Seeing her email from Teri of the Wildcats:
Dear Samantha,
Of course, we can get you backstage passes and a chance to meet the band for one of our favorite fans. By then, we'll have a copy of our new record signed by all the Cats waiting for you. Don't forget to bring your phones for selfies.
Love, Teri

Samantha quickly showered and changed and went to the Trembles. “Hey, Roxy and Deanne, I’ve heard back from Teri and the Wildcats. She’s sending special tickets and backstage passes. We can choose from your tickets or theirs and sell the others.”

Deanne said, “Wait! Show me the email.” She read it and then said. “Once we receive the tickets and backstage passes my Dad can go online and sell ours. I don’t think we want Teri or The Wildcats upset with us.” She looked at Samantha and asked, “Why did you dress up to tell us that?”

Sam said, “It’s new and I wanted to impress Roxy.” Deanne sent Sam upstairs saying Roxy had changed and was presentable.

Roxy took hold of her hands and stepped back sizing Samantha’s new outfit.

Sam said, “Since I’m working at The Town Dress Shoppe; I’m getting a 10% discount and this was already on sale.”

Roxy said, “I saw it in the window, and now I’m glad I didn’t buy it. I think it is beautiful, but you need to learn timing. It is too attractive to wear for general use.” She had Samantha twirl and pinch her buns when she did.

“Owe, that hurt,”

When Sam turned back around Roxy stepped forward and gave her a big kiss, and squeezed her buns. Roxy said, “Heather Parks stopped by and we talked. She was hoping I would be open to dating her.”

Sam said, “I didn’t know she liked girls?”

“Neither did I; she said it wasn’t for advertisement. She’ll be a senior this year and will apply to Barnard University this year. Besides Chorus and president of the science club, she said her grade point was 3.97.”

Sam said, “I never heard of Barnard, is it good?”

Deanne was there and said, “Most boys wouldn’t but it is tops among the universities for women. Their standards are strict enough that I could have trouble getting in.”

Deanne changed the subject, “Does Martha Hamilton at the store know you want to go to a concert in Atlanta?”

“I asked that when I applied. She said, ‘I needed to bring back a concert program from there. Since it is after July 4th, it should be doable.”

Deanne asked, “Did Roxy say anything about your outfit?”

“She said it was attractive, but too good for general use,” Samantha said.

Deanne said, “If you haven’t changed your schedule since early April; you should, you’re a better student now. You hadn’t made the honor roll at that time. You and Roxy might not be in any of the same classes if you don’t.” Roxy and Deanne explained there was a tier system within the different grades. And that Samantha should now be in a higher tier than she was when she started her freshman year. “You’ll get some of the tougher teachers, but should be learning more throughout the year.”

“You mean there was a reason I didn’t see more of the honor students last year.” She said, “Maybe, I don’t want to be in with them?”

Deanne said, “Most of us are very nice once you get to us. It would also give you incentive to keep up your studies.”

Roxy and Sam went outside to see where Roxy had planted her rose bush. Roxy picked a new rose and put it in Samantha’s hair and took a picture. “I suspect you have never worn a rose in your hair before.” Seeing the photo, Samantha’s smile grew.

When she was walking home she was teased by some boys, two had previously been friends of hers. Mr. Shaw, a person she knew was nearby when it happened. He yelled, “Leave her alone!” It wasn't until she threatened to call the police that they moved on. He said, “Samantha, I’m sorry that happened… “You know you look too nice to be walking about without someone with you.”

Samantha said, “But I didn’t do anything wrong.”

Mr. Shaw said, “My daughters said the same thing, and that I didn’t understand.”

Sam moved on as she had a block and a half before she was home. Mr. Shaw would have given her a ride, but she said, no.

She was crying when she got home. Her mother told her that evening, “You’re experiencing the double standards of the world. You may not want to hear it, but trans girls might experience it even more.”

She texted with Roxy and Deanne that night. “I was teased when I came home from your place. The teasing was more severe coming home, and it hurt more as the night wore on.

Deanne suggested, “Maybe if we get autographs from The Wildcats and selfies will help people see us in a better light.”

Roxy invited her, “You can come here and we’ll have a sleepover.”

Samantha asked her mother, and her mother said, “You can’t go running away every time something happens.” Sam’s spirit was hurt and she cajoled her mother until she allowed Sam to go.

Carole Sanders called Annette Tremble to make sure it was not a big inconvenience. Annette responded saying, “It will help me to know what to expect when we fly to the concert. I want to invite you all tomorrow here for a barbecue. Dan can come and bring a friend so he won’t feel alone. If he’s still going with Barb Hampton that would be ideal.”

Carole said, “I appreciate the invite and we will accept if you allow us to bring something.”

Annette asked, “What are your specialties in the way of salads and dessert?” They talked and it was agreed upon that Carole would make her seven-layer- pea salad, and an apple crumb pie.

Carole felt much better when she took Samantha to stay at the Trembles. Roxy heard that the Wildcats were having their concert in Allentown. The girls had tuned into an Allentown TV station, by way of their computer; the TV station was broadcasting the concert live. The group was now at their first intermission.

Mr. John Tremble invited Carole to stay and listen to the Wildcats' second set.

Carole stayed and was delighted to hear the girls sing along with the singers. She was surprised that Terry had transformed into Teri and was mentioned as Teri, the little sister. She said with a raise in her voice, “Is this the one you’re excited about meeting?”

John Tremble spoke up, “He’s a music genius, he was intersexed. The change was healthy; allowing her to get on with her life. She’s the younger sister of the lead singer. I don’t think seeing them will cause Sam to change. Will it Samantha? Samantha is transgender; it’s different.”

Carole said, “I’m not sure I want Samantha to go?”

Annette said, “Maybe instead of her staying home; you should go with us. You were getting into the music, and your daughter's singing along.” Samantha had quit breathing, waiting for her mother to say more. “Samantha has come a long way in nine months; I wouldn’t want her to step back.”

Carole saw a wide range of ages in the predominant group of teens and college-age people. She looked to Samantha and admitted the positive ways she has changed. “Samantha, would I be crowding you too much if I went along?”

Samantha said, “If that’s what is needed to be able to go; I would say okay.”

Carole said, “No, I won’t stop you. This time it is me who needs to trust you. But can you come home tomorrow and help me make things for tomorrow's barbecue?” Samantha rand to hug her mom, “I’d be happy for you. Can you tell Mrs. Tremble how much I help now at home?”

They were into the second Wildcat intermission and Sam’s Mom went home. Samantha’s hands were shaking at the thought of her Mom’s fear of her daughter.

Deanne took Samantha away saying, “Let me run a bubble bath for you; you need to relax.” Annette joined in running the bath and put in what she said was ‘heather oil’. “Deanne and Roxy, you two stay out until most of her in under the bubbles.”

“You mean we can be in there with her?” Deanne asked.

Their mother said, “She needs the comfort of your presence, more than security from you seeing her. You’re going to be sharing a room on the trip, and I consider her another girl.”

The bubble bath had done the trick; Samantha was falling asleep as Annette brushed and blew dry her hair. Deanne and Roxy had changed in Samantha’s presence and they giggled that Samantha didn’t notice them.

Once their Mom had left Roxy moved from her bed into bed with Samantha. She wasn’t doing anything worse than spooning behind Sami. She did give her a goodnight kiss. Sam’s turning and holding Roxy, brought warm sensations to Roxy.

Sam had awoken first and was delighted to see Roxy next to her. She gave Roxy a warm kiss that caused Roxy’s eyes to open. They snuggled and lay there another twenty minutes. Hearing Mrs. Tremble walking by, they were soon up. Roxy went to shower and Samantha dressed into a pair of shorts and robbed Roxy's top with a puppy dog.

Samantha said, “I dreamt of seeing Teri at the concert and that I talked to her… I won’t be able to tell my parents about my dream.”

To be continued…