Part 1

When Mrs. Guertin decided the house had gone too far, she didn’t raise her voice. She simply told Todd it was time he helped clean-inside and out.

Todd groaned from the couch, remote still in hand. “Mom, I’ve got stuff to do. Why can’t you just hire someone?”

Mrs. Guertin’s smile stayed pleasant, the same one she wore when the church ladies visited. “Because you’re perfectly capable. And because I’ve had enough of your attitude.”

Before he could answer, the world tilted. A strange, dizzying pull swept through him. When the spinning stopped, Todd found himself standing in the front hallway… looking down at soft, older hands, a pearl necklace, and the familiar pink floral-trimmed apron dress his mother always wore for housework. His own voice-her voice-came out when he tried to speak.

Across from him stood a tall young man in jeans and a T-shirt who looked exactly like Todd… except the expression on that face was pure, calm satisfaction.

“There,” Mrs. Guertin said in Todd’s deeper voice. “Much better. You will clean this house until it is perfect. Every surface, every corner, the yard included. When I’m satisfied, we’ll discuss switching back. Until then, you are me-and I expect you to act like it.”

She pointed toward the front door. “Outside first. The lawn needs raking. The flower beds need weeding. Look cheerful while you do it. The neighbors will see you, and I will not have them thinking Mrs. Guertin is sulking.”

Todd-trapped in his mother’s body-opened his mouth to protest, but the firm look on his own face stopped him. He shuffled outside in the black ballet flats, the pink dress swishing around his unfamiliar hips. The wooden rake felt heavy and awkward in softer hands. He began dragging it across the stone path and grass, trying to ignore the way the dress moved and the way the morning sun felt on bare arms and legs.

Mrs. Guertin watched from the doorway for a moment, then closed the door. Inside, she peeled off Todd’s clothes without hesitation and slipped into a pair of her own soft panties and a comfortable floral housedress. The fabric settled easily over her-his-frame. She tied an apron around her waist, rolled up the sleeves, and set to work.

She started in the living room, dusting, vacuuming, polishing until the wood gleamed. Then the kitchen, scrubbing every cabinet face and appliance. When she reached Todd’s bedroom she paused only long enough to open the windows and strip the bed. Sheets went into the washer. Clutter was sorted, folded, or discarded. The air freshener she sprayed smelled like lemon and clean cotton.