This is a work of fiction! Any resemblance to a real person or real occurrence is purely coincidental. Copyright 03/2000.
A Special Holiday by: Lisa Elizabeth
Christmas comes but once a year! So the old saying goes. Well this year was a wonderful christmas for me. December 24th came and my sister Janet and I got ready for bed early just as our parents asked. Janet is six and I am nine. My name is John Micheal Smith.
My sister and I went upstairs to bed and Mom and Dad came in to tuck us in and tell us to stay in bed so Santa would come. I knew better but played along for my little sister's benefit.
She was all excited as this was to be her 'Barbie' Christmas! Every time she talked to Santa all she wanted was 'Barbie this' and 'Barbie that' Me? I told mom and dad that GI Joe and Voltron were what I wanted. Somehow I think they knew that wasn't what I really wanted but they both said they would see what 'Santa' could do.
I had a secret wish that I told myself every night. "I wish I could be a girl for christmas!" I really wanted dresses, dolls, tea set and 'Barbie' for christmas just like Janet did. I just was too embarrased to tell my parents my true feelings. I had been dressing in mom's things for the last three years. I took my bath alone so it was easier to rummage through the hamper and try on different things. Nothing fit very well, it was all too big. But the thrill was still there and I enjoyed it.
Christmas morning arrived and Janet woke up early and ran around getting everyone else up so we could all see what Santa had brought. At our house we had to have breakfast before we could open presents. So I helped mom make eggs and toast while Janet set the table and chattered about the presents in the front room. Dad was making sure there was film in the camera and that the batteries were all there in case something came without them included.
Mom sensed I wasn't very excited this morning and she asked me if something was wrong. I told "no, I just can't get as excited about christmas as when I believed in Santa Claus."
She said " We'll see how excited you are when you open your presents", and left it at that. I have never seen Janet completely finish a meal before. But she not only ate all of her breakfast, she was the first one done! You could tell she was excited.
Dad and I helped clear the table and rinse the dishes so they would be easier to wash later. Then it was into the front room before Janet burst from the excitement.
Janet and I separated the packages into piles for Mom, Dad, me and her, then we all started opening them. Janet got a new dress and Mom got one that matched it. Both were Emerald Green with white lace trim around the neck and arms and looked great! They were going to wear them to Grandma's house today. Other packages included White tights and a slip for Janet so that she had a complete Christmas outfit.
When I opened mine I got a new shirt, pants and a pull over sweater to wear to grandma's. Needless to say I was very disappointed. The rest of the presents were OK, I got 6 GI Joes and a helicopter that took me and Dad 4 hours to put together! (some assembly required!) I also got some new frieght cars for the train set and a station house to assemble. All in all an okay set of presents for a boy.
After noon we all went and changed to go to Grandma's house for dinner. Mom and Janet looked GREAT in there 'mother, daughter ' dresses. They both had red and green ribbons in their hair, the green dresses with white tights and black shoes. They looked like they just stepped out of the JC Penney catalog pages!
Dad wore an outfit similar to mine. A shirt, dark slacks and a pull over sweater with brown penny loafers Then we all went to the car and off to grandma's house.
.Dinner was the normal family affair with my uncles and aunts and cousins all assembled for the traditional family meal. We all had some small presents under the tree too. Janet got another Barbie and some clothes both for barbie and for herself. I got a model of a ship and some more shirts and pants. Like I said , not a bad set of presents for a boy.
When all the visiting was over Mom said it was time to go home. We packed the car and kissed everyone goodbye and left for home. The rest of the day turned out to be a lot of fun. Janet invited the GI Joe team over to Barbie's dream house for dinner after their mission. I got to help dress all the barbies and set up the dream house with her so that it would be ready for the men when they arrived.
We had a good time that night. Each barbie was dressed differently so we would know who was who's girlfriend. It was a lot of fun and we played until Mom came and told us it was bath time and we had to clean up and put everything away.
Janet went and took her bath and put on her nightgown, then I went and took my bath and put on my pajamas. Mom and Dad came upstairs and gave Janet a kiss and turned out the light and then came into my room.
"Did you have a good Christmas John?" Mom asked.
" It was okay. I got most of the things I wanted."
"Well I'm glad you did. Sleep tight and we'll see you in the morning." Dad told me as he turned out the light.
I laid there in bed and thought about the day and all the presents that I got and that Janet got. In my own mind I thought "It's not fair! Janet gets all kinds of neat stuff and I can't have any of it." I started to cry and thought about how Christmas would have been different if I were a girl. I fell asleep and dreamed that on Christmas I ran into the front room with my family and all the presents were for 'Lisa'. There was an emerald green dress that matched mom's and Janet's. I also got white tights and a slip and camisole and black Mary Janes to complete the outfit. The dream snapped over to getting dressed and going to grandma's house and how all my relatives thought it was so-o-o cute that the three of us had matching dresses. I even got to help grandma in the kitchen with the holiday dinner!
I was rudely awakened from the last part of this wonderful dream by Janet squealing and tugging on my arm. " Get Up! Get Up! Santa came again last night and left a bunch of presents under the tree!"
I sat up in bed and looked at my sister, confused of course." What did you say?"
" I said Santa left some more presents under the tree! Now get up!"
I got out of bed, put my robe on and followed Janet to the front room. It was true! There under the tree sat a pile of brightly wrapped packages!
Dad walked up behind us and looked in the room and said " Well what do you know. Santa must have forgotten a few presents. You both know the rules, we'll have breakfast before we open the presents."
Janet went up to get Mom while Dad and I started breakfast. Dad went all out this morning and made french toast and bacon. This took a little longer than normal so we had to sit and wonder about the presents for a longer period of time. Finally we were done and the dishes were rinsed and we went into the frontroom.
The boxes were arranged in front of the tree with one box set on the floor in front of the pile. Janet picked it up and said, "This says it's for you John. It says something else but I can't read that yet."
It was for me and the rest of the writing said I was to open the card on the package and then this present bafore any of the others. I told Janet, mom and dad what it said and they told me to go ahead and open the card and read it.
I opened the envelope and took out the card. It had a cute teddy bear on the front with a green and red ribbon around it's neck. It said across the top in flowing script, Merry Christmas to a special girl! My heart skipped a beat and then began to race, my mouth went dry and I think my eyes must popped out of my head. My cheeks turned bright red and felt like they were on fire. I just stood there and stared at the envelope.
Mom asked, "What's the card say honey?"
Her words shook me out of my state of shock. "um-m-m, it says merry christmas to a special girl."
"Well open it up and read the inside" said Dad. Mom sat there with a smile as did Janet, Dad just sat there watching what was going on with a small grin on his face.
I opened the card and nearly fainted when I read the first words. "Dear Lisa," I stopped reading and just stood there. How? Who? When? This was my most intimate secret! No one knew my 'girl' name. I would lie awake at night and relive my days as if I were Lisa and not John. This was my inner fantasy coming true!
Mom spoke first, "Please read the card to us, Lisa. We all want to know what it says."
I didn't notice that she used my girl name. So I stammered out an okay and began to read the note in the card.
Dear Lisa,
I don't know the number of times I have heard you crying at night over not being a girl. I have heard you dream of being Lisa and how sweet and wonderful life would be if you could be a girl. I talked this over with my elves and Mrs. Claus and came to the decision that you could be Lisa for one holiday. Christmas is a magical time of the year! This year is yours to behold that magic and restore your belief in the spirit of Christmas.
I want you to open the package this card was attached to and then do as your mother tells you. I have arranged all of this in advance, Merry Christmas!
Santa
I reread the note a couple of more times. I couldn't believe what I just read My family was sitting there all smiles, like this was perfectly normal!
Mom spoke first. "Why don't you open the present and see what's inside?"
"Okay. Are you sure it's okay? I mean, I'm a little nervous Mom."
" You read the note? It tells you that we all have been told about this special present Lisa. So go ahead and open the present!" Mom looked at me and smiled.
Janet was getting anxious. " Hurry up Lisa and open the present or I'll tear it open for you!"
I picked up the package and took off the bow. Then carefully opened the paper and slid it off the box. I opened the box slowly, half afraid something would jump out at me. My hands were shaking and this all seemed to take forever. When I opened the box and moved back the red and white tissue paper there was a Nightgown with 'Strawberry Shortcake' on it! Along with the gown were 'My Little Pony' barrettes and slippers.
Mom said, "Lisa we should go and get you changed so you can open the rest of your presents."
We picked up the package with the nightgown, barrettes and slippers and I followed mom upstairs . We went into the guest bedroom and mom turned to me after we were there. "This is Lisa's room. All of your things will be kept in here so that when ever you are Lisa, you will have a room of your own. You're old enough to not have to share a room with your sister."
"Mom? Why? How did you... I mean. . . when did you. . . "
"Honey, mom's and dad's find these things out. We observe our children closer than you think. I know you rummage through the hamper. I know you cry yourself to sleep wishing to be 'Lisa'. I know that you didn't want half of what you got for christmas. And I know that you talk in your sleep. So hearing what you wanted was easy."
"Mom, I love you." I even cryed a little, knowing that my family loved me enough to make this day happen. Mom told me to take off my pajama top while she held up the nightgown. I did and she slid it over my head. It felt wonderful. Then she handed me a matching pair of panties and said." Take off you pajama bottoms and put these on instead. I'll turn around until you're done." I did as she told me, smiling the whole time. These panties fit me much better than any others I had ever tried on. Then mom had me put the slippers on and follow her into the bathroom. There, she combed my hair and parted it differently and used the barrettes to hold it away from my face. When I looked in the mirror I thought I looked just like any other 9 year old girl!
" There, all set to open the rest of the presents?"
"Sure mom, let's go and see what else is there."
I held mom's hand going back down the stairs. The long gown made it difficult to see my feet.
" Use your other hand to hold the bottom of the nightgown up a little." " That way you can see your feet and not stumble going down the steps. Like this!" Mom held her gown with her free hand and I followed her example. It did make the stairs easier to navigate.
When we walke into the front room, dad and Janet looked up from putting together a barbie corvette that she got from Grandma. "Lisa, you look lovely this morning. Why don't you open your presents now." said Dad.
"YES! ! I can't wait to see what you got!" Janet was jumping up and down as she squealed this.
Janet went to deliver the presents so I sat on the floor and let her bring them to me. First present was a collector Barbie. I smiled a big grin, I had seen this one in the stores and really fell in love with it. Was I that obvious when walking through the toy section with Mom? Next came a tea set for four. I knew Janet and I would have a lot of fun with this present. I also got a teddy bear, a comb and brush set, some barrettes and a regular Barbie with three outfits.
Janet brought over another box and when I opened it I found three pairs of panties and two pairs of tights one pair white and one pair black. The next box had a pair of Mary Janes in black Patent Leather and two pairs of anklets. I was very nervous and scared as I opened the last box. I carefully moved the tissue to the side and there sat an emerald green dress with white lace trim around the neck and the arms! Just like the one Janet wore yesterday! "It's beautiful!" was the only thing I could say.
I jumped up and gave everyone a hug, even Janet. " This is the best Christmas ever. There really IS a Santa Claus!" I sat down in the middle of all my new presents and started crying.
Dad spoke first, " Lisa , we all want you to be happy. This is our way of showing you that we really love you as you are. Now with Mom and Janet's help I think it's time for you three girls to get dressed. I'm going to put the turkey in the oven, so that we can have dinner sometime today."
" Honey, just bring your clothes and the brush set. The toys can be put away later." Mom then helped me gather up everything and we three girls headed up the stairs to get dressed.
We placed the boxes in the guest room and mom said as she left, "Keep out the dress, slip, white tights and a pair of panties and lay them out on the bed. I'm going to help Janet get dressed and will be back to help you in a little bit."
Mom left and I started to put things where I thought they should go. I left the white panties on the bed and put the rest in the drawer. Then I laid the white tights on the bed and put the black ones away. I placed the shoes next to the bed and put the anklets in the drawer too. Then I took the dress out of the box and walked to the closet for a hanger and hung it on the hook on the back of the bedroom door. I laid the slip on the bed and sat down to wait for mom, thinking about what had taken place so far today. Could I really be a girl for one day? Has my secret been that obvious? I was happy and confused all at the same time. Mom knocked and came into the bedroom.
"Let's get you ready, shall we? Take off your nightgown and fold it up and lay it under the pillow. I'll turn around so you can change into your panties. I'm glad you picked the white ones, they won't show as readily through your tights."
I took off the gown, carefully folded it, and placed under the pillow as mom asked. Then I took the panties and turned around and slipped off my nightgown panties and put on the white ones for the day. I took the nightgown panties and folded them and put them under the pillow too.
Mom picked up the tights. " Sit here and I'll show you how to put these on." She scrunched up one leg of the tights and told me to put my toes in so the seam lined up with my foot. I did that and she had me carefully slide the material up to just above my knee. Then I scrunched up the other leg the way mom had and repeated the process on my other leg. Somehow I got that leg all twisted, so I had to slide it off and try it again. The second time I did it right. Then I stood up and mom told me to work each leg up unitl I was able to pull the top up to my waist. I finally got the tights on, smiling the whole time. Mom took the slip and looked at me and said. "We're missing something, I'll be right back!" She left for a few seconds and came back with a package of girl's tee shirts. " These are young girl's camisoles. We need one to go under your slip. I must have forgotten to wrap them!"
I opened the package and placed two of them in the drawer and put the other one on. They were all white so it didn't matter which one I used. Mom held up the slip and I raised my arms and let it side down over my body. I was still tingling all over as mom adjusted the straps so the slip would hang properly.
I looked in the mirror on the dresser, I was starting to look like a girl! I turned around and hugged my mom as tight as I could and said. " I love you mommy. Thank you so much!" Mom grabbed a tissue and wiped away my tears.
"Let's get your hair done so we can put on your new dress." She plugged in a curling iron and sprayed my hair with a spray bottle. She took the curling iron and started going all around the bottom curling it under. My hair was longish. Mom and dad said it was a 'beatle cut' but it was about the same as the other boys at school, so I fit in. After she was done with the curling iron she combed my bangs forward and took a green plastic headband and placed it so my hair was held behind my ears but my bangs still fell forward.
"Time for your dress!" Mom took it off the hanger and unzipped it and turned it around and said, " Step into it and I'll zip it up for you." I stepped into the skirt portion very carefully. Then I slid my arms into the sleeves and pulled it up to my neck in front. Mom zipped it up for me and had me turn around.
"Very pretty, but something's missing. Wait here for a minute, I'll be right back."She left me standing there while she went searching for whatever was missing. I walked over to the mirror and smiled. After looking at myself I couldn't see anything that was missing. There stood Lisa Elizabeth!
Mom came back in followed by Janet. "Lisa, we have matching 'sister' dresses!" said Janet. She came over and stood next to me by the mirror and sure enough our outfits matched!
"You two can look at each other later, let's get finished here." Mom turned me around and placed a large green bow in the back of my hair. Then she turned me to face her and she took two angel shaped clip on earings and snapped them in place on my ears. A gold chain with a small green stone went around my neck. "Okay, now put on your shoes." I did and mom took some of her 'skin so soft' and told me to use it like perfume on my wrists and behind my ears. Janet complained that she didn't get to do that so mom let her put a dab on too.
"Are you ready to show your father his new daughter?"
" Im scared and excited at the same time, mom. What's he going to say?"
"Let's find out." Was all mom replied and she took my hand and led me out the door. " wait here at the top of the stairs and I'll call you down in a few minutes." Janet went with mom and I was left to stand in the hall and wonder about all that was going on today.
"Let me introduce the lovely Lisa Elizabeth Smith, I mean Smythe!" Mom used her best british accent to introduce me. I smiled and cautiously went down the stairs as gracefully as I could manage.
When I entered the front room Dad stood up and smiled. "You look lovely Lisa. Let's get some pictures of you and Janet by the christmas tree." Dad must have taken two rolls of film before he put down the camera. He had stand together, then hold each of our presents,finally one of all 4 of us posed in front of the tree as a family. Amazingly the timer on the camera worked!
"You two girls play while Dad and I check on dinner and go get dressed." Mom took dad and they left Janet and I in the front room.
"Lisa, would you like to play barbie with me" asked Janet. She started to take out her dream house and I helped her set it up. We had been playing for about 45 minutes when the doorbell rang.
"Lisa, please answer the door" called Mom. "We aren't fully dressed yet."
"But mo-o-om, what if it's somebody we know? They'll see me dressed like this!"
"Answer the door. Do you remember reading the note!"
My mouth was dry and I was shaking as I walked to the door and pulled it open. There stood my Grandma and Grandpa.
"Good morning Lisa. My, but you look lovely this morning." Grandma was smiling when she talked to me. She bent over and kissed me on the cheek. "Place these packages under the tree for later Janet." My sister took the presents into the front room.
"What. No kiss for Grandpa?"
"Sure grandpa, I love you very much too." I hugged him and gave him a kiss on the cheek too.
Mom and Dad came down the stairs about this time. Mom was in her matching green dress from yesterday and dad was rearing a similar outfit to the one he had on yesterday.
"I see you have met Lisa already." stated Dad.
"Yes and we brought her a couple of presents too." Grandpa had hung his and grandma's coats in the closet and they were both sitting in the front room by the christmas tree.
Janet and I sat on the floor playing while the adults talked. Grandma had a smile the whole time.
"Dinner is almost ready, would you two girls help set the table?" Mom had a way of making you do things, but it felt natural to help with the table, the cooking and dishes since I was dressed for the part.
We all had a very good time at dinner. Mom had to remind me to sit up straight and to cut my food smaller. Also to use the napkin more often so that I wouldn't get anything on my dress.
After dinner Janet, Grandma and I helped to clear the table and fill the dishwasher. After it was all cleaned up mom looked at us and said, "Let's go open your presents."
There were three packages under the tree. Two were for me and one was for Janet. "You go first Janet. You've been so good to me today, I think it's only fair." Mom nodded her head yes and Janet opened her present. It was a very nice Sailor style dress in blue, with a large white collar and an anchor embroidered on the bodice. Janet hugged Grandma and Grandpa and said "Thank you."
I took the first package and opened it and found a skirt and blouse combination inside. "Mom, this will look wonderful with my black tights! Thank you Grandma and Grandpa." I gave them each a kiss.
I opened the second package and inside was a matching Sailor dress to the one Janet got.
"Now we can be sisters on days that aren't holidays."Exclaimed Janet. " You have two more outfits so I get to have a 'big sister' more often!"
I hugged grandma and Grandpa and gave them both another kiss. "This has been the happiest christmas ever."
"Lisa, take all your clothes upstairs and put them away. We'll try them on to make sure they fit later. Janet, go hang up your new dress too." We bounced up the stairs giggling as we went. I hung up my clothes as mom had told me, then I stopped and looked in the mirror one more time. I pinched myself to make sure I wasn't dreaming. It hurt and I didn't wake up! Janet stopped by the guest room and said, "Let's go play."
We spent the rest of the afternoon playing girl's games and enjoying myself alot. We even got grandma and mom to play 'Old Maid'.
About 6 pm grandma and grandpa said goodbye and left for home. Mom looked at me and Janet.
"It's time for baths and nightgowns. Janet will bathe first since Lisa has to try on her new clothes."
I went into my room and changed out of the green dress, being careful to hang it up in the closet. Then I put on the sailor dress and went to show mom. "That fits you very nicely dear. Go try on the skirt and blouse." I went back and hung up the Sailor dress and put on the skirt and blouse. I had some trouble with the buttons on the blouse, but got it buttoned eventually. I went back to show mom and she said, " They fit nicely too. I think you're right about the black tights instead of the white ones. Janet is just finishing her bath so go get ready for yours."
I stripped to my panties and put on my nightgown, then went to take a bath. When I was done I got dressed in my nightgown, panties and slippers and went to watch tv.
"Did you enjoy your day, Lisa?" asked my dad.
"Yes, very much so. I only wonder if I'll ever get to wear those other lovely outfits I got today?"
"We have discussed this a lot before today. Lisa has been invited for the New Years Day party and also to go rollerskating when we visit your grandparents. That is why you have the two other outfits. " Dad was smiling as he said this and Janet started jumping up and down clapping her hands. " I get a big sister two more times!"
I knew then that my family loved me and would continue to love me no matter what happened. That night as I lay in the guest bed I held onto the card from Santa and repeated over and over, "There is a Santa Claus, there is a Santa Claus. . ."
Copyright 2000 Lisa Elizabeth.
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