Kaden and Christy were born at the same hospital, on the same day, and their families lived two doors from each other. Mom and Cathy met at the hospital’s going home dinner the night before they and their babies were to go home. Except for the day they went home; they were together during their mom’s maternity leave most every day. Born January 9, come January the eleventh, their moms and thus them were at one another’s. Kelli was Kaden’s mom, and Cathy was Christy’s mom. Kelli was a counseling therapist and Cathy was the assistant coach to the college women’s basketball team and an instructor. The women watch each other’s child if one had an emergency, or to run an errand for something. Kaden was more likely to mess his outfit, and ended up in one of Christy’s outfits. Kaden and Christy grew up more like siblings than neighbors.

Christy was the one who spoke, crawled, and walked first. And she preferred Kaden when he messed up an outfit and wore one of hers. Since they grew up together, they were each other’s best friend or sibling.

Despite doing more things first, Christy had health concerns that made her more likely to get sick enough to go to the hospital or stay at home. One such occasion happened when Christy was three and not very well. It had happened when she was one, and Kelli visited when Christy was not so well. Kelli had visited with Kaden in a body pouch. Kaden’s presence lifted Christy’s spirit and sparked her getting better.

Now at three, Kaden was intentionally brought in to see Christy. He would lie next to her, while the moms visited. Christy would wake and see Kaden next to her. She became happy and the hospital learned that Kaden was good medicine for her. Since Christy was grouchy when she was sick, Kaden would give in to whatever Christy wanted. More than once that meant being Kay and playing what Christy wanted. Thus they could be princesses or cowgirls.

By the time they were 4 or 5, that also meant outside. Kaden got used to boys giving him a hard time being a princess or cooking in the play kitchen. Most of the girls and a couple of boys were good friends. They accepted this side of Kaden.

When Christy was four, her mother became the women’s head coach, and it wasn’t unusual for Kelli, Kaden, and Christy to be two rows up, watching Cathy coach and the women play basketball. The players soon got a cheerleading outfit for Christy and two weeks later another cheerleader’s costume was there for Kaden. With his sandy, curly hair he had often been mistaken for a girl, and Kaden didn’t care. The two of them became mascots for the team. He liked grown girls making a fuss over him.

The following year Kaden had a boy’s cheerleader outfit. But was soon called Kay as before, and the skirt would sometimes replace the shorts.

Christy was thirteen when she had another health scare and was back in the hospital. Before Kelli and Kaden went into the hospital to visit her, Kaden put on one of his outfits and played a princess for her. Christy’s friend Marci was already in the room when Kelli and Kay(den) entered. Marci smiled, “Only Christy has a charming princess Kaden.”

Christy was no longer a little girl but a teenager, and she finagled a time to go shopping with Marci and Kaden when she got better. But it was Kay and not Kaden she wanted with her.

By now Kaden didn’t mind being Kay, now and then. He liked the idea of being a girl, but he denied it to his parents and most friends. Christy and her Mom knew but saw it as Kaden’s secret to tell. Cathy had spoken to Kaden a couple of times and informed him, “It shouldn’t be a secret from your parents; I suspect your Mom and sister Karen might not be surprised.” Karen was two years older than Kaden and Christy. Karen said they were cute but teased him for being dressed as a girl.

It was two months after Christy was well and by now the women’s basketball season was over. It came as a great time to go to the mall shopping. Cathy took Christy, Kaden, and Marci to the mall to go shopping.

Stacy, one of her college players went and was to be watching at a distance, but she had momentarily lost them. Christy had taken Kaden into a special restroom, where Kaden became Kay and was a passable girl. Marcie and Kay had some spending money, enough for one or two items. Christy had her birthday money as well as the money her mother gave her.

Kaden was game for trying on clothes, even buying something for Kay, but he wasn’t expecting them to try dresses, other outfits, after another. But Christy forced Kay to enjoy the fun. Kay bought a blue, orange, and yellow print skirt for spring. She didn’t want to buy a white satin blouse, because a bra could be seen under it. Unfortunately, Christy insisted because of the same reason Kay didn’t want it. Christy won as she usually did. Marcie had bought a dress for Easter. Christy had one dress, two outfits, and a bra and panty set.

They went to the food court, and Christy and Marci were admiring the boys there. Christy flirted with some boys she knew. Marci excused herself as her mother was outside waiting for her. Once Marci left, two boys came over; a new situation had arisen. Tyler asked Christy to go to the movie matinee with him, and Chad was to be with Kay.

Kay insisted on talking to Christy alone, and said they shouldn’t. Christy said, “We won’t if you can honestly say you're not a little interested.” Kay paused long enough, she said, “That settles it.”

It was a chick flick with enough action to interest boys enough. With previews, a cartoon, and the movie, they would be out of the theater around four. Kay could handle the time. Chad held her hand, she appreciated that he got her a small diet cola.

During the movie, Tyler put an arm around Christy, she enjoyed that. Chadi, in time, held Kay’s hand. He complimented how nice Kay looked, and they talked a little about the movie. Come the end of the movie, Tyler helped Christy get her coat on, and then kissed her. The kiss was a surprise, but one Christy had not protested. Kay had gotten on her coat, but when Chad handed Kay her purse, that was when he kissed Kay on the lips. She was surprised that it didn’t repulse her, but felt warm and nice. She didn’t intend to, but she thanked Chad and said it was sweet of him. Christy bumped Kay and whispered, “Really.”

Soon they were back out into the mall, and there was a loose dog in the mall. Some boys were teasing it, one threw a rock and hit it hard enough that she fell. Another boy had raised his arm with a rock; then Kay took the lead and knocked him over. She went to the dog and hugged it; hoping no one would throw at it with her there. Chad, Christy, and Tyler came and stood in support of her.

Security was soon there and the bad guys insisted they were just protecting others. Security insisted they would call the police to take the dog away. Kay said, “This dog is hurt and bleeding and no one is taking her anywhere until a vet checks her.” Security insisted that it was the city’s responsibility. She said, “There’s a vet across the street. She’s not going anywhere until a vet sees her!”

Chad said, “I called the vet clinic, and they’d have someone to check the dog.

Meagan, the manager of the larger of the two department stores, introduced herself to Kay. “I want to thank you for the brave thing you did. One of my display girls and I were over there. We saw what you did, and we’re very proud it was a girl who first stood up and stopped the boys.”

Soon the Vet tech was there checking the dog. “She’s been traumatized, probably has a concussion, and a bone was broken and is pressing against her ear.” The security guard started to speak, but Sandy the vet tech said, “She would just be held by the city and not receive the help she needs. She’s a precious dog that’s been well taken care of. She’s going across the street to be treated. She’s been too well taken care of, she probably has a chip that identifies her. Whatever that girl’s hero for coming to her aid and insisting she have help.”

Once Sandy had the dog and it was being taken away. Meagan came back, “I see your skirt has a blood stain. Come with me and I’ll have you pick out an Easter dress; it will be our treat.”

Kelli and Cathy had arrived to take the two girls home. Kay said to Meagan, “No, our rides have come and we need to go home.”

Kelli amused with the situation, said, “Wait, you don’t have an Easter dress; I’ll even pay for half of it.” Kay/Kaden was now confused and looked at his Mom quizzically. Kelli took Kay aside, “I see you were pretending to be a girl, and even kissed a boy. Meagan Rider has offered you an Easter dress; would you like one?”

Kaden used Kay’s voice and said, “I’m not going to our church in an Easter dress. That would be embarrassing.” A woman next to Meagan said, “I’m a pastor at Our Shepherds Church. You’re welcome to our church for Easter, a week from Sunday.”

Candace, owner of Curls and Style, spoke up, “I’ll throw in an appointment with us on the Saturday before Easter Sunday, along with a manicure.” Mom said, “I’ll pay for a pedicure, if she’s up to it.”

Meagan took Kay into the store and showed her the Easter fashions. She soon realized she was offering something special. She was showing me the best of the best. The dress, Kay was attracted to, was pink, yellow, white, and had a red ribbon. Meagan asked, “It’s a beautiful Easter outfit. Will you want pink or white stockings? Will a small clutch purse do, or would you like to pick one?”

When Cathy asked about their day, Kay and Kelli were riding home with Cathy and Christy. Chrissy talked about shopping and meeting the boys at lunch. Marci had left, and Cathy had first accepted being invited to the movies.

When Cathy didn’t volunteer about the kisses, Mom said. “Cathy knew to refresh her lipstick; you did not.”

To be continued…