The Transfer

by Prudence Walker

 

Part 3

 

Stephanie realized now, why Stephen had showed surprise at finding out that she had given herself the same name his former body was christened with. She turned and grabbed Stephens’s hand as he followed them inside.

"Mom, Daddy, this is Stephen, he rescued me and told the police. If it wasn’t for him, I’d not be here," she said, stretching the truth a little.

Keith and Cathy hugged him warmly, thanking him with silent tears. They were so emotionally choked up they could hardly speak.

Mike interrupted, saying he was needed back at the station. He gave them a contact number where he could be reached, and left after getting a hug from everyone. The others went into the dining room, where Stephen and Stephanie were offered the option of eating the meal that was already sitting on the table. Keith and Cathy insisted they couldn’t eat with the way they were feeling at the moment.

Feeling a bit guilty, Stephen and Stephanie sat and started to eat, while her parents sat next to each other and watched. The elder couple embraced tightly, faces beaming with joyous glee. As they realized this was no dream, comments started coming, like: "you look thin," and " how different you look," plus questions about where had she been, and what had happened to her.

"Mom, Daddy, I don’t remember much about the past year, because of the assault. Look. All I remember was going to school, then..." she started sobbing, leaving them to come to their own conclusions. She bared her arms, pulling the sleeves of her blouse up, exposing the ugly marks of injection sites.

"Look at those, I’m scarred for life now."

There was a shocked look oh their faces as they digested the implications of those marks.

"Honey, I’m sure they’ll fade in time," her mother said, giving her a look of reassurance.

"My memory is really full of holes. The doctor I saw said that’s probably a blessing, but it means I don’t remember much of my old life." She sighed, pulling her sleeves back down.

"Darling, we will help as much as we can. We are just so happy to see you alive, nothing else matters." Cathy said, squeezing her daughter’s hand. "Is Stephen your boyfriend? He can stay in the spare room tonight if he wants."

Both Stephanie and Stephen blushed, the words: "Well…" and "Yes…" coming from them both of them respectively, had them looking at each other in embarrassment.

"You could say we are very close to each other and know everything we need to know about each other." Stephanie replied, looking for any negative reaction to the news. Keith and Cathy looked at each other, then turned to them smiling.

"It’s okay, we guess. You’ve grown up in ways we could never understand and we’re not going to lecture you, or say you’re too young to have a relationship. We are just glad your home safe, and Stephen, we will always be grateful to you for returning our child to us," Cathy, said, speaking for them both.

"Now, do you want to see your room? We kept it clean. It had became a sort of shrine that I’d look in each day," Cathy said with a tear in her eye. I couldn’t bear to get rid of anything," she added, opening the door.

Stephanie looked in and saw a pleasant room in pastels of pink and white. It had a fresh smell of lilac in it, which she thought was coming from the dishes of potpourri sitting on the window ledge. A vanity in white had the usual paraphernalia typifying a normal girl’s bedroom on it, along with a small lamp in pink. All in all, a very comfortable room, Stephanie stepped in, noting the walk-in closet on the left. She went to the bed and sat down, bouncing on it gently, as if checking its comfort.

Stephen came in too, and sat next to her, taking her hand. Keith took Cathy’s arm and pulled her away with a shake of his head, indicating they should leave them alone for a while. Keith walked back to the kitchen with a new spring in his walk as he started to clear away the dishes. Cathy meanwhile started making up a fresh bed in the guestroom for Stephen, musing of the similarity of their names.

"Well, How do you like it?" Stephen asked quietly.

"It’s like what I’d always dreamed for; a typical girl’s bedroom," Stephanie replied as a tear trickled down her face. "After the last few days it is like the Hilton to me," she answered, getting emotional.

Stephen put his arms around what used to be his body, feeling strangely aroused at her vulnerability. The closeness felt good as he comforted her and he felt a certain part of him, stirring.

"Will you be leaving soon?" Stephanie asked, hoping against hope that it would be later, much later. The closeness was nice and it took her mind off the less unpleasant things, namely the cravings.

"Do you want to keep me around, to keep reminding you?" he asked, half jokingly.

"Yes," she giggled, seeing him smile in return.

She felt a weird sort of connection with this person, and it wasn’t just the fact of the body swap. No this went deeper, more a meeting of souls. It felt odd, being attracted to your own body, but she realized, it was no longer her body and the soul inhabiting it was totally different.

Rousing from her mental deliberations, she stood up and asked Stephen where the bathroom was.

"Down the hall, second door on the right," he replied, getting up as well.

"I want to get a bath and wash my hair. It feels yucky," she complained running her hands though it in distaste. He laughed, watching her act like a typical teenage girl.

"Tell you what. How about you getting out something for me to wear to bed? I feel like I could sleep a week right now," she said, barely stifling a yawn.

===========

An hour later, Stephanie felt clean as she got out of the scented bath water. Toweling her hair, she looked in the mirror, checking out her body minutely. The marks on her arms seemed to be healing and not as obvious now. Looking at her face you couldn’t tell it had been marked with rings and the marker pen on the lips was hardly visible now.

Looking at her body, she revised her first impressions of it. Ok it wasn’t particularly well endowed, probably a B cup. But with the rest of the body being smaller and thinner it didn’t look out of proportion. Her body badly needed to gain weight. It seemed to lack that minimum amount of fat that produces the classic curves of the female. She wondered if she was just a late bloomer and would eventually look more like her mother, as Cathy’s figure was bigger in the bust and hips.

She hoped regular meals might make her boyish hips fill out more. She noticed her hair was looking better. Some consolation. The long blonde tresses need the attention of a hairdresser, but it was still better than wigs. She grinned mischievously to herself, as an impish thought came to her: ‘at least I don’t need that uncomfortable corset anymore!’ Wrapping a towel demurely around herself, she went back to her room to see what Stephen had put out for her to wear. Passing Cathy in the hallway, she stopped.

"Mom, Is it possible that my breasts would grow much bigger?" she asked, self-consciously.

"Honey, all the Swanson women get their growth spurt late. Give yourself another two years and you’ll be as big as me," she laughed. "All you need is a few weeks of healthy home cooking and you’ll soon start looking better," she added, smiling.

Stephen was feeling odd, shuffling though various drawers, looking for something for Stephanie to wear. Even though these used to be his, he felt guilty touching them now, as he pulled first one, then another item out from the drawers. He felt a certain amount of nostalgia, as he remembered the sensations when he’d worn them last.

Did he want to wear such clothes again? Perhaps continue the journey down the same road that Stephanie had been heading? He couldn’t decide, he thought, as he rubbed a yellow satiny nightgown across his cheeks. Just then the door opened and in walked Stephanie.

Seeing Stephen lost in thought with the yellow fabric of the nightgown against his cheek made her grin. ‘Perhaps Stephen wanted to wear it,’ she thought, excitedly.

"Looks nice, is that for me… or for you?" she asked, smiling as Stephen blushed.

"I was remembering the last I time I wore it," he replied, putting it down on the bed. "It was my favourite, but now I don’t know what to think. I’m a man now, should I give up the feeling of sensuous fabrics just because now I have a penis?" He asked, pensively.

"I love the feel of soft fabrics against my skin both as a man and a woman, I don’t see why you should give it up just because you’re a man now." Stephanie answered him, honestly. "At least you can wear them under your normal street clothes if you want," she added.

"I’ll think about it, okay? Now let’s see you wearing this, I know your going to love it," he said confidently. "Do you want me to leave the room?"

"No you’ve seen this body naked more than I have. Once more isn’t going to matter," she giggled. "You’re the only guy I know who can give me fashion tips," she teased.

Five minutes later... "You’re right it is heavenly," Stephanie agreed dreamily. She was sitting at the vanity while her hair was being blow-dried by Stephen. He was using a brush and was adding a gentle wave in it as he worked; finally, he announced it was done, turning the dryer off as he inspected his artistry.

Unknown to them both, Cathy was sneaking a peek into the bedroom when she heard the dryer going. She’d opened the door a crack to see Stephen working on her daughter’s hair. It gave her a warm feeling and realized that she and Keith hadn’t really been living life this last year, but had been in a sort of limbo where nothing, but the basic levels of life were being maintained.

There’d been very little joy in the past year and life had just been ticking over, as they had tried to come to terms with first, the disappearance, and then, as time passed, the growing feeling of loss of their child. Now, seeing her daughter sitting there, her eyes closed in relaxation, as her hair was being brushed and dried, made everything seem to come alive again. The spark was back in their lives. The rapturous joy of finally discovering their daughter alive and well was like a drug. She knew the rush, as their feelings of love overwhelmed them and flowed again though their bodies could never be matched by the synthetic high produced by some illicit drug.

A touch on her shoulder startled her, but she saw it was Keith looking over her shoulder at the scene in the room. She smiled and closed the door quietly, reaching for Keith’s embrace. They walked into the lounge and turned the television on with the sound set low as they sat holding each other. They sat there just sharing the knowledge that their daughter was home…"home" that was a nice sound. Something the house hadn’t been for over a year.

They heard the bedroom door open and Stephanie came out slowly, wearing a dressing gown over her favourite nightie. Her hair, now dry, flowed in silken waves over her shoulders and made her look even more elfin than before. Stephen came as well, looking satisfied as he held her hand. They came into the lounge and sat down, Stephen looking nervous, waited, as Stephanie looked at her parents.

"Mom, daddy, is it okay if Stephen stays overnight, before he fly’s back to Auckland?"

Keith and Cathy looked at Stephen sitting there quietly. There was something about him that they trusted implicitly, like a kindred soul looking out of his eyes.

"Yes, of course he can," they said. "Will he need any pj’s for tonight? I can see if Keith has something in his size," her mom asked.

"No, that’s fine I’ve found something for him to wear," Stephanie said with a giggle.

She went over and hugged her new mom and dad, thinking that they were lovely people and loved their daughter with a passion. She was glad to share in that love, without having to worry if her parents were going to reject her for wanting to be a woman.

Keith and Cathy moved apart on the sofa and invited Stephanie to sit down between them. Stephen moved a chair nearer, sitting opposite them. They sat there holding their daughters hands in their own while they both spoke about their feelings and what had gone on in the past year. They also recalled little anecdotes from Stephanie’s life. By the time they finished, tears were streaming down everyone’s faces; Cathy stood up to get a box of tissues, handing them out to everyone. Finally after another joint hug, Keith got up to make a cup of tea and bring out some supper.

Later, begging tiredness, Stephanie asked to be excused to go to bed. After getting a goodnight kiss from her parents, she took Stephen by the hand, telling him he needed some sleep too. She told him to go use the bathroom while she picked out something for him to sleep in. Five minutes later he walked into the guestroom to find Stephanie with a long pale blue nightgown in a satin blend.

Laughing, Stephen said: "What will YOUR parents say?"

"That you look sexy?" Stephanie giggled hopefully.

Taking the gown, he stripped, standing naked in front of her without a trace of embarrassment. She noted his organ was semi tumescent, but as he drew on the gown, and it’s silky folds slid downward across it, the front of the gown showed a pole tenting it out.

"Going camping?" Stephanie asked spluttering at the sight, as she barely contained her mirth.

"Certainly looks like it," Stephen grinned, looking down. He adopted the classic pose with one hand on a hip, the other held out, limp wrested, as he gushed in an effeminate voice.

"But Dahling, it’s all the rage now, honey."

Dropping the pose, as Stephanie laughed at the sight. He grabbed her, and pretended to dance with her, then dropped into a curtsey, holding his gown out at the sides. On an impulse, she pulled his head towards her, giving him a kiss on the lips. She felt his lips soften and open, allowing full contact. It was an electric moment. Stephanie felt a tingle running right though her body, unlike anything she had felt before. For Stephen, too, it was something special. Kissing his old body made him grow even harder than before, and he drew back before some part of him showed her just how aroused he felt.

Stephanie drew a deep breath, feeling exhilarated, her nipples tingled, and moisture gathered further down. Sighing, knowing this wasn’t the time or the place, she didn’t attempt to push further. She had felt something familiar, twitch against her as they kissed, but this time it wasn’t attached to her. She knew Stephen felt something towards her and she hoped, by not rushing things, it may grow into something beautiful.

"Goodnight, Stephen," she said, pecking him on the cheek.

"Night Stephanie," he returned, giving her a last hug before she left the room.

===========

Stephanie’s dreams were filled with images of her new parents, Stephen, and Mike. They were all trying to tell her things, how to do this, that and the other. How to behave like a girl and similar disjointed things that almost seemed to make sense.

Stephen on the other hand, had a dream in which Stephanie seemed to be a major player. At one point, just after a rather steamy image of themselves involved in heavy petting plus some ardent kissing, he woke to find a sticky substance coating his groin. Fortunately his nightgown just avoided getting wet due to the position of his body.

Getting up he padded quietly into the bathroom to clean himself up, still wearing the gown. After finishing up, he walked quietly into the kitchen to get a cold drink. Unfortunately, Cathy, who had got into the habit of waking up with every little sound, had heard someone moving about. Getting up to reassure herself that Stephanie was okay she quietly opened the door of her bedroom and peered along the semi-darkness of the hall. Seeing someone in the moonlit hall in a nightgown she was about to ask if Stephanie was okay, but then she realized it was Stephen who was attired in the gown.

She froze, not wishing to embarrass the boy, waiting till he entered the guestroom again. She closed the door quietly, thinking of the implications of her discovery. ‘Was Stephen Gay? Surely not, remembering the way he kissed her daughter. Maybe it was nothing, just Stephanie having a little fun.’ She returned to bed, thinking she would talk to Stephanie about it.

===========

Upon waking, Stephen got up and not thinking too clearly, just wandered into the kitchen still clad in the nightgown. Suddenly he came face to face with Cathy, who had quietly started breakfast. Oops, he remembered he was a guy now, and guys don’t wear nightgowns.

"Hi Stephen, ready for some breakfast?" she said calmly, as if nothing was out of the ordinary.

"Um, yes, just let me get dressed," he stammered, blushing.

"It’s ok, I’m wearing the same as you, sit down here." She said, pulling out a chair.

He sat, not wanting to seem rude, but felt a little uncomfortable sitting there, as his ‘mom’ went about dressed as he was. Thank God nothing below, had poked up to see what was going on. She served him a plate of bacon with eggs over easy. She warned him about the sauce bottle, with its awkward top saying,

"Don’t get it on the gown."

"I’m sorry Stephanie gave this to me to wear and it was so comfortable, I completely forgot I was wearing it."

"I understand honey. Actually, it looks good on you. I feel a strange connection between us, like we were more mother/daughter than strangers. Why is that?" she wondered out loud.

Stephen felt a momentary stab of fear that she knew who he really was. Just then, Stephanie walked in on them and stopped in surprise at the sight. Stifling a giggle, she embraced Cathy, giving her a hug. Sitting down next to Stephen, she looked at the two of them with a grin.

"Looks like it’s just us girls here. We can do without dad and Stephen for a few minutes while we just talk some girl talk." She giggled out loud. Cathy looked surprised at Stephanie’s comment, but started smiling as she looked at the two of them.

On a whim, Cathy went to the bathroom, returning with a hairbrush, looking at Stephen for permission, she started brushing his hair into a semblance of a feminine style and held it there with a few hairpins.

Stephen blushed, but accepted being one of the girls. It was a weird sort irony that he, the former daughter, was now a guy impersonating a girl in the same home. They talked about inconsequentials while they were eating, no mention of the fact that Stephen was attired in a nightgown. So it was a bit of a shock when Keith came in and saw them all attired in their nightwear chatting as women do. Stephen had a bit of a shock too when he realized just what Keith was seeing.

"Ahem! Have I been left out of something here, or did I miss something when I was asleep?" he said, rubbing his eyes.

"No dear, we are just getting to know each other," Cathy said sweetly, moving to set another plate for him.

"Can I join in or is it ladies only?" He asked, mildly.

"Well… I do have that peach nightie you love, dear," Cathy said with a chuckle.

"Um… I think I’ll give it a miss this time," he mumbled. "Anyway, it looks better on you than it would on me," he added with a smile.

He sat down and started to eat the food that was put in front of him, raising an eyebrow at Cathy. She smiled and winked at him.

"Oh I don’t know about that, I think it would look cute on you," she teased, winking at the others.

Stephen finished eating and stood up, taking his plate to the sink.

"I’ll just go and get dressed," he mumbled, as he got up and walked past the table.

"Ok hon, I’m sure Cathy has something in your size," Keith acknowledged jokingly.

"Watch it, or you’ll be next," Cathy advised Keith, looking at him with a gleam in her eye.

"Steph?" she said, shortening Stephens’s name down to its feminine equivalent. "I do have a gorgeous chiffon dress that would look great on you," she smiled good-naturedly. "Don’t mind Keith, he’s rather conservative in his dress sense. He prefers a plain dress to anything fancy," Cathy giggled, sensing the humour of the situation.

"Hey! That’s not true," Keith spluttered, then seeing Cathy’s expression, decided to go one better. " She won’t let me wear her best stuff, all I get is her cast-offs."

Everyone burst out laughing, and Stephanie got up and hugged Keith, which soon ended in another group hug. As the tension eased, Stephanie looked at Keith and said.

"I could make you look great in a dress you know." She said jokingly, sizing him up.

"Oh oh, I think I’m in trouble now," he said holding his hands up in mock surrender.

Stephen wandered into the guestroom to change, glad that everyone was in a good mood. Sighing, he took off the gown, folding it neatly and putting it on the now remade bed.

===========

Stephanie and Stephen went out into the back yard by the pool and each sat on one of the two recliners there, where they spoke softly, trying to fill each other in on details of their lives. Knowing Stephen was due to fly north that afternoon made time precious and they had promised to keep in contact by phone, in case they needed details that they had neglected to give each other.

Keith and Cathy allowed them the time together, but kept checking on them though the window, often hugging each other, as they both just happened to check at the same time. Cathy worked inside the house, singing softly to herself as she cleaned and dusted with an enthusiasm that had only surfaced with the return of their daughter. Keith listened to his wife’s soft singing and felt an inner joy at seeing Cathy getting back to her old self. He busied himself doing all those small jobs that had piled up over the year, feeling a new zest for life.

Lunchtime rolled around quickly, and Cathy decided to eat out by the pool, making submarine sandwiches for them all. Stephanie was basking in this homey situation with parents attentive to her needs, she made a promise to herself, not to allow anything to alter the situation or abuse the love shown by her new parents. There was no way she wanted to return to the uncertainty of living on the street’s with the possibility of encountering another ‘Chad.’

The only sad note was that Stephen was heading back home. The chemistry that was growing between them was about to be delayed indefinitely. She wondered whether fate would allow them to be together some time in the future, or was this to be the last, she saw of him? A tear rolled down her cheek, unseen by the others as she flicked her head, sending it falling to the ground.

Too soon, it was time for him to leave. Stephanie managed to put the nightgown Stephen had worn into his clothing bag he had brought with him. She hoped it would bring pleasant memories of his time with her. Maybe, he might even wear it again, she thought, with a smile.

At the airport they hugged one more time. She let him see a tear flow as he kissed her. Cathy and Keith hugged him too, thanking him again, and wishing him a safe flight.

"Stephen, consider our home your home from now on. If you’re ever down this way please call in," they said together.

He turned and walked though the departure gate, turning and waving as he went out of sight. Stephanie sought solace in her mother’s arms, as she released her feelings and sobbed quietly.

==========

Stephanie was very nervous; this was something she thought she had left behind, as she walked slowly along the footpath from her home. Things had developed at home and her parents insisted that she do this, in spite of the year of absence. She’d have rather stayed at home doing chores than this. It was her first day to be back at school… as a girl.

Even knowing some of the teacher’s names and more importantly, those of her closest friends, she knew that this would test her to the max. She was going to fall back on the selective amnesia to cover most things and hope she didn’t blow any friendships that had been formed.

On the way, several girls had looked at her suspiciously and had fallen back, following her as they talked between themselves. Finally, a blonde haired girl caught up with her and took her arm.

"Stephanie?"

"Yes, do I know you?"

"You should, I was only your best friend before you left."

"Julia right?"

"Uh huh, what happened to you? You look terrible. I wasn’t sure it was you at first, but Heather said it looked like you so I thought I’d check."

"It’s a long story, I’m not sure where to begin," Stephanie began nervously. Julia called back to the other girl to catch up. By the time they had reached school, Stephanie had told the group of girls that had grown as they had continued on, her fabricated tale. The late arrivals had been filled in the girls as they had joined the group, all seemingly awed by the fact that she had been kidnapped and abused for over a year. They all hugged her in turn, promising to help out as she explained her memory loss.

Her parents had already informed the teachers of Stephanie’s imminent arrival, explaining briefly, her situation. As she walked into the principal’s office, the stern looking woman stood up and carefully looked Stephanie over.

Stephanie felt like she was under a microscope slide, as she stood motionless, under the scrutiny. She hoped her attire was neat and straight with nothing-untoward showing, as Mrs. Anderson walked around her. She was startled, when her arm was grabbed and held out, and the sleeve of her blouse was undone and rolled up.

"Ah," exclaimed Mrs. Anderson. " I see we have been busy," she continued, as she looked at the fading scars of the needle sites. "I’ll have you know, we don’t tolerate drug use here. If I see any sign of it, you’ll be out of here before you know what hit you, is that understood?"

"Yes ma-am."

"Also, I want you to report to me each Monday, so I can check your arms. If I see one extra mark... you’ll be expelled immediately."

"Yes ma-am."

"One more thing, I see you claim amnesia, well that won’t wash with me girl. In fact I don’t believe in your story at all. I think its just an excuse to cover for your skiving off for a year doing lord knows what," she sneered. The principal glared at her in a manner that normally reduced teenaged girls to tears. She had found in the past, that it was a useful tactic to elicit the truth from reluctant students.

But this time the ‘girl’ wasn’t what she seemed, having been through this already, as Stephen. Stephanie was wised up to this sort of psychological brow beating. She stood her ground, staring straight at the teacher’s eyes, defiant yet passive.

The principal wondered why the girl seemed so calm.

"You’ll start class where you left, you won’t be with your friends, but in with the students that were in the year after you. I’m sure you’ll cope with the younger students," she said nastily.

"Can’t I take an aptitude test to see if can stay in my right year?" Stephanie asked politely.

"No, I think we will assess you on your work in the class room," she snapped.

"But, my mom said..."

"That’s it, I’m tired of your whining, and you’re on detention. Tell your homeroom teacher, now… out of my office." The principal ordered, then she turned away, as Stephanie, stunned, walked out.

Not knowing just who her new homeroom teacher was, Stephanie wandered aimlessly along the corridors until a voice jerked her out of her whirling thoughts.

"Hey Stephanie homerooms this way,"

Stephanie looked up to see Julia beckoning to her, from an adjacent room.

"I’m not with you guys," Stephanie called back. "I’m being held back a year and I’m lost, I don’t know where I’m supposed to be," she added, feeling the imminent onslaught of tears burning behind her eyes.

"Oh no, why?" gasped Julia, coming forward to hold her tight.

"I’m on detention too," and Stephanie started to explain what had happened.

"Bitch! I hate her," Julia exploded angrily. "Look your homeroom is the next door along okay? The teacher’s name is Miss. Rowe and she’s really nice. I have to go, but we’ll talk later… This isn’t finished, yet." Julia went on. Then she gave Stephanie a hug and a smile and went back to her own room.

Stephanie turned, and took a deep breath, trying to calm herself before entering the homeroom. Recovering her composure, she entered. Miss. Rowe looked at her in surprise, not expecting another student. She smiled and asked why Stephanie was here.

Stephanie explained the principal’s reason and the fact she had detention already. The teacher looked puzzled and promised to look into the matter later. Telling Stephanie to take a seat she went on with her normal duties, taking roll call and giving out notices about school activities. When the bell went for first class the students rushed out to their assigned classes almost ignoring the teacher’s protests about pushing and shoving.

Stephanie looked at her schedule, according to what was written she should be in English with a Miss. Witherspoon, but clearly, that was now wrong. Being held back a year had changed all her classes and she had no idea where to go. She sat there, waiting, hoping for someone or something to give her directions.

Students were entering the classroom for their first class, so Stephanie reluctantly got up and walked to the door. She felt lost and confused as to what to do. As she passed the toilet block she decided to go in, as her nervousness seemed to increase the need to go.

Sitting in a stall, she relieved herself then remained sitting there, reluctant to face the task of finding her next class. The toilets went quiet as the last of those using them, left for their classes. Stephanie knew she couldn’t stay there all day, but the emotional feelings that were building up threatened to burst free and she suddenly found herself crying. Being a guy had never prepared her for the emotional roller coaster ride that she found herself experiencing, now she was a girl. This body was being affected by the mood swings that teenage girls experience as they move toward womanhood.

This morning she was only nervous, because she had to interact with friends that knew the old her, not because she didn’t think she could handle school. Sure there would be a settling in period, but nothing she thought she couldn’t handle.

Now though, with the chewing out from the principal, and the disorientation with the class changes, it seemed to magnify everything and she felt betrayed. As a new paroxysm of sobs erupted, Stephanie failed to hear the door of the toilets open.

A girl entering the toilets stopped at hearing the sobs and forgetting her own needs, ran for the nearest teacher.

Stephanie froze, choking off in mid sob, upon hearing the slam as the door closed. ‘Was there someone else in the toilets with her?’ she thought. ‘Had they heard her crying?’

She listened for any sign, but as the seconds ticked by, she had the awful thought that someone HAD been here and heard her, someone who was probably telling a teacher right now.

Stephanie hurriedly wiped herself, pulling up her panties in an effort to scramdoddle out of there fast. Just as she was about to pull open the stall door, the main door opened and in walked an adult. Her crisp footsteps stopped outside her stall and a soft knock sounded on the door.

Stephanie wanted a black hole to swallow her, anything that would delay the face-to-face confrontation she knew would follow.

"Hello," came a voice tinged with concern. "Is there something I can help you with?"

Stephanie recognized the voice of her homeroom teacher, Miss. Rowe.

Stephanie opened the door slowly, not trusting her voice.

"Stephanie, isn’t it?" the teacher inquired, taking Stephanie’s head and raising it. "Ohmygod, what a little panda face we have here," she said kindly. Stephanie glanced over to the mirrors above the hand basins and saw that her face was indeed, a mess.

Her face was red and blotchy and her eyes were red where the mascara hadn’t run, leaving her eyes smudged in black with rivulets running down her cheeks. She tried to wipe some of worse of it off with her hankie as she turned back to the teacher.

"I’m sorry, but everything got too much for me, what with my schedule of classes all mixed up, the meeting with the principal...oh, I..." she trailed off, as a fresh burst of tears engulfed her.

"Hush child, it will be alright, we’ll get things sorted. Come. I’ll call your mother and get to the bottom of this mix up." The teacher said, comforting Stephanie as if with a small child.

Five minutes later Stephanie was sitting in the teacher’s lounge, while Miss. Rowe phoned her mom, asking her to come to the school.

===========

Stephen was deep in thought on the flight home; even the attractive stewardess couldn’t take his mind off the time at his old home. His parents seemed to have changed, for the better, he thought. He was happy that Stephanie would benefit from it. After what she had gone though, it seemed fair that she have some love and security in her new life.

That wasn’t what was occupying his mind in thought, but the way Stephanie had made him feel. The way she animated his old form had made him tingle. And when she had kissed him…wow! He took out a small picture of him/herself as Stephanie, that he’d taken as a memento. Even looking at the girl in the photo dressed up in a pink frilly dress seemed to stir him, in disturbing ways.

He had contacted his ‘parents,’ so he knew someone would be at the airport to pick him up. As he walked out of the main entrance, he breathed in the muddy tang from the mudflats that bordered Auckland’s, Mangere airport. As he stood there watching the hustle bustle of the passengers, a touch on his shoulder startled him and he flinched involuntarily.

"Oop’s sorry about that, I didn’t mean to scare you," spoke a voice he recognized coming from behind.

"It’s okay, Kelly. Since I was attacked I get a little jumpy when someone comes up on me unexpectedly." He explained, as he followed her towards the car.

"Oh dear! I clean forgot about that," Kelly apologized. "Did you sort out the problem in Wellington?" she continued, curiously.

"Yes thanks. Being there made all the difference between a jail term and being found innocent." He replied, quietly.

Kelly was silent on the journey home and Stephen was content to say nothing, but as he went to get out of the car on arriving home, Kelly stopped him for a moment.

"Stephen, I want to apologize again for my actions in this, I’m not a bad person, and I couldn’t live with myself if I knew someone suffered due to my selfish stupidity."

"Kelly, it’s forgotten. Okay? It all turned out well in the end. Don’t fret about it." Stephen, showing her he meant it, hugged her and kissed her lightly on the cheek.

He turned and walked inside, taking his bag with him. His mother was there, looking over some papers as he walked past the lounge.

"Honey are you okay? We were worried when you left suddenly like that, until Kelly explained," she said, coming and giving him a hug.

"I’m fine mom, I just had an urgent call from a friend in trouble, I had to go. I’m sorry it was so sudden," he added, returning her hug. He then took his bag to his room to unpack, saying he would see them at dinner. As he unpacked, he paused, one hand still in the bag as it encountered the silky smoothness of a nightie. Slowly, he pulled the flimsy garment out.

Laying it on the bed, he sat looking at it with a feeling of nostalgia. It was his favourite gown… back when he was Stephanie. All sorts of feelings came, confusing him even more, why had Stephanie given it up? Was it a reminder or had she wanted him to wear it. He put it in a drawer, deciding to put off any decisions till later. He made sure it was covered by his pyjamas, not wanting it to be discovered by chance when he was still having mixed feelings about it.

That evening, after spending time getting to know more about his parents, he thought about whether he should wear it or not. Undecided he lay naked under the sheets, trying to invent a valid reason why it should matter.

The next few days Stephen relaxed and rested his back. A visit to the family doctor had him undergo an examination, where some of the stitches were removed and a light dressing applied. He made good use of the time around the house checking anything that would fill in the missing gaps of information.

David, his father had a business in downtown Auckland chartering pleasure cruises that went to the islands in the gulf, Including the Barrier islands. His father also had boats that were available for deep sea fishing trips. David asked Stephen if he was up for a fishing trip to the Hen and Chicken islands.

Stephen, who had never been on a boat, let alone a fishing trip, jumped at the chance to experience something new. So at 5am the next day, as Kelly handed him a small bag complete with a change of clothes, he said goodbye to Sandra (his mom) and hopped in the Volvo with his dad.

Arriving at the docks, Stephen stood waiting while his dad parked the car. He looked at the pleasure craft there, wondering which one was his dad’s.

"Come on son, stop daydreaming. We need to catch the tide," his dad said, intruding on his thoughts.

Stephen turned and saw his dad walking around the corner of a port authority building. As he ran to catch up, he saw his dad start to walk across a small gang plank to a… ‘WOW.’ Stephen was floored. The boat was huge. It was a twin-hulled cruiser with a flying bridge that towered over the dock. Done in white and blue, it took Stephens breath away. It must have been a 50-60 footer and looked like a fast craft.

"Like it?"

"Dad it’s beautiful," Stephen gasped.

"I got it after you left home. Here, I’ll show you around before the passengers arrive."

Stephen was agog as he was ushered on board, first, he was shown his own cabin, where he threw his bag on the huge bed. It came complete with a small toilet and shower cubical. David explained that the "Beast" as he affectionately called it. Carried two Rolls Royce V12 aircraft engines and could hit 50 knots on calm seas.

The tour of the boat was interrupted by a shout from the docks, calling to his dad. He hadn’t had time to look at it all, but what little Stephen had seen, had left him amazed. He had no idea how much it would have cost, but knew it was in the millions. He wandered around, poking into everywhere to curb his curiosity, while his dad talked to the passengers.

"Stephen? Give us a hand will you?" floated down to his ears.

"Coming dad," he replied, scrambling up from below.

When he got topside, he saw two people with his dad. The man was about mid thirty’s and reeked of money, Stephen didn’t know what his father charged a trip, but as these were the only two coming, he guessed it would be astronomical.

Looking at the woman with him, Stephen decided that she was his wife. Younger than the man, she looked stunning, with natural blonde hair down to mid back. Dressed appropriately in dark blue shorts and a tight halter-top in white, she displayed her charms with calm equanimity.

As she bent over to retrieve her handbag, Stephen’s eyes were drawn to her butt as it stretched the material to bursting point. A little voice spoke up in Stephen’s pants, "wow’ it said, and Stephen blushed at the way his body with it’s mind of its own, seemed to take control. The saying that a man thinks with his penis was never more evident, than at that moment. Stephen felt uncomfortable as it grew rigid and pressed hard to express its feelings. Holding the luggage he was handed in front of him, he managed to climb back aboard without embarrassing himself further.

The woman, who introduced herself as Sara, asked for his help to stow her gear. She seemed unaware about the fact that she was showing Stephen her cleavage as she reached for the overhead lockers. Something started twitching again in his pants and it was with relief that he escaped to the ‘head’ to attend to some temporary relief.

While making adjustments in the ‘head’ Stephen puzzled over the way this body reacted. Had he been in his old body, he would have noted her clothing in a completely different light. It wouldn’t hold the attraction it did now, and looking at her body in any other way than appraisingly, wasn’t ever going to happen.

Now, just seeing a hint of something slightly ‘forbidden,’ sent Stephen’s body into a sexual minefield, with urges and feelings that seemed to have a mind of its own. It was as if, this body was powered by a testosterone generator that required daily refueling from any tantalizing glimpses of female anatomy.

He wondered if Stephanie was finding that being female was giving her similar feelings.

===========

Stephanie had calmed down by the time Cathy arrived at the school. She stormed in, taking a glance at Stephanie’s still smudged face.

"What’s happened here, why has Stephanie been crying?" she demanded, looking agitated.

"Ah! Mrs. Wallis, I’m glad you’re here, there seems to be some sort of misunderstanding with Stephanie's class schedule." Miss Rowe spoke hurriedly, trying to placate Cathy. "I’ve called a meeting with the principal. If you come here into this office, I’ll buzz her and we can clear this all up." She added, going to a phone.

The two of them followed her into another office, where they sat waiting for the principal to arrive. Shortly, the door opened and Mrs. Anderson entered the room, she looked at Stephanie and glowered.

"Only an hour at school and already causing problems, I see," she snapped.

Cathy and Miss Rowe looked surprised at her outburst of vitriol directed at Stephanie. As Cathy opened her mouth to say something, Miss. Rowe beat her to the punch and spoke up.

"Excuse me, but that’s not true, she told me you held her back a year and so her schedule has changed. She didn’t know where to go and got upset. Apparently you also put her on detention, for whatever reason. I’d like to know what that was," she said firmly.

"Miss, Rowe, get back to your class before I decide you need a permanent vacation," the principal growled, ignoring her demands.

As the teacher spluttered at the threat, Cathy stood up and stepped closer to the principal. Poking a finger into the other woman’s chest, she said.

"I, have, never, seen, a, more, pitiful, excuse, for, a, principal, than, you." She said loudly, punctuating each word with a poke to the chest. As a member of the board that hired you, I’m going to recommend they replace you, citing this treatment of my daughter and your attitude. Your teacher has more compassion in her little finger, than you have in your whole body." Cathy said with fire in her voice.

"Come Stephanie, I’ll take you home while I take actions to remove this, this… person." She added, not even giving the principal the dignity of a title. Miss. Rowe gave Stephanie a smile as they walked out the door. Cathy held her head up high showing her disdain in no uncertain manner. They walked to the car and Stephanie saw a few faces looking at them from the classrooms as they drove away.

"Don’t worry hon. I’ll sort things out as soon as I get home." She said, giving Stephanie’s hand a pat as she drove back towards home.

"Mom, I met some old friends on the way to school, Heather and Julia," Stephanie said happily. "They were really nice to me today."

"That’s nice, I’m glad, perhaps you can invite them over after school," her mom replied, smiling. Cathy was soon on the phone after arriving back home, and Stephanie winced as she heard some of the anger being voiced to the other person.

Stephanie tried to keep out of the way of her mom, voting to stay in her room and bone up on some of the subjects that as a girl she was expected to know. Fortunately, she had a working knowledge of home economics, and some of the other subjects Stephanie was taking, due to her prior lifestyle, when she was still Stephen/Stephanie.

Cathy finished haranguing the other board members, and went and knocked softly on Stephanie's door.

"Honey, are you ok? Cane I come in?" she asked softly.

"Sure mom, come in," Stephanie answered, putting her books away.

Cathy entered and smiled, seeing her daughter making good use of her idle time. She walked over and sat down next to her on the bed.

"Honey by tomorrow, there will be a new principal at the school. Fortunately there had been a few other serious complaints against her. Now with me witnessing it first hand, it made it impossible for them to ignore. She’ll be given the option of retiring or doing work, not involving children."

"So I’ll be at school tomorrow?" Stephanie asked.

"Yes, but the replacement principal won’t be arriving till next week. So I’ve offered my services as a temp till then,"

"You’re going to be the principal?" Stephanie gasped, looking surprised.

"It should be interesting," laughed Cathy. "Now, do you want to go out for lunch and do a little shopping?"

"Is grass green? Of course I want." Stephanie laughed, hugging her mom.

After having a nice lunch at a local bistro, they hit the shops. Cathy took Stephanie into nearly every shop, looking for clothes. Stephanie revelled in being able to try on clothes with someone to help in selecting the right look. Always before, it was buying for a ‘sister’ or a ‘girlfriend’ and she had never had the courage to try anything on in a shop, in her male mode.

A stop at the hairdressers was the final touch, where Stephanie sat and absorbed the atmosphere with utter contentment. Her hair was shampooed and conditioned, then cut, styled and curled until she didn’t recognize herself. Cathy even went so far as to allow them to do her makeup. Stephanie was totally blown away by the time they had finished. The subtle look made it seem as if she was wearing no makeup, but the overall look gave her face a vibrant look.

She thanked the ladies there, and gave her mom a hug, thanking her for everything. Cathy was happy to see a daughter she’d thought she’d lost, so animated. It was as if she was trying to make up for lost time, and indulging in things the pre-missing Stephanie had rejected.

Never had Cathy felt so close to her daughter, and as they drove home, she decided to give Stephanie a welcome back party and invite all her old school friends.

That afternoon the phone rang and Cathy called out to her daughter, that it was Heather on the line.

"Hello Heather, what’s up?"

"You did?… well I’ll tell you later."

"You do? And Julia? Hang on I’ll ask mom."

"Mom, can Heather and Julia come over? They saw me leaving school, and want to talk." Stephanie called out.

"Sure if its okay with their parents," the reply floated back.

"YES, it’s okay to come over… okay, see you in a few…byeee."

Stephanie rushed around trying to decide what to wear, and then laughed as she realized what she was doing. She finally accepted she was a real girl and had quickly fallen into the mannerisms with a passion.

When the girls arrived, they complimented Stephanie on her new look then, they went into her bedroom to talk. First and foremost, they wanted to know what had happened at school. They told her that she was seen leaving with her mother, and were burning with curiosity to find out why.

Stephanie filled them both in from the first meeting with the principal to the last. The girl’s held her in sympathy, when she told them of her crying in the toilets. And generally made supporting noises when she related the incident when her mom arrived.

"I can’t believe we will never see that bitch again," Heather rejoiced.

"Me too," agreed Julia, clapping her hands in glee.

"Even better, is the fact your mom will be acting principal." Heather added.

They all joined in laughing, then, the girls spied the still unopened clothing bags. What followed was a quick fashion parade while the girls admired Stephanie’s new wardrobe. Stephanie felt them growing closer as each filled her in on the gossip over Stephanie's year of absence. Stephanie was filled in with which boy was still available and those that now had steady girlfriends.

A call from Cathy had them move out to the kitchen for some fresh scones and milk. Cathy talked to the girl’s as they buttered and spread jam on the scones, getting to know them a little better. She broached the subject of the welcome back party idea she’d had. Much to the embarrassment of Stephanie, who didn’t want a big fuss made.

As Cathy and her two young cohorts planned with their heads together, quietly talking. Stephanie cleared the plates, and shook her head wondering what she was in for.

To be continued…

 

 

 

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© 2002 by Prudence Walker. All Rights Reserved. These documents (including, without limitation, all articles, text, images, logos, compilation design) may printed for personal use only. No portion of these documents may be stored electronically, distributed electronically, or otherwise made available without express written consent of the copyright holder.