Chapter 5: A New Look

Marie goes to Lorraine to see if she has a tennis racket.

"Hey Mom, do you have a tennis racket?" Marie asked.

"I don't have one but, I think Kate has one." Lorraine replied.

"Why would she have a tennis racket?" Marie then questioned.

"She wanted to be a pro tennis player when she was your age." Lorraine answered.

"Why?" Marie then asked.

"She thought the outfits they wore on the court were cute." Lorraine smiled.

"What is wrong with her?" Marie scoffed.

"Kate has good taste in clothes." Lorraine then stated.

"And I don't?" Marie then asked.

"I never said that." Lorraine explained.

"Mom, do you like the clothes I have?" Marie then asked.

"They're fine for your personality." Lorraine told her.

"Are you saying that I have a personality of a boy?" Marie then inquired.

"No, Sweetheart. I'm just saying that your style of clothes are perfect for the way you are." Lorraine then said.

"I wear jerseys, basketball shorts, t-shirts and jeans." Marie then stated.

"That's what you preferred to wear since you were six." Lorraine then told her.

"Why was that?" Marie then questioned.

"I let your Father take you clothes shopping and I now realize that was a huge mistake." Lorraine smirked a little.

"I like the attire that Dad chose for me." Marie stated.

"Marie, it would be nice if you had a few dresses in your closet or a few skirts." Lorraine commented.

"Mom, I have a dress in my closet." Marie then replied.

"Marie, a young lady should have at least four dresses in her closet." Lorraine then explained.

"I don't like dresses." Marie sighed.

"I know that Sweetie." Lorraine then sighed.

Marie walks away before Lorraine and her start to argue. Marie walks into Kate's room.

"What is it?" Kate asked.

"Can I borrow your tennis racket?" Marie then asked.

"Can't find a fly swatter?" Kate then questioned sarcastically.

"Jamie invited me to play tennis with him tomorrow." Marie told her.

"He invited you to play tennis?" Kate then pondered.

"So, can I borrow your racket or not?" Marie then asked impatiently.

"You can keep it." Kate told her.

"What's the catch?" Marie then asked.

"No catch. I don't use it." Kate then said.

"Thanks, I guess." Marie said confused.

"What's wrong?" Kate asked sensing something was troubling Marie.

"Do you think I dress like a boy?" Marie asked.

"Honestly, yes I think you dress like a boy. Especially when you wear a baseball hat and tuck your pony tail underneath it." Kate explained.

"They're called baseball caps." Marie said correcting her.

"My point exactly, a normal girl your age wouldn't know that." Kate then stated.

"So, I'm not normal?" Marie questioned.

"Let me rephrase that. You're normal for this family but, outside this family everybody else sees you as a Tomboy." Kate then said.

Marie leans against the wall in disbelief.

"Do you see me as a Tomboy?" Marie asked.

"No, I see you as my little sister that dresses like a boy." Kate replied.

"You do think I'm a Tomboy." Marie then stated.

"Maybe, a little." Kate shrugged.

"Some sister you are." Marie scowled.

"That's why no one tells you anything negative about your appearance." Kate told her.

"Why doesn't anyone comment on my appearance?" Marie then asked crossing her arms.

"Your attitude." Kate then replied with her tennis racket in her hand.

"I don't have an attitude." Marie huffed as she grabbed the tennis racket and left Kate's room.

"You're welcome." Kate said as Marie left her room.

Marie goes into her room, tosses the tennis racket on the floor and stares at herself in the mirror.

"Maybe I should wear some makeup and dress up a bit." Marie said to her reflection.