PREVIOUSLY…

“Yes, Ms. Kennard, we are a free thinking school and if a professional says Marie is transgender than we’ll except that and talk about that. We’ll do our best.” Tina smiled a little smile. “Thank you. I’ll let you know when I have the results, okay?” “That’s fine, Ms.” He said and stood up, they shook hands and Tina walked out.

She passed the receptionist who smiled at her. Tina smiled back, feeling butterflies in her stomach. She could just see the little card that was standing on the desk. ‘Bette Po…’ she couldn’t read the rest but the first name was enough to let it go as a mantra through her head all day. Bette, Bette, Bette, Bette… 

CHAPTER TWO…

(I’ll keep using Marie/Mario, she/he, her/him until Tina feels comfortable with Mario and sees her child as a boy.)

Tina was sitting in the sofa, watching her children in the garden. She just came back from the therapist. Marie was indeed transgender. The therapist could tell after only spending an hour and a half with Marie, well Mario. Tina couldn’t believe the happy look on Marie’s face when she first called him/her Mario and said he while talking about her. It would still take a little while for Tina to get used to the idea of actually having a son. It wasn’t easy to deal with.

Marie/Mario walking into the living room made her snap out of her thoughts.

“Mom, can I talk to you?” He/she asked. “Off course. Do you want to sit on my lap?” Tina asked. Marie/Mario nodded and Tina sat him/her on her lap. “What is wrong, hun?” Tina asked.

“Nothing. Just, you called me Mario and now I’m very happy because I’m a boy and Marie isn’t a boy’s name. I also want to say I’m happy that you said ‘he’ when you talked about me to Tabby. But I’m scared Mom.”

“About what, son?” Tina asked, she swallowed after saying ‘son’ it was hard but just seeing the smile on her child’s face was everything she needed.

“About school. I get bullied… they hit or kick me and yell at me that I’m disgusting and gross. Nobody -except for Eddy and Justine- wants to be my friend. My teacher keeps calling me Marie and says I’m a girl and confused. She has even said I should stop acting like a boy because I’m not. She was angry Mom. When I had gel in my hair, I had to wash it out. The other boys didn’t have to do that. It’s so unfair.” The child said to Tina with hurt in his eyes. Tina kissed him/her on top of his/her head.