My Mother is a Transvestite

Discovery in the Attic

A bright blue sky with an orange tinge spread out evenly, giving a sign that it was almost afternoon. The wind blew slowly, blowing away the fallen leaves, and mixed with the fragrance of the flowers growing around Ana's house.

Inside the house, there were small footsteps that stepped quickly towards the stairs leading to the attic. Joseph, with eyes sparkling with curiosity, decided to explore the attic. His dark brown hair was flying as his pace grew faster. The attic has always been a mystery to him, filled with dusty boxes that hold memories of the past.

As he entered the attic, the sunlight that broke through the cracks of the wooden roof provided sufficient illumination for him. Joseph found a brown wooden box with ancient ornaments in the corner of the room. With his small hands, he opened the box and found a toy train that looked worn out by time.

"Wow!" Joseph cried out with wide eyes. He holds the toy and imagines it. "Chug-chugs! Ready to go to the next town!" he said, letting his imagination go.

The frown on Ana's forehead began to disappear when she heard Joseph's carefree voice from the attic. Ana, with the cooking apron she was wearing, left the kitchen and climbed the stairs to see what Joseph was doing. When he saw the toy in Joseph's hand, his eyes widened, and memories of the past came back to him.

"Yusuf," he said in a soft tone, "where did you find the toy?"

With a big smile, Joseph replied, "In the old box in the corner of the attic, Mom. This was your train as a kid?"

Ana sat on the wooden floor of the attic, took a toy from Joseph's hand and looked at it with teary eyes. "It's not mine, it's yours when you're a baby" she said, wiping the surface of the toy with her lentic fingers.

"really?" Joseph with a face full of curiosity approached, sitting cross-legged next to Ana. "Tell me dong, Mom!"

The afternoon light dimmed further, giving a warm atmosphere in the loft full of memories. Ana took a deep breath, then began to tell me, "When you were born, a good friend gave me this toy train for you. He said, may Joseph grow up to be strong and cross obstacles like a chariot that never stops."

Yusuf looked at his mother's face, saw the fine wrinkles at the corners of his eyes and the gentle smile that formed on his lips. "Then, why is this toy in the old box in the attic, ma'am?"

Ana smiled, "Because we always want to keep precious memories, even though sometimes we forget where we put them."

The two laughed, and that was when, amidst the warm memories and dim afternoon light, the relationship of a mother and child grew even tighter.

The sky began to turn dark purple, signalling that night was coming. The birds return to their nests, creating a harmonious background of sound. Ana and Joseph were still sitting in the attic, surrounded by dusty boxes of memories. Joseph, with his eyes still shining with curiosity, looked at Ana and waited for the next story.

Ana took a deep breath, "When I first saw you, Yusuf, you were playing alone in the yard with a little toy car."

Joseph raised his eyebrows, "Mobilan? Not a train, Mom?"

Ana smiles, "Yes, mobile. The orphanage was on the outskirts of the city, in an old house with a rusty iron fence and a garden filled with daisies and roses. Just then, the sun was shining brightly, and the breeze brought the scent of flowers and chocolate cake being baked."

Joseph felt his nose in the sweet, warm smell of chocolate cake. "Mmm, that must be so good!"

Ana laughed lightly, "Yes, indeed. The owner of the parlor, Ms. Sari, is an expert in baking. The children in the parlour always look forward to the special moments when Ms. Sari bakes her legendary chocolate cake."

Joseph tried to remember, but the memory was blurred. "But why am I alone, Mom?"

Ana looked at Joseph with loving eyes. "You've always been independent since childhood. Even so, I can see the loneliness in your eyes, as if you are waiting for someone who will understand and love you."

Ana nodded, "Yes. I came to talk to Ms. Sari, wanting to know more about the children in the orphanage. But, as soon as my eyes are on you, I feel like there's a special bond between us."

Yusuf, with teary eyes, asked, "How did you react when you first saw me?"

With a warm smile, Ana replied, "You're sitting under a big tree, with your disheveled hair and your face shabby from playing with the ground. However, what I remember most is your eyes, which are filled with hope and curiosity."

Joseph smiled, "As when I found this chariot toy?"

Ana nodded, "Exactly. Back then, I felt like I had to take you home, give you the home, family, and love you've been looking for."

Both of them were silent for a moment, drowning in memories. As the night deepens, the soft glowing attic lights add warmth between mother and child, strengthening each other and appreciating every precious moment they have shared.

The attic lights began to glow with a consistent rhythm, providing enough illumination to continue the warm conversation between Ana and Joseph. The sound of crickets began to be heard from outside, accompanying the rhythm of a peaceful and calm night.

Ana took a deep breath, trying to gather her first memories with Joseph. "You know, Joseph, being a mother is not easy, especially for someone who is taking care of a baby for the first time."

Joseph, with an expression full of curiosity, asked, "What happened, Mom? Do I cry often?"

Ana smiled, recalling those times. "Oh, of course. Every night, like a clock, you will cry. I tried everything, from carrying you, to singing lullabies, to dancing around the room."

Joseph's eyes grew, "Dance, Mom?"

Ana laughed, "Yes, dance! I was so desperate trying to make you stop crying that I danced with silly moves." He then imitated some of the dance moves he had done, making Joseph laugh out loud.

However, the cheerful atmosphere soon changed as Ana continued her story, "However, there was one night that really frustrated me. I woke up to your cries and found you soaking wet. I think maybe you're cold or something's wrong. But, when I checked your diaper..."

Joseph frowned, "What happened to my diaper?"

With a reddened face, Ana replied, "It turns out I was wearing your diaper wrong! I was too tired and maybe a little dazed back then, so your diaper was upside down! Your urine spilled and wetted the whole bed."

Joseph laughed loudly at his mother's story. "Oh, Mom! So that's why there's a photo of me in a diaper upside down on the family album?"

Ana nodded while laughing, "Rubber! I'm photographing you as a memory that a small mistake can be an unforgettable memory."

Joseph approached Ana and hugged her tightly, "Thank you, Mom, for taking care of me so lovingly, even with the diaper upside down."

Ana stroked Joseph's hair, "You are my greatest gift. My little mistakes as a new mom only remind me how precious every moment is to be with you."

The leaves outside began to whisper with the night breeze, sending out the scent of the blooming jasmine flowers. The attic lamp gives a golden glow on Ana and Joseph's faces, capturing the warm moment between mother and son who appreciate their life together.