This is a continuing work of fiction! Any resemblance of the characters to actual people is purely coincidence and not intentional.

 

A 'Lisa' New Year            by: Lisa Elizabeth

 

Christmas had been fun! Getting to be 'Lisa' for one wonderful day was a dream come true. Life pretty much returned to normal for the next few days. Janet and I played with our presents and I got to help set up her barbie dream house and play with her. I let her be GI Jane on some of my 'Joe ' missions, which she enjoyed a lot.

New Year's Eve day mom asked us to help her get ready for the party that night to 'ring-in' the new year and celabrate with our neighbors. Janet and I picked up all the toys and straightened out the front room. Then mom gave us both dust rags and told us to dust. I had to go over some of the things Janet did but then she is only six!

Dad came home with a bunch of bags from the store and I had to help bring them in while mom and Janet unpacked all the chips, dip and pretzels for the evening's festivities. While helping to unpack I even found a jar of 'Pickled Herring' in the bag. I asked mom if I actually had to eat some of it and she said "Of course! If you make it to midnight, everyone has a piece!"

I wanted to stay up till after midnight but I wasn't looking forward to that part of it! It looked pretty slimey to me, even in the jar! So I put it in the refrigerator along with the cheese and the dips and the soda and wine. It was just a couple of our neighbors coming over and their kids.

Mom made dinner about 5pm and then told me and Janet to go wash and change for the party. I went to my room and put on a pair of dress pants and a button down shirt I got for Christmas. Slipped on my penny loafers and combed my hair. I was ready! Janet came out about 5 minutes after me and she had on the emerald green dress from christmas along with white tights and her black Mary Janes. I looked at her and longed to be dressed the same way. After all, I knew 'Lisa' had an identical outfit in the guest room.

Just then the doorbell rang and mom yelled from the kitchen for someone to answer it! I was the closest, so it was up to me. When I opened the door it was the Bailey's with their daughter, Rachel. Rachel and Janet are in Kindergarten together so at least Janet would have someone to play with tonight. I took their coats and laid them on mom and dad's bed like always and told them mom was in the kitchen. When I came back Rachel and Janet were checking out all the things Janet got for christmas. They asked if they could set up the dream house and mom said okay. I helped and got to play with them for a little while which was okay with me.

The doorbell rang again and the Malone's were here. I was happy to see them because Mike was my friend and now I had someone to play with too. He checked out the helicopter and stuff and then we told mom we were going to my room to play my Atari. We spent till 9 pm playing all the games before we got tired of it and decided to go get something to eat.

We sat on the floor eating chips and dip and watching 'Guy Lombardo' on the TV. The people seemed to be having a good time. Dad switched over to another channel. At least this one had more current rock music! The two girls got up and danced and tried to get me and Mike to dance with them. We said "No way!" after all we were nine year old boys and we didn't know how to dance.

As it got later we noticed that the girls got quieter and eventually by 10pm had fallen asleep on the floor. Must have gotten worn out dancing! Mom and Mrs. Bailey scooped them up and took them upstairs and tucked them into Janet's bed. They were out for the night. Mike and I looked at each other and said " I guess little kids just can't make it to midnight".

Time went on and we laughed and played and talked to the adults as the clock moved ever closer to midnight. I looked at the clock and it was 10:58 and dad switched the channel to watch New Year's Eve in New York. We counted down to 11:00 pm while they enjoyed the new year on tv. " Only one hour to go!" said Mike.

We sat there watching TV and munching. I looked at the clock and it was 11:40 pm, Mike was asleep in the chair. . .

"Wake up Lisa! It's New Year's Day!" Janet was bouncing on my bed.

I opened my eyes and was confused, this wasn't my room! I sat up in bed and looked around, I was in the guest bedroom. I looked down and I had on my 'Strawberry Shortcake' nightgown! "Janet, stop bouncing. How did I get here?"

"I don't know, but everyone is gone and it's just our family here. You get to be my big sister today, remember?" Janet started jumping again.

I remembered! I was looking forward to it! " How about we go down and have some breakfast!' I figured it would let mom and dad sleep a little longer this morning.

I put on my slippers and combed my hair. I put the green headband in like mom had and then went with Janet to make bowls of cereal. We ate and then turned on the tv low so that mom and dad could sleep.

"Good morning girls." Mom said when she came down to make coffee for her and dad. "Did you both sleep well? Neither of you made it to midnight, although Lisa just missed by 10 minutes."

Janet and I both got up and gave mom a hug and told her we had eaten. "Okay then, Janet you and I will take quick showers so that we can get dressed while Lisa is showering. Now upstairs so you can get ready for the day." Mom grabbed Janet's hand and upstairs they went. "Don't go far, your shower will be right after mine, Lisa."

Where was I going in a night gown? "Okay mom." I said and went back to watching tv and playing with the barbies we had out.

"Morning sweetheart!" Dad said as he came downstairs. He was dressed in dress pants and a button down shirt. He went into the kitchen to get a cup of coffee. " Mom said to listen for when Janet was out of the shower so that you can take your's." It's nice having two bathrooms! Dad and I had just installed those special faucets that let two people shower or do dishes or whatever and no one gets burned or frozen!

About 5 minutes later."Lisa! I'm out of the shower! Your turn. Mom said!" Janet was yelling from the top of the stairs. I got up and made my way to the guest room and saw my clothes laid out on the bed. At the foot of the bed was one of mom's robes. "Lisa, take the clean panties and the robe. Put your nightgown under the pillow and when you're done the panties too. Wash your hair and just towel dry it , then knock on my room door." Mom called from her room.

I did as mom said and emerged from the bathroom smelling clean and in clean panties and the robe. I went and put my night gown and panties under the pillow and then went and knocked on mom's door. "Come in." I opened the door to see Janet getting the last of a set of rollers wound into her hair. Mom said "You're just in time. Janet your done for now so go get dressed. You know what to wear today." Mom and Janet smiled at each other and Janet left the room with a big grin on her face.

"Sit here honey and we'll get started making you pretty for today." I sat on the vanity stool and mom started combing my wet hair into sections. When she was happy with what she was doing she took some large rollers and started winding my hair around them and pinning them in place. It only took her 15 minutes to set my hair. Good thing she did it, it would have taken me forever!

"All done for now! Do you need help getting ready or do you think you can do it yourself?"

"I'd like to try it by myself, mom. If that's okay with you. I'll call if I have a problem."

"Okay. I only put out the dress and tights for today. Don't forget your camisole, okay?"

I went back to the guest room and took off the robe and hung it up. then looked to see what was out and what I needed. On the bed were the white tights so I started with them. I did better this time and actually got them on the right way the first try! I went to the dresser and got out a camisole and slipped it on over my head. Then the white full slip, I had to be careful because of the rollers. Sometimes this getting dressed as a girl could be difficult, but I was having fun so I didn't mind. Then I went over to the closet door and took down the blue and white sailor dress I got for christmas. I couldn't step into it as there were only three buttons in the back and not enough room to put my feet in. I tried to put it over my head but the rollers kept getting caught and tangled in the cloth. I finally hung it back up, grabbed the robe and went to find mom.

I found her in Janet's room brushing out her hair. "Mom, I can't get the dress on over the rollers!"

"That's okay dear, let me finish with Janet's hair. I knew you would have trouble there so while we wait for your hair to dry we'll do both your's and Janet's nails." Janet smiled and reached over to hand mom a couple of bottles from her dresser. "First apply this vitamin E oil to your cuticles and then sit."Mom directed. I took the bottle and it had a little brush built in so I dipped it and wiped it and brushed it on my cuticle as mom directed. Janet was done with her hair so she did the same after me. Mom took something she called an 'orange stick' and went all around my nails pushing back the cuticles. Then she did the same to Janet. Next she took a cotton ball, got some nail polish remover on it and wiped all of our nails "just to remove the oil so the polish will stick better" she stated while working. Then she had me and Janet lay our hands flat and she painted all twenty fingers a soft pink. Janet showed me how to hold my hands and blow on them to help them dry. It's amazing what a girl learns by the age of six! I was impressed by Janet's knowledge. When her nails were dry mom helped her get into her sailor dress. They were very careful with her hair and then mom buttoned up the back for her. "Okay, now put on your shoes and then go down by daddy, I'll finish up with Lisa and we'll be right down!"

Mom and I went back into the guest room. She took out the rollers and my head looked like a mass of curls. "Mom, are you sure my hair looks okay?"

Mom laughed. "After we brush it out and spray it, it will look just like Janet's!" That made me smile because Janet's hair looked really pretty today.

Mom brushed out my hair and it started to change. It bounced more and when she put in a white plastic headband it started looking like Janet's. My bangs combed forward and this nice fluffy hair with a curl at the end hanging down. Then mom found a large white bow and clipped it in the back of my hair. I really liked the look! I thought I looked cute, I hoped dad would too.

"All done, let's get your dress on so we can join the family downstairs." Mom helped me get the dress over my hair and settled it into place. Then she buttoned it up. I slipped on my Mary Janes and mom clipped on the angel shaped earings, then she took the 'skin so soft' and dabbed it on so I smelled nice. Mom pronounced me finished!

We then went downstairs to join the family. " Hi daddy!" I said as I entered the front room. I stopped in my tracks. Dad had on a tie and coat and was holding his trench coat. Janet had on her winter dress coat with a little purse. "Um.. Where are you two going?"

"WE are all going to church!" Dad sort of emphasized the 'we' part. " New Years Day is Sunday this year, right? And we do go to church on Sunday, right?"

" Dad, are you sure we should go to church? I mean. . well I thought. . . "

"Quit scaring the poor girl. I told you we would go to St. Patrick's today. It's only 9:00 am and mass doesn't start until 10:30. Since it's an hour away no one should know us there so Lisa can go with us." Mom was glaring at dad for upsetting me.

"I was merely stating the obvious to her." Dad replied. "I'll go get the car out of the garage and meet you ladies out front."

"We'll be ready." Mom said as she rumaged around the front hall closet and pulled out a garment bag. "Here it is! Lisa, help me get this open please?"

I unzipped the bag and there inside was a winter coat that matched Janet's! "Mom, it's beautiful! When did you.. how did you?"

"Let's get it on you already, your father will be out front any minute." I took it off the hanger and slipped it on. Now Janet and I were dressed identically. From the white tights and sailor dresses to the off white wool winter coats with the fake fur trim! Mom reached up on the closet shelf and handed me a small white purse just like Janet's. "All set girls? Let's go to church!" Mom took my hand and we headed for the door.

I was really scared. After all it's one thing to be Lisa in the safety of your own house! It took mom tugging on me and me squeezing the life out of mom's hand in order to walk out the door and get into the car. I watched how Janet got in the back seat and then tried to mimic her motions as best I could. Since no one laughed and the earth didn't open up and swallow me I started to relax a little in the safety of our car.

Janet reached over and held my hand for the trip to church. Sometimes little sisters just seem to know things. It was a crisp winter day! Everything was bright and new just like the new year! We live in the suburbs so going to a different church gave us a chance to see another town. It was a lovely drive and when we pulled into St. Patrick's parking lot, I got butterflies again.

"Just be yourself Lisa. No one knows us here so I doubt anyone will wonder if you are who you appear to be." Dad got out and opened the door for mom. Janet and I let ourselves out and we went into church as a family.

Mom picked a pew off to the side about half way to the alter. We removed our coats and then sat down waiting for the service to begin. Janet nudged me and we kneeled for our greeting prayer before the mass began. Then we sat there with our hands folded in our laps being quiet. I looked around and everyone was dressed up today. All I saw were smiles from everyone I looked at so I smiled back.

Church went well and Mom, dad and I went up for communion. Janet hasn't made her first communion yet. I was walking up thinking about the beautiful white dresses that the girls in my communion class wore. They were like little wedding dresses. Some of the girls even wore veils! I wished I could have been 'Lisa' for that event. I decided that now was my chance to pretend I was wearing a communion dress. I remembered the dress that one girl in my class wore. Gretchen was the same size as me and THAT was the dress I dreamed I was wearing. It was all satin and had a lot of petticoats. She had a veil attached to a headband like the one I was wearing in my hair so it was easy to imagine it was me in the dress. I smiled alot and held my hands close and kept my head bowed. I walked as softly and reverently as I knew how. When my turn came, I made the sign of the cross, said 'amen', and took the wafer as delicately as I could.

When I got to the wine I sipped just a taste and then walked back to our pew still holding my hands as perfect as I could. The rest of the service I did everything as delicately as I could and even sang the last hymn.

When we finished the recessional hymn we all put our coats on, picked up our purses and headed out the door, stopping just long enough to say hello to the priest that said mass this morning.

When we were all back in the car and dad was out of the parking lot, mom said "Lisa, you were very good in church today. So were you Janet. We should take Lisa to church more often if you two are going to be that well behaved."

Dad was all smiles as he winked at me in the mirror. We were driving along enjoying the day and I noticed that we weren't going home. "Where are we going? This isn't the way home is it?" I asked.

"We are all meeting at Uncle Jack and Aunt Kathy's for lunch." Mom said, matter of factly.

"Oh." I said. Then I started looking out the window. It suddenly hit me that I didn't know anyone else knew about 'Lisa'. "Mom? Do they know about me? What did they say? I can't go there like this!" I was starting to panic and tears were forming in my eyes.

"LISA! Calm down! The whole family has been told about the promises that were made on christmas. Everyone has agreed to make this day as special as possible for you. You will not be treated any differently than Janet or Allison. Now get a tissue out of your purse and dry your eyes. "

I had forgotten about Allison and Jason. They are my cousins. Now they would see me as Lisa too! I wiped my eyes and sat very quietly for the rest of the ride to my Aunt and Uncle's house. Janet reached over and held my hand and whispered to me "It will be okay, Lisa. You just wait and see."

When we arrived at Uncle Jack and Aunt Kathy's everyone got out of the car except me, I was scared! Mom came back to the car, opened the door and said, "Come on in honey, everyone wants to see you. No one has laughed at you today have they? You look just like any other nine year old girl out for a holiday visit. Come on in now, okay?"

"Okay mom. No one will laugh?" I slowly got out of the car, took a deep breath and grabbed mom's hand very tightly.

"Honey, you better remember your purse." I looked back in the car and grabbed my purse and then shut the door. It seemed to make a very resounding 'thud' when it shut. Mom then turned towards the house and we walked in holding hands.

"Hi Lisa! Let me take your coat and purse." I looked at my Aunt with a question on my face. "Relax dear, no one will bother you. You look lovely! I think it's so cute that you and Janet have matching outfits. Now give me a kiss and go see what Janet and Allison are up to." I kissed my aunt on the cheek and then went to find the other two girls. They were in the 'toy' room. It's a spare bedroom that is designated for playing with toys. The girls were checking out everything that Allison got for christmas. Jason was sitting in the corner playing with his 'Voltron'.

"Hi! What's everyone up to?" I asked.

Jason looked up first and looked at me. He sort of stared for a second. "Jason, don't stare, it's not polite!" Allison admonished her younger brother. "After all Lisa is our cousin and she does look very pretty today don't you think?"

"You're dressed just like Janet!" Jason was looking at the two of us as if he couldn't believe it.

"Sisters do that sort of thing Jason. And today Lisa and I are sisters!" Janet looked directly into Jason's eyes as she said it.

"Calm down everyone. Lisa would you like to play with my 'American Dolls'? I got a new outfit for 'Felicity' for christmas." Allison was offering me a chance to play and I took it.

"Felicity is very pretty." I thought she looked like a real little girl, more so than barbie anyway. Allison showed me the storybook that came with Felicity. I spent some time reading the story and imagining I was Felicity's friend and having the adventure with her. After that Janet suggested we all play a game together. We played 'Candyland' and 'Chutes and Ladders'. We even got Jason to join us for a game of 'Sorry'. Aunt Kathy called us to come out and help set the table for dinner.

Grandma and Grandpa had arrived so we gave kisses and hugs all around and showed off our new clothes. Allison and Jason had gotten their new clothes for christmas too.

Since I was the oldest I got to help bake the rolls and place the servings on the table. Usually Allison did this since she is the oldest girl, but today that job went to Lisa. After all I'm nine and Allison is only eight. She helped Janet and mom set the table and then came and helped me to make sure the rolls didn't burn. I really appreciated the help even with Aunt Kathy there, I felt better with Allison next to me.

We all gathered at the table and Uncle Jack said Grace. Then we took our plates to the 'Adult' table to ask for portions of ham, potato salad, noodles, hot rolls and left over turkey. I watched what Allison took and asked for the same amounts she did. After all I was a girl and I had to watch my figure!

Dinner went well. We talked about school and how much fun christmas break had been. Finally Jason just couldn't keep it in any more. "So why do you want to be a girl? I have a lot more fun as a boy than Allison ever has as a girl! I think it's silly!"

"Jason, that's rude. Now apologise to..."I cut off Allison and said, " No Allison let me explain to Jason why I like being Lisa."

"I know it's hard to understand Jason, heck I don't understand why I like it myself. But I know that as Lisa, I can be the quiet feminine little girl that feels safe when her dad or mom hugs her. It makes me feel protected. When I dress as Lisa I have a better understanding of Janet. We have gotten along alot better since christmas than we have before. At church today everyone smiled at me and said hi. When I'm dressed as John they don't smile at me near as much and no one ever opens a door for me! As Lisa I'm treated much nicer and in turn I treat everyone else nicer. I would suggest you try it but I don't think you will."

"I'll NEVER dress as a girl." Jason was emphatic about that.

"This may not be something you are interested in." I stated. "Not everyone is, I only know that my mom and dad and Grandma and Grandpa decided it was okay for me to live out what I thought I really, really wanted. I think that's special and I'll always remember this for the rest of my life."

"Dessert time everyone!" Aunt Janet walked into the dinning room with a large Angel Food cake!

She cut the cake and everyone had a piece. I got to help with cleaning up and really enjoyed working with the women of the family. We talked about all kinds of things from school to the dresses Janet and I were wearing. This made me feel welcome and allowed me to forget Jason's comments.

We three girls then headed back to the game rrom and spent the rest of the day playing. When we played house Jason was the dad and I got to be the mom. It was a lot of fun and I had a good time all afternoon.

"Lisa, Janet, It's time to go home. Help Allison and Jason put away the toys and clean up." Dad walked in and made sure we understood that he meant what he said. We picked up the dolls and put everything away, even helping Jason put away his race car track. Then we all went out to let mom and dad know we were ready to go.

We collected everyone's coats and the three purses. Got dressed, then gave everyone a hug and kiss goodbye. "Lisa, you can come over anytime you like." Aunt Kathy told me when I gave her a goodbye hug. "Thank you Aunt Kathy. I had a wonderful time today." We got into the car and headed home.

Once we were home, mom went for the camera. Janet and I had to pose for several pictures since we were in 'sister' outfits. Then we helped mom make a small snack since it was late and we settled down to watch a movie on tv.

When the movie was over mom said "Lisa, did you enjoy your day today?"

"Yes ma'm! I liked being treated so nicely by everyone. I really liked helping in the kitchen. As John no one ever let me help before."

"You did a very good job of helping and you even ate like a young lady today. I'm very proud of you dear." Mom was smiling a lot when she said this. "Alright girls, time for bed. Let's go up and get you ready."

We went upstairs and since tomorrow was our first day back at school I hung up my dress and took off all my 'girl' clothes and put them in the hamper. I used one of 'Lisa's' robes to go to my own room to get my pajamas.

"Where do you think you're going, young lady?" Dad looked at me as he was talking.

"With school tomorrow I was going back to my room so I would get up and get ready in the morning as 'John', Dad."

"Well I'm sorry but that bedroom is off limits to girls today. Now turn around and march right back into your room and get ready for bed."

"Yes sir!" I said it as I thought a militery person would and curtseyed so that he knew I was still a girl. I went back into the guest room and put on my night gown and panties and then my slippers and robe and went to say goodnight to mom and dad.

"Good night dad." (kiss). "Good night mom" (kiss). I hugged each of them tightly.

"Come on sweetheart. Let's go up and we'll remove your nail polish, then I'll tuck you in." Mom got up and took my hand and I waved goodnight to dad. We went into 'my' room and mom helped me remove the polish so that no trace of it was left. Then I hung up my robe and mom tucked me in. As a last thought she reached up on the shelf and took down one of my new barbie dolls and tucked her in with me."Good night Lisa. Sweet dreams."

She gently kissed my forehead and then turned out the light and closed the door. I fell asleep holding my barbie and thinking of all the wonderful things that I had done today. I knew I would remember this day forever.

Next up, Roller skating!

 

 

copywrite 04/2000 Lisa Elizabeth

The above work is copyrighted material. Anyone wishing to copy, archive, or re-post this story must contact the author for permission.