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Pt. 4 What I learned from my mother.

― Are you out of your mind?! ―A woman with long, wavy, and brown hair, brown skin and glasses exclaimed ―. How on earth did you think about taking her to your apartment?!

― Hey, I wasn’t going to leave her on the streets.

― But she’s underage! How did you convince her, anyway? With candies?

― Actually, yeah ―Elizabeth smiled―. I bought her ice cream.

― YOU IDIOT! Do you know her parents can sue you for kidnapping her?

― They won’t, and if they do, I have a really good friend who can pay me a lawyer.

― No, no, no! Don’t get me involved in this, I have nothing to do with it!

― Come on, Val, I brought you the girl, it’s the least you can do for me.

A girl around 14 years old, with brown short hair and different colored eyes, was sitting in a corner, just watching them.

― It’s different!

― Whatever, I won’t let them take Lynn.

― Do you think they’re gonna ask for your permission?

― I can convince them, I’m pretty talented.

― You can’t get out of every trouble just talking.

― I think I can.

― Blacklock ―Valerie looked straight into her eyes―. While I do admire your service attitude and will to help everybody, I think this is too much.

― Valerie. While I’m happy you have your parents and a good relationship with them, I think Avelyn shouldn’t be living with people who make her want to die.

― That’s her problem, not yours.

Elizabeth kept silent for a few seconds, as she was staring at the floor.

― When… Before mom and dad died, I used to love spending the rainy summer afternoons sitting beside my room’s window. Back then, my mom, who was a psychologist, treated her patients at her own office in our home.

Once, when I was 12 and my hair reached below my waist, I saw a red car stop in front of the house. An adult woman came out, and after her, a beautiful, blonde girl, with long, straight hair. She was wearing a pink dress. She almost looked like a princess…

She was around my age. From the very first moment, she caught my attention. However, she didn’t even notice my presence.

It was two visits later that she saw me there, just glaring from my window.

I smiled and waved, and she responded shyly.

That’s how it was, until, one day…

That red car stopped as usual. I expected her to come out of the door, but instead, I saw a boy with short hair, a dark green t-shirt, and beige shorts. Maybe he was her brother, right? But then I saw how nervous he looked just before he looked at me and waved. That’s when I realized…

It was her. Or so I thought. But, why? Why was her hair cut like that? What happened to her beautiful dresses? I tried not to look surprised and smiled.

As soon as she left, I ran out of my room and went to my mom, I wanted to know what the hell they were doing to that little girl.

Mom didn’t talk about her patients, and I didn’t understand much, I mean, I was 12, but I think she wanted to teach me something important.

― Mom, why did they cut her hair? It was so lovely! What happened to her? And why was she wearing those ugly clothes?

― Lizzy, do you like your hair?

― Of course, I love it! If anyone dares to do anything to my hair, I’d hate them forever!

― And tell me ―she continued―. Do you like the clothes you wear?

― I do! I won’t ever wear boy’s clothes!

― Of course, you do! You’re a girl, but tell me, how would you feel if everybody thought you were a boy, and they forced you to wear clothes you don’t like, cut your hair short, and play games you don’t want to?

― I’d tell them I’m a girl, can’t they see?

― But if they insist? If you looked like a boy, even if you’re still you? If they said you were a boy, call you by a boy’s name and treat you like a boy whatever you say?

― I… would feel so sad. Is that what they’re doing to that poor girl?

― No, Lizzy, it’s the opposite. He is a boy, but his whole life everybody thought he was a girl, even his parents because when he was born, the doctor said “Congratulations, it’s a girl!” but sometimes people are not what they look like. He was indeed born with a girl’s body, but his mind and soul are those of a boy, and that’s more important than his appearance. He’s a transgender boy.

― Trans… gender? So she’s a… he? How?

― He is a boy, just like you’re a girl. It’s just that your mind and body are the same, but it’s not the same for him. You wouldn’t like it if someone made you cut your hair, or wear clothes like his, or play football, even if you looked different, right? Well, he didn’t like that his parents made him wear dresses and have long hair, or play with dolls. Think about most boys, do they like those things? I’m sure they don’t.

― Then… Are there boys who look like girls?

― And girls who look like boys, but remember, what matters is on the inside. Most people have bodies that match their minds, but there are few exceptions, and we must understand them so we can help them to be happier. As you imagined, if everyone treats them as something they’re not just because they look like it, they’ll feel sad all the time, and that’s not good.

― I see, mom! Then I… Could I have had a boy’s body? I feel scared just to think about it…

― It could have happened, but if you were still you, a girl on the inside, you would still be my daughter, and if you wanted to have long hair and wear dresses just like you do now, I’d let you, I’d love you the same.

― Then it’s not that different.

― But it is for some because their parents won’t accept them. Some people just can’t understand why their daughter doesn’t want to act like a son, or their son doesn’t want to be called daughter, just like you before I explained this. Also, when puberty hits, transgender people usually start feeling worse.

― Oh… I forgot about that… Growing up like that… Eww, EWW! It’s terrifying! What happens then?

―Well, if they have acceptance and support, they can avoid going through the wrong puberty and take steps to be more like their real gender.

― Do his parents accept him now?

― They do, that’s why he has short hair now and doesn’t wear pink anymore, and he already seems much happier!

That’s how I learned about trans people. I was happy for that boy, knowing he could have a chance to be himself. Sometimes I want to meet him again and know how he’s doing, but if his parents kept supporting him, I’m sure he’s now a happy man.

I stopped thinking about all that after a while. I think all the people I met were the same on the inside and the outside. Maybe only one in a million had a body different from their mind, or maybe I already met more trans people, but they hid well, afraid of rejection…

And just a few days ago I met Avelyn. I thought she was a boy, a shy and hurt one, but suddenly, everything fell in place, she’s a girl. Her parents didn’t accept her, they even beat her! What kind of asshole beats their daughter because she wants to wear a dress?

― I miss my parents and I’d give anything to have them back, while Avelyn’s parents don’t deserve such a wonderful daughter. My mom taught me a simple but valuable lesson, and for the love I have for her memory, I won’t leave this poor girl alone.

Valerie stared with a serious look.

― Do as you please, Blacklock, just… Don’t get in trouble, okay?

― I’ll do my best not to.

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