This was a really good story. Although it is a work of fiction, the type of bigotry demonstrated in the story is, unfortunately far from fiction. Thank you, Joanne, for sharing a decent, touching story.

P1BrzU A round of applause for your post.Much thanks again. Awesome.

Yes I see a lot of comments again here. You are truly talented. It's such a shame though that a persons sexual or gender has to be such an issue and shouldn't be a basis to begin with when we take the measure of a person but rather the quality of the heart. I'm proud of you that you have chosen to show characters with the ability to love to an extent that it rises above all the other bullshit in life. It just breaks my heart that it is really an issue for a fact in real life. We truly are commanded if you have a religious position to love one another. We have all been socially engineered in life and most cant see how extensive it truly is. My creator is LOVE. if we could really all except one another without fear we would all be better off. I may not be "gay" or "transsexual" or "transgendered" or any other label as I'm just me; so for that reason on this comment I leave my e-mail address to tell you I have your back if you ever need it because your writing shows me love is more important to you then frivolous matters that are no more significant then a fart in a high gale wind. I don't know you but send you my love and well wish's. Take care of yourself as it is plainly evident to me that you are capable of a higher form of love regardless of what label you are perceived by by society. It's to bad we still have to deal with this type of issue. Lets all hope that if something does happen in 2012 it will be the raising of our conciseness as well as awareness that we are all one in all ways regardless of any false perceptions that cause division among the human family.  

Wonderfull story, It made me cry, through most of it. The charcters were wonderfull and compelling, I hope to read more of your work in the future.

Thank you

SO BEAUTIFULL ENDING:)
IS THE BEST I EVER READ!!!!
IT SHOUD BE MAKED TO A SHORT FILM,SO BEAUTIFULL!!!
CIAO!!

Please, Joanne, finish this story. I just loved it and I want to see how Melissa finally winds up. Happily in love with Steve I hope. Again, all your characters sound very real and I agree with Steve regarding all the bigotry in the world about others. Too many wish to foist their own beliefs on others with out even knowing the real circumstances or desiring to unless it fits their preconceived ideas.
Thanks again for a neat story, Hugs and Kisses, J-Lynn

I'm quite enjoying your story, and absolutely can't wait until the next part comes out!  I hope I don't have to wait a whole year for the next installment, as seems to have happened between the last two, but if need be I'm prepared.  Your characters are absolutely lovely.  Thank you.

I am still tingelling from reading the second part of this story,
Please, Please, Please write some more, I really want to know what happens to Melissa and Lisa.
Really hope u can get the time to write some more.
Hugs
Greg

Great story, very realistic and emotionally driven. I was hooked since chapter 1. Being TS myself, I'm pretty interested reading stories about the topic, I end up being pretty jealous to not have known or had that kind of support, especially at this early age.

At the same time it helps me to appreciate other's perspective, even in a fictional work, about how they see the issue, possible problems and all that. I didn't have the same thing about being perceived as having too much of a feminine presence at home, I have three younger brothers and no sisters, and have been raised as a regular boy I guess, yet the feelings remain the same as those presented in the story.

I can only guess from the stories I read that most TG stories are written by people who are TG themselves, to make them look so realistic. No need to worry about me being against it, I'd be working against myself, that would be pretty stupid of me. I'd accurately say that most TGed persons are pretty open-minded, creative, and I'd dare say, pretty strongly willed, it's sort of necessary in our society.

Well, enough of my rambling. Keep up the good work!

Sara Lennox

Great Story, please email me when you update!

Joanne,

I just finished reading part 3, and I wanted to tell you how much I am enjoying your story.  I really liked the way that the twins interacted.  I'm really looking forward to seeing how you move this forward.

Now the only problem is that I have found another author I really enjoy.  So I need to find enough time to read the 'Audra' segments, and the 'Presdoh' tales.  You're really messing up my schedule for the week!  :-)  :-)

Love,
Diane

Thankyou Joanne,
Excellent story, sadness and strength in our heroine, a great combination.
You are telling a very believable tale and highlighting the bigotry that makes our trans day of rememberance necessary.
Hugs, Chris.

Oh, dear.  I am completely blown away by this wonderful story.  What a range of emotions, too, and how masterfully handled!  I rate this story three hankies.  Please hurry the next chapter!

Darling, PLEASE don't leave off at Pt 2!!  We need to see how the twins' mother sorts out her problems and learns to accept Melissa, or what happens if she cannot.

It is very well written so far, I have to agree with those who already commented.  Look forward to seeing more.

Thanks, and hugs,

Briar

It is unusual to find a story that can evoke so much emotion in so little space.  You have created a very strong, sensitive tale. Your characters are believable and they act as many I have seen.  The plot is not the same old formula, but rather a different slant.  You are offering the reader a picture of a slice of Melissa's life. I hope you will be able to keep up the quality with the rest of the story. Thank you for sharing this with us.

I just read both parts of the story.  It is incredibly powerful.  i think that the reactions of the characters are very real.  I hope you keep it up in this vein.  

after part 2:  

WOW!  What a great story!  What a clueless mom!  I'm not talking about her goal or strategy - get my son back by sending him to military school - I'm talking about her amazingly counterproductive tactics  What reaction did she expect, springing the uniform on "her" out of the blue at her very feminine sweet sixteen party, in front of her girlfriends?   If she had determined to drive Melissa away she couldn't have planned a better way to do it.  If she had really wanted him to go to the school, there were much better ways to go about broaching the subject to her.   Not that they would have worked;  I agree with Tffox's assessment of the "I will kill me" line:  It works whether as a typo or not.

I am of the same attitude as Jenna on tragic endings, so I hope this turns out well eventually


It's a great story, the initial fears, confusion, leading to the eventual acceptance and decision

and the mother's need to deny this, to stop it....ever read mckloskey's "Crossings", a real life story, apparently the sister tried a couple of times to get Dierdre committed to an institution.

It's strange how a well written story can contain so much.  The mother willing to do things that she has to realize will kill her child, either from him committing suicide, or placing him in harm's way.  I fear that subconsciously, a dead son would be better than to have a 'new' daughter for the mother

-----------------
"It'll be good for you," Denise tried to explain, sounding almost desperate.

"I will kill me!" Melissa screamed as she bolted for her room.
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I read that as a typo at first, but the double meaning (military school will kill her, or she'll kill herself rather than face military school)  is quite effective.

Thank you for this story

Nice story. I only read bits of it. I'm one of those that like to skip to the end, Do I'll wait to read it until its more complete. I know it ruins the surprise but unhappy endings stay with me way too long and tragic endings are truely awful. I think I identify with charaters too much and real life provides all the tragic endings I can handle already. Keep going I look forward to what looks to be a great story.

Just got on line after Hurricane Frances went through  town and read your story. I loved it. I especially like the ending about story characters not really understanding why the real life test and all made a nice touch

If this was only a first part, I would have liked to seen more of the struggles that Josh faced while coming to terms with himself and his feelings.  We see a glimpse into Josh's feelings when he dresses in a bra and panties and just stares at himself only holding the dress that he desires to wear.  I think this part of the story from where Josh's sister finds out to the Real Life Test was a bit too short.

Sweet and gentle.  A wonderful story, and the best "twins" story I've read.  Excellent restraint..;quite enjoyable.

Simply the best story I have read on this site - thank you

Hi Joanne
This is an excellent story so far. I really loved it. You should add more insight on the mothers thoughts to make it even more real. You are doing an excellent job keep it up. You are truelly a talented writer.

Sincerely,
John

Thanks for the comments. :o)

Don't worry Jimmy, this is only the first part that sets up the conditions for the real story. I'm not going to leave Melissa hanging on a pending RLT!

Go for it Joanne, this is another great story! I am looking forward to more! The realism and friendship are excellent. More of mom's perspective would certainly help flesh out your story. It is fresh and vibrant, please continue.

Hugs,

Kristi

Thank you for this story.  There are few stories out there that really probe into what it is like to be a different gender than one's sex.  With this short story, you were able to only briefly touch on a few issues.  I would love to see you do a much more expanded story.

The mother's reaction was very typical.  Most TG/TS will lose part of their family in some way.  Can you imagine having to give up your mother/father/brother/sister to become the person you really are inside?

Good story, I really liked it!
I'm looking forward to the other parts of the story.