“Mom, change of plans. We’re not enrolling Renee in the Jacoban Girls Academy.”

“What? Why not? Did she talk to those Peteran crazies again? Or those very friendly fellows who go door to door?”

“No, mom. I don’t… I don’t think she wants to be a girl.”

“What do you mean? Is Aunt Flo in town? Tell her she’ll hit menopause before she knows it!”

“No, no, mom. I think she might actually want to be a boy.”

“Like Cait’s classmate’s father?”

“That’s it! I’ll talk to Mr. Thomas. He’ll know something.”

“Alright, but I want to ask you a favor.”

“Yeah?”

“No matter what, she… or he is your daughter… or son! You need to love her- or him unconditionally. I learned a lot when your sister ran away from home; I don’t want that lesson to hit you the way it hit me.”

“Yeah… Thanks, mom.”