PART 8
“But of course, there is the alternative,” she continued. Looking him in the eye she added, “To be absolutely clear, this is all your choice.”
Josh looked forlornly at the second set of clothes. They had to belong to his sister, but as he looked at them more closely, he was crestfallen to realize they would almost certainly fit him. Between his late development and his sister’s accelerated maturity, he had been dismayed for a while now that she was taller than him despite being three years younger. (Every time this was pointed out, he inevitably turned bright red and sulked.)
“I’ll admit this choice is a little less… pre-determined… than going off to Sterncourt. It would truly be a bit of an adventure we would take together as a family without knowing exactly where we wind up. But the world as you know it will be turned a little on its side,” she added with the barest hint of a mischievous grin.
“The basic idea would be to help you rediscover your inner goodness. Kathy is younger than you, but she is more mature. The idea would be for some of her maturity to rub off on you. But to get there, we have to give you a behavior re-boot, so to speak. I thought this was pretty out there, but after talking to your Aunt Karen, I found out there are more families who’ve tried this type of thing then you might imagine.”
“To be blunt, you would basically turn to a more feminine way of life for a while to bring out the softer and kinder parts of you. A key part of that will be dressing the part. It doesn’t matter to me if you want to truly be a girl or just be a boy who likes girly things. The clothes and dress are an important part of making a clean break with your ruinous ways.”
“I’ll admit, the thought of having two daughters, or even one daughter and one sweet son who loves girly things appeals to me. It will be a little harder for all of us, but I’m willing to do it for your sake,” she said to the petrified teen.
His mother’s statement hung in the air for an uncomfortably long time. Josh felt lightheaded as if he were in a bad dream.
His thoughts ran wild and were completely scattered. “This can’t be happening… does she mean to make me a girl? I’m a teenage boy! I’ll be miserable if I have to go to that military school… but I’m a BOY! I’m not some sissy girl.” In a final fit of resistance, the panicked boy blurted out, “This is stupid! I won’t do it! Where are my normal clothes!?!”
With sudden speed, Gwendolyn Hartley stepped forward and grabbed her son by the arm. “Joshua Cassidy Hartley! I’m trying to save you from yourself and you will do this!” she said sternly. He had barely registered the fact that she used his full name (which she only did when she was really upset) when, shocking her son completely, she sat on the side of the bed, yanked him over her knee and began swatting his behind.
As he received the first spanking he could remember since he was a toddler, the teenaged boy was distraught. Truthfully, the spanking was not delivered with much force at all, but the emotional impact of the unexpected turn of events pushed the boy over the edge. Embarrassed and confused, he suddenly burst into tears surprising them both. After only 5 or 6 swats, his mother stood the red-faced teen back up.
“I know this is a lot to take in, Joshua, but I am determined to see this through.” She returned immediately to the decision confronting him. “Your old clothes are not here. Either way, you won’t be needing them anymore. These are your options. What will it be?”
Defeated and still sniffling, Josh brushed his hand across the Sterncourt tee shirt. It felt rough and starchy. Hesitating again, his heart sank as he realized how rapidly and unexpectedly this moment of decision had arrived. Noting his reluctance, his mother said, “I was afraid the other option was just too far out there. I’ll make this easier for you. Let's get you ready to drive to Sterncourt.” She exhaled slowly, almost wearily, with an obvious air of disappointment.
“No,” Josh said in a very soft, wavering voice. He could not yet meet his mother’s eyes. Gwendolyn paused, arched her eyebrow and watched him expectantly. After another excruciating silence, he finally looked up at her with a quivering lip. His face still red, Josh couldn’t believe the words that came out of his mouth next. In the same small and childish voice, he said “No… you said I could choose.”
With dread, Josh fixed his gaze on the pair of pink nylon panties lying on the bed. They were an ultra-girly, baby pink color with a hint of satiny sheen. Dainty ruffled white lace frills circled the waistband and elasticized leg openings. The lace was accented with tiny pink satin bows atop the delicate frills.
“What is your choice Joshua?” his mother asked more gently. She softened as she caught a fleeting glimpse of the sweet little boy her son used to be.
Josh opened his mouth slightly but couldn’t speak in reply. He just couldn’t find the words. Instead, with a trembling hand, the chastened teenage boy reached reluctantly for his new panties… and his new life.