Tug of War 3

At early evening, when Timothy came home from school, he went straight to his room and locked the door. After a while, his stepmother followed him and knocked at the door slightly.

"Hello, sweetie" she said, softly. "Can I come in?" 

"Are you alone?" Timothy asked.

"Yes" she answered, and then she heard the door being unlocked.  

When she entered the bedroom, she saw that the boy's eyes were red from crying, but once she was inside he did his best to hide his emotions. 

"Are you okay, Timmy?" she asked. Susan was the only one who called him that way, when they were alone. Timothy was bothered by it for some time. Why couldn't she call him Tim, like all his friends did? However, the boy decided not to make a big fuss because of something so small. It was just a nickname, right? He didn't want to upset Susan since she was so nice to him, even alleviating the maternal absence that the death of his mother had caused, although he wasn't fully aware of that. 

"I'm fine!" he said, sitting on his bed. "Why wouldn't I be?"

"C'mon, sweetie! I was there during the argument between your father and you."

"I don't want to talk about that bastard! He… He is..."

"That's okay, Timmy. Come here" she sat next to him, and patted her lap. Timothy knew what she wanted. He was reluctant at first, but soon he was lying in her lap. She then began stroking his hair. Even without proper care, it was so soft and silky… There were so many possibilities... Susan didn't say anything for a while. She wanted the boy to relax first. So she just looked around to pass the time. 

Timothy's bedroom was like that of many boys of his age. There was a bed that was constantly messed up; many clothes and stuff scattered on the ground, despite all her effort to keep the place organized; a wardrobe, full of the baggy and faded clothes he liked to wear; a TV, a video game and a computer; his acoustic guitar, with which he spent most of his free time; posters of the musicians he liked on the white walls; and a simple bathroom. Perhaps the only abnormal thing of the room was a shelf full of books. 

Susan felt a shiver of pleasure to imagine how that room could be looking in a short time. She could almost visualize the place decorated with pink walls and embroidered curtains; a fluffy carpet; a new wardrobe, full of fashionable clothes and high heels; a new bed, covered with silk sheets; many dolls and stuffed animals; and a vanity with all kinds of makeup and other beauty products. 

To make this happen, she just needed to play the right cards, and she knew very well how to do that… 

"Are you feeling better now, Timmy?"

"I told you there’s nothing wrong with me!" he said, trying to sound convincing, although he kept tucked in her lap like a kitten. 

Men, she thought, sighing. Even this boy, who likes to think that he's different, is afraid to expose what he's really feeling. Just like the others, but not for long…

"Look, sweetie" she started again, still stroking his hair. "I know that living with your father can be difficult...."

"Difficult? I would say that this is impossible! And what am I going to do, Susan? He wants to steal my money, just because I don't want to be like him!"

"I know. Well, I'll talk to him. Maybe I can bring him back to reason."

"Thanks, Susan, but I don't think this is going to work… He doesn't listen to anyone, and you know that as well as I do."

"Well, it's worth a try, isn’t it? Also, now that I’m thinking about it, you could also try..."

"What?"

"Oh, forget it! I just had a silly idea."

"What idea?"

"You won't like it."

"I won't know if you don't tell me."

"If you insist..." Susan said, slowly, as if she really was reluctant about that. "This morning, during the fight, your father stated that he would rather that you were a girl. What if you give him what he wants?"

"What are you talking about, Susan?" Timothy said, jumping from her lap as if he had got a shock. "I'm not gay! Not that I have anything against gay people, but..."

"I know that, Timmy. I'm not suggesting that you start dating boys or something. Just think a little. What is your father’s biggest fear?" 

"Does he fear anything?"

"Of course, sweetie. His greatest fear is to have an effeminate son. He's a sexist man and it would be more than he could handle. So, if you just start doing some small things around the house… Like putting your hair in a girly ponytail, I think he'd be crazy! Then, when he starts complaining, you can simply say: It was you who said you’d rather I was a girl! I was thinking about it and who knows… Maybe you’re right…He would be so desperate that he would accept you as you are now just for you stop acting this way." 

"But I don't want people to see my hair in a ponytail!" 

"I know, Timmy. That's why I suggested you to do this only at home."

The boy was silent for a while, pondering his stepmother’s idea. Then, after some time, Susan saw a smile appear on his face, slowly. 

"That's such a crazy plan!" he exclaimed, excitedly. "But I think it can work. Yeah, I'll give it a try!"

"Are you sure?" Susan asked, once again pretending that she was uncertain about the whole thing.

"Yeah, I think this is my only choice right now." 

"If you say so..."

"But there is a problem. I… Umm… I'm not sure I know how to style my hair in a girly ponytail."

"Oh don't worry about it, sweetie! I can help you in this regard. What are stepmoms for, right?" she finished, winking at him.

----------

The next morning, Susan returned to Timothy's room while Richard was taking a shower. "Are you sure you really want to do this, Timmy?" she asked one more time. 

"Yes, Susan."

"Okay, then let's get started. Sit here, please" she asked him, placing a chair in the center of the room.