Welcome to part 5 of my story about Melissa "Josh" Stevens. If you haven't read the first four parts (chapters 1-20), then you should because what happens here won't make a lot of sense otherwise.

This is a work of fiction so any resemblance to persons living or dead, in whole or in part, is purely coincidental. All of the usual copyright rules apply, but this story may be posted freely on any site that does not require a fee for accessing it. Also, the usual rules about legal restrictions on accessing stories like this apply according to where you hail from.

I hope you enjoy,
Joanne

 

Secret Lives

Joanne Foxcourt

©2005

Part 5

 

Chapter 21: Emancipation Proclamation

"Dr. Patel, you've been seeing Melissa for how long now?" Aaron Bosko asked Amy after she had settled into the witness stand.

"Objection!" Michael Jones called. "The plaintiff's legal name is Joshua Stevens."

"Your Honor," Aaron responded, "my client is currently in transition and has applied for a legal name change to Melissa. It is generally considered courteous to refer to such a person appropriately."

"Nevertheless," Michael countered, "his name is still Joshua."

"Overruled. Counselor, I understand your objection, but I don't see any problem with applying some simple courtesy to the situation."

"Thank you, your Honor," Aaron noted. "Now, Dr. Patel, if you could answer the question?"

"Almost a year," Amy replied.

"How would you characterize your client?"

"Melissa has what is clinically known as gender dysphoria. In a nutshell, it is a condition by which the patient has ongoing and persistently strong beliefs that their physical gender is not correct. A great many people experience this to some degree or another but, for those whom the feelings are quite acute, the treatments become more dramatic."

"Is this a mental condition?"

"Nobody really knows for certain," Amy admitted. "There is some evidence to indicate that there may be some biological explanations for it, though much more study is required. What we are certain of, however, is that for extreme cases, the cure has invariably meant surgery and hormonal treatment."

"Is Melissa an extreme case?" Aaron asked.

"That is the purpose of the real life test, or RLT, to discover if that is true or not."

"Describe this test."

"Basically, a patient undergoing the test spends a year living and working as a member opposite to their current physical gender. During that time, they'll hopefully learn a great deal about themselves and whether or not the change is something they need to make permanent."

"It's my understanding that Denise Stevens attempted to halt this test, is that true?"

"Yes sir, she even threatened legal action if I did not."

"What did you decide?" Aaron asked.

"I told Ms. Stevens that to halt the treatment at this time, against the wishes of Melissa, would do irreparable harm to my patient and so I refused."

"Ms. Stevens is Melissa's legal guardian," Aaron noted.

"Yes sir, but my primary concern is my patient and I felt that Ms. Stevens was reacting strictly to a situation that she had manufactured."

"Explain."

"Ms. Stevens had told me that she planned to send Melissa to military school and that to accomplish this, she needed Melissa to halt the treatment. I asked if Melissa was aware and had agreed to this plan and she told me that Melissa knew, but was currently throwing a temper tantrum and would come around soon enough. In my professional opinion, I felt that Ms. Stevens was acting contrary to the continued good health of my patient and refused."

"Why are you seeking Emancipation?" Aaron asked Melissa.

"My mother has made several attempts to halt my treatment and every step of the process has resulted in a battle," Melissa told him.

"Why do you suppose that is the case?"

"I don't know," Melissa shrugged. "I suppose that she is afraid of losing Josh."

"You refer to Josh as though he's another person."

"Josh is, in a way, another person. Part of who Josh is is someone that I made up to hide who I was."

"Where are you living now, Melissa?" Aaron asked.

"I'm staying with my employer, Judy Burke."

"Tell us how that happened."

"Tell us, Josh, do you think you're mother has your best interests at heart?" Michael Jones asked as he stood up to question Melissa. Melissa glared at him.

Lisa leaned over the rail and whispered at her mother, "You should tell your lawyer to smarten up unless, of course, you never want to see Melissa again when this is over." Denise shook her head.

"I believe I asked you a question," Michael asserted.

"I think it's clear, by the nature of your question," Melissa countered, "that my mother does not have my best interest at heart."

"I beg your pardon?"

"If you can't even be bothered to address me appropriately then it is clear that she didn't feel the need to consider my emotional state and the ongoing issues that I face. Based on that, I can only conclude that she does not, in fact, have my best interests at heart, merely her own selfish desire to hold on to her vision of who I should be." Melissa ignored the wince Denise made at that statement.

"Your Honor!" Michael protested.

"The answer appears quite reasonable to me counselor," the Judge responded. "In fact, it's quite a sound argument."

"I told you," Lisa whispered to Denise again.

"Stop it," Denise said, suddenly as everyone turned to look at her. "Just stop it."

Melissa hugged Judy and Aaron after they left the courtroom before bursting into tears.

"I know, I know," Judy soothed as she held Melissa. Denise looked on from the other side of the room, the pain evident in her eyes. Judy could see the deep breath that Denise took before she made her way over.

Sensing her mother, Melissa looked up, her eyes red and tears still on her lashes, and shook her head with a cautioning look. "Not now mother."

"But," Denise tried.

"No." Without looking back, Melissa left with Judy and Aaron.

"Say it," Denise cried as she whirled on Lisa.

Lisa stared as Denise grabbed her by the shoulders and shook her. "Say it, damn you!" Denise shouted.

"What more is there to say?" Lisa asked, shrugging herself loose. "You've ignored everything I told you."

"This isn't over."

Lisa took a deep breath and sighed. "It is over mother, you just can't accept it. You pushed Melissa away even after you had a chance because of that idiot Turner."

"Josh was still going to do this," Denise insisted.

"That says it all."

"You're welcome to keep staying with me," Judy said as she and Melissa drove towards Judy's house.

"I really appreciate it," Melissa said with a grateful smile. "I can't keep freeloading though."

"You aren't freeloading, believe it or not. At the very least, you've given me something that I haven't had in a great many years."

"What's that?"

"Something worth fighting for. I'll never be your mother Melissa, but you are so much like the daughter I wish I could have had."

"You have no children?" Melissa asked, surprised. "I'm sorry, that's too personal."

Judy favored her with a gentle smile. "No, it's quite alright. I was pregnant once, but I nearly died the night I was giving birth. My child, my daughter, was stillborn."

"I'm so sorry," Melissa started crying again. "You would have been a wonderful mother."

"Hush child, there is no need to cry, life has moved on. My husband, rest his soul, refused to even allow me to try again. He said that the biggest love of his life was me and that he wouldn't risk that again."

"He sounds like a wonderful man."

"He was. I never dated after he died; no other man could live up to him in my eyes. I would have loved to have had a child, but he was right. Still, since you've come into my life, I've found that I fancy she would have been a lot like you: warm, caring, friendly, honest, and courageous."

Melissa blushed. "I'm just an average kid," Melissa disagreed.

"I really don't think even you, as modest as you are, believes that either," Judy laughed. "Still, the point is that you are not freeloading. Oh no, by no means are you doing that. Besides, my good customers love you to pieces."

Chapter 22: Vandals

Marie shook her head sadly at the spray painted messages scrawled onto the glass of the store. "Fake girl" and "We don't want you girly-boy" were amongst the nicer of the messages. She called Judy.

"Hello Marie, what's the problem?" Judy asked as she pointed her spoon at Melissa's breakfast, urging her to eat.

"Vandals," Marie told her. "They've spray painted some nasty things on the windows facing the lot. They must be aimed at Melissa."

"How so?" Judy asked as her face grew angry at the list of insults Marie read off. "I see," she added. "Call the police and put up a sign that closes the store for the day. Is Lisa there yet?"

"No, but she's probably already left home."

"That's unfortunate. Do your best, I'll be down shortly."

"With Melissa?" Marie asked.

"Hardly," Judy replied dryly.

"What is it Judy?" Melissa asked, concerned at the expression on Judy's face. "You closed the store?"

"Some neanderthals thought it would be amusing to deface the store," Judy replied. "So, why don't you relax and read today?"

"I can come down and help clean up," Melissa offered.

"Ordinarily, my dear, I would accept, but not this time."

"Why not?"

"These are things I don't think you need to see," Judy replied with a gentle look.

"About me?"

Judy nodded.

"I've heard them all," Melissa asserted.

"Maybe, but I don't care. Let me put it differently: you have enough hurt in your life right now; you don't need to have more. Put it out of your mind and let the rest of us deal with this for you."

"I'm sorry for this," Melissa stated.

"Nonsense. This isn't you, this is idiots. Never, ever, think that I would blame anything like this on you. You don't control the prejudice of others."

"Bastards!"

"Oh Lisa! I'm so sorry, I wanted to stop you from coming, but I was too late," Marie cried as she tried to turn Lisa's head away from the garish works on the window.

"Stop Marie! I'm okay, I'm just pissed off."

"The cops are coming, so is Judy."

"Melissa?"

"No, Judy is making her stay home."

Lisa let out a sigh of relief. "The person that did this had better hope I don't catch them," Lisa added.

"You and me both," Marie grinned. "I think I know who it is."

"Oh?"

"I can't prove it."

"Yeah, I know who it is too," Lisa agreed, thinking about Arlene Brown.

 

Marty and Arlene laughed as they watched the flurry of activity in front of the mall. "Too bad that the drag queen didn't see it," Marty noted.

"He's probably heard," Arlene suggested, recovering her breath from laughing.

"I can't believe I'm actually agreeing with my mother though."

"You aren't," Arlene soothed, stroking her friend's shoulder. "You're mother is going all religious on this, we're just having some fun."

"My mother is right, in a way, you know. It's not natural."

"What about being a lesbian?"

"It's natural," Marty insisted. "Even animals do it."

Arlene shrugged. "I don't care," she decided. "Men don't know what being a woman is like. Pretending to be a woman insults those of us who had to live through it."

"My mother plans to picket the store today," Marty noted, grinning at the spray painted windows.

"It looks like it's closed."

"Yeah, well, she won't care as long as the press shows up."

"Will they?"

"My mother has influence, so they'll be there."

 

Melissa winced as she watched the noon news. The scenes of people picketing in front of the store hurt her even more than the epithets scrawled in paint across the windows. She recognized Andrea St. Laurant in the group, but the rest of them were a mystery to her. "Why do they hate me so much," Melissa wondered out loud.

"Bigotry doesn't really need a reason," Judy noted from the doorway as Melissa turned in surprise. "Andrea, for example, has always been unreasoning on such topics despite the fact that her daughter is gay. Others? Who knows? Religion perhaps, maybe fears that they can't quite put their finger on, or maybe they just learned hate at the knees of their parents."

"I don't understand it. Did you see that sign one man carried? It was so hateful and yet he looked so kindly."

Judy sat beside Melissa on the couch. "He probably is kindly in many ways, but he's been taught certain things and so reacts according to them," Judy explained. "Even the most gentle of people can do surprisingly cruel things when their beliefs are challenged."

"I'm not challenging his beliefs," Melissa stated as she stared in morbid fascination at the unfolding newscast.

"He thinks you are. Do you remember Matthew Shepard?" Melissa shook her head. "Matthew was a young gay man," Judy continued. "He was murdered because he was gay and there were actually people who protested with similar signs outside his funeral."

"That's awful!"

"Indeed. Yet, the people that did that thought that they were doing God's work. Remarkable, isn't it? Some people seem to have selective memory when it comes to the message that God represents."

"What do I do?" Melissa asked, sounding plaintive.

"What you are doing. Be yourself, live your life, and smile. We can beat this, Melissa; you don't have to walk in fear."

"There are a lot of people against me."

"There are a lot that are with you too. We're stronger, you'll see."

 

"It would have been better if there wasn't the spray painted windows," Andrea St. Laurant declared as she sipped her tea. "As it was, the press made it appear that we were responsible for it."

"Now Andrea," Reverend Barrons cautioned. "This is only the first of many protests and there won't always be such nonsense." The Reverend David Barrons was the leader of The Family Council, an organization that focused on fundamental values and strict moral codes. Reverend Barrons looked kindly, the face of a much loved grandfather, but his eyes showed a piercing judgmental look to those that looked closely.

"As you say Reverend," Andrea agreed. "You're aware that young Turner's trial is a few days from now?"

"I'm aware and I've already begun making the preparations for it. We'll have a full contingent out for this. I've also been asked to testify as Turner's spiritual council."

"I hadn't heard that," Andrea told him.

"It's recent," Reverend Barron admitted. "I'm to testify to the emotional effect that Joshua Steven's attempted masquerade had on the lad."

Chapter 23: First Date

"I'm a little nervous," Melissa said as Lisa sifted through the closet looking for something suitable.

"I would be too," Lisa replied. "He's cute and really nice though."

"I can't believe I'm doing this."

"Why not?"

"He's a guy," Melissa said.

"You're a girl," Lisa asserted.

"We both know that's not entirely true."

"Sure it is! So what if your parts are still being sorted out, you're as much a girl as I am. Don't let those bastards convince you that you're wrong. If you're wrong, be wrong for your own reasons, not theirs. Are you wrong?"

Melissa shook her head and accepted the skirt that Lisa held out to her. "This is a little short isn't it?" She asked.

"You have great legs sis, show 'em off."

"How's mom?" Melissa suddenly asked as she pulled the skirt on, the dark gray creating a nice contrast with the black hosiery. "This looks good," she added as she admired the effect.

"I told you," Lisa grinned. "Mom's okay, I guess. I don't really know 'cause we aren't talking to each other lately."

"I'm sorry you have to be stuck in the middle of this."

Lisa waved it off. "I don't have any issues," she added. "Mom has been closeted with her lawyer trying to figure out how to break the emancipation ruling."

"I'm not about to wish her luck," Melissa noted with a wry grin as she donned the black sweater.

"You look hot. Mom loves you, you know," Lisa told her.

"She loves Josh, not me."

"She just needs help seeing that you're one and the same."

"Maybe, but I can't deal with her right now," Melissa decided.

"So, is Steve a good kisser?"

Melissa blushed.

 

"Wow!" Steve's eyes widened as he watched Melissa walk down the stairs, much to the amusement of Judy and Lisa.

"You look good yourself," Melissa smiled happily as she adjusted his tie a little and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek.

"I brought you these," Steve said as he pulled a bouquet of flowers held between the arms of a small teddy bear.

"Oh Steve, they're so pretty and the bear is so cute!" Melissa surprised herself by gushing.

"I'll put the flowers in water for you," Judy said. "Why don't you two go and enjoy your evening?"

"Thank you Judy," Melissa replied as she picked up her wrap and purse. "We won't be too late, I promise."

 

Steve escorted Melissa to the candle lit table he had reserved in the restaurant. "I hope you like Italian, but they have other options here as well," Steve told her as he held her chair.

"I love Italian, who doesn't?"

"My dad, if you can believe it."

"That's so weird!"

"I'm glad you came out tonight," Steve told her seriously.

"I am too. Why did you ask me?" Melissa asked.

"Because I'm gay?" Steve questioned as Melissa nodded. "Remember, I told you that you impressed me enough to actually consider going straight!" Steve smiled.

"You haven't really, though," Melissa pointed out.

"No, I guess that's true in a way. Still, despite it all, I can't help being attracted to you."

"Me too."

"You're attracted to yourself too?" Steve asked with a sly smile and teasing sound in his voice.

Melissa giggled. "Of course not, silly man, I'm attracted to you. I never really thought about it before, you know? I was always struggling with who I was."

Steve nodded agreement.

 

"That was fabulous," Melissa sighed as she put down her fork and gazed at the half-eaten lasagna in front of her.

"You barely ate," Steve protested.

"Barely? I'm stuffed! Besides, I do have a figure to take care of, you know."

Steve started laughing. "That's the most stereotypical girl thing to say that I could possibly imagine," he grinned.

Melissa stuck her tongue out him.

"Cute tongue," Steve winked as Melissa hurriedly pulled it back into her mouth. "Do you want to dance a little before desert?"

"It's pretty formal music," Melissa replied, looking at some of the dancing couples nervously.

"That's okay, just follow my lead."

Melissa put her arms around Steve's neck as he held her close. Slowly they circled their way around the dance floor, lost for a moment in the music until Melissa's eyes caught an unexpected face sitting at a table near the dance floor: Andrea St. Laurant. "That bitch is here," Melissa murmured into Steve's ear.

"What bitch?"

"The one that was protesting against me down at the store today," Melissa snarled.

"Ignore her," Steve suggested. "We're here to have a good time and not to have it spoiled by the likes of her."

Melissa leaned backed slightly and smiled at Steve before reaching up to kiss him. Without meaning to, the kiss progressed to the point that Melissa momentarily forgot about Andrea. That is until she heard the hiss of Andrea's voice in her ears. "I think decent society would prefer that you keep your homosexual love affairs out of public view," Andrea said, standing a few feet from the dancing couple.

"I don't recall asking your opinion," Melissa snarled as she turned to confront Andrea.

"You're a mere child and a confused one at that. Young man," Andrea added, addressing Steve. "You're aware that this child is actually a boy, I presume? Or was he into fooling you as well."

Steve stiffened and glared at Andrea. "Frankly, madam, I find Melissa to be far more of a lady than you could ever hope to be. Melissa, at least, wouldn't dream of barging in on a private conversation and dance to espouse her unwelcome opinions."

"How dare you!" Andrea gasped.

"Excuse me," the maitre d' said as he approached the scene. "You have disturbed several other customers here and that is most inappropriate. You will need to leave now."

Andrea turned to smile triumphantly at Melissa and Steve. "As I told you," she said.

"You're mistaken madam, I meant yourself. The young couple here has done nothing to disturb the patrons."

"Do you know who I am?" Andrea sputtered, sounding indignant as Melissa and Steve shared a relieved look.

"Indeed. Mr. Barchelli, the owner, identified you and asked me to see that you were escorted out." The maitre d' waved towards a couple of gentlemen before turning to the young couple amidst the light applause coming from around the restaurant. "I'm terribly sorry that you had to experience that situation," he told them. "Mr. Barchelli has informed me that your meal is on the house."

"There is no need for that," Steve protested.

"Perhaps," the man smiled. "However, it is not my decision. Please enjoy the rest of your evening."

Melissa turned to Steve as they made their way back to the table. "Did you mean that?" She asked.

"Of course," Steve replied as he seated her.

"Thank you."

 

"Ah, you did not order dessert?" Anthony Barchelli asked as he approached the table. "Please, don't get up. I'm Anthony Barchelli, the owner, and I wanted to ensure that everything was alright after that unfortunate incident."

Steve stood and shook his hand anyways. "Thank you for the dinner, it wasn't necessary, but thank you anyways. We didn't feel that we should impose further on your generosity."

"Nonsense! You must try our tiramisu, it is to die for." Anthony waved over the waiter and whispered. "Now then, I trust that you've otherwise enjoyed your evening?"

"Very much," Melissa assured him. "You managed to make what could have been a disaster into something entirely special."

"As ever, Judy is quite right," Anthony smiled. "You are delightful and quite lovely."

Melissa blushed. "You know Judy?" She asked.

"Of course, she is a good friend. She thinks very highly of you and I can see why."

"Thank you," Melissa replied, blushing again.

"Give her my regards," Anthony told her. "And enjoy dessert and dancing. The night, and both of you, are young. Ah, to be young and in love again. It is a beautiful thing." Anthony gripped their shoulders and favored them both with a wide smile before turning back to the restaurant.

"Judy was right, there are allies everywhere," Melissa said, a genuine smile appearing on her face.

 

Melissa broke the kiss as she sensed, rather than saw, a light come on from behind her. "I had a wonderful time tonight," she whispered.

"Despite Andrea?" Steve added as he reluctantly let her go.

"In some ways because of her," Melissa grinned. "Not only did I spend an evening with you, but I got to see that there are more people that support me."

Steve laughed gently. "I had a fabulous time too and I still have all that money saved up to take you out again!"

"Name the date," Melissa told him.

"I'll call you," Steve promised and kissed her again.

 

"That was some kiss," Lisa remarked as Melissa leaned against the door.

Melissa jumped and turned to see Judy and Lisa behind her, both in robes. "Lisa! I didn't think you would be here!"

"I couldn't miss my sister's first date," Lisa told her. "Now, come on, we have milk and cookies in the kitchen just waiting to be eaten. You can tell us all about it."

"I couldn't eat another bite," Melissa protested.

"Nonsense," Judy declared. "There is always room for milk and chocolate chip cookies."

Melissa gave in and followed the two to the kitchen.

"So?" Lisa demanded.

"So what?"

"How was the date? Sheesh, girl, what do you think?"

"It was okay," Melissa admitted as she took a sip of milk.

"Okay? By the look on your face and that kiss at the door, I'd say it was more than that," Judy noted as she dipped a cookie.

"Alright, alright. It was fabulous!" Melissa laughed and proceeded to tell them of the events of the evening.

"Tony has the soul of romantic," Judy smiled as she heard the events surrounding Andrea. "He wouldn't take too well to someone interfering like that."

"He's a very nice man," Melissa agreed.

"Amongst the nicest," Judy agreed. "Didn't I tell you that there were more of us than you think?"

"I think I learned that for real today," Melissa admitted as she shifted in her chair and yawned. "Sorry, I'm nearly worn out."

"I'm not surprised, it was a long day," Judy agreed. "Why don't the pair of you head off to bed?"

Melissa gave Judy a hug and kiss. "Thanks for everything," she whispered.

"My pleasure child, now go sleep."

"Tony, you're a hero tonight," Judy said into the phone.

"It was nothing Judy," Tony replied, sounding pleased nevertheless.

"I don't know my friend; your actions tonight gave that young girl a lot of hope."

"I can see why you think she is worth it," Tony agreed. "The look on Andrea's face was priceless really, the stuck up bitch."

"Tony!" Judy laughed, pretending to be shocked.

"Ah Judy, I've heard worse from you!"

"She might start protesting at your restaurant."

"Let her, she'll be in for a surprise. You would be amazed at how many of my guests thanked me and congratulated me on the events of this evening."

"That's a bit heartwarming," Judy admitted.

"Quite the young gentleman with your Melissa I might add."

"Oh?"

"You should have heard what he told Andrea," Tony laughed as he related the confrontation.

"He's right, you know," Judy laughed.

"Oh, indeed."

"Tony, thank you."

"No need."

 

"Wow," Lisa said as she climbed into the gigantic bed beside Melissa. "That was quite the date. Nobody ever took me to such a fancy place."

"Steve is something else, huh?" Melissa agreed as she punched a pillow.

"Yeah." Lisa silently stared at the ceiling for a few moments. "You're really lucky, you know," she finally said.

"What?" Melissa turned onto her elbow. "What do you mean?"

"You're getting to be you."

"So are you," Melissa told her.

"I guess."

"Lisa, what are you trying to tell me? Spit it out!"

"I'm gay!" Lisa cried, turning away to muffle her tears.

"Is that all?" Melissa demanded as she placed her hand on Lisa's shoulder.

"All? We're pretty fucked up twins you know!"

Melissa shrugged as she sat up. "I don't know, apparently we're more alike than I would have thought," Melissa grinned.

"What do you mean?"

"Apparently I should have been you and you should have been me."

"I like being a girl," Lisa protested.

"I didn't say otherwise, but I'd wager you would have been happier as me and vice versa."

"Maybe, I don't know."

"Why didn't you say anything before?" Melissa demanded.

"I don't know. I guess it was because we needed only one crisis in the house at the same time," Lisa suggested. "Mom was so bent out of shape and you were starting to break out of your shell. I just didn't want to make matters worse."

"Lisa, I love you, you wouldn't have made it worse."

"You're not mom."

"Mom would probably deal with that better than she'd dealt with me," Melissa disagreed.

"I doubt it."

"I'm sorry," Melissa whispered. "I've been so selfish."

"Huh?"

"I can't let you hide like this, it'll kill you."

"Don't be stupid," Lisa asserted. "You're not going to change back because of this, I won't stand for it."

"Are you going to tell mom?"

"Should I?"

Melissa nodded.

"Really?"

"Yeah, really. She may not like it, but you can't keep it from her. Do Carla and Sue know?"

"Yeah. All three of us, well, um, experimented a little."

"Lisa!"

"So!"

"Uh, nothing. Are you sure?"

"I'm sure. Guys do nothing for me. Look at Steve, he's a good looking guy and smart too. Does nothing for me. Girls, on the other hand, yummy."

"Yummy?"

Lisa blushed. "You know what I mean," she replied. "Sue swings both ways, but Carla is like me."

"I never knew."

"We didn't tell you. Now you know, though."

"Thank you," Melissa said seriously as she gathered Lisa into her arms and rocked the gently crying girl.

  

  

  

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