The Doll...Part 6 (January 22, 2011)

Stacey had decided

To dress up

For her 13th birthday

Wearing the new dress

Mom had given her

As a birthday present.

Running her hands

Down the side of

The pale blue dress

As they waited

For Jane to exit the car.

Scared

Yet excited

By being in public

For the first time

As a young girl.

Stacey's hands were sweating

From her nervousness

But it was too late

To back out now.

Linking her right arm

Around mom’s left arm

As the three of them

Entered the restaurant

Where they always

Went for birthday celebrations.

Dad was already there

And had been seated

By one of the serving staff.

At first

He didn’t recognize

His youngest child
Stuart/Stacey.

As Jane had taken the time

To show her

How to properly apply make-up

Another gift from mom.

“Jack

Before you get angry

And do something extremely stupid

You need to know

We have two daughters now.”

Mom laid the law

In an icy voice

Brooking no argument

From dad.

“Not in my home

Will I allow my son

To be turned into a sissy

By you and Jane!”

He bitterly retorted

Walking out of the restaurant.

“Am sorry

You had to experience this

Stacey”.

Mom placed her arms

Around a sobbing Stacey

Trying to consolidate

Her youngest daughter.

Unknown to Stacey and mom

Jane had brought

A long box
Wrapped
In feminine birthday paper

Into the restaurant.

“Here you go
Sis.”

A huge smile
Was painted
On Jane’s face
Matching Stacey’s.

As she handed Stacey

Her birthday present

One of her porcelain dolls

From her collection.

Knowing full well

The impact her words

And gift

Would have Stacey

And the rest of the family.

But she did not care

As long as Stacey

Was happy.

Being
Who she is:

A young woman

Blossoming
Into her own.

Therisa © 2011

Author's note: The sixth part of six, from a poem taken from my poetic morgue.