Mom had excused herself to go and sleep. My sister said, “So give, you said Drew didn’t have a future with you. But I hear you got hot enough he swept you off your feet. I was told you two even disappeared for a while.”

I told her, “I couldn’t help myself; I liked getting his attention.” I asked, “What else did Tiffany say?”

Rachel giggled, “It wasn’t Tiff, but the person said you came back intact. Seemingly however you pleased Andrew. Mom and I knew by your breath what you did; whatever you drank was not enough to cover it.”

I asked, “Couldn’t be or she would have been angry with me. But, before Mom said goodnight; she said something about going away this summer. Do you know what she was talking about?” Rachel said I would have to ask my mother in the morning.

I found a change of Laura’s clothes when I woke after 9:00 with a note to take a shower and brush my teeth and use the mouthwash. She had out on the bed a red polka dot and a white summer dress.

I remembered a time when Rachel was my age now, and she had worn clothes like this and she and mom went shopping for a day before taking a trip. I don’t know where they went but they were gone a month or more. I didn’t notice much of a change, but others did. Rachel was as happy and active as before. However, other people said things like she had grown up, and was more mature. They called her a young woman saying she wasn’t a little girl anymore.

Mom took me into her and Dad’s room, “Laura, I want to talk to you privately. Your father and I have already talked and decided what we’d like you to do if you should be willing.”

“I’d like to take you and your sister away for part of the summer and give you a chance to be Laura. Your sister knew you were dressing in hers and other feminine clothing that I’ve compiled for teen girls. I guess the prom and your other time with Drew showed there’s more to this than just the clothes.”

I was surprised that we were talking about it and that my mom, my parents, didn’t seem to be upset with me. Finally, I said as much, “I thought you would be angry, furious with me, and do something I’d be sorry for if you found out.”

Mom didn’t mean to, but her expression gave way to another thought. Your father and I were upset at first and maybe even angry. But it was more at me or the both of us that we hadn’t seen it. Andrew and the girls who’ve become closer friends seemed to realize what was happening before we did.”

Tiffany’s mother and Rosemarie and your counselor Jenn all presumed we knew you liked being a girl more than we did.”

Mom said, “I thought we’d go and get some clothes today, so we could go away for a while this summer after school is out. I want to help you learn what it would be like to be a girl and not just pretend now and then. I think you should seriously consider going to school next year as a young woman if that is who you see yourself to be.”

I wanted to pinch myself to make sure I was awake and not dreaming; instead, I reached with two hands to hold and squeeze my mother’s hands. I looked her in the eyes and her face. “Are you asking if you could treat me as your daughter?”

Mom’s head slowly moved up and down, she was looking for my reaction and what I’d say. We hugged and Mom asked, “Would it be pushing too much if you, your sister, and I went shopping for our time away?”

“Meaning I can go with you two as Laurie,” I asked.

We emerged from their room with both of us smiling. Rachel hugged me and Dad smiled but then he went walking off to his domain.

I picked up a breakfast bar and then excused myself. I felt the need to shower again this time using a fragrant body wash, to condition my hair as well as shampoo my hair. I shaved my legs and under my arms. It was so freeing to be able to do this without hiding or fear of being found out. I know I didn’t look like anything special, but somehow I impressed my sister and mother when I came back, ready for the day.

Rachel did a double take, “You’re the same, but something changed.”

Mom asked, “She’s just more comfortable, aren’t you?” They both complimented my shampooing and conditioning of my hair. Mom delighted in saying, “You must have rinsed off more stress than I realized was there.”

Dressed and downstairs, Rachel was handing me a red purse with long straps. Mom said, “We’re going out for breakfast. Hopefully, that means none of us will be raising our voices, and we will be quietly talking among ourselves. Nothing is set in stone but there are some things we need to talk about. One thing we need is to learn to be a trio of girls when we go shopping.”

We drove a little and went to a café that Mom and Rachel had gone to, but it was something that Lucas wouldn’t have enjoyed, especially with his idea of a breakfast out. I ordered three small raspberry crepes. Mother ordered me a pudding square with swirls of chocolate sauce drizzled over it with a thin line of peppermint. I guess the small slender spoon was so one would eat it slowly and savor it as we talked.

A woman, Audrene, came over, “Joann it is nice to see you and your daughter Rachel back, but who is this? I don’t think we’ve had the pleasure to meet yet.”

Mom looked at me, “Laura, this is Audrene the proprietor of this special place. Audrene this is my younger daughter who I’ve kept hidden away?”

Audrene’s eyes perked as she realized I was my mother’s other helper. Audrene hesitated, but then said, “Now I understand how she’s been so helpful since Rachel grew up and went away to the university.”

She turned to me, “It is very nice to meet you. I hope you are enjoying yourself?”

Lucas’ voice almost surfaced, but I caught myself. “I love this pudding square. It is more than an ordinary vanilla pudding with chocolate sauce. My taste buds can’t tell what you’ve done to it.”

Audrene smiles at me, “I’m not going to spoil it; I want to see if in time your tastes refine and you can tell what you taste when they do.”

Rachel teased me saying she would need me to tell her.

I was surprised that the three small crepes and the pudding were sufficient for my breakfast. I even enjoyed it along with drinking an unusual hot tea. Usually, I need breakfast meat and potatoes or pancakes and syrup. Like Laura I was happy with myself, a change of appetite will help me eat more like a girl. I bet it will help my figure.

Before we left the table, Rachel asked me to go with her to the women’s room. It took more effort to use the toilet and to get myself back together. I washed and dried my hands before refreshing my makeup and coiffing my hair. Using a makeup triangle and having my permission; Rachel smoothed out what would have been a makeup blemish. I hadn’t noticed it until I saw the reflection of a girl’s face that I had seen on so many others.

We went to a mall that was pretty much like two closer to where we lived, but here I’d relax and enjoy discovering myself without others I knew seeing this side of me before I was ready. One of the first purchases was a body shaper that added just over an inch to my hips.

I began to protest before Rachel suggested that I’ve seen and stated things about how much some girls seemed to be able to change their appearance. Rachel said, “A girl doesn’t announce if she padded her top or bottom. Sometimes it can be just the design of the clothes or a look, but sometimes it is more. There is more to it that I won’t tell now if you don’t tell but compliment me in my turn.”

I thought, “That’s it, it may or may not be, but don’t tell others lets others guess or think they know.” My sister smiled.

Mom had us make two purchases. And then it was on selecting my first two bras. Like the panty, Rachel first gave me, my first two panties purchased now were satin and hugged me like dainty gloves in soft hands. The idea of someone’s hands holding me like that brought a mischievous smile to me. I tried on many outfits way more than we bought, but we did get a good number. It was only after the dresses and skirts were purchased that my mother was open to my trying on some jeans and shorts.

It was four o’clock in the afternoon when Mom suggested I had enough and I should be tired. I said, “It is like Laura’s been hidden away and then my birthday and Christmas were both here. I am spoiled, but I am not tired of it.”

We were going through a department store, when a cosmetician noticed us and asked, “If you three are still here, I suspect someone is ready to relax and get a free makeover?”

Rachel spoke up, “Our Mom is just allowing Laura to wear makeup, so yes she could use it.”

I paused and looked at my mother, until she gave in and said, “If their father is up to it we will be going out to eat. Can you show her how a young woman might prepare for a casual evening out?”

The Cosmetician said, “My name is Tina, and I’d be happy to do so.” Turning to me and motioning to her stool, “If I could know your name and the two with you?” I introduced my sister, Rachel, and my mother, Joanna.

Tina complimented my complexion, “By looking at your hands, I suspect you’ve been a tomboy, and have recently embraced your feminine side.” She asked, “Have you recently gone to a prom? How did you enjoy that?”

The time was going fast, and I was surprised to find myself saying as much as I did. “So did you already know you liked boys or were you caught my surprise?”

I stared at my mother before I dared answer. “He’s not going to be my boyfriend, yes I was surprised how much I liked his attention.”

We were about finished when Tiffany and another girl, Michele, walked up and said hello. Michele said, “Oh my, Laura, you are beautiful. Isn’t he… she, Tiff?”

Tiffany caught the slip and giggled, “The best she’s ever looked. I guess she is coming out of her shell.”

Tiffany, Michele, and Rachel got lost in their conversation about me. While Tina, my mother, and I were caught up in a conversation about what makeup was being bought and what Tina was giving as samples. Mom had not been planning on it but we bought a makeup case and filled a good third of it.

Mom insisted that it was not much overall, but I knew she spent over $300, how much over she wasn’t saying. But I was sworn not to tell my father.

Once we were done, Tiffany, Michele, and I shared air kisses.

My father was never given the choice about going out for dinner. I had fallen asleep in the car while talking about all that was purchased for me.

I can’t remember the dream or nightmare I had, but when I woke up at 10:00 p.m. I quickly found my way to my mother and said without discerning if she was listening. “Mother, I’m hoping you were not thinking about me having surgery and going back to school as a girl like that?”

My mother heard only part of what I said; she said, “No one has mentioned anything about surgery. Though a health check and a testosterone blocker might be considered. You are a little late in maturing as a man.”

I was awakened Sunday morning by Tiffany calling me, “Are you Laura today?” When I acknowledged I was she said, “Get up and get dressed; I want you to go with me to 9:00 Mass at St. John’s today.” I looked at my clock and saw it was 7:00 a.m. It would give me enough time to get ready, but when I was ready to say yes. Tiffany said, “Okay, we will pick you up fifteen minutes before church.”

I covered my hair, before getting into the shower. The water helped me to wake up. I had on my nightie and a robe as I made my way to the kitchen to get something to drink. When Mom asked, I told her I was going to church with Tiffany. Mom suggested the same skirt outfit that I was thinking of. “Make sure you wear a half slip and camisole with the outfit.”

I got dressed, did my makeup and hair, and then went to Rachel’s room to check how she thought I looked. Rachel said, “Let me touch up your makeup and add some curl to your hair. You did quite well on your own. And I like the outfit you chose.” My sister said, “You know if you don’t tell others who you are, they might not recognize you. There is no sign of Lucas.”

I was ready for Tiffany, but my mother sent me back, “Go and ask your sister if you can wear a pair of her heels?”

I know that heels were thought to be needed by both my sister and mother if one was to consider they were dressed up for church. Mrs. Newcomb insisted after church I was going out to eat with them.

While we were driving to the restaurant, Mrs. Newcomb said, “You know Laura, I’m not sure I should consider myself responsible for being a girl. Do you think your helping Tiffany had anything to do with you being Laura now?”

I lightly giggled, “I know what you mean; my Mom has similar thoughts about her having me model some of the clothes. I felt guilty because I liked dressing as a girl, and imagining I was my mother’s second daughter.

Tiffany interrupted us, and matter of factly said, “You know Laura that Debra Long has a crush on you?”

I said, “Debra and I have been friends for a long time, but recently she hasn’t answered my calls or has turned away from me at school.”

“She’s been staying away from Lucas,” Tiffany said, “But it is you Laura that she has a crush on?”

To be continued…