Tag: angela pleasant

“Mom… it hurts.”

“Why didn’t you tell us what was going on? Your sister said this has been since yesterday.”

“Because I thought you would get mad at me for using the roll bandages… I thought they’d help me.”

“We’re not mad, dear. Your father and I have been worried about you. Connor and Cait, too.”

“Connor told you?”

“No, Mrs. Grunt did. Connor was so worried he had a hard time focusing, she told me.”

“Why was everyone so worried about me?”

“Because if you kept this up, you could get really hurt or sick. But I’m guessing you learned that on your own, didn’t you?”

“Yeah…”

“There’s not much to do now but rest, I suppose. Your father and I will be home all day, so let us know if you need anything, alright?”

“Okay.”

“Angie, I think we need a break from all this Renee stuff. It’s too much stress on you.”

“I really wish I could, but taking my mind off it won’t make anything better, would it?”

“Why not? We were teenagers once, too. Maybe she’ll grow out of it, like you grew out of your beef with your sister and I stopped helping the local burglars.”

“Dustin, we can’t just compare our child’s struggles to your past life of crime! I don’t think this is some kind of phase. This could be serious!”

“I’m not saying that, I’m just… I just want things to become alright.”

“I think, maybe, we ought to just take it one step at a time.”

“Yeah, one step at a time sounds good.”

“Sweetie?”

“Yeah?”

“I think I found our distraction.”

“Renee, honey, I am so, so sorry. It was wrong of me to make such a rash decision for you when you’re well on your way to being an adult.”

“Mom, it’s okay, really. Sorry I yelled at you a lot lately. I won’t go out for a week.”

“You’re not grounded, hon. I was actually thinking you’d benefit from having someone who has, um, similar concerns to yours.”

“Huh? Like who?”

“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.”

“Renee! The Jacoban Girls Academy forbids short hair! You’ll be expelled and admission was very expensive! It took forever to get your father on board and here you are disrespecting us!”

“Well, maybe I didn’t want to go to this stupid school! Did you ever think about that?”

“But it’s something you need! You’re depressed because you’re unpopular, and Sister Agnes’s program can help with that!”

“I don’t give a flying fig about being popular!”

“Then what do you want in your life so badly? Money? A boyfriend? Better grades?”

“I want a penis, mom!”