Right as Molly stepped through the doors of Duke's house she raced to the bathroom as quick as she could.
Duke, who was standing at bar in the kitchen where the bathroom was close to, scratched his head in confusion. "Not even a hello?"
"Hey, Duke," Dolly said as she sat in a stool by the bar.
"Hey, Dolly." Duke turned his attention to Molly's little brother, Simon. "Hey, Simon."
"Hey, Duke," he replied as he took off his backpack at put it on the hall tree.
"How did first grade treat you today, kid?"
"It was great, we did subtraction today."
"You did? Well that sounds like fun. Subtraction is a very important thing to learn."
"Duke, did you know that then minus seven is three?"
"I did know that but it's always good to get a reminder."
"Duke, can I go play outside?"
"Sure you can. Just don't go too far."
"Okay." Simon raced to the back door and went outside.
Duke turned his attention back to Dolly. "So, what's wrong with Molly?"
"She got her period at school today."
"Her first?"
"Yeah, and she got blood all over her white dress. So I guess she's pretty embarrassed right now."
"Did anyone see?"
"Yeah, she didn't notice at first and a lot of people saw the stain."
"Oh, poor girl. And on the week her mom's away."
"Yeah, I would hate to get my first period on a week my mom's away. My dad does not like to talk about periods at all. Like when it's my mom's time of the month he gets so annoyed when she says anything about it."
"Yeah, your dad doesn't like to talk about personal stuff like that at all. I guess it was him being a sergeant in the Marines for so long, they never talk about stuff like that."
"I guess it is pretty unprofessional. But Molly's dad probably talked about that kind of stuff with him all the time." Dolly giggled.
"Oh, he did. Molly's dad is not really embarrassed about anything so he would always talk about, I guess you would call it, "bathroom problems" with your dad."
Dolly laughed. "I love Molly's dad, he's like another dad to me, but being his sergeant must have been exhausting."
"I bet it was. I was his Corporal right before he left the marines and he was a bit of a handful. Your dad used to hate him so much when he was his Sergeant, hated his guts. But when they left the marines his heart softened and he really started to like Molly's dad."
"I guess civilian life can change someone."
"It really can, Dolly. But anyways, if you get your first period when your mom ain't around, you can always come to me. You know I don't care about talking about that stuff."
"I know, but it's just better to talk about it to a woman. Someone who's actually experienced it."
"I completely understand. But I'm here for you girls if you ever need me."
"I know, Duke."
At that moment, Molly came out of the bathroom. She has a sweater tied around her waist. "Hey, Duke. Sorry for not greeting you when I came in, I just really needed to go to the bathroom." Molly sat at the bar right next to Dolly.
"It's okay. How was school today, Molly?"
"Awful."
"I'm sorry to hear that, kid. Want anything, like a glass of water?"
"Do you have any Tylenol?"
"Yeah, I do. I'll get you some." Duke knew why Molly wanted some Tylenol, so he didn't question her. He walked over to the cabinet in the kitchen where he keeps some of his medicine and pulled out a thing of Tylenol. He unscrewed the cap, dropped a pill into his hand, and put the cap back on. He put the bottle back then got Molly a glass of water.
"Thank you so much, Duke," Molly said as she took the pill and glass of water from Duke.
"No problem, Molly."
Molly threw the pill into her mouth and wash it down with a sip of water.
"Hey, Dolly, could you go outside and keep an eye on Simon. Make sure he doesn't get hurt or kidnapped or something like that."
"Duke, I can watch Simon," Molly protested. "He's my little brother after all."
"Actually, Molly, I would like to have a talk with you."
"Oh no, am I in trouble?"
"No, you're not in trouble. I just want to talk to you for a little bit."
"I'll go outside." Dolly hopped off the stool and went to the backyard.
"Molly, how about we go sit on the couch."
"Ok." Molly got off of the stool she was sitting in and followed Duke to the living room where they both sat on the couch.
"What do you want to talk about, Duke?"
"Dolly told you what happened today."
"That I got my first monthly bill."
"Yes. Before we go on I just want to say that even though I'm a man and have never had a period you don't have to be embarrassed with me. I've been watching you since you were a baby so you don't need to feel embarrassed."
"It's okay, I'm not that embarrassed. In my house we always talk about stuff that's going on with our body with each other. Even periods. My mom talks about her period with my dad and I like it's nothing."
"Yeah, your dad hasn't changed a bit."
"Huh?"
"Your dad is just the type of person who's not really embarrassed about anything. He makes people feel comfortable. Never makes them feel ashamed about their body."
"It's nice, really. I can talk to him about anything."
"Yeah, I was going to ask you if you wanted me to tell him for you to make things less awkward but I guess I don't have to."
"I think it would be better that I tell him."
"Does your mom have pads in the house you can use?"
"No, she uses tampon, I don't think I'm ready for them."
"Well, have you been using something to absorb the blood."
"Yeah, toilet paper. Not the best but it's all I got at the moment."
"I guess now I'll have to buy some pads to keep around the house for when you come over."
"You'll probably have to get a lot. Soon Dolly will get her period and we'll be using the up fast."
"Gosh, seems like yesterday I was having to keep diapers around the house for you two, now pads."
"We're growing up fast, aren't we?"
"You sure are. Your first period, this is such a big milestone for you. Like, you're a woman now."
"But I'm only eleven."
"Well, you're still a kid, but you're growing up." Duke felt his eyes start to puddle up. "I just can't believe you got your first period. It seems like you were a baby then I blinked and you were all grown up." Duke turned his head so Molly wouldn't see him cry.
"Duke, are you crying?"
Duke shook his head. Molly smirked.
"You are crying. Oh, Duke."
Duke looked over at Molly. "You kids are just growing up on me. Where's that little girl with the pigtails who used to make me play dolls with her."
"She's right here in front of you, she just has to period now."
Duke now started to sob. Molly patted him on the shoulder. "There, there, Duke."
An hour or so went by and Gomer came by Duke's house to pick up Molly and Simon.
"Daddy!" Simon squealed as he ran up to his dad and have him a big hug.
"Hey, Simon. How's my little fella doing today?"
"I'm doing good, daddy."
"That's great to hear. How about you, Molly?"
"Oh, I'm okay."
"That's good."
Gomer waved at Dolly who was sitting on the couch. "Hey, Dolly. How are you?"
"I'm good, Uncle Gomer."
"Good."
Duke, who was in the other room, walked up to the front door. "Hey, Gome."
"Hey, Duke. Have you been crying?"
"Oh, uh, no."
"Your face is all red and puffy. Are you sure?"
"I'm sure."
"Because if you have been it's nothing to be ashamed of. It's good not to keep emotions bottled up inside."
"I'm fine, Gomer. It's just allergies."
"If you say so, Duke. Are you ready to go, Molly and Simon."
Molly was kneeling on the ground helping Simon tie his shoes. "Almost, dad." Molly then made a final knot. "Okay, now we're ready."
"Alright, kids, let's go."
Molly, Simon, and Gomer loaded up into Gomer's truck and drove home. When they got home, Molly made sure Simon wasn't around and told her dad that they needed to talk.
"What is it you have to tell me, Molly?" Gomer questioned as he sat on the couch.
"Well, today I at school…" Molly trailed off, she didn't know why but she wasn't starting to feel embarrassed about telling her dad about her period. She thought she wouldn't because she tells her dad about all her personal issues but right now that she actually tell him she's scared.
"Molly, you know you can tell me about anything. What happened?"
"I…I got my period. My first period."
A look of shook spread across Gomer's face as he put hiss hand on his head. "Shazam, you got your first period?"
"Is it okay that I told you? Because you look a little uncomfortable."
"No, Molly, I ain't uncomfortable. It's perfectly fine that you told me. I just wasn't expecting for you to say that."
"It happened before lunch. I leaked onto my white dress, that's why I'm wearing Dolly's sweater around my waist."
"Oh, I'm sorry that happened. We can try to get the stain out but if we can't we just have to get you a new white dress."
"A lot of people saw the stain. It was really embarrassing."
"I bet it was. Well, I'm glad you told me so I can help you out with this. Golly, my little girl is a woman now."
"I guess I am now. Even though I'm only eleven."
"Let me call your mom real quick."
Gomer reached over to the phone that was on the table by the couch. He picked it up and dialed the number.
"Hello, Lou Anne, this is Gomer. It's nice to hear your voice too, Lou Anne. Feels like you've been gone for a year not a week. Yeah, I'm okay. I'm actually calling about Molly. Yeah, she's fine. It's just she got her first period today and I'm not entirely sure what to do. Okay. Buy her pads, got it. Give her Tylenol for cramps. Okay. Alright. Okay. Well, that's what I wanted to call you about. Yes, Simon is fine. I love you, Lou Anne. I love you so much. Can't wait for you to come home. Bye." Gomer hung up the phone.
"Have you been having any cramps, Molly. Like kind of a stabbing pain in your stomach or back. At least that's how your mom describes them."
"Now that you mentioned it, remember this morning when I said I had a stomach ache and I said it was what we had for dinner last night not agreeing with me? I think those were cramps."
"Oh, well if have any more stomach pain just and get me because I'll give you some medicine to relieve the pain."
"Okay, dad. I will."
"Now, let's go to the drug store so we can get you some pads."
Gomer and Molly got into Gomer's truck and drove down to the drugstore and picked up a box of maxi-pads, then they went back home.
Molly walked through the door with a plastic bag with the box of pads inside. Simon then ran up to the front door.
"Daddy! Molly! Where were you guys?"
"We were just at the drugstore, Simon."
Simon pointed to the bag. "What's in the bag, Molly."
"Um." Molly couldn't think of what to say because her dad always taught her never to lie about anything. Gomer noticed it and spoke up for her.
"It's just stuff Molly needs because she's a girl."
"What is it?"
"It's something Molly probably doesn't want you to know about, Simon, because it's personal."
"That means to stop asking, Simon."
"Okay. But will I get to know about it when I'm grown up?"
Molly ruffed up Simon's hair. "Yes you will, Simon. Just not right now because you're too young."
"Man, I hate being a kid, you can never know anything."
Gomer patted Simon on the shoulder. "Simon, someday you're gonna wish you were a kid again and not know anything."
"I don't think I will."
"Simon, how about you go into your room and play. I have to help, Molly out with something."
"Okay, daddy." Simon stormed off to his bedroom.
"Okay, Molly, ready to put on your first pad?"
"Yes, dad. But could you come into the bathroom and help me?"
"Of course, Molly. Let's go now."
Molly and Gomer went to the bathroom and Molly sat on the toilet while Gomer opened up the box.
"Okay, Molly, I've seen your mom do this before. It's really easy. All you gotta do is unwrap it and put it on your underwear."
Molly took all the bloody toilet paper out of her underwear and threw it into the toilet. Gomer handed her a pad and she unwrapped it.
"Will this stick to my underwear well?"
"I'm sure it will. It has a sticky part to stick to your underwear so it stays in place."
Molly peeled the pad off the paper and just inspected it for a second.
"What's this made of?"
"I guess mostly cotton."
Molly stuck the pad to her underwear and pulled her pants up and cringed
"This feels like a diaper."
"I guess you'll get used to it. Your mom did. Golly, feels like just yesterday you were wearing diapers, now today you're wearing something that's like a diaper. But no matter how big you get you'll always be my little girl."
Gomer hugged Molly and Molly hugged Gomer back.
"My baby's all grown up. Almost makes me want to cry."
"Not you too."
Gomer wiped a tear away that started to stream down in cheek. "Where has my little baby gone? She's 11 now."
"Are you just figuring out that I'm 11 dad?" Molly chuckled. "I've been 11 since June."
"I know. I guess now it just hit me that you're growing up. You're a woman now." Gomer put his hand on Molly's chin and lifted her head up so they could look into each other's eyes. Gomer smiled down at her. "A woman."
"I don't feel like a woman."
"It's because you're still a little kid, but your body is a woman's body now. At least it's becoming one. Speaking of that, has your mother given you that special talk yet? That special talk about the difference between boys and girls and the changed you are gonna go through and...the birds and the bees."
"No, she has not. But I've learned some of that stuff in school. Remember when I was in 5th grade and they spilt up the boys and the girls and they told us about what we're going to expect while we are growing up. And you're the one who taught me what menstruation is last year that one night when Mr. Boyle and his daughter May were over and she got her first period." Molly then started to laugh. "Dolly and I thought she was dying."
Gomer laughed along with her. "I remember that. You two were so scared. Came running down the hall screaming like the house was on fire."
"Yeah, and May told us not to tell her dad but we did anyway and she almost killed us. Mr. Boyle handled it well though."
"He really surprised us that night. As long as I have known him he never liked to talk about personal business like that. But he didn't seem too embarrassed that night."
"So did Mr Boyle have to give that special talk to her since May doesn't live with her mother?"
"I guess so. It is better that mothers gives their daughters that special talk because they've gone through the things they are going to experience but a dad can do well too. When your mother comes back from her trip I'll tell her to give you that special talk. She should give it to you soon since you're almost 12 and you just got your first period. I have also been noticing some changes happening to your body. Your body almost isn't a little kid body anymore."
"I wish it would slow down. I'm one of the only girls in my class who is developing. I'm growing faster than Dolly."
"This is just the way the Lord above planned your body to grow."
Molly hugged Gomer a little tighter. "I love you, dad. I know dads don't like to talk about this kind of stuff with their daughters but you helped me out with it like it was nothing."
Gomer kissed Molly on the forehead. "I love you, too. You're my whole world, Molly. You're my baby girl and I want to make sure you are comfortable and happy and well taken care of. I don't want you to go through anything alone. We're family and families help each other."
"You're the best dad in the world."
"Oh, shucks, Molly. You're the best daughter in the world." Gomer looked down at his watch. "6:00 already? I better get dinner started, you kids must be starving."
"What are you gonna fix for dinner, dad?"
"I don't know. We got spaghetti I could fix, and some hot dogs and beans. We also got the stuff to make lasagna. What are you in the mood for?"
"I'm not sure, they all sound so good."
"How about you go ask Simon what he's hungry for."
"I will, dad."
Molly got out of her dad's hug and walked over to Simon's room.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Later that night Molly was in the bathroom and she had just taken a shower. She wrapped a towel around herself and noticed how some blood was running down her leg.
"This is gonna happen every month now, huh?"
She walked over to the bathroom mirror and started to comb through her wet hair. While she was doing that her towel slipped off her and she got a good look at herself in the mirror. She noticed how her body didn't look like it did a couple months ago. Her chest was bigger. She started thinking about how her mom is probably gonna have her wear a bra soon. She'll be the only girl in her grade who will wear on. All the other girls' chest aren't as big as hers. Her hips were also wider. She doesn't remember her hips looking like that. There was hair starting to grow on her body as well. Her legs, arm pits, a little on her stomach and chest, arms, and on her private area. The other girls don't have as much hair as she does. Her mom will probably buy her a razor soon to shave.
Molly took a good look at her in the mirror. "A woman." She said to herself as she smiled.
Her smile quickly wiped away when it felt like she was punched in the gut. She clutched her stomach and whimpered.
"I'm guessing these are cramps. Not looking forward to these every month."
Molly wrapped the towel back around her and walked to her bedroom where she put on her pajamas and sat on her bed. The pain started to become unbearable and she started to cry.
Soon after, Gomer walked into her room.
"Molly, is everything alright?" Gomer walked over to Molly and sat on her bed next to her. "Why are you crying, sweetheart."
"My b-belly hurts."
"Are you having cramps?"
"Yeah, and they hurt so bad." Molly sniffled.
"Oh, you poor thing." Gomer put his arm around Molly. "I'm sorry you're hurting, Molly. I wish I could take the pain away from you. I'll you get you a Tylenol, your mom takes that when she has cramps herself and always relieves her pain." Gomer got up, headed to the bathroom where they keep all the medicine, and came back with a pill and a glass of her water. He handed both to Molly when he walked in. "This should ease your discomfort."
"Thank you, dad. I appreciate this."
"You are very welcome, Molly. Anything to make you feel better."
Molly popped the pill in her mouth and washed it down with the glass of water.
"You better be going to bed, Molly. It's almost 10:00 and you got school in the morning."
"I don't know if I can sleep with this pain. Could you lay down with me in bed, dad. Just until I fall asleep."
"Of course, Molly." Gomer threw back the covers on Molly's bed and laid her and himself down. Molly continued to cry because of the pain while Gomer rubbed her stomach trying to ease the pain.
"it's okay, Molly. Daddy's here."
"It just hurts so bad."
"I understand. But the pain will be over soon. The Tylenol will kick in soon and the pain will be gone and you'll be able to fall asleep." Gomer hated seeing his little girl in pain, but there was nothing her could really do for her expect be there for her.
Soon, Molly's cramps started to go away and she fell asleep in Gomer arms. Gomer quietly and gently unwrapped his daughter from his arms and got out of her bed. He kissed Molly on her forehead and he covered her with her blanket to make sure she wouldn't be cold. He wiped toed to the door and before he turned off the lights he looked over at Molly. A proud smile grew on his face as he thought of how much of an amazing daughter he has. He loves Molly with everything in his being and though he is sad to see her grow, he's proud of how she's blossoming into a beautiful young lady.