Stuck in a Rut.
By Rosalie Redd

Casey Church is dealing with the usual things that any Fourteen year old girl has to deal with. That is... if they are a girl in a world where girls aren’t born, they are transformed. Leaving her male life behind is difficult, and new threats are on the horizon.

Chapter 49

I sat in Study Hall, musing to myself about DeShaun, and what I’d wear to the game. Janie was sitting by my side, as usual. She seemed distracted though, and I think that was my fault. Luna had sent her a text a few minutes ago, but I wasn’t allowed to see it.

“Penny for your thoughts?”, I asked finally.

Janie sighed and looked over to me. “You stirred up the hornet’s nest. Luna wants to come to the game with us. She said she has something to talk to me about after school, too.”

Luna coming to the game was unusual, she wasn’t big into sports. I guess I really had stirred up something. I was afraid now. If they split up, how would we all handle it? I felt a feeling of unease in the pit of my stomach.

Nah, if Luna was coming to the game, it had to be good. She wouldn’t dump us and join us. Unless this was a one final get-together thing? Was it? My stomach hurts.

Class ended and I slunk off to Home Ec. DeShaun shook his head when I explained everything.

“You should have left well enough alone. Meddling in the affairs of the heart can be dangerous.”, he stated.

I looked at him and then punched him in the arm. “What should I have done, Oh wise guru?”

He looked at me, bowed his head and started to laugh. Ok, I needed that. I was feeling a little better now. We kissed briefly, while the other students pretended not to look. Mrs. Beverly hadn’t seen it, of course. She was too busy writing on the whiteboard about emergency ingredient substitutes for recipes.

After Home Ec, DeShaun walked me to my locker, and I put my books away and got ready for Art.

Georgie was sitting at her workspace, eyeing up her clay pot. She looked up at me and then a big smile covered her face.

“I’m coming tomorrow, to your party, I mean. I talked it over with my Mom and Dad. I hate what happened to me, but after talking to Janie and with the support you have shown me, I think I can at the very least accept what I’m becoming.”, she stated in a happy manner.

I looked at her and smiled back. “Good.”, I said. “I had trouble coming to terms with my change, and I still do occasionally, but what is done is done, and I can’t change it, so I might as well make the best of it.”
We talked a little, and helped each other with our projects. I knew Georgie would still have it hard, but at least she was making baby steps. When the bell rang, I gave her a hug and told her I would see her the next day.

I walked home alone, not fearing the twins. They had clearly gotten the message that stalking me and staking out the house would get them in trouble, and that I was no longer intimidated by them doing it.

I entered the house and put my bags down. The game wasn’t until 7PM, so I had a few hours to kill. I wandered over to the phone, and saw there were a bunch of messages. I hit play, and listened to the first one.

“Hello?”, the unmistakable voice of Grandma Casey said. “Our flight will be landing at 2PM. We are checked in at the Mariot, by the airport. We’ll pop in for a visit around 4. See you then.”

I squealed and looked at the clock. It was almost 3:15, so 45 minutes until Nana and Pop-Pop would be here!

I checked the other calls, there were a couple from other relatives, calling to check on the time of the party.

I called them back, confirming for each one. It was somewhat awkward, none of them recognized me.
The girl’s voice threw them. Heck, it sometimes throws me, still.

I fixed a little snack, ants on a log. If you don’t know what that is, it’s peanut butter on celery, with raisins, one of my absolute favorite quick munchies.

I was walking from the kitchen back to the living room, when I heard the doorbell. Gotta be Nana and Pop-Pop.

I rushed over and looked through the window, and saw them. I opened the door, and smiled. They looked at me confused, and then checked the house number.

“Um, excuse me Miss. I’m sorry. This is my Daughter’s house. Who are you, exactly? And why are you here, in their house?”, Nana said, somewhat confused.

I shook my head and sighed. “Nana, don’t be silly. It’s me. Casey!”

Nana leaned in closer and looked at me, scrutinizing my face. “Casey? I’m so sorry. I didn’t recognize you! Please forgive your silly old Nana.”

I laughed and hugged her. “It’s okay. I know Mom probably forgot to send you pictures.”

Pop-Pop came over and hugged me too. “So, you kept the name?”, He said with tears in his eyes.

I smiled and laughed. “Of course I did. Casey works as a boy’s or girl’s name. And I love you both so much. How could I not?”

I led them inside. “You must be tired after the flight. How are things in Arizona. Pop-Pop still terrorizing the golfers?”, I said with a smirk.
Nana Casey laughed and retorted. “Only thing scared of his golf game are the birds and the critters that live in the rough and the sand traps.”

Pop-Pop looked at us both and sighed. “Women.”, he said with a sigh.

“Casey dear, when will your parents be home? We want to take you all out for dinner.”, Nana asked as she looked around.

I squirmed. “Erm… Mom is still over at the school. She’s been substituting for a teacher that tore up their knee. Plus I think she’s staying to help with concessions at the game. Speaking of. I’d love to join you for dinner, but… um… well… my boyfriend is playing in the game, and I promised I’d be there. Plus a couple of my friends are going to meet up with me there.”

Pop-Pop looked over. ‘Oh, that’s no problem. We love a good football game, don’t we Evelyn?”

Nana nodded and replied. “Sure do, and snacks and drinks are on us. No arguments. When’s the game?”

“Not til 7:00.” I said, somewhat flustered. “I’ll be right back, I’m going to go change. I’ll be right down. Feel free to raid the fridge, if you are thirsty.”

As I was heading up the stairs, I happened to overhear them, as the evidently thought I was out of range.

“She sure is a pretty young woman.”, Pop-Pop commented.

Nana then spoke up. “She is quite the little heart-breaker, that’s for sure.”

I smiled and blushed as I went up the remainder of the stairs.

I threw off my outfit and stood in front of the mirror, and looked at myself. It just emphasized that I didn’t take after Nana or Mom, certainly not in the bust. Nana wasn’t as tall as Mom, but she was still at least 5’8”, and those same Nordic features, the blonde hair and blue eyes were very prominent. I was again reminded that I got my height, hair, and eyes from Dad’s side of the family. Can’t say that I got the bust from there either though, as Grandma Church and all the women on that side of the family were also ‘gifted’ with large busts.

I sighed and went downstairs. I sat with Nana and Pop-Pop, listening to stories about their retirement. Nana was trying to cultivate roses, which sounded very difficult to do in Arizona. There were plenty of stories about golfing, and long walks , and romantic sunsets. I sighed, picturing DeShaun and I someday being married and doing all sorts of wonderful things.

I didn’t know how long I had spaced out for, because next I remember was Nana gently tapping my shoulder.

“Casey dear, there are a couple of girls at the door. Should I let them in?”, she asked.

“Is one a tiny girl with long black hair, and the other a pretty girl with blue eyes and freckles?”, I inquired.
Nana nodded.

“That’s Janie and Luna, let them in. They are my best friends.”, I smiled when I said it, and Nana gave an understanding grin.

Janie came in, She had on a black pleated skirt, black leggings, and purple chucks. A black hoodie with a picture of some anime girl on the back, and a pair of dark shades.

Luna was giggling. In contrast, she had on purple leggings, black shorts, and a plain purple hoodie a pair of purple chucks completed the ensemble.

“Janie, Luna dresses you funny.” I said, trying not to let out a laugh.

“Yeah, well. I couldn’t resist the big, sad puppy dog eyes. And when She asked me to be her girlfriend, I kind of forgot to pay attention to what she was handing me to put on.”, Janie sheepishly replied.

Introductions were made, and we all walked to the school. I saw Mom standing by the gate, and motioned to Nana. She nodded and both her and Pop-Pop snuck over. Coming up on Mom, they both wrapped her up in a hug.

Nana looked Mom up and down and squealed. “Congratulations! But why didn’t you tell your father and I?”, she exclaimed in a serious voice.

Mom looked at me. “You told them?”, she said with a clear frown.

Nana laughed and waved it off. “She didn’t have to. I could tell by how you are glowing. If your face was any brighter, you could light up the whole field.”

Janie and Luna looked at me in puzzlement, then I could tell they got it, once the recognition slowly crept across their faces.

Mom sighed. “We were waiting for the party, to announce it. Nobody was supposed to know. Officially Casey doesn’t even know. So if you can all keep it a secret… please?”, Mom implored everyone gathered around her.

We all nodded and agreed.

Mom looked at her parents. Pop-Pop was a large man, even at his age, he was still tall and muscular. Looking at him, if you had seen pictures of Mom before her change, you would definitely see the resemblance. She still had the athletic build that she had gotten from him, but Nana’s features were more apparent now.

We all walked to the concession stands, and scooped up all the popcorn, pretzels, hot dogs, and chips we could carry. Luna carried the drink tray, filled with soft drinks and coffee and cocoa. Sitting down in the bleachers, Nana leaned in as we watched the boys out on the field warming up.

“So, where’s your young man?”, shew asked me.

I blushed and pointed out towards mid-field.
“There he is, DeShaun is number 17.”, I said, beaming with pride.

Nana spoke next. “My, he certainly is handsome. Of course, Casey women always pick the best man available.”

Mom and Nana laughed at that, and I sat there beet red. Luna and Janie were on my right, cuddling under a black and red plaid blanket. The family was on the left.

Mom sighed. “It’s a pity your father had to miss this. But he wanted to get done with his briefings tonight, so he’d be all yours for the party.” she explained.

I sighed, but in contentment. It would be perfect for Dad to be here, but still. My friends were with me, I had a ‘handsome’ boyfriend. And my Nana and Pop-Pop were here, and they thought I was beautiful.

Yum. Ants on a log.

I love comments, questions, and ideas., drop yours in the comments. Or tell me your go-to healthy snack.