21. Truths

"I'll have to help you get dressed since these tights rip so easily, and we wouldn't want to ruin them, now would we?" Clarissa asked while ever so carefully pulling his top off over his head so as not to ruin his hair.

"Okay, I guess," Taylor nervously answered, now standing in front of her topless. "Since you know everything now, then I guess I don't have to be worried about hiding anything anymore in front of you."

"Of course not, sweetie," said Carissa as he stepped out of his shoes and took off his socks.

This girl stuff is gruelling, but I do feel better now," said Taylor, unzipping his skirt.

Sweetie, you don't ever have to be worried, I've seen everything you got . . . "

Taylor's skirt fell down around his ankles.

". . . or not! Holy shit, Taylor!" screamed Carissa, jumping back in shock when he turned and she saw the little budge in his panties.

"What?? You okay?" Taylor shouted.

Carissa was now covering her chest. "Yeah, yeah, it ah, it's okay, I, uh, It's just. Wow." A grin spread across her face.

"I thought you were good with everything."

"Holy crap! I am now. It was just a bit shocking is all. I was taken by suprise," said Carissa, half covering her mouth and giggling.

"Just wow. That's all. This is interesting and explains a lot."

Taylor gave her a puzzled look.

"I just think we had a little misunderstanding, is all. Oh, your brother and I have way more to talk about now, but it's fine. It's fine!"

"B-but, you said you knew," said Taylor, growing angry, and shaking as she opened the package of tights. "You said it was cool and you would help me."

"I am cool with you, Taylor! I love you regardless of your gender and I think you're beautiful both inside and out," said Carissa, hugging him.

When she released Taylor, she rolled one leg of the tights up with her hands.

"Now sit. Taylor. Look, what I thought was that you were a girl struggling to find her femininity as she matured without a mom in her life, being raised by a man. I see now, that wasn't it at all. This is an interesting plot twist. Sweetie, I want you to know I support you. In fact, Kaylee and I are both here for you and will help you however you need it. Now just relax. You have nothing to worry about. You can always be yourself around us. I think it's cool and I will do everything I can to help you have a wonderful life."

Oh, thank you," said Taylor as Carissa rolled the tights up his legs.

She then had him stand before she tugged them tightly, snapping the waist band.

"You have no idea what a strain this has been on me." Taylor explained as he stepped into his dress and struggled to navigate a sleeveless bodice with thin shoulder straps.

"I can only imagine, and obviously you aren't the only one around here that was confused. But now, it's all clear. You're life is about to get so much better. I'm going to take good care of you. Trust me," said Carissa, smiling while she held open a dress for him to step into.

She zipped him up and tied the bow in back.

"Now let me help you step into your shoes and we'll continue this conversation later. Right now I have to go have a quick chat with Craig and check on Kaylee, so just come back out when you're ready."

"Do I have to come out?" asked Taylor, as she opened the shoe box and placed the little shoes on his feet.

"You've been out all weekend. Now it'll be nothing new and you're more adorable than ever, honey. If you don't want me to tell Kaylee, I won't. It can remain a secret between the three of us."

Taylor didn't respond to Carissa, other than shaking his head as she slipped his feet into the dainty low heeled peep-toed shoes and fastened the strap.

"Now stand up," Carissa instructed him.

Taylor's ankles buckled inward as he took his first step. He stopped to steady himself.

"Continue trying to walk in those shoes. You'll get the hang of it rather quickly. See you in a minute."

Carissa then left the room.

Taylor struggled taking even the smallest steps, and was dying to get out of all of this, but looking around he realized he had no other clothes or shoes.

"Well there you are, my wonderful friend," said Carissa to Craig, as she emerged from the back room.

Craig was sitting up with a small towel on his head at the washing station after having his hair shampoo'd.

"Wow, you look amazing Carissa," Craig replied as she came toward him.

"Thanks and so does Taylor," said Carissa. "I think you'll be impressed when you see how pretty she turned out after getting her hair done. Craig, how about we get right to some truths? I know all about your sister's, um, situation."

Craig's eyes grew enormous.

"Wait, what-- Oh. Carissa, a-about that. R-remember last night," Craig stuttered. "I-I tried talking to you a few times. I just, I mean it's . . . You said you knew."

"Don't panic, Craig. It's fine. I know you were trying to tell me things and sh!t happened. It's okay. I've got no problem with this. I'm completely understanding and definitely supportive of Taylor. What I thought I knew was something different," said Carissa, patting his shoulder. "But really, its fine. I think it's just time we all drop our little secrets, stop hiding things and lay it all on the table."

"You're right," sighed Craig. "I'm sorry. I'll tell you anything you want to know. Ask me anything?"

"Good! First off. So, are you really gay or not?" asked Carissa, looking him right in the eyes.

"What? You-you thought I was gay?" cried Craig.

"Well, yeah," Carissa retorted. "I mean the way you were okay with getting your nails done, the fashion sense with Taylor's outfits, the shopping. The way you've been so supportive and wonderful with Taylor. I mean how many young adult guys would be this supportive of their sibling like this? And how many straight guys can do girl's hair, especially complex braiding? Oh, and don't get insulted but you're pretty far from macho."

"Did I seem gay the other night!" cried Craig in disbelief.

"Well, not really, but I thought it was just a night of confusion for the both of us. You know like some lust got in the way of our normal selves, and I thought maybe we were both a little . . . well . . . desperate?" said Carissa, with her hands on her hips. "You saw me puking didn't you?"

"Are you saying that you were desperate and I disgusted you, or was it the idea of being with a guy that you thought had also been with guys that did it?" said Craig, completely insulted. "I thought we had amazing sex and you wanted us to move in together."

"I do, but I think you got the wrong impression here. Let's back up for a second," Carissa grinned. "I thought we could help each other with the kids. I thought we could help each other through therapy and support each other, and maybe save some money by combining our households, but I don't think we're on the same page here."

"I'm really confused Carissa." Craig shook his head. "I thought you knew I liked you? I thought you understood how hot I was for you? Did none of that come through?"

"I've been through a lot over the years, Craig, and sometimes I guess I'm just too blonde for my own good, especially when it comes to men," said Carissa with her palm on her forehead. "I guess I've just discounted and disrespected men for so long that some of this never dawned on me. I guess, looking back now I realize all the signals were there, but I just ignored them thinking you were nothing more than a great friend who was struggling to raise his little sister and also  happened to bat for the other team."

"Mom, are we going soon?" Kaylee whined interrupting their conversation. "I'm not used to shoes like these, so I really can't carry these bags too easily or for too long. They asked us to move them from the lobby."

"Ho-ly shit," said Craig, recognizing Taylor as he dragged two suit cases on wheels towards them, following Kaylee.