He slipped into the nightgown and slowly Tracy began to be emerge. When she was fully there, she went into the kitchen where her grandmother was waiting, already working on her crossword. Tracy stopped by her grandmother long enough to give her a light kiss on the cheek. “Morning Grandma.” She said as she moved to the cupboard that held the skillets.

“Sure thing sweetie. You just let me know when you need help.”

October 9th 1982
Northern California

Troy woke up early that Saturday morning in the guest room of his Grandparents house. His Grandfather was gone, not on a monthly trip to Reno, but to visit a sister of his out of town and again he had come over on Friday night to spend the night. Like the last time he woke up to find a nightgown on the end of the bed. But this time the note was a bit different.

Tracy

Love Grandma Modine

It was the second week of their new chores. He wasn't totally cooking on his own yet, but his role at his house had changed. He had set up a schedule. The living room on Monday, the kitchen on Wednesday and their room on Thursday. Then he'd come over and on Friday evening he had to clean the guest room of his grandma's place and the bathroom. Saturday was the dining room and kitchen and Sunday the living room. At first he thought that it was going to be impossible, cleaning the same room each week, then he grandma and mother told him the secret. If it was cleaned weekly, the job would get easier.

At first, like all children, he didn't believe them. But the night before, they were proven right. Cleaning the guest room had gone so fast that they had moved to cleaning the bathroom and kitchen. It was true that his grandmother kept a cleaner house, but he was hopeful that he'd be able to get his parents place into shape like that.

He slipped into the nightgown and slowly Tracy began to be emerge. When she was fully there, she went into the kitchen where her grandmother was waiting, already working on her crossword. Tracy stopped by her grandmother long enough to give her a light kiss on the cheek. “Morning Grandma.” She said as she moved to the cupboard that held the skillets.

“Good morning to you too, young lady.” Modine replied, not looking up from her paper. “You need help?”

“Maybe.” Tracy replied as she pulled out a skillet. “But can I try it on my own first?”

“Sure thing sweetie. You just let me know when you need help.”

“Okay Grandma.” Tracy began moving around the kitchen, grabbing the eggs and bacon from the fridge and bread from the cupboard. “Hey, Grandma? Was I wrong? For walking home last week?”

Modine put her pencil down and turned her chair to face her grandchild. “Yes and No. You weren't wrong for walking away from your brother, but you were wrong for leaving without telling people you'd walk home. Other then that, I don't think you're wrong. That's why I helped you out.”

“Oh.” Tracy replied.

“But it's not going to be a cake walk for you either. I just figured keeping you two apart was the best bet. So cleaning is the best bet for you.”

“But Vance thinks I got off easy.” She replied.

“Yes, because he can't admit he was wrong.” Her grandmother got up and want to her side. “Tracy, its not your fault. You are not to blame for his actions, nor can he be blamed for yours.”

“I guess.” Tracy gave a shrug as she began frying up bacon.

“I know you wont believe me now, but Tracy, you can't control your brother. You can only control yourself.” Modine put her hand on her shoulder.

“He....” Tracy shook her head and put the spatula down. “He just makes me mad.”

“That's the problems with siblings.” Modine said. “They often just make you mad.”

“Can't I just get a dog instead?” Tracy gave a short laugh.

“I’m afraid that's just not going to happen.” Modine shook her head and put two slices of bread into the toaster.

Tracy began to think about the day she walked home and what was going through her mind. “Grandma, should I stop being Tracy?”

“Do you want to stop?” Modine asked.

“Well...not really I guess.” Tracy replied. “But with Vance over here working, what if he sees me?”

“Well that's a chance you'll have to take, but we can work on making sure he doesn't see you.”

“If he sees me, I am so screwed.” Tracy put her hands on a counter and leaned forward, drooping her head. “He'll tell all the kids in the school.”

“So do you want to stop it then? Do you want Tracy to go away?” Modine asked. She moved the pan from the burner, then pulled her grandchild in for a hug.

Tracy melted into her arms. “What do you think?”

Modine shook her head. “That choice isn't mine. Sweetie, only you can determine if you no longer want to be Tracy. But either way, Tracy or Troy, I love you the same.”

Tracy hugged her grandma tighter. “Maybe I should though. Unless Vance is out of town.”

“Whichever you wish to do.” Modine kissed Tracy's forehead. “Come on now, lets finish breakfast, I'm starving.”

"I love being Tracy, but I was thinking that maybe it's for the best that I just leave Tracy behind." The girl said.

“Like I said sweetie, whatever you want, I will support you.” The toast popped up and Modine began to butter it. “Would you stick with the cooking? Your punishment did including cooking and cleaning. You still good with that?”

“Yeah.” She nodded. “I like the cooking. I don't mind the cleaning.”

Modine nodded. “Everyone should clean. It's not just a woman's job.”

“Neither is cooking, right?” Tracy asked.

“There are many good male chefs.” Modine said. “So what will you do with Tracy's clothes?”

“I don't know. Goodwill maybe?” Tracy replied with a shrug.

“Maybe we can hold on to them. Just in case you want to come back.”

“Maybe, Grandma.” Tracy nodded. “Maybe I'll be back.”

I know it's a bit short, but I felt a little more time between Tracy/Troy and Modine was needed. The storms are coming, not everything can be sunshine and roses.