Shelly asked Shannon, “Does Rose identify herself as transgender?”

“That would be for Rose to say,” said Shannon, “and not me, but I’ve never heard Rose or Rob say that.”

Shelly said, “My brother, Travis says he sees her totally as a girl and likes her.”

Travis, bewildered by the kiss and Rose’s quick departure, turned from the others to hide his response to her affection.

Rose had scooted off to the hotel; first to change to clothes she used when dealing with markers, glitter, and glue. Like the tournament earlier in the year, when they got to the championship game others began donating money and things to make the morning package extra nice and encouraging. They also had items for after the game. Some things were, win or lose, and other gifts were like for a free salon visit, or all day pampering if they won the 2A Championship.

I had packed enough things to stay overnight in the Cheer room.

Coach House apologized for at least the third time about getting roped into the interview about me. I knew she was sorry and feeling bad about it. I just didn’t want to hear another apology about it. I gave her a hug and said, “Enough please, we need to move on and focus on today.” I stepped to work away from her.

Someone had made game jerseys for oversized dolls that someone purchased. The jerseys had the player’s name and number with 2019 under their name. There were shorts that kind of match to make it a uniform. Rolled up in the dolls hands were at least one certificate for each player. Other things were simple memory books, while a mom might use them, today’s high school girl saves photos on her phone or might download them to pictures. Many gifts weren’t asked for nor were people told to give them to us.

We had shirts and caps for each girl with champions on one and undefeated and their record on the other. They went into a special box. Sandra or Sharon would make sure they were ready at half-time of the championship game.

I was up until 3:00 a.m. making and taping signs on to the doors of our team, near the elevator and for dozens available to fans later at the basketball arena. I was invited to several of their rooms but knew I dared not go to any of them to sleep. The floor was hard in the prep area and it was closer to 3:30 a.m. when I made it back to my room. I went to open the door to go in and saw the flash of several cameras taking pictures.

Being Rose, I had to yet take off the makeup that had stayed on, showered and then moisturized my skin. Sometimes, I had tired of things like that, today it was a sign that I truly was one of them.

I woke up three hours after falling asleep, and Sierra encouraged me to sleep more. I tried, but finally, it was easier to get up and get ready for the day. It was eight o’clock when I got word to get to our van out front of the resort to go to the Coast Guard Station. I had a nervous feeling of what I hoped was good news, but wouldn’t allow myself to believe it. I had on the basics of Dort’s uniform and my cross trainers. Sharon, Sandra, Anne, Jessica, and Audrey had made to the van with Coach Alexi House driving. It was about a mile to the Coast Guard station. It was a brochure with our team’s picture and names that Coach House used to clear us to enter. Word was a Coast Guard ship had entered the inlet and would soon be turning and be in sight of the station. Three from the Cook crew were soon in view: Kara Bowen, Debra Triens, and Kara Duggan were all visibly smiling and waving.

Their faces had been etched into our minds, but each was a little different. Just as we were to greet them, I received a text from my dad. He said, “Their special duty is the difference. They cannot talk about it, but you can tell them how proud you are of them. Shannon says, ‘hold them in a hug if they are comfortable with that. They will understand, and they’ll appreciate what you’re trying to convey.”

I show my phone first to Sharon, her short comment, “Helpful, show the others.”

It was a joy for them and our appreciation brought long drawn out hugs. Debra and I especially seemed to have chemistry saying volumes. She whispered, “We appreciated your concern for the fish that sailed below us.”

With them and their gear, there was no room for all of us in the van. Everything stowed away, Debra and I were given permission to jog back to the hotel resort. Dort’s uniform did not provide much warmth for a morning jog, but Debra next to me provided more than enough. Many people walking between here to there took phone pictures. People recognizing Debra’s uniform extended salutations and thanks.

The reception at the hotel was warm and we took our time. Parents paid for a double room for the USS Cook crew. Lieutenant Fields sent her thoughts with others from the ship. Debra explained that Fields was acting commander up to the time of docking in Philadelphia. Those who came in through Atlantic City were part of a practice deployment. She said there were eight other crew members we did not see, who would have gotten off out of the sight of us greeting the women sailors.

Debra was up in our suite visiting when Shannon asked her if she and the others would like to stay with us.

Player Rosemary Ewers’ family were coming for the game, though they regularly could not afford to go to away games. It warmed our hearts when we found out money from the crew of the USS Cook made their travel and an overnight stay possible for her parents and brothers and sister.

There were many fans who had left with a defeated team, and many coming for the championship games for five class championship games tonight and tomorrow.
I was especially happy for my sister Sonja and other girls in the senior class. It was exciting and be the highlight of their graduation year.

We gathered to eat at lunchtime but most of us did not feel like eating much. My stomach was too nervous to handle much food.

Debra took me back to our rooms, wanting to talk to me. “Rose, you spoke about our change but what about you? There is less of Rob Anderson, are you happy with that?”

I said, “The change had been gradual. I took some over the counter prenatal vitamins and I’m on my fourth disc of the other pills. I was caught and agreed to stop. But I’ve continued through the tournament.”

She said, “That means you’ve taken your last pill yesterday or today.”

I could only say, “Could you please hug me like a sister and not ask?” She did and we talked. I had to shower and change into my last uniform of Dort’s. Debra stayed one room away and we talked through an open door until I was in the shower.

“Your sister Sierra and I have communicated, we both officially hope you will go back to being Robert. There is another part that sees you enjoying being Rose.” Debra handed me the big towel to wrap around me before I stepped out and I dried off.

I felt like a younger girl in her presence but liked that she was there. We heard someone enter the suite and then heard Sierra calling to me. “Rose are you getting ready again. Are you happy that the crew’s here…” She stopped in mid-sentence when she realized Deb was there.

Sierra thought before saying, “Yes, our sister likes being a girl among those she likes and respects. Besides she’s just too excited today.”

Debra said, “How do you see the chances of the Destroyers winning tonight, and having an undefeated season?”

Sierra, who was a basketball player, said, “They’ve become more comfortable as the tournament has progressed. They’re from the smallest school in their class and their opponent sees that in their favor. It might be a close game, but I see the Destroyers as the favored team to win.”

Debra said, “The news people here don’t seem to see it that way.”

Sierra smiled, “This will be the third time they’re wrong. The media in North Jersey and including New York City have become believers. Most of them have the Destroyers favor by 5-7 points.”

Sierra then asked, “Is there any chance that Lieutenant Fields will be surprising us by game time?” Debra became silent and then walked away. Sierra told me, I got the same response from Kayla. Please do not tell anyone. Let it be a surprise if it happens and not a disappointment if it doesn’t.” I gave my sister a hug as I thought that was a smart idea that I probably wouldn’t have thought of.

Debra said, “I do have a package for you from Fields.” I opened it and found a dress coat that a sailor might wear. “We guessed at the size in the thought that you had lost some weight, so it might be snug, too tight or just right.”

I hurriedly tried it on and delightfully found it a nice snug fit and flexible for all what I might do. It was like a dress blue jacket, but enough missing that it was not official. Deb said, “We’d be proud if you would wear it for the game.” There was an insignia that indicated I would be a petty officer 2nd class. I giggled, “How did I get the promotion?”

Debra said, “It is for you as a team, for your support to us when it was important. Someone from the Navy may or may not be in touch with your school sometime.”

I joked, “That sounds serious.”

Debra stepped back and saluted me, “It’s serious, and it will be a question if we should acknowledge what was done. Even you don’t know its significance. Sometime Principal Evans will hear that the connection made a difference.”

Coach Daley allowed her team and people from USS Cook a short time together but abruptly ended and told the players, “Okay, you now turn your focus on the game. You will do them and all your fans and family proud by thinking of the exciting game ahead.”

I took that time to kick up my leg and begin a cheer for them. There were the crew members, us, and a few others that cheered the team to wherever Coach was taking them. Debra smiled as she whispered, “I hope your panty shield is just added protection to hide something and that things haven’t yet gotten that far for you.”

She waited and asked, when my family was with us, “Are you going to continue to be Rose and Dorothy until you greet our ship again? That should be in a month or so, not too long. It could be until just after Easter, but you as Dort are definitely part of this year’s connection.”

My Father spoke saying, “We might let Robert do it. It has not been decided. We thought that was more for your support to the teams, like the softball season coming up.”

I was glad when Sierra and Shannon spoke up. “Dad, you know how hard Rose worked for all of this. It would be harder if she went completely back to being Rob. Some of the time between now and Rose really needs to be in girl mode.”

Sonja said, “You’re probably just afraid she’ll want some spring clothes and maybe an Easter outfit. But I think that would be great.”

Dad firmly said, “Someone spoke about him going to the prom with a guy and now you’re talking about Easter and the Ship; I don’t think so.”

My sisters, the crew, and I all looked to my mother and everyone became silent.

One could tell she was struggling, “Dear, I feel a need to side with our daughters on this.” Dad asked about the added time and the danger I was becoming a girl. Mom said, “If she is a girl, we might want to find that out now and not move back and forth like a yoyo. That wouldn’t be healthy for Rob nor Rose.”

Sierra bounced over to me and gave me a hug. Debra and Shannon both came to me and said, “You just got wonderful news, but like the basketball players you need to focus.” I gave everyone there a hug and went to the Spirit Room where I was sure the Cheer team would be.

When I arrived there, everyone was getting excited about the game and we wanted to run through each cheer at least once more. When we accomplished that and a few other things Coach House wanted all of us to do. Audrene Trullo took me through a voice exercise and two exercises I needed to help me move gracefully like any female cheerleader.

I got upset that it was thought I needed to still be doing them. Sharon and Sandra spoke nicely but firmly for me to change my attitude. “Each of us has things we need to do. You should be proud that you too are unique enough and people are there to help you. This is the pinnacle of our season, you’ve done so well.” Sharon knew I had heard enough and stepped up and gave me a hug.

Coach House informed me on our way to the arena that there are four of the unique girls from the Trenton area wanting to say hello as we went over to the arena. There ended up being seven. Their appearance had improved so much I needed to identify two of their mothers before I was sure who they were. One boy was there in his regular clothes. He assured me that the others weren’t being forced to do it. He said, “Maxie and I don’t dress as often as we did, though we still like to do it some of the time.”

There were seven of our football guys sitting behind the cheerleaders. They had the rope from the USS Cook. We the cheerleaders we claiming our end of the court and teaching cheers to those sitting on our side of the court. We had our eight-foot hoop all ready for the team to run through and break the picture of the Destroyer when they came out for the beginning of the game.

There were so many things that the cheerleaders always did that are now natural for me. There are three of us who hold the hoop, two who first greet the team as they come out and the rest of us after they smash through the hoop. Connie and Jayne, who regularly work behind the scene with me were even in full uniform.

I unfurl the team flag and go over to sit in my traditional spot next to the basketball team. It was now 6:00 p.m., “Game Time”! I am out to greet the starting five as they are introduced. I am holding the flag and do a flip in the air without disturbing the flag. It was something new for me and might not seem special to anyone else.

Ocean City our opponent had been the proverbial pain in the butt for the boys’ team when they got to the state playoffs. This was the first time for us playing for the girls’ championship. Once again Ocean City was our rival. They had lost two games during the season but had more experienced players with playoff experience. And once again the Destroyers were rated by some as the underdogs for the game.

The teams were called out to the court for the tipoff, but there was mild applause growing to an ovation from our fans and the Cook crew. It was Lieutenant Fields coming out at the edge of the court. A place had been saved by Principal Evans

One basketball official saw her and asked out loud, “Why she didn’t you get out sooner, or wait to enter or go find a seat less conspicuous?”

She calmly smiled saying, “I’m sorry but I hadn’t heard the National Anthem so I thought I had time to get into position to sing it...”