Even with no makeup I saw myself reflected as wholesome teenage girl, a little boyish perhaps, but unquestionably a girl, and an attractive girl for all that.
I finished dressing under Mother's gentle supervision. She seemed to read my mind as she spoke. "Shellie, sweets, this may seem awkward to you but most girls really don't mind changing in front of their mother."
I nodded even as I realized that if I were to live as a girl there would be situations that would challenge me, cause me discomfort. Was this one of the things Mother was trying to teach me? Was she trying to dissuade from living as a girl by exposing me to stressful situations?