Mom backed the car into the parking spot outside of the building that housed Dr. Williams’ office and shut off the engine. We got out and I felt the cool air hit my legs. It was rather cool for early July and I felt small goose bumps form on my exposed legs.

“Let’s go, Emma,” Mom said, walking around the back end of the car. I had elected to wear a purple plaid skirt and white tee shirt. Something didn’t seem right about coming to this appointment wearing anything other than a skirt or dress. Mom and I walked into the building and took the stairs to the third floor. I was glad that I had worn the white ballet flats that I had rather than my sandals, both so my feet stayed somewhat warm and so that my feet weren’t hurting. When we walked into the reception area, Mallory, smiled at us.

“Emma,” She stared. “You guys can go on back, her nine o’clock canceled on her, so she’s free.” Mallory shrugged.

“Ok,” I replied heading for the door that would take me back to where Jill’s office was. “Thanks, Mallory.”

“You’re welcome sweetie,” She replied as I went though the door and headed toward Jill’s office. When we got to the door, it was closed, so I knocked.

“Come in,” I heard Jill’s voice from the other side of the door, so I opened it and mom and I walked in. “Have a seat.” She motioned to the couch. Mom and I sat, and I noticed that Jill was watching me closely. She had been watching me ever time I came into the office to see how my mannerisms were. Jill picked a bunch of paper up from her desk and walked over and sat across from the two of us.

“Why the sudden meeting, Jill?” Mom asked, glancing at her.

“What have you and Emma discussed in the last few days?” Jill asked.

“Well,” Mom started. “Emma had mentioned to Abby last night that she had spoken to you about going to school.”

I watched as Jill smiled. “Yes, Emma and I have discussed school, and that is why I asked you guys to come in on such short notice.”

“Ok,” Mom said, sounding confused. I knew that she trusted Jill, but it sounded like mom really didn’t get what was going on.

“I have some papers for you.” Jill said, turning her attention to the stack of papers that she had sat on the table. She picked the top one up and handed it to mom. “That is my determination that Emma has, in fact, been diagnosed with gender identity disorder. You can take this and, if you and Emma want to, get her name changed.”

I glanced at mom and smiled.

“The rest of these papers are for you to give to people in official positions that need to know about the fact that Emma is now Emma.” Jill turned her attention to me. “Emma, This doesn’t mean that we are done having sessions, quite the contrary.”

“Ok,” I said quietly, for some reason feeling like I was being chastised. “Does that mean that we are still meeting tomorrow?”

“Yes,” Jill said, “It does, at four thirty like usual.”

“Ok,” Mom said, nodding.

“Have you two discussed a name change?” Jill asked, looking from mom to me. I let mom answer that question.

“We have,” Mom said, “But not overly discussed it. She picked the name Emma Michelle, but I’d like some say so in her name…” She wore a strait face until she finished talking and then burst out laughing. “Actually, I like the name.”

“You would be surprised how many parents have an issue with the names that their child chooses…” Jill said. “Even if they are adults…”

* * * * *

“If it’s ok with mom,” I said into the phone as mom backed into the garage. “I will come over and talk to you about what we discussed…”

Mom glanced at me and knew that I was on the phone with Abby, So she nodded. No words were necessary.

“She said I can come over.” I said into the phone. “Let me run upstairs and get a sweater and I’ll be there in a few.” I was cold from the fact that it was cool outside and I was wearing a skirt that stopped about three inches above my knees. I grabbed a white cardigan and headed back out the front door. “I’ll be back later, Mom. I’m heading to Abby’s”

“Ok,” Mom called back from the small office that was on the first floor of the house. “Tell Daniel that I will be by later.”

“Ok!” I shouted, and headed out the door.

* * * * *

Abby and I were sitting in her room on her bed talking. “So you are going to be going to school as Emma, huh?”

“Yep,” I replied, toying with the hem of my skirt. Truth be told, I was kind of nervous about going to school as Emma, but I also had one heck of a support system in place.

“What are you going to wear on the first day of school?” Abby asked.

“I don’t know yet,” I said, smiling at Abby. “Mom said she gets to pick that until I graduate. Knowing her something cute, and probably not pants…”

“Maybe we should match…” Abby’s eyes sparkled at the idea. “Maybe even get Rachel and Nicole to match us as well…”

“Not if we are in skirts…” I chuckled “Rachel won’t wear a skirt even if you paid her…”

“I take it that your mom has tried that tactic?” Abby chuckled.

“More than once,” I replied. Abby and I heard the front door open and then heard Mom’s voice. I had relayed Mom’s message to Daniel, so he knew that she was coming over. Abby smiled at me and took my hand, and led me toward the living room. As we left Abby’s bedroom, I knew that one chapter of my life had closed and another begun.

Finis

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Author’s note: I may come back and revisit this story at some point, but right now, I’m planning on focusing on some other stories as well as focusing on school work.