17. New Life

"You guys go get showers and dressed for dinner," Craig told the kids, once they were at Carissa's house. "Your mom said you can use her bathroom, Kaylee, and Taylor can go in the other. She'll be here soon, she just had to stop by the store and pick up a few things."

"Can't we please just go home, Craig," Taylor pleaded, completely irritated. "I've really had it. I still hurt, I'm tired, and I'm ready to be home. I feel sick. Enough's enough already!"

"Seriously, are we going to do this again? Need I remind you what's at stake if you don't do this for me? You will regret it."

"I hate you, Craig," Taylor muttered as he turned to leave the room.

"You don't mean that," Craig called back to him.

"Right now I do," Taylor shot back as he disappeared into the hallway.

Entering the bathroom, Taylor shut and locked the door then sat down on the closed lid of the toilet. He knew he didn't really hate his brother because he knew where he'd probably be right now if it weren't for the sacrifices his brother was making so they could remain together as a family. Craig didn't have to do what he was and could have allowed Taylor to go to foster care, but he hadn't and for that Taylor truly was grateful.

Taylor felt bad for what he had just said to Craig but he was angry and hated the situation he was in. Truth be told, he probably owed his brother much more, but that didn't make his current predicament any easier to endure.

A few tears trickled down Taylor's cheeks and he wiped them away. He knew he loved his brother and he decided right then that he would do what his brother needed him to ask that his brother could get what he wanted did once, instead of continuing to be as selfish as he normally was.

Taylor sat on the toilet for a while more, thinking about all that had happened since he got his brother in the situation of having to go to that meeting and how it looked like Johnny had a thing for Taylor as a girl.

A shiver ran down his spine and his face soured. He hated the thought of possibly having to deal with a boy trying to ask him out. He desperately hoped it didn't come to that.

Finally he reached down and removed his girly white canvas trainer's, and socks, reveling his dainty painted toes.

Taylor stared at his toes until his vision blurred and he was imagining himself in sandals, skinny jeans, and a fitted, girly top, his hair in pigtails and Johnny by his side

He shook his head to wake himself out of what he considered to be a creepy daydream, stood up, and started the shower.

Once he was done taking a quick shower, Taylor stepped out and almost had a stroke, seeing his wet, sun baked reflection in the mirror.

He had made the shower a quick one due to how much it burned having the water hitting his skin, but he didn't know just how bad it was.

Across his shoulders and back, the strap lines of the thin bikini top shined ever so white against his red sun burnt skin, but even more revolting were the milky triangular patches that stood out on his tanned chest.

"Taylor? Your outfit is on the bed," Carissa announced, knocking on the door. "Just come to Kaylee's room when you're dressed and I'll do your hair."

Taylor almost couldn't take it anymore. He came out with a towel wrapped around his waist, and immediately spotted the clothes on the bed.

"Taylor, you decent?" Craig asked through the cracked open door, before entering.

As soon as he laid eyes on Taylor he laughed.

"Holy crap, little bro. I know, I know it's not funny. I'm so sorry, I didn't know it was gonna be a pool party."

"No more Craig," started Taylor. "I can't take it anymore. Look at me. Look at my chest. I thought I could try to go along with it, so I can play on the team, but I don't think I can. It's all too much."

"I'm sorry, it's all out of hand," said Craig, shrugging out his hands. "I really care about her, but no matter what, tonight I'll tell her. Just go with it for a little while longer, and I'll tell her everything when we're alone."

"You guys okay in here," Carissa asked through the door. "Did you say you wanted to tell me something? Doess she not like her outfit? What's wrong with it, sweetie?"

"No, no, we're good. We'll be out in a minute," Craig replied, looking at the clothes.

He turned to Taylor, and in a quieter voice said, "Just get dressed and I don't think anything will show in this."

Taylor grunted at his brother, as he picked up and stepped into a pair of silk baby blue panties.

He then slid his arms into a soft salmon color tunic, and dropped it over his head. He took a ruffled denim skirt from the bed and stepped into it. Craig helped zip up the back before opening the bedroom door.

Taylor shook his head, needing no help stepping into a pair of glittery ballet flats.

Within a moment Carissa stepped in with her hair dryer. It didn't take long for her to remove the moisture, creating nothing overly elaborate this time. She brushed through his hair and gathered all of it into a high pony.

With her thin flat iron, she secured his bangs away from his face, letting them twist for fifteen or twenty seconds. Once she released them, he could feel a little bounce on his forehead.

She began repeating the process, twisting the flat iron through his pony tail. This was a much larger section of hair, so it took a little longer but this entire process took only a few minutes.

Finally she placed the iron down and he heard a clip snap at the base of the pony before Carissa stepped back, covering his head in sticky spray.

"Very cute, let's go girls," said Clarissa, rubbing a little gloss on his lips.

Taylor could taste the strawberry flavor, and felt the ponytail flip as he turned. He walked a few steps, rolling his eyes when he saw his reflection, watching the high pony sway when he shook his head in displeasure.

He was well aware of his ruffled outfit as this was his first time in a fitted skirt, so his steps were a bit restricted.

On top you really could see the bikini strap tan lines across his shoulders, and it was kind of sickening seeing the words, "Glittery Nails and Glossy Lips" swirling in a script font, across his pretty tunic type top with flared sleeves.

Carissa really hadn't done much with his hair, other than lifting his bangs, curling them back away from his face before angling to the right, and giving him a high pony that swung in one thick loose swirl from under a large salmon bow which matched his top.

Even though his hair was completely off his face and pulled up, it was a bit disturbing seeing no sign of a boy in the reflection.

They walked out to Carissa's car and Taylor asked where they were going.

"To a movie," Kaylee answered.

"What about dinner?"

"Well Taylor, we'll eat after the movie."

The kids climbed in the back seat, Craig got in the passenger seat, and they drove off.

Taylor looked over a Kaylee and told himself, at least they weren't dressed alike this time.

"Okay, girls, I'll pick you up after the show," said Carissa, handing them purses.

"Kaylee has money for tickets and snacks, so enjoy and I'll see you in two hours."

"Wait we're going to a movie and you guys aren't coming?" Taylor asked.

"No, you girls go have fun," said Carissa, looking back over at them from the front. "Your brother and I are gonna have a little adult time while you girls get some freedom. We've got some things to chat about, but don't worry, just go have fun."

Kaylee was so excited to have some freedom, she practically ran, dragging Taylor towards the ticket booth.

"Okay, let's go somewhere and talk," said Craig, watching the kids purchase their tickets at the window and go in.

"They'll be fine for a few hours. Kaylee has a cellphone if they need to call us for any reason."

Carissa drove a few blocks and the two went into a quiet coffee shop attached to a used book store. They found a nice table away from everyone and sat in the back.

Craig looked incredibly nervous.

"Ok, so here's the thing, Carissa," said Craig, his chest pounding.

"Before you even say anything. I'm really sorry about last night," Carissa apologized.

"It's fine," said Craig. "Look, I know we really just met, but everything's been wonderful. You, the kids getting along so well, and just everything, but before we go any further I have a confession to make."

"You don't need to tell me," Giggled Carissa. "I've known all along and it's fine."

"You're kidding?" said Craig stunned.

"I've got an eye for these things Craig," said Carissa, tapping his thigh and smiling. "Relax, we've all got our issues and I know you've been trying hard to make all this work. Trust me, I realize it couldn't be easy and honestly it's very flattering."

"Carissa, you can't imagine what a relief this is. You knew and you went along with it anyway," said Craig with his eyes now popped wide open. "You must be shitting me. Taylor's been dying inside."

"I've always accepted people for who they are, and I'm sure this has been incredibly difficult for both you and Taylor. I know how hard it is to make new friends and most people just want no part of you. Plus, I know last night was probably a bit odd, but eye opening for both of us," said Carissa. For me, I've always felt there really should be no stigma around how anyone lives their life, people are people to me and they're all beautiful regardless of what they wear or who they like. Plus guys getting in touch with their inner femininity and just being who they are should be celebrated and explored. I commend you for it, and I'm glad we both share no inhabitations there."

"Wow," said Craig, stunned and thrilled. "You're amazing, Carissa. I thought you'd be upset at us and it would ruin everything between us."

"On the contrary hon, and I know this might be a bit sudden and forward but..." said Carissa, leaning in and taking his hand nervously. "I was kind of wondering if you and Taylor would like to move in with us. I believe it would be good for all of us. I was thinking we could overcome any gender gaps, money issues, and our problems; together. I mean obviously there would need to be some major changes, but if you're willing then I am too."

"This is unbelievable," said Craig. "Yes absolutely. This is like a dream."

"Good, then. Come on and I'll drop you home and you can pack some things for now," said Carissa, incredibly excited.

"I'll pick you up in the morning. Bring anything you want and we'll work on any changes tomorrow. Tonight we start anew and tomorrow we'll have a wonderful Labor Day celebration and start our new life together. This'll be great havi g an accountability partner there to keep each other in check."

Arm and arm they walked to her car together. Craig was on cloud nine as she drove him home. It was all very sudden and a bit odd but Craig heard what he wanted to hear and couldn't wait to move in with Carissa.

When they got to Craig's house, he went inside and began stuffing a few suitcases with their clothes.