My Landlady Had Different Plans - Part 6

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 "Mom?"

"David?"

"No, Mom, it's Paul."

"Paul?" I heard a pause on the other side of the line. "Oh! Paul! I'm sorry, the phone. How is everything? Is everything okay?"

It was now Sunday evening, a full week since I had put on my first housedress. And every day that week, I had put on male clothes for work and then changed into a dress when I got back to the Johnson home.

I sat on the bed, talking on my cell phone to my mother, who I hadn't called once since moving, and looking at the work dress still hanging on the closet door. It was early evening, but I was already dressed in a simple light pink cotton nightgown decorated across the bodice and shoulders with delicate embroidery.

"Things are good, Mom. I… I just thought I'd call," I said, smoothing the nightgown over my legs.

"Well, that's nice, sweetie. Can you hold a minute? Junior is getting fussy." Junior is my younger brother. He has Down Syndrome, and so he can be something of a handful.

"Okay, I'm back. He's playing with the tablet. Now what were you saying, Ricky?"

"It's Paul, Mom."

"Paul! I'm so sorry. Of course, I know it's you. Ricky was just here borrowing some tools."

"That's okay, Mom."

"So, how is the new job?"

So I chatted for a while about the job and my latest project, helping with the new clock exhibit at the museum.

"And what about your living arrangements? Are you getting along with your landlady? Remember, I told you to be as nice to her as possible. Single lady in a big house like that? She must be very lonely. Are you being a good boy? Are you getting along well?"

"Yes, we're getting along very well," I said. "She's treating me like family. In fact, I like it here so much, you know, the town and the job and everything…" I paused, trying to think of exactly what I wanted to say, "… that I'm thinking about moving here permanently. Even after the internship is over."

"Oh, Paul! That's wonderful!"

"Really? But I'll be living so far away! We'll hardly ever see each other anymore."

"Oh, honey, don't worry about that. The only thing a parent wants is for their child to find a place in this world where they can be happy. A place that they can call home. A place where they can thrive. Have you found that place?"

"I, I think so," I said. I paused and then added, "Yes. Yes, I have."

"That's wonderful, sweetie. I'm so glad for you. Did you want to talk some more?"

"No, that's okay. Thank you, Mom. I…" I hesitated. "I love you."

"I love you too, Paul. And I always will. No matter what."

I hung up the phone and looked over at the dress.

Suddenly, I could feel the room in a way that was almost physical. I ran my hands over the pink satin brocade bedspread, and then fingered the tulle and satin drapes on the canopy. They were so sumptuous, such a fantasy. A princess fantasy.

I took a minute to close my eyes. The room felt warm and inviting. The hardwood floors and plush rugs were luxurious on my feet. The smell of perfume, baby powder, makeup, shampoo, and clean sheets hung in the air, enveloping me.

I opened my eyes and looked at the furniture. It was French provincial, ornate, carved, cream-colored with gold trim. The old-fashioned lamps, the heavy brocade drapery (dripping with tassels), and the rose-patterned fabric panels completed the room. It was such an opulent room, overflowing with fabric and feminine touches. A woman's room, no doubt.

Did I want this to be my room? My room, forever? Did I want to call this home and sleep here every night?

I walked over to the closet, reached out, and fingered the sleeve of the work dress.

And then froze.

"Oh shit," I muttered. I hadn't actually meant to touch it. It just… happened.

I stood there, holding the sleeve gently between my thumb and forefinger, my heart beating a mile a minute. I tried to let go, but couldn't.

'You touched the dress,' said the voice in my head. 'You touched it.'

"But this is ridiculous," I muttered to myself. "No one saw me touch it! I can just let go, and no one will know. I can wait another week before deciding." I tried to let go a second time, but for some reason, my fingers weren't working properly.

'You could,' said the voice in my head, 'but you will know. You made all those promises. And all of those promises started with touching the dress. And now you have touched it. And not by accident, either.'

Breathing hard, I reached out my other hand and held it to the front of the dress, an inch away, shaking slightly. Then I slowly… slowly… reached out and placed my palm on the bodice.

"Oh," I sighed. It was like a jolt of desire ran through my body.

I looked towards the dressing table at my cell phone.

'You promised,' said the voice in my head. 'You promised,' it kept repeating.

I walked over, picked up the phone, and dialed the museum director. My thumb hovered over the 'SEND' button for a good five minutes.

I'm not doing this, I thought to myself. I'm not doing this.

I pressed the button.

"Hello, Dr. Anderson speaking. Who is this?"

I'm not doing this. I'm not doing this. I can wait a week. There's no hurry.

"D-Doctor Anderson," I stuttered. "Th-this is Paul. P-Paul Kelly. You know, the intern in the education department? I work for Janice?"

"Of course, Paul. I know who you are. What's on your mind?"

I can't do this. I'm not doing this. No. Just one more week. I don't care what I promised. I can't do this.

"I… uh…. I've…. decided to…"

Feeling faint, I sat on the upholstered dressing table stool, trying to control myself. My chest felt so tight I could barely breathe.

I'm not doing this. This is not happening. I can try again next week. There's no hurry. Just hang up.

"Paul?" Dr. Anderson asked, gently. "What have you decided, Paul?"

"I've decided to…"

Oh god. I can't do it! I just can't do it! I thought frantically to myself.

"Whatever it is, Paul, just say it. It will be okay, I promise."

Stop! Just hang up! What are you doing? Are you kidding me? There is no going back! I can't be doing this! Why am I doing this?

No,

"I have decided to transition to being a woman full-time," I said.

I was shaking so much that I had to clutch the phone hard to my head. Wet tears dripped down my face and onto the nightgown.

"That is a very brave decision, Paul. And it was brave of you to call and tell me. Although Mrs. Johnson already warned me you might be calling."

"She did?"

"She's an amazing lady, and she cares so much about you. You are very lucky to have someone like her in your life."

"I know."

"Will you be coming to work tomorrow dressed as a woman?"

"I…" I had to take a couple of deep breaths to settle my heart. This is happening, I realized. This is really happening. I'm doing this. I'm… I'm going to be a woman. I looked around the room. This is my room now.

"Yes," I finally said. Another step down the path. Another step towards womanhood. Another click of the ratchet.

"Very good. Well, I just want to assure you that this will be no problem at all. Come to me when you get to work, and I will help introduce the 'new you' to the staff. Okay?"

"Okay," I said, a ray of hope entering my heart. "Thank you."

"Just one more question: what should I call you? What is your name now?"

"Oh! It's… It's Melissa. I'm…" a very long pause. "I'm Melissa now," I finished.

"Well, Melissa, I just want to say that you are a very, very brave young lady, and I can't wait to meet you tomorrow morning. And don't worry, everything will be fine here."

"Thank you, Dr. Anderson."

HERE HERE

I knocked softly on the bedroom door. "Mrs. Johnson?" I asked, "Are you awake?"

"Of course, Melissa," Mrs. Johnson opened the door. She was wearing a drop-dead gorgeous shimmery white and silver silk nightgown and robe, with floral embroidery. It was so beautiful and sophisticated that I just stood there for a minute, mute, admiring it. Compared to my practical pink cotton nightgown, it made me feel like a little girl.

"Melissa?" she prompted.

"I… I touched the dress," I said. I'm sure I looked like a frightened rabbit, eyes wide, with short, shallow breaths.

"The blue dress? The one on the closet door?"

"Yes, Ma'am."

"Does this mean you've decided? That you're transitioning to being a woman full-time?"

"Yes, Ma'am," I said, trembling slightly.

"Oh my dear," Mrs. Johnson said, pulling me into a warm hug, our nightgowns sliding against each other. "My brave, brave dear. I am so proud of you! But I want to hear it from your own lips."

"My own lips?" I repeated, dumbly.

"Yes," Mrs. Johnson held me at arm's length and looked at me, "tell me. Tell me what you have decided."

"I have decided," I said, my heart beating loudly, "to t-t-transition to be a woman, full time," I finally got out.

"Oh, Melissa! I just knew you would want to be a woman, I just knew it." She pulled me into the bedroom and closed the door behind us. She guided me to the bed, where we sat, side-by-side, our legs touching. "I saw how you looked at those panties in the dresser drawers on that first day, and I just knew. And here you are! Embarking on this wonderful journey! A journey into womanhood! A journey to becoming a caring, graceful, humble, obedient girl for me and my daughter."

"Yes, Ma'am," I said, settling down a bit, enjoying her arm around my waist. "But I'm so afraid! I've never dressed as… I mean, I've never been Melissa outside this house! And now… I'm going to work… as Melissa!" Just saying the words made me hyperventilate. 

"Everyone will be looking at me and judging me to see if I really look like a woman, and I know I don't. I mean, I look in the mirror and I don't look awful, or at least I don't think I look awful, but everyone will look at me and think, 'he looks like a man in a dress, I would have been able to tell even if I hadn't known.' "

"Shush!" Mrs. Johnson commanded, softly but with authority, stopping my anxious fretting by putting her lips on mine.

"Ohmmmm," I sighed as my mouth opened slightly and the kiss became a long, deep kiss with tongue.

"Now, Melissa," she said, breaking the kiss and looking me directly in the eyes. "You have nothing to worry about, do you understand? Tomorrow I will help you get ready, and I am certain you will be a presentable young lady."

"Yes, Mrs. Johnson," I said, humbly.

But then I started thinking about all of the other promises I now had to fulfill. The corsets. Getting rid of my male clothes. The watch. I looked up at Mrs. Johnson, my heart beating hard as panic threatened to overwhelm me.

"Oh, sweetie!" she said. "Look at you! Whatever is the matter? It will all be okay! I promise!"

"But what if it's not?" I cried. Mrs. Johnson held me tight. "What if they hate me at work? What if I lose my internship? I just love being a girl! I love wearing pretty things! I don't want to have to go back."

"Shhhh, shush, shhhhh," she said, soothingly. "This is your home, didn't I say as much? This is your home forever, for as long as you are a good, obedient girl. You know that, don't you?"

"Yes," I stammered. "Th-thank you, Mrs. Johnson. I'm just so worried," I broke out into fresh jitters, cursing and angry at my lack of self-control.

"Listen, you are clearly in no state to be spending the night alone. I think you should sleep here, with me."

"With you?" I asked, astonished. "You mean, here?"

"Ye,s I mean here," she laughed. "We'll spend the night together, and then we'll wake up early, and I will help you get ready for the day. I'll be there, by your side, every step of the way. Okay?"

"Oh, Mrs. Johnson, I would like that very much," I said, feeling calmer.

"Very good. Now you go brush your teeth, and I'll set the alarm for tomorrow morning. Now scoot. Quick like a little bunny."

About twenty minutes later, we were both back in her bed, sitting side by side. My eyes were closed in pleasure as Mrs. Johnson brushed my hair.

"Mmmm," I purred. Brushing my hair wouldn't take long. It was shaggy and in need of a cut, but still pretty short.

"How nice it is to spend time with you, Melissa," Mrs. Johnson said. "Jessica and I used to do this every night, and I miss it so."

"Ohhhh, and it's so nice," I said, finally feeling relaxed and comfortable. I think my hair had probably been brushed enough, but Mrs. Johnson kept brushing it, both of us enjoying the moment.

"I wish I were your daughter," I said.

"Really dear? Do you really want that?" Mrs. Johnson asked.

I thought about my promise to Jessica.

"Yes, Ma'am. I do." I said. "I really do."

"Well then, I'll have my lawyer start the paperwork in the morning."

"Wait, what??" I asked, turning towards her, feeling a mixture of shock and wonder.

"I said, I'll have my lawyer submit the adoption papers in the morning."

"But… that… I mean…. I'm an adult, right? I didn't think you could, I mean…"

"In this state, any adult can adopt any other consenting adult, as long as they are younger," she said, giving me a light kiss on the lips. "Of course, we need to file the paperwork, and then there's a court hearing."

"Court hearing??"

"which will probably take a month or two to schedule. But as long as the court finds there's no problem with it, then we can make it official. Did you not mean it when you said you wanted to be my daughter?"

"Oh, I did!" I said, my face lighting up with pleasure. "I… I just didn't think it was actually possible! Oh! This is so… Oh my gosh! But what does it mean?"

"What do you mean, 'what does it mean?' " she teased. "It means that, in the eyes of the law, I will be your mother, and I will have all of the legal rights and responsibilities that any parent would have over their adult child, and you will be my daughter."

"Do my… my existing… I guess, uh, my current mom and dad need to give their consent?"

"As it turns out, no. But you should talk to them, of course. After all, this is a big step."

"Oh gosh," I said, looking down. "I never thought… And somehow, I think that my parents are my birth parents now?" I looked at her, "I think they'll be okay with it."

"Are you sure you want to do this, Melissa? There's absolutely no hurry. I understand if you don't really want to go through with this or want time to think about it."

"No!" I said, so quickly and loudly it startled both of us. "Please! No… I do want to do this! You know me better than… well, better than anyone! I already feel like…"

I paused for a long time, taking deep breaths to settle my heart.

"I already feel like you're my mother," I said. "The mother I always wanted. The mother who… who sees me for what I really am, and what I was always meant to be.