"Diana, I have to tell you something," Sharon said. Sharon had had a few, and Diana got the sense that she'd been working up the nerve for this all night.
"Of course," Diana said. "What is it?"
"It's about my son, Aiden. I'm worried about him sexually, and I was wondering if you could..."
"Sharon, I love you, but I don't know that I can give you any advice on my godson's sexuality."
Sharon's eyes widened. "Oh, no! Nothing like that. This is...this is different. Perhaps I shouldn't have brought it up," she said, looking away. "I just don't know what to do."
Diana noticed her friend was blushing. Curiosity piqued, she said "It's Okay, you can tell me."
Sharon looked around then leaned in towards Diana, her elbows on the little round tabletop. "He's been wearing my clothes," she whispered.
Diana almost laughed - was that it? But she could tell that Sharon was distressed, so she put on a worried expression and asked, "What?"
Sharon nodded. "Yes. And not just my dresses and blouses, either. He's been going through all of my drawers while I'm away at work. Even my underwear drawer - I think he likes to wear my panties."
"Oh my God," Diana said. "Have you spoken to him about this?"
"No, of course not. He would be mortified. I'd be mortified."
"You can't just let him keep going through your things, Sharon. You have to say something. Really you should be punishing him for something like this. It's dishonest and weird behavior."
"I know, I know. But he's nineteen, and he's always been such a timid boy. I worry that this might scar him - you know how awkward it can be to talk about this sort of thing with your mother." Sharon sighed. "What should I do, Diana?"
"Do you want him to stop?"
"Of course."
"Then you have to punish him," Diana said.
"But how? He's too old now for me to ground or spank him."
Diana smiled. "That's easy. Give him what he wants."
"Give him what he wants...?" Sharon asked, confused.
"If Aiden wants to wear women's clothing, then let him wear women's clothing. Make him, actually. Take away his boy's clothes and make him wear your things around the house. Dress him up in frilly dresses and makeup, jewelry and high heels. And your bras and panties, too, since he seems to like them so much."
"I don't know, Diana," Sharon said, "that seems very strange. And almost like rewarding him, too."
"No, I think he enjoys the sneaking around and doing something naughty. If it's all out in the open, if his hidden fetish just becomes dress-up time with Mommy, I don't think he'll like it very much. In fact I bet he'll be begging you to let him have his clothes back."
Sharon seemed to think for a long moment. "That actually does make some sense. I just don't think I could do that, Diana. It would be too strange for me. I'm his mother, after all."
"Then let me," Diana said. "Bring him over to my house this weekend and let me dress him up for a few days. Caitlin is off at school right now, anyway, so I have the place to myself."
Sharon looked so relieved that Diana hugged her.
"Are you really Okay with doing that?" Sharon asked. "I know that this is a strange situation."
"Of course," Diana said. "You're one of my closest friends, always have been, and Aiden is my godson, I'm practically his aunt. I'm happy to do anything for you guys."
"Thank you so much, Diana," Sharon said. "Really. This has been bothering me for months now. Just one thing - could we keep this between ourselves for now? I don't know what other people would think."
Diana laughed. "It'll stay between you and me, don't' worry. And your son, too, I suppose."
They both laughed, and Sharon hugged and kissed Diana on the cheek. Diana could tell how happy and relieved Sharon felt, and over dinner and more wine they hashed out the details. Sharon would drop her son off on Saturday on the pretext of Diana needing help around the house, then return a few days later when Diana told her that Aiden was ready. He would not have a suitcase, and Diana hoped to get him out of his boy's clothes as quickly as possible and mail them back to his mother. He'd be naked and on his own, with nothing to wear but Diana's lingerie and dresses. Then the "punishment" would begin.
Sharon dropped Aiden off a few days later and Diana met him at the door. She looked him over as he stood awkwardly on the porch. He had Sharon's bright blond hair, grown a little long for a boy, perhaps, as well as his mother's full lips and big blue eyes. A good-looking boy, she thought, though slight - he was taller than Diana was even in her stiletto heels, but she almost certainly outweighed him - and a little shy. The girls at school probably tormented him - he was more feminine than a lot of women. He probably looked good in women's clothing, though, she thought, and smiled. They would find out soon enough.
She led him into the sitting room and sat down across from him. There was a gift bag on the coffee table between them. She crossed her legs.
"Do you know why your mother brought you here this weekend?" Diana asked.
"To help you around the house?" Aiden said. "I dunno, she didn't really tell me."
"Well, that's partly true. You are going to be helping me around the house. A lot, actually but that's not why she brought you here."
Aiden looked confused.
"Why don't' you open that gift. It's for you."
Aiden reached into the bag on the table then stopped when he felt what was inside. He looked at Diana with questioning eyes.
She nodded. "Go on."
He continued and pulled out a flimsy silk nightgown. It was purple with white lace on the chest and fringe, and little spaghettis straps at the shoulders. He held it up and looked at it, stunned.
"What is this?" he asked dumbly.
"It's a nightgown. A women's nightgown, for you. Now do you see why your mother brought you here?"
Aiden shook his head but he was blushing terribly.
"You don't have to play dumb," Diana said. "Your mother told me all about your little habit. She's worried, you see, and I can't blame her. What kind of boy likes to wear ladies' underwear? His mother's underwear, no less."
"I d -"
"Don't try to deny it, Aiden. She knows. She has known for weeks. Did you really think she wouldn't notice? A mother notices everything about her baby. And she's told me ALL about it."
Aiden said nothing, just stared intently at the floor.
"Yes," Diana continued, "and your mother has had enough. She said, 'If he wants to dress like a girl, then let him dress like a girl. That will put a stop to this.' This weekend is supposed to be your punishment, Aiden, and there's no way out of it. If you don't cooperate with anything I say then she is sending you to military school. Do you want that?"
Aiden shook his head. He looked like he was about to cry. Diana sat next to him on the couch and rubbed his shoulder.
"But I disagree with your mother. I don't' think this has to be punishment at all."
Aiden looked up.
"No," Diana said, "What I think is that you're going to like this, aren't you? This wouldn't be a punishment. Sharon, your mother, doesn't understand that some boys just want to be treated like little sissies, and dress up in frilly panties and bras. I think you're a sissy, Aiden, and if you want me to then we can make this weekend very fun. I can teach you all about dressing up and putting on makeup and jewelry, all the things that girls have to know, and then I'll tell your mother exactly what she wants to hear. All you have to do is tell me the truth - that you want it."
Aiden slowly shook his head. Diana stood up.