Chapter 6: Cleaning and Investigating
I went downstairs and started in on the dinning room. She followed me and watched from the kitchen table. It was much cooler and I asked if it would be OK if I opened some curtains and windows. Mommy always said letting in the sun was good for a house. Aunt Patti said Susan is a good Mommy and I should do as she would. I opened all the curtains and windows down stairs. It sure made it brighter and there was a little breeze coming off the ocean. I looked again. You could see the ocean from here. I ran up stairs and Patti slowly followed. I through open all the windows and curtains. The view was fantastic. I told her so and said no wonder Mommy is so homesick.
She looked concerned but said nothing. She motioned for me to follow her so I did. We went to her bedroom and went up another flight of stairs. I realized we were going up into one of the two towers. Aunt Patti said, I haven’t been up here in years. She was right, we couldn’t get through all the cobwebs. I told her not to worry, I’d put it on my list to clean. She smiled and we went back down stairs. I sang and hummed during cleaning, I was so happy to be able to dress up. Aunt Patti sang and taught me a song about flowers.
I had finished cleaning the dinning room except two spots on the rug. I looked at one and sat down next to it. It looked like a coffee stain. I thought hard, what did Mommy use to remove coffee stains? It hit me and I got up and went into the kitchen. I came back with a bucket of water and a sponge. Mommy had said water will take up coffee stains but you had to work at it as the stain goes real deep. I took the sponge and wet the area real well. Then I left it to soak in. Next I went to the other stain. Aunt Patti said that she spilt tomato juice there and not to worry about it, nothing will take it out. I sat down on the floor and thought what Mommy said about tomato juice. It took several minutes and I could here Aunt Patti chuckling. I looked at her. She said she has never seen someone with such a determined look. I smiled and looked at the stain again, then it hit me. I went back into the kitchen and got the lemon juice. I tested a little spot in the corner like I had seen Mommy do. I don’t know why she did it but I thought it might be for good luck. Nothing happened so I put some on the stain. A little time later it came right out. The coffee stain came out also but it took me an hour.
After cleaning the dinning room we had lunch. We had egg sandwiches and milk, she had tea. After that she took a nap on the living room couch. I took advantage of this and cleaned her room. I was almost finished when she said thank you. I was startled, but turned around and said you’re very welcome. After dinner we sat on the front porch and listened to the birds and played a board game. I could see the house down the road. There were two girls playing outside. Aunt Patti did real well and we watched a little TV before going to bed. At bedtime I got to wear a cotton nightgown. She took my hair down and combed it out and I got to comb hers. It was ever so much fun.
The next day was just as fun, I wore another dress and Aunt Patti helped a little with the cleaning. I refused to allow her to clean very much as I was supposed to be taking care of her.
Everyday Grandma called and we would talk and so would Aunt Patti. Grandma must have called Mommy as she called early and asked how everything was. I said everything was fine and left it at that. I didn’t want her to send any more clothes. I liked dressing and pretending I was a girl and I didn’t want it to stop. Aunt Patti talked to her and said everything was all right and no we didn’t need anything, she winked at me when she said it. I smiled and almost laughed out loud. Mommy must have hurd as she asked what we were up to. Aunt Patti said, nothing sister dear, everything is fine.
After that Aunt Patti and I were best friends. We got the whole house cleaned and even the cobwebs out of both towers. She cooked some of the meals and we even had people come in to get the yard cleaned up.
Chapter 7: Grandma’s Home
Friday night Grandma came home. She was shocked at the yard but even more shocked at the house and the view in the window. It was dark outside but we left the porch light on. All the curtains were open, the house was immaculate, and Aunt Patti and I were dressing all the dolls in the house. We had washed all their cloths and gave all the little babies a bath. Now we were dressing them back up. The biggest surprise was seeing a little girl with Aunt Patti.
Aunt Patti and I had though that Grandma would come home on Saturday morning so we weren’t ready when she walked in the door.
She came in and said I’m home.
My eyes must have nearly burst out of their sockets. She was at the front door so to get to my room and change back to a little boy was impossible without running right by her. I did the only thing I could do. I hid behind Aunt Patti. She was skinny like everyone in the family, but the furniture was positioned such that I could not hide there.
Aunt Patti stood up and I grabbed her. I was afraid what Grandma would do. After all I was a boy acting and dressing like a girl. I was so ashamed.
Aunt Patti said hi mom, come on in. We’re just finishing up cleaning all the little babies. Want to help?
Grandma said sure, but first I’d like to meet your shy little friend.
Aunt Patti said why Mom, you know Eddie.
I saw extreme relief in Grandmas eyes. Patti said, what did you think? He’s not a ghost of Katherine you know. He just had to barrow some of her cloths.
Grandma came in and Aunt Patti told her everything. Grandma said to me. Well don’t I get a hug young lady. I smiled and came out from behind Aunt Patti. I curtsied just like Aunt Patti showed me and then ran into Grandma’s arms. She held me and we laughed. She asked all kinds of questions. She said, so it comes down to this. Eddie and Susan made a communication mistake that left poor Eddie without many cloths and the wrong type for this climate. Then when you let him wear Katherine’s clothes you found out he likes this and the two of you haven’t been happier. Do I have it correct?
I looked at Aunt Patti and she looked at me, we both turned and said at the same time, Yes!
Grandma just about busted a gut laughing. She was laughing so hard she had tears.
We finished all the dolls that night and then Aunt Patti had to go to bed. We went upstairs together. Aunt Patti said to Grandma, we need to talk, I think Susan’s in trouble. Grandma looked at her concerned and said, first thing tomorrow.
When Aunt Patti was asleep Grandma walked throughout the house. I stayed in the living room. I watched her move about. She was inspecting the cleanliness. I was hopping I hadn’t missed anything.
She came back into the living room and sat next to me. She turned off the TV and asked, did you do this?
I said, Grandma, it was dirty. Mommy sent me here to help. I remembered that Mommy said about cleanliness.
You mean, cleanliness is close to Godliness?
I looked at her strange. No. She said I had to keep things clean because you could get sick. Sense Aunt Patti was already sick I figured out that if I cleaned the place then she’d get better. Then I beamed and said, she’s better now. See Mommy was right.
Grandma gave me a great big hug. She said, yes your Mommy is very smart.
I asked her not to tell Mommy about me dressing like a girl, as she would get upset. She said that she didn’t think my Mommy would be upset, so I told her about the time Daddy caught me dressing up and how he beat Mommy and me. After that Mommy was very concerned that I didn’t do it anymore.
Grandma was very upset. She looked at me and asked, does Daddy hit Mommy very often?
Yes, almost every night. Usually not much, but sometimes, if we give him a reason he beats us, and Josh helps.
Josh helps.
Yes, when Daddy’s beating Mommy, Josh beats me so Daddy won’t have to beat both of us. See. I lifted up my dress and showed her the bruises I had all over.
Grandma said, time for young girls to go to bed.
I did, and as I left I could hear Grandma pick up the phone to call someone.
Chapter 7: Grandma’s Home
Friday night Grandma came home. She was shocked at the yard but even more shocked at the house and the view in the window. It was dark outside but we left the porch light on. All the curtains were open, the house was immaculate, and Aunt Patti and I were dressing all the dolls in the house. We had washed all their cloths and gave all the little babies a bath. Now we were dressing them back up. The biggest surprise was seeing a little girl with Aunt Patti.
Aunt Patti and I had though that Grandma would come home on Saturday morning so we weren’t ready when she walked in the door.
She came in and said I’m home.
My eyes must have nearly burst out of their sockets. She was at the front door so to get to my room and change back to a little boy was impossible without running right by her. I did the only thing I could do. I hid behind Aunt Patti. She was skinny like everyone in the family, but the furniture was positioned such that I could not hide there.
Aunt Patti stood up and I grabbed her. I was afraid what Grandma would do. After all I was a boy acting and dressing like a girl. I was so ashamed.
Aunt Patti said hi mom, come on in. We’re just finishing up cleaning all the little babies. Want to help?
Grandma said sure, but first I’d like to meet your shy little friend.
Aunt Patti said why Mom, you know Eddie.
I saw extreme relief in Grandmas eyes. Patti said, what did you think? He’s not a ghost of Katherine you know. He just had to barrow some of her cloths.
Grandma came in and Aunt Patti told her everything. Grandma said to me. Well don’t I get a hug young lady. I smiled and came out from behind Aunt Patti. I curtsied just like Aunt Patti showed me and then ran into Grandma’s arms. She held me and we laughed. She asked all kinds of questions. She said, so it comes down to this. Eddie and Susan made a communication mistake that left poor Eddie without many cloths and the wrong type for this climate. Then when you let him wear Katherine’s clothes you found out he likes this and the two of you haven’t been happier. Do I have it correct?
I looked at Aunt Patti and she looked at me, we both turned and said at the same time, Yes!
Grandma just about busted a gut laughing. She was laughing so hard she had tears.
We finished all the dolls that night and then Aunt Patti had to go to bed. We went upstairs together. Aunt Patti said to Grandma, we need to talk, I think Susan’s in trouble. Grandma looked at her concerned and said, first thing tomorrow.
When Aunt Patti was asleep Grandma walked throughout the house. I stayed in the living room. I watched her move about. She was inspecting the cleanliness. I was hopping I hadn’t missed anything.
She came back into the living room and sat next to me. She turned off the TV and asked, did you do this?
I said, Grandma, it was dirty. Mommy sent me here to help. I remembered that Mommy said about cleanliness.
You mean, cleanliness is close to Godliness?
I looked at her strange. No. She said I had to keep things clean because you could get sick. Sense Aunt Patti was already sick I figured out that if I cleaned the place then she’d get better. Then I beamed and said, she’s better now. See Mommy was right.
Grandma gave me a great big hug. She said, yes your Mommy is very smart.
I asked her not to tell Mommy about me dressing like a girl, as she would get upset. She said that she didn’t think my Mommy would be upset, so I told her about the time Daddy caught me dressing up and how he beat Mommy and me. After that Mommy was very concerned that I didn’t do it anymore.
Grandma was very upset. She looked at me and asked, does Daddy hit Mommy very often?
Yes, almost every night. Usually not much, but sometimes, if we give him a reason he beats us, and Josh helps.
Josh helps.
Yes, when Daddy’s beating Mommy, Josh beats me so Daddy won’t have to beat both of us. See. I lifted up my dress and showed her the bruises I had all over.
Grandma said, time for young girls to go to bed.
I did, and as I left I could hear Grandma pick up the phone to call someone.
Chapter 9: New Name
Grandma said we need to deposit this right away and send your Mommy some money, and that means we need to get ready to go to the bank. During the rest of breakfast I got sadder and sadder. When everyone was done I did the dishes and then slowly started heading up stairs. I was crying. Aunt Patti and Grandma both noticed and came to me. Aunt Patti asked, what’s wrong sweetheart?
I told them. I have to be a boy again.
Aunt Patti placed her hand on her heart and started crying with me.
Grandma asked me why do you think you have to be a boy?
I looked up at her through tears and said, the name on the check is Eddie and Mommy will want me to be a boy again.
Grandma said, Oh sweetheart, don’t worry. I’ll take care of everything. You don’t have to be a boy yet. Were going to set this account up in what is known as an alias. That way Josh and Keel can’t trace it. So you have to remain a girl.
I looked at her and asked, really, I have to?
Grandma said yes dear, you have to.
I threw myself into her arms and hugged her with everything I had. I thanked her and kissed her cheek and said I love you Grandma.
Aunt Patti was happier also and said, lets get you dressed for your first day out as a girl. Go into Katherine’s room, I’ll be right in.
When I went up stairs Aunt Patti turned to Grandma and said, thank you Mom.
Grandma said, Dear, I would have loved to do it for you but I must say that I did it for the child. If Keel gets out and comes looking for his money, I don’t want him finding it, or Eddie. From now on Eddie is got to be a girl and I need your help to keep him happy being a girl.
What about Susan?
Dear, Susan won’t be a problem. You know how much she’s always wanted a little girl. Now she has one. Also I don’t think she was upset that he was dressing up. I think she was trying to protect him from Josh and Keel. When she asked to send Eddie out here to help she confided in me that Eddie was special.
Patti said, and she was right.
Grandma said, yes she was. They hugged and then went upstairs to help get me ready.
We went into town only an hour latter. All of us were wearing our Sunday best. I had on the prettiest light yellow dress with loads of petticoats. It had hundreds of multicolored little flowers embroidered on the collar and hem. I felt very, very pretty.
Grandma stopped in front of the bank. She looked at Patti and said we need a new name for the newest member of the family.
Aunt Patti and Grandma went through a dozen names but could not come up with one they really loved.
I said, Diane Michele Weathers.
They both looked at me. Grandma asked, why Diane Michele Weathers? It’s a lovely name but, well it’s.
I looked at Grandma and said, Mommy will be going back to her madden name so my last name should be Weathers also. Diane because it’s Aunt Patti’s middle name and I love her and Mommy told me once that if she ever had a girl that she would name it Diane, she always liked that name. Michele because that’s your middle name and I love you Grandma. Diane Michele Weathers sounds good when I say it so it will be easy to get use to.
Grandma said Diane Michele Weathers it is then. Aunt Patti agreed.
Chapter 10: The Doll
We went into the bank and Grandma talked to the manager. They were good friends. Grandma explained the situation and he agreed that this would be a good solution. We left there with a bank ID card, Checking account, Savings account, and a Check debit card on the way, all in my new name. Grandma, Aunt Patti, and Mommy were all part of my account. I didn’t understand much of what went on but the nice manager assured me my $26 dollars were safe.
We went to the post office and western Union and sent Mommy some interest money. Grandma said it was enough for Mommy to fly first class.
Then Grandma paid a few bills at different places and there were lots of hugs and stuff.
After we had lunch at McDonalds I put on my serious mommy face and whispered to Grandma reminding her that Aunt Patti should not do to much as she was sick.
Grandma looked at me with a smile and said Aunt Patti is doing a lot better dear and the outside air would be good for her, but she would make sure that we did nothing hard on her.
I said good, and that Mommy always said that fresh air is good for you.
Grandma wanted to buy me a new doll but I said no thank you. She looked disappointed but said nothing. Aunt Patti told Grandma that I had turned down gifts of dolls from her also. We stayed out for a couple more hours and then went home.
After dinner, while we were all sitting in the livening room and I was happily playing with two dolls of Katherine’s Grandma asked why I didn’t want dolls of my own.
I said I would love to have dolls for my very own, I’ve always wanted a doll to play with, one I could name and call mine, I hugged the doll I was playing with.
She looked confused. Aunt Patti came down on the floor with me and asked, why won’t you let us give you a doll?
I looked at her and said that Mommy has a doll, she said someday, when she has a little girl of her own she’d give her that doll. Mommy must give me my first doll. When she does that, then I will know she loves me as her little girl.
Aunt Patti and Grandma were both in tears.
I got up early on Sunday as we were going to the Airport to pick up Mommy. Aunt Patti got me dressed in a pink cotton dress that she said was special. It was very nice and it was soft. It had white flowers printed on it and a doggie on the skirt. Grandma said it was a poodle dress. I got to wear another petticoat and I was very happy.
When we got to the Airport, I got nervous. What if Mommy doesn’t like me dressing like a girl? What if she didn't like my new name? What if she got mad?
Grandma said not to worry, everything would be OK.
When the plane landed and the passengers started coming off I hid behind Aunt Patti. I was still afraid.
Grandma saw Mommy and cried out Susan, they hugged and Aunt Patti hugged her. Then she said where’s my daughter? I peeked out a little. Mommy said, don’t you have a hug for your Mommy Diane? I took in a quick breath, she used my new name. I stepped out a little and she put out her arms and said come here Sweetheart. I ran into her arms. We hugged and kissed and hugged some more. Then she handed me a present. We sat down, I sat in her lap and opened the present. Inside was the doll. My first doll. I cried and hugged Mommy so hard. I said, I love you too Mommy.
Mommy said, and I love you and will always love you.
We went home that night. Now I sleep in Katherine’s old room and own all her dolls and dresses. We have so much fun. I start school as Diane next week. I’m looking forward to it as I have two great friends that live just down the lain. We play all the time.
Tomorrow my two Mommies and Grandma are taking me shopping for school clothes. We’ll have loads of fun.
I have to go to bed now.
Good Night. Hugs.
Diane