Monday morning I woke with a feeling of dread. My mum came into my room at 6.30.

"Come on John. It takes women longer to get ready than men. You'll soon get used to it. Now, shower shave and meet me in the spare room."

After that was done, I walked into the spare room and saw what lay in wait for me.

A pair of smooth black knickers with lace panels at the sides.

"They were the least fussy ones I could find before you moan," Mum said.

I slowly dressed in the soft, unfamiliar clothes.A black bra with lacy cups came next. Mum stuffed them with tights.

Battles of the Sexes

The estrangement between men and women that had been becoming a deeper and deeper divide for over a century became a matter of hate to many if not most.

3/30/2024, 6:20 AM

Completely True Account.

Almost Captive In A Box

This is what I can remember of a completely true story that I have never written about or talked to anyone regarding the creepy people I met. It was so traumatic that I blanked it out until now.

This took place between 2005 and 2006 near Sherwood, Oregon. Later when I returned to make sure I was not remembering a hallucination, The place was gone, and tract houses had been built there.

Re-engineered
A Short Story
By Maryanne Peters

Dominic Grady came from a long line of engineers, and he was smart enough to follow that line. Not as smart as others in his family, like his older brothers Rod (structural engineer) and Paul (environmental engineer), but smart enough not to let the family down.

The Plagiarist

Plagiarism is alive and well, and it is the greatest literary art form ever known.

A super-short based on a conversation on our way to songwriters’ group.

Life can be tough if you're an artist, and I don't want to hear any agita about whether a potter is an artist or craftsman. Craftsperson. Whatever. A painter uses his hands to paint, a musician uses her hands to play; I use my hands to sculpt wet clay into interesting shapes. Then I use my hands to paint them.

So: I'm an artist. Stop arguing!

Extended
A Vignette
By Maryanne Peters

If I don’t look happy about it, it’s because I wasn’t. I had tampered with my sister’s shampoo so she ended up with purple hair the day before the big dance, so my mother agreed upon the punishment.

“You need to understand what hair means to a girl, Mason, so you will spend a month with girl hair.”

Occulta puella

To those who helped I give my blessing.
To the rest, may you one day receive what you deserve,
On my deathbed, alone as always,

Occulta puella. [Hidden Girl]

The last day of school has students and classes competing against each other in fun games. Two best friends have a conversation with each other after one of them lost a competition.

Summary: Discovering who you are is not easy when you're nine. Especially, when Mom wants you to clean your room.

Summary: A Mom reflecting on her little girl growing up.

“Bobby, sit still!”

“I can’t help it, it itches!”

“Bobby, be reasonable, I haven’t even picked up the clippers, it can’t itch.”

“Mom, I don’t care, can’t we just leave my hair long? It isn’t very long, it barely reaches my collar, there are lots of boys that have hair longer than I do.”

"Suzy, I can't decide," Bobby whispered.

"Bobby, you don't need to whisper, no one is around. And even if they were, it is 2023 and, at least here in Calfornia, no one cares if you buy a blouse."

"OK Suze, which one, the light blue silky one or the white with roses and lace? I can't afford both of the.... eep!"

Pronouns

This is a snippet out of GOM 46 that I am currently working on, but I thought it may be of interest as a short short stand alone. I’m still working on it in GOM 46 so it may end up slightly different and probably much longer. These are the words of a fictional character in a tale that is pure fantasy, so whilst comments are always welcome it is pointless to have a go at me.

As soon as I woke up I knew that this would be another scorching hot June day. It also meant that the boys’ decision to stage a skirt-protest against the dress code not allowing shorts would be implemented that day. I smiled. I had the most dashing skirt I was planning to wear. I decided to really girly up. Instead of having my long blonde hair in a low ponytail I decided to let it flow down to my shoulders over my ears. I picked my favourite white blouse and some thin tights. The tights somewhat negated the purpose of the protest but I couldn’t resist.

HOW THE TROJAN WAR WAS AVERTED

Growing Out
A Vignette
By Maryanne Peters

Hormones don’t reduce the size of your chin or your nose, or your hands and feet, but in all other respects they can work true miracles.

My hair for instance. I had worn it long before, but it still seemed like man hair. It is not like that now. It is soft and shiny and falls across my shoulders and down my back like a silken cascade. Believe it or not, this is my natural color – dark brown with a touch of auburn that lightens as exposed to the sun.

Different Perspectives of Benton
Perspective Two of Six: An Army of Sheep
Character Point of View: Rev. Abraham “Abe” Lincoln Shawn

“An Army of sheep lead by a lion is better than an army of lions led by sheep.” - Alexander The Great.

The Order of Things
A Vignette
By Maryanne Peters

I had a stopover in Thailand, and I decided to stay over and get the chop. It was a spur of the moment thing, but the way I figured it, why would I go on living as a man one day longer when I knew that I had always been a woman on the inside.

I got the body wax prior to the surgery. They even do the sack so that they can use it to fashion vaginal lips. I can’t stop admiring them in the mirror. Okay, I even show my pussy off to anybody who wants to take a peek, or even a photo.

Taller
A Vignette
By Maryanne Peters

Sometimes I wish I was shorter than him, but he says that he loves me the way I am. I am wearing heels in this shot, so he looks shorter than he is. But he says that he likes me to wear heels – they make my legs look even better.

“What the hell, Babe. Even without heels you are taller than me, so what do I care? Just be as beautiful as you can be.” That’s him. That’s my man.