“Oh, you’re not getting out of this Marcus,” Jessica practically yelled into the phone. “You said you would join us if they let you play your electric guitar. Well, Mr. Frances agreed to let you do a performance or two. Watch the Trans-Siberian Orchestra videos. We have a verbal contract, Marcus. My mom’s taught me about them, and I’m not going to let you out of the one you made with me. If I have to get your gang to drag you up on stage, I will.”

Jessica hung up the phone and calmed down before making the next call, “George, hi it’s Jessica.”

“Hey Jessica,” George responded. “Sorry, my parents still haven’t made up their minds. They would love to see me perform with the Tri-City Symphany Orchestra, but you know.”

Jessica sighed, “Yeah, I know, but we have to do this, for Cindy. She’s been having a hard time since camp. Did you know her mom has refused to see her since then, and her parents are getting a divorce.”

“Yeah, I’ve heard. I’ve had some chats with her sister Holly,” George stated. “But my mom agrees with Cindy’s Mom. She was not happy about me doing all that stuff with Cindy this summer, and even less thrilled about my little sister playing with Cindy. She let it go once because Dad pulled the mental health card, but Jessica, neither of them want me being around Cindy.”

Jessica rolled her eyes, “Cindy is an innocent little kid who is nice to everyone. I don’t understand why so many people view her as some evil villain.”

“You’re in middle school Jessica. Grown-ups are just like the kids in middle school. They tease, harass, and exclude people who are different. Kids who are transgender are an easy target. To many people, there is nothing stranger and more bazar than a kid wanting to be the opposite gender. Our parents were raised to believe boys were boys and girls were girls. When they were little, there was no crossing that line.”

“I know,” Jessica shook her head back and forth. “But times have changed.”

“They’ve changed for us Jessica, but not for my parents. The church they are part of repeatedly tells them that kids like Cindy are evil. Nothing I say seems to have any impact on their views.”

Jessica didn’t know how to respond to that.

“Jessica, I’ll keep trying. I think I am making headway with dad, but mom is a lot harder. There are a few more days before Mr. Frances needs an answer. I’ll try my best, Jessica.”

“Do better than your best George. This is an amazing opportunity for all of us, and you know as well as I do that we owe it all to Cindy. If it wasn’t for her, we wouldn’t have gotten those instruments this summer and definitely wouldn’t be invited to perform with the Tri-City Symphony Orchestra. She’s opened these doors for us. The least we can do is be there to support her when she has to get up on that big stage.”

“I know Jessica. I know. I’ll text you tomorrow and give you an update. I’ve got to go now. My little sister wants me to take her to the park.”

“Bye George.”

Jessica put her phone down on her desk and collapsed onto her bed. Looking over at the American Girl doll sitting on her dresser, “I don’t know if I can pull this off, but for Cindy I’m trying.”