by Barbara Lynn Terry

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Part VIII - Kira's Shopping Trip.
 
 
Part I - We're off to see the Wizard!
 
 
When we got home, I went straight to my room. I just sat on my bed thinking about the nasty names people were calling me. What did Mrs. Jenkins mean, when she said that what Mr. Bailey had said could be used against him. I guess I will find out when the time comes. Tomorrow is school again, and gym class. I went to look in the laundry room for my gym clothes. Ours were different from what the guys wore, I was told by Darlene. Our gym clothes were cut to a female shape, which she said I was rapidly developing. I couldn't understand that if I was becoming a girl, why did mother want to keep telling me I was a boy? As I sat on my bed thinking, Katie came in and sat next to me.

"So tell me little sister, why so glum?"

"Oh! I was just thinking about all of this again. I mean, my voice is getting higher, I'm developing a figure, and my chest feels itchy. What does all this mean?"

"You say that your chest is getting itchy?"

"Yes, why?"

"Come with me little sister, if what I think is happening, then you aren't transgendered, you are what they call intersexed. Come to my room, I want to have a look at your chest and see what is actually going on."

I went with Katie, and when we got in her room, she told me to take my shirt off. With the door closed, even daddy knew to knock and be invited before coming in. I took off my shirt, and Katie just gasped with her hand over her mouth.

"Sweetie, I have some good news for you. You are also developing breasts. I think I will go with you when you go to see Dr. Fitzgibbons. If what I think is going on inside of you, you are my sister, and not transgendered. But we will let her make that decision after she examines you, and does the blood work."

"What do you think my body is doing?"

"You promise you won't freak, or get upset?"

"I promise."

"There is a very rare condition in women called AIS. It stands so for androgen insensitivity syndrome. And it can be genetic. What that means is, you have male chromosomes, but you are producing estrogen instead of testosterone, because girls and women with AIS can't process the huge amounts of testosterone, and by some amazing process, it turns into estrogen. If this is what Dr. Fitzgibbons finds, then you are a girl, albeit with a very rare condition. It is nothing to be ashamed about, and you will develop as a normal girl. Let's see what Dr. Fitzgibbons finds. There are maybe seven and a half thousand women in this country alone, that have this rare condition. They first discovered this condition in 1953, so it is nothing new.

"Kira, I looked into this on my lunch breaks. I wanted to cover all bases. You are not a boy even if you do have testes, because the testes in you are not active. They do produce testosterone like they would in a boy, but your body can't process it as testosterone; it actually processes as estrogen. You are developing the way you are because you are a girl. And you know what? I love it. But hey, this is our secret for now, until Dr. Fitzgibbons sees you. Understand?"

"Yes, sis, I understand. So then, is this a good thing that is happening to me?"

"Yes little sister, it is. It is a very good thing that is happening to you." We hugged each other in vice like hugs, and I started crying again. I went back to my room, and decided to get my nightgown, panty and robe set on, as well as my slippers. I went to run my bath, because I just wanted to soak in a nice bubble bath.

I sat in the tub until started to cool, and then washed all over. I pulled the plugged and rinsed the errant suds off of me with the shower head. I lotioned and powdered down, and went downstairs, and sat in the living room.

"You girls sure talk quiet when you don't want anyone to hear."

"You creep," I playfully yelled at Danny, and hit him with a couch pillow.

"What, I'm a guy I'm supposed to be nosy when two girls are talking. Who knows, I might even learn a thing or two." I hit him with another couch pillow, and acted angry. "But it's alright though sis, because I couldn't hear anything." I feigned hitting him with another couch pillow, but hugged it tightly to my chest, instead.

I had another thing to think about. If what Katie said is true, then I wonder just how mother's attorney is going to handle this bit of news, especially since it is from a doctor appointed by the court? I sat there looking at the television but not really interested in the programs. Daddy came in and saw me deep in thought.

"Well, punkin, why so serious looking?"

"I'm just thinking about all of this. Katie told me she wants to be there with me when I see Dr. Fitzgibbons. She can call in and have them send a sub for her, because this is kind of a family emergency thing."

"What say tomorrow we go shopping like I had said we would, and get you some new clothes. This way you don't have to wear your sister's hand-me-downs."

"What about school? I don't want to miss out on that."

"Well, I have some bad news for you then. You will miss school tomorrow anyway because it's Saturday." I threw the couch pillow I was holding at daddy. Then he grabbed me up in his arms and swung me around, giving me a big daddy hug.

I miss those days when we all lived together and everything was going good. Then we had laughter, and did silly things like what daddy just did, and what Danny and I did with the couch pillows. This is the home I remember, even though mother isn't here right now. But that was all her doing. We will see what comes of it.

It was getting late, and I gave hugs all around, and said my I love yous and good nights, and went off to bed. I slept really good too, and dreamed I was with my beau, and we were dancing at the prom. I was in a pearlized, off pink, satin and chiffon gown, and he was handsome in his tux. He led me around the dance floor, and when there were slow dances, he held me close, and kissed my neck. The girl from the school paper clicked her camera of us dancing with my head on his chest, and he kissing my neck. When the prom was over, he took me up to "the point" and we parked there for a while, then he started getting playful, and I melted into his arms.

Katie came in and woke me up. "Come on sleepyhead, or you will waste the whole days sleeping, and not try on one dress. Come on, it's nine o'clock. We should have been there when the mall opened."

"Sis, did anyone ever tell you that you have bad timing?"

"What? Oh! My! Gosh! What were you dreaming about, female? Come on, spill."

I told her about the dream I was having and that she woke me up at the wrong time, because the night was just going to get interesting.

"You little minx! You're only thirteen years old. What are you doing having romantic dreams like that?" She started tickling me, and we laughed a good five minutes, and then she said I had better get my bath in, and get dressed so we could go shopping.

I got out my clothes for the day. A nice pair of jeans that have the rose on the back pocket, and my nice off white V-neck sweater tee, that had the roses along the V. My lingerie was simple white bra, panties and cami, and a pair of crew socks and my black Mary Jane's. I went to run my bath, and put in some of Katie's rose scented bubble bath. I brushed my teeth as I waited for the suds to mount up high in the tub. I finished with my teeth, and then got in the tub. I sponged water all over me, and I did a couple of dunks up to my chin because I didn't want to get my hair wet. I washed all over and rinsed off what suds were left with the shower head. I lotioned and powdered down, and went to get dressed. Wrapping the towel around me like I had seen mom and Katie do, I went to my room. After getting dressed, I brushed my hair into a pony tail, and went down to breakfast.

Daddy made breakfast this morning. the smell of the bacon was just was doctor daddy ordered. I ate two strips of bacon, one egg, over easy, on slice of wheat toast, milk and orange juice. After breakfast we all cleaned up the kitchen, and then went out to the car. Then daddy had to be funny, because he said "all right everybody buckled, yes, good, to the mall or bust." We all had to laugh because daddy was being silly. But it was a good silly though.

When we got to the mall, daddy had to park a ways away from the food court entrance. We walked half way there when Darlene yelled out. We stopped to see where she was, and we saw here with her mother. When we got to where they were, Darlene asked me what was I going to get. I told her I was getting new school clothes, and some running around togs for the weekends.

"Want to make it a sixsome? I know that we are all going to the same stores, so why not go together?"

"That sounds great. What do you think, Katie?"

"It sounds good to me. But we have to be careful though because of the you know who." She said pointing to daddy and Danny.

"Because of the you know who, who?" Daddy asked looking puzzled.

"Daddy," Katie said, acting like a mother instead of a daughter. "When there are more girls in a shopping group, than there are men, we have to be very careful because we don't want to alienate the men. The you know who. Get it?"

"Hmmm, I should have just let you take your sister shopping instead. But, don't worry, I'm sure Danny and I can find things to fill the time with." Images of 'we're off to see the wizard' crept into my mind. We all had a good laugh, and we went to the first store.

This store was for girls my age through Katie's. They had everything from micro-minis, minis, maxis, jeans, dresses, dress slacks, and plain to sexy lingerie including sleep wear. I took a micro-mini off of the rack, and daddy went ahem, so I put it back. I took one of the minis and went to the changing booth to try it on. It fit like a glove, and came to mid thigh. Daddy gave the thumbs down on that one too.

"Daddy, she has to dress like all the rest of the girls, or they will merclilessly make fun of her, calling her a prude, and why are you wearing your mother's clothes. She doesn't need that right now. Daddy, let me decide what looks best on her and for school. Every girl is wearing what she just had on or shorter. The last dress she had on is acceptable for girls in today's world. It doesn't mean she's a tart, or out looking to lay every boy she sees, it just means she know fashion. And believe me daddy, when I say that my little sister certainly knows fashion."

"Well, apparently you are the expert here. I'm just dad, I just drive the car."

"Oh daddy! If you want me to be the expert, then fine. Kira, that last dress was fine sis. And daddy just remember that I am not going to steer her wrong, because I am interning so I can have my own classroom at the school. Kira, try on another one."

"I came out of the changing booth, wearing a miter cut skirt that looked more like a skirt for Betty Rubble. It was cute though and I had seen some girls wearing these at school. The next was a set of a top and shorts. The shorts were boy cut denim and the top was a cream colored V-neck with lilacs along the V. The shorts had a button front closure while the top was a pull over. I tried on several other dresses and skirt outfits, and I especially liked the one skirt set that came to just a little more than a couple of inches above my knees. The skirt was a periwinkle A-line, with a back zip and a hook and eye closure. The top was a softer shade of lilac, and had an embroidered V-neck. This V-neck though was iris decorated. I modeled it for daddy, Danny, and Katie, and they all thought it was pretty. So, with daddy paying for ths clothes, we left ot go to another store. As we were walking through the mall, mostly window shopping, Darlene nudged me slightly and said "here comes Kevin."

"Oh my gosh! I can't let him see me like this. I don't have any makeup on." But it was too late, because Kevin was already where we were.

"Hiya Dar, hey Kira. You're looking better than the last time I saw you. So what are doing here?"

"We decided we needed a little retail therapy. You know shopping is the best therapy there is, especially when you go with friends."

"I've heard that from my mother several times. She went to get something out of the Junior Miss store."

"Hey Kev, wanna join us. My dad and brother are with us. Maybe you guys can find something to talk about."

"Yeah, we can. Girls." I swiftly nudged him with my elbow and he embraced me in a hug. His arms are so strong, that he could break me in two if he wanted to. "You know Kira, if I didn't already have a girlfriend, I wouldn't mind going out with you. You are very pretty and I have no doubt that you will get even prettier."

Kevin's words were, I was to find out later, very prophetic. But that is getting ahead of the story. I looked at Kevin and asked him if he was a freshman, and when he said yes, I knew we were the same age, or pretty close to it. His eyes, I mean, they just sparkled when he spoke, or even looked at you. His girlfriend was very lucky. And no, I don't steal other girls boyfriends. Kevin decided to go with us, after his mother had rejoined us. She was talking to us girls, while Kevin found guy things to talk about with daddy and Danny. So, once again, we were off to see the wizard.

We all went in this store that had a grand opening banner above the door. It was called Discriminating Miss. We went in and looked around, and I found several dresses, skirts, tops, skirt sets, lingerie, and a few baby dolls for bed. I tried on this one dress that came actually right to my knees, and went I stepped out of the changing booth, Kevin whistled. Daddy approved of the dress and I blushed at Kevin's whistle. I went to change back in to my street clothes, and Kevin said I looked like an angel when I had that dress on. Approval from a boy not my brother, is a very flattering compliment. Daddy said it was gettting on towards dinner, but Katie and I just looked like we had lost our best friend or worse.

"All right, then, what do you suggest we do?"

"Daddy, we can go to the Denny's right here in the mall, and we can have dinner, breakfast, or even lunch, but Katie and I would love to do more shopping."

"Tell you what we will do. Let's look for a dress for you for church tomorrow, and then go home, because I really am tired, and I have to drive home yet."

"Uhm daddy? You know I have a driver's license," Katie interjected. "If you are that tired, I can drive us home after we get Kira a Sunday dress and a very pretty party dress that can even be worn to like the prom. Okay, daddy?"

"I suppose so," he said with a resigned sigh. So we went to Denny's that just off of the food court.

After we got there, we needed two booths, or two tables put together for our group. Kevin sat between Darlene and me, and Katie sat on the other side of me, while Kevin's mother sat on the other side of Darlene. Daddy and Danny sat opposite of us. "I don't think this is a good arrangement, girls," daddy said looking very thoughtful. "I think Kevin should sit over here by us." His mother said that was a good idea, and Kevin sheepishly moved over to the other side of the table. He traded spots with Danny, who was right across from me. Our waitress brought our water and menus, and said she would gives a little time. As we looked through the menu, Kevin kept giving me glances over his menu. I was just interested in what I was going to have. I ordered the grilled chicken deluxe with the grilled chicken breast, and a Sprite to drink. The other women with me said it sounded good, and the guys ordered as much fatty burger as they could.

While we on our side were taking small bites, the guys just seemed to gobble their food whole. I mean, what is with that, huh? Don't they know they can get serious indigestion eating like that? Maybe that's why guys are so grumpy most of the time. I giggled, and everybody asked what was funny, so I told them. We all had a good laugh, and then Katie said she knew of a store where we could get me a nice Sunday dress and even a party dress.

When we finished eating, we were off to see the wizard again, with Katie leading the way. The store was called Beautiful Things To Wear. When we went in, there were everyday dresses, nice Sunday dresses, dress suits, skirt suits, party dresses, slack suits, and they even sold the shoes and nylons to go with any outfit. I saw a beautiful lavender dress that would be perfect for Sundays. I took it in the changing booth, and stepped out for daddy's approval. He had that "my little girl is grown up" look, and said that I was very beautiful. I decided to keep this one. Then we looked around for a nice party dress that I could wear to the prom, homecoming dance, or just for going out in style. It was shimmering turquoise satin, and fanned out quite a ways from my legs. That's because of the crinolines I suspected, but it was gorgeous. Daddy approved of this one too, and I kept it.

After daddy paid for the dresses, we said it was time to head home. I was exhausted from a full day of shopping. I gave Kevin a warm, friendly hug, and told him thank you for the wonderful afternoon, and he said no problem, anytime. He left with his mother, and we headed out to our car. When we got home, Katie and I put my things away, and then I looked at her with a minxy mischievious smile.

"What are you thinking about now, female?"

"Tomorrow, after church, we tell daddy we need to go back to the mall because we forgot to get the lingerie for the outfits I got."

"Oh yes, you're thirteen alright, going on thirty. You little minx, where do you come up with these things?"

"I don't know sis," I said, rolling my eyes to the ceiling. "They just come to me."

"I'll just bet they do." Then she started tickling me like she did this morning. It is great to have a home, and not just a house.
 

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End of Part VIII
 
 
To Be Continued...