Page 61 - Fallen Thoughts

“I’m good, thank you. How are you, Mrs. Williams?” I try to level my

breathing, everyone else seems to question why someone who looks so feminine

has such a masculine name, but this family hasn’t. I’m honestly a little shaken.

She waves her hands, “Oh please, just call me Tanya.”

“Alright,” I smile.

“And this guy,” Tanya ruffles the dog’s fur, “Is Bailey.”

The dog rushes to Stella, and soon notices me and sniffs my extended hand.

I immediately squat down and begin petting Bailey. I’ve never had a dog before-

my mom’s allergic- but I absolutely love them.

Another woman enters the room grinning at me, “Hey, Stella. And did I hear

your name was Parker?”

I nod, “That’s right.”

“It’s good to meet you, I’m Andre. I see you’ve met Bailey.”

I grin into Bailey’s fur, “Yeah.”

“Mama, Mom! We need to ice these cupcakes, Parker has to go home soon.”

Andre starts guiding Tanya out of the room, “Well, don’t let us get in the

way, you girls have fun!”

Without a pause Stella is speaking, “Actually, Parker is a boy.”

Andre looks hurt, “Oh, my! I’m so sorry dear, I shouldn’t have assumed.”

I shake my head, “It’s not a big deal, really. I haven’t started my transition

yet, so I don’t really look that masculine.”

I gesture to my long brown hair, delicate bracelets my mom gave me last

Christmas, and my extremely feminine outfit.
Andre is adamant, “But it is a big deal, I’m so sorry.”

After a while, I finally convince Andre that I wasn’t offended by her mistake
and she and Tanya move to the living room to watch Say Yes to the Dress, Bailey

trailing after them.