Poison -3- by Melanie Brown

Poisoned Ivy League

By

Melanie Brown
Copyright © 2024

Part 3

The ride home was in silence. Everyone seemed lost in their own thoughts. I knew I was! This whole situation was insane. I’m a girl. Undeniably so. How? Nobody can really say why I wasn’t just outright fried by the bolt of electricity. It wasn’t just your old standard run-of-the-mill bolt. It was an odd color and modulating. What does that mean?

Nobody can answer that. The reply of all the experts was that, well, you can’t deny you’ve changed. No shit Sherlock! But I only got blank stares when I asked why.

I sighed. We had our first family squabble getting into the car. Obviously, I can’t drive even though I have for years. I no longer have a license, I’m technically not old enough, yadda, yadda, yadda. So it wasn’t hard to say that Sandra, or I mean Mom, would occupy the driver’s seat.

But when I started to get into the front passenger seat, Corey threw a fit. “I claim shotgun! You don’t get it just because you’re a girl!”

I glared at Corey for being so childish. “What are you talking about? I always sit up front when your moth… er Mom drives.”

Corey squealed, “You don’t! Dad did. Dad’s dead. So I get to ride shotgun!”

Zach rolled his eyes. In an irritated voice, he groaned, “Just get in the car, doofus.”

Sandra said in a calm, even voice. “Corey, let Diane ride up front with me this time, okay?” It was jarring to hear my new name being used.

Corey glared at me and turned to get into the backseat exclaiming, “Fudge sickles.” Sandra has a very strict rule on the use of obscenities.

She rolled her eyes and looked at me. “I’m glad that’s settled.” I couldn’t help but chuckle at the absurdity of the situation.

Corey pointed at me as I settled into the seat and said, “I get shotgun next time!”

Zach narrowed his eyes at Corey. “I’m next. I’m the oldest.” He gave me a look that dared me to counter his claim. “Besides. You got it all last week.” Note to self. Don’t die and transform into a girl if you want to keep the respect of your kids.

“That’s not fair! It’s because of her!” squealed Corey. He pointed at me, “You’re  poison, that’s what you are!”

I sighed heavily and looked over at Sandra… Mom! Dammit, Mom. In a weary voice, I asked, “Can I get a different family?”

Sandra… Mom! forced a smile. “It’ll get better, honey. I hope.”

The rest of the drive home was largely quiet. As I watched the world go by outside my car window, I couldn’t help but notice that things seemed different. My color perception seemed off. I kept trying to raise the seat. From the back seat, Corey kept giving me the evil eye.

As we came to a stop in the driveway, Corey blurted, “I call shotgun next time!”

Zach snarled, “I’ve already called it, dipwad!”

I turned in my seat and glared at both of my darling children... er siblings. “Look, I really don’t give a rat’s ass who sits here. I mean, like, who cares?”

Corey gave me a puzzled look. “You sound like Dad.”

Mom said sternly, “Diane! Young ladies don’t use that language!”

I opened the car door and groaned, “Wake me up from this nightmare…”

“What did you say, honey?”

I sighed. “Nothing Mom.”

I ran up to the door like normal and tried fishing around my pockets for the house key. It took a second to dawn on me that my dress had no pockets. Sandra had already mentioned to me last week that my keys, wallet and whatever else I was carrying were already stored in a box on her dresser.

Grinning as she opened her purse, San… Mom said, “I got it, honey.” With a smirk, she continued, “It’ll get better.” I just nodded.

Upon entering the house, I noticed everything seemed slightly off. Not just my color perception, everything seemed a bit too tall. Not by a lot, but noticeable.

The woman I used to be married to entered the kitchen and then just held her head in her hands. Shaking her head, she asked, “Anyone object to pizza for dinner?”

Corey squealed, “Yay! Pizza.”

Zach shrugged. “That’s fine with me, Mom. Get meatlovers.”

I said, “I had my heart set on lobster Newburg.”

Mom looked at me with an emotionless expression. “Fine. You’ll have to make it yourself.”

I gave her a half smile. “Pizza’s fine.”

Zach held up his phone and said, “I’ll order it.”

I walked back to our bedroom and was happy to find that the décor hadn’t changed yet. I sat on the bed and just looked around the room, reflecting that all of it would probably change.

Mom entered the room and sat next to me. “Just so you know, I already bought you a few items to wear tomorrow. Some panties, a few pairs of shorts. I got you a skirt. Don’t fuss. You’ll need it. I got you a bra. Yes, you’ll need that too. Trust me. I also got you a pretty nightgown.”

I shook my head. “We’re just going to rush headlong into this girl shit.”

Mom frowned at me.

“Stuff.”

Mom shrugged. “No point dragging it out, honey.  We have to face the reality that you’re a girl now, and what all that means.”

I laughed without humor. “Maybe I can change into something else. I feel like I’m wearing a prison gown in this.”

Mom nodded. “Sure, though, that is a nice dress. You can change into your new shorts. Sorry. None of your old clothes will fit you.”

I tugged at the cloth of my cotton dress. “Do I get to keep my old bed?”

Mom patted the bed. “You’ll be in here for tonight. Your new room isn’t ready yet, and you can’t sleep with either of the boys.” Obviously, I’m losing my office which will become my bedroom. The university would pay for new furniture, like a bed, a dresser. The room already had a desk. It made sense, but I still resented it.

 I stretched out on the bed, which was a zillion times more comfortable than the hospital bed I had been sleeping on. “Why can’t I just stay in here? It’s just us girls, right?”

Choosing her words, she said, “That’s true. But honey, you’re a teen girl now. You’re going to want  your privacy, and quite frankly, I will too.”

I narrowed my brow at her. “Privacy for what? We both now have the same parts, right?”

She smiled at me. “That’s true. But trust me, you’re going to want privacy.”

I was going to question her further, but the doorbell rang. “Pizza’s here.”

She stood up. “Let’s go eat.”

End of Part 3