(aka Bike) Part 995 by Angharad Copyright © 2010 Angharad
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I gathered the children together, excluding Tom and Stella at this point. I explained what had happened, that I’d been nominated for a very important job which Gramps and Simon would want me to take, and probably Stella, too. Certainly, Gareth Sage had said so.
The problem was, I would be more busy than I am normally am, and would need their cooperation to be able to do it. I’d also need to employ someone to help.
“Why can’t Julie do it?” asked Livvie.
“Perhaps you’d like to answer that, Julie?” As she still didn’t do as much as she’s supposed to, I thought I’d see if the youngsters would possibly prick her conscience–although most teens are psychopaths, having little or no conscience, unless they are working on yours.
“I’m doin’ the salon on Fridays and Saturdays, an’ things.”
“What about, Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays Thursdays and Sundays?” Livvie was obviously heading for the bar and continued grilling her witness.
“Well, I help then, don’t I?” Julie looked at me.
“Not as much as you could or even should.”
“Who are you thinking of getting in to help?” Trish entered the arena, if she mentions Kierkegaard, I’m outta here.
“I can’t tell you at the moment because I haven’t asked the person I have in mind.”
“Oh, who is it anyway?” asked Trish.
“I just told you, I can’t tell you, so stop trying to worm it out of me.”
“Is it–?” she continued.
“Trish, don’t keep on–guessing will get us nowhere, so just be patient,” and stop grilling me because you’re likely to work it out, little brainbox.
“Why is you gotta work extwa, Mummy?”
“The job is with the United Nations. Do you know what that is?”
They didn’t, so I explained about the inter-national aspect of the organisation and its responsibilities, most of which seem to be ignored by its member nations–otherwise things like Rwanda and Darfur wouldn’t happen. However appalling such massacres are, my professional interest was in conserving habitats and thus species. So what was good for certain plant species would enable various insects, birds, reptiles and mammals to flourish, and given that the Mammal Society has its offices down the road in Southampton, I suppose I have some incentive to do it to the best of my ability.
I actually had a half written article for them on the mammal survey, the Mammal Society, I mean; for their journal Mammal Review, which is a professional scientific journal on mammals, funnily enough. So it actually does what it says on the cover.
I talked to the children for about fifteen or so minutes, the boys seemed very quiet. I asked them if everything was okay? Billy avoided eye contact with me then began to sniff. I took him outside to try and find out what the problem was.
“You’re gonna get rid of us, aren’t you?”
“If I was, d’you think I’d be paying a solicitor lots of money to adopt you?”
“You said that ages ago.”
“I asked you to be patient, it takes a long time–because we don’t want anything to stop us when the application goes ahead. That bit doesn’t take so long but the solicitor feeling the way and building up a background case can–and is. It took ages for the girls to be adopted and two of them had virtually been suggested by their parents.”
“I thought you was going to be too busy for me an’ Danny. You prefer girls don’tcha?”
“No I don’t. If I hadn’t wanted you to stay here as my children, I’d have sent you back to the home a long time ago. I love both you and Danny very much–just as much as I love the girls.”
“So we don’t have to turn into girls then?”
“Turn into girls?” What was going through his little mind?
“Yeah, Trish an’ Julie used to be boys, me an’ Danny wondered if ‘cos you weren’t turnin’ us into girls, whether you was gonna get rid of us?”
“Wait here.” I went and fetched Danny. “Now what is this about you thinking I turn boys into girls?”
Danny blushed and looked daggers at Billy–“You stupid nit, now she’ll get rid of us.”
“And why would I do that?”
“Because we know what you wanna do.”
“Do you really believe that?” I felt gutted–had I really given that impression to the two boys.
They both nodded.
I felt tears welling up, and couldn’t stop them dribbling down my face.
“Ya stupid git, now you’ve made her cry,” Billy berated his ‘brother’.
“Please, no squabbling.” I couldn’t have stood it–this bombshell completely blew me away. I thought we’d sorted this so long ago–obviously we hadn’t, least not to their understanding.
“Don’t cry, Mummy.” Billy put his arm around me and I felt his body jerk as he tried to hit Danny.
I cuddled them both, “I seem to have failed you both, I’m sorry.”
“No you ‘aven’t, we jus’ don’t wanna be girls, least I don’t, dunno about ‘im,” Billy tormented Danny.
“I don’t wanna be a flippin’ girl, do I, pig breath?”
“Boys please–I don’t want either of you to be girls.”
“You don’t?” they both squeaked.
“No, I thought that was clear from the beginning. I took you on as a favour to the home. So then you were only temporary residents here. They knew you were better off here than in a home, so they conned me into keeping you.” I felt them both droop a little. “However, seeing as you both seemed happy and the girls were happy for you to stay, I negotiated with the home and here you are.
“I haven’t tried to turn anybody into anything they didn’t want to be, Trish and Julie were both wanting to be girls for a long time before I ever met them. All I and the other adults here have done, is to help them be what they wanted. We’ve treated them like girls and allowed them to try living as their preferred gender. So far they seem to be better off than they were.
“In lots of ways having you here as boys has been helpful to them because they’ve learned not all boys want to beat them up, and in fact some boys are really quite nice. I watched you all knit together as a family, as brothers and sisters and I thought all that was sorted. After we got the girls adopted, I asked the solicitor to start doing the preliminaries to try and adopt you two as well. If you remember, I did ask you if you still wanted it. I take it you do, but that is as my sons–I have enough daughters. Having said that, and I’m saying this for completeness, so it isn’t a suggestion or anything else; if you did have some problem of gender or sexuality, then I hope we could accommodate it and help you to grow as a person. I take it at the moment you don’t?”
“No,” they both said in between sniffs.
“You’re really gonna adopt us?” asked Danny.
“I’m trying my best to do that, yes.”
“So you don’t wanna get rid of us?”
“No, most definitely not. I want you to stay as my sons, and I apologise if I ever gave you any other indications. I like having boys here as well as girls, and I know Gramps and Simon do, too.”
“I like Gramps and Daddy,” Billy sniffed.
“I like Mummy, too,” asserted Danny.
“Yeah, an’ me.”
“Right, dry your eyes and come back into the room with the others. I won’t say anything to them about this, whether or not you two do, is entirely up to you, but I hope you now realise that you are loved here and very much wanted–and as yourselves, two boys.”
They both wiped their eyes and holding my hand we went back into speak with the rest of the family about my impending job change.
Comments
I'm not surprised this came
I'm not surprised this came up, I can see where they'd get the wrong idea. After all, half the women in the family started out as boys (They may not know about Cathy, but that still leaves the two girls). Hopefully that's all straightened out now.
I still think Cathy is better off not taking the job, but after Tom was revealed as the one who nominated her and talked to the press I knew she would for his sake. If I were her I wouldn't want anything more to do with Gareth, though. He was all too willing to lie and blackmail her into it. Not to mention his other interest in her... ;)
Good stuff Angharad, as always!
Saless
"But it is also tradition that times *must* and always do change, my friend." - Eddie Murphy, Coming To America
I am surprised
That was as big a bombshell to me as it was to Cathy.
Holly
It's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice.
Holly
Misunderstandings.
It's amazing what kids get to mix up in their heads when their insecurities lie just below the surface, (or even above the surface,)I'm truly glad that the boy's issues surfaced in time for Cathy to part-way address them.
Poor Cathy has to be a flipping forensic investigator to winkle out some of the issues these kids have. Not surprising really is it, the poor little buggers all come from the big shit heap that's called care.
It's going to take a strong but gentle hand to turn these kids around and I think I know who's hand it'll be.
Still loving it Angharad, especially this one. It's just so easy for misunderstandings to occur.
usually from fear, misconceptions and lack of communication.
That's all for now,
It's late. Gotta go.
Beverly.
Bike pt 995
Perhaps the boys overheard the talk about wearing kilts for the wedding and got confused.
May Your Light Forever Shine
May Your Light Forever Shine
Well, we still don't know...
...who Cathy has in mind as the caregiver for the children—despite Trish's best efforts to winkle it out of her.
I was pleased to see the clearing of the air between Cathy and the boys. Worries about their status would be holding them back, and having some certainty about their positions and that they are loved should flow through to other aspects of their lives.
A good episode Angharad and Bonzi: thanks heaps.
Preferential Siblings
Bike Archive
Bike Resources
You really have
to feel sorry for Billy and Danny, After the life they had led previous to coming to live with the Cameron's, Is it any wonder that feel more than a little nervous about their futures, Thankfully Cathy has put their minds at rest....Although she may have to think twice about the Kilt's!
Kirri
Insecurities
Introducing the boys' insecurities into the plot mix is a brilliant touch! Things like this is why this story is still interesting and relevant after all these episodes. Exploring all the facets of the characters' personalities, desires, fears and foibles -- it's just not anything that could have ever been done in a short-story format, or even a novel.
The potential advantages of the long-running soap opera are becoming clearer every day! I don't think anyone has ever done it any better (and I'm including commercial examples)!
boys
I imagine they over heard about the Kilts & one or the other found out what a Kilt was. I suspect that's where ole' dad will be usefull in teaching what the kilt is and of it's place in family tradition or least I would hope so.
Boys
Once the boys find out kilts are warriors clothing I suspect kilts will gain credence in their eyes. If Simon could find more time (or if they could move closer to his work) it would help the boys a lot. Simon would enjoy it a lot too, I suspect the lot of them are into boys sports. Come to think of it, Tom also qualifies in playing with the guys.
As an outside observer, look at this objectively though. 4 (including Maureen) TG girls in one house, and 3 of them you would never know unless they were undressed (which would still leave one). While not a majority they do come close.
So easy to get concerned guys.
That doesn't mean you boys can't try my heels once in a while though. Just put them back where you got them 8-)
Cathy will get the full support of the family, please give Tom a smooch.
Cefin