of normality and Christmas finally arrived, the school dance was a success and Pauline and Danica were looking good in their new party dresses, although they were unhappy about having to wear them in front of everyone. They didn`t know it but their punishment would end after school closed for the holidays but only because I had asked their parents to ease up on them.