Date: Thu, 12 Apr 2012 20:44:01 +0100 (BST)
From: Andrew Foote <footea81@yahoo.co.uk>
Subject: Boy on the Towpath 25

BOY ON THE TOWPATH

Although no inappropriate sexual activity is mentioned in this chapter, if
because of the laws of your country of residence, religious or spiritual
beliefs you are not allowed to access such material then please leave now.

Comments and criticisms are welcome and all will be responded to and should
be addressed to the author.

Andy.

footea81@yahoo.co.uk


CHAPTER XXV


That evening we all had the opportunity to talk things through.  One of my
last concerns was that I wasn't entirely convinced that Hiro wasn't
manipulating Mae in a way as to recreate an image of his late wife.  I'd
tried to dismiss this as absurd but yet I had to ask the question as
delicately as possible.  "Can I ask you a question Mae?"

"Yes please Stu. Go ahead."

"How long have you felt like this, I mean you wanting to be a girl?"

"This is not easy to say but I have all my life known that in my head I
wasn't really a boy.  I would look at other girls knowing that I was like
them in every way except my body.  I wanted to dress like a girl, grow my
hair like a girl and act like a girl but in Japan I cannot do these things
and always I am very sad.  My father was very angry when I told him but
after some years he realised that my feelings had not gone away and he
would talk to me about this. Then he took me to see a special doctor in
Singapore and after some tests he told my father that I should have been a
girl and I was very happy!"

"So it was then he agreed to let you come to England for the treatment?"

"No not right away. First he talked to many people and only then did he
agree."

"So you're happy then?"

"Very happy! The best day of my life!"

With that question answered and the broad smile on his pretty face was all
I needed. He wasn't being used in any way, this was indeed something he
really wanted and needed.

My next suggestion caught him off guard.

"The other day when you and Tom were playing football, I had a visit from
Kenny the harbourmaster.  He made some comment about you and I referred to
you as `she', like yes `she's' very pretty so I was wondering if away from
school you would like to maybe dress as a girl. We could get your hair
styled better and let it grow so you can get used to your `new you'.  What
do you think? You don't have to if you would rather not Mae?"

Poor Mae could hardly believe his ears, almost as if he'd not understood
me.  Then the realisation of what I'd said hit home!  His eyes fairly lit
up and suddenly I could clearly see the feminine side of him as he skipped
about the boat punching his little fist into the air.

"Oh yes that would be so good thing to do! I want now!"

Tom pitched into the conversation.  "At eight in the evening the shops will
be shut but Stu? We could go into Warwick tomorrow couldn't we?"

"Sure, if you want. Why not but first we must make a list of what we have
to buy and honestly I don't know where to start!"

Tom, ever the resourceful one came up with an idea.  "Why don't we look on
line? It would give us some sort of idea at least and anyway Mae probably
knows what he would like to wear. What do you think Mae?"

With that suggestion I lost them to the computer for the rest of the
evening.  Tom's idea was brilliant and made even better when he told me
that he would go onto sites which had high street outlets so not only could
we get ideas but also with the possibility that we could actually buy
exactly what they'd chosen the following day.

I elected to leave them to it and take a walk to the pub, after all they
were probably more fashion conscious than an old fart like me and I'd only
get in the way. Well that was my excuse anyhow!


*****


A couple of hours later I returned to find the kids sitting round the table
looking at a sheaf of papers obviously printed off the websites.  Tom told
me that they'd only chosen items that were available in store and that he'd
double-checked that either the store in Leamington or the one in Rugby held
stock thus guaranteeing that our trip wouldn't be a waste of time.
Seriously impressed I asked them to get cleared away and show me what
they'd picked out.

I'd been right to leave them to it. None of what they'd decided on would
have been top of my list, well not initially but when I saw how they'd
colour-co-ordinated things, chosen items that could be mixed and matched I
could see just how well they'd thought things through.  Funny though, even
I was rather looking forward to the shopping trip now!



*****


I was rudely woken at six-thirty the following morning by the noise of the
shower pump running.  Then I remembered the planned shopping trip and no
doubt the excitement of this had woken the kids earlier than usual and so
with the prospect of anymore sleep well and truly out of the question I got
up and put the kettle on for very early morning tea!

Mae came out of the shower room wearing only a pair of briefs and started
talking about the trip.  This gave me the chance to study him physically as
he talked as this was the first time I'd actually seen him wearing so
little.

Aside from being unbelievably pretty, his body also had female attributes.
His legs were shapely rather than just skinny or muscular, a bubble butt to
die for and broad hips and shoulders. All in all, even having not yet
started any hormone treatment, he had at least got the nice beginnings of a
natural hour-glass figure, another indicator that this was indeed what he
desired.

One other thing struck me during our chat and that was how much and in just
so shorter space of time, just how much more relaxed he was around me.
This had always been the case around Tom but I'd never seen him so animated
with me and I was not just a little relieved.

Mae went back to the cabin to dress only to be replaced by Tom.

"Tell you what Stu? You scored a direct hit with your clothing idea!  He
was rabbiting on and on for bloody ages about it last night, I hope we
didn't keep you awake?"

"Only for a bit but don't worry about it, I can have a late morning
tomorrow when you buggers have gone to school."

"I thought you were going to London tomorrow? Harley Street, to see the
doctors?"

"Oh fuck! I'd forgotten. Thanks mate!  Anyway I'm pleased he's happy and
maybe that's why he seems a little bit more comfortable with me."

"Well as I said, you really gave him a boost last night. I thought he'd
never shut up!  Still I'd better get showered. Lots to do today!"

Maeori, now dressed joined me in the galley.  "Stu? Can I say something to
you please?"

"You can talk to me anytime Mae."

"I want to say big thank you please. Before I not so sure but now I
know. You very good guy so please thank you."

With that Mae stepped over and wrapped his arms around me, the first
physical contact since I first shook his hand.  I thought it might be just
a quick hug and away but then I could feel him trying to suppress tears.  I
held him close to me and said "Just let it go Mae. We have no problem with
crying here and just remember, both Tom and I are your friends and we will
take care of you."

He looked up at me and smiled, a few tears rolling down his cheeks.

"Not sad crying. Happy crying!"

I leant down and kissed him on the forehead.  "Good Mae. You're happy,
Tom's happy and I am happy!"

"And you kissed me. My first ever kiss!"

"What? Nobody's ever kissed you before?"

"No only you kiss Maeori ever. I am happy this!"

Tom reappeared from the shower.  "No that's no good Mae.  Let's find you
something better to wear. Something a little tighter, that way you will
look more like a girl when we go to the shops. Okay?"

Mae looked up at me and grinned.  "He the boss I think! I go now Stu."


*****


Tom had gone a terrific job in kitting Mae out for the shopping trip.  Sure
everything was a size or two too small but it did show off his figure and
nothing but a real close examination would make anybody think differently.
Both of them held my hands as we walked through town and the looks we got
differed from the `What the fuck?' to one lady who actually stopped us and
said "That is just so nice to see.  Children rarely hold their father's
hand these days."

Tom found that hysterical!  "God! Was she blind or what?  How could she
take Mae to be your daughter?"

"Well does it matter mate?  Anyway you just said `daughter'. Did you
realise?"

"Shit, so I did!  Hey but when she walks out of the shop she will be! Okay
a girl but not your daughter if you know what I mean."

"And she?  You've really come to terms with this haven't you?"

"Yes I think I have but I've got to remember to be careful at school
though."

"Well Mae won't be dressed as a girl then so maybe that'll help remind
you!"

"Good point but come on. Let's get shopping!"


*****


My wallet took a pounding but nothing could have made it more worthwhile
than the look on not just Maeori's face but also Tom's.  Basically Tom took
charge in helping Mae to choose the garments whilst I took a back seat.

The last outfit was a blinder!  Mae looked absolutely stunning, the whole
outfit, short-shorts, a nice tight singlet top and ballet-type shoes and I
was so taken aback that I would've defied anyone to spot the `male' in him.
I insisted that `she' wore them back to the boat for she it was from now on
with the one exception. School.

I did notice heads turning as we wandered back again hand in hand but our
mood had lifted to an all-time high and didn't care about what people
thought but I could only think that they were just admiring a very
beautiful young Japanese girl. Who knows but I know I was very aware that
we'd made a first big step in helping Mae and also aware that it been
mostly driven by Tom and that his obvious commitment to Mae was absolute.
It could've been easy to be jealous of their relationship but following the
talk with Mae earlier in the day it became clear to me that whilst I could
offer something to the situation, Tom had perhaps an even greater role to
play, that of keeping Mae happy.


*****


Back on the boat, the kids went out to play footie but this time Mae went
out as a girl.  I cautioned Tom to remember how to refer to her in the
event someone talked to them but my remarks were met with rolling eyeballs!
"Stu I'm more cosy with this than you are. Trust me will you?"

He was right of course.  Such is the flexibility of young thinking, it's
easy to remember the old days of prejudice for someone my age but to be
able to rely on younger attitudes is a God send.

I knock on the roof and Kenny came on board.  "Hey Stu. Tom told me you
were here and I just thought I'd tell you that Doc's in and decamped if you
want a sneak preview of his boat."

"Give me five minutes Kenny.  Where's she berthed and I'll see you there."

"She's on west 4, the brokerage berths oh and by the way, your little
Japanese girl's going to break some hearts later isn't she? Gorgeous or
what!"

"Down boy! She's a very undeveloped twelve year old. Time enough yet!"

"Yeah but anyone can see beauty even in a girl so young and I wasn't being
a perve honest!"

"Don't bother yourself mate!  I fully understand where you're coming from.
She is beautiful and you're right. She will be a boy magnet for sure."

Chapter 25 ends.

Thanks. Just that, --- thanks all.