Sissy

Sissy

By Storm Arcana

Make a fist when you check your watch for the time. Never flop your wrist down. Don't point your pinkie finger up when you drink from a tea cup. Better yet, don't use a tea cup. Use a mug. Hold it securely in your hand. Give a firm grip when you shake hands. A limp fish handshake is the worst thing you can do when making a first impression. Look people in the eyes when you talk to them. Nod your head up and down. Don't tilt it sideways. Hold your shoulders back, head up, chest forward. Don't walk side to side like girls do. Walk forward, with purpose, like a soldier. Fight back when the boys at school push you against the lockers. Don't cry when you lose the fight. Don't cry when the boy breaks your glasses. Don't tell the principal he started it. Respect your authority figures, even when you think they are wrong. Don't cry when the doctor gives you a shot. Don't cry when he wants a little blood. Don't talk back to the teacher when she says you talk too much in class. Don't talk so much in class. Don't cry when I whip you with my belt. Don't sass me. Boys don't play with dolls. They play with action figures. Hold the shotgun like this. Shoot it like this. Don't run to the kitchen with the women when the family gets together. Don't sew, cook, clean, or gossip with the women. Hang out with the men. Don't cry when the butt of the rifle hits against your shoulder at the Fourth of July picnic. Don't drop the gun. Don't embarrass me in front of my brothers. Don't cry at four in the morning when I wake you up for fishing. Don't throw like a girl. Don't scream like a girl when something surprises you. Don't cry when the larger boy at school takes your textbooks and throws them in the cafeteria trash can. Don't cry when everyone laughs at you for digging in the trash for fear of what your mother might do to you when you get home. Don't use your mother as an excuse for getting out of a fight. Boys don't skip rope or play hopscotch at recess. Boys don't braid girls' hair. Boys don't braid anything. Don't cry when the boys in the locker room call you a homo for not dressing out. Don't cry when the coach calls you twinkletoes in front of the whole class. Don't dangle your wrists when you run. Ball your fists up at your side. Chase girls at recess, but don't confide in them. Don't confide in anyone. Keep your feelings to yourself. No one likes a crybaby. Don't talk about what we do in our home to anyone else. Don't provoke me. Boys don't wear makeup. Boys don't dress up in women's clothing. Did you think it was okay to clothespin your mother's slip around your chest and twist your t-shirt on your head like Princess Leia? Did you think your mother was proud of you telling the mirror, “Help me, Obi-Wan, you're my only hope?” Don't fantasize about Han Solo. Men don't go out with other men. Unless it's to drink, smoke, hunt, or play sports. Don't cry when your mother slaps you for stealing her earrings. Boys don't wear jewelry. Maybe a necklace is okay, or a ring. Boys wear watches, not bracelets. Remember what I told you about when people ask you the time? Limp-wristed faggot. Make a fist.