Healing Cousin George

by Karin Roberts

The Plan

   

Debbie stuck around for most of the day and indeed blagged an invite to dinner that night, I knew what she was thinking and as much as I thought it was a daft idea I was willing to give it a go. George arrived just before six and after explaining Debbie was staying for dinner he went and took a shower to wash away the days toils. We all sat down to mixed salad and cold meat as the sun began to drop in the sky. Debbie prodding me under the table and gesturing with her eyes I began to relate the events of the day.

"George, Mum called today"

"Everything ok" he asked.

"Yeah everything's fine, it's just that it's Dad's fiftieth next week and were expected to be there" I replied.

Silence descended for a minute, "I clean forgot all about it" I said as George played with his food.

"Well there's no way we can go, not with you looking like that" he said.

"But she's insisting" I said.

"Alex how can we be at the party, I mean look at you, your as far removed from the Alex that came her a couple of month's back, so how can you go to a party like that." I flushed slightly at his comments on how different I looked.

Debbie spoke "Look it's none of my business but I think I've got a solution" she said.

"Well feel free Sherlock, I'm all ears" George said.

"Well there's no way Alex can really go back to being Alex if you know what I mean" she stopped.

"Well you got that one right" George interrupted.

"Well what about if you go" she said pointing at George, "And you take Alex as Amanda, none of the family have met Amanda right, so they won't know any different and that way you both get to be there" there was silence.

"You want me to take Alex as Amanda" George asked.

"Yeah why not it's not as if your staying overnight just drive down go to the party and then come back again, no one needs to know least of all Amanda, your just going to a family party no big deal and as I said you both get what you want, you both get to be there."

"Only one small problem there what about Alex's mum she knows about this how is she going to feel about her son turning up at her Husband's birthday party in drag" George said.

"I'm sure she will be ok with it, she's been ok with this arrangement so far, so another little white lie won't matter, you get her to tell her husband the real Alex is ill say he's bed ridden unfit to travel, you take Melissa with you perfect everyone's happy, what do you think." She stopped.

"Makes a bit of sense" I interrupted.

"Not sure don't know whether I like the idea or not, what do I tell Amanda" he asked.

"Just the truth, your not lying your both going to a family event nothing else" Debbie said.

"I'm still not convinced about it, I need to give it more thought" George said as he got up and deposited his empty plate in the sink. "I'll think about it, look I need to go I'm meeting Amanda later" he said as he started to mount the stairs.

Debbie looked at me "He'll do it" she said quietly as a smile crept on to her face.

It was Tuesday morning before George finally agreed to the Debbie's plan. As I made breakfast for Melissa he came in from the barn. "Look I think this idea stinks a bit but it's only fair you should be at your Dad's birthday so ok lets run with it. But on no account does anyone tell Amanda and you also better square it with your mum first" he said.

I dropped what I was doing and went over to him throwing my arms around his neck I hugged him and said,

"Oh thanks George you're a star" as he struggled out of my grip a bit embarrassed by the situation I kissed his cheek and then we parted.

Soon after I was on the telephone to Debbie,

"He's agreed about Saturday" I said excitement esacpinf from my voice.

"Told you he would, that means shopping for an outfit tomorrow" she replied.

I laughed "Any excuse, I don't need anything more" I said.

"Hey who's idea was this a shopping trip is the least that I should get as a reward"

"Ok then shopping tomorrow it is then" and I hung up.

The second call was a bit more difficult "Christ Alex you can't show up at your Dad's birthday party dressed as a women" mum said,

"It's either that or not at all, look nobody's ever saw Amanda, we make the excuse that I'm ill bed ridden with some stomach bug etc, then at least I get to be there, anyway no one else knows about this do they?"

She hesitated "Well Ashley does" she answered.

"Why the hell did you tell Ashley" I aksed,

"Alex it's been hard knowing about this I needed somebody to talk to about it,"

"I suppose and is she ok with it,"

"Well to be frank she found it hilarious to start with, but I think she sees that you done it for the right reasons. Anyway you'll need to stop soon I mean it's only three weeks till the start of term, so you'll need to get back to normal soon."

"Maybe not" I answered.

"What do you mean maybe not, your not changing your mind are you, look this situation hasn't gone any further has it" she asked,

I could feel myself blush slightly knowing exactly what she meant.

"No it hasn't it's just that I rang the Education Board and explained that I had a family situation that I was dealing with. They agreed that I could defer my post to Christmas if I want. I've not decided yet, but if I need more time here then I can have it."

"I hope you know what your doing" she asked.

"Yeah I do, I just need a bit more time to make George see sense" I replied.

"Well it that's all then ok, but about Saturday please be careful your dad would have a fit if he finds out" she pleaded.

"I will mum, I promise you won't even recognise me never mind dad, I'll see you Saturday"

With that we hung up and I began to think some serious work needed to be done.

  

  

  

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