The Heist: One Year Later

As much as he hated it, Alex soon settled into his new role as the family's little ballerina. For two hours every Tuesday and Thursday, he donned panties and what he still thought of as his sister's ballet clothes. Then he was taken to Madame Rousseau's and had to spend the time prancing and twirling as Alice, the name his mom had picked for him. He could not decide which was worse, having to pretend to be a girl or that no one had ever thought he was not a girl. It's only for the rest of the year, he kept reminding himself. Mom had only paid for twelve months, after all, and he did not know how many classes his sister had gone to. Probably not all that many, judging by how long he seemed to be going to classes.

When it came time for his fifth recital, Alex finally put the dots together. If recitals were every three months, the math did not add up. He was well into his second year of ballet! He confronted his mom, but she was entirely unapologetic.

"You've improved so much, I just figured we'd keep it going until you can't pass for a little girl anymore."

"What? Mom, this has gone on long enough!" He stomped a slippered foot.

"Sweetie, it's been over a year. If you wanted to quit, you would've told me by now." His mouth opened and shut in horror. How could she doubt it? Of course he wanted to quit! "And you've become such a talented ballerina. It'd be a shame to oppress your natural talent!"

"But mom!"

"Now hush. You have what, six tutus in your closet now? And I don't know if you've noticed, but you move like a ballerina now, even in your boy clothes. Why else do you think I just paid for another eighteen months of ballet?"

"Mom, it's not fair!"

"Oh, hush. Complain all you want, but the fact it took you what, fifteen months to even notice that you're still going to ballet must mean it's doing some good." She clapped her hands. "Now, Madame Rousseau wants me to get a photo of you for the front of the recital brochure. Go stand over in the corner." She smiled. "Imagine that. The recital's only male student is the cover ballerina."