Chapter 25: Lynda's back

The next day, Mum Keaton picked Randolph and me up from school and drove us to the property where my father was working that afternoon - he'd been warned to expect us. I went in and spoke to him first and I poured out the whole story while he tried to rake up leaves.

I guess he was nonplussed at first. "You're saying you came to like this girl dressing-up stuff."

"Yes, yes, I feel better."

He was shaking his head in a disbelieving manner. "Bloody hell, I can't understand this, Lynden, but okay, okay, if that's what you want, okay."

Then he looked at me with a wondering grimace, "I suppose you could have done it without me knowing . . . but they wouldn't let you, would they?"

"No, they wouldn't."

He nodded his head in resignation. "Right, right, let's just hope Matt doesn't find out."

It was great. Things seemed to be back to 'normal'. Mum Keaton and I started doing lots of good stuff together, and Randolph and I were back to being 'brother and sister'.

When I look back and reflect on what happened at this point, and over the next year or so, I don't believe that I had any grand scheme or conspiracy in mind, at least not consciously. I just made decisions and things just occurred that worked towards an end; and that end was wonderful.

I was lying on the bed and thinking about my family situation. I had to admit that we were borderline dysfunctional, but I had an idea that should help things a lot, perhaps even be a solution.

My mother was still in hospital, but thank goodness, was finally showing signs of improvement. Her doctors were saying that she might be able to go home in another month or so, but would still be very weak and in need of care. They warned that she wouldn't be back to normal for at least another six months and possibly longer.

I rang my father. "Dad, would you like to see Lynda?"

"What? Geez, I don't know, seems a bit weird."

"Go on, take a chance; it mightn't be all that bad and I bet you're curious," I urged with a smile in my voice.

I heard him sigh and answer, "Alright, alright."

We set it up. Mum Keaton picked Randolph and me up from school and took us home where I changed to Lynda and then we went off to see my father.

He looked uncertain.

"Well, what do you think, Father? An honest opinion, please."

He shook his head in resignation and with a shrug said, "You look like a bloody girl."

"Good," I laughed, "Now, I've got this idea to put to you."

"Dad, Mum is going to be out of action for quite a while yet, so I think it would be better for me to remain with the Keatons until she's completely recovered. I know that they are happy with that."

"Okay, yeah, I'd agree."

"And while I'm away, Dad, we could let Matt use my room."

He was surprised. "Are you sure? I mean . . ."

"I am, because I think things would be better at home if Ian and Matt had their own rooms. You could put some conditions on it, Dad, like, tell Ian that he has to stop whining and start helping."

He shrugged and replied, "All right, if you're willing, then we'll give it a try."