Opening the wedding invitation that evening was like a stab in the heart, even though I had suspected this was coming. I sat down on my bed and heaved a huge part-sigh and part-sob. Vicky had chosen Pete over me, so that was that. It was easy to see why she might think he was the better choice; he’d always been more successful and manly than I was. In business he was doing extremely well, on the path to becoming a young executive, whereas I was never going to be executive material; I didn’t have much of a head for business. And Pete did seem like a nice enough guy, at least compared to some of the losers Vicky had seen in the past. Even though he was my rival I’d always almost liked him.

Philip leaves his intolerant family to start a new life on the coast. Is his sister Vivian as bad as the rest? Time will tell.

Sherry Paxton was at that crossroads where she didn’t want to be. Her relationship with Garrett Carson was going so well, but now they were falling in love, and she still hadn’t gotten up the courage to tell him she was trans. She had sworn to herself that if a relationship ever got this serious, she would owe it to the guy to let him know. The idea frightened her a lot. You never know how someone will react to the news, even if they seem to really like, or even love you.

A brutal man learns the folly of his ways.

In a St. Louis hotel ballroom, the camera flashed as the news photographer snapped a picture of Annie LaPorte at the dais receiving her Halfelven Community Service Award. Most of the audience clapped politely, though a certain percentage actually cheered. The award was honoring her for a project she had initiated to improve conditions in the neighborhood where she worked. It had brought many diverse people together, and ended up being more than the sum of its parts… it had turned into a huge success.

What if you could get past that urge?

Being trans and having a horrible sister… bad combination.

To fall afoul of the mob can never be a good thing. And it happened to me through no fault of my own. Frankly, I wasn’t even sure the mob existed. But after the events I’m about to relate, there could be no doubt.

Consequences of telling her about the "hobby."

Mrs. Pritchard has a solution for boys who disrupt class. Funny the after-effects a punishment can have...

My take on the classic fire story, where the guy is out dressed while his place burns.
As usual, many thanks to Dee Sylvan.

Mother and child are reunited.

Screw it! LET her see me dressed up!

When a short guy and a tall, strong girl just click.

It is possible for cruel things to be apologized for.

Francis Holcomb, known as Fran, carefully walked into his sick mother’s bedroom carrying a bowl of steaming soup broth. She had been extremely ill for several months, and was now terminal. Twelve-year-old Fran had taken care of her mostly single-handedly to the best of his ability, but the outlook was very bleak.

“Fran, honey, I don’t think I can get it down,” she said, weakly.

“Pleeeease, mom? I don’t want you to die,” said Fran.

Ms. Walker and Jessie – part II

Thanks to Dee Sylvan for some editorial help.

An unexpected situation arises and turns into so much more.

Do appearances really make all the difference?

A little game leads to mistaken identity and indirectly to love.

Another writing exercise, exploring a breakup and possible outcomes.