Tug of War 34.3

Timothy moved toward the table shyly and then sat down, smoothing down his dress and crossing his legs. Katherine followed his movements intently, thinking how stupid she'd been for not realizing way before that Timothy had always been a girl at heart. Seeing how pretty and delicate he looked, not to mention how naturally he could act as a lovely young lady, she had no doubts that Susan had told her the truth. Timothy was indeed a transgender, and nothing would convince her otherwise now. 

Kate thought it would be even a crime to force such a feminine and graceful creature to pretend to be a male, and she would do everything in her power to help Timothy in his transition to Tiffany. That was it. The girl would never think of him as Timothy again. For all intents and purposes, she was and had always been Tiffany, her pretty and feminine friend. For someone with such a "progressive" mindset as Kate, that definitively was the right thing to do.  

"Let me see your face, sweetie" Susan asked, like any other zealous mother. "Yes, this is much better now. You did a good job. Don't you think Kate?"

"Of course, Mrs. Foster!" Kate exclaimed, smiling. "You look absolutely beautiful, Tiffany."

"T-thank you, Kate" Timothy mumbled, blushing deeply. 

"Oh, I just wish I was as good as you with makeup" Katherine continued, sure that Tiffany would be happy to hear something like that. "Maybe you can give me a tip or two someday..."

"I... I guess so...?" Timothy stammered, mortified. God, such a request made him feel beyond sissified. Teaching Kate how to put makeup on her face? This definitely wasn't what he had dreamed of doing in the girl's company. "B-but listen, Kate, I'd like to... well... explain you exactly what's going on, okay? Did you tell her anything about my situation, mom?" he asked Susan. 

"Of course not, honey" Susan lied. "She is your friend, so you have the right to address the issue the way you want. In fact, I think I should walk away for a while to allow you two to have a private conversation. Wouldn't you like that? I'll be back in half an hour or so, sweetie" and saying that, Susan got up and left them alone. 

After Susan stepped away, an awkward silence took over the table; Timothy feeling too embarrassed and unsure of how to start the conversation, and Kate patiently waiting for him to take the initiative.

"Okay, Katy" Timothy finally said, so nervous that he was unconsciously biting his lower lip and twisting a strand of hair with a finger. "I… I think you want to know what's going on, right? Forgive me for keep using this... umm... feminine voice. But considering the way I look right now, I think I would draw unwanted attention if I spoke like a guy."

"Don't worry, Tiffany. I love this new voice of yours!" 

"Really?" Timothy asked, looking troubled. "Oh, well… Anyway, I want you to know that I'm not happy about this 'Tiffany thing'. I didn't plan any of this. It all began in an innocent and harmless way, when I was trying to teach my father a lesson..." 

Timothy then spent the next twenty minutes telling Katherine everything that had happened to him during the last few weeks, and how he had ended up at the mall dressed as a girl. Despite his initial reluctance, he realized that once he had start talking, he was unable to stop until his narrative was over. Sharing his problems with someone else was surprisingly good to him, and he felt very relieved at the end. 

"... And that's what happened, Kate. However, as I pointed out, I hope this madness to come to an ending tonight. Susan is sure that my father is about to admit defeat, and I can feel it as well."  

Katherine couldn't help it but felt a little disappointed for having to listen to such a silly and fanciful story. Why was Tiffany making up all those lies? No one in their right mind would believe she was dressing as a girl because of a crazy game against her father. No cisgender guy would even consider doing something like that. But Kate knew she needed to be patient. Tiffany would tell her truth sooner or later, when she was ready. For now, Kate would just support her girlfriend, as she had promised Susan. 

"So, what do you say? Do you believe me, right?" Timothy asked urgently, pouting and looking at the girl with pleading eyes. "Please, tell me you believe me!"

"Of course I believe you, Tiffany!" Kate said, holding the feminized boy's soft hands. "You don't mind me calling you Tiffany, do you? Just to avoid unwanted attention, as you said." 

"Well… It's okay, I guess." 

"Great. Then, as I was saying, I believe you, and I admire your courage to keep fighting for what is right. Neither your father nor anyone else is entitled to tell you how to live your life. Only you know what will make you happy. That's why I truly admire you." 

"Really?" the feminized boy asked, his face lighting up in a smile. 

"Absolutely, Tiffany! And you can count on me for whatever you need, okay? Remember that... Whatever you need..."

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"So, did you two talk? Susan asked when she returned. 

"Yes" Timothy said, looking more cheerful than at any other time during that day. "I told Kate everything about my struggle with my father, and that I've been dressing as a girl just because of that."

"That's true, Mrs. Foster" Katherine agreed, winking at the woman. "Now I understand everything."

"Oh, I'm so glad to know!" Susan clapped. "Now, let's eat something, and then we go shopping."

"Shopping?" Timothy asked; jumping out of his chair as his joy was quickly disappearing.  

"Exactly, young lady. I want you to try two or three different outfits." 

"B-but, Susan... Alright... mom, what is the use of this? I mean, the plan is that after today I will never wear women's clothes again! Then why waste money buying more girly stuff?"

"Because it will be so much fun, darling! Did you forget this is also supposed to be our mother-daughter day out? And don't worry about the money. We can always return the clothes later, or even give them to Kate to thank her for her support." 

"Oh, I fear that Tiffany's wardrobe will be a bit too girly for my taste. I think she should just keep her new clothes. Who knows when she'll need them again…" Katherine said, and she and Susan giggled. "Now seriously, Tiff" she continued, hugging Timothy from behind, which the boy enjoyed very much, despite being called Tiff, something that to him sounded even more degrading than Tiffany. 

"I think your mother is right. Your father will be even more disturbed if he sees that you not only look like a beautiful girl, but also are planning to keep living like this indefinitely. And what better way to make it clear that Tiffany is here to stay than getting home with many shopping bags full of cute and stylish clothes? He'll surely go nuts!"

"Oh my!" Susan exclaimed, her eyes shining. "I'm happy to see that your lovely friend here is such a smart girl, Tiffany, honey! She definitely is a great addition to our team, I'd say! You see her logic, right? This is going to be perfect! Let's get going, then. And you obviously are invited to join us, Kate. I'm sure Tiffany would love to hear your inputs about her new outfits..."