My date with Jalyn went well but was more like catching up with how we’ve grown the past year. Jalyn’s Dad is an engineer for JD, and she’s to attend ISU and their engineering program. We found ourselves to be friends who are more like sisters.

She said, “We should continue to go out, especially in groups. I’m afraid sometimes you’re going to start finding guys to be more interesting… But you never know if you become Nicole with working Nick parts. I could fall in love with you forever.”

I wondered, ‘I’ve always intended to be me with working Nick parts. Why do others assume I’ll become Nicole? …I find I’m attracted to Jalyn, more than Steph who is a best friend, but not in the same way as Lexi. …Yes, there’s an attraction to Steve, but I don’t expect that to last past this summer.’

I must have been sitting alone in my room long and quiet enough that it raised Angie’s suspicions to the point she knocked on my door and came in to ask what I was thinking about. I tried to explain.

Angie said, “That’s what we’ve been trying to tell you. It’s why you need to take a day at a time and not rush in deciding this or that. I don’t really expect it, but maybe this is will stop as soon as it started and you’ll be back to being Nicolaus and this will blow be over and done.”

I said, “But it didn’t just start of the clear blue. Part of me thinks I’ve always been like this; it didn’t just start but was suppressed.”

Angie takes hold of one hand and sits next to me. “Part of me thinks you must really be enjoying this experience, and part of me thinks it could be so difficult and I wouldn’t wish it upon you.”

She said, after I shared my thoughts, “I think that is a good assessment about Steph, Jalyn, and Lexi, though I only know little of Lexi. Did I hear right that you’re planning a weekend with Lexi back at the university?”

The following week was much the same, except for a dinner date with Steven and working in two rounds of golf. One was a short nine-hole round with friends from work and the other a full 18 hole course with Steph and Lace.

Tenne and Darla took me to lunch on Thursday, seemingly only to tell me how upset they were that I was getting noticed and credited for things and they didn’t. The good news was they knew I couldn’t change what happened, they just wanted me to hear them out. Moving on meant doing a little retail therapy before we went home.
=^_^=
July Fourth Weekend was here and that meant a lot of family gathering at Grandfather Kevin and Grandmother Joan Brown’s near Galena, Illinois some twenty miles away. With seven great-grandchildren around and numerous grandchildren, going as Nick with his hair sticking out it might not have been bad. Uncle Calvin, Aunt Marie, and Cousin Kevin Jr. were the only three that had a real problem with me.

While their daughter, cousin Jill was neutral it was funny that it was Joanna Brown who wanted time with me as Nicole. She had even reserved a golfing time for her and Nicole at a nearby golf course. Nicole shot her first round of eighteen holes under seventy-five. Yes, they were all from the women’s tee. But as Nicole had confessed driving the ball down the fairway was no longer her strength.

Jill was excited for Nicole and she wanted Nicole to spend the night with her at our grandparents. Her parents weren’t at all pleased and threatened their daughter with sanctions. Grandmother became upset and said, “You will do no such thing to my namesake, or there will be trouble around here.” Grandmother was generally quiet, but she was to be respected and taken seriously when she spoke as she did today.

Grandmother was proud that Joanna spoke up for her new granddaughter, and that was understood too. Grandmother Joan sought out Joanna and Nicole and personally escorted them up to the room where they would sleep tonight.

It was Joanna’s mother Marie that apologized to Joanna, Nicole, and Grandma Joan, but Grandmother made it very clear. “I appreciate your apology Marie, but it was Calvin whom I took offense from. While his ego was bruised; it was from him I wanted to hear.” Grandmother was as strong or stronger in her faith as Calvin’s but it was much more good news-driven. Fear and hate had little room in her.

The next day was good and warm in many ways. I was visibly present as Nicole, much different than I had planned. Marie warmed up to me a little, but Calvin and Kevin jr. kept their distance from me.

The coming week at work was the last before the John Deere Golf Classic was held. My mother was encouraged to take me golfing early on Ladies’ Day at the Bunker Hill course. I shot another round of 75 which Mom told someone and the information came back to me come lunchtime. That is a little disturbing as I was someone not use to others noting in what I did.

Darla responded by saying, “That’s what I’m talking about. You’re invited to participate in the pro-am day, and they’re wanting to make sure you don’t embarrass them. They don’t care a hoot about Tenne or me.”

Mr. Dobbs made it clear without directly saying that I was to be Nicole 24/7 until I was home after the tournament.

Thursday, Ms. Edith Chambers from JD headquarters called me with information about my coming to the John Deere Golf Classic, such as sending me my VIP pass, my hotel reservation, and meal information. My mother and father were to receive passes to the Pro-Am event on Wednesday. There would be information as to where they should be when I teed off on the first hole, as well as where they were encouraged to be near the sixteenth and eighteenth holes.

I and a man named Jonathan were to be paired with Sean and Patrick from the pro circuit. I recognized the name of both professionals. Because I was one of only a few women to be playing in the Pro-Am event they were glad to get some extra attention as we played our round.

When I pointed out my parents at the sixteen hole, Patrick advised a photographer he wanted a photo taken of him with my parents and me upon completion of the hole. It was a nice gesture that made my father especially happy. Dad did stutter over using the correct pronouns as it related to me. I shot a respectable 74 for the round.

I became an official JD Classic hostess for the first two rounds as part of my workday. My mother and I were encouraged to mingle with players' spouses and chaperone them if helpful. I was with a player’s wife and thirteen-year-old daughter. I gave them a VIP trip to the Davenport, Von Maur store, which is one of its premiere stores. The store owners were happy as this was on Friday and the news of a great shopping experience would be their best advertisement back at the course. The mother-daughter duo of Jessica and Camile with me had a great experience and received more than a few discounts for their coming there. My name and Nicole’s email address were taken, as they wanted to thank me away from our guests.

Camile asked why I was able to be in the Pro-Am event and wanted my signature. She had gotten the signature of Patrick Rogers and she was glad he made the cut. “Did you know he is married, and that his wife is very attractive?”

I said, “He told me she has been in a few films as a stunt specialist.” Camile asked if I met her. I told her, “The golfers and I went different ways after the eighteenth hole, and I didn’t know if Jade was even here.”

Ironically, Camile, being the daughter of a more noted golfer, was taken with the interest in younger golfers. Jessica lightly laughed it off. “A green jacket and more victories including here are seen as old news.”

“I met your mother here numerous years ago, and I’ve even met Rachel once two years ago. I didn’t remember hearing of a younger daughter,” she said questionably? She smiled and said, “We will stop there, other than to say it is nice to meet you. You have been a great help today and did well for the Pro-Am event.”

‘How did I luck out to be so fortunate,’ I asked myself? Ms. Chambers greeted me after the golf day had ended. “I want to thank you for how well you have handled yourself. I hear both Von Maur stores have seen more of our guests since.”

Rachel and my brother Ken were down for the last and championship round of golf. Rachel was interested in how well I was doing as much as the golfing. “It looks like my sister has added some clothes to her wardrobe,” Rachel said. It was late morning when I took my certificate to Von Maur’s. It enabled me to get so much off of what I purchased. With 30% off for Rachel as well as me, we did very well. I thought I was in trouble when the saleswoman called for a supervisor. I began to apologize for what I had done. When I was stopped.

The store manager asked, “Is there something else you would still like to buy?”

When I remained silent, Rachel spoke up, “There was a Vince Camuto floral dress she liked.”

Ms. Miles said, “That would be an excellent thank you gift. Let us go and make sure we have it in your size?” Unless it was bought in the last hour, I knew the dress in my size was there. I sadly report I acted like a giggly girl much younger. Though Rachel said, I didn’t.

Ms. Miles spoiled us even more by requesting to deliver it to my hotel room. I needed to make a final appearance at the golf tournament, which meant Rachel needed to go and wait at my hotel room for the delivery of our purchases.

I got back to the JD Classic in time to watch my two golfers, Sean and Pat finished well in the money both being in the best twenty-five scorers. And Luke Gloover makes a last-round charge of seven under par to claim the championship.

I was one of many company volunteers, along with my mother who helped people leaving the classic.

My mother was in awe of what Rachel and I had bought as well as the dress I was given. Mom had made her own purchases at a 15% discount.

Mom and I were tired enough of the tournament that we packed up and went home yet Sunday night.

I was looking forward to getting back to dress as Nick, but that would need to wait for the times after work and the following weekend. It was a relief to have my manhood, unbound and getting back to some semblance of my life.

It was 8:30 when I got to work, and filling in for a Ms. McGuire, meant I was in with a new group of women. Initially, they acted indifferent to my being part of the golf classic. But an act is what it was, as they laughed come break time that I took them seriously. “We were all happy that you did a fine job of representing us women,” Martha Briggs said.

Once again, by Thursday I was seen as doing a good job. Mr. Dobbs came to our work area, “Miss. Strayer, there has been a change in the different work areas you have been.”

Martha Briggs spoke up, “We cannot speak up for the other areas, but we’ve been taken with this would be woman, and how she’s handled herself. It has led to a more relaxed atmosphere. She’s good with her computer skills and helps others of us in understanding what we’re doing. She’s fresh blood, but not a smart ass, if you know what I mean.”

I spoke up, “It is a two-way street, we’ve been helping each other. I think in their helping me learn; they’ve taken a new interest in what they’ve been doing.”

Wednesday and Friday, I was invited out with the group for an after-work time. It wasn’t new for the group, but it was different than I was summer help was invited along. Again as a prior time, someone slipped me a glass of wine.

I was looking forward to Friday evening to turn back to being Nick. But I had stayed too long at the after-work party.

Steph and Jalyn were both looking forward to a time with Nick, but they were not open to waiting on me to change over. Steph spoke for the two of them, “Take a good shower to freshen up, but not as long as you’d need to get back into Nick mode. You can do that tomorrow.”

Steph had even made it to my closet and found some of my new clothes. She had pulled out a skirt and blouse combination I had purchased while at the golf outing. She had also seen the set of golf clubs, I used at the JD golf classic. “I am surprised you still have these clubs? Are they and the new outfits part of the perks that come with being Nicole?”

“No, one has asked for the clubs back,” I said, “and I won’t bring up the subject as long as I’m working there this summer. Concerning the clothes, I must admit when I’m Nicole the clothes are hard to pass up.”

Jalyn comes up to my room to see what is taking so long, and she laughs as she looks into my closet growing with an expansion of women’s clothing, “I hope that is what you’ve picked for this evening, but please get to it. I’m leaving so you can quickly change and we can get going. I don’t want to wait until midnight and see if Cinderella magically disappears.”

‘Hmm, it caused me to wonder, if this could easily disappear…’

To be continued…