Mum rolled her eyes. “You can wear what like around the house, providing we’re not expecting visitors… and I don’t like the idea of you wearing stockings.” she said. “You may be nearly fifteen but that’s still a bit too young for stockings and suspenders.”
“He’s a bit too male too.” my sister grinned.
“We all know that that doesn’t matter.” Mum replied. “It’s 2016 after all.” she stated. “Who’s to know in ten years time… androgyny for boys might be the height of fashion?” she suggested.
A silence followed. I retreated into my thoughts but rather than wallowing in the misery of the situation, I thought instead about the silence. This time, it’s a comfortable silence. My sister broke it by asking if I’m going to wear the boyshorts and bralette. I sighed before responding. “I dunno… I might wear the boyshorts under some tights but… I’m not sure about the top.”
“Think of it like a little vest.” Mum suggested. “You did say you like wearing matching tops and bottoms.” she added. I didn’t reply since I’m back on uneasy ground. “And I’ll buy you some tights next time I’m in town.”
“Thanks Mum.” I said.
“You can borrow some of mine in the meantime.” Hannah suggested. “If you want.”
“Err…. thanks.” I meekly replied, then declined.
“Do you like shorts?” she asked.
“What?”
“Shorts.” she repeated. “You know when girls wear a little pair of shorts with thick black tights or leggings…” she asked. I nodded. “…do you like it?” she asked.
“It’s OK I guess.” I gulped. “Why?”
“Well… I think a guy could wear shorts and tights and not look too girlie… you know like, distressed denim ones, with a skinny tee maybe.”
“Yeah but…”
“But what? We’re not going anywhere and no one’s coming round that I know of.”
I knew exactly what she was hinting at and by by the look on her face, so did Mum. “But… Dad’ll be back soon.” I reminded them.
“He won’t mind.” Mum claimed. “He knows what we’re talking about and is probably half expecting to come back to you wearing a dress and heels.”
“That’s not going to happen.” I stated. “He doesn’t think that does he?” I fearfully asked.
“Who knows?” Mum shrugged. “He’s probably preparing himself from anything from a mild fascination with hosiery to full blown gender reassignment.” she added. “But whatever he comes back to… he’s going to love you and support you the same way he always has done… the same way we all do, and will.”
“Oh Mum you’re gonna make me cry talking like that.” I said, fighting the lump in my throat. “But I think we can all safely assume that it’s just a mild fascination with hosiery.”
“Glad to hear it.” Mum grinned, adding “A sex change would have cost us a fortune” beneath her breath.
Hannah and I grinned at each other. This devolved into a lingering smile. “So… are you gonna wear something?” she eventually asked.
“I am wearing something.” I dryly replied.
“Something like a little pair of shorts and some tights I mean.” she sassily suggested.
“Oh I dunno… not today.”
“Why not?” she asked.
I stammered muttered and mumbled a variety of half arsed reasons before reverting to ‘dad’s coming back soon’.
“Well Dad’s expecting something.” Hannah shrugged.
“Your sister’s right Peter… today’s as good a day as any… and you could wear leggings if you feel tights are bit of a leap too far.”
I spent a moment weighing up the odds. “Do I have to wear my underwear too?”
“Well I think you should wear some underwear.” Mum replied. “But which you wear is up to you.” she smiled.
“I think Pete should put the kettle on whilst we find him something… then I’ll make us a brew whilst he’s getting changed.” my sister suggested. “OK?”
“OK.” I gulped. “Just… nothing really girlie.”
“I know.” Hannah replied. “Do you want thick or thin tights?”