Educating Danielle

by Karen E. Lea

 

Part Three

 

Chapter Nine

We rushed home in the peak hour traffic, fast as it would allow. Seemingly, everybody was going in the same direction as us. Eventually I turned into our street; we could see Laura watering the garden in the distance. I told Danielle to wave to her mum as we drove into the driveway.

Laura must have heard the Rover slow for the driveway, as she looked up, we both waved. I accelerated up the driveway and stopped at the garage door. As I put the gearlever in park and pulled on the handbrake, I saw Laura in the rear view mirror coming towards us, heading for my side of the car.

Danielle slipped off her seatbelt and slid from the Rover gracefully as possible, once standing, she smoothed her skirt and tottered around the back of the car to my side, in the meantime, Laura had reached my door and in a concerned voice asked, "Jeff, where's Daniel, is everything okay?" She turned to the sound of clicking heels, nodded hello and turned back to me and said, "Jeff where's Daan…………" She swung back to Danielle.

"Hi, mum."

Laura gasped, "Oh my……oh my……oh my god. Daniel, is that you?"

"At the moment, it's Danielle, mum"

Laura stood there stunned. I was stunned by her reaction, I mean, we did talk about it. "Laura" I gently turned her to me, "I'm sorry, I thought this is what we discussed."

"I never imagined in my wildest dreams that he would look so beautiful, he is beyond pretty."

"Stunningly beautiful." I agreed.

"Mum, please, I'm so happy, don't be upset, I talked Jeff into this."

"Danielle" I said softly, "Go down and lock up, then come up and make some toasted sandwiches for all of us. There's ham, cheese and tomatoes in the fridge. I'll talk to your mum for a couple of minutes, OK, please?"

Danielle nodded and went as asked; I pulled Laura to me and hugged her. She promptly burst into tears. I leant against the Rover and pulled her into my arms. Slowly the tears dried up. "Please don't let go."

"I won't." I replied.

"When I was in labour, I prayed and prayed that I would have a girl, when he was born and they told me it's a boy, I was devastated, but I grew used to the idea. He was a sweet child, easy going, I used to hear all the problems other mothers were having and I realised I was very lucky. After seeing him to-day, he's my daughter."

"The moment you said this is my son Daniel when we first met, I was shocked. It probably showed on my face at the time."

"I didn't notice, I was trying to get my head around the woman in front of me called Jeff."

"Touché."

"This whole week, every night Daniel has told me everything that has happened during the day at work experience, every last detail. He has told me more about this week than the last ten years at school. Up to now, everything has been monosyllable, like fine, ok, alright, cool…….., it was like his whole life was dormant, then come to life. I've heard every problem you've had this week, how you've overcome it, people he's met, their names, everything."

"He's made a lot of friends over the last couple of weeks." I agreed.

"If nothing comes of this week, at least I know he has some spark of interest in something."

"Let me put the Rover away and let's have something to eat."

With the garage locked, we entered the house and went to the kitchen. Danielle had been quite industrious while we had been talking. Danielle was bobbing around the kitchen, heels clicking on the tiles, her false boobs jiggling in her bra as she moved to and fro. I opened a bottle of wine while Laura helped Danielle bring dinner to the table. We ate as Danielle told her mum all about the day she had, from this morning leaving as Daniel to arriving home as Danielle. No detail was left untouched as she explained how Cindy and Charlene painted his nails, glued on his false boobs and the trick they payed on me in reception.

Her narrative finally came to an end. She looked at her mum and asked, "Can I stay dressed like this all weekend? Please mum."

"What about tomorrow night" Laura asked.

"All the people coming tomorrow have seen him as Danielle, but it's up to you." I replied.

"She can't wear these clothes all weekend," Laura objected, "whose clothes are they anyway? They're too small for Karen."

"Um…….Jeff bought them for me." Danielle replied.

"I'll tell you what; I'll take you shopping for clothes in the morning and get our groceries for the dinner party afterwards." I offered.

"I'm sorry, but I can't afford clothes for Danielle." Laura said.

"No, no my treat," I replied, "I always wanted a daughter to shop for; it looks like I just got one."

"See if I can cause another accident."

"Accident?" Laura asked.

We told Laura about the guy running into the back of the other car when we left the tavern. "Teach him not to stare." I said.

Danielle jumped up from the table, hugged her mum and came around the table to me, kissed me on the cheek and said, "Tell me again."

"Tell you what?"

"The bit about having a daughter," she said giggling, "again and again."

We cleared the table, washed up. I gave Danielle the satin baby doll set to sleep in and walked them to their place. I hugged them both goodnight and said I would pick them up at eight-thirty in the morning.

 

Chapter Ten

Next morning, after a light breakfast, I went down to Laura's house, uncertain of the reception I would receive. I wasn't sure Laura was completely cool with her new daughter. As the door bell peeled, I was sure I heard crying. Danielle opened the door and she obviously had been crying. I hugged her and then Laura and enquired about the crying. It was tears of joy, but before the explanation, my phone rang.

"Good morning, Starburst."

"Jeff. It's John."

"Hi John, how are you?"

"Pretty good, but I think you may have a problem."

"Problem?" Great, my problem.

"You know my mate, Sam, who does music video productions, dropped by this morning. Saw my car outside, thought he would pop in and say hello." I knew Sam by reputation, met him once. Sam and John went to college together.

"Sure,and?"

"Well, I was sorting yesterday's shots that had been processed overnight. Every thing came out fine by the way. Anyway, I had Daniel's photos on the corner of the desk, he, I mean she is very beautiful Jeff, you wouldn't believe the presence she throws out."

"Yes I know she is sitting opposite me now, just as beautiful." Danielle giggled.

"So where's this problem."

"Well Sam started to tell me all his problems, new video coming up, suppose to be filming soon, deadline to meet to meet, trouble finding girl for video, been through all the usual casting, looking for beautiful young thing with girl next door naivety, his arse on the line………"

John," I interrupted, "would you get to the point please." Laura and Danielle were watching me only hearing my side of the conversation, wandering what was going on and they weren't the only ones.

"I'm sorry, just giving you the background to what happened next.

"

"Sorry. Which was?"

"Next minute he's bouncing around the office shouting I've found her, I've found her."

"Well good for him."

"Well, that's what I thought, till I realised he had spied Daniel's photos. Daniel is his girl, sorry, Danielle."

"Oh great," I said as I hung my head in my hands, "Then what happened?"

"He started sixty-four questions, how old? How tall? Who's her agent? And on and on."

"What did you tell him?"

"That she was sixteen, was here on work experience, gave her a makeover and photo shoot to remember her time here."

"Good thinking, alright this is what I want you to do……"

"Hang on Jeff, there's somebody at the front door, I'll call you back."

I told Laura and Danielle what had transpired that morning. John had only gone in to the studio to check the proofs and I wondered who the new visitor was. I asked the girls to get ready to go shopping. We had to get everyday shoes for Danielle, four and half inch heels were a bit over the top. We also had to get groceries for tonight's dinner party. While they were doing their makeup and finding a handbag for Danielle, the phone rang again. "Good morning, Starburst."

"You won't believe what's happened now. Moira from Spencers just dropped by to see the last proofs for the catalogue, saw Danielle's photos and wanted to know why we let her use second best."

"Christ, do you think she recognised Daniel? She's seen him every day this week."

"No, I don't think so, but boy is she miffed, gave her the same spiel I gave Sam. But expect a call over this soon."

"Okay, that's a phone call I'll treasure, but first things first John. Find an envelope and put those photos away before someone else sees them."

"Okay, done."

"Now back to Sam, where's he gone to since the first phone call."

"He left talking fifty to the dozen on his mobile. I told him you were the only one who knew the girl, so expect a call about that."

"Great another call to look forward to, see you tonight and bring the envelope."

I punched END on the phone and sighed. Thinking how simple this idea was, turn sixteen year old boy into twenty year old girl for wedding reception. Instead we end up with a teenage boy's wet dream fantasy who looks just as hot on film as she does in the flesh.

Laura waved an envelope at me, which she opened and pushed across the table to me. It was a letter and cheque I asked the real estate agent to send explaining the reduction in rent and reimbursement. That was the tears of happiness I heard when I came in. Gods know what will happen when she finds out nothing in this area lets for less than three fifty and I'm the landlord. Worry about when it happens.

Envelopes reminded me; I pulled one out of my pocket for Daniel and pushed it across the table. People two suburbs must have heard the scream when she opened it. Eight hundred dollars in hundred dollar bills lay on the table. Laura stared in disbelief. "Not enough?"

"It's too much."

"I really appreciated your help this week." And it was true; he was an invaluable member of the team on our busiest week. He would watch and learn, only had to be shown something once and unlike a lot of young people, was polite to everybody. My mobile rang before anyone could reply, "Good morning, Starburst."

"Jeff. It's Moira. Good morning." Before I could reply, she got straight down to business. "I saw the proofs from yesterday and they look great. While I was there, I saw some photos of a girl who should have been in our catalogue. You've been holding out on me?"

"Good morning and not at all. She's a sixteen year old we promised a makeover to and we honoured it yesterday, hence the proofs."

"Well consider her hired for the next catalogue."

"I don't think that will be possible……"

"Jeff. She will be in the next catalogue. Have a good weekend and I'll talk to you next week." Before I could reply, she had hung up.

"Congratulations. You're the new teenage girl in the next Spencer catalogue."

Danielle giggled. "I'm not joking. Moira just hired you. You'll be earning more than me at this rate. Anyway, let's go shopping."

 

Chapter Eleven

We drove to the mall, eventually found a parking spot and entered the mall. First stop was Spencer's Department Store and the shoe department. She was attracting way too much attention in the high heeled sandals. She selected a pair of mules, black with a one inch heel. White sandals with a two inch heel and a black pair of court shoes with a three and half inch heel. Danielle elected to wear the mules. At the register, Laura and I had our first tiff. She wanted Danielle to pay for them with the cash I had given her. I said I wanted to pay for them with my Visa card. I finally won and after we left the counter, I heard the girl remark to her friend, "I wish my parents would argue over me like that."

Taking Laura to one side, I read the riot act to her, "This shopping for Danielle will be funded by me, no arguments okay. I'm happy to buy things for somebody else for a change." Because what Danielle was wearing was all she had, we went to town in the Young Miss department. Mainly skirts and tops, mix and match stuff. Then over to lingerie for bras, panties and some baby doll pjs.

We took the purchases back to the car and headed to a coffee lounge for lunch. Just as we were finishing our coffee, my phone rang. Again. "Good morning, Starburst."

"Jeffrey." A female voice ventured.

Not many people call me by my full name and I was at a loss to who this was. "Yes it is. Can I help you?"

"Lady Carrington, Jeffrey. Do you have a couple of minutes to talk?"

"Yes I do Lady Carrington. You'll have to excuse the noise; I'm in a coffee shop." Laura and Danielle were both staring incredulously at me. "How is Lord Carrington, milady."

"My servants call me milady, but to you Jeffrey, I'm Kim and to answer your question, he's well, thank you."

Suitably admonished, I replied, "And you may call me Jeff. What can I do for you this fine morning?"

"Darling, I've just had the most ghastly phone call. My daughter is getting married, two weeks today. This girl was recommended by a friend of a friend……"

"Too many friends."

"Exactly darling. This ghastly girl gave me a story which made no sense what so ever and then told me that the price for the wedding makeup was going to cost two and a half thousand dollars instead of the agreed price of twelve hundred."

"Two and a half thousand."

"Darling, I was stunned. I know I have more money than I know what to do with, but I don't like greed."

"And you would like me to take her place?"

"Darling, would you please?"

"I can't see a problem."

"Darling, thank you, I knew I could count on you. I know it sounds like I'm using you as second fiddle, but my daughter made this arrangement without talking to me first."

"I completely understand Kim. What time frame do you have planned?"

"Well darling. Noon for a light salad lunch. Start the makeup after one, for a three thirty ceremony in the grounds. I would like you to stay for the ceremony and during the formal photographs for touch ups. There are two bridesmaids, three flower girls, maid of honour and of course the bride and myself."

"Not a problem. I'll have a friend, Laura and my young protégé Danielle with me if that's possible?" Laura and Danielle's eyes widened with disbelief.

"That's fine darling, but there's just one other thing I should mention."

Uh oh I thought. I knew this was too straight forward. "Yes Kim."

"Darling, I would like Karen to attend, not Jeff. I trust Laura and Danielle know Karen?"

"Yes, they've met Karen."

"Oh good. It's a date. Goodbye Karen and thank you."

"Good bye." I replied stunned. I pushed END on the phone and stared at it.

After a few moments, Danielle asked, "How does she know Karen?"

"Well that's a story and a half. Three years ago after Kim's wedding, I was out shopping as Karen in the city one Saturday morning. I was browsing in an upmarket shoe store, when I sensed someone staring; you know that feeling you get." They both nodded. "I turned and was face to face with Kim. She just looked at me and said 'very nice Jeffrey'. When I finally could speak, I said 'Lady Carrington. Karen Williams' then near fainted. We went and had coffee and talked for an hour. Now she wants Karen instead of Jeff for her daughter's wedding. You don't have to come if you feel uncomfortable about it."

"I wouldn't miss it for the world." said Danielle.

"Neither would I." said Laura.

Lunch paid for, we headed for the supermarket. Laura offered to make dessert and I told her to throw the ingredients in the trolley. We quickly shopped and left for home. We unloaded the car, Laura went to make the dessert at their place, Danielle went to the study to finish off a project due Monday. Meanwhile, I started preparing the meals for tonight.

About an hour later, I heard Danielle's heels approaching the kitchen. I turned to see what she wanted; her arms circled my neck and pulled me in for a full heart stopping kiss. "Danielle. My god, what are you doing."

"I love you, don't you love me. I'd do anything for you and I mean anything."

"Well I don't love you……." Soon as I said it, I knew it was the wrong thing to say. She burst in to tears and Cindy's parting words came to haunt me. "Let me rephrase that." I said hugging her. "Please stop crying…….."

"I…I…I thought….." she sobbed. We stood there holding each other till she calmed down.

"Danielle honey. I do love you, but as my daughter and Daniel as my son. My only wish is that I met you and your mum a long time ago and I was able to watch you grow up." This started another bout of crying.

"You like mum don't you?" she sobbed.

"I like her a lot."

"I think she likes you. I've never seen her so happy. If she knows you're at the door she checks herself in the mirror first."

This gladdened my heart. "Well, time for a shower. I'll just go and get Daniel's clothes for you."

"Jeff, no. I've never had so much fun in my life. Please don't be mean."

"Gotcha. Just joking." I said ducking her swing. "Don't forget Monday, Daniel and school." She headed off to the bathroom, while I finished my tasks.

Fifty minutes later, she was back in the kitchen. Black mini skirt, white sleeveless top and her four and half inch sandals. Meanwhile, I had showered and dressed and then sent her down to see how Laura was getting along.

 

Chapter Twelve

While putting the last of the ingredients in the fridge, Laura and Danielle turned up with the desert, which joined the food in the fridge. Both of them looked stunning and I commented on the fact.

"Danielle did my makeup; I think she did a pretty good job?"

"Nearly good enough for me to lose my job." Laura wore a simple sleeveless floral dress which hugged her curves. To see them together, they looked like sisters, before I could comment on the fact the door bell rang. Danielle went to the door while I opened a bottle of wine and found the glasses. There was a scream of delight as Cindy exclaimed "Girl. You just get better."

They filed in to the room and I introduced Laura to Cindy, Charlene and Annette, then Annette to Danielle who hadn't seen her the day before. She commented that she thought Danielle was familiar, but couldn't think why.

Cindy laughed. "You have met, but she was dressed differently." Annette had a closer look but just shook her head. DING DONG. Danielle went to the door and let John and his wife Anne in, and led them in to the lounge. John was carrying an envelope I guessed with the photographs. Another round of introductions ensued and John remarked, "He looks pretty good doesn't he."

"Jeff always looks good compared to you."

"I wasn't talking about Jeff." Anne said.

"The older you get, the sillier you get, there's only you and him here." Anne chided. Cindy, Charlene and Danielle giggled. Anne stood there puzzled. Laura smiled.

I refilled everybody's wine glass and said "A little competition for Annette and Anne, there is a third guy in this room." Annette and Anne studied the girls.

"You have inside running Annette, because you've met him." Cindy prodded.

"Well, I know it's not Charlene and you, because I've seen you both nearly naked at the studio."

"Any ideas Anne?"

"I'm afraid to say, in case I'm wrong."

"It's either Laura or Danielle."

"Well. I've never been so insulted." said Danielle as she stormed from the room.

"That goes for me too." Laura said, following Danielle. The two younger girls lost it. They laughed so hard I thought they were going to convulse. Laura and Danielle came back in to the room giggling their heads off. They eventually calmed down enough to speak.

"Before we reveal who it is, it's a secret for this room. Okay?" I asked. They both agreed. "Daniel, would please get another bottle of wine from the fridge please?" Daniel sashayed from the room. Anne's and Annette's mouths dropped.

"I should have guessed, the work experience boy. That's why she was familiar."

"We gave you enough hints." Cindy chipped in.

We told them about the wedding and the reason for Daniel to look twenty. Anne and Annette were surprised by the explanation. Seating everybody at the table, Danielle helped me hand around the entrée and we sat and ate.

Main course. The plan was to cook chinese food in woks and serve to the table piping hot. It was a good plan, just a tad impractical. With Laura's and Danielle's help, we finally got it to the table as planned. We ate and chatted, everybody seemingly enjoying themselves. I was about to offer coffee and desert, when Annette spoke, "I know how you did it."

"Did what? You watched me cook it."

"No silly. Danielle. I know how you did it."

"I'll bite."

"How you conjured a beautiful girl out of thin air." By now she had everybody's attention.

"Okay. Let's hear it."

"Well, you had Danielle dress as a boy and come to the studio on work experience, then changed her into a girl, but she was already a girl. Simple."

Every body burst out laughing. Anne sprang to her defence, "That's a good theory, I've watched her all night, she walks, talks, eats and acts like a girl. There is no way she was a boy twenty four hours ago." That got another burst of laughter.

"Believe me, we started with a boy." Cindy said.

I could see Annette was not cool with the boy to girl story and in her own mind had come to a more logical story.

"You're probably right." I answered and shot Cindy a warning glance as she was about say otherwise. "Anyway back to food, who would like coffee and dessert?"

Laura helped me in the kitchen to serve the delicious cheesecake she had made. She had become very special to me and I was tempted declare my love for her, but the fear that it would not be returned kept me at bay. Dessert and coffee served, we sat at the table with the others and as we listened to the chatter, I reached under the table and gently squeezed her hand; with a demure smile the squeeze was returned.

Annette had just put her empty cup down and announced that she had church with her mum tomorrow and she would take her leave. I saw her to her car and with a cheery good night, waved her goodbye.

Returning to the house, I offered drinks and we adjourned to the lounge room. After settling everybody with drinks, the talk turned to Annette and her theory, I explained that didn't expect everybody to understand. She saw a beautiful young girl, she must be a girl.

While I had been talking, John had retrieved the envelope he had arrived with, and settling back on the lounge, he began to speak. "Before I show the photos from yesterday, I want show you some recent magazines and just bear with me and you'll see why."

He took from the envelope, some woman's magazines. He went to pages that had been marked with yellow post-it notes, which were mainly fashion pages. "These girls are all very pretty and attractive; in fact this centre spread here was done by us about a month ago. And this," he said pulling some photos from the envelope, "Is Daniel taken a couple of days a go. Very photogenic, a sparkle in the eyes, eyes are very important, shows if someone's home, so to speak."

John sipped his scotch and coke, "The reason I show these photos in the magazines, is that while they are very attractive girls, well made up, good hair and smiles, but nothing jumps out at you. Now, Danielle is different, well we know she is different, she's a sixteen year old boy." All the girls giggled. "She had the same help that all these models had and when you see these photos Jeff, you'll know why Sam and Moira went all ape on me. With a flourish, he pulled out one photo after another and laid them on the coffee table.

We all gathered round and it was apparent what John was driving at. The young girl in the photos commanded presence, it was like being there. She exuded vitality, intelligence and youth, while at the same time there was naivety and innocence.

"Oh my." Laura gasped.

"Not many people photograph like this, she throws out a presence." John observed.

"What do you think mum?"

"I'm overwhelmed. In the flesh you look stunningly beautiful, but the photos make like I was there and who's the guy in the last couple?"

"A passing vagrant I put to work." I humoured. A withering stare from Laura and I continued, "He's Charlie; he was standing around talking so John put him to work."

"He's a bit of a hunk." Laura observed.

"You don't have the right bits for Charlie."

"You're joking, he's gay? What a waste." Laura lamented. Danielle giggled.

"What are they doing in this last one? Is it what I think it is?"

"They certainly did." Cindy and Charlene chorused.

"He had trouble with a simple direction. In fact if he knew he was holding a sixteen year old boy in drag, I don't think I had a big enough stick to fend him off." John said.

"Thanks John." Danielle said kissing him on the cheek.

"Don't forget me when you're rich and famous."

"I haven't got the right bits."

"Neither have some of the models in Paris and Rome. I've got a mate over there that does the big fashion catwalk shows; nobody gets out of sorts over it."

"Boys?" Laura asked.

"Boys."

"Did Sam call back?" I asked.

"No."

"Might of forgotten, you think."

"Who knows?"

"Hopefully he's forgotten." I said hopefully.

"You're very quiet Anne?" John asked.

"I'm absolutely blown away by this. If Annette stayed, she would never understand. Hell, I'm not sure I do. Laura, you're his mum, what do you think?"

Laura thought for a few moments, "In my wildest dreams, I would not have imagined this. But, I have never seen Daniel so happy in the last twenty four hours. It's like a new person born from within."

"You're more tolerant than me; there are more issues here than first meets the eye."

"For sure, but at the moment it's only between us here, although the original intention was to attend the wedding reception."

"But eventually……."

"Since Daniel was born, we have lived in every hell hole imaginable, from the inner city to the suburbs. You could not imagine the neighbours we've had to endure, young girl with a child, must be a slut, she must be easy. Daniel has been bullied, ostracised for being small. We've lived in places where you couldn't put rubbish in the bin at night without being molested. My parents have made no attempt to contact us. With all this, I would have gone mad a long time ago without Daniel. We've cried ourselves to sleep at night with our problems, but we've always had each other and we've muddled through. If this is Daniel's destiny," she said pointing at the photographs, "then so be it."

"Mum…." Daniel hugged his mum.

"I'm sorry, I didn't realise,"

"No I'm sorry; I shouldn't have burdened you with our troubles." Laura sobbed, with Daniel hugging her.

John gave Anne a 'well done, anything else' look, then announced, "Its getting late, would two like to share a cab?" nodding to Cindy and Charlene.

"That'll be fine." acknowledged Charlene. I rang for a cab and we walked down to the street and within a couple of minutes, a cab arrived. With kisses and handshakes all round, we waved the visitors goodbye.

 

Chapter Thirteen

Soon as we walked back in to the house, Laura broke down and sobbed "I ruined your night. I'm so sorry."

"No you haven't," I said hugging her, "You can't bottle up fifteen years of problems. They leak out eventually; it may as well be now."

"But…"

"No buts. You have a lovely son and a beautiful daughter, live in a nice area and things are on the up, okay."

"I guess so."

"I love you mum."

"I love you too darling."

"Thank you for all the things you said tonight…….you know, about dressing as a girl. This has been the best weekend of my life." He hugged his mum, "Thanks mum." He hugged me, "Thanks Jeff."

"Anything for a beautiful girl." I replied.

"Do you want to know the best part?" Laura asked.

"What?" Daniel frowned.

"Now that you have your own shoes, clothes and makeup, mine should be safe now."

"You knew. But..…but....I was so careful."

"Told you so." I said.

"Honey. Tops put back in the drawer with makeup on the collar, my makeup vanishing rapidly during the school holidays, the smell of perfume in your room, my good bra missing for two weeks, found jammed between your bed and the wall……."

"I'm so sorry mum, I didn't mean any harm."

""I know. You were so happy during the school holidays and I knew you were having a tough time at school. You were relaxed on holidays and I let it go."

Danielle stood there dumbfounded. Laura hugged her, "I love you Danielle."

"I love you mum."

"While I'm thinking about it. What are you two doing on the Easter break?"

"Nothing. Like every Easter. We've never been able to afford a holiday or a weekend away."

"You haven't had a holiday for sixteen years?" I asked incredulously.

"The last holiday I had was with my parents when I was sixteen. Daniel has never been away, ever."

"Well." I said shaking my head, "I was going to ask, but I'll make this an order. Easter break with me at my holiday unit, ocean views, all mod cons and a bedroom each. Okay."

"That would be terrific, but I have the wedding the week before and I'm not sure how I'm going to afford that yet."

"My treat, just bring yourselves and clothes."

"Thank you." Laura said.

"Anyway its one a.m., I think its time to for bed, it's been a big day for all of us." I said. We walked down to the house, kissed them both good night. "See you tomorrow sometime; I'll make Daniel passable for school. Goodnight."

 

Chapter Fourteen

The next day was a lazy, get up late Sunday at home. Brunch at eleven, while I was eating, Danielle turned up. Skirt and top, small amount of makeup, he amazed me every time I saw him. We talked about the night before. He told me that his mum was very supportive and they had a long talk this morning.

After I had eaten, Danielle gave me a hand to clean up from the night before. He told me about the last forty eight hours being a dream becoming reality. "Do you have any more dreams?" I asked.

"Oh yeah."

"Like what?"

"I want mum to fall in love and get married, she deserves it. And for me to have a father, someone I can call dad." She stared at me.

"What are you looking at me for?"

"Well you're shaping up as a candidate."

"I don't think so, Karen puts a bit of a dampener on that theory."

"Why. Mum likes being with Karen."

"That's just it. I'm a girlfriend, to do girlfriend things with. I've seen this at our club, women like the partying and the socialising with cross dressers, but aren't keen when it's their partner and I've been a transvestite too long to change."

She looked crestfallen. "Oh well, it was a nice thought."

"Don't worry; you'll always be my best friend." I had already fallen in love with Laura, so to marry Laura and have Daniel as my son would be my dream come true. We got on well together, I'm sure there was chemistry there, but as I said the odds were against us and I had personally seen it happen. I gave him a big hug and the tears welled up in his eyes, "Honey, I promise to be always your friend; I'll always be there for you, whatever happens in the future."

"Thank you." he sniffed.

"Why don't we go up the video shop and get some DVDs and have a movie afternoon."

"That sounds good."

By six that evening we were all movied out, we returned the DVDs. On the way back, Danielle asked, "Why don't you ask mum on a date, just the two of you, have dinner somewhere, see what happens."

"Guess I could."

"She has not been on a date ever, I know of. Lots of men have asked her, mainly from work and sometimes neighbours."

"Well at least I can ask. What about you?"

"I'm a big girl now, I can look after myself. Can I stay at your place, while you're out?"

"Sure." I said as I parked the Rover in the garage. "I might find a nice restaurant on the harbour and go out for dinner. Okay, let's find Daniel and we'll go and see your mum."

We went to my bedroom, he stripped and I carefully removed the breast forms. He removed his makeup and had a shower and washed his hair. He blow-dried his hair, there was a slight wave still in it, but once it pulled in to his normal ponytail, it looked okay. He put on a pair of panties, a T shirt and shorts. We went down to his place and he asked me in. I said hello to Laura and she apologised again for last night.

"Forget it." I said.

"Mum. Jeff is going to ask you a question and you have to promise me to say yes." He looked at me expectantly. Laura looked at me. "I'll try."

"Thank you Daniel for paving the way. Um…..would you like to go out to dinner next Saturday night, just the two of us?"

"Daniel, what have you been doing?"

"Nothing mum."

She turned to me, "I'd love to, thank you."

"I'll come for you at six. Daniel is going to stay at my place."

I wished them a good night and went home for a snack and bed.

 

Chapter Fifteen

The week went quickly. My thoughts were constantly on Saturday night, while I knew the odds were against us, I was excited by the prospect of at least courting Laura and it would be nice to have a social life that didn't involve cross dressers, as much as I enjoyed it.

Saturday at four o'clock, I showered and dressed for the date, taking my time. The unfortunate part was, as Karen, I had lots of clothes that would suit the evening, as Jeff, I had a very mediocre wardrobe. A pair of beige pants and a complementary sports jacket and open neck shirt. I loathed ties.

Daniel turned up at five forty five; I chucked the keys at him, so that he could get the Rover from the garage for me. At six, I walked down to greet Laura; I waited a couple of minutes for the door to open. She opened the door and I wasn't disappointed. She had on a LBD and three inch black sandals. Her hair was up and the dress hugged all her curves. The jealous Karen in me whispered, 'why can't I look like that'. I complimented her and escorted her to the car.

I took her to a ritzy restaurant on the harbour at Circular Quay. Laura visibly paled when she saw the prices, but I told her she wasn't allowed to order the cheapest meal. We chatted over a glass of champagne and watched the ferries and charter boats come and go from Circular Quay, while we waited for the entrée. By the time we had finished coffee and dessert, daylight saving dusk had turned to night. The city skyline was lit up as we walked slowly around to the Opera House on the waterfront promenade. She told me about her childhood and the struggles she had being a single mum.

We slowly walked back to the Rover, holding hands, taking in the sights and sounds of the city at night. Once we were back home, I invited Laura in for a glass of wine; she took a raincheck and said she wanted to go to bed. Daniel was conspicuous by his absence; we found him feigning sleep in the second bedroom. "You're back early."

"Not really, it's after ten." I replied.

"I thought you would have went clubbing or something."

"Daniel, Jeff and I had a very nice meal and we enjoyed ourselves."

I walked them home and wondered to myself, would Laura accept Jeff as a husband and Karen as a friend. Time would tell all.

 

End of Part 3 (to be continued)

This story is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either products of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  

  

  

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