After we’d done the dishes, Peter and I sat and watched TV for a bit until Mum announced that it was his bath time. I took the opportunity to ask if I could go and change. “You may as well keep it on until bedtime Andrew.” Mum said as she looked me up and down. “And you did say it wasn’t so bad.” she smiled.
“But… doesn’t Sophie want her tights back?” I said. I know it’s a crap line of reasoning but it’s all I could think of.
I wasn’t surprised when Mum said “I think she can wait a few hours.” She smiled and looked me up and down from boyish head to the tip of my stockinged toe. “Anyway, that dress looks much nicer with tights that it would without.” she said. “Although knee socks might be nice too.” she added as if her mind was wondering.
I gulped and tried to visualise just how ridiculous I must look from someone else’s point of view. I did expect to feel far more ridiculous than I do, but as far as dresses are concerned this isn’t a bad one, I figured… before cursing myself and trying to chase such thoughts from my skull. “Haven’t you got any homework Andrew?” Mum asked.
“Er… a bit yeah.” I replied.
“Well why don’t you get on with that instead of staring at your knees.” she suggested.
I hadn’t even realised I’d been doing it until she said, but seeing pure white knees sticking out from under a blue skirt is weird yet intriguing. Even as I tried to concentrate on my homework I continued to glance at my white woolly knees.
The next day at school was weird. It felt like everyone was looking at me oddly, as if they somehow knew that I’d worn something I shouldn’t have… but that was just me being paranoid. If anyone knew, I’m pretty sure I’d know they knew.. but that didn’t stop me spending much of the day thinking about the time I’d spent wearing a dress.
It wasn’t until midweek that I opened my wardrobe (something I do everyday) to hang my school pants up and I noticed the navy blue sailor dress hanging there. “Mum?” I said as I went to the kitchen, checking she was alone.
“Yes love?” she asked as she pottered.
“Why is that dress in my wardrobe?” I sheepishly asked.
“Because it fits you and you said you liked it.” Mum replied.
“I didn’t say I liked it.” I insisted, but backtracked after Mum gave me one of those looks. “I just said it wasn’t bad.” I reminded her. “But I don’t want it in my wardrobe.” I mournfully added.
“Well it’s been there all week. Why you’ve waited ’til now to mention it I don’t know.”
“Because I hadn’t noticed it ’til now.” I replied. “Can I put it somewhere else?”
“You could hang it from your door hook if you want.” Mum suggested, although I knew she was teasing me. “There isn’t room in Sophie’s wardrobe and it doesn’t fit her anyway… and my wardrobe’s jam packed full too.” she explained. “And since George left for college there’s plenty of room in yours.” she smiled. “And if you do want to wear it again you know where it is.”
“But I don’t want to wear it again!” I claimed.
“Well it’s there just in case you change your mind.” Mum replied as she resumed folding the laundry. “No one would think any less of you.”
“George would.” I moaned, sticking out my lip. “If he was still here you wouldn’t me making me wear dresses.”
“I’m not making you wear anything!” Mum replied, before reminding me that it was I who wanted to borrow a pair of tights and I who agreed that wearing the dress would be a nice surprise for Sophie. “I made it perfectly clear that you didn’t have to wear it Andrew… it was your choice.”
I slumped my head into my shoulders. “Yeah but…”
“And George isn’t here.” Mum interrupted, “When he was the pair of you were horrible to your sister, and now he’s gone it’s good that you’re finally starting to get along with Sophie.”
“I wasn’t horrible to her!” I whined.
“You weren’t very nice either… all that sniggering and whispering and giggling behind her back.” Mum retorted. “Peter’s doing the best he can in a difficult situation and the very least you can do is show him some support and solidarity.” Mum paused, pulled out a chair and sat down. I followed suit. “Now I know Peter isn’t a real girl, and I know he’d rather be a normal boy… but I need someone to call my daughter and fortunately for you, that someone is Peter.” Mum explained in a calm and considered voice. “Put yourself in his shoes.” she suggested, “Wouldn’t you be happier having a nice brother instead of one who sniggers and sneers at you?”
“I don’t snigger at her.” I claimed.
“Well… not since George left you don’t.” Mum pointed out.
At that moment the front door opened and Peter returned. “Can Laura come in?” he asked.
Laura hovered behind and said “Hello Mrs Jackson… hi Andrew.”
I muttered a hello as Mum said, “Hello Laura. Don’t you look smart in your uniform.”
“Oh er.. thanks.” Laura replied, looking down at herself and frowning. “Mum makes me keep it on ’til I’ve done all my homework.”
“Oh that’s a good idea… it’ll help you concentrate.” Mum smiled.
“I’d rather wear my own clothes after school.” Laura frowned.
“I’m sure you would dear, but I suppose school isn’t really over until your homework’s finished.” Mum told her.
“That’s what my mum says.” Laura replied.
“So what have you two been doing? Gossiping?”
“No.” Peter and Laura replied in unison.
“Sophie’s been helping me with my homework.” Laura claimed.
“Can I loan her my Black Beauty book?” Peter asked before explaining that Laura had to choose a nineteenth century book to read, then write an essay about it, but not being much of a reader she didn’t know where to start.
The two skipped up stairs. Mum and I watched them go before turning to each other. Mum smiled at me and I smiled back… although I wasn’t sure what we were smiling about. “Why don’t you help me make supper seeing as Sophie’s helping Laura with her homework?”
I’d much rather sit in front of the telly as usual, but it’s not really fair that Peter has to help her every night. “OK.” I moaned. “What are we having?”
“How’s about omelette?” Mum suggested.
“Mmmm!” I replied, that being one of my favourites after burgers and pizza of course. “I’m not wearing that!” I blurted under my breath as mum removed her pinafore style apron from its hook. “Laura might see me!” I quietly yet assertively added.
“I don’t think Laura will mind Andrew.” Mum said. We both glanced toward the staircase and the sound of footsteps.
“Thanks Sophie.” Laura said, waving the book and smiling. “I’ll bring it back when I’ve read it.” she added before saying goodbye to each of us and leaving.
“Bye Laura.” Mum hollered before turning to me and offering me the pinafore once more. “Well that’s cleared up that little problem.” she grinned.