Phase II.V-Off

Twice in two days, Ben was too stunned for words. It took him a minute to register that this was his mother.

Sure, he had seen her face in make-up before this, and her face had the same make-up, but dresses? Heels? Pearls? This...

Ange prepared to grab her son again (these damn heels might complicate that, though), but unlike last time, he stood, just agape.

"Oh, come, kiddo, it ain't that bad."

"Not that... Mom, what the hell?"

"Babe, I'm alright, I actually like these clothes a little."

"It's.... I'm just...." Ben struggled to really get a grip on what the fuck was happening.

"Benny, I'm just trying something different."

"Mom, you once told dad that you would sooner get shot in the crotch than wear a dress."

"Oh, please, I say a lot of things."

"And you've never worn a dress since your confirmation, I think."

Confirmation. Reminded Ange to do something in a few days, but...

"Look, I just wanted to do something different. That's why we moved, huh?"

"I know, but this is...."

"I had help! Debbie and Sita were very helpful."

Ben gritted his teeth. He noticed his mom and the two of them were getting close, but this kind of change.... He was definitely going to have a talk with them later.

"Mom, I'm worried."

"Ahhhh." Anges was touched and strided over to him, giving him a little kiss. "You don't need to worry about little ole me."

"What if they're forcing you..."

"Look, you've known me your whole life, huh? You think if I didn't want this, I woulda said somethin', done somethin'?"

"Mom..."

"Benny, I'm fine, I'm tryin' a new look. It's really not that bad."

"Well,..."

"Ben, I know you're worried. We're in a new town. We don't know no one, we've got each other. You worry about me, I worry about you. You're doin' great, and I'm just tryin' to live up that."

"I guess that makes sense." Ben was still not convinced, but didn't want to argue anymore.

"Babe, I'm really fine. In fact," she gave him "I've never felt better."

In spite of this reassurance, Ben was still tepid on this sudden change, even as he watched his mother scarf down spaghetti like she always did.

They went to bed, Ange in nothing but her panties, but Ben sat, staring at the wall. He still needed something.

And he was going to get some answers.

"Ange!"

Ange smiled as she saw her friend Emmett as she walked out of Sports! He wore a white button up and khakis. She wore a shirtdress with a blue top and a striped white and blue skirt and sleeves, with blue heels

"Emmett! Long time, no see!" While she had been to the grocery store multiple times, she hadn't seen Emmett very much

"Grocery stores, you know. Shifts are a little weird."

"Sounds like being a cop." The two laughed.

"I see you have a new wardrobe."

"Yeah, I'm really liking it." Ange spun around to emphasize it. "Though, I could do without this damn corset. It's too tight."

"Yeah.... there should be corsets that are better fitting for your body type"

"My neighbors, they recommended these corsets in particular. They said it should make my body appealing."

"Uh-huh. You follow their advice on clothing?"

"Well, they have pretty good tastes."

"Okay." Emmett looked unconvinced, but changed the subject. "You bought something?"

"Well, my son had a little bet with me, and I wanted to... honor it. He had to deal with a work emergency yesterday and today, so we haven't been able to exercise. We should be able to do it tomorrow."

"Cool. Can I take a look?"

"I'm keeping it a little bit of a surprise. Just for my son."

Ange and Emmett talked a bit more before Ange decided to leave. Emmett walked into the store, and headed into the backroom. He pulled his sleeve and spoke into his watch.

"Hey, I know I vouched to have her play a large role in this, but let's see what exactly she's been doing."

Ben was tired. Again. Jing was still recovering from that damn hacking scandal, and he had to work long hours.

Still, with what happened and even this morning (where Angel... wore an even more feminine dress), he knew he needed to at least figure what exactly they had been telling his mother.

He walked up to their home, and saw Debbie sitting on the porch, staring out. She wore blue sweater and pleated skirt. She smiled.

"Oh, Ben, we haven't been formally introduced."

"Right, right," Despite being new, he had yet to talk to any significant degree with either Debbie or Sita.

"How are you? One of my students works at Jing, she said you had a hacking incident, from that awful feminist hacking group."

"Uh, yeah." He had heard them described that way, but was indifferent to their motivations.

"Well, hopefully things are better."

"They are. I wanted to talk to you about something."

"Oh?"

"Look, my mom... she hasn't been acting normal, she's started wearing dresses, and..."

"Well, what's wrong with that? Wearing dresses?"

"Nothing, I like dresses. It's just, you know her. She's a tomboy. She's always been that way, she's been masculine my whole life. Now, she's wearing girly dresses, wearing the make-up. And you have been telling her to do it."

"Oh, Ben, I didn't tell her to do it. I merely suggested it."

"Maybe you did, but I just want to make sure she's fine. I care about her."

"I know you do, she's told me as much. And rest assured, I may have guided her, but everything she's doing is of her own choice. I'm merely guiding her along."

Ben was unconvinced.

"Are you sure? This is a big ass change, even in this town, and I don't know if it's purely of her choice?"

"Do you like it?"

"Huh" Ben was confused by the non-sequitir. "What do you mean?"

"Do you like the look on her?"

"Yeah, she looks good, but..."

"She looks great! And she's loving it, she's also told me that. And really, she needed a big change, much as you did, and you're both slowly becoming part of our little community, are you not?"

"Yeah, but...."

"This is just one part of the journey. It's difficult and strange, and it takes a while to get used to. But, it is necessary and you will get used to it."

"Maybe I will. We're getting off track, I just want to make sure she's fine."

"I can assure you she is. She's been wanting to improve your relationship, and build something different. She wants to help you, comfort you, and try to do be a much better mother. I think you need to acknowledge how much things have changed. There's a new dynamic at play."

"Whaddya mean?"

"Think about it a little." Debbie just smiled creepily, as her pocket glowed. She reached to get her phone.

"Oh, I must be off. Sita made a mistake. Ta!"

Debbie rushed inside, leaving Ben to consider her words.