Educating Danielle
Part Three
by Karen E. Lea
Chapter Nine
We rushed home in the peak hour traffic, fast as it
would allow. Seemingly, everybody was going in the same direction as us.
Eventually I turned into our street; we could see Laura watering the garden in
the distance. I told Danielle to wave to her mum as we drove into the driveway.
Laura must have heard the Rover slow for the
driveway, as she looked up, we both waved. I accelerated up the driveway and
stopped at the garage door. As I put the gearlever in park and pulled on the
handbrake, I saw Laura in the rear view mirror coming towards us, heading for
my side of the car.
Danielle slipped off her seatbelt and slid from the
Rover gracefully as possible, once standing, she smoothed her skirt and
tottered around the back of the car to my side, in the meantime, Laura had reached
my door and in a concerned voice asked, “Jeff, where’s Daniel, is everything
okay?” She turned to the sound of clicking heels, nodded hello and turned back
to me and said, “Jeff where’s Daan…………” She swung back to Danielle.
“Hi, mum.”
Laura gasped, “Oh my……oh my……oh my god. Daniel, is
that you?”
“At the moment, it’s Danielle, mum”
Laura stood there stunned. I was stunned by her
reaction, I mean, we did talk about it. “Laura” I gently turned her to me, “I’m
sorry, I thought this is what we discussed.”
“I never imagined in my wildest dreams that he would
look so beautiful, he is beyond pretty.”
“Stunningly beautiful.” I agreed.
“Mum, please, I’m so happy, don’t be upset, I talked
Jeff into this.”
“Danielle” I said softly, “Go down and lock up, then
come up and make some toasted sandwiches for all of us. There’s ham, cheese and
tomatoes in the fridge. I’ll talk to your mum for a couple of minutes, OK,
please?”
Danielle nodded and went as asked; I pulled Laura to
me and hugged her. She promptly burst into tears. I leant against the Rover and
pulled her into my arms. Slowly the tears dried up. “Please don’t let go.”
“I won’t.” I replied.
“When I was in labour, I prayed and prayed that I
would have a girl, when he was born and they told me it’s a boy, I was
devastated, but I grew used to the idea. He was a sweet child, easy going, I
used to hear all the problems other mothers were having and I realised I was
very lucky. After seeing him to-day, he’s my daughter.”
“The moment you said this is my son Daniel when we
first met, I was shocked. It probably showed on my face at the time.”
“I didn’t notice, I was trying to get my head around
the woman in front of me called Jeff.”
“Touché.”
“This whole week, every night Daniel has told me
everything that has happened during the day at work experience, every last
detail. He has told me more about this week than the last ten years at school.
Up to now, everything has been monosyllable, like fine, ok, alright, cool……..,
it was like his whole life was dormant, then come to life. I’ve heard every
problem you’ve had this week, how you’ve overcome it, people he’s met, their
names, everything.”
“He’s made a lot of friends over the last couple of
weeks.” I agreed.
“If nothing comes of this week, at least I know he
has some spark of interest in something.”
“Let me put the Rover away and let’s have something
to eat.”
With the garage locked, we entered the house and went
to the kitchen. Danielle had been quite industrious while we had been talking.
Danielle was bobbing around the kitchen, heels clicking on the tiles, her false
boobs jiggling in her bra as she moved to and fro. I opened a bottle of wine
while Laura helped Danielle bring dinner to the table. We ate as Danielle told
her mum all about the day she had, from this morning leaving as Daniel to
arriving home as Danielle. No detail was left untouched as she explained how
Cindy and Charlene painted his nails, glued on his false boobs and the trick
they payed on me in reception.
Her narrative finally came to an end. She looked at
her mum and asked, “Can I stay dressed like this all weekend? Please mum.”
“What about tomorrow night” Laura asked.
“All the people coming tomorrow have seen him as
Danielle, but it’s up to you.” I replied.
“She can’t wear these clothes all weekend,” Laura
objected, “whose clothes are they anyway? They’re too small for Karen.”
“Um…….Jeff bought them for me.” Danielle replied.
“I’ll tell you what; I’ll take you shopping for
clothes in the morning and get our groceries for the dinner party afterwards.”
I offered.
“I’m sorry, but I can’t afford clothes for Danielle.”
Laura said.
“No, no my treat,” I replied, “I always wanted a
daughter to shop for; it looks like I just got one.”
“See if I can cause another accident.”
“Accident?” Laura asked.
We told Laura about the guy running into the back of
the other car when we left the tavern. “Teach him not to stare.” I said.
Danielle jumped up from the table, hugged her mum and
came around the table to me, kissed me on the cheek and said, “Tell me again.”
“Tell you what?”
“The bit about having a daughter,” she said giggling,
“again and again.”
We cleared the table, washed up. I gave Danielle the
satin baby doll set to sleep in and walked them to their place. I hugged them
both goodnight and said I would pick them up at eight-thirty in the morning.
Chapter Ten
Next morning, after a light breakfast, I went down to
Laura’s house, uncertain of the reception I would receive. I wasn’t sure Laura
was completely cool with her new daughter. As the door bell peeled, I was sure
I heard crying. Danielle opened the door and she obviously had been crying. I
hugged her and then Laura and enquired about the crying. It was tears of joy,
but before the explanation, my phone rang.
“Good morning, Starburst.”
“Jeff. It’s John.”
“Hi John, how are you?”
“Pretty good, but I think you may have a problem.”
“Problem?” Great, my problem.
“You know my mate, Sam, who does music video
productions, dropped by this morning. Saw my car outside, thought he would pop
in and say hello.” I knew Sam by reputation, met him once. Sam and John went to
college together.
“Sure,and?”
“Well, I was sorting yesterday’s shots that had been
processed overnight. Every thing came out fine by the way. Anyway, I had
Daniel’s photos on the corner of the desk, he, I mean she is very beautiful
Jeff, you wouldn’t believe the presence she throws out.”
“Yes I know she is sitting opposite me now, just as
beautiful.” Danielle giggled.
“So where’s this problem.”
“Well Sam started to tell me all his problems, new
video coming up, suppose to be filming soon, deadline to meet to meet, trouble
finding girl for video, been through all the usual casting, looking for
beautiful young thing with girl next door naivety, his arse on the line………”
John,” I interrupted, “would you get to the point
please.” Laura and Danielle were watching me only hearing my side of the
conversation, wandering what was going on and they weren’t the only ones.
“I’m sorry, just giving you the background to what
happened next.
”
“Sorry. Which was?”
“Next minute he’s bouncing around the office shouting
I’ve found her, I’ve found her.”
“Well good for him.”
“Well, that’s what I thought, till I realised he had
spied Daniel’s photos. Daniel is his girl, sorry, Danielle.”
“Oh great,” I said as I hung my head in my hands,
“Then what happened?”
“He started sixty-four questions, how old? How tall?
Who’s her agent? And on and on.”
“What did you tell him?”
“That she was sixteen, was here on work experience,
gave her a makeover and photo shoot to remember her time here.”
“Good thinking, alright this is what I want you to
do……”
“Hang on Jeff, there’s somebody at the front door,
I’ll call you back.”
I told Laura and Danielle what had transpired that
morning. John had only gone in to the studio to check the proofs and I wondered
who the new visitor was. I asked the girls to get ready to go shopping. We had
to get everyday shoes for Danielle, four and half inch heels were a bit over
the top. We also had to get groceries for tonight’s dinner party. While they
were doing their makeup and finding a handbag for Danielle, the phone rang
again. “Good morning, Starburst.”
“You won’t believe what’s happened now. Moira from
Spencers just dropped by to see the last proofs for the catalogue, saw
Danielle’s photos and wanted to know why we let her use second best.”
“Christ, do you think she recognised Daniel? She’s seen
him every day this week.”
“No, I don’t think so, but boy is she miffed, gave
her the same spiel I gave Sam. But expect a call over this soon.”
“Okay, that’s a phone call I’ll treasure, but first
things first John. Find an envelope and put those photos away before someone
else sees them.”
“Okay, done.”
“Now back to Sam, where’s he gone to since the first
phone call.”
“He left talking fifty to the dozen on his mobile. I
told him you were the only one who knew the girl, so expect a call about that.”
“Great another call to look forward to, see you
tonight and bring the envelope.”
I punched END on the phone and sighed. Thinking how
simple this idea was, turn sixteen year old boy into twenty year old girl for
wedding reception. Instead we end up with a teenage boy’s wet dream fantasy who
looks just as hot on film as she does in the flesh.
Laura waved an envelope at me, which she opened and
pushed across the table to me. It was a letter and cheque I asked the real
estate agent to send explaining the reduction in rent and reimbursement. That
was the tears of happiness I heard when I came in. Gods know what will happen
when she finds out nothing in this area lets for less than three fifty and I’m
the landlord. Worry about when it happens.
Envelopes reminded me; I pulled one out of my pocket
for Daniel and pushed it across the table. People two suburbs must have heard
the scream when she opened it. Eight hundred dollars in hundred dollar bills
lay on the table. Laura stared in disbelief. “Not enough?”
“It’s too much.”
“I really appreciated your help this week.” And it
was true; he was an invaluable member of the team on our busiest week. He would
watch and learn, only had to be shown something once and unlike a lot of young
people, was polite to everybody. My mobile rang before anyone could reply,
“Good morning, Starburst.”
“Jeff. It’s Moira. Good morning.” Before I could
reply, she got straight down to business. “I saw the proofs from yesterday and
they look great. While I was there, I saw some photos of a girl who should have
been in our catalogue. You’ve been holding out on me?”
“Good morning and not at all. She’s a sixteen year
old we promised a makeover to and we honoured it yesterday, hence the proofs.“
“Well consider her hired for the next catalogue.”
“I don’t think that will be possible……”
“Jeff. She will be in the next catalogue. Have a good
weekend and I’ll talk to you next week.” Before I could reply, she had hung up.
“Congratulations. You’re the new teenage girl in the
next Spencer catalogue.”
Danielle giggled. “I’m not joking. Moira just hired
you. You’ll be earning more than me at this rate. Anyway, let’s go shopping.”
Chapter Eleven
We drove to the mall, eventually found a parking spot
and entered the mall. First stop was Spencer’s Department Store and the shoe
department. She was attracting way too much attention in the high heeled
sandals. She selected a pair of mules, black with a one inch heel. White
sandals with a two inch heel and a black pair of court shoes with a three and half
inch heel. Danielle elected to wear the mules. At the register, Laura and I had
our first tiff. She wanted Danielle to pay for them with the cash I had given
her. I said I wanted to pay for them with my Visa card. I finally won and after
we left the counter, I heard the girl remark to her friend, “I wish my parents
would argue over me like that.”
Taking Laura to one side, I read the riot act to her,
“This shopping for Danielle will be funded by me, no arguments okay. I’m happy
to buy things for somebody else for a change.” Because what Danielle was
wearing was all she had, we went to town in the Young Miss department. Mainly
skirts and tops, mix and match stuff. Then over to lingerie for bras, panties
and some baby doll pjs.
We took the purchases back to the car and headed to a
coffee lounge for lunch. Just as we were finishing our coffee, my phone rang.
Again. “Good morning, Starburst.”
“Jeffrey.” A female voice ventured.
Not many people call me by my full name and I was at
a loss to who this was. “Yes it is. Can I help you?”
“Lady Carrington, Jeffrey. Do you have a couple of
minutes to talk?”
“Yes I do Lady Carrington. You’ll have to excuse the
noise; I’m in a coffee shop.” Laura and Danielle were both staring
incredulously at me. “How is Lord Carrington, milady.”
“My servants call me milady, but to you Jeffrey, I’m
Kim and to answer your question, he’s well, thank you.”
Suitably admonished, I replied, “And you may call me
Jeff. What can I do for you this fine morning?”
“Darling, I’ve just had the most ghastly phone call.
My daughter is getting married, two weeks today. This girl was recommended by a
friend of a friend……”
“Too many friends.”
“Exactly darling. This ghastly girl gave me a story
which made no sense what so ever and then told me that the price for the
wedding makeup was going to cost two and a half thousand dollars instead of the
agreed price of twelve hundred.”
“Two and a half thousand.”
“Darling, I was stunned. I know I have more money
than I know what to do with, but I don’t like greed.”
“And you would like me to take her place?”
“Darling, would you please?”
“I can’t see a problem.”
“Darling, thank you, I knew I could count on you. I
know it sounds like I’m using you as second fiddle, but my daughter made this
arrangement without talking to me first.”
“I completely understand Kim. What time frame do you
have planned?”
“Well darling. Noon for a light salad lunch. Start
the makeup after one, for a three thirty ceremony in the grounds. I would like
you to stay for the ceremony and during the formal photographs for touch ups.
There are two bridesmaids, three flower girls, maid of honour and of course the
bride and myself.”
“Not a problem. I’ll have a friend, Laura and my
young protégé Danielle with me if that’s possible?” Laura and Danielle’s eyes
widened with disbelief.
“That’s fine darling, but there’s just one other
thing I should mention.”
Uh oh I thought. I knew this was too straight
forward. “Yes Kim.”
“Darling, I would like Karen to attend, not Jeff. I
trust Laura and Danielle know Karen?”
“Yes, they’ve met Karen.”
“Oh good. It’s a date. Goodbye Karen and thank you.”
“Good bye.” I replied stunned. I pushed END on the
phone and stared at it.
After a few moments, Danielle asked, “How does she
know Karen?”
“Well that’s a story and a half. Three years ago
after Kim’s wedding, I was out shopping as Karen in the city one Saturday
morning. I was browsing in an upmarket shoe store, when I sensed someone
staring; you know that feeling you get.” They both nodded. “I turned and was
face to face with Kim. She just looked at me and said ‘very nice Jeffrey’. When
I finally could speak, I said ‘Lady Carrington. Karen Williams’ then near
fainted. We went and had coffee and talked for an hour. Now she wants Karen
instead of Jeff for her daughter’s wedding. You don’t have to come if you feel
uncomfortable about it.”
“I wouldn’t miss it for the world.” said Danielle.
“Neither would I.” said Laura.
Lunch paid for, we headed for the supermarket. Laura
offered to make dessert and I told her to throw the ingredients in the trolley.
We quickly shopped and left for home. We unloaded the car, Laura went to make
the dessert at their place, Danielle went to the study to finish off a project
due Monday. Meanwhile, I started preparing the meals for tonight.
About an hour later, I heard Danielle’s heels
approaching the kitchen. I turned to see what she wanted; her arms circled my
neck and pulled me in for a full heart stopping kiss. “Danielle. My god, what
are you doing.”
“I love you, don’t you love me. I’d do anything for
you and I mean anything.”
“Well I don’t love you…….” Soon as I said it, I knew
it was the wrong thing to say. She burst in to tears and Cindy’s parting words
came to haunt me. “Let me rephrase that.” I said hugging her. “Please stop
crying……..”
“I…I…I thought…..” she sobbed. We stood there holding
each other till she calmed down.
“Danielle honey. I do love you, but as my daughter
and Daniel as my son. My only wish is that I met you and your mum a long time
ago and I was able to watch you grow up.” This started another bout of crying.
“You like mum don’t you?” she sobbed.
“I like her a lot.”
“I think she likes you. I’ve never seen her so happy.
If she knows you’re at the door she checks herself in the mirror first.”
This gladdened my heart. “Well, time for a shower.
I’ll just go and get Daniel’s clothes for you.”
“Jeff, no. I’ve never had so much fun in my life.
Please don’t be mean.”
“Gotcha. Just joking.” I said ducking her swing.
“Don’t forget Monday, Daniel and school.” She headed off to the bathroom, while
I finished my tasks.
Fifty minutes later, she was back in the kitchen.
Black mini skirt, white sleeveless top and her four and half inch sandals.
Meanwhile, I had showered and dressed and then sent her down to see how Laura
was getting along.
Chapter Twelve
While putting the last of the ingredients in the
fridge, Laura and Danielle turned up with the desert, which joined the food in
the fridge. Both of them looked stunning and I commented on the fact.
“Danielle did my makeup; I think she did a pretty
good job?”
“Nearly good enough for me to lose my job.” Laura
wore a simple sleeveless floral dress which hugged her curves. To see them
together, they looked like sisters, before I could comment on the fact the door
bell rang. Danielle went to the door while I opened a bottle of wine and found
the glasses. There was a scream of delight as Cindy exclaimed “Girl. You just
get better.”
They filed in to the room and I introduced Laura to
Cindy, Charlene and Annette, then Annette to Danielle who hadn’t seen her the
day before. She commented that she thought Danielle was familiar, but couldn’t
think why.
Cindy laughed. “You have met, but she was dressed
differently.” Annette had a closer look but just shook her head. DING DONG.
Danielle went to the door and let John and his wife Anne in, and led them in to
the lounge. John was carrying an envelope I guessed with the photographs.
Another round of introductions ensued and John remarked, “He looks pretty good
doesn’t he.”
“Jeff always looks good compared to you.”
“I wasn’t talking about Jeff.” Anne said.
“The older you get, the sillier you get, there’s only
you and him here.” Anne chided. Cindy, Charlene and Danielle giggled. Anne
stood there puzzled. Laura smiled.
I refilled everybody’s wine glass and said “A little
competition for Annette and Anne, there is a third guy in this room.” Annette
and Anne studied the girls.
“You have inside running Annette, because you’ve met
him.” Cindy prodded.
“Well, I know it’s not Charlene and you, because I’ve
seen you both nearly naked at the studio.”
“Any ideas Anne?”
“I’m afraid to say, in case I’m wrong.”
“It’s either Laura or Danielle.”
“Well. I’ve never been so insulted.” said Danielle as
she stormed from the room.
“That goes for me too.” Laura said, following
Danielle. The two younger girls lost it. They laughed so hard I thought they
were going to convulse. Laura and Danielle came back in to the room giggling
their heads off. They eventually calmed down enough to speak.
“Before we reveal who it is, it’s a secret for this
room. Okay?” I asked. They both agreed. “Daniel, would please get another
bottle of wine from the fridge please?” Daniel sashayed from the room. Anne’s
and Annette’s mouths dropped.
“I should have guessed, the work experience boy.
That’s why she was familiar.”
“We gave you enough hints.” Cindy chipped in.
We told them about the wedding and the reason for
Daniel to look twenty. Anne and Annette were surprised by the explanation.
Seating everybody at the table, Danielle helped me hand around the entrée and
we sat and ate.
Main course. The plan was to cook chinese food in
woks and serve to the table piping hot. It was a good plan, just a tad
impractical. With Laura’s and Danielle’s help, we finally got it to the table
as planned. We ate and chatted, everybody seemingly enjoying themselves. I was
about to offer coffee and desert, when Annette spoke, “I know how you did it.”
“Did what? You watched me cook it.”
“No silly. Danielle. I know how you did it.”
“I’ll bite.”
“How you conjured a beautiful girl out of thin air.”
By now she had everybody’s attention.
“Okay. Let’s hear it.”
“Well, you had Danielle dress as a boy and come to
the studio on work experience, then changed her into a girl, but she was
already a girl. Simple.”
Every body burst out laughing. Anne sprang to her
defence, “That’s a good theory, I’ve watched her all night, she walks, talks,
eats and acts like a girl. There is no way she was a boy twenty four hours
ago.” That got another burst of laughter.
“Believe me, we started with a boy.” Cindy said.
I could see Annette was not cool with the boy to girl
story and in her own mind had come to a more logical story.
“You’re probably right.” I answered and shot Cindy a
warning glance as she was about say otherwise. “Anyway back to food, who would
like coffee and dessert?”
Laura helped me in the kitchen to serve the delicious
cheesecake she had made. She had become very special to me and I was tempted
declare my love for her, but the fear that it would not be returned kept me at
bay. Dessert and coffee served, we sat at the table with the others and as we
listened to the chatter, I reached under the table and gently squeezed her
hand; with a demure smile the squeeze was returned.
Annette had just put her empty cup down and announced
that she had church with her mum tomorrow and she would take her leave. I saw
her to her car and with a cheery good night, waved her goodbye.
Returning to the house, I offered drinks and we
adjourned to the lounge room. After settling everybody with drinks, the talk
turned to Annette and her theory, I explained that didn’t expect everybody to understand.
She saw a beautiful young girl, she must be a girl.
While I had been talking, John had retrieved the
envelope he had arrived with, and settling back on the lounge, he began to
speak. “Before I show the photos from yesterday, I want show you some recent
magazines and just bear with me and you’ll see why.”
He took from the envelope, some woman’s magazines. He
went to pages that had been marked with yellow post-it notes, which were mainly
fashion pages. “These girls are all very pretty and attractive; in fact this
centre spread here was done by us about a month ago. And this,” he said pulling
some photos from the envelope, “Is Daniel taken a couple of days a go. Very
photogenic, a sparkle in the eyes, eyes are very important, shows if someone’s
home, so to speak.”
John sipped his scotch and coke, “The reason I show
these photos in the magazines, is that while they are very attractive girls,
well made up, good hair and smiles, but nothing jumps out at you. Now, Danielle
is different, well we know she is different, she’s a sixteen year old boy.” All
the girls giggled. “She had the same help that all these models had and when
you see these photos Jeff, you’ll know why Sam and Moira went all ape on me.
With a flourish, he pulled out one photo after another and laid them on the
coffee table.
We all gathered round and it was apparent what John
was driving at. The young girl in the photos commanded presence, it was like
being there. She exuded vitality, intelligence and youth, while at the same
time there was naivety and innocence.
“Oh my.” Laura gasped.
“Not many people photograph like this, she throws out
a presence.” John observed.
“What do you think mum?”
“I’m overwhelmed. In the flesh you look stunningly
beautiful, but the photos make like I was there and who’s the guy in the last
couple?”
“A passing vagrant I put to work.” I humoured. A
withering stare from Laura and I continued, “He’s Charlie; he was standing
around talking so John put him to work.”
“He’s a bit of a hunk.” Laura observed.
“You don’t have the right bits for Charlie.”
“You’re joking, he’s gay? What a waste.” Laura
lamented. Danielle giggled.
“What are they doing in this last one? Is it what I
think it is?”
“They certainly did.” Cindy and Charlene chorused.
“He had trouble with a simple direction. In fact if
he knew he was holding a sixteen year old boy in drag, I don’t think I had a
big enough stick to fend him off.” John said.
“Thanks John.” Danielle said kissing him on the
cheek.
“Don’t forget me when you’re rich and famous.”
“I haven’t got the right bits.”
“Neither have some of the models in Paris and Rome.
I’ve got a mate over there that does the big fashion catwalk shows; nobody gets
out of sorts over it.”
“Boys?” Laura asked.
“Boys.”
“Did Sam call back?” I asked.
“No.”
“Might of forgotten, you think.”
“Who knows?”
“Hopefully he’s forgotten.” I said hopefully.
“You’re very quiet Anne?” John asked.
“I’m absolutely blown away by this. If Annette
stayed, she would never understand. Hell, I’m not sure I do. Laura, you’re his
mum, what do you think?”
Laura thought for a few moments, “In my wildest
dreams, I would not have imagined this. But, I have never seen Daniel so happy
in the last twenty four hours. It’s like a new person born from within.”
“You’re more tolerant than me; there are more issues
here than first meets the eye.”
“For sure, but at the moment it’s only between us
here, although the original intention was to attend the wedding reception.”
“But eventually…….”
“Since Daniel was born, we have lived in every hell
hole imaginable, from the inner city to the suburbs. You could not imagine the
neighbours we’ve had to endure, young girl with a child, must be a slut, she
must be easy. Daniel has been bullied, ostracised for being small. We’ve lived
in places where you couldn’t put rubbish in the bin at night without being
molested. My parents have made no attempt to contact us. With all this, I would
have gone mad a long time ago without Daniel. We’ve cried ourselves to sleep at
night with our problems, but we’ve always had each other and we’ve muddled
through. If this is Daniel’s destiny,” she said pointing at the photographs,
“then so be it.”
“Mum….” Daniel hugged his mum.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t realise,”
“No I’m sorry; I shouldn’t have burdened you with our
troubles.” Laura sobbed, with Daniel hugging her.
John gave Anne a ‘well done, anything else’ look,
then announced, “Its getting late, would two like to share a cab?” nodding to
Cindy and Charlene.
“That’ll be fine.” acknowledged Charlene. I rang for
a cab and we walked down to the street and within a couple of minutes, a cab
arrived. With kisses and handshakes all round, we waved the visitors goodbye.
Chapter Thirteen
Soon as we walked back in to the house, Laura broke
down and sobbed “I ruined your night. I’m so sorry.”
“No you haven’t,” I said hugging her, “You can’t
bottle up fifteen years of problems. They leak out eventually; it may as well
be now.”
“But…”
“No buts. You have a lovely son and a beautiful daughter,
live in a nice area and things are on the up, okay.”
“I guess so.”
“I love you mum.”
“I love you too darling.”
“Thank you for all the things you said tonight…….you
know, about dressing as a girl. This has been the best weekend of my life.” He
hugged his mum, “Thanks mum.” He hugged me, “Thanks Jeff.”
“Anything for a beautiful girl.” I replied.
“Do you want to know the best part?” Laura asked.
“What?” Daniel frowned.
“Now that you have your own shoes, clothes and
makeup, mine should be safe now.”
“You knew. But..…but....I was so careful.”
“Told you so.” I said.
“Honey. Tops put back in the drawer with makeup on
the collar, my makeup vanishing rapidly during the school holidays, the smell
of perfume in your room, my good bra missing for two weeks, found jammed
between your bed and the wall…….”
“I’m so sorry mum, I didn’t mean any harm.”
“”I know. You were so happy during the school
holidays and I knew you were having a tough time at school. You were relaxed on
holidays and I let it go.”
Danielle stood there dumbfounded. Laura hugged her,
“I love you Danielle.”
“I love you mum.”
“While I’m thinking about it. What are you two doing
on the Easter break?”
“Nothing. Like every Easter. We’ve never been able to
afford a holiday or a weekend away.”
“You haven’t had a holiday for sixteen years?” I
asked incredulously.
“The last holiday I had was with my parents when I
was sixteen. Daniel has never been away, ever.”
“Well.” I said shaking my head, “I was going to ask,
but I’ll make this an order. Easter break with me at my holiday unit, ocean
views, all mod cons and a bedroom each. Okay.”
“That would be terrific, but I have the wedding the
week before and I’m not sure how I’m going to afford that yet.”
“My treat, just bring yourselves and clothes.”
“Thank you.” Laura said.
“Anyway its one a.m., I think its time to for bed,
it’s been a big day for all of us.” I said. We walked down to the house, kissed
them both good night. “See you tomorrow sometime; I’ll make Daniel passable for
school. Goodnight.”
Chapter Fourteen
The next day was a lazy, get up late Sunday at home.
Brunch at eleven, while I was eating, Danielle turned up. Skirt and top, small
amount of makeup, he amazed me every time I saw him. We talked about the night
before. He told me that his mum was very supportive and they had a long talk
this morning.
After I had eaten, Danielle gave me a hand to clean
up from the night before. He told me about the last forty eight hours being a
dream becoming reality. “Do you have any more dreams?” I asked.
“Oh yeah.”
“Like what?”
“I want mum to fall in love and get married, she
deserves it. And for me to have a father, someone I can call dad.” She stared
at me.
“What are you looking at me for?”
“Well you’re shaping up as a candidate.”
“I don’t think so, Karen puts a bit of a dampener on
that theory.”
“Why. Mum likes being with Karen.”
“That’s just it. I’m a girlfriend, to do girlfriend
things with. I’ve seen this at our club, women like the partying and the
socialising with cross dressers, but aren’t keen when it’s their partner and
I’ve been a transvestite too long to change.”
She looked crestfallen. “Oh well, it was a nice
thought.”
“Don’t worry; you’ll always be my best friend.” I had
already fallen in love with Laura, so to marry Laura and have Daniel as my son
would be my dream come true. We got on well together, I’m sure there was
chemistry there, but as I said the odds were against us and I had personally
seen it happen. I gave him a big hug and the tears welled up in his eyes,
“Honey, I promise to be always your friend; I’ll always be there for you,
whatever happens in the future.”
“Thank you.” he sniffed.
“Why don’t we go up the video shop and get some DVDs
and have a movie afternoon.”
“That sounds good.”
By six that evening we were all movied out, we
returned the DVDs. On the way back, Danielle asked, “Why don’t you ask mum on a
date, just the two of you, have dinner somewhere, see what happens.”
“Guess I could.”
“She has not been on a date ever, I know of. Lots of
men have asked her, mainly from work and sometimes neighbours.”
“Well at least I can ask. What about you?”
“I’m a big girl now, I can look after myself. Can I
stay at your place, while you’re out?”
“Sure.” I said as I parked the Rover in the garage.
“I might find a nice restaurant on the harbour and go out for dinner. Okay,
let’s find Daniel and we’ll go and see your mum.”
We went to my bedroom, he stripped and I carefully
removed the breast forms. He removed his makeup and had a shower and washed his
hair. He blow-dried his hair, there was a slight wave still in it, but once it
pulled in to his normal ponytail, it looked okay. He put on a pair of panties,
a T shirt and shorts. We went down to his place and he asked me in. I said
hello to Laura and she apologised again for last night.
“Forget it.” I said.
“Mum. Jeff is going to ask you a question and you
have to promise me to say yes.” He looked at me expectantly. Laura looked at
me. “I’ll try.”
“Thank you Daniel for paving the way. Um…..would you
like to go out to dinner next Saturday night, just the two of us?”
“Daniel, what have you been doing?”
“Nothing mum.”