I saw the right hand hesitantly place its index finger at the start of the pattern and start to trace it. As the hand proceeded through the pattern th...e world lost its vibrancy, eventually becoming monochrome, sounds became muted and then ceased altogether, until finally with a single, pure, bell tone that was felt rather than heard, the pattern became all and the world went away.If I dreamt after that, I didn’t remember it.When I woke up the following morning I was immensely sad. I wasn’t sure. Math study group." Okay." You sound different. Is something wrong?" Baby, you haven't said anything about your mom lately. Have you thought about her?"She sighed. "I've been meaning to tell you. She didn't exactly abandon me, honey. She's in prison in Arkansas." How did you find out?" Miracle of modern technology. Plus I asked somebody at school who knew somebody at the police department to do a search for me." How long have you known?" Since a week after school started. I've been meaning to. The two-piece top was hinged on the edges and the two pieces lifted up easily. Inside, the bottom was padded with foam rubber, but lined with plastic--like, maybe, a plastic shower curtain. She kicked her shoes off and lifted a leg up and stepped inside. Kneeling inside it, she closed one of the top panels, positioning her neck in the half-circle that, curiously, was just the perfect diameter for a neck to pass through. The panel didn't quite close down completely. She tried to pull it. I was too focused on putting on Julie's PJs to notice."“To see you so at ease in girl’s clothes was a shock but also a nice surprise. We need to explore your female instincts.”“But I’m a boy. I’m not allowed to be girly in any way.”“Yes, I know the dogma, but if you do have a feminine side, you should try to understand it and its implications for you.”"Maybe you're right. Hidden girly feelings could explain why I'm so uncomfortable with rough boy behaviour."“Okay, you can spend tomorrow as my.