Previously

I said, “Where are the stairs?” and she pointed to the door next to the lift I think she knows that I worry about the lift getting stuck in the lift if it breaks down.

She said, “Don't worry Carla, there is a panic button if that happens and it lights up a light in the building supervisors office.”

The apartment was on the second floor so we were only in the lift for a couple of minutes. The apartment was as big as a normal city house only it had no outside apart from a small balcony which fronted a busy street and all the car fumes came up from the road. Samantha's room had a television in it so I was thinking I might be able to talk Daddy into putting a big tower up like Uncle Tony and have a television too. We settled in and Mummy myself and Samantha went for a walk to little restaurant and ordered a meal. Daddy went off on his own to deal with the business he had come down to Brisbane to sort out. We had our meal, and walked back to the apartment and settled down and watched to watch a girlie movie.

Samantha and I were lying on her double bed and Mummy was sitting in a lounge chair that was next to the bed because, when Mary was home they always watched movies together so it made sense to have the television set in Samantha's room. 'April in Paris' with Doris Day was the movie we were watching when the buzzer went off for the front entrance door, It was Mary, Sam's Mum, so Sam got up and pressed the door release button in the other room to let her Mum enter the main foyer of the apartment building. It was a three story building and I think it was a hotel that had been converted to apartments a couple of years previously, that's probably why it still had a lift in it.

Mary came in through the door of the apartment and said, “G'day you two,” and gave me and Mummy a hug and a kiss on the cheek and we all went and sat down in the lounge when Mary said, “Sam luv, put the kettle on to make us a cuppa will you?”

I jumped up to give Sam a hand in the very modern kitchen with a marble bench top and taps with long spouts that you can swing around. Anyway we made two cups of tea for our Mums and grabbed a bottle of Coke each for us and went back into the lounge.

Mary said, “How are you feeling now that you are being treated for your little birth defect Carla?”

I replied, “I don’t feel any different now than I always have Mary. I am a girl that needs a bit of surgery, that's all.”

Sam came into the conversation and added “Mum, she is the same as me. Remember I have the same little problem don’t I?”

“Well,” said Mary “You have two little extras that Carla doesn’t have to start with, but you are definitely girls. There's no mistake there is there?” and we had to all giggle at that as Sam and I did a curtsy together.

“Ok,” said Mummy “What about my man, Mary, what are the sleeping arrangements?”

Mary had a wicked look on her face and replied, “Oh you can sleep on the lounge Donna, and I’ll look after your beautiful man. I haven't met him but from what Sam says he is a real honey.”

Mummy had a worried look on her face but said nothing, when Mary said, “Just kidding Donna, don’t look so worried. You'll have to get used to my wicked sense of humour.”

Sam said, “Mum please behave yourself or you will chase them away.”

Mummy then said, “It's alright darling, I have the same wicked sense of humour as your mother, so watch out.”

I nodded my head in agreement and we all laughed. Just then the buzzer went and it was Daddy at the front entrance. Sam pressed the button to open the entrance door to let Daddy into the foyer. Daddy doesn’t trusts lifts and took the stairs instead. I went and opened the door to the apartment and stood just outside the door to give Daddy a big hug when he got there.

He put the briefcase he was carrying down, and lifted me up off the floor and gave me a bone-crushing hug and said, “How was your day sweetheart?”

I replied “Really good Daddy! Can we have a television too? Mummy said she wants one too and Uncle Tony put up that tower and...”

“Whoa, that's a lot of wants.” replied Daddy. He came inside the apartment and Mummy was waiting for him just inside the door and kissed him passionately on the lips and then said. “Bill can I have a television too?”

“Whoa you too!” and Mummy kissed him again and said, “I know you were talking to the man that built the tower for Tony. You can't hide anything from me you know darling.”

Daddy said “Bloody women,” Sam rushed up and put her arms around his neck and kissed him on the cheek and said, “I wish I had a Daddy like you! Mine was never around.”

Mary walked up behind Sam and said, “Sam you were right he is a nice man.” and put her hand out for him to shake but he took it and held it like in the movies and kissed it.

Mummy said, “Alright Casanova, you can sleep on the couch for that.” laughing while she said it.

Mary said, “Sorry Donna, I didn't mean to be so forward with your man.”

Mummy said, “It's ok Mary, I love and trust him completely,”

Mary replied, “Well I am the one that is going to sleep on the lounge because I have to be at work by six am and I normally get up at five in the mornings so you and Bill will be in my bed while you are in Brisbane, and Carla can sleep with Sam in her large double bed.”

Mummy said, “Are you sure? We don’t want to put you out of you own bed.”

Mary said, “Yes quite sure, because I am going to come and visit you in Quilpie and you will have to put up with me and Sam, so just relax, you'll have enough to worry about in the next couple of days as it is.”

“Ok then,” replied Mummy. Daddy just stood there with a smile on his face probably thinking he was glad he didn't have to sort that out.

Then he said “Alright ladies, I'm going to take you all out for a slap up dinner how does that sound?”

Sam said, “What all of us?”

Daddy replied, “Unless you want to order in pizza.”

Sam and I both said at the same time “Noo!! Not pizza.”

Anyway Daddy ordered a taxi and we went a fancy restaurant in city near the Story Bridge with a funny Italian name that Uncle Tony told him about. The food was similar to what Aunty Bella cooks, so I think that Donna's carvery will have some Italian menus as well. Aunty Bella is going to work with Mummy running her restaurant.

We got back fairly late so we sorted out the beds. Sam and I talked till midnight mostly about what we were going to go through when we have our final surgery to make us whole girls like we were supposed to be when we were born.

Wednesday,
~~~~~~~~~~~
Mary was gone by the time anyone else woke up. It was seven o'clock and the noise of the trams going past the apartment woke me up but it doesn’t worry Sam. She says that it lulls her to sleep at night because the trams run till eleven o'clock at night, and there seems to be one goes past every five minutes.

Sam and I got up and went to have a shower together and when we were both naked we just stood there and looked at each others genitals.

Sam spoke first and said, “Carla you look like you are almost a girl down there. You only have a tiny little penis, and it really looks like a large clitoris.”

I replied and said, “Sam that is what Rose called it and she said that I have never had any testicles in the first place, so it wont take a lot of surgery to make it look right.”

Then it was my turn and I asked Sam if I could touch her small breasts because I wanted to feel how soft they were.

She said, “Sure, but be gentle. They are quite tender and the hormones that Rose is giving me is making them grow really quickly.”

Rose was giving Sam hormones to stop her from having a male puberty and it was making her body develop like a girl her age.

She said, “I don't get an erection any more but it still feels good to rub it and my nipples get hard.”

I asked, “What do nipples feel like when they get hard?”

She replied, “When I touch them they go all tingly.”

I said, “I can't wait till Rose gives me hormones. I want to grow breasts as big as Rita has.”

Our exploration of our bodies stopped abruptly when Mummy knocked on the door and we both jumped and squealed in guilty fright.

Mummy said, “Hurry up you two! There are other people that need to use the bathroom as well you know!”

Sam and I quickly got out of the shower giggling, and wrapping fluffy bath towels around us and ran into Sam's bedroom.

I decided to be all girley that day and wore my pink denim skirt with the lace around the hem, white bobby socks, and dark red shiny Mary Janes. I chose the white blouse with the flower prints on the front, and a white windcheater. My hair was really long now so I just combed it really well and put barrette in it - pink of course. Sam wore her school uniform. She still had to go to school even though she took theprevious day off. She didn't want to fall behind as she wanted to be a nurse like her Mum. Daddy got all his business sorted the previous day, so we were going to do a bit of sightseeing that day before the serious thing of the next day would take place.

Mummy said she had never been up to Mt Coot-tha to see Brisbane from there.

Daddy said, “Ok do you want to go up there by bus? That could take some time cause I haven’t a clue how the buses run in Brisbane and the trams don’t go up there as far as I know.”

Mummy replied, “Darling, we are not exactly broke are we? I think we can afford to get a taxi up there don't you?”

Daddy said, “Ooh I don’t know” with a silly look on his face.

Mummy then said, “Bill how much did you get for the sale of the caravan park?”

Daddy coughed a bit and said, “I'll order a taxi shall I ?”

Mummy replied, “Yes dear I think you'd better do that or miss out tonight.”

Daddy replied, “Darling that's a bit below the belt isn't it?”

“William, not in front of the girls please!”

Daddy said, “There’s that guy William again.” with that silly grin on his face once more.

Anyway once the two of them were finished their silly banter Daddy finally got on the phone and ordered a taxi to take us up the mountain. Sam gave us all a hug and went off to school which was only a couple of city blocks away.

The taxi arrived and we climbed in and were taken to Mt Coot-tha. On the way we passed the biggest cemetery I have ever seen, it seemed to go for miles and it made me shudder to think of all the souls that are buried there. That instance I could hear Jean say in my mind “All just bones, Sis.” Anyway, we reached the top of the mountain look-out and it was a clear day. I got a funny feeling in my tummy when I walked to the edge of the lookout barrier. It felt like I was in an aeroplane looking down over the whole city, and I could also see the ocean and Morton Island in the distance, it was that high.

We had lunch at the restaurant that was beside the lookout and then asked the waitress about the city bus service to see if we could take a bus ride down the mountain. There was a city bus that came and went every hour, so we waited till the next bus arrived and boarded that. On the way down the mountain, the bus passed the very large television transmitter towers that reached up even further into the sky. By the time we were back down in the city and got off at the bus stop just a short walk from the apartment, we were getting tired and decided to go upstairs to the apartment to relax and watch some television.

We had the code to put in a number in the electronic lock to open up the main door to get in, and made our way up the stairs to the apartment. None of us liked, or trusted lifts so the stairs it was.

We were just starting to watch something on TV when Sam walked in and said, “Hi all. Have a nice day up the mountain?”

I said, “How did you know we were up the mountain Sam?”

“Your Mum rang My Mum and told her where you were while you having lunch up there.”

Mummy said, “Yes dear. I rang Mary to find out when she would be home because I will be cooking dinner tonight.”

Sam said, “Oooh yummy!! I get to eat some more of Donna's Carvery food.”

Mummy sent Daddy down to the supermarket to by the necessary ingredients to make tonight’s meal, which was a lamb roast and and baked potatoes with pumpkin and onions in the same tray as the roast.

Sam and I helped Mummy with the preparation because that is what girls do. Daddy went into Samantha's bedroom and watched some English comedy show.

Mary came home at five thirty and as she walked through the door she said, “Oh my God, that smells so good Donna, my mouth is watering already. Are you sure Bill won't adopt me and Sam as well?”

Sam then said, “Mum doesn’t really cook do you Mum?”

“Haven't got time Samantha you know that.”

“Yeah sure Mum,” replied Sam rolling her eyes.

“Now now girls, no fighting. Life is too short,”

“Yes Ma'am,” they both said.

Thursday.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
After breakfast and saying 'bye to Sam, we walked the short distance to the Mater hospital and into the main foyer to where the lifts were.

Daddy looked at me and said, “Do we have to?”

I replied, “You'll get used to it in no time Daddy.”

“Yeah, whatever” he said.

Mummy said, “Just get in there you two bushies and stop wasting time will you?”

Daddy did a salute, and I giggled. We got in and there was a nurse already in the lift and she said, “Which floor do you people need to go?”

I replied, “Dr Rose um—um.”

“San-Lee,” said the nurse.

“Um yeah, that's her” I said.

The nurse laughed and replied, “Don't worry honey, you're not the only one to forget that name. We all just call her Doc Rose.”

She pressed the button to take us to level three. The doors closed and up we went, the lift stopped and the voice said 'level three'.

We walked out of the lift and Doc Rose’s surgery was just across from the lift.

I said “Mummy, did you forget where the surgery was?”

She replied, “How the bloody hell can I forget what happened when you had a panic attack when you were here before?”

I said, “That wont happen this time Mummy, I’ll just get Daddy to hold my hand.” Daddy winked at me and grabbed my hand.

Mummy just rolled her eyes and said, “Bill Dear you do realise that this little monkey has you wrapped around her little finger don't you?”

Daddy replied, “Yeah it's her magic brown eyes.” and gave me a hug.

Mummy just shook her head and said, “Shit men are so easy to control.” She winked at me and said “Carla we might get that television set yet.”

We walked into the reception area of Doc Rose's surgery and told Cindy to let Doc Rose know that we had arrived. We were half an hour early,and the appointment was for nine am. What we didn't realise was how close Mary's apartment was to the hospital.

Cindy said “Rose just went down the hall to collect some records and will be back in about five minutes so just take a seat and wait for her to come back.”

Cindy looked at me and said “Wow Carla, your hair must have grown at least six inches since I last saw you."

I said, “Yeah do you like it?”

“Well I have to dye min,e but yours is a beautiful honey blond, and with those big brown eyes you are going to break some hearts Carla.”

Mummy said, “Not yet she wont, I'll have to keep a close eye on the little monkey.”

Daddy said, “I'll keep a close eye on all three of my girls” and rolled his eyes.

Doc Rose walked in with an arm full of files and said, “Hello everyone, just give me a couple of minutes and we can get under way.”

Cindy said "You may as well go in to the surgery and make yourselves comfortable."

While Rose was sorting out her desk we all sat in the chairs provided.

“Right” said Rose, “got the reports all sorted so here we go.”

Daddy said, “Rose before you start, we would like to get back home by tomorrow night is that alright with you?”

“Sure Bill, we have two more tests to do and then we can get Carla sorted out with a hormone regime that will start her on the way to full girlhood.

I said, “Are you going to cut me open?”

“Not for a couple of years Carla. You have to do a lot more growing first sweetheart”

I replied, “Will I have a vagina just like Mummy and Rita?”

“Yes darling you certainly will, but that is a way off yet ok?”

Mummy said “So what happens now Rose?”

"Ok, you and Bill can either be present when we do the next couple of tests or if you prefer you can come back in a couple of hours."

Mummy said, “Carla would you like us to stay or go?”

“Oh Mummy and Daddy, I want you both to be with me please.” and I was starting to get all teary so I closed my eyes and said “Jean where are you?”

She was there in my head and said, “Sis it's ok, we will both go through this together. I'm here, stop worrying,”

I said out loud, “Ok Jean but don’t go away.”

Daddy had never seen me communicate with Jean like that and just sat there with his mouth open.

Mummy said "Close your mouth Bill, the flies will get in!"

Doc Rose laughed and said, “Bill, get used to her doing that, she is stuck with her twin I’m afraid.”

Daddy said, “Wow! I didn't realise she can see her as well as talk as though she is just sitting in the room with us.”

I replied, “Daddy she can hear every thing you say so watch it, or she will zap you.”

Daddy laughed and said, “I love you too Jean.”

“Right” said Rose, “lets get on with shall we, so you people can get back home.” Then before we left the room to go to have another type of scan, Rose said, “Before you leave today I will give you all the paperwork to be able to change all the birth certificate information and also a letter explaining to any government authorities about Carla's condition so she can attend a normal school. I was on cloud nine and ran to Rose and hugged her and started to cry.

Rose looked at Daddy who had a worried look on his face and said, “Bill they are happy tears.”

Daddy replied, “Bloody women.” and shook his head.

The tests were done and Rose said it confirmed what they had thought all along. I am eighty percent girl already and with medication and surgery in a few years time I will be complete. I had a smile on my face for the rest of the day, and when Sam came home from school I had to tell her all my good news. Mummy and Daddy went out to a movie and left us girls to talk and giggle till they came home with a Chinese take away. By the time the table was set Mary was home from work as well.

Friday.
~~~~~~~~~

We said our goodbyes to Mary and Samantha and headed to Archerfield airport. The plane was all ready so we wasted no time getting on board for the flight home.

To be continued.

Next time, School, wedding, preparations and being christened.

Previously

The test were done and Rose said it confirmed what they had thought all along. I am eighty percent girl already and with medication and surgery in a few years time I will be complete. I had a smile on my face for the rest of the day and when Sam came home from school I had to tell her all my good news. Mummy and Daddy went out to a movie and left us girls to talk and giggle till they came home with a Chinese take away. By the time the table was set Mary was home from work as well.

Friday
~~~~~~~
We said our goodbyes and headed to Archerfield airport. The plane was all ready for the flight home, so we wasted no time in getting on board for the flight.

The pilot whose name was Rodney said he enjoyed flying out to these outback places because there is literary no air traffic and he didn’t have to watch out for any other planes in the vicinity. Anyway we landed at the Quilpie air strip at eleven thirty and as Uncle Tony heard the plane circle over the town he got in his Land Rover and came out to pick us up. The plane had to be refueled so we told Rodney to come and have some lunch at Mummy’s restaurant, before he headed back to Brisbane. He accepted gladly and came with us to have lunch, Daddy would drive him back to his plane when he was finished.

Rodney told Daddy that he wouldn't mind being stationed here at Quilpie air strip for charter flights and Daddy said he would look into what sort of response the shire council would have to let something like that happen. Anyway we got to the restaurant and Rita had a table set all ready for us and a meal was only five minutes away. Seeing it was the middle of winter, Rita served up pea and ham soup with thick slices of toast which went down really well.

When we finished lunch Daddy drove Rodney back to his plane out at the strip and helped to do the refueling. Uncle Tony drove us home. Mummy and I were really tired from the last couple of days' activities so we decide to have an afternoon nap. Once I said “G'day” to my animal friends and fed them, I went to my room and lay on the bed and thought what Doc Rose had told me in Brisbane. Fluffy jumped up on the bed and curled up beside my head and we both dropped off to sleep.

Saturday 12/6/1959.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Rita shook me gently and said, “Wake up Sleeping Beauty. It's eight o'clock and we have things to do today.”

I rubbed the sleep from my eyes and said, “Oh boy, it is not very often I sleep in this late is it?”

Rita replied, “No Sis, but you have had a busy couple of days so you're forgiven, but get out of bed and into the shower so you can have breakfast. We have a lot to do in the next few weeks.”

I said, yawning “What are we doing today that is so important anyway?”

Rita replied, “Have you forgotten what is happening in a few weeks time?”

“Oh the wedding.”

“Yes Carla. If you want to wear a nice dress on the day then we had better go and see what Mum has planned for us.”

I got up and had a shower and got dressed in jeans and a warm top, socks and a pair of woollen slippers, as it was cold at that time of the morning. It might not snow out there but the ground got covered in a white frost and killed off all the lawns in winter.

I went to the warm kitchen and Mummy said, “Morning sweetheart, sleep well did we?”

I replied, “Yes thanks Mummy. What's for breakfast?”

“Sit down at the table madam and I will serve Your Ladyship.”

I giggled and Rita rolled her eyes and said, “Hoy, what's this? No-one serves me.”

Mummy replied, “Ok you two, shut up and get your gums around this.” It was a full English breakfast with the works. Just as Mummy was putting the plates on the table Daddy walked in and gave Mummy a big hug and kissed her passionately on the lips.

Rita and I both said, “Pu-lease not this early in the morning.”

Daddy said, “Eat your breakfast girls, I'm allowed to do this. It makes my day seem to go quicker.” and he winked at Mummy. Breakfast over, Daddy went to see the man about the tower for our television.

Mummy said, “Right girls, I'm not going to work today and neither are you Rita. The others can run things at the restaurant today.”

Mummy then made a phone call to Mary Winton at the dress shop to see what she had in stock for us all to try on. Mary owned the shop that local women went to, to buy or hire wedding gowns.

Mummy said, “Ok girls. I want you to wear skirts to make it easier to change in and out of the garments you're going to try on.” Rita and I did as we were told and were ready to go within ten minutes in the car down to the dress shop.

Mary was waiting for us when we arrived, and said “Good morning ladies. Are we ready to try on all the wedding and bridesmaid dresses?”

We all three nodded and walked into the shop. Mary said, “I will close the shop for a couple of hours so we don't get disturbed and do things without rushing your decisions.”

Mummy was first, and Mary said, “Donna, what are you thinking of wearing?”

Mummy said, “I wore a really beautiful gown the first time round and it was a waste of time wasn't it? I am just going to choose a nice dress and leave it at that.”

An hour later we all agreed on what Mummy had chosen. It was a white past the knee silk dress with delicate blue embroidery depicting flowers and little ballerinas around the hemline, and with a large bow at the waist. Rita and I took another hour to try on several dresses and ended up choosing two identical full-length evening gowns in pink with white lace-work around the bodice and hem.

Then next came the shoes. Mummy chose a pair of white three inch pumps and said, “You girls will get to tired in heels, so I want you both to look for a nice pair of flats.” It didn't take very long and the shoes looked much the same as Mummy's only with hardly any heel.

Accessories would be bought another day.

Mummy said, “I have a lot of your Nan’s jewellery to sort through first before we go out and spend any more money.”

Mary tallied up the bill and Mummy said, “That wasn't too bad, so Daddy will be able to afford to buy an new suit as well.”

Rita said, “Mum I hoped he wasn’t going to wear that old moth-eaten thing he wears to church?”

“He is pretty attached to it,” said Mum.

We arrived home just as Daddy was parking his car in the shed and he stayed in the car.

Mummy said, “I wonder what that man is up to. He is hiding something I am sure of that.”

Rita said, “ Lets just go and see why he is not getting out of the car.”

Mummy said, “Ok you two go on one side and I’ll go on the other so he can't escape.” He was trapped and had no choice but to get out of the car.

When he got out he was dressed in a suit and he looked really good.

Mummy said, “Darling, you went out and bought a new suit all by yourself.”

“Um, err, well it is sort of new. Brian had one too many so he sold me one. Do you like it?”

Mummy said, “It is real nice Bill. How much did you pay Brian for it?”

Daddy can't keep a straight face when he tells a lie so he said, “Oh that and a bit more.”

Mummy said, “Bill darling, It's ok. It's a lovely suit, and it can keep your old one company in the closet after the wedding.” She than kissed him and said, “I love you William.”

Daddy replied, “Who's William?”

“Mummy said the beautiful man I am about to get married to.”

It was lunch time and although it was a cold day it was nice in the midday sun.

Daddy said, “We will start the barbecue up and have a nice steak sandwich.”

Mummy and Daddy stayed outside and got the barbecue going. Rita and I made a quick salad and got some steaks out of the fridge. It was just as well the meat was put in the fridge that morning to defrost, or we would not been having a barbecue for lunch.

Daddy rushed up into the house to change out of the suit that cost him a lot of nothing, and changed into some jeans and a shirt. By the time he came back outside the steak was ready to make the steak sandwiches with all the trimmings. We all had coke to drink, which is normal for a family that is not into alcohol. It was nice to just sit in the afternoon winter sun with my family. It was so different from when we were on River Downs, when there was always tension between Mummy and my other dad James, who I guess I will see again one day when I am a teenage girl, not that it would happen if I could help it. As far as my brother John is concerned, I would accept him back if he behaved himself. I didn't think it was his fault that he was brought up to be like his aggressive father. Only time would tell if he saw the light before it was to late.

Sunday 13/6/59
~~~~~~~~~~~~

Mummy decided to go to the Lutheran church to get to know the pastor because he would be performing the wedding ceremony and also be doing Rita's and my baptism. Originally it was all going to happen in the Catholic church but because Mummy was a divorcee that couldn't happen so we would all be Lutheran.

The baptism would be a private affair with just a few people that knew us and it would be in a weeks time on Saturday morning.

I said, “Mummy, who can I invite to the christening?”

Mummy replied, “Carla, we are trying to keep it low key darling. It is more for the sake of legalities as you well know.”

I had tears in my eyes and said, “Can I at least have Ricky and Jenny there?”

Mummy replied, “Of course darling. Now come here and let me hug you.”

Daddy also gave me a hug and said “Sweetheart, it's like Mummy said - we just want to make sure that we have everything done before the wedding, because by then the papers will all be signed so you can have your name changed on your birth certificate and also be my adopted daughter, as well as Rita.”

Rita said, “I was wondering if I was going to get a mention in all this?” with a grin on her face.

Mummy said, “Ok everyone, we had better get ourselves ready and head off to church.”

We were ready to go in half an hour. The Lutheran church was on the other side of town so Daddy drove us in his car. When we arrived at the church, Pastor Jeff Miller was at the bottom of the steps to greet his congregation. He made us feel really welcome and I liked him straight away.

We went and sat down in the church and most people gave us a smile and a nod. The service was quite a bit different than in the Catholic church, and there was a lot of hymn singing which I could really get into. 'I think I am going to like being a part of this church', There were a lot of kids that were my age as well so I would be able to make some new friends as well.

When the service was over we hung around after most of the other people were gone because Pastor Miller wanted to meet us properly and get to know Rita and myself for next Saturday's baptism ceremony. Jeff already knew Daddy because he and Brian used to go out wild pig shooting together. We all went into Jeff's house which was right next to the church, and we were greeted by his wife, a short plump woman with a real cheery face.

She said, “Welcome people, and come in and have some of the Country Women’s famous pumpkin scones and a cuppa.” Her name was Shelly and she was secretary for the Country Women’s Association, which I thought Mummy was thinking of becoming a member of as well because they did a lot of charity work for country people.

Anyway Rita and I went into a smaller room once all the food was laid out, and Pastor Miller started to explain to Rita and me what we had to do to be baptised the following week. He said. “Ok girls, this wont take too long. I will just explain what will happen, and I will give you both some literature to take home to read through, so you know what is expected of you in the eyes of the church.”

That was basically it, and we went back in where Mummy and Daddy were talking to Shelly.

Mummy said, “Carla, Shelly has signed me up as a member of the CWA, and we will be doing some charity work. That should make you happy.”

“Yeah, I like helping poor people that have got nothing,” I replied.

Most of the poorer people were the indigenous people living out on the reservation. I would have to talk Alice into taking me out there because I got on really well with the aboriginal elders. I learned a lot of their culture when I used to visit old Billy's camp at River Downs. He was the one that taught me all about bush tucker and how to find water out in the desert.

They are very clever people and know all about the Dreamtime and the spirits that live in the land and animals. Anyway we got home from church and Mummy and Rita decided to go and sort out the restaurant for that night. Daddy and myself went down to Uncle Tony's and Aunty Bella's to help sort out the hooking up of the television to the outside antenna. Daddy had to climb up the sixty foot high tower to hook up the wires to the top of the tower.

Once that was done the television set was working. It wasn't as clear as in Brisbane but it was ok to watch.

Uncle Tony said, “I'll call Jim from the electrical shop to come down tomorrow to fine tune the set.”

Daddy said, “If mine will be as good as this one is I’ll be a happy chappy, Tony.”

The ABC was showing the previous day's football in Brisbane, and Uncle Tony and Daddy sat and watched that for the rest of the afternoon.

I'm not into football so I helped Aunty Bella sort out the new curtains for the bedrooms. She was starting to show me how to use her new Singer sewing machine.

She said, “Carla, you will be able to sew your own dresses in no time and show Rita how good you are at making you own clothes. I have a lot of dress material that I have never used, so you can have a look at that, and if you like any of it you can have it. I will be only too pleased to teach you how to sew, Sweetheart.”

Aunty Bella then said, “Carla dear, you can help me get supper ready for tonight, but first go tell your Daddy he is to stay here for dinner as well, because Donna and Rita will be at the restaurant till late. We will make a niece oxtail stew. It wont take long to make on this old combustion stove - it's the same as the one at your house. Good old English quality these stoves, and they keep the whole kitchen warm in winter too.”

Daddy and Tony went out to the shed out in the back yard after dinner and set up some tools and thingys, so that left the television free for me and Aunty Bella to use so we watched 'Operation Petticoat' with Cary Grant and Tony Curtis in it.

It was nine o'clock by the time the movie was finished, so when we got home Mummy said, “Right! Carla, you had better hit the sack so you can do some serious school work tomorrow because as soon as your paper work is through you can go to a normal school., I have already spoken with Rick's dad, Barry and it's all systems go once you are legally a girl.”

I replied, “Mummy, I didn't think I was going to go till after the wedding.”

“Darling, the sooner the better don't think?”

“Well it's all a bit scary, but Jenny, Brenda, and June will all be there to help me fit in.”

Mummy replied, “Oh what about Ricky?”

I said, “Yeah, but he wont want to hang around with a girl at school will he?”

Rita said, “If he is a true friend he will be there for you when you need him.” I went to bed and had all sorts of funny dreams with Jean going to school with me.

Monday.
~~~~~~~

Everything was back to normal with people going off to work and leaving me to myself. I couldn’t even visit Aunty Bella because she was starting to work at Donna's Carvery so I just did a lot of school work. If I was going to go to the state school, I wanted to be able to have a smooth transition from home schooling to the normal system. The rest of the week was much the same. I did my school-work and took the dogs for a walk in the afternoons. Goldie was staying with us for a while till Uncle Tony got a kennel built for her, but I thought she would always be spending more time with me than her new home. I met the girls and Ricky at the park in the afternoons and they were all excited that I was going to be at their school soon.

Saturday.
~~~~~~~

I had told the people that I wanted to be at the christening to be there at ten o’clock and Mummy said that after we were finished at the church she would invite them all to our place for a barbecue lunch. When we arrived at the church there were at least twenty people there waiting to greet me and Rita which is not how many people I expected to turn up. Aunty Bella and Uncle Tony were to be our God-parents so they had to be there.

My three girlfriends were all dressed in pretty dresses and of course so were Rita and myself. I know it was winter but I wanted to wear my favourite summer dress because it was pink and any photos I wanted taken had to have me wearing a pink dress. So what I did was to wear a coat till it was photo time, and Rita did the same as me. Mummy gave up trying to tell us to wear jeans and nice warm tops. This was our day so we got to choose what we wear, ''Right?”

Even Father Brian was there to support us in a different church. Whatever would his boss the bishop say? Brian is a real nice man and a close friend of the family. Once all the papers were signed by Pastor Miller, he handed them to Brian because he was also a lawyer and was handling all the legal stuff and had to sign off on everything to make me a girl legally. He was also a Justice of the Peace, so it made everything go through the system without any problems. While I was talking with Jenny, Ricky came up to me and gave me a big hug and a kiss right in front of Helen, his Mum.

She said, “Ricky, I know you two are close friends but keep the kissing bit till you are a bit older ok?”

“Yes Mum,” he replied, but got another kiss in before he put me back down.

I whispered “I love you Ricky Smith.” He replied with a wink. Rita and Peter were standing beside us and Peter said to Ricky “I saw that Rick. Be careful or Dad will ground you, and then you won't be able to see Carla, let alone go kissing her.”

Rita said, “Peter, leave them alone. How would you feel if someone told you not to kiss me?”

Peter said, “That’s different, we are older.”

Daddy and Uncle Tony walked past us and Tony said, “Lets get going. I'm getting hungry.”

Everyone including Pastor Miller and his wife Shelly came to the barbecue in our back yard. Brian, Daddy, and Uncle Tony were the chief cooks and all the salads were done at Mummy's restaurant yesterday, so only had to be brought out from the fridge, There was beer for anyone that wanted it and plenty of soft drink for those that didn't.

While no-one was looking, I snuck another kiss with Ricky and said, “I will see you at the park next week.”

He replied, “I'll be there, no worries Carla.”

When most of the people had left, Jenny's parents were having a cup of tea, so I showed Jenny all the papers that were signed that day, and my name on the birth and the christening certificates said I was Carla Jean Croft. That meant Daddy had officially adopted me. Apparently James, my natural father signed the papers to let that go through.

Jenny said, “When will you be coming to our school Carla? I cant wait to have my special friend in the same class with me.”

I replied, “Mummy is sorting that out in the next couple of days.”

The following day we would be going to the Lutheran church, and so would Daddy with Farther Brian’s blessing.

To be continued.

Next time: Starting at a normal school and getting used to a classroom full of kids

*****Please leave some comments****

Previously

Jenny said “When will you be coming to our school Carla? Can't wait to have my special friend in the same class with me.”

I replied “Mummy is sorting that out in the next couple of days.”

Tomorrow we would be going to the Lutheran church and so would Daddy with Father Brian’s blessing.

Sunday 21/6/59
~~~~~~~~~~

Daddy, Mummy, Rita and I all went to the Lutheran church service that morning so we would be used to the way things were done before Mummy and Daddy's wedding on September the fifth. It was surprising how much the people of that church made us feel so welcome. I was asked to join the church choir which is what I did because I can actually sing. Just ask Ginger and Goldie, they sing along with me!

There were six girls and three boys in the choir and they all went to the state school that I would be going to. So I had already made some friends at church before I even went to school. I didn't expect too many problems with going to the girls' toilets because girls sit to pee and the toilets all have doors on the cubicles, but to make sure till I settled in, I would ask Jenny to be with me when I had to go to the loo. Jenny knew all about my little medical problem and she had seen what I looked like down there.

Last time she stayed overnight for a sleep-over, she asked if she could see what all the fuss was about and we both got in the shower together. She said that I didn't look a lot different to her apart from having a larger clitoris than she had and we both stood in front of a full length mirror to see if I could get away with being in a girls dressing room. She said as long as I didn't go prancing around no-one will take any notice because I didn’t have any testicles so there was nothing hanging down between my legs. Doc Rose said I was inter-sexed and would be able to have surgery to make everything look right when I stopped growing.

Jenny wasn't at church that day but she is Lutheran and would be going the next Sunday, so I would have my best friend there as well. It was a pity that Ricky went to the Catholic church but at least he was going to the state school. I didn't know what I would do if I was in the same class as him because I didn't think I'd be able to concentrate on any school work with him being so close.

I was asked to stay back after the service to see if I could sing well enough to be in the choir and Shelly, the minister's wife would drive me home after we were done.

I was definitely going to be in the choir so I thought I must ring Samantha that night and do a bit of bragging because she was also in her school choir. Anyway Shelly drove me home just in time for lunch and Mummy invited her to have lunch with us. She said she might as well because Jeff was out at some meeting or other and wouldn't be home anyway. I liked Shelly, she always seemed to be laughing.

The man had built the tower for the antenna and Daddy somehow got the television to be delivered on a Sunday. It worked out that the guy had his car in for repairs at Daddy's garage so Daddy talked him into setting everything up as well. Daddy gave Uncle Tony a call and he was there in a few minutes. He must have run all the way but than it was only a few houses away from us. The television was working within an hour and they sat there the rest of the day watching silly replays of football.

It was four o'clock in the afternoon when Barry Smith, Ricky's Dad turned up and wanted to talk to me. I thought I was in trouble for kissing Ricky and said, “I'm sorry I wont do it any more Mr Smith. I didn't mean to get Ricky into trouble by kissing him.”

“Oh Carla, you and Ricky aren’t in any trouble, but you shouldn't be kissing at your age. No, I am here to have a bit of a chat with you about going to school on Tuesday. Because it is a student-free day I thought I would get you and your Mum to come in and meet with your teacher before you start. What do you say to that?”

I replied, “Wow I like that! I have been doing extra school work so I was not behind in anything, but I am no good at maths.”

He replied, “What's new? Ricky needs help with that as well.” I sang out to Mummy and said we had a visitor. She was still in the kitchen talking with Shelly, and she came out and said, “Is Carla in trouble? What have her and Ricky been up to?”

Barry laughed and said “Donna, they are not in any trouble. They are both good kids.”

Barry then explain what was going on and asked Mummy to come down to the school with me the next day and see if my level was what the School of the Air said was correct. So I would have to do a bit of a test to see how I went and if I could be put in grade five.

Mummy said, “I can guarantee that she is well and truly good enough to be in grade five. I have made sure she has kept well in front with all her school work Barry. What time do you want us there in the morning?”

Barry said, “Nine o”clock will be fine. Her teacher is a man by the name of Peter Taylor and yes he has been informed about Carla's medical problem and is fine with that. He has a gay son so he will not tolerate any nonsense from his pupils.”

After he finished talking to me and Mummy he went into the lounge and watched the football with the rest of the men. Aunty Bella, Mummy and Rita started to sort out the Sunday night dinner, and seeing Barry was already here he was asked to give Helen a call and tell them to come over as well.

Helen Ricky and Peter all turned up fifteen minutes later and all walked into the lounge to have a look at the new television set working. Ricky gave me a quick hug and and then sat down with his eyes glued to the football game that was on the television. So much for coming to see me, his girlfriend ''sigh.''

Rita had the same happen to her with Peter and looked at me and said “Men! All they think about is their tummy and football.” and we both went into the kitchen to help with getting the dinner prepared.

Mummy and Rita were spending more time at home those days because Alice, her Mum Jenny, and Linda were coping pretty well on their own most days, so Mummy and Rita could have more of a home life.

The dinner was a roast lamb with baked potatoes and vegetables and a special gravy that Aunty Bella made, but was keeping the recipe a secret or so she said. Of course Mummy was watching her pretty closely while she was making it and said to Aunty Bella, “I'm not watching! Honest!” with a grin on her face. I called out to Ricky to help me set the table but got no response and had to stand in front of the television set to get his attention and when I did that there was a lot of “Hoy!! Get out of the way Carla. We can't see the ball play in the scrum.”

I didn't move till Ricky said, “Ok ok, I'm coming.”

I replied, “I should think so. What is more important, helping me or that silly football game?“

Ricky replied, “Um Carla, can I answer that later?” He got a slap on the arm for that and told to get to work or he wouldn't be able to go back in to the lounge to finish watching the game.

Aunty Belle said, “At least the men don't get under our feet when there is a game to watch on the telly,” with a grin on her face. The table was set and Mummy went in and without warning turned the television off and said “Alright, dinner is ready. This is your captain speaking! To the table now!”

All the men said “Yes ma’am, sir.'' and came to the table to have dinner. Before I went to bed I rang Samantha and talked to her till Mummy said, “Ok Carla, say 'bye to Sam, it's bed time”

I ended the call and told Sam I would call her in a couple of days to let her know how I was getting on at school.

Monday.
~~~~

Rita and Daddy went off to work and left me and Mummy go to the school to get me sorted out with the the man that was going to teach me. I was to join the fifth grade so I would have to do a written test to see if I could cope with the work . We arrived at the school and because it was a student free day all was quiet.

I said, “Mummy, I feel a bit nervous about this and I just hope Jean is going to help me out with the test.

Jean was in my mind and said, “Carla I am here! Stop worrying we will be fine.”

I said out loud, ''We!!” I could hear her have a giggle and then she was quiet. “Grrrrr.”

We walked to the main administration office and Barry was talking to a middle aged man with a pleasant face and said, “Come in Donna and Carla. This is Peter Taylor. He will be your teacher Carla, as long as you pass the test we are giving you this morning, and I am sure that you will do well because I know that you have helped Ricky out with his social studies project a couple of times.”

I kept quiet and Mummy said, “Carla's maths need to improve but she is well ahead in everything else.”

Barry then said, “Carla, the students address the men teachers as 'sir' and the lady teachers as 'Miss' or 'Mrs' if they are married, and I know you are a very respectful nine year old, so you shouldn't have any problems fitting in to a normal school environment.”

Mr Taylor said “Donna, it's nice to see such a well behaved little girl as part of our school, and by the way I have been informed about Carla's medical problem. You can rest assured that there will be no problem while I am at this school. All the kids know that if there is any kind of bulling or bad behaviour they will be in big trouble.”

“So,” Mr Taylor continued, “Donna, if you want to leave Carla with me you can come back in a couple of hours to take her home.”

Barry then said, “Hang on Donna. Before you take off, there are some papers to be signed and then you can be on your way.”

I gave Mummy a hug and a kiss and went to a classroom to sit for the test.

I said, “Sir, will I be able to sit next to my friend Jenny tomorrow because I am really nervous about being at school with so many other kids?”

He replied, “Carla that has already been arranged, and Brenda and June will be allowed to be next to you as well. I know it will be strange for you after all these years of home and School of the Air teaching, but you will be fine ok?”

I said, “Yes sir.” and then he gave me some papers and a pencil and rubber and said, “Carla take your time. This is not a time trial. I am just trying to gauge how far advanced you are in this school year. If you have any questions I’m right here at my desk as though I have a full class.”

I got down to do the test. Most of it was pretty easy but I was sure there was some spelling mistakes in there somewhere. The maths wasn’t too bad either, I think Mummy must have been giving me harder sums on purpose the last couple of months, because the ones in my test were easy to do.

I finished in one and a half hours and did not have to ask for any help with anything in the test so I said at the end, “Sir, I have finished now. What do I do?”

He looked up from the papers he was correcting and said “Well Carla you did that in good time so lets see what you have done shall we?” He said if I wanted I could go to the toilet and have a look around the rest of the school and also say Gday to some of the other teachers, and to give him half an hour to look at what I have done and come down to Mr Smith's office and we would discuss my test there. I had a walk around the rest of the school and said “Hello” to a couple of teachers and went back to the main office and Mummy was there as well,

I knocked on the door and waited to be asked to come in.

Barry said, “Carla, it looks like you will be able to start tomorrow. You have passed the test with flying colours.”

I was speechless, and Mummy said, “Congratulations, sweetheart it looks like I did a good job with home schooling you.”

I replied, “Thank you sir and sir.”

They both laughed when they heard me say the double sir, and Mr Taylor said, “That's a new one. You are welcome Carla. I think I’m going to enjoy having you in my class.” He then said, “Donna you have a very well behaved little girl and she has been through a lot. We will make sure she fits in. She already has some good friends who I’m sure will look after her so, Carla I will see you in class tomorrow morning.”

I said, “Thank you sir.” and shook his hand. He smiled at me and gave me a wink.

I then had to have a school uniform and school text books which were a little bit different from the home books that I was used to.

So Barry said to Mummy, “Donna, you and Carla can come with me down to the store room and we can sort the book situation out with second hand books because it is getting close to the end of the school year and it would be a waste of money buying a full set of new books.”

I said, “What about the uniform?”

Barry replied “Carla, one of the lady teachers has a selection of hand me downs but I think I know you well enough that you wont be happy wearing someone else’s clothes, or am I wrong?”

Mummy answered before I could and she said, “Barry, I think we can splash out for our little Carla this time don't you?”

He replied, “Of course! Sorry young lady.” and gave me a smile and a wink. I just blushed red and was tongue tied for once in my life.

We went with Barry to the school stores room and got my necessary books and left to get my uniform at Mary's dress shop. Mummy must have rung her or been there while I was doing the test because there were uniforms all laid out on a table next to the change room.

Mummy said, “Right young lady, down to your undies and lets get this over with so I can get back to work.” I did as I was told and was given the uniform to try on and to my surprise it fit me perfectly.

Mary said, “Darling, I keep all the measurements from my customers in a book so I knew what to layout before you came in.”

Mummy said “Don’t you look smart Carla?” and I went to a full length mirror and did a twirl and. I said, “I look just like Jenny in her uniform.” and as I said that Jean was in my head saying, “We look cute don't we?” I don’t know what Mary thought but I started talking to Jean out loud as if she was there with me in the shop.

Mary looked at Mummy and said, “It's alright Donna, I know all about our twin soul girl, I think most of the town is fascinated by your little Carla.” Mummy bought me two uniforms complete with shoes, school jumpers, and the school colour ribbons to use for my hair.

When we got home, Jenny and her Mum Jan was there waiting for us and because it was close to lunch time Mummy said, “Come on Jan, while these two have their mutual admiration society we can get in the kitchen and get us some lunch.” Jenny was jumping up and down and could hardly contain herself as she gave me a hand to carry all my school stuff into my bedroom, the only thing that I did not have was a school bag but Jenny ran back out to the car and came back with one of her old ones and said, “That is why I talked Mummy into coming around to see what you looked liked in the school uniform.” so I striped of and put the uniform on and did all the twirls and curtseys to show Jenny how I looked.

She said that most of the girls including herself wore their hair in a high ponytail so I put my long blond hair up and put the blue and white ribbons in to hold it and had a look in the mirror with Mummy and Jan standing at the bedroom door looking amazed at how much older I looked in the school attire. We had lunch and Mummy went off to work, Jenny stayed and her Mum said she would pick her up later when she was sick of trying on clothes all afternoon .She gave us both a hug and said “Have fun girls” and left.

Tuesday, 23/6/59
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

My first day at a normal school, I rode my bike like most of the kids did in Quilpie and was greeted by Jenny, Brenda, June, and also Ricky which made me feel at ease because there were at least two hundred and fifty students going to this school and quite a lot of them came in by bus from the surrounding district.

It all felt a bit strange and I was quite nervous as the parade ground assembly was held every morning and was addressed by Barry who was the Principal of the school. Once he had the business of the day discussed he said, “We have a new girl starting in grade five today please make her feel welcome.” Then we all marched to our classrooms with music over a loud speaker.

There are thirty kids in my class and most of them gave me a smile but there were some boys who gave me a funny look but I just ignored them and went on to sit next to my friends in the class.

To be continued.

Next time: First day nerves; some bullying from a boy, and tears.

Please leave a comment.

Previously

It all felt a bit strange and I was quite nervous as the parade ground assembly was held that morning and was addressed by Barry who was the principal of the school. Once he had the business of the day discussed he said “We have a new girl starting in grade five today. Please make her feel welcome. Then we all marched to our class rooms with music over a loud speaker.

There were thirty kids in my class and most of them gave me a smile but there were some boys who gave me a funny look but I just ignored them and went on to sit next to my friend in the class.

Tuesday 23 /6/59.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The first thing that Mr Taylor did was to get me to stand up and introduced me to the class and he said, “All right class quiet! We have a new student joining our class this morning. The girl standing up is Carla Croft and she has been taught by her Mum and the School of the Air up until now, so it will all be a bit strange for her, this first week. I expect you all to make her welcome and get to know her in today’s lunch break, She already has some friends in this class but I want all the class to get to know her because she has some special knowledge of the bush. Carla you may sit down and we will start with the first lesson of the day after roll call.”

After roll call we were asked to get our social studies books out and turn to page eighteen. The subject was on the early mail system in Australia, and we were asked to read the two pages on that subject and then Mr Taylor would ask us some questions on how we thought we had progressed over the last fifty years. I was really good at this subject so I enjoyed reading the two pages which were a bit different to the home school book but said the same thing only in a different way. Question time came and I sort of shrunk down in my seat; so I would not have to answer any questions. I was lucky I wasn't asked anything that day so I breathed a sigh of relief when the lunch break bell went.

We all went out and sat under the school where there were benches to sit on to have our cut lunches. Two days a week the tuck shop was run by volunteer Mums and you could buy your lunch on those days.

Jenny sat with me and said, “Well Carla, what do you think of going to a normal school?”

I replied, “There are so many kids. How am I ever going to get to know all their names?”

Just then Ricky came and sat on the other side of me and said, “Are you ok Carla you look a bit worried?'

I replied, “Yeah Ricky I'm alright. It's all a bit strange to be in a room full of kids doing school work.”

Ricky said, “It's a pity I’m not in you class as well, but then that might cause problems with some of the boys that don’t like me because Dad is the principal.”

Anyway the day passed fairly quickly till I was riding home from school on my bike. My friends were all riding bikes as well, but in different directions so I was on my own. As I was passing the park on my way home there was one of the boys in my class. I think he was one of the ones giving me a funny look this morning.

He said “Hey you White! Come here I want to talk to you.”

I didn't know whether to pedal faster or stop. I felt scared but decide to stop to see what he wanted. Anyway he grabbed the handle bars of my bike and shook the bike hard enough for me to lose my balance and fall off onto the ground and twist my ankle in the process. I didn't know the boys name but he kept on calling me 'Carl White' and 'little sissy poofta' and that my Dad owed his dad money for a gambling debt. I was in pain and couldn't stand up as he was holding me down and shaking me and then he tore my school uniform blouse and all the buttons went flying. By this time I was crying in pain and I screamed at him and said, “You broke my ankle. I am not Carl White, I am Carla Croft or didn't you hear the teacher call my name on the roll?”

“Bullshit. You're a fucking boy and lived on River Downs and your arsehole of a Dad is James White and he owes my Dad two thousand pounds for a gambling debt”.

It was getting late and I would be missed because I was supposed to call Mummy when I got home from school.

The boy said, “That poofta Ricky wont protect you, because I’m going to take you with me to a place where they can't find us and then ask that rich mother of yours to pay up or she will never see you again.”

I was in a lot of pain by now and my ankle was starting to swell.

I said through my tears, “I have nothing to do with James any more so let me go or I will get my twin to help me and you wont like what she can do to you.”

He replied, “Shut the fuck up boy or I'll make you into a girl the hard way.”

I replied, “I am a girl so you are too late!”

He got angry at that and hit me in the face and I could feel the blood running out of my nose.

Just as he was about to hit me again I saw a car pull up at the park gate but because of my tears I couldn't see who it was. It was Ricky and his Dad and they jumped the fence and pounced on the boy that was thumping into me. Barry didn't say a word but picked the boy up by his hair and lifted him off me as though he didn't weigh anything at all and he landed a few feet away with a surprised look on his face. Ricky came and helped me sit upright, and started to wipe the blood from my nose with his hanky and tried to hold my blouse together at the front because I was wearing a real girlie pink camisole under the blouse.

Barry was holding the boy who was about two years older than me but was in my class so he must have been kept back for two years.

Barry yelled at him as he held him in a head lock almost choking him and said, “Bradley Blake you are in big trouble! Before I let you out of this head lock I want you to calm down or I will have to put you out of it do you understand?”

“Fuck off” said the boy, and Barry put a little bit more pressure on a point on his neck and Bradley went out cold. I screamed at that and thought he had killed him because of me.

Ricky held me tight and said, “Carla, Dad was a martial arts teacher before he became the principal of the school and he only put Brad to sleep for a bit. He'll be ok.”

I was sobbing uncontrollably now and my ankle was as big as a balloon. My nose was all clogged up with blood but it wasn't broken. I must have looked a mess.

Barry said to Ricky, “Go to the public phone box over the road and ring the Sergeant and tell him what is going on and to get down here now!!”

Ricky said, “Dad, Carla can't stand up on her foot. I think she has a broken ankle.”

“Look Ricky I am not going to leave this little criminal here to do any more damage. Just help Carla sit up on her own and get to that phone.”

“But Dad, you need money to ring out on a public phone.”

“No Ricky, just lift the receiver and press both the 'a' and 'b' buttons and the exchange will answer.”

Ricky said to me, “Carla will you be able to sit up on your own just till I get the Sargent to come down to help dad?”

I replied, “Please hurry Ricky, if the pain gets any worse I think I will faint.”

I didn't sit I just laid down and closed my eyes and said, “Jean why didn't you zap him?”

She was there instantly and said, “Sis, it was me that made Mummy ring Ricky's Dad so they could come to help us! I tried to zap him but he was too strong and angry, and that is when I got into Mummy's head and warned her what was happening and she rang Barry. I'm sorry Sis, but I can only talk to you Rita and Mummy and am not strong enough to zap people that are as angry as that boy.”

Mummy was there in the next couple of minutes and came to have a look at my ankle and said, “Oh Carla, I knew it was too soon to send you to a normal school yet. I am so sorry Darling. Ricky, come and give me a hand and we will carry her to my car and I will take her to the hospital and get a doctor to have a look at her ankle.”

Mummy undid my shoe and pulled it off very gently so it didn't hurt me any more. She gasped when she saw how much it was swollen and said, “Sweetheart see if you can move your toes.”

I tried to do what she asked, but cried out in pain and didn't want to make it hurt any worse so I just said, “Mummy, it's broken” as the tears were falling down onto my now torn white blouse.

Ricky was still trying to be the gentleman and hold it closed, and said, “Carla, I am going to kill that bastard when this is finished!!” and he also now had tears in his eyes and was shaking with anger.

Mummy said, “Ricky calm down. The police will see to him. Just give me a hand to get Carla into my car so I can get her to the hospital.”

Between the two of them they got me into the back seat of Mummy's Land Rover. Ricky was coming with me but he said he wanted to make sure that the police sergeant was there before we left. Ricky's Dad was sitting down beside the now sleeping Brad and he asked Ricky to get some water to throw over Brad's face to wake him up, so he came back to the car and got a cup out of the glove compartment. He raced to the water tank at the park and filled the cup with the cold water and came back to where Brad was laying on the ground and Barry said, “Here, give that to me.” but Ricky said, “No Dad, I want to do this.” and very slowly dribbled the ice cold water on to Brads face.

Barry was holding onto Brad in case he got up all punchy but that didn't happen he looked all groggy as if he didn't know where he was.

Barry let him sit up and said, “Brad don’t make this any worse for yourself and just sit there ok?” Just then the police Sergeant pulled up and walked over to where Brad was sitting on the ground and looked back to the Land Rover and changed his mind and came over to see if I was ok.

He said, to me “Are you ok young lady?”

Before I could reply, Mummy said, “No, does she look like she is ok Jim?”

Jim the police Sergeant replied, “I'm sorry Donna. I can see your angry so I’ll go and sort that kid out.” and he went to where Barry was watching that Brad didn't do a runner.

Mummy said in a loud voice, “I'm taking my daughter to the hospital if that ok with you Sergeant?” in an angry voice. That's when Brad yelled out, “That’s a fucking boy and this is not finished.”

Mummy was about to go and sort Brad out when Barry got up and left Brad to Jim and said, “I will come with you to the hospital. I am on the hospital board and pull some weight there, and I will make sure that Carla gets seen to straight away.”

We left the Sargent to deal with Brad who was still swearing his head off saying something about Barry knocking him out and he will get his Dad to sort him out.

Jim said, “The only sorting out around here is what I am going to do when I get you down the police station and call your Mum.”

As Barry drove Mummy's Land Rover to the hospital all Ricky was worried about was to hold my blouse closed. He is such a gentleman and I love him for it.

We arrived at the hospital and Barry carried me in like I weighed nothing and went straight to Jill at the nurses desk and said, “Go get Doc Barsby.”

I was amazed at how every one in Quilpie knows everyone else. I guess it can be handy when you get carried in to hospital with a broken ankle.

The nurse Jill rushed off to get the hospital doctor and was back in two minutes flat and said, “He'll be here in a minute,” and he was.

He said, “What's all the fuss about Barry? I don’t see anyone dying.”

That got Mummy going again and she said, “Enough with the jokes! If you don’t get you arse into gear and treat my daughter I’ll call Jim Ryan to come down and do it.”

The doctor looked at Mummy and said, “Ok ok! Keep your shirt on will you? I have had a long day”.

Mummy replied, “I’m sorry. I didn't mean to yell at you but as you can see my daughter has been attacked by a little criminal and has a broken ankle and it looks like her nose is starting to bleed again.”

By this time another nurse came in with what looked like a tray with a needle on it.

I was feeling a lot of pain and said “I don’t like needles but if it will kill the pain in my leg do it please."

The nurse did just that and within five minutes I was in la la land and on my way to the x-ray room.

Mummy asked the nurse for something to clean up my face so she went to a cupboard in the x-ray room and pulled out some soft face washers and went to the sink and wet one and kept one dry and handed them to Mummy who then proceeded to clean up my face. My new white blouse was covered in the blood from my nose and would probably have to go in the bin.

The nurse whose name was Amy came back with a hospital gown and asked Mummy to give me a hand to get undressed and put the gown on because I would be staying in overnight. Barry and Ricky said that seeing we were being looked after they'd go home and come back once I was in the ward.

Ricky said, “I should have been with you on your first day ride home.” and almost burst into tears. He hugged me and Barry said “Come on kid I'll take you home and you can talk to Carla a bit later ok?”

They left and then Mummy said, “Ok girl lets get you changed into this silly back to front gown.”

It was now five thirty and the person that did the x-rays had gone home, and they had to ring him at home to come back to work, so I had to wait sitting in a wheel chair till he got there. Doctor Barsby came into the room with a cup of coffee in his hand and had a look at my ankle and said the swelling had not got any worse so it was probably a bad sprain and not broken but an x-ray would tell the story. He said he would go and have something to eat and be back shortly, and told Amy to make sure that she kept an eye on me because I looked like I could be in shock. Then while we were waiting for the x-ray man to turn up.

I said, “Mummy, how did you know I was in trouble?'

Mummy replied, “Why don't you ask your sister Jean how she does these things Carla, because I was about to ring home to see why you hadn't rang me when Jean almost screamed at me in my head and said, 'The park! Carla's in trouble', and I rang Barry to see if you had gone to be with Ricky, but Ricky said he saw you ride off from the school, and they hung up, and I was at the park in minutes after that.”

Amy was listening to our conversation and asked, “Where is your sister now?”

I replied “It's a a bit hard to explain, but my sister is with me in spirit only, but she can communicate with me and Mummy when things go wrong.”

Amy replied, “Oh! is that all? My brother got killed in a car accident last year and he talks to me all the time.”

Just then Doctor Barsby walked in and said, “Not an other one that talks to the dead.” and he jumped and said, “Shit I just got the shivers.”

Jean said, “Tell him I am not dead.” I started to say something and he said, “It's ok Carla, I believe you can communicate with your sister. Tell her not to tickle me in the back of my neck. Now, where is Andy he should be here by now. Lets get you up on the x-ray table and have you ready when he gets here.”

He just finished saying that when a short plump man came bursting through the door all out of breath and said, “Sorry I took so long to come back to the hospital but my baby girl just sicked up all over me and I had to shower and change.”

Mummy said, “We all know about that sort of thing Andy. You're here now, that is all that matters.”

He got to work on the x-rays and after I was taken to the ward and and told to relax while he developed them. Amy got bags of ice to put on my ankle to make the swelling go down. My pain was coming back so she gave me another shot and within a couple of minutes I was almost falling asleep. Amy got Mummy a cup of tea and a sandwich, I was not hungry so she gave me a cordial drink.

Half an hour passed and Doctor Barsby said, “Andy has all the pictures done and went home but the x-rays showed no bone fractures, so it is all ligament damage. That is why it is so painful.”

Amy brought in a trolley with all sorts of bandages on it. The one they used was a wide stretchy thing and, while Mummy held my leg up, the doc and Amy bandaged my ankle really tight and said, “Carla you wont be able to walk for a few days.”

The ward I was taken to was the women’s ward and there was only one other patient in in there and that was an old lady that had fallen over and broken her hip, but she was asleep. Mummy went to the hospital kitchen and made me a sandwich with the permission of the head nurse. By the time she came back the whole family was at my bedside asking all about what happened, I tried to explain what happened but got all upset and started to cry and kept say “He called me a poofter and a boy.”

It took a while to calm me down and then Barry explained what happened. Daddy said “I know Brad. His Dad is a bad bastard and is a violent man when he is drunk. He must have got in a card game with James back on River Downs and James welched on the bet.”

Mummy said “I don't know why he thinks I'll pay his Dad any money, but he is in big trouble now for doing what he has to Carla. I will want him and his parents charged with assault and attempting to abduct my daughter for ransom to pay a gambling debt, that I had nothing to do with.”

Rita, Peter, Ricky, and his parents all said goodnight and went home, but Mummy, Daddy, Bella and Uncle Tony stayed a bit longer to discuss what was to be done to keep me from having to go through this type of thing again.

Anyway I was falling asleep from the pain killers and Mummy said she would be there in the morning to collect me with a new set of clothes and took my bloodied uniform home to wash but I think the blouse would be binned. As I was just nodding off Jean started to want to talk to me about what had occurred today and she said, “Carla I’m going to be more alert from now on and make sure that I give you plenty of warning before anything like this can ever happen again.”

I replied, “Yeah Yeah Sis.” and fell asleep.

Wednesday24/6/59
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It was only seven in the morning but doctor Barsby was on his rounds already and I was his first patient that he looked in on.

He went through all the manipulation of my foot and ankle and said, “You will survive Carla, and can go home when your Mum come in, but I will want to see you in two days time to make sure there are no complications ok?”

I said, “Can I go back to school today?”

He replied, “No, I don’t want you on that ankle for at least three days young lady so leave school till next week.” and he left giving me a smile and a wink.

I thought to myself 'Why does every one wink at me? Silly people.'

Well I was not a happy camper by the time Mummy came in a half an hour later. I was just having some hospital type breakfast, and grumbling to myself about only having had one day at school and already taking a week off.

Mummy said “Oh sweetheart, it could have been so much worse. What if Brad had succeeded in abducting you, we may never have seen you alive again.”

This got me all emotional and I started to sob. I think Mummy saying that was the last straw and the dam just broke. She was holding me in her arms when in walked my teacher Mr Taylor who had came into see me before he went to the school. He wanted to see what had happened and said he will do all he can to stop anything like this happening again.

Mummy said, “I want that little criminal to be put away where he belongs.”

Mr Taylor said, “It wont be easy, but he will definitely be expelled from the school.”

Mummy took me home and made me comfortable in front of the new television and said she would be back in a little while and look after me for the next couple of days.

To be continued

Next time: Back to school, and talking to Brad so he knows about me being a girl.

Please leave a comment

Previously

When I woke up that morning I was not a happy camper. By the time Mummy came in half an hour later I was having some hospital type breakfast, and grumbling about only having one day at school and already taking a week off.

Mummy said, “Oh sweetheart it could have been so much worse. What if Brad had succeeded in abducting you, we may have never seen you alive again.”

This got me all emotional and I started to sob. I think Mummy saying that was the last straw and the dam just broke. She was holding me in her arms when in walked my teacher Mr Taylor who had came into see me before he went to the school. He wanted to see what had happened and said he will do all he can to stop anything like this happening again.

Mummy said, “I want that little criminal to be put away where he belongs.”

Mr Taylor said, “It wont be easy, but he will definitely be expelled from the school.”

Mummy took me home and made me comfortable in front of the new television and said she would be back in a little while and look after me for the next couple of days.

Wednesday 24/6/59
~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I was bored already and didn't want to be at home, missing out on seeing my friends at school but I had no choice because there was no way I could stand, let alone walk on my foot. So I sat there sulking till Mummy came home from the shops with some goodies for me. Ginger and Goldie came in and lay down by the chair that I was sitting in and looked at me with sad eyes because I should have been able to take them for a walk. If Ginger had been at the park yesterday Brad would be half dead by now. Fluffy was happy to just sleep in the sun out on the verandah.

Mummy came back with a heap of office books so I think she was going to do some book work for the business she and Daddy shared while she was at home looking after me.

Mummy said, “Carla, if you're not interested in watching any television, you can either do school work or do some adding up for me in the account books for the service station."

I said, “Mummy, do you trust me with adding up in Daddy’s books?”

She replied, “Sweetheart, you can't be any worse than your Daddy or Tony for that matter.”

It was nine thirty when Sargent Jim Long arrived in his police Land Rover with the Queensland police emblem on the doors which from a distance looked like a pineapple.

He walked up and knocked on the door and said, “Donna, it's Jim. Can I come in and ask young Carla a few questions? I promise if she gets upset I will stop, but I have to know just what happened yesterday so I can sort out what we are going to do with young Bradley Blake. His Dad has shot through, and I have to deal with his Mum who is in a real state, and can't seem to control the boy.”

Mummy said, “Yes Jim, come on in and I’m sorry I yelled at you yesterday but I was stressed out, and all I wanted to do was get Carla to the hospital to see to her ankle.”

Jim replied. “Ok, thanks Donna.” and he went to the kitchen and brought out a chair to sit on, while he interviewed me about the previous day's events.

“Right Carla,” he said, “I want you to take your time and tell me in your own words what transpired at the park yesterday afternoon and also what happened in the morning so I can see what brought this attack on.”

That's when he asked me to slow down a couple of times so he could get it all down in his notebook.

Mummy said, “Now hang on Jim, are you saying that Carla made this little criminal mad in some way before the park incident?”

“No Donna, I am trying to work out why he thinks Carla is a boy, so can you enlighten me on what that's all about?”

Then Mummy said, “Jim lets go out on the verandah and leave Carla in peace for a bit so I can fill you in on her medical condition ok?”

So I went to do some more adding up in Mummy's books while she explained about my little inter-sexed plumbing problem. About half an hour later they came back in and he had another go at asking me what happened so I told him about my whole day from start to finish with me ending up in the hospital.

Once he was finished he said that Brad was too young to be going to any type of jail, but his Mum has agreed to send him to his uncle in Toowoomba, and he will go to a special school there.

Mummy said, “Well as long as he comes nowhere near Carla again I don’t care what you do with him.”

Then the Sargent sat down and said, “Carla I now understand about your medical condition and I wont put any thing in my report to breach your privacy, you have my word on that ok?”

I replied, “I hope Brad doesn’t end up in jail because he must have a horrible life with a Dad like that.”

Mummy said, “Carla, I hope you're not feeling sorry for him after what he did to you?”

I replied, “Well he needs help doesn’t he?”

Jim said “Well Carla, I wish everyone would be as forgiving as you, but we can't all have a family as loving as yours.”

He said he had better go write up his report and said goodbye and got in his car and was gone.

Ginger and Goldie were getting restless and needed to go for their exercise, I could do the only thing I could think of and got Mummy to take me out on to the verandah and give me a couple of tennis balls to throw out into the yard for them to fetch and keep bringing them back to me. I did this for half an hour until they were tired out. Barry rang Mummy and asked if I would be interested in talking to Brad to explain to him that I am not a boy but a girl with a bit of a medical problem. It might make him realise just what he had done. The government had sent a child welfare officer from Charleville and that they hoped to get Brad into a special school in a place called Westbrook Boy's Home just outside Toowoomba that deal in anger management for boys like Brad.

Mummy explained what Barry was asking me to do and said, “Sweetheart, you are under no obligation to do any such thing but if you want to help Brad, then that is entirely up to you.”

I replied, “Will there be plenty of people around in case he goes all angry again?”

Mummy said, “Don’t worry Carla, there is no way that the welfare people will take any risks with Brad harming you again.”

For some reason I felt sorry for Brad because he had had a real hard life and his Dad did the same thing as James did to Mummy, only Brad's Mum isn't a strong person, so I would like to help.

I said Mummy, “Tell Barry that I’ll do it if it will help Brad understand about me as well.”

Mummy took me back into the lounge and set up a few chairs so people could sit down while Brad and I had a conversation.

Mummy said “Darling, I hope we are doing the right thing because I am not at all sure that this is such a good idea.”

I replied, “Well Mummy, at least we can try. I know he hurt me but he doesn’t have any one to really care for him.”

Mummy said, “Carla, I think you are wasting your time. He is just like your brother John, and an angry young boy.”

Jim the Sargent went out to meet with the people from welfare and Barry came as well as them. Brad had his Mum with him as well and she looked very tired.

Jim said, “Brad sit down, and I want you to first apologise to Carla for what you did to her yesterday.”

Brad said “No fucking way. They owe my Dad two grand.” and he started to get up to have a go at me again yelling “Fucking rich bastards.”

Well that was that. Jim grabbed Brad by the scruff of the neck and took him out to the police car. His Mum and one of the welfare ladies went with them and they drove off. I felt really sad to see his Mum have to go through that. The other welfare lady and Barry came back inside and we sat back down in the lounge.

I asked Sandra, (her name was on a name tag pinned on her suit coat) “What will happen to Bradley, will he have to go to jail?”

She replied, “No, it will be a boys home near Toowoomba. It's called Westbrook Boys Home, and they will know what to do with him.”

Mummy said, “Carla, I told you it was a waste of time. He will end up killing someone eventually.”

Barry said “Carla, thank you for trying anyway. You are one in a million and I am pleased you and your family are part of this community.”

Sandra said she would write up a report when she got back to Charleville and was sorry it had to end this way. Mummy had to drive Sandra and Barry back to the school. The other lady went with Jim because he had his hands full dealing with Bradley.

Mummy went to work to pick up some lunch for us because it was getting late and almost past lunchtime when she arrived back. She had Jenny with her carrying some school books and said, “I brought Jenny back with me from school to keep you company and to also do some school work. Barry has given Jenny three days worth of work for you two to do. So that will keep you out of mischief for a while wont it?”

“Yes Mummy” I said rolling my eyes, and Jenny giggling.

Ricky rode his bike over after school and did his home work with me and Jenny, and we had a good talk about what had happened in the last couple of days.

Ricky said he wouldn't let me out of his sight at school lunch time any more and would ride home with me after school from now on, but it would be a couple of weeks before I could ride my bike again anyway.

Thursday and Friday, Jenny and I watched a couple of movies after we had done all the school work that was set out for us to finish. Mummy went back to work because Jenny was looking after me.

Jenny had become my best friend, and we were becoming like sisters so we did an experiment to see if she can see Jean in her mind. On Friday she stayed over and we shared my big double bed. Of course we had a shower together again and we compared our genitals again and discovered that the only difference is that I don’t have an opening but if I don’t spread my legs apart I don’t really look all that different to Jenny so when summer comes we will be able to go swimming and use the girls dressing sheds without any trouble.

Anyway we cuddled up to get warm and I said, “Jenny, don’t get frighten if you can hear Jean in your mind, because she sounds just like me and if she happens to appear to you she is an identical version of me ok?”

Jenny replied, “I thought she can only appear to family members?”

“Well lets try and see what happens when we try because she is always there for me and she might be able to appear to you through me if we both concentrate really hard.” I said, “Ok Jenny, close your eyes and listen to me talking to Jean and see if you can hear her in your mind.”

I said, “Jean do you think you will be able to appear to Jenny?”

She answered and I could see her and hear her as though she was right next to me.

She said, “Carla, you will have to hug Jenny really tight for this to work, but I think I can make her see me for a few seconds.”

We did as Jean said and I could feel Jenny tremble just like I used to do when Jean first started to communicate with me. Jenny was hanging on to me that tight that I could hardly breath but all of a sudden she said, “Wow you look like Carla,” and Jean said, “Carla it's working she can hear and see me,” it lasted only for about fifteen seconds but Jenny could still hear her.

Jean said, “Carla I have to rest now but I will talk with you later. I love you Sis.” and then she faded. Jenny was still shaking and I held onto her till the shaking stopped.

Jenny started to relax and said, “Oh my God Carla, that was amazing. She looks and sounds just like you but she is wearing the most beautiful gown I have ever seen in my entire life.”

I replied, “Yeah, I must ask her if she only has the one gown because I have never seen her in anything else.”

It was hard to stop Jenny from talking about what she had just experienced and we talked and giggled till Mummy came in to the bedroom and said, “You two are a pair giggling Gerties! It is ten thirty and I think it's time you both went to sleep don’t you?”

Jenny and I both said,“Yes Mummy.”

Mummy walked out of the room shaking her head and said to herself, “I think I have just gained another daughter.”

Jenny and I fell asleep while we were cuddled up together. Rita was using the spare bed room tonight because she has to get up to go to work in the morning and decided to let me and Jenny have the bedroom to ourselves.

Saturday 27/6/59
~~~~~~~~~~~~

We slept in till eight am and Mummy said, “Right you two, shower time and Carla, get Jenny to unwrap that bandage off your ankle, so I can have a look at it and see if I have to take you to the hospital for the doctor to have another look at it. I think you should try to put some pressure on it to stop it from seizing up.”

Jenny was very gentle with the unwrapping of the bandage and once it was off she said, “Ooh my God! It's all bruised but the swelling is right down.” I called out to Mummy to have a look and by the time she was at the bedroom door I was standing on both feet and took a couple of steps. It did hurt a little bit but I could walk good enough to walk down to the shower.

Mummy said, “I think by the look of that I can send you off to school on Monday young lady”.

We got down to the shower with me walking slowly. Mummy had put the kerosene heater in the bathroom half an hour earlier because it is really cold in the mornings so Jenny and I had our shower and put on a warm fluffy dressing gowns on and headed back to the bed room to get dressed for the day. It was too cold for skirts so we opted for jeans, warm winter blouses and jumpers. On our feet we wore woolen lined boots. My foot swelling was down enough to get the boot on and once I had it on it felt ok to walk . Mummy, Daddy, and Rita were all at the table having their breakfast and talking about the events of the last week and what they thought would happen to Bradley Blake.

Daddy said, “I think the place he is being sent to will probably make him worse but there is really nowhere else to send a boy with that kind of attitude.”

I said, “I feel sad for his Mum because she is now on her own.”

Jenny said, “What if we go and see her and see if she needs any help around the house?”

Rita said, “I think you had better stay away from her for the time being because she probably thinks that we are to blame for Bradley getting so mad.”

Daddy said, “I will give the welfare people a ring on Monday and see what they say.”

After breakfast Jenny and myself went back to the bedroom and started to do things with our hair. We both have really long blond hair. Mine was half-way down my back and Jenny's was just a little bit shorter but not by much. Jenny has the most beautiful blue eyes in contrast to my chocolate brown ones. She was the same size as me in every way, so we could interchange any of our clothes. We decide to put our hair in two piggy tails and put pink ribbons in mine and yellow ones in Jenny's.

Mummy came into the room as we were both sitting at the vanity admiring ourselves when she said, “Smile!!” and the camera flash went off.

She said, “Girls, I want you both to go to the lounge and I want to take a couple more photos in there.”

I hobbled down to the lounge room with Jenny putting her arm through mine for support.

Mummy said, “Sit in the main lounge and let me see how you two will look together as my bridesmaids.”

Jenny and I squealed when she said that and I said, “Mummy what about Rita?”

She replied, “What about Rita?”

Jenny said, “I can't take Rita's place, she will kill me.”

Mummy said, “And what is wrong with having three bridesmaids may I ask?”

Jenny said, “Ooh!! I had better ring Mummy and tell her to start making a dress for me.” and went to get up to ring her Mum straight away, but Mummy said, “Stop!! it is all organised. Jenny, your Mum is on her way here now to have a chat about what we will do about your dress. We will have to go back to Mary's shop and see if she has another gown like the one that Rita and Carla have.”

Jan arrived ten minutes later. Daddy and Rita went off to work; Rita to the restaurant and Daddy to the garage to do some work with Tony and Henry. Just as Jenny's Mum walked in we heard another car pull up and it was Aunty Bella. When she came into the lounge where we all were, she said, “You lot didn't think I was going to miss out on going to the dress shop did you?”

Mummy and Jan laughed and Jan said, “Bella, I thought you were busy making curtains for your house.

Bella replied, ”What's more important making curtains, or getting these girls set for the big day?”

Just as we were about to leave in the car to go down to Mary's shop the phone rang and Mummy had to race back into the house and answer it. When she came back out she said, “That was doctor Ryan and he wants us to come down to his surgery when we are finished at Mary's dress shop because he had a phone call from Rose and needs to talk with me and you as soon as possible.

I said, “Mummy what is wrong and why is he wanting to see me so urgently?”

She replied, “I think it might have something to do with the last x rays that were taken in Brisbane”

I said almost in tears "Mummy I am not going to change back.”

She replied, “Carla sweetheart, I think you will find it is good news so stop fretting and relax and we'll go and see if we can fit Jenny out in a gown like yours and Rita’s, ok?”

“Yes Mummy.”

When we got to the shop Mary was waiting for us out on the footpath in the warm sun in front of the shop, she said, “This old age is no good in the cold weather and I have to warm up my aching bones before I can do anything in the cold shop.” I hobbled in after the rest of them as Jenny was too excited to wait and help me walk in. Mary was as good as her word to Mummy, and had found a gown that was the same as mine and seeing that Jenny was the same size as me she got the lady that does all her alterations to adjust the gown to Jenny’s size.

Jenny stripped of to her underwear in a flash and was ready to try on the gown in one minute flat. It fitted her beautifully and she even tried on the same type of shoes as mine to match.

Mary said, “Jan this one is going to be on the house because I am going to want to be at the wedding showing people of this town that I can supply any of the local girls all their needs for their big day.” Jan, Aunty Bella, and Jenny went back to our place because when Mummy and me were finished seeing Doctor Ryan we were going to get dressed in all our wedding finery.

We arrived at Doctor Ryan's surgery and walked in to the front office. He was not normally there on Saturdays but came in because of me, I am that important you see!! He was waiting in his office with the door open and when he heard us, said, “Come straight in ladies, this shouldn’t take to long and you can get back to your fashion parade" and added, "I hope I will get a wedding invite or I shall be disappointed.”

Mummy replied “I'll make sure you and your wife Jan are on the guest list Jim.”

He then looked at me and said, “Carla what do you think we found when we took a closer look at those last x-rays that were taken at the Mater?”

I replied, “I hope there is a vagina hidden in behind the skin down there."

He replied, “Well we haven’t gone that far but we have discovered two little things called ovaries that are just visible, and we think that the girl in you is more or less ninety percent, so Rose and some of her colleges have agreed to start you on some very mild oestrogen hormone tablets to see how your body develops, and if all goes the way we think it will you may only have to wait a couple of years to have corrective surgery.” I as well as Mummy sat there with our mouths open.

Doctor Ryan said, “That is what I thought you would be like when I told you two what we have found” he said with a grin on his face. We left there and went to the chemist to fill the prescription for my girl pills and went home with the good news and had a fashion show.

To be continued.

Next time: Back to school and making new friends, and having a long talk with Jean.

Please leave a comment.

Previously

He then looked at me and said “Carla, what do you do you think we found when we took a closer look at the last x-rays that were taken at the Mater?”

I replied, “I hope there is a vagina hidden in behind the skin down there.”

He replied “Well we haven’t gone that far, but we have discovered two little things called ovaries that are just visible, and we think that the girl in you is more or less ninety percent. So Rose and some of her colleagues have agreed to start you on some very mild oestrogen hormone tablets to see how your body develops, and if all goes well, the way we think it will, you may only have to wait a couple of years to have corrective surgery.”

I as well as Mummy sat there with our mouths open.

Doctor Ryan said with a grin on his face “That is what I thought you would be like when I told you two what we have found.”

We left there and went to the chemist to fill the prescription for my ''girl pills'' and went home with the good news and had a fashion show.

Mummy called Rita and told her to get Daddy or Uncle Tony to drive her home so we could all get dressed in our wedding gowns and see what we looked like. She also rang Mary at the dress shop and asked her if she wanted to come and bring her camera to take some photos and make up a scrap book that she could show her customers later on in her shop. Mary closed her shop and was there half an hour later and she also made a detour to Donna's Carvery to pick up a take away lunch to feed an army.

So before we got all carried away with dressing up, we went out into the yard into the warm winter sunshine and sat down at the picnic table and gorged ourselves on Mummy’s take away lamb roast and potatoes in their jackets with Aunty Bella's special gravy, that she reckons is a secret recipe but I think Mummy was watching her make it the other day so it is not a secret any more.

Mary was a keen photographer and she had with her a camera on a tripod with a flash thingy on the side of the camera. She described the working of the camera but it all went over the top of my head, and I said to her, “Mary, too much information, just lets get into the dressing up part please!!”

Rita said, “Hear hear” which made me and Jenny have a fit of the giggles.

Rita said, “What!!?”

Jenny's Mum said, “Alright, lets get this show on the road shall we?” so we all went into the lounge where all the gowns and Mummy's wedding dress was laid out on two separate lounge chairs.

Mummy rang Daddy and told him not to come home and just barge into the house because there would be half dressed ladies running about. Daddy must have said something naughty because she said to him before hanging up, “Bill behave yourself will you?” but was laughing when she walked back into the lounge and said, “Men have a one track mind.”

Bella said, “He isn't Italian is he?”

Mummy replied, “No why?”

Aunty Bella said, “Oh never mind.” That got Mary and Jan laughing as well.

I said, “I don't get it. What's Italian got to do with Daddy being naughty?”

Rita then said, “Look can we just get these gowns sorted out and stop mucking about?”

Mary was the one that took control and said, “Right ladies, lets get you all into your undies first, so we can dress from the inside out.” so me, Mummy, Rita and Jenny did as we were told and stripped down to our underwear Mummy even took off her bra because the dress she had picked was one that had an inbuilt breast support sewn into it. The slip she put on was a white silky one with a lot of frilly lace-work. On the day of the wedding she has pair of white silk knickers, Mummy is into silk 'I think'. Bella helped Mummy on with the dress and zipped her up. Then came the shoes and she was ready except for a hair do and make up.

Mummy said, “Stockings is the only thing missing.”

Then it was Rita's turn. She was told to take of her bra as well because the gown was strapless and that required a new strapless bra. Rita took off her bra and Mary said, “That is what we all looked like many years ago.”

All the older women nodded in agreement. The bra that Mummy handed Rita was pink and matched the pink of the gown. She put on the half slip and Mummy then held the gown for Rita to step into. Once it was pulled up and over Rita big breasts Mummy did up the zip at the back of the gown. She then sat down and slipped on the shoes and she was ready. She stood up and did a twirl in the full length gown and she looked really pretty.

I said, “Wow Rita!! Peter is going to flip when he sees you in that.”

She replied, “I hope so Sis.”

Then it was Jenny and I that had to get dressed in our bridesmaid's gowns.

Mummy said, “You two young ladies are going to get your first training bra, because these gowns wont look any good without giving you a little bit of shape up top.”

She then said, “Put your arms out in front of you and get your first lesson in putting on a bra.” Jenny and I got another fit of the giggles but held our arms out like we were told to do and got our first lesson in how to reach behind our backs to put the little hooks together and then adjust the straps on our shoulders so the bra looked like it was fitting right.

These bras were also pink of course.

“What other colour is there?” I said.

Mary then produced a couple of things that looked like shoulder pads, and Jenny said, “But our gowns are strapless Mary. What do we need shoulder pads for?”

Every one except me and Jenny laughed, and Jenny said, “What did I say!?”

Mary then came over to us and pulled the bra cups aside enough to slip the shoulder pads in to give us shape and it looked like we had suddenly sprouted our own breasts.

Bella said, “Girls, they are called breast enhancers and lots of young girls use them to make themselves look a bit older and make the boys take notice of them as well.”

Rita then did her famous boob jiggle thing and made her breasts nearly fall out of her bra. We all had a fit of the giggles and almost fell over each other. Anyway Jenny and I were helped to complete getting dressed and then it was time to take some photos of us standing and sitting in different poses. We also went out and stood on the steps on the verandah. Mary took at least fifty photos and said that she always takes a lot so she can pick out the best ones later. She is also going to be our photographer at the wedding. I felt really girly and I gave Jenny a hug and while I was hugging her Jenny started to tremble.

I said to her, “Quick, close your eyes and concentrate on Jean now!!” and we both closed our eyes tight and there she was in her beautiful gown and both me and Jenny could not only see her but Jean was speaking to us as though it was just a normal thing to do.

Jean said, “Carla and Jenny, I have been given a little more strength in spirit and I will be able to do this for longer than I have in the past but I must not over do it, Carla! I am always with you and live in you in spirit till the day you come and join me in my realm as well.” and then she said, “I love you Sis.” and she slowly faded but we could keep talking to her and while I had the chance I asked her if she only has the one gown and she replied, “Carla, the gown you see is what I chose but I can chose something different if I want.” then she said, “Carla I have to rest now. I love you.” and then she stopped communicating.

Me and Jenny opened our eyes and saw Mary, Jan, and Aunty Bella with their mouths open. Rita just shrugged and Mummy said, “Now ladies you have seen what Carla is all about and I can assure you there is no trickery or any witches involved, because I have had the privilege to talk to my Jean through Carla as well and it is very real.”

Jenny said, “Mummy I could see Carla's sister and hear her talk to us as though she was in this room and I get the trembles when it happens and Mummy she looks and sounds just like Carla.”

Aunty Bella, Mary, and Jan all crossed themselves because they were all Catholics but never questioned what they had just witnessed. It was time to get changed out of the wedding clothes and pack them all away till the wedding. When we got to the bras that Jenny and I were wearing Mary said, “Keep them on and get use to wearing them because it wont be very long before you will be needing them anyway.”

Well with me taking 'girl pills' I reckon my breast will start growing straight away, Jenny has already been complaining about have itchy nipples. I can't wait to do what Rita does.

The wedding party all got redressed in normal clothes and we had afternoon tea out in the garden and Jenny and I threw the balls for the dogs to get their daily exercise while Fluffy just sleeps all the time. Geees what a life! Anyway, Jenny asked Mummy and her Mum if she could stay till Monday morning so she could help me back to school on Monday and both Mums said ok but then it will be back to normal. We both said “Thanks Mummy” in unison and giggled after that. All the ladies just shook their heads and said, “Young girls.”

Aunty Bella and Mary said their goodbyes and left.

Mummy said, “Jenny, we go to the Lutheran church now because Rita and Carla have been baptised there and that is where Bill and myself will be married so if you want to come to church with us in the morning you are welcome but you have to have your Mummy’s permission to come with us ok?”

Jan answered before Jenny could say anything because as Mummy was telling Jenny about us being Lutheran she was on the verge of tears.

Jan said, “Donna, we are Catholic but we are also realists and like Bill we do what is best for us not the Pope, so if Jenny wants to join you and your family at the Lutheran church she is free to do so with my blessing.”

Jenny raced into her Mummy’s arm and said, “Thank you Mummy. Carla is my best friend and I want go where she goes.”

Mummy and Jan spoke for another hour, and then Jan said she would bring Jenny a clean uniform for Monday tomorrow sometime, and also bring a spare blouse for me because the one that had blood on it from the business with Brad had to be put in the bin. Mary has had to order more for her shop but they had to come from Brisbane, so that took about a week for them to arrive. Jenny didn't need any extra clothes when she visited with me because we wear the same size apart from I liked pink and she liked yellow. Even our undies were pink and yellow.

'I wonder what colour undies Jean wears?'

We helped Rita prepare dinner while Mummy hung up all the gowns and her dress and put the shoes away in their box so that no dirt would spoil them till the big day in September. Dinner was t-bone steak and cauliflower and peas with some of Aunty Bella's amazing gravy.

We set the table in the warm kitchen and were ready to dish up as soon as Daddy came home from the garage. It wasn't long before he walked in and said, “My that smells good.” and gave Rita, Jenny and I a kiss on the top of our heads and said, “Well how did the the big fashion show go ladies?”

Mummy walked in before we girls could respond. She put her arms around Daddy's neck and gave him one of her toe-curling kisses.

Rita said, “Alright you two. Can you save that for the bed room we have young kids present.”

Mummy said, “Not so young any more Rita, and I have seen you kiss Peter with just as much passion so you can't talk can you?”

Rita replied, “Yeah ok.”

Daddy then said with a big satisfied grin on his face, “Who cares? I’ll take all the kissen and loven I can get.” and proceeded to lift Mummy of her feet and gave her another passionate kiss. Mummy looked like she had weak legs after that and said, “Well Bill darling, you can come home to me like this any time you want.”

Us kids all rolled our eyes and said in unison and said “Puleese!!”

Rita said, “Dad, are you ready for us to dish up dinner?”

Daddy replied “As soon as I wash my hands I will be luv.”

Rita and Mummy got the plates out and took them to where the steaks were on the stove and dished up one plate at a time and got me and Jenny to take them to the table. We all sat down and ate our meal without a lot of conversation, as Mummy always says 'eat or speak - don’t do both.' Once the main meal was finished there was a chocolate mousse with whipped cream, very rich and fattening, but Daddy likes to have desert so Mummy seems to spoil him and we will all get fat!!.

Once the table was cleared and the washing up was done we went into the lounge to watch the movie, ''Some like it Hot'' with Tony Curtis in it. Jenny and I didn't get to see the end because we kept falling asleep so Mummy chased us off to bed. We got dressed in winter pj's and cuddled up to get warm and fell asleep like that and dreamed of being at Mummy's wedding.

Sunday 28/6/59.
~~~~~~~~~~~

We woke up at six am and it was freezing cold, so we put on our woollen socks and winter dressing gowns. Jenny had left some of her things because she stayed quite a lot, and we were becoming more like sisters than friends. She was an only child so she got lonely at home. That is why her Mum didn't mind Jenny being at my place.

We went to the kitchen and made breakfast for everyone seeing we all had to get ready for church. Jenny did the sausages and eggs, and I did the toast and made the tea. We decided to take the breakfast to Mummy and Daddy and also Rita, who was in her own bed room now, because Jenny was spending so much time sleeping over it just made it easier for her to be in her own room, but I think she is doing it to have Peter in her room and not have us spying on her and Peter kissing.

We put the food on separate trays. I still had to walk quite slowly because I didn't want to go over on my sprained ankle, but I made it to Mummy's bedroom ok, and Jenny went to Rita's room and delivered the tray with the breakfast to her.

Jenny knocked on Rita's door and said, “Room service” and went in. I knocked on Mummy's door and said the same thing and walked in. Mummy and Daddy were in a tight cuddle so I said, “Oops sorry, I'll go out and knock again.” but Daddy said, “Sweetheart it's alright we were only having a morning cuddle.”

I replied, “I still should have waited to hear you say 'come in' Daddy.”

Mummy said “Darling it's ok really, and thank you for bringing in this lovely breakfast.” She then said, “I hope you are not overdoing it on that ankle are you?”

“No Mummy I’m not. After all I want to go back to school tomorrow.”

Jenny and I went back to the kitchen and then had our own breakfast but decide that the washing up would have to wait till later so we went back to our room and laid out the clothes we were going to wear for church which was not very exciting, because winter time does not let you wear the real nice things that we liked.

Anyway, we all went to church and got used to how things were done in the Lutheran church service, and even Daddy said that he didn't mind the change and to hell with the rules of the Catholic church. The rest of today was spent with me and Jenny playing around with the animals and watching some television and generally relaxing. It had been a long week.

Monday 29/6/59
~~~~~~~~~~~
We were up early once again and had breakfast, made our school lunches and got dressed in our school uniforms. We did each others hair in pony tails with the school colour ribbons to hold them in place. Mummy drove us to school and I would be driven to school till I could ride my bike again once my ankle healed and was strong enough to push the bike pedals.

We were greeted by Brenda and June and they gave me a hug and said that the whole school was upset about what happened to me last week and that Brad had been sent to a boys home to sort him out. We all walked to where our school bags were left and went to the parade ground for morning assembly.

To be continued.

Next time coping at school and joining the school choir.

Please leave a comment.

Previously

Monday 29/6/59
~~~~~~~~~~~~

We were up early once again and had breakfast, made our school lunches and got dressed in our school uniforms. We did each others hair in pony tails with the school colour ribbons to hold them in place. Mummy drove us to school and I would be driven to school till I could ride my bike again once my ankle healed and was strong enough to push the bike pedals.

We were greeted by Brenda and June and they gave me a hug and said that the whole school was upset about what happened to me last week and that Brad had been sent to a boys home to sort him out. We all walked to where our school bags were left and went to the parade ground for morning assembly.

The whole school assembled on the parade ground every morning unless it rained and the principal addressed the school and gave his little pep talk and any other business on the day's agenda but that day he made mention of what happened to me the previous week and said that I would not be hassled by any other student or they would be expelled like Bradley Blake without question. Then he ended his address and we all made our way to our class room to start the day's lessons.

Once I was sitting at my desk beside Jenny, I looked around and saw Brenda and June were sitting behind me and I felt myself starting to relax a bit. Peter Taylor my teacher said “Good morning class.” and we all said “Good morning sir.” and then he stood in front of the class and said “We have our little girl back today so make sure she is not being bullied by anyone today or look out!”

The whole class said, “Yes sir.”

Of course the first lesson was maths. 'Oh boy!' I thought I would be in trouble but in actual fact the way Mr Taylor was explaining things made it quite easy to understand, so I might not be the dummy I thought I was at maths after all. It was no time at all and the morning break bell went and we all filed out of the classroom and went out into the play-ground to just talk and have our oranges or an apple. The four of us girls were sitting down on a bench under a giant pepereena tree when some girls walked over to us and one said to me, “You're Carla aren’t you? I'm Sandy and I am really sorry that monster Bradley attacked you like that.”

I replied, “Yeah, it really hurt when he punched me in the face, and I bled all over my nice new blouse. Mummy ended having to throw it in the bin so I had to borrow Jenny's spare one till some new one come from Brisbane to Mary's dress shop.”

Sandy then said, “I heard you sing at church the other day. I was standing right next to you. You have a really nice voice Carla.”

I replied, “Did you know that I have joined the church choir?”

“Yes, and that is why I am talking to you now. How would you like to be part of the school choir?”

“Ok but I don't know if I'm good enough for that.”

She replied “Oh you're good enough alright because when I spoke with the music teacher Miss Tracy Alcorn she said she heard about you from Pastor Miller, so if he thinks you are good enough than you will be good enough for Miss Alcorn.”

There were six boys and six girls in the school choir and now they would have an extra one. I would be the youngest at nine, and the oldest one was a boy named Rodney and he was sixteen.

The bell went and we had to head back to the classroom and as we were walking back Ricky came up and asked if I was coping ok with my sore ankle.

I replied “I’ll survive.” I think he just wanted to say hello and let me know he was looking out for me. 'I think he loves me'.

Brenda said, “Hey! he's cute, is he really your boyfriend?”

I replied, “Yep, eyes off!”

Brenda said, “Don't worry Carla, I'm not allowed to have a boy friend, Mummy says they are only trouble anyway.”

I replied “Oh Ricky’s no trouble. I can get him to do anything for me I just have to use my magic eyes.” and we all started to giggle and walked back into the classroom.

The next subject was English and writing a composition on the history of Queensland Railways and what it did to open up the outback for the cattle industry. Well I knew all about the sheep and wool industry but in a way it was the same railway that carried the bales of wool to the Brisbane wool stores to be auctioned off to the world wool garment industries. So I included that in my composition and hoped that it would get a pass when my teacher marked it, I guessed I’d find out at the start of the next day. That took us to the lunch bell. It was an hour long, so more gossip, talking with my friends about what we going to do in the August school holidays and clothes.

Once I had my sandwiches and a drink of cordial that I had in a bottle in my lunch pack, I was putting it away when Sandy came up to me and said, “Carla, Miss Alcorn asked me to come and get you once you were finished your lunch and bring you to her, because she wants to talk to you about you joining the choir.”

Jenny said, “Can I come too Sandy?”

She replied, “I don’t see why not, so come on then Carla lets go.”

I replied, “Ok, just let me put my lunch things away.” Jenny and I said 'see you back in class' to Brenda and June and went with Sandy to the classroom that the music teacher used.

Sandy said she was eleven years old and was in grade six and she should be in grade seven but she was quite sick in grade three and spent a lot of time in hospital in Brisbane, so she had to repeat grade three again.

Anyway we arrived at the music teachers classroom and knocked on the door and a middle aged lady with a big warm smile said, “Hello, you must be the famous Carla I have been hearing about.” I could feel my face getting hot so I must have been blushing.

She said, “Carla, I’m sorry you had a bad start at school last week, but that boy was always a trouble-maker and I’m glad he got sent to a place where they might straighten him out.”

I replied, “I know he hurt me miss, but now his mother is on her own and I feel that it was because of my other father, she does not have any one to talk to.”

Miss Alcorn said, “Carla dear, I can see you are a very caring little girl and I will look into it and see we can't do something about helping Mrs Blake. If you come back to me before the end of the week I will see if we can go and talk to her ok?”

I replied, “Thank you miss.” So she then talked to me about my singing at the church and how impressed Mr Miller was with my voice and she wasn't about take no for an answer for me to become part of the choir.

Then Jenny said, “Miss Alcorn, can I have a try out for the school choir as well, because I have heard Carla sing a lot, and I think she can probable teach me to sing as well?”

Miss Alcorn replied, “Jenny, the more the merrier. We will start you both off next week and see what range your voices have so we know how to place you in the choir make up.”

Well that took us to the bell for this afternoon's class and it was domestic training for the girls and manual arts for the boys. This lesson I liked, because I have been taught by Mummy a qualified chef in the kitchen, and for sewing Rita has taught me to be able to sew a dress for myself on her Singer sewing machine that she was given for her fifteenth birthday by Margaret Croft the wife of the owner of River Downs, the sheep station we lived on till recently.

The afternoon went quickly. We baked a shepherd's pie and got to take it home for our parents to try. It was good to learn to do a shepherd's pie because it is the only thing that I haven't tried to bake at home yet I think Mummy will be pleased that I am learning to do new things as well. Our domestic training teacher was a younger lady by the name of Mrs Jane Robinson who was very softly spoken so you had to listen to her very carefully to make sure you didn't miss what she was saying.

She handed us our marks at the end of class and I got an eighty percent tag on the top of my pie. I of course thought it should have been ninety ninety percent, but then I am perfect at everything!

Jenny just rolled her eyes at me and said, “We both should have got one hundred percent.” and we both got into trouble for giggling in the class room, and had to stay back for ten minutes to help put everything away.

Mummy was waiting for me and Jenny as we came out of the main gate of the school grounds and was surprised to see we were carrying two shepherds' pies.

She said, “Well we have two little chefs now have we?”

I said, “No Mummy, but I think mine deserved a higher mark than eighty percent.”

Mummy replied, “Well the proof will be in the pudding won't it, so I will pass judgment when we try it out for dinner tonight.”

I said “Mummy, I have to bring some money to Mrs Robinson tomorrow for the ingredients. The school doesn’t pay for that.”

Mummy said, “How much do you owe?”

I said, “Oh I forgot to ask.”

Jenny said, “It is usually five shillings Aunty Donna.”

Mummy replied, “Ok, Carla, remind me in the morning to give you the money.”

We got into the car. Mummy was driving Daddy’s car for some reason but I didn't to bother to find out why. We stopped to drop off Jenny at her home and drove straight home. I had homework to see to so Mummy said to go and change out of my school uniform and get my home work done while she got dinner under way.

My ankle still had to have a bandage on it to stop it from swelling but it really didn't hurt any more so, when I was finished my home work I went outside and gave the two dogs a workout with the balls. I would be glad when I could get on my bike again and take them down to the park for a run in the afternoons. At least I wouldn't have any problems with anyone giving me any trouble because Ginger would have them in one go. Daddy and Rita arrived home and I set the table for dinner. It was spaghetti bolognese and my shepherd's pie. I cut the pie into four equal pieces and placed them on separate little plates.

Mummy, Daddy, and Rita came home by six o'clock now and left the running of the restaurant to Aunty Bella, Linda and Alice with Alice's Mum coming in when it got too busy.

Anyway ,back to my pie. Mummy said, “We should eat it first because I want to taste it before the taste of the Bolognese is in my mouth.” so we all picked up the pie and took a bite out of the smallish piece of we had. I just held my breath and waited till every one had a chance to have a taste.

Daddy spoke first and said, “Wow Carla, that gets the thumbs up for me.” Mummy and Rita were still chewing theirs and just made big eyes and nodded their heads in agreement with Daddy.

I said, “It's more yummy than I thought it would be, so why did I only get an eighty percent mark from Mrs Robinson?”

Mummy said, “I don’t think she had a taste did she?”

I replied, “No. She said she would have to taste every one and then she would not be able to tell the difference in the end.”

Mummy said, “Yeah that makes sense. I think if you ask the rest of the class tomorrow they would all have gotten eighty percent marking. She is a very clever teacher.”

Once dinner was over and everything cleaned up and put away, we went into the lounge and talked instead of watching television. Mummy brought up the subject of my inter-sexed condition and said that she got a call from Doctor Ryan today and he wants to see me tomorrow after school to take some blood and see what I am feeling like emotionally with the girl pills that I am taking every morning.

I said, “Mummy, how should I feel any different? I am a girl, so how can the pills make me feel any different?”

Mummy replied, “Well when a girl goes through puberty it is not only the body that changes but your emotions also change. Just ask Rita and she will enlighten you as to what you go through when you get your first period.”

I replied “But Mummy I haven’t got an opening down there so where will the blood come out of me?” At this stage Daddy got up and said “I don't think you ladies need me around for this discussion so I’ll go and read in bed.” and gave all us girls a kiss on the cheek and said goodnight.

Mummy continued to tell me what the doctors had planned for me once they had discovered that I have ovaries and that I will at some stage in the not too distant future need to have on operation to make me be able to have periods like a normal girl.

I then asked, “Does that mean I will have a proper vagina like you and Rita and be able to give birth to a baby?”

Mummy replied, “I believe you will be able to give birth but it might have to be by caesarean.”

I said, “What is that?”

Rita said before Mummy could reply, “They cut you open to get the baby out of your tummy.”

“Ohh I don't think I will have any kids.” I said as I shuddered to think about it.

Mummy said, “Carla don't you worry about any of that at the moment. First things first ok?”

“But Mummy!”

“Carla, calm down. That is a long way off and you might find that after they have fixed you up that your vagina will be as normal as any other girl and then you can go through the pain of giving birth like the rest of us.”

I went to bed and dreamed of being cut up like a sheep in a butcher's shop and at one stage was calling out to Jean to save me. She responded and calmed me down enough to get me to go back to sleep.

Tuesday 30/6/59
~~~~~~~~~~~

I woke up still thinking about the dream I had and then Jean was in my mind and she kept saying “Carla be calm be calm.” and it was as if she had zapped me with some sort of electric currant and I just went all floppy and had to lay back down. I went back to sleep and Mummy came in and had to wake me up to have a shower and get ready to go to school.

Mummy picked up Jenny on our way and Jenny's Dad Don MacKenzie came out to the car and said, “Donna, thank you for having Jenny over at your place. She really gets quite lonely some time with just us adults, and Carla and her are more like sisters now.”

Mummy replied, “Jenny is no problem and she can stay with us anytime.” Both Jenny and I nodded our heads and then Jenny kissed her Daddy and said, “See you tonight” and got in the car and we were on our way to school.

Tuesday was sports day and I noticed that Jenny was wearing a t-shirt and short pleated skirt when she got in the car, and it was hard for her to get in and not show her knickers to me. She said “Oops, at least there are no boys around.”

I replied, “I haven't got a sports outfit yet. I wonder if I'll need one today?”

“It's all in hand Carla. Barry rang me last night and told me to get you to go to his office as soon as you arrive at the school this morning and he will give you the sports uniform.” Mummy explained.

I replied, “How do they know if it is going to fit me Mummy?”

“Carla, there are a lot of second hand school uniforms that mothers bring into the school for just this type of thing.”

“But Mummy, it's not new.”

“Sweetheart, I talked to Mary but she hasn't got your size in stock at the moment so this one will have to do for now.”

“But Mummy it might not fit me.” I whined. Jenny tried to console me and said, “Carla it will be ok! I bet it will fit you like a glove.”

I replied, “That’s what I’m afraid of.” and we both started to giggle.

Mummy pulled up at the main gate and said, “Carla sweetheart, there is a new uniform on order for you so it will only be today that you will have to wear the one they have found for you, so don't worry, you will look just as pretty as you always do.”

“Yes Mummy.”

“Ok, now give your Mummy a kiss and get in there.” I gave Mummy a kiss and so did Jenny who said, “Aunty Donna, I will look after her today. She'll be fine.”

Mummy breathed a sigh of relief and said, “Fussy girls!!” and drove off to work.

Jenny and I both went straight to the principal's office and knocked on his door, but it was Mrs Robinson who answered the door and she said, “Come in girls, I’ve been waiting for you. Carla, I want you to try this uniform on for me, I think it is the right size.”

I replied, “What here in the office?”

“Carla I will be here and to make sure no one comes in I will lock the door, ok?”

“Yes Mrs Robinson.” She was right it did fit me perfectly, and Jenny said, “I told you it would be ok didn't I?” Anyway I kept the sports uniform on and folded up my other one and put it in a bag that Mrs Robinson gave me.

Jenny and I went to our classroom to put our bags were they belonged and then went out to the parade ground for morning assembly. I asked Jenny what sport she played in and she said, “Well I play tennis, but there is also gymnastics and folk dancing for the girls. I think the boys mainly play football and cricket.”

I said, “I can play tennis because there was a tennis court at River Downs, and me and Rita used to play with some of the workers on weekends so I got quite good at it.”

Jenny said, “Ooh, that is brilliant. We will win every game of doubles that we play.”

After morning assembly we went to our classroom and did a couple of subjects till the morning break bell rang and we all filed out to the playground and had our bits of fruit or cake. When the bell rang again, our teacher was at the play ground and said “Alright everyone, you know what sport you all belong to so off you go.”

Jenny and I started to walked to the tennis courts and I said, “These uniforms are not the right ones for playing tennis in.”

Jenny replied, “well it is only the colour that is wrong, but they said it would be too expensive to have separate uniforms for different sports.”

Anyway, I still had a strapped up ankle so I would only be watching that day. Sports day was a short day for some students because most of the teachers were out in the playground, so there were no teachers left to go back to the class room. Mummy must have known about that because she came to the tennis courts and waited till Jenny had finished her game and then we collected our school bags and Mummy took us home. Jenny came to our place for her Mum to pick her up later in the afternoon. We played with the dogs till Jenny's Mum arrived.

To be continued.

Next time: More school and going out bush with Alice, meeting with aboriginal elders.

Please leave a comment.

Previously

After morning assembly we went to our classroom and did a couple of subjects till the morning break bell rang and we all filed out to the playground and had our bits of fruit or cake. When the bell rang again, our teacher was at the play ground and said “Alright everyone, you know what sport you all belong to so off you go.”

Jenny and I started to walked to the tennis courts and I said, “These uniforms are not the right ones for playing tennis in.”

Jenny replied, “well it is only the colour that is wrong, but they said it would be too expensive to have separate uniforms for different sports.”

Anyway, I still had a strapped up ankle so I would only be watching that day. Sports day was a short day for some students because most of the teachers were out in the playground, so there were no teachers left to go back to the class room. Mummy must have known about that because she came to the tennis courts and waited till Jenny had finished her game and then we collected our school bags and Mummy took us home. Jenny came to our place for her Mum to pick her up later in the afternoon. We played with the dogs till Jenny's Mum arrived.

There was no home work on Tuesdays because of sports so I wrote some more stuff in the diary that Rose gave to me to record all my feelings and emotions in when I started taking my girl pills.

I didn't know what I was supposed to write because I didn't feel any different, so I went out to the kitchen where Mummy was putting the saucepan full of vegetables on the stove to boil for dinner. There was also a meat loaf in the oven that I could smell as I entered the kitchen, which almost made me forget what I was going to ask Mummy.

Mummy said, “Hello sweetheart, what's wrong? You have a worried look on your face.”

That made me remember what I was there for and said, “Mummy I am confused. What am I supposed to write in the diary because I don't feel any different.”

“Carla, that is what Rose will wants to know because that means you are not having any problems with taking the hormone pills that Rose has prescribed for you.”

“Ok but there is one thing, my nipples are all itchy. Will I put that in the diary as well?”

“Oh Carla, you are a funny little girl aren’t you?”

“Yes Mummy so you keep telling me.” I then asked, “Will I start growing breasts now, and how big will they get?”

Mummy came and gave me a hug and said “Darling it will take a couple of years before you have to worry about your breasts getting too big, but yes it does mean that they are starting to develop.”

I replied “Jenny's nipples are doing the same thing so we will both get our breasts together won't we?”

Mummy said, “I expect so sweetheart, that is what is supposed to happen to girls after all.”

“Can you buy me some trainer bras like the one you want me to wear under my bridesmaid gown?”

“Darling I will just check the dinner, and then I will show you what I have for you in my bedroom ok?”

We went to Mummy's bedroom and Rita followed us in and said, “Is that what you were doing at Mary's today Mum?”

“Yes Rita, and I bought you a couple of new ones as well but you can pay me back out of your wages on Friday.”

“Yeah, thanks Mum.”

I looked at about six bras on Mummy's bed and said, “Are they all for me?”

Mummy replied, “Well, I think they might be a little bit small for me so they must be for my little Carla mustn't they?”

“Ooh Mummy thank you! Can I try one on now?”

“Yes darling but don’t go to bed with it on will you.”

I put it on and it felt nice and I almost walked out of the room without putting my top back on and Rita said, “I can't remember getting that excited about my first bra.”

Mummy then said, “If we don’t go and see to the dinner the man of the house will be going down to the restaurant to get fed.” so we made our way back to the kitchen where Daddy was looking in the oven to see how long it would be before we could eat dinner, and he said, “Hello ladies. When do we eat? I'm hungry enough to eat a horse.”

Rita replied, while Daddy gave Mummy a kiss, “Dad, we don't eat horses in Australia.”

Daddy said, after he gave Mummy another kiss this time on the lips, “Well, I think there is a butcher in Melbourne that caters for some European immigrants that have a taste for horse flesh.”

I said, “How could anyone even think of eating their horse?”

Mummy replied, “Carla, it's true people in certain countries eat horse meat.”

“But Mummy that is no different than eating your own dog. These people are gross.”

Daddy said, “Donna do you think we should tell her?”

“Tell me what Daddy?”

Mummy said, “Never mind sweetheart, lets set the table so we can eat what I have cooked instead.”

We sat down and had our meal but it still bothered me that someone would eat their horse.

Daddy asked, “And how was your day at school Carla?”

“Oh it was ok I guess, but it was hard not being able to play tennis with Jenny because of my ankle, but I should be right to play next week.”

Rita said, “What about swimming in spring when the pool opens for the summer season. Does the school have swimming carnivals?”

“Yeah they do. Jenny was telling me about that today, so I will definitely be in the my class swimming team.”

Mummy said, “Right girls, clear the table and we can have the rice and custard pudding I brought home from the restaurant for desert.”

We didn't have to be told twice to clear the dinner plates away because it is Aunty Bella's rice pudding that she makes for the restaurant. After desert was over Rita and I helped clean up the kitchen. I decided to go to my room and write in my diary about how I am feeling. Daddy was watching some show on the telly and Mummy and Rita were looking through a dress pattern book because Rita is getting interested in doing some sewing again.

I wrote 'Dear diary, this is the first time I am writing anything in here and I don't really know what I should write about, but my gender doctor, Rose San -Lee has asked me to write down how I feel about things as I am taking 'girl pills' now. The only thing I have noticed is that I have got itchy nipples the same as my friend Jenny and she is a real girl so that must mean I am one too. I will say good night now and write some more tomorrow night. Oops I almost forgot it is Tuesday the thirtieth of June nineteen fifty nine.'

The next couple of days went by fairly quickly but on Friday our class was going for a little bus trip out about twenty miles to a spot that was a sacred aboriginal site, and seeing I knew more about the subject than our teacher Peter Taylor, I was very nervous when I asked him, “Do you have permission from the Aboriginal elder to visit the site because ''white fellas'' are not normally welcome at these sacred sites without permission?”

He replied, “We will be doing a detour to the reservation and be taking a member from the local tribe with us.”

I said, “I know a bit of the language that they speak because of me being friends with Alice. You wouldn't know that Alice has Aboriginal blood in her because she takes after her late father who had lily-white skin and was Irish.”

Not all the class went with us. There were about ten that went to have a look at some cattle being loaded on the livestock train which would take them to Rockhampton. So we had twenty students on the bus which our teacher also drove.

When we got to the reservation it was I that went and greeted the man that was one of the elders at the camp, and I spoke a few words that I had learnt from Alice to him. He was impressed and invited me to come back to his camp any time that I wanted to hear some Dreamtime stories. I must say the other kids were really impressed with me being able to communicate with this very old man in his own tongue, he could speak a very broken English so we mixed a few of the words that I could not say.

A younger man accompanied us to the sacred site so we had a lesson on bush tucker which I already knew about from my time with my Aboriginal mate on River Downs ,so this is nothing new to me. As I have said, I can go bush and stay there and survive as long as I wanted. I even knew how to find water to drink in dry creek bed. All you needed is a stick to dig with and know what to look for and hey presto you have water to drink.

Jenny is most impressed with me speaking to the elder and said, “Do you think Alice can see if we can both come out to the camp and listen to that old man tell us the Dreamtime stories?”

I replied, “Jenny, that old man has invited me to come to his camp any time I feel like it, so you can come with me but we will have to talk someone into driving us out here - it's too far to be riding our bikes.

Jenny said, “Leave that to me. Don’t forget I’m Daddy's little girl.” We both had to giggle at that.

Anyway the other kids listened to the man tell them all about being able to live off the land and the land is like your mother or father and will look after you, and he talked about the ''rainbow serpent'' which I will tell you about some other time because it was time to get on the bus and go home. On the way back to the school we sang 'Waltzing Matilda' and 'Click go the Shears.' We were soon back at the school to pick up our school bags and go home. Mummy was waiting for us at the main gate in Daddy’s car again, and this time I asked, “Mummy why are you driving Daddy’s car now?”

Mummy replied, “Daddy is using the Land Rover to carry the fuel pumping equipment to use at the aerodrome to refuel the aircraft that ask for it, so this is my car now.”

It was Friday, so Jenny was coming to stay the weekend with me again and Ricky was also coming over to watch some some football show with Peter and their dad Barry, ''the school principal.'' Rita was also taking Saturday afternoon off because she wanted to spend more time with Peter, probably to to do some more kissing in her room, ''rolling eyes''.

I thought to myself 'Why can Rita kiss Peter all she likes and I am not allowed to kiss Ricky? 'Snot fair'. And while I was thinking that, Jean had to put her two cents worth in and was in my mind clear and loud and said, “Sis, if we kiss Ricky he will want to do more than just kiss.”

I replied in full voice which made Jenny, who was sitting beside me on the bed jump, when I said, “What is this ''we'' business Jean?”

She replied, “Well if you remember back when you visited my grave before you left River Downs, you said that I will be living my life in your body and where you go I would be with you?”

I said, “Yes, but does that mean you share everything I do?”

“Yes Carla it does, so you had better get used to it, because you can never get me out of your mind. We are one soul and one spirit.” and then she said “I love you Sis” and then went quiet.

Jenny was getting all excited and said, “Next time can we try to do that together like we did last time Carla?”

I replied, “Well as long as we are somewhere that we won't be disturbed we can try but I think it takes a lot out of Jean to do that.”

Jenny said, “I heard your side of the conversation about kissing Ricky but what is the problem?”

“Jenny everything I do, Jean is there with me till the day I die.”

“Ooh don’t say die like that it scares me.”

“Well we only go to another dimension so we don't really stop existing. We will just live in the spirit world.”

Mummy came into my room and said, “You have been talking to Jean haven’t you Carla?”

I replied, “Yeah! but how on earth did you know that? You were out in the kitchen all the time when I was talking with her.”

Mummy replied, “Sweetheart, ever since you made the connection with me and Jean the last time, I can feel the vibrations in my chest when you two are communicating, and I think Rita does as well, although I don’t know if she quite knows that is what it is.”

Jenny said, “Wow, does it mean it will also effect me like that as well?”

Mummy said “We will have to talk to Rose about that, and Carla make sure you write all this in your diary as well. Ok you two, get yourselves all prettied up and don’t take all night about it or we will leave you at home.”

Jenny and I looked at each other and said at same time “Where are we going Mummy?”

'“Just get ready and you will find out.” and left the room shaking her head saying to herself, I'm sure they both called me Mummy then.' We looked at each other and said skirts and both fell about giggling and went to my wardrobe and pulled out two denim skirts and warm tops that matched the skirts. It was cold outside at night so we put on black tights. I gave Jenny a lend of one of my new bras so we both had some shape up top, and to make sure we put rolled up socks in the bra cups as well.

Rita came out of her bedroom all dolled up make-up and all, and said, “Go and sit down at the dressing table, you two and I will do your hair and put a tiny bit of make up on both of you.”

We still weren’t told where we were going but said 'yes' to the hair and make up. I wore my hair down. It was getting really long and Rita said she would have to take me to town in the next week and get it trimmed into some shape to make it easier for me to manage. She did Jenny's hair the same as mine and we both had pink barrettes in to hold it in place and when she finished that she said, “Ok now I can tell you where we are going tonight.”

She asked me what the date was, I had to think and said, “Oh my God!! How could I forget Mummy's birthday and why didn't she say something this morning?”

“Carla it's alright, I didn't remember either until Dad said something to me and I said the same thing, but he said Mummy just wanted to see if we would remember without being told.”

I said, “Rita, I feel just awful now.” and rushed out of the room in tears and straight into Mummy's bedroom and hugged her and said, “Mummy I’m so sorry that I didn't even remember your birthday.”

I had tears running down my face and was spoiling the little make up that Rita had put on my face.

Mummy said, “Look at you sweetheart, all your make up is ruined. You forget my birthday because there is so much happening in your own life at the moment.”

“But Mummy I have no present for you. You should have said something to me this morning on the way to school.”

“Yes I suppose I should have and that was mean of me, but I’ll make it up to you tonight alright?”

I replied “Where are we going?”

Mummy said, “We are only going to the restaurant but have closed it to the public just for tonight so we could invite all our new friends to my birthday party.”

Rita had to redo my make up and then we all got into the car and went to the restaurant. It was seven o'clock and there were about thirty people there including the Smith family so I was happy.

Tom Granger and his wife Margaret were also there. That's why I heard a helicopter earlier in the afternoon, and the guy that took us to Brisbane in his plane was also there, not the first one the last one. His name is Rodney Schultz. The party got under way. And Rita, Aunty Bella and Helen helped Alice and Linda get the meals to the tables. Ricky sat next to me and he introduced a boy our age or maybe a bit older and said, “Carla and Jenny this is my friend Billy Wilson and he is in the school choir and wanted to meet you and Jenny so I asked your Mum to invite him tonight.”

Billy is hot and very good looking, and Jenny couldn't keep her eyes of him.

I gave her dig in the ribs and whispered, “Jenny you are staring at him and close your mouth.”

She looked at me and whispered back “He is gorgeous!”

Billy then held out his hand for Jenny to shake and said, “Hello Jenny, I have seen you around in the playground and have never been game to come up and talk to you. It's nice to meet you.”

Jenny just whispered, “Yeah, me too.”

Ricky and I had to have a small laugh, but stopped when we realised that we were embarrassing them both. So it looks like we both have a boy friend now.

Tom Croft and Margaret came to talk with me and asked me how I am going at school and also how my gender thing is progressing and they both said how anyone could have ever thought I was a boy beggars belief. Then they went and talked with Mummy, Daddy, and Rodney and I was told later that Rodney and Tom had formed a company to have an air charter business in Quilpie. So it looks like any future trips to Brisbane will be made by air, which will cut the travelling time down to about two and a half hours.

Ricky, Jenny, Billy and I sat together for the rest of the evening and chatted about school and when summer comes and how we can all go swimming together.

Jenny and I went to the toilet together and she said, “Wow Carla, I can't seem to keep my eyes off Billy, he is hot!!”

“Yeah Jenny, I noticed, but you have to stop staring at him or he will get scared of you”. That put us into a fit of giggles till we got back out to where the boys were sitting and Ricky said, “What's so funny?”

Jenny said, “It's a girl thing Ricky, you wouldn't understand.”

Ricky replied, “Got that right.”

Helen came over to us and said, “Ricky and Billy we will be going in a few minutes so you had better say goodbye to the girls now ok?”

We went outside to where the cars are parked and I had a quick cuddle and a kiss with Ricky and there was that tremble in my chest again and Ricky jumped and said, “That sister of yours is a mighty fine kisser, Carla. Tell her thanks.”

Billy looked at Jenny and said, “What was that all about?”

Jenny said “We cant tell you yet but maybe one day.”

He gave Jenny a quick kiss on the cheek before Helen could catch us kissing, but I think she waited for a while to let us do it anyway. She knows how close me and Ricky are and trusts us not to go any further.

We went back into the restaurant and people were all helping to clean up the place so it would be open for business the next morning. It was getting late when we finally got home and Jenny and I hit the sack and went to sleep dreaming of kissing boys.

To be continued.

Next time: Going to see Brad's Mum and going fishing on the river and performing CPR to save a life.

Please leave a comment.

Previously

Helen came over to us and said, “Ricky and Billy, we will be going in a few minutes so you had better say goodbye to the girls now ok?”

We went outside to where the cars were parked and I had a quick cuddle and a kiss with Ricky and there was that tremble in my chest again, and Ricky jumped and said, “That sister of yours is a mighty fine kisser Carla, tell her thanks.”

Billy looked at Jenny and said, “What was that all about Jenny?”

She replied, “We can't tell you yet, but maybe one day.”

He gave Jenny a quick kiss on the cheek before Helen could catch us kissing, but I think she waited for a while to let us do it anyway. She knows how close me and Ricky are and trusts us not to go any further. We went back into the restaurant and people were all helping to clean up the place so it would be ready for business tomorrow morning. It was getting late when we finally got home Jenny and I hit the sack and went to sleep dreaming of kissing boys.

Saturday 3/7/59.

Jenny and I slept in till eight am which is unusual for us but it was a big day yesterday so we had to get our beauty sleep, we got up and ran to the bath room with our bare feet on the freezing floor boards because we left our slippers in the bath room last night. We quickly got the shower water running and got in under the warm water. We both needed to wash our hair because there were people that smoked cigars last night and our hair smelt of smoke.

Once we finished in the shower we realised that in our rush we didn't bring any clothes with us from the bedroom so it was a mad dash with a towel wrapped around us and a pair of slippers on our feet to get back to the bedroom.

Rita was just getting up and going to the the bathroom and said “Shit it's cold” and started to run to the bathroom door to close it before all the warm air escaped so she didn't have to freeze getting her clothes off to get into the shower.

It was so cold we decided to wear jeans and warm tops and jumpers with our wool lined flying boots. Jenny had almost as much of her clothes in my wardrobe as me but it didn't matter because we were both the same size and we just wore each others clothes except our knickers. Mine were pink and Jenny’s were yellow, we also put our bras back on and stuffed the socks back in the cups again.

Mummy saw us walking into the kitchen to make our breakfast and said, “Good morning girls, did you have a nice sleep in?”

We both said “Yes Mummy.” and then Jenny said, “Oops I mean Aunty Donna.”

Mummy replied, “That's alright Jenny darling, but you do have a mummy of your own you know!”

“Yes Aunty Donna, but you are my second mummy and I love you as much as my own Mummy.”

“Well you're welcome sweetheart, but make sure you tell her that you love too won't you?”

“Yes Aunty Donna I will.”

Just then Rita and Daddy came in and Rita said, “What’s for breakfast Mum?”

Mummy replied, “What ever you lot can find, I’m off to the shops to do some grocery shopping and 'bye.” and she was gone.

Daddy then said “Rita, can you make some porridge to warm us all up?”

Rita responded with, “Yeah that’d be right. What am I the slave around here?”

We all nodded and said “Yep.”

She then said, “Right, as long as you all clean up after, I will oblige but that's only because I have to have breakfast too.”

Daddy said, “Thanks luv. Next time I see Peter I’ll tell him you'll make a good wife.”

Rita replied “Yeah whatever” and started to make the porridge.

We had our breakfast and cleaned up the kitchen and went to clean up the bedroom and put the weekly washing on. Rita said she was going to do the ironing while Jenny and I did the vacuuming. We had two vacuum cleaners because one was Daddy's and the other one Mummy brought with us from River Downs so it didn't take us long to get it done.

When we were putting the cleaners away, Daddy came in where we were and said, “Here you are girls.” and handed each of us a ten shilling note and added “Just a bit of pocket money. You've both earned it.”

Jenny and I kissed Daddy on the cheeks at the same time and said, “Thanks Daddy.”

Daddy walked away and said to himself 'Did I just gain another daughter?' and shook his head and kept walking.

It was nearly ten o'clock when Mummy came back from doing the shopping and she yelled out to us to come and give her a hand to carry it all into the house. Once the groceries were all packed away and Mummy had a cup of tea she said, “We will go and see Brad's mum to see how she is getting on.”

After we had morning tea Mummy, Jenny and I got into Mummy’s car and she drove to the other side of town to where Mrs Blake lived. Mummy pulled up outside of an old dilapidated cottage with an overgrown garden. There was no car in the tin shed at the side of the house, so Brad's mum would have to walk to the shops in town to buy her groceries.

We got out of the car and made our way to the front porch of the house and knocked on the door. There was no answer and we knocked again but still no one answered the door.

Mummy said, “I hope she is alright. I think we should go around the back and see if she is in the back yard hanging out washing or something.”

We made our way through the high grass at the side of the house to find her asleep in an old squatter's chair. She must have gone out into the sun to get warm and fallen asleep in the chair. Mummy touched her gently on the shoulder and she jumped with a start.

Mummy said, “Sorry Mrs Blake, but we came to see if you were ok and to see if you needed a hand with anything now that you are all by yourself?”

Mrs Blake seemed to be a timid sort of person and almost looked frightened by our presence and she said, “What do you people want with me, haven’t you done enough already?”

Mummy replied, “Mrs Blake, my daughter didn't ask to be attacked by your out -of-control son. Carla was not responsible for your husband's gambling with my ex-husband, and he had no right to hurt Carla the way he did. That is why he is now in a boys' home to try to sort his anger problems out.”

Mrs Blake now had tears running down her cheeks and said, “Carla, I’m sorry Bradley hurt you, but ever since his father left he's been uncontrollable and he even started hitting me. But the part I don’t understand is why he thought you were a boy?”

I decide to play dumb, {which I must admit isn't too hard for me), and replied, “I don't know either. Do you think I look like a boy?”

She replied in a shaky kind of voice, “All I can see is a pretty little girl, so where he got the idea from that you were ever a boy is beyond me.”

Mummy then said, “That would have been my ex-husband doing some shit stirring to your husband and Brad took it the wrong way.”

'Well' I thought 'that was half true anyway.'

Mummy then went on and said, “We have come to see if we could help in any way to make life a little bit easier for you.”

Mrs Blake said, “Well, when that no-good husband of mine took off, he took the car and that has left me pretty isolated and it makes it hard to get about because I have a bad hip which I broke in a fall a couple of years ago. It has never healed up properly, so it is hard for me to walk any long distance, and I can't afford a taxi fare because I am on a disability pension.”

Jenny said, “Aunty Donna, what if Carla and I ride our bikes over here once a week and get Mrs Blake to give us her shopping list? We could do the shopping for her and you could bring it back here with your car one afternoon a week.”

Mummy looked at Mrs Blake and said, “How does that sound Mrs Blake?

Mrs Blake said, “Call me Jane, and that sounds really helpful. If the girls are willing to do that, it would make things much easier for me.

“Donna, call me Donna” Mummy said.

“Thanks Donna. I must admit Brad wasn't much help but he did do the shopping for me, but I think he also stole a lot of the shopping money. Maybe where he is now will straighten him out.”

Mummy said, “I wouldn't hold my breath on that one.”

Anyway Mummy went to the shops before they closed at midday because it was Saturday. Jenny and I stayed and cleaned up inside the house and put a load of washing on and generally tidied up around the place. When Mummy came back we put all the groceries away and said we would be back next Saturday to do the same.

We went back home and it was lunch time. Daddy had been to the restaurant with Rita and brought back left-over food from last night, so lunch was an easy fix. Daddy's small dingy was out of the shed and it looked like he was going to go fishing the on Bulloo River later today. It was winter fishing season and the river was full of yellow belly which is an Australian fresh water Bass.

Daddy said, “Girls, do you fancy going fishing with me this afternoon?”

Jenny and I both looked at each other and nodded.

Daddy said, “What does that mean?”

“It means 'yes' Daddy, but we wont stay after dark will we?”

“No sweetheart, we want to use our catch for dinner tonight.

Rita was not into fishing so she and Mummy were going to do some sewing to make some new dresses for when summer came. I could sew now too, and would start making some for myself with a little help from Rita. I wanted to make some nice summer dresses because they are really girly and I think Ricky would like me wearing them as well.

Anyway we helped Daddy hook up the boat to the Land-rover and got the smelly worms out of the freezer so that they would be defrosted by the time we had to put them on the hook.

Daddy drove down to the river where the boat ramp is and asked Jenny and I to get out and give him a guide so he doesn’t go too far back with the Land-rover.

I said, “Stop! The back of the boat is touching the water Daddy.”

He got out and undid the straps that hold the boat on the trailer and the boat slipped into the water. Jenny and I held the rope that is attached to the front of the dingy. All the fishing gear was already in the boat so Daddy drove the car and trailer up and away from the ramp because there was another man and his son wanting to use the ramp after us.

The three of us climbed in and and pushed ourselves out away from the ramp.

Daddy said, “Ok girls, sit down and I will start the outboard and we'll be on our way.”

We didn't go very far and Daddy threw out and anchor when we were about mid stream because there was a little bit of a run in the water.

We used hand lines and not rods because if you fish with a hand line you can feel the fish take the bait more easily than with a rod and reel.

Daddy said, “This is the spot where I usually sit so I can still see the car and trailer in the distance, because there are some little shit-heads that will vandalise the cars given half a chance if they cant see any one about to catch them at it.”

I said, “We should have brought Ginger and left her with the the car.”

Daddy replied, “Yeah, I guess.”

Anyway we all baited our lines with the smelly worms and dropped the line in over the side of the boat. Nothing happened and Daddy said “We'll give it two hours and if we don’t catch anything by then there is probably still too much dirty water from the last run off.”

Well, it wasn't long when I got my first tug on the line, but I fought the urge to pull on the line because the yellow belly has a real soft mouth and you have to wait to let the fish take the bait down into its gullet before you can pull and hook the fish. I waited and very gently gave the line a slight tug and I had hooked the first fish of the day.

Daddy said, “Shit Carla, it's my job to show you how it's done not the other way around!”

Jenny started to giggle because she also has a fish on the line and I said, “Jenny be gentle or you will lose it.”

Daddy said, “Who taught you to catch fish like that Carla?”

I replied, “An aboriginal worker on River Downs Daddy. I spent a lot of time with him. He is the one that taught me how to survive in the bush.”

I started to pull my catch up and and asked Daddy to get the landing net ready to put under the fish so I wouldn't pull the hook out of its mouth when I lifted it out of the water and lose it.

Daddy said, “Yes ma'am.”

I got my fish in the boat and then helped Jenny land hers. She had caught a really big one and had trouble pulling it up so I had to give her a hand with the line. It was twice the size as mine and would have weighed at least two pounds.

Daddy said, “Bloody hell kids what is this, bush week and I'm the sucker?”

Just then he had a big tug on the line and he played the fish like I did only slower and he said to me, “Ok smarty pants! Get the landing net and I will put you both to shame with this one.” I got the shock of my life when he pulled up a Murray cod which would be at least a five pound fish. It took myself and Jenny to handle the net and get this monster before he could shake himself off the line.

Daddy said, “Right girls, that's two hours and we have our fish for dinner, so we will leave the rest in the river for next time.”

Daddy was pulling the anchor up when we heard someone yelling “Help me! Help me!”

Daddy looked around to see the boat that came into the river after us and was about five hundred yards up-stream from where we were, and the young boy was waving his hands in the air with his hat to attract our attention.

Daddy said, “Where is his Dad? I can't see his dad. Carla, Jenny, you two get this anchor in and sit down and hang on, I don't want either of you falling out of the boat.”

We hung on and when we got closer we could see the boy's Dad laying on the floor of the boat. Daddy pulled the two boats together and got a rope and tied them together so we wouldn't start drifting apart.

The boy was frantic and said, “Don’t let him die. Please help him!”

Daddy asked the boy what happened and the boy said, “Pain in his arm and then he collapsed.”

I said Daddy, “I was taught to do CPR on River Downs.” I almost yelled at Jenny to give me a hand and get in the other boat.

I said, “Jenny,' I want you to push down on his chest and say one thousand' and push again until I tell you to stop. Hurry!!”

I then made sure that there was nothing in the man's mouth or throat and held his nose closed and started to blow air into his lungs while Jenny kept up the chest compressions. I felt Jean give me some sort of strange energy which made me feel a lot stronger than I really am, and she was in my mind saying, “Sis, you have to save this man. He will be in our future.”

Daddy kept the boy quiet so he wouldn't get in the way. The man started to breath after a couple of minutes and I asked Daddy to help me roll him on his side so he wouldn't swallow his tongue.

Daddy said, “Wow Carla, I think you just save this man's life.”

I replied, “Daddy, he needs to get to a hospital or he could still die.”

Daddy then asked the boy if he knew how to drive a boat and the boy replied, “Yes”, Daddy then untied the two boats and pulled up the anchor on the man's boat and started up the two outboards and we headed to the boat ramp.

When we got there Daddy told the boy to hang on to the two boats and stop them from drifting away, and he ran to the car and undid the boat trailer and drove off to the nearest public phone box to call for an ambulance. We heard the siren of an ambulance before Daddy even got back to where we were.

By this time the boy was in tears and and was trying to talk to his Dad but I said, “Don't try to make him talk. He just needs to breathe and nothing else ok?”
He just nodded his head and held his Dad's hand and looked like he was praying. The ambulance arrived with two people which wasn't normal for out here on a weekend so the guy must have picked up his mate on the way.

They both jumped out of the ambulance and asked me a heap of questions about what I did with him and then we got him out of the boat and on to an ambulance stretcher and into the back of the ambulance.

The boy said to Daddy, “What about the car and boat mister?”

Daddy replied, “Get the keys out of your Dad's pocket and I will look after that for now.”

The ambulance men knew Daddy, so there was no need for the boy to worry about where the car and boat would be taken. The ambulance took off but did not put on the siren because I guess there is not a lot of traffic in town on a Saturday afternoon. When I asked Daddy why they weren’t using the siren he explained that it causes the patient more stress to have it going.

After our boat was pulled up on to the trailer and secured, Daddy said, “You girls wait here while I take our car and boat back home and pick Tony up to drive me back here to collect the other car and boat.”

We had to secure the mans dingy at the ramp so it wouldn't drift off and while we were doing that we discovered they had quite a nice catch of fish in a bucket in the boat, so we decided to gut and clean the fish before Daddy came back with Uncle Tony. Jenny wasn't too keen on gutting the fish but I learned to do it on River Downs and was quite good at doing it. Once I had cleaned the fish, I washed all the gear in the river and stowed it back in the boat. The fish I put in the washed out bucket and I would put their catch in the freezer when we got home so they could enjoy their fish later sometime.

I said to Jenny, “I hope that man is going to be ok.”

Jenny said, “Well I think you probably saved his life Carla, you were amazing!”

I replied, “But it took the two of us to do the CPR so you are just as responsible for saving him.”

Jenny said, “Yeah, I guess so.”

It wasn't long before Daddy and Uncle Tony were there and they got the second boat out of the water and put it on the trailer. I told Daddy what I had done with the fish, and he said, “Carla you are not just a pretty face are you? First you go and save a man's life and the you even clean his fish for him.”

I replied, “Jenny is a pretty face too Daddy, she helped me as well.”

Uncle Tony said, “And what was your Daddy doing to help?” with a grin on his face.

Daddy said, “Yey!! Watch it Bagla, someone had to supervise the whole operation.”

Uncle Tony then said “You girls can come fishing with me any time you like.”

Anyway Tony got in his car and went home and we did the same.

When we arrived home I said, “Daddy, Jenny and I will get the fish cleaned so Mummy can get dinner under way”

Daddy replied, “Carla, I saw the fish you cleaned and filleted in the bucket. That's a better job than I could do. I'll leave you to it and clean up the boats.”

Rita and Mummy came out to collect the fish so they could go in the oven to be baked and also put the other lot in the freezer for when the guy in hospital recovered.

Mummy said, “Carla the hospital rang and said Mr Jackson is doing ok and his wife is at the hospital and will come to see you and bring young Kenny with her to thank you for what you did.”

Daddy finished cleaning the boats and put them and the cars in his shed and came out and said to Mummy, “Donna you have got an incredible daughter. You should have seen her in action. She saved that man's life!”

I said Daddy, “I got help from Jenny and Jean so it's not all down to me.”

Rita came and gave Jenny and I a hug and said, “My two heroes, I love you both.”

After that we all went in inside. While dinner was being prepared, Jenny and I went and had a shower to get rid of the fishy smell we both had from the day's fishing.

It was about seven o'clock when we heard a car pull up outside and Daddy said, “That will probably be Mrs Jackson to pick up their car.”

We all went outside and saw the police car and Jim the Sargent got out and said, “Ok where is our little hero?”

I replied, “Two heroines.” Jenny and I were holding hands when the lady and the boy got out of the police car and the lady had tears in her eyes when she knelt down and hugged us and just said, “Thank you girls. You have save my husband's life.”

Jenny and I said at the same time, “You're welcome.”

We all went inside and Jim the Sargeant asked Daddy to explain what had occurred on the river. Kenny the boy was apparently still too upset to give a proper account of what happened.

An hour later we gave Mrs Jackson the fish out of the freezer and she got her car out of Daddy's shed but left the boat and trailer there because she isn't used to towing anything be hind the car. She thanked us again and said she would come back tomorrow to take us to see her husband if that was alright with Mummy.

Mummy replied, “That is not a problem.”

Jenny and I talked till late into the night and even communicated with Jean before we drifted of to sleep.

To be continued.

Next time: Meeting the man that Jenny and I saved, and back to school with the choir

Please leave a comment.

Previously

It was about seven o'clock when we heard a car pull up outside and Daddy said, “That will probably be Mrs Jackson to pick up their car.”

We all went outside and saw the police car and Jim the Sergeant get out and said, “Ok, where is our little hero?”

I replied “Two heroines.”

Jenny and I were holding hands when the lady and the boy got out of the police car and the lady had tears in her eyes when she knelt down and hugged us and just said, “Thank you girls, you have saved my husband's life.”

Jenny and I said at the same time “You're welcome.”

We all went inside and the Sergeant asked Daddy to explain what had occurred on the river. Kenny the boy was apparently still to upset to give a proper account of what happened.

An hour later we gave Mrs Jackson the fish out of the freezer and she got her car out of Daddy's shed but left the boat and trailer there because she isn't used to towing anything behind the car.

She thanked us again and said she would come back tomorrow and take us to see her husband if that was alright with Mummy.

Mummy replied, “That is not a problem.”

Jenny and I talked till late into the night and even communicated with Jean before we drifted off to sleep.

Sunday4/7/59.

It was six am and it was very cold, so Jenny and I were cuddled up really close. Jenny stayed at my place most weekends now. Anyway, as I was saying it was too cold to get up out of bed yet and we decide to have another go at talking with Jean this morning.

I said to Jenny, “Don't go back to sleep, but keep your eyes closed and hold one of my hands.”

She complied, closed her eyes and held my hand and said, “Ok now what?”

“Just concentrate on how you saw Jean last time, and she will appear but don’t let go of my hand or the connection will be lost.”

She replied, “Ok.”

I then said, “Jean please show yourself to to Jenny as well.”

Jean's spirit image was there on the bed and she said “Jenny! you will only see me while you have contact with Carla and have your eyes closed I cannot keep contact if you open your eyes.”

Jenny said, full voice, “Jean I can see you and hear you. You are just as pretty as Carla.”

“Jenny, we are of the same spirit and soul. We can not be separated, and even when Carla passes over to this side we will still be joined.”

I interrupted their little chat and said, “Jean you helped me with that man and said that he will be in our future, what did you mean by that?”

“Carla, you will find out in good time but I must let you live your own life, but I will be there to help you always.”

I was not going to let her get away with that and said, “Jean, please give me some sort of clue or I will get angry with you.”

Jean then said “Carla, I can only tell you that the boy is like you. Now I am getting weak so I will say bye for know.” and she blew me and Jenny a kiss and slowly faded away. Jenny wouldn’t stop holding my hand in case Jean might reappear; but I said, “Jenny, you can let go of my hand now. Jean wont be able to come back till she gets her strength back, but she is getting stronger every time I talk to her.”

Jenny finally let go of my hand and she let out a squeal when she saw Mummy standing at the bedroom door which is always left open at night so Ginger can come in if she wants to.

I knew Mummy was there because I saw her before Jenny opened her eyes.

Mummy said, “Do you realise Carla, that I could see and hear Jean as well?”

I said, “Mummy, I thought I had to be touching you for it to work.”

Mummy replied, “I knew you were communicating with your twin because I get the trembles in the chest when ever you two connect, and Carla sweetheart, I heard what Jean said about that boy but you must not force her to tell you things.”

“But Mummy I need to know everything.”

Jenny giggled and said, “Yes Aunty Donna, we need to know everything.”

Mummy said, “Well, we might find out a bit more later today when Mrs Jackson comes to take you two to see Mr Jackson at the hospital won't we?”

I replied, “The boy Kenny will be there I guess.”

“Carla and Jenny, I know you like to know everything about all things but you mustn't go asking that boy any personal questions do you understand?”

We both said, “Yes Mummy.”

Jenny said, “Oops sorry Aunty Donna.”

Mummy said, “I should hope so” with a grin on her face.

Rita came into the room and said, “What's all the noise about this early in the day? I felt that thing in my chest so I suppose you have been talking to our little sister haven’t you?”

Mummy said “Yes Rita, it's too cold to be standing here, so lets all go into the warm kitchen and I will make us some porridge for breakfast.

The kitchen is always warm because of the combustion stove which never goes out. We set the table for breakfast while Mummy made the porridge.

Daddy walked into the kitchen scratching his head and said, “Morning ladies, what's the occasion?”

Mummy said, “Morning darling, no occasion, just having breakfast to get warm.”

Daddy gave Mummy a kiss and sat down at the table and waited for the porridge to to be served. He said, “What was all the talking in your bedroom about Carla?”

“Jean Daddy!! She is getting stronger, and we can talk normally. As long as we keep our eyes closed we can see her.”

Daddy said, “That reminds me, Jim Ryan rang me on Friday and wants you to make an appointment to go and see him in the couple of days. He mentioned Rose so I suppose it has something to do with her twin project.”

I said, “Daddy I’m not a project.”

“Sorry darling. You're right, I should have said study.”

Rita said, “Dad that makes it tomorrow.”

He replied, “It makes what tomorrow?”

“The appointment, what else?”

“Oh shit you're right. Sorry Carla, my brain doesn't work too well in winter.”

Mummy said, “Don’t worry I'll ring first thing in the morning.”

Daddy said, “Right, are we all going to church this morning?”

We all chorused and said “Yes.”

Mummy said, “Bill darling, you don't have to go to the Lutheran church if you want go to the service at your church.”

Daddy replied, “I belong with my family so it's the Lutheran church that I belong to now and besides God is everywhere.”

I said, “What about Father Brian? He is a good mate of yours, wont he be upset?”

Daddy replied, “I think Brian is gong to leave the church and take up his profession in law, so he wont care what I do.”

Anyway, Daddy went to get dressed and put on his new second hand suit. Mummy and Rita cleaned up the kitchen and Jenny and I were chased to my room to get ourselves ready for church. Jeans didn't cut the grade for church so we went through the wardrobe a couple of times before we came up with the winning combination. We both chose to wear long winter skirts and woollen tops with long sleeves, but didn't want spoil the look of us having breasts by putting on a coat to hide our new shape, even if it was all socks in the cups.

Mummy said, “Girls it is quite cold today shouldn't you be wearing a coat?”

Rita said, “Mum I think they want to impress the boys in the choir that they are older than they really are.”

Mummy said, “Ok, but I want you both to take coats anyway ok?”

“Yes Mummy” rolling our eyes.

“Stop that two Mummy bit you two, you will get me into trouble with Jenny's Mum.”

We said “Sorry” in unison.

Mummy shook her head and said, “Well we can always adopt Jenny, she is almost part of the family anyway.” and then said, “just kidding Jenny.”

Jenny said, “Aunty Donna, I still think of you as my second Mummy.”

Mummy replied, “Alright, I guess I can cope with that”

Daddy said, “Are we all done adopting kids? If we are lets get going.”

All us ladies said, “Yes sir.”

We were just walking down the front steps when Jenny's Mum and Dad drove into the driveway and Jenny's Mum got out of the car and said “Jenny darling we have to go to to Charleville to catch a flight to Brisbane and then a connecting flight to Sydney. Your Gran is in hospital and is very ill so we will be gone for a few days.”

“Donna, I hate to ask you to do this, but could Jenny stay with you for a little while? You are like a second Mum to her and she loves being with Carla. I’m sure she wont be any trouble.”

Mummy replied, “Jan, Jenny is welcome to stay as long as you need her to and she has never been any trouble. But you had better give me a key to be able to get her school uniform and and all her other school things she will need.”

Jenny's mum handed their house keys to Mummy, and gave Jenny a hug, and her Dad got out of the car to do the same, and her Dad said, “We heard about what happened down at the river yesterday and are very proud of you Jenny.”

Then he hugged her and said, “You be a good girl while we're away sweetheart, and we'll be back as soon as we can.”

Jenny said. “I hope Gran will be ok. Please give me a ring when you get to Sydney and let me know how she is.”

“We will darling.” they replied and got into their car and drove off.

Daddy said “Ok you lot, if we don't get in the car now we will be late for church and we don't want to be walking in after the service has begun do we ladies!!!”

We all replied, “No, yes sir!!” and got in the car with Daddy saying something about understanding women or something that sounded like that.

I sort of missed seeing Ricky at church but there is not a lot that could be done about that and anyway I could always see him at school and at the park.

Jenny and I walked into the church holding hands and someone said to Mummy, “Your two younger daughters are in the church choir aren’t they?”

Mummy replied” “Yes they are, but only one is my daughter. The other one might as well be, for she and Carla are like two peas in a pod.”

The lady said, “My name is June Frost and I am the choir singing teacher amongst other things in the church. After the service I would like to see where these girls will fit into the choir and organise some singing lessons to help them along.”

Mummy replied, “Sure, but they both have an appointment to see someone at the hospital later so they can't stay to long.

Miss Frost said, “Ok, I will make it as short as possible.”

After the service Jenny said “Gee Carla, I like the singing much better in this church than the Catholic one.”

When we got home from church it was ten thirty and we all needed to have some morning tea. There was morning tea at the church but Mummy said we had better come home in case Mrs Jackson arrived while we were out. Mummy had made some cream buns yesterday so we got them and went and sat out in the warm winter sun in the backyard garden.

Ginger was pestering me and Jenny to throw the ball for her game of throw and fetch so we took turns in throwing the ball to her to keep her happy. Fluffy just sleeps all the time! What a life!! Goldie is now living back with Uncle Tony and Aunty Bella, since Uncle Tony built her a nice big kennel, but she still wanders down the road to see us every couple of days.

We had just finished our buns when Mrs Jackson and her son turned up to take Jenny and I to visit her husband in the hospital. As they got out of the car and were walking to us Jenny whispered “He does look a bit girly doesn’t he?”

I replied “I wonder if he is just like me, a girl with a plumbing problem.”

Mummy said, “Shush girls and behave.”

“Yes Mummy!!”

Mrs Jackson said, “Hello everyone. Would it be ok to take the girls to see David at the hospital? Apparently he has been asking to see the little girls that got him breathing again on Friday afternoon.”

Mummy said, “That will be fine, would you like me to pick them back up once they are finished visiting?”

She replied rather nervously “No if you don't mind I would like a word with you about something when I bring them back.”

“That'll be ok. Take your time we aren’t going anywhere.”

We got in the car's back seat and said, “Hi” to Kenny and he shyly said “Hello.” in an almost girly way. 'I should talk'.

Anyway I said, “How is your husband Mrs Jackson?”

She replied, “He is recovering quite well, but is not going to be able to go back to work for quite a while I would imagine.”

We arrived at the hospital and walked across the car park to the main entrance of the hospital and as we entered the building I thought 'Wow this whole hospital would fit into the Mater in Brisbane about fifty times'. Anyway a nurse was just walking towards us and asked us to follow her to where they had Mr Jackson in a private room. It was only a small hospital and there were only three private rooms. He was in the one closest to the where the nurses could keep him under observation.

The nurse said, “I’m Christine and I am looking after Mr Jackson so if you have any questions just ask me.”

We nodded, and went into the room where Mr Jackson was all propped up with pillows. He looked ok for a man who had a heart attack a couple of days ago.

There were enough chairs for us all to sit down, but Jenny and myself went to grab a hand each and we both said “Hello” at the same time.

He responded by saying, “Carla and Jennifer, you two are my angels that stopped me from leaving this planet.” He had tears running down his cheeks when he said that.

The nurse was standing at the door and said, “You can hug him if you want, he is out of danger but don’t get him to excited.”

Jenny and I gave Mr Jackson a quick hug and stepped back so his wife and son could do the same. Mrs Jackson sat back down on one of the chairs but Kenny his son sat on the bed and held his fathers hand and said, “I love you Daddy.” now I’m guessing but I think he is a bit older than me and I thought that only girls called their father Daddy.

Mr Jackson said, “Kenny, you have these two pretty angels to thank for me still being here, but your Mummy tells me you were brave as well and helped bring the boat back to the boat ramp.”

The boy replied in a very girly way, “Daddy, I don’t know what I would have done if these two girls and their Daddy hadn't come to help.”

Mrs Jackson looked to be a bit embarrassed at how her son was talking as if he were a girl. She got up and and said, “It looks like your getting tired David so we might go and leave you in peace.”

He replied, “Yes it has all been a bit of a shock, but before you go what about the boat?”

“Don’t worry Daddy” said Kenny, “It is quite safe at Mr Croft's place and we can get it when you are out of hospital.”

Mrs Jackson gave her husband a kiss and so did Kenny and we all said goodbye and left Mr Jackson to go to sleep.

By the time Mrs Jackson got us back home it was close to lunch time and as we got out of the car Mummy was walking towards us and said, “Good. Lunch will be ready in about half an hour. I hope you you and Kenny will stay Jane.”

She replied, “Well thanks, yes, and that will give me a chance to talk to you about another matter.”

We all went inside and Daddy and Uncle Tony were in the lounge watching something about football on the telly. Mrs Jackson went with Mummy into the kitchen to talk about something. Rita was at the Smith house for the rest of the day, to kiss Peter no doubt.

So Jenny and I said to Kenny, “Come with us to our room and we can get to know each other better.”

Kenny just nodded and followed me and Jenny not saying anything. We got to our room and all three sat down on my big double bed. Jenny looked at me and nodded. I think she wanted me to start the conversation. I took that as a signal that she was thinking the same thing as me about Kenny.

I didn't beat around the bush and came straight out with, “Kenny is there something you need to tell us about your self?”

Kenny looked at me and he had tears forming in his eyes and he said, “You know don’t you?”

I replied, “Kenny, it's ok. You can trust me and Jenny.” He was starting to sob and I put my arm around him and said, “Kenny, you can't hide who you are from someone like me.”

In between sobs and the hiccups he he replied, “Carla, I have heard about you and people reckon you were a boy when you were born and are now a girl.”

Jenny butted in and said, “Always a girl Kenny, she was always a girl.”

Kenny was a bit calmer now and said, “I am a girl too but I have a penis.” and he stood up and pulled down his trousers and he had a pair of pink panties on and pulled them down as well. Jenny and I just stared at his or ''her'' crotch and there was an even smaller penis in his crotch than mine, and I couldn't see any scrotum, so he must be intersexed like me.

Jenny said, “Carla, that looks just the same as you only smaller.”

Kenny pulled his clothes back up and sat back down on the bed beside me and just stared at the floor and said, “I have been to Doctor Ryan and he wants me to go to Brisbane and a see a doctor San—lee to do some tests to see what my condition is.”

At this stage I thought I had better tell him all about myself and support him so he didn't have to suffer all alone. Once I told him everything he started to relax and opened up to both me and Jenny and he told us about how he always knew that there was something wrong with him and that not long ago he went to Father Brian and told him that he felt like a girl. Farther Brian rang Doctor Ryan the same day and and also spoke to his mother and told them he would support them in whatever they decided to do. Good old father Brian, he is such a nice man. I explained about what I was going through and that I will be having surgery to rectify my genitals and he would probably have to go through the same process.

Jenny said, “Kenny, what is your girl name?”

He looked at us and said, “Mummy said she would have called me Christine if she had a girl.”

I replied, “Well Christine, you are a girl as far as I can tell.”

Just then Mummy knocked on the door and said, “Ok girls lunch is ready.”

Kenny looked at us and said, “She just said girls.”

Jenny said, “It looks like the two mummies have been talking doesn't it Christine?”

We all stood up and had a group hug and went to the kitchen and through to the dining room.

Mummy winked at me and said, “Did you have a nice talk girls?”

It was hard to think of Christine as Kenny now that we knew what was really going on, so I just said, “Yes Mummy, all explained.” Both mothers nodded and smiled and we sat down to eat lunch.

Daddy said, “ What was the pow wow all about Donna?”

Mummy replied, “Tell you later ok?”

After lunch we all went outside to say goodbye to Mrs Jackson and her daughter. I thought to myself 'I am going to make sure that I will be there for her and help in anyway that I can.'

A bit later I asked Mummy about why my chest was so itchy, and she said, “Carla I think that is what Doctor Ryan wants to see you about, so we will find out tomorrow just how far down the track you are to have a normal girl puberty, and I don't think it is only about breast growth either, so be prepared to go for another round of tests in Brisbane before too long ok?”

“What do you mean Mummy?”

Jenny was listening and said, “Periods silly.”

“Oh but I haven't had any surgery for that to happen.”

Mummy said, “Don't panic Carla, we will find out more tomorrow and if you have to have some kind of surgery to let you have your periods then that will be done too.”

Jenny and I spent the rest of the afternoon doing our home work and taking Ginger for a walk down to the park. After dinner we watched a movie and went to bed and talked about Christine and how we could be there for her and help. We went to sleep in a tight cuddle and we both could feel Jean as we drifted into dreamland.

To be continued

Next time: Doctor Ryan, Brisbane and and what the tests show about my progress.

Please leave a comment.

Previously

Daddy said, “What was the pow wow all about Donna?”

Mummy replied, “Tell you later ok ?”

After lunch we all went outside to say goodbye to Mrs Jackson and her daughter. I thought to myself 'I am going to make sure that I will be there for her and help in anyway that I can.'

A bit later I asked Mummy about why my chest was so itchy, and she said, “Carla I think that is what doctor Ryan wants to see you about, so we will find out tomorrow just how far down the track you are to have a normal girl puberty, and I don't think it is only about breast growth either so be prepared to go for another round of tests in Brisbane before too long ok?”

“What do you mean Mummy?”

Jenny was listening and said, “Periods silly.”

“Oh but I haven't had any surgery for that to happen.”

Mummy said, “Don't panic Carla, we will find out more tomorrow and if you have to have some kind of surgery to let you have your periods then that will be done as well.”

Jenny and I spent the rest of the afternoon doing our home work and taking Ginger for a walk down to the park. After dinner we watched a movie and went to bed and talked about Christine and how we could be there for her and help. We went to sleep in a tight cuddle and we both could feel Jean as we drifted into dreamland.

Monday 5/7/59

Mummy came into the bedroom and said, “Wake up sleepy heads, time to have a shower and get ready for another week at school.”

Jenny said “Aunty Donna what about my school uniform?”

Mummy replied, “What about it?”

Jenny started to panic and said. “I will have to go home and get it won't I?”

Mummy replied “Jenny, settle down girl. I went to your house last night and brought back all the clothes that you will need for the next week so stop worrying will you?”

“Yes Aunty Donna, sorry, I'm a bit worried about Gran, I hope she is ok.”

Mummy replied, “I’m sure that your parents will ring and let you know how she is.”

We were all ready to go to school when the phone rang.

Mummy went to the office to answer it and we heard her say, “Yes Jim, he did pass on the message but it was a day late and I was just about to take the girls to school and I was going to drop in on the way home to have a chat about what happened over the weekend.”

She hung up and came out of the office and said, “I guess you heard that?”

I said, “Mummy, why does he want to see me so urgently?”

She replied, “I don't know darling but I will drop Jenny off at school and will take you to see him straight away.”

Jenny came and hugged me and said, “It must be about the hormones you are taking and the way your nipples are sore and itchy all the time, just like mine.”

Mummy said, “Come on girls, we have to get a move on.”

We arrived at the school and our friends were there to greet us, all excited about what had happened over the weekend and started asking me and Jenny how we knew how to save someone that had a heart attack.

Mummy got out of the car and gave Jenny a hug and said, “Kids, the questions will have to wait till later, Carla has an appointment with the doctor.”

Jenny waved me goodbye and was mobbed by our friends as we drove away to the doctor's surgery.

On the way I was getting quite edgy and I said “Mummy, will I have to be cut open?”

“Carla sweetheart, lets just wait to see what Doctor Ryan has to say.”

We arrived at the surgery and I could feel Jean wanting to communicate with me., so I said to Mummy, “Jean is wanting to talk with me what will I do?”

“Well I think Doctor Ryan is about to see you and Jean in action.”

We walked into Doc Ryan’s surgery and Mummy said, “Jim you are about to see two twins communicating between two worlds.”

The doctor said,”Ok Carla what do you want me to do?”

I said, “You will only hear my side of the conversation but if I hold onto Mummy's hand she can listen in.”

Mummy said, “Jim, if you want to record this on tape for Rose you had better turn on your tape recorder.” I got comfortable on the Doctors couch and let Mummy sit next to me and hold my hand.

Doctor Ryan turned on his recorder and said, “Ready when you are ladies.”

I said. “Please turn of the light to darken the room.”

I closed my eyes and so did Mummy so she got the full version of me and Jean talking to each other. It seemed as if Jean was sitting in a chair opposite me and Jean said, “Hello Carla, can you see and hear me now?”

I replied, “Sis you look as though you are sitting in the chair opposite me.”

Jean giggled,”Well I am, as long as you don't open your eyes I can keep the contact between us going, I am also learning things just like you are in school sis.”

Mummy said, “Jean I can see and hear you as clear as a bell, darling you are so pretty, but why are you doing this today?”

Jean responded with, “Mummy, you have to take Carla to Doctor Rose, Carla is going to need surgery.”

I said, “Jean, my puberty is that what it is?”

Jean replied, “Carla do it.”

Mummy said, “When?”

Jean was starting to fade and she said, “Getting weak 'bye.” and she was gone.

Mummy was shaking and Doctor Ryan said, “Donna, I will give you something to make you relax.” and he went to a cupboard and got some pills out of a bottle and gave Mummy two and a glass of water.

It took Mummy a few minutes to calm down, and when she did she said, “Jim did you get what was being said?”

Jim replied, “Donna I got all your side of the conversation and I was amazed when there seemed to be some kind of a mist around you and Carla, and then it just disappeared and you stopped talking and got the shakes.”

He then said, “I wish I had the camera ready when that happened, I have never seen anything like that before.”

Mummy was getting impatient with the Doctor and said, “Jim why are we here this morning.”

“Calm down Donna, I got a phone call from Rose and she is concerned about Carla heading straight into puberty with all the hormones she is taking and she thinks that her little ovaries will start to work overtime, and Carla will have her first period before she has had any surgery.”

“That is what Jean is trying to tell us Jim, she must know what is going to happen and warn us.”

Doc Ryan just shook his head and said, “This is amazing!! I would never have believed it if I hadn't experienced with my own eyes. It is exciting stuff , I can't wait to tell Rose about what has happened here this morning.”

Mummy said, “Well Jim there's no time like the present is there?”

“Oh of course Donna. Carla I’m sorry, I just can’t believe after all these years in practice what I saw and heard this morning.”

Mummy said, “The phone call JIM!!”

He picked up the phone and dialed the number for the exchange to get him a trunk line to Brisbane.

He said, “Thanks Brenda” who is the lady at the telephone exchange and then dialed the number of Doc Rose in Brisbane.

A few rings and Doc Ryan said, “G'day Rose, it's Jim Ryan, and I have Carla Croft and her Mum with me and we have just been told by Carla's twin sister to get Carla down to you to sort out her little problem post haste. Yes that's right, that is what I said. Yes, all on Tape recorder. Yes Rose tomorrow, I'll be coming too. Donna she wants to talk to you.”

“Hello Rose,yes that's right. Yes we can, see you tomorrow, 'bye.”

I said, “Am I going to Brisbane tomorrow Mummy?”

“It looks like it sweetheart.” After Mummy had a discussion with the doc about sorting out how we will be getting down to Brisbane at such short notice we left and went home.

As soon as we got into the house Mummy went straight to the office and started making the phone calls necessary to get us down to Brisbane the following day. She was in there for about half an hour and came out and said, “Darling go and put the kettle on the stove and we'll have a cuppa and sit down and talk about what we are going to do.”

While I made the tea, Mummy was writing something in a book and looking at a calendar, I thought 'I hope I don’t spoil Mummy's wedding plans' and she looked at me as if she read my mind and said, “Don’t worry darling, everything will be alright you'll see.”

The phone rang and she got up and almost ran to answer it, “Hello, yes, you can!!! That's fantastic Tom, yes in about three hours, yes four and luggage, yes and you will stay as well. Thanks Tom., give my regards to Margaret, yes, I’ll see you then 'bye,”

I said, “That was Tom Granger wasn't it Mummy?”

“Yes it was and the kind man is coming with his helicopter to take us to Brisbane and stay there till we are ready to come home.”

“But what about Rodney and his plane? I thought we would be using him from now on.”

“I rang his office.” Mummy replied “and he is in Sydney picking up his new twin engine Cessna and won't be back for a few days. That is why I rang Tom because he is part owner of the charter business that they started up.” Mummy said, “Ok ,you go and pack enough clothes for a week's stay in Brisbane and also pack one for Jenny because she will be coming with us, I can't just leave her here while her Mum and Dad are in Sydney. I would ring them if I knew where they are staying but they will ring here and then they will find out about us taking Jenny with us to Brisbane.”

It was still only nine thirty, so Mummy said she would get all her packing done and then we could go and pick Jenny up from school. While Mummy was packing she was also talking on the phone that had a long lead on it and you could walk into another room as long as you didn’t get the line tangled up on some furniture. In the movies they have radio phones like the two way radios in cabs.

Mummy rang Daddy and told him to be ready to refuel Toms chopper and also go and tell Rita what was happening. Then she rang Doc Ryan and told him to be ready when we got a taxi to take us to the aerodrome.

Mummy said, “There is no reason to take people away from their work to take us to the chopper so a taxi it is.”

We got in the car and went to the school. When we got there Mummy said, “Carla you go to Barry's office and tell him what is happening, and I will go and collect Jenny and explain things to your teacher about what’s going on.”

I went and saw Barry and said, “Sir, may I come in?”

“Sure Carla, what's the problem and why aren’t you in uniform?”

I said “It looks like I might have to have that surgery, you know the one?”

“Oh alright Carla and I take it you are about to go to Brisbane right?”

“Yes, and Jenny is coming with us as well because her Mum and Dad are away.”

“Ok Carla, I will let my family know what’s going on and also let Father Brian know.”

I met Mummy and Jenny back at the car and Jenny gave me a hug and said, “Carla it looks like like you are about to become like me.”

I replied, “Jenny, I am totally scared.”

Jenny said, “Carla, remember what Jean said about being with you always, well she won't let anything happen to you will she?”

“No I s'pose not but it's still scary.”

Jenny said, “Hey what about Tom Granger taking us to Brisbane in his helicopter? I've never been on a chopper before.”

I said “Flying is flying big deal.”

When we got back home Mummy rang the guy with the taxi and told him when he heard the helicopter circle the town to come and pick us up. I was starting to get all edgy and I could feel Jean being the same, I don’t know what she has got to worry about she is already all girl, and I said out loud, “Jean, stop that.” which made Jenny jump which in turn made Mummy jump.

They both said, “Carla don’t do that.”

I replied, “Sorry but sometimes she bugs me.”

Mummy said, “Yeah, well yelling at her wont help either of you will it?”

“No Mummy.”

She packed us some food to eat on the way down to Brisbane. By the time we got there we would be pretty hungry because it wold take almost three hours by the time we get to Archerfield airport and organised a taxi to take us into the city.

Mummy, Jenny and I would be staying with Samantha and her Mum again, and the Doc and Tom were staying with Doc Rose because she had a large apartment just down the road from the Mater hospital.

Anyway we heard the helicopter fly over and got all our things together to put into the boot of the taxi when it come to pick us up. Ten minutes later the guy turned up and we loaded everything into the boot and got under way to the aerodrome.

I said, “Mummy, I forgot to give Ginger some extra food.”

Mummy replied, “it's ok Carla, Bella is going to feed her when there is no one else around in the next week.”

Mummy got the driver to detour to the restaurant so I could say my goodbyes to everyone. I quickly ran into the restaurant and they were all waiting to give me a hug and wish me luck.

Rita had tears in her eyes and said “Carla it looks like this might be it hey?”

I also had tears now and could hardly reply but said in a shaky voice, “Rita I am so scared, I wish you could come with me as well.”

Rita replied and whispered in my ear, “Jean is with you Carla and she will keep you safe.”

I said bye to everyone and ran back out to the car. Mummy said, “I was just about to send out a search party to look for you Carla, we really have to get going!”

“Sorry Mummy.”

We arrived at the aerodrome and Daddy and Tom were just finishing up with the refuelling of the chopper. Tom's wife Margaret was there as well and when the driver got out of his cab she said to him “Would you please wait and take me back into town to my house?”

He nodded and replied, “It will be a pleasure madam.”

Tom started to load the luggage into the underbelly of the chopper and said, “Just as well there isn't any more or it would have to be left behind.” Margaret said “hello” to us and said she would stay in town at the house she bought just for such an occasion. She then went and kissed Tom and said, “Make sure you get all of that business done while you have the chance.”

Tom replied, “Yes dear.” and winked at me. What is it with the winking thing with men? I don’t get it!! Anyway Margaret got in the taxi and she waved to us and the driver sped away. Daddy and Mummy had a hug and then Daddy came and picked me up as though I was still a little kid and kissed me on the cheek and said, “Be safe little girl of mine” and had tears running down his face.

I could feel Jean respond to that and had quite a tremor in my chest and I think Daddy felt it too so he said, “And you too Jean.”

I climbed in to the chopper and was followed by Jenny and Mummy in the one seat. Doc Ryan sat in the seat next to where Tom was the pilot seat of the chopper. It is quite a large one and can seat six people, or when the seats are taken out carry a lot of cargo. Tom said that is why he bought it in the first place.

We were all strapped in and the blades started to turn and Jenny held on to my hand real tight.

She had been on a plane but not a helicopter and said, “What if the propeller falls off?”

I said, “We die and join Jean on the other side, won't that be fun!!”

Mummy said, “Stop that Carla, you'll have Jenny getting nightmares when we get to Brisbane.”

“Sorry Jenny, just joking.”

Tom turned around and said, “Donna, Carla hasn't lost her sense of humour has she?”

Mummy said, “No unfortunately, it can drive me insane sometimes. but I wouldn't have her any other way.” and gave me a wink. 'there's that wink again'. Tom made the chopper take to the air and we were up high in the sky within minutes and on our way to Brisbane.

On the way Tom would fly quite low to have a look at some farms and see what condition the animals were in, because he is thinking of changing River Downs into a cattle station instead of sheep because the price of beef is much better than wool and much less work involved.

Jenny started to relax and I said, “I am sorry for being mean before Jenny, I wont do it any more.”

Jenny replied, “It's ok sis I love you anyway.”

It was quite noisy in a chopper, much more than in a plane, so you had to speak quite loud to be heard.

Doc Ryan turned around and said, “How are you feeling Carla?”

I replied, “I think I might have a stomach bug because I keep getting cramps down low in my tummy.”

Mummy looked at the doc and said, “Is she going to be ok Jim?”

The doc had a worried look on his face and said, “Tom how much longer will it be before we land at Archerfield?”

Tom replied, “We'll be there in about fifteen minutes, Jim. Why, what's the hurry?”

Jim replied trying not to sound too worried but failed when he said, ”We may need to have an ambulance at the airport Tom.”

Tom said, “Oh shit!! Ok, I’ll radio the tower and get that organised right away.”

Doc said to me, “Don’t worry Carla, everything will be ok but I don’t think we can take long a time to get you to see Rose ok?”

Mummy looked worried now and held my hand and squeezed it and said “Hang in there sweetheart.”

I replied, “Mummy it is only a tummy ache, I don’t need an ambulance for a tummy upset.”

Jenny was holding my other hand now and in a panic said, “Carla I think you are having the cramps that girls get before they have their periods.”

I said “Ohhh, but there is nowhere for the blood to come out.” and started to panic as well.

Mummy said, “Calm down darling, we will get you seen to as soon as we get to the Mater ok?”

I closed my eyes and said, “Jean, please tell me I’ll be ok.”

“Carla calm down, I am here. I wont let you come over to my side so just relax or you will only make it hurt more.”

I couldn’t stop shaking now and Mummy said to Tom, “Is the ambulance going to be there Tom?”

Tom said, “Hang on Donna, I am about to land next to that building and I can see an ambulance parked next to the hanger.

By the time Tom had the chopper on the ground there were men coming from all directions and had the doors of the chopper open. Because I was the first to get in at Quilpie, Mummy and Jenny had to get before I could get out. Just then I felt a sharp pain in my groin and screamed out in pain. The ambulance people sort of dragged me over the seat in the chopper to get me out in a hurry. By the time I was out and being held by a man in an ambulance uniform I was in so much pain I screamed, “MUMMY-- JEAN.”

And then I was with Jean in a green field sitting next to my twin sister on the soft grass.

Jean said, “Hello Sis, you can stay here with me while they get you fixed up and you wont feel a thing.” and she giggled while she put her arm around me.

I said, “Jean I must be dead if you can touch me like that.”

“No Sis you are not dead, but you are out of your body and I will keep you with me until you are out of pain.”

“Jean I am wearing the same gown as you have on.”

“Yes Sis and when you do eventually come here you will be wearing the same things as me because we are of the same spirit and soul.”

I replied, “When will that be Jean?”

“I can't tell you when, but you will be old and grey as will I Sis. Now be a good girl and close your eyes and next time I will talk to you as I have always done. I will always be with you Carla, now go to sleep my sweet sister.”

People talking, something making a beeping noise, in bed, “MUMMY!!”

“I'm here sweetheart.” I could feel her holding my hand but I couldn’t see her properly she was all fuzzy around the edges.

I said, “Mummy I am blind, what has happened to my eyes?”

Then a familiar voice said, “Carla you are not blind, you’ll be ok in a few minutes.” It was Mary, Sam's Mum. All of a sudden it all made sense to me and I said, “I’m in the Mater aren't I?”

Mary said “She hasn't lost her sense of humour has she?”

Mummy said, “Someone else said that to me earlier today as well.”

My eyes cleared up and I could see again and I wasn’t going blind thank god!!

I said, “Mummy what happened to me?”

“Darling I don’t know every thing yet but they had to make an opening to release the blood that was starting to poison your system.”

“Have I got a vagina now?”

“Sweetheart you will have to wait till Rose comes and talks to you shortly. Would you like me to get you a sandwich? It is seven o’clock and you haven’t eaten since this morning. You must be hungry?”

“Yes Mummy I am, and a drink as well please.”

Mary came back in the room and took my temperature and pulse and said “You’ll live girl.”

I could hear Jenny outside talking to Doc Ryan and Tom and they came in to the room and said, “Well look who's awake!”

Jenny came rushing over to the bed and hugged me and said, “I thought you were dead when they took you away in the ambulance.”

I replied, “No I was just visiting Jean on the other side. It is just so peaceful and quiet there Jenny. Jean told me I was out of my body while they were fixing me up, and guess what!”

“What?” said Jenny.

“I was wearing the same gown as Jean while I was there and it felt just like silk and very light.” Mummy came back with my sandwich and a drink of chocolate milk.

Rose and another doctor came into the room Rose said, “Hello Carla, couldn’t wait in line hey?” and then she turned to the other doctor and said, “This is the twin we are doing the study on, Alan.”

The man said, “Hello Carla, nice to meet you now that you are awake. By the way I’m Alan Goldman and I did a little bit of temporary surgery on you to at least let you have your first period. You are very young but it is quite common for girls your age to start their menstruation so that is not the concern at the moment.”

Mummy said, “Alan what do you mean by temporary surgery?”

Doctor Goldman said, “Rose, do you want to explain what needs to be done with Carla now?”

“Donna ,Jim and I have had a discussion and because Alan is not a specialist in this field he was the only surgeon available when Carla was brought in with the ambulance into the emergency department, so as a result it is only a temporary measure to stop Carla from developing septicaemia which can be fatal. I have a doctor friend in Sydney that does work with inter-sexed people like Carla and she will be in Brisbane tomorrow, and will come and have a look to see what the best options are for her at this point.”

Doc Ryan said to Mummy “I think the hormones Carla is taking has made her ovaries work at double the amount a girl her age would.”

Mummy replied “Jim what exactly will they do now that we know she is a girl inside?”

Doc Ryan said, “Come out of the room and we can discuss it out in the hall.”

Mummy was getting angry at that comment and said, “Jim, Carla is an intelligent young girl and she deserves to know what is going on with her body, and we will speak in front of her or not at all.”

Jim was taken aback by Mummy's sudden outburst, and said, “Sorry Donna, I just didn't want to worry Carla any more than is necessary.” Then he looked at me and around the room and nodded his head and said, “Ok this is what will happen; the surgery that has been done is a temporary measure only, and we will wait till the doctor comes from Sydney and has a look at Carla.”

Mummy replied, “Is Carla in any danger of the opening closing up and blocking the blood flow?”

Doctor Goldman then took over the discussion and explained what he did and that there was a tube inserted in the small opening that he had created to stop any chance of it closing up. I also had a catheter in my urethral opening. That seemed to satisfy Mummy for the moment. After a bit more discussion every one except Mummy and Jenny were left in the room.

Mummy said, “Sweetheart, how are you coping with all the medical talk?”

I replied, “Mummy, I must be a girl inside if I am having a period.”

Mummy replied, “Carla no one is doubting that you are a girl, they are just trying to work out the best way to make you complete.”

Jenny was now sitting on the bed and said, “Sis you beat me to having our first period,and that makes you a complete girl for me.” and then she hugged me with all the silly tubes coming out of me and all.

To be continued

Next time: a gender specialist from Sydney confirms my girl status.

Please leave a comment.

Previously

“The surgery that has been done is a temporary measure only and we will wait till the doctor comes from Sydney and has a look at Carla.”

Mummy replied, “Is Carla in any danger of the opening closing up and blocking the blood flow?”

Doctor Goldman then took over the discussion and explained what he did and that there was a tube inserted in the small opening that he had created to stop any chance of it closing up. I also had a catheter in my urethral opening. That seemed to satisfy Mummy for the moment. After a bit more discussion every one except Mummy and Jenny were left in the room.

Mummy said, “Sweetheart how are you coping with all the medical talk?”

I replied, “Mummy I must be a girl inside if I am having a period.”

Mummy replied, “Carla no one is doubting that you are a girl, they are just trying to work out the best way to make you complete.”

Jenny was now sitting on the bed and said, “Sis you beat me to having our first period, that makes you a complete girl for me.” and then she hugged me with all the silly tubes coming out of me and all.

Mary came into the room and said, “Carla there is someone here that wants to give you a hug.” and in came Samantha almost tripping over in her hurry to get to my bed to give me a hug and a kiss right on my lips, and once she caught her breath said, “Carla did you really have to make such a dramatic entrance into becoming a girl?”

I was still tasting her minted breath on my lips and had a funny feeling in my tummy like butterflies flying around in circles. I closed my eyes and Jean said “Hey that felt nice didn't it?”

I said out loud, “Stop that Jean.” which made Sam and Jenny jump but Mummy said, “Jean I heard that. Behave yourself please.”

“Sorry Mummy.” and Jean was gone.

Sam looked at Jenny and said, “Twin spirits - awesome!!” and continued “I s'pose we'll just have to put up with their wicked sense of humour.”

Jenny replied, “Yeah but I love them both Sam.”

Mary said, “Right you lot, I am at the end of my shift so I will finish up here and join you in coming home, and we can make some dinner if you like.”

Mummy replied, “I think we might just pick up some take away because it is getting late and we have a lot to talk about tonight.”

Mary said “Ok, I’ll meet you downstairs in the main lobby in ten minutes.”

Mummy said “Now don’t you and Jean go anywhere will you!”

“Mummyeee!”

“Ok sweetheart, we'll say goodnight and see you in the morning when the doctor arrives from Sydney.”

All three hugged me and Sam gave me another one of those kisses. 'Wow what is that all about?' I thought and drifted off to sleep.

Tuesday 6/7/59
~~~~~~~~~~~

Mary had just started her shift and I was her first port of call and she walked in all smiles and and said, “Are you two still here?”

I rubbed the sleep from my eyes and looked around to see who else was in the room and realised she meant Jean and myself, and replied “Good morning Mary, Jean says hello.”

Mary responded, “Carla I am not a religious person but, it just blows me away when I can see that you clearly communicate with your twin on the other side.”

I said “Mary come and hold my hand and close your eyes.”

Mary was a little bit apprehensive but held onto my hand and closed her eyes.

I said, “Jean, let Mary know that you are real.” Mary jumped back letting go of my hand and said, “Holy mother of God!! that was like an electric shock going through me Carla.”

“Sorry Mary, I didn't mean to scare you, but Jean has got the same sense of humour as me, after all we are identical twins locked into the same soul.”

Mary said, “You could have warned me that she was going to zap me like that, but now I understand what you are all about.” then she said, “Ok wonder girl, lets get you ready for the big-wig from Sydney.”

Mary pulled the covers back and had a look at where the tube was inserted in my groin and said, “That all looks ok. Now I had better empty the bag, and then give you a bit of a sponge bath.”

Ten minutes later the lady came around with the big trolley which had all the breakfast trays on it and and she brought a tray of bacon, eggs, and toast with a glass of milk as well.

Mary said, “Eat your breakfast because I think once the doc has seen you she will want to do some more scans and you have to have an empty stomach for that and you wont be able to have any food for at least six hours.”

At nine am Doc Ryan came into the room and a lady doctor was with him.

I thought to myself, 'Gee a lady doctor, at least she will know what it feels like to be a girl.”

She said, “Hello Carla, I’m Caroline Stanford and I’m a gender specialist and I have been asked by Rose and Doctor Ryan to have a look at you and see what we can do to improve your situation.”

I said, “Hello Doctor Stanford, it's nice to meet you.”

She replied, “Dear, call me Carol. By the time we are finished I think we will know each quite intimately.” I liked her, she has a nice a smile. Just then Rose walked in all out of breath and said, “I was going to be here but got waylaid by a young doctor on the way.” then she said, “Have you met them both?”

Carol replied, “No, but I hope I do because the way Jim is rabbiting on it sounds very interesting. I have also read your first paper on the subject. Carla is going to become a very interesting project to work on.”

I said in a bit of a huff and a pout, “Excuse me but I am not a project thank you very much!!”

They all looked at me and Doc Ryan said, “You will have to be careful how you phrase things around Carla or she will get her twin sister to zap you, and believe me she can do it.”

Caroline said, “Ok Carla, it looks like you are a very mature nine year old and I will have to keep that in mind.”

Mummy was standing at the door with Mary listening to what was going on and Mary said “Carla, why don’t you give the doctor a demonstration of what you did this morning and she will understand what we are talking about?”

I looked at Mummy and she just nodded her head and said, “Carla, it might prove to the doctor that you a really do have a dual spirit.”

Carol looked at me with a nervous smile and said “Ok what do I have to do?”

I said “Could we have the light turned off?”

Mary flicked the switch and I asked Carol to close her eyes and to hold my hand and not let it go. Once she was holding my hand I also closed my eyes and waited till I could see Jean in my mind. She had a wicked smile on her face.

I said in my normal voice, “Jean, please show Caroline that you are real but be gentle.” I made sure that I held onto the doctors hand in case she pulled it away too quickly. I could feel vibrations going down my arm and the doctor tried to pull her hand away but somehow Jean had enough power so she couldn't let go of my hand.

I said, “Jean, let go.” and the vibrations stopped and Carol was rubbing her arm which had goose bumps all over it. Mary turned the light back on. The doctor was as white as as a bed sheet and sat down on one of the chairs in the room.

All eyes were on Caroline and she said, “Ok I’m convinced, my arm is still tingling. I have never experienced anything like this before Carla, you are an amazing little girl.”

I replied, “And my sister.”

“Yes and your sister.”

Rose said “Ok, show time is over. Can we get down to why you are actually here Carol?”

“Yes of course, sorry. Could I have a talk with Carla by herself first if you don’t mind?” Everyone left me and the doctor alone to have a talk.

Carol pulled up the chair beside the bed and sat down and opened up a note pad. “Alright Carla dear, lets start at the beginning and we will go from there shall we?” I told her what happened at River Downs and left nothing out and by the time I was finished I had brought her right to when she walked into the room.

She let me talk and didn't interrupt me till I was finished. She had three pages of notes and said “Carla you are very young and I cannot give you the full surgery till you have grown for at least another two years, but we can make things look a bit better than it it is now, but I don’t want you to stress out, because when the time comes I will be able to make you complete ok?” she continued “I am going to do a full physical examination shortly but I would also like to have some more tests done, and then probably tomorrow we can tidy things up for you to make you look more like little a nine year old girl.”

I said “But I already have a vagina, why can't you not fix it now?”

“Carla I will know more after I have had a good look at you and we will make a decision tomorrow sweetheart.”

I started to cry and said, “I want to be a full girl now. I am having a period and if I wasn't a girl that would not be happening would it?”

Carol said “Well I can't argue with that. Can we just wait till I do the examination and we will take it from there?”

I said, “Can Mummy come in with me when you do the examination?”

Carol said, “I suppose if I said no you will not let me near you, am I right?”

I replied, “Doctor ,my Mummy is going to be with me ok?”

She replied “I suppose I’ll get zapped by your sister if I don’t agree won't I?” and she started rubbing her arm again.

I said, “She is part of me.”

Carol said, “Ok, so be it than.”

The rest of the day was spent getting more blood taken; some other machines being run over me taking some sort of pictures and then came the physical examination and I got Mummy to hold my hand when the doctor was touching me down there. She pulled the tube out and started to feel inside me and raised an eyebrow and looked at Mummy and said, “My God Donna, she is complete. I think we will be able to open her up without any great problem.”

Mummy replied “Are you sure?”

“Yes quite sure, but we will have to do it in Sydney where I have my colleagues to help me perform the surgery.”

Mummy then said “I thought you said Carla is too young to have this kind of surgery done for another couple of years?”

Caroline replied, “Donna, 'till I examined Carla I could not have made a decision but she is all there. Her vulva has just never opened up and as you can see for yourself what looked like a penis is in fact a clitoris with an opening in it. That is just part of her inter-sexed condition.

Mummy said “So what will happen now?”

Caroline said “I will have to make some phone calls and see what we can organise in the next week in Sydney. We can't do any surgery while she has her period any case.”

Mummy looked me and said “Well sweetheart ,it looks like we might be going to Sydney before we get to go back home.”

Mummy asked Caroline if there was any need for me to stay in hospital.

Carol said, “No not really, but you have to make sure that you keep Carla really clean around that little temporary opening. We can not afford to be getting any infections in that area because that could be fatal, and you will have to make sure that it does not close up. Other than that you can look after your daughter yourself. If you give me the phone number of where you are staying I will call you later today and let you know when you have to have Carla in Sydney.”

Mary, Rose and Doctor Ryan all came into the room and were told what Carol had discovered.

Rose said, “I thought as much because boys don’t have periods do they Carla?”

I replied, “It feels pretty yucky down there.”

Rose replied “Join the club darling. It will happen once a month now so you had better get used to it.”

Mary said she would clean me up one more time and showed Mummy what to do to keep the hole from closing up, because the tube that was in there was now out and wouldn't be put back. I was a sore a little but Mary said, “You will be a lot sorer next week when they open you up properly darling.”

Mummy went down to to sign the discharge papers while I was wheeled down to the main lobby in a wheel chair. Doc Ryan said he would walk the short distance to Mary’s flat where Tom would be waiting for him to bring him the news about me. Mummy said that I would not be able to walk to Mary’s flat even though it was only a couple of blocks away. It was not worth the risk of me putting any strain on my groin.

There was a taxi at the rank and Mummy said to the driver, “We only need to go a couple of blocks, but my daughter is not allowed to walk that far.”

The driver was a lady I think but looked like she had to have a shave and when she spoke it was with a man's voice and she said, “Hop in luvy, I am not busy at the moment and I will run you there for free.”

Mummy said “No, I will pay you.”

Anyway we got into the cab and it took about five minutes to get us to the building of Mary's flat.

The driver said, “There you are luv.” Mummy handed her a ten shilling note and said “Thanks” and asked her for her card so we could use her again. As she handed over the card and before I got out of the car I said “You are like me.” and I looked at the card Mummy was holding which had her name on it said 'Debbie Carter'.

“Debbie?”

She looked at me and said, “I doubt that darling, but I wish I was as pretty as you.”

Mummy said “Carla that is personal, now you say sorry to Debbie for being rude.”

“But Mummy.”

Debbie said “It's ok luv, I’m a tranny, but it's what I have to do,”

I came straight out and said, “I am inter-sexed and I understand.”

Mummy said, “Carla!!”

Debbie said “It's ok lady leave her be, at least she hasn't called me a weirdo.”

Mummy said “Thanks Debbie, I will give you a call when we need a cab in the next couple of days.”

Debbie replied, “Ok luv.” and drove off.

Mummy said, “Carla, you don’t just ask people personal questions like that.”

“Sure you do Mummy, that's how I make all my friends.”

Mummy rolled her eyes and said, “God help us.” She had the code to put into the front door of the building and we opened the door and got into the lift to go up to Mary's flat where Jenny was waiting for us. Mummy was just about to put the key in the door of the flat when Jenny opened it and said, “Thank God you are here, I was getting so bored all by myself.”

I hadn't eaten because of the tests and my tummy was rumbling and it was now three o’clock in the afternoon so Mummy said, “Darling ,you go and lay down and have a rest but before you do I want you to change your pad. Remember what the doctor told you would happen if you got an infection.”

“Yeah I would go and visit Jean on a permanent basis.”

Jenny said, “Carla, you are scaring me when you say things like that.”

Mummy said, “I am going now to get us a bit of takeaway. Make sure if the phone rings you have a note pad to write down any information ok Carla? Jenny keep an eye on her will you, she is not with it today.”

“Yes Aunty Donna I will.”

Once we were alone Jenny bombarded me with questions, “What did the doctor find Sis, are you a girl or not?”

I replied, “it was all a bit yucky when she put her finger inside me down there and it felt a bit strange but she said I was a complete girl and it was only a bit of skin that needs to be removed to make me like you Jenny.”

Jenny said, “Yeah and now you are more girl than me because you are having your first period.”

I replied “Don’t worry, you will get yours, but it is rather messy. Anyway I only got mine because the girl pills that I have been taking made it happen sooner.”

Jenny said, “Can I have your pills now that you don’t need them any more?”

“Jenny, they can make you sick, so no you can't have them.”

“Spoilsport.”

I said, “I wonder if Jean will get her periods as well.” Jean must be listening to our conversation and I got a clear NO from Jean which I relaid to Jenny and we both got a giggle fit just as Mummy came back with some fish and chips wrapped in newspaper to keep them hot.

Thank God Mummy was back because the phone rang and made us all jump and almost drop our chips on the floor. Mummy went to answer the phone and in walked Samantha home from school and said “I hope there some of those for me and she dropped her school bag on the floor and plonked herself in between me and Jenny and started getting into the chips and said, “Yummy I love chips.”

Jenny said “Hey, yours are on the kitchen table still wrapped up in newspaper but now you will have to share yours with us.”

She got up and went to the kitchen and came back with a piece of fish half in and half out of her mouth and sat down where she was before and said “There you go, share and share alike.” so Jenny and I both grabbed a piece of fish and pretended to put it in our mouth, but stopped when Mummy walked in from the other room,and we put the fish back on Samantha’s lap.

Mummy said, “Right girls, you can all hear this. Carla is going to have the complete surgery on Friday morning at ten o'clock in a private clinic in Sydney. So what do you lot think about that hey?”

Samantha said, “Wow Carla, you haven’t told me what happened today.”

I said, “Well if you stopped eating long enough I would have told you when you first sat down.”

She replied, “Yeah yeah I know I’m a bit of a guts.”

Mummy interrupted and said, “Girls, did you hear one word that I said?”

We three said “Yes Mummy.”

Mummy shook her head and said, “Can we all be serious for just one moment please?” We kept quite to let Mummy repeat what she said earlier and then she explained what the plans were for Friday.

Mummy said, “Ok are you listening.” we all nodded and she continued. “We are going to catch a plane to Sydney on Thursday afternoon and stay at a motel one block away from the clinic. Carla, you will be in bed for three days to heal enough to be able to come back here and Rose will want to keep an eye on you for the rest of next week.”

Samantha put her hand up and said “Is Carla going to have SRS?”

Mummy replied, “No Sam she doesn’t need that because she already is a girl inside. She only has to be opened up, so it is nowhere near as big an operation as you will have to have.”

“But I have to wait till I am eighteen which isn't fair,.”

Mummy said, “Whoever said anything about life being fair Sam? Anyway here is what is going to happen. Jenny I have been in touch with your parents in Sydney and they will pick you up from the motel and take you to see your sick Gran and you will stay with them till Carla is released from the clinic and then you will come back here with us till we are ready to fly home with Rodney in his new plane.”

Jenny said, “What about Tom and the Doctor?”

Mummy replied, “They are already on their way back home as we speak.”

Jenny said “Wow, I have never been to Sydney, Gran always came to visit us instead.”

Mummy said “So did all three of you get all that?”

We all replied “ Yes Mummy.” Mummy just shook her head and went into the other room to make some more phone calls.

While Mummy was out of the room Sam and Jenny both grilled me about what it felt like to have a period.

I said, “Well I hope I don’t get those pains every time I have a period but the rest is just a bit yucky because you have to change the pad every couple of hours and have a good wash down there.”

Jenny replied “Ooh I can't wait. I don’t care if it hurts or not.”

Samantha said “I am jealous of you two. I will never have a period or be able to have a baby but at least I will look like a girl down there.”

I said, “Oh my god, I haven’t even thought about that. I can get a big belly and have a baby.”

Jenny said “I bet that hurts when it has to come out ouch!!”

I could feel Jean having a giggle and said, “Ok Jean, what’s so funny?”

She said in my head, “Oh nothing.” and then gigged again and was gone.

The others said “Was that Jean?”

“Yeah, she can be a real pain in the you know what sometimes,”

Sam said “Can we see if we can all see and hear her at once tonight?”

I replied, “When we all get into your bed tonight we can try.”

Mummy came back out and said, “Samantha, what has your Mum got in the freezer? I will do something about dinner tonight.”

Sam replied, “Aunty Donna, I think there is a lamb roast in there but isn't it too late to put that in the oven now.”

Mummy replied, “No dear ,it is only three-thirty, so there is plenty of time because your Mum doesn't come home from work till after seven o'clock.”

While Mummy was preparing the roast and vegetables to put in a baking dish to put into the oven, we three girls just gossiped about different things when Jenny brought up the subject of Kenny / Christine, and Samantha said, “She must be like me still with all the boy bits. Are you two going to be there for her?”

“We already are Sam, we even saved her father from dying from a heart attack.”

I said, “When we get back home I am going to ring her and talk with her to see how we can help.”

“Yeah that’s after we go and see Mrs Blake to see if she needs us to do anything for her around the house.”

Sam asked “Who's Mrs Blake?”

Jenny said, “She is the mother of that idiot boy that attacked Carla at the park.”

Sam replied, “Than why are you helping her?”

Jenny said, “We have to, that's all,”

Sam asked “Why did her son attack you Carla?”

I said, “It's a long story and I really just want to forget about it if you don’t mind.”

Sam replied “Ok suit yourself” with a pout, but gave me a hug and said, “stupid boys.”

After Mary came home from work we had dinner and sat around and talked about all the things that had happened today and because Samantha had a king-size bed, all three of us got in under the covers.

Jenny said, “Carla, I hate to nag but have you changed your pad yet?

“Uh oh! no.” So we all went to the bathroom together so Sam and Jenny could see what I looked looked down there, well we were all girls after all.

Sam said “Ouch that looks sore.”

I said, “It's not really but I bet after Friday it will be.”

Without saying anything both Jenny and Sam pulled their knickers down to compare what we looked like. Jenny and I looked almost the same. Sam still had boy bits but they were very small and when she pulled her knickers back up there really wasn’t much to see. But then we decided to pull our tops off and I and Jenny had puffy nipples but Sam had the start of small breasts because she has been taking hormones for the last twelve months.

Ok, show over. I changed my pad and it looked like the period was almost finished. We all climbed back into bed after saying goodnight to the two Mummies.

“Right,” said Samantha, “I want to see or hear Jean.”

I said, “Ok, lets turn out the lights and I will see if she is strong enough to show herself to all three of us.” Samantha was in the middle so we cuddled up close and and I said, “Don’t let go of my hand and keep your eyes closed.”

I felt a bit of a tremble which I don’t normally feel any more and Jean was waiting to talk and she said “Carla, what took you so long? I have been waiting for you and I have been listening to the three of you gossiping and inspecting each other. I think that's a bit naughty but I had a look anyway. ''Giggle'' Sam and Jenny were also trembling a bit but didn't say anything.

Jean said “Hello girls. I can't keep this up very long but can you see me?”

Both Jenny and Sam said “Wow!! Yeah, and hear you too.”

Sam said “You are really pretty.”

Jean said “As pretty as my sister?” and Jenny started to get the giggles.

Jean said “That is all the strength I have so I’ll see you.” and she faded till she was gone.

Mummy and Mary were standing at the door and switched the light back on and said “What is going on in here girls?”

I replied, “It is all Jean's fault, she started it.” and we all got the giggles.

Mummy said “Carla, you know I listen in to your conversations with your sister so don’t you act the little 'Miss Innocent' with me young lady.”

We all said, “Yes ma'am sir.”

Mary said, “Ok lights out and go to sleep, the day is over.” We went to sleep in a tight cuddle.

To be continued

Next time: Sydney, the op, back to Brisbane and then home.

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