Adam had been out of hospital for a week. Already things were different. Drew still couldn't understand why his sister wanted to become male and his mother (Audra) wouldn't look him in the eye when talking to him. She was still loving and caring but Adam could sense that she was afraid. Afraid of her own son. Adam didn't want to lose his mother, but didn't want to remain female. He sighed and ran a hand through his now short hair. At least his mother had agreed to a haircut. He figured that was a battle in its own. He looked down at his wrists where the scars were still visible. He would have to keep them covered. At least it was summer vacation; he didn't fancy having to hide them from his classmates.
A few of his "friends" had sent cards while he was in the hospital. They were perched along his dresser, a frenzy of crayoned pictures and love hearts. They all said similar things. "Gracie, we love you!" "Get well soon Gracie" "Miss you Gracie" Gracie, Gracie GRACIE!. "No!" yelled Adam and swept the cards of his dresser. He then continued to throw other items off his desk, until it was empty. Just like he felt. The counseler in the hospital had advised against any sort of "descions" until Gracie was 14. But he didn't understand that Adam felt had he was never a girl. To himself, Adam was always a boy. He opened his wardrobe and began to throw all of his "female" clothes onto the floor. As he threw the last blouse ou he noticed his mother standing in his doorway.