Morgan Switches Teams

Morgan Reynolds, for the most part, was your typical teenager. He played basketball, baseball, rode a skateboard and liked trail riding on his bike. On the outside, he was just like any other boy in his class. But on the inside, he felt different. His best friend, Megan, had a closet full of beautiful dresses that Morgan just loved. They often hung out at Megan’s house and played with her Barbies, played dress up and did girly things. Morgan loved spending time with his friend and doing these things. Since he felt more comfortable as a girl, he had talked his mom and dad into letting his Auburn hair grow out. It was now down past his collar and getting longer each month.

The summer before his second year of Middle School, Morgan got up the nerve and went to talk to his mom.

“Mom?” he sheepishly asked,

“Yes, Baby?” his mom responded.

“Do you ever wish I was a girl instead of a boy?”

His mom looked at him. Her mind pondering where this conversation was coming from. “When I found out I was pregnant, I hoped for a girl. What mother wouldn’t? But when we found out you were a boy, I was just as thrilled. Why do you ask?”

Morgan looked down at the floor. “I sometimes feel like i’d rather be a girl. I play dress up with Megan and I like the pretty dresses and the make up.”

His mother walks over and hugs him. “Baby, there’s nothing wrong with that.”

Morgan pulls back from her. “But if any of the boys found out, they’d make fun of me. Or worse, they’d beat me up.” His mother pulled him back into her. “Baby, there’s not a lot we can do about that. You just be you and don’t worry about anyone else.”

Morgan pulls away again. “There is something we can do. Megan and I looked on the internet and found websites saying there are hormones I can take and make me a girl.”

Mrs. Reynolds was shocked atl the resourcefulness of her son. “You’re talking about transitioning?” Morgan nodded his head. “That’s a mighty big step. Are you sure that is what you want to do?”

Morgan looked at his mom with pleading eyes. “I feel more like a girl than I do a boy, Mom. But what about Dad? He’ll be mad won’t he?”

She pulled him in close to her for another hug. “You let me worry about your father.”

Morgan put his arms around her waist and squeezed. “Thanks, Mom.”

“That’s what I’m here for Morgan.”

He pulled away and ran to his room. The first step was accomplished. Too bad the rest of them wouldn’t be as easy to tackle as this one.

A few weeks had passed since Morgan had talked to his mom. He came in from school that afternoon and his mom and dad were sitting at the table. As soon as he entered, his dad called him in to him. Morgan slowly made his way to join them.

“What’s this I hear about you wanting to be a girl?” his dad barked.

“ I..I..don’t..know Dad, I just feel happy doing girl things with Megan.”

His Dad slammed his fist down on the table. “Damn it Morgan! You’re a boy. You’re not some sissy. You’re my son. You damn well better start acting like it.”

Morgan’s Mom grabs her husbands arm. “Now Jim, settle down. We talked about this.” Morgan’s eyes are beginning to fill with tears.

Jim looks at his son. “Morgan?” Morgan looks up at him. In a calmer voice, his father continues. “Why do you feel like you need to change? I thought we had fun doing all the father son stuff like fishing and playing catch? You want to give that all up?”

“Daddy, I don’t want to give that up. I still like fishing and I love playing catch, but I don’t feel right as a boy. I like hanging out with Megan and putting on her dresses. I like playing with her make up. I just feel more like myself when I’m with her doing those things.”

Jim sat silent for several minutes. He pushed his chair back and leaned forward, hanging his head. “You realize it’s not going to be easy, don’t you?”

Morgan nodded.

“Yu’re probably going to get teased and picked on. You might even end up in a few fights.Is that what you want?”

“I know Dad. I just want to feel like me. Right now I feel like I’m somebody else.”

Jim let out a labored sigh. He looked toward his wife. “And you think this is a good idea?” He questioned.

“I think it’s what is best for Morgan.” she replied.

Jim turned back towards his son. “If we are going through with this, the first thing you have to do is get a psychologist to sign off on it. Once you’ve passed that hurdle, then we need to find a doctor to prescribe you the hormones.” Jim paused for a moment. “Have you thought about what you’ll change your name to?”

Morgan nodded. “I’m gonna keep my name. It’s good for a boy or a girl so that way I don’t have to worry about people learning a new name for me.”

Jim smiled. “That’s pretty smart thinking….daughter.”

Upon hearing that, Morgan jumped up and hugged his father. “Thank you, Daddy. You don’t know how much this means to me.”

Martha Reynolds chimed in. “Go get ready for supper. We’re going out tonight.”

Morgan jumped up and ran to get cleaned up. Jim lookes up at Martha.

“It’s not going to be easy.” he told her.

“I know, but it’s what she wants.”

Jim let out another sigh. “I just hope SHE knows what she is getting herself into.” With that last statement, he stands up and goes to get ready himself.

Within a few weeks, Morgan’s parents had found a psychologist to do the mental exam. It was a lot of questions repeated over and over again to make sure she knew what she was signing up for. After two hours of grilling, the doctor was convinced and approved her mental status for transitioning.