Bruce was beside himself when he went home late that afternoon. He had done well in his reading, though probably not that good for smarter students but very good for him. Again he had never read so many pages in one sitting. And if Roxanne was correct in saying they’d have a quiz the next day there was good news and bad. The good news was that he was now better prepared. The bad news was when he wrote down his assignment to read he had not heard the full assignment. ‘Is that part of my attention deficit,’ he wondered if that a doctor talked about.

The walk home felt different as the wind against his face woke him up by the cool air against his cheeks. He used his phone to see his reflection but didn’t see any difference like Deanne had mentioned. He wondered if it was caused by the cleansing mask that Deanne used.

That evening after supper, Mom talked to him privately again. “Bruce, your father, and brother will have time away this weekend. That will allow us to have a time together as well.”

Bruce had finished another reading assignment and completed another short reading. When he told his mother, she asked what was the difference.

“The only difference was Deanne and Roxanne were studying. So when I thought of stopping I decided to continue. Even when Deanne gave me a snack and some milk she encouraged me to continue my assignments.

Mom and he talked, and Bruce asked if it would be right to have the Trembles help me get ready Wednesday morning. Mom giggled saying, “I was wondering if one of them could go shopping with us Saturday morning for an outfit you might wear for Crossover Day? I’m not so sure about you wearing something of theirs.”

She was surprised when he asked about getting a pair of earrings. “Mom, it is not unusual for a boy to have his ears pierced today.”

Friday during the third class in the morning when they had their quiz; he got thirteen of fifteen questions correct. It was good that Bradley and he had corrected each other’s quiz because Mr. Murphy accused him of cheating. It took Roxanne to tell him that he had studied over at their house. That Deanne was tutoring Bruce.

Mr. Murphy murmured that Bruce better continue to do well or he would go back and discount that quiz. It wasn’t meant as a compliment, but Mr. Murphy said to Roxanne, “It looks like he has been around girls, but I doubt that it had anything to do with studying.”

It was after lunch that Bruce was called to the office. He was asked to verify if he had started to study with Deanne at her home. Bruce said, “It is nothing formal, but we did it yesterday and plan to do it with her next Tuesday and Thursday. Hopefully, it shouldn’t be a problem; we don’t do anything bad.”

Vice Principal Ms. Phelps said, “It appears to have been good for you, but learning new study habits takes time to establish. When I heard Mr. Murphy question whether it was extra studying or something less desirable; I checked with Deanne. She is open to being in our program as a tutor; hopefully, you wouldn’t mind that. The school prefers that it would be 3-5 days per week, but Deanne only agreed to do it three days per week if you were open to it.”

She said, “I talked to your mother, over her lunch time. She too thinks it would be better. She also assured me that she did not see any problem with an attractive girl working with you. Deanne is a very responsible young woman; it is nice to see her take an interest in another of our students.”

Bruce thinks, ‘But what happens when they tire of me or decide to have friends over or want to do other things?’

Deanne asked us, “Is it okay if Tally comes over to be with Roxanne or Layla to study with me while your doing your homework?”

Bruce lightly laughs, “I don’t want to be in your way. I thought girls got together all the time. I’m worried I might have to go on a field trip to a store or mall. Or worse you would resent me because you couldn’t do those things because you’re helping me.”

Deanne jokingly said, “We could do such a trip and you could be our accountant and quality control person. How about that?”

Bruce asked, “Do you know if Tally’s gone a little goofy since I first came here? She’s been acting friendly to me at school.”

Deanne says, “Roxie says she’s interested in you dressing as a girl for crossover day. She said, something about her making sure you would be treated well... To be honest with you, I think she’s come to like you a lot.”

The fact that Deanne has made it clear that she is not interested in me, is something he already expected. Knowing that helped him in being around her; as he is less likely to get strongly aroused.

Mom and he were getting ready to go shopping when Deanne called saying she wanted to come over before we were to leave. She was bringing over an outfit she hoped he would wear. Saying it would be easier in their search for a dress or outfit. Before she got there Bruce was adamant about not wearing anything like that to go shopping. Deanne, however, has this soft disarming way of talking to him. He admittedly changed his mind and would do it if he didn’t look like a boy dressed as a girl.

She said she wasn’t dressing me up fancy to go shopping as it would interfere with his looking at the clothes. He was interested in trying the outfit so he wouldn’t embarrass himself. She even convinced him he needed to feel comfortable in the clothes, they chose.

Mom and Deanne were amused by his last attempt not to do it. He changed into the dress Deanne brought and he wondered if she was seeing through him. Like Roxanne, he felt in the transformation that he was becoming a sister to this beautiful teenager.

Bruce continued to resist the idea of any transformation.

He hoped they could find something nice enough and he wouldn’t need to change into it at the store. He even told Mona, the saleswoman, at the store that he wasn’t a girl and shouldn’t be going in the girl’s changing rooms. “My darling, I thank you for dressing so convincingly. Let me know when you find an outfit or two, and I’ll make it as comfortable as possible. It would be better to do it here than in the boys’ changing area.”

There was a slightly longer burgundy skater dress with lace around the neck and down the arms. When Deanne asked his mom how much do you think this pretty dress cost. His mom indicated forty-nine to sixty dollars.

Bruce said, “I was thinking that too, but I was hoping if it was on sale for thirty-five dollars you’d consider having me try it on.” He spoke, “Even then, I’m not having you spend thirty-five dollars for something to be worn once.”

The sales lady warned him about saying anything more. His mom and his friend knew more about what prices would be.

Even with the lace and nice lines, he knew he had seen similar dresses and outfits for everyday wear at the school.

Deanne asked, “So what would you be willing to pay for a dress like this?”

He laughed thinking he was safe saying $30.00, but Bruce quickly knew he was in trouble with Deanne and the saleswoman smiling. Deanne said, “Then $24.95 should make it very attractive to you.”

He couldn’t help but feel the skirt and look more closely to see why it was so modestly priced. Mona, the saleswoman, said, “There was an imperfection to the lace on the sleeve and the lining of the skirt underneath. We were throwing it out when our seamstress said it was too good for that… The repair is all but impossible to see and since the repair to the lace and the lining was out of sight she did an excellent job repairing that as well. This dress would regularly cost $69.”

“If she did so well, then why is the price drastically slashed?”

A woman spoke from behind me, “So that a pretty girl like you, would be able to buy a pretty dress like that.” He then met Panneka, the seamstress. “You seeking a good experience this be an excellent choice.”

Bruce was going to say something but Deanna stopped him, “I think, they both want you to try the dress. Please do so, you don’t need to buy it if you don’t want it. You told me you would like to look like a regular girl; this or another outfit could do that.” She took him to the women’s changing rooms and having checked showed him to the first changing room. “I’ll be outside if you need help zippering up the back.”

Bruce sighed upon closing the door to the changing room. It was nicer than the boys’ changing area, and there were fragrances in the air and a woman’s voice two sections over. It was a struggle to unzip the dress he had on. But it came off easy enough with a little concentration. The lace sleeves, made the dress feel wondrous going on. He hooked the top and pulled the zipper up the back to the bottom of his shoulder blades. Finally, he had to summon up his girl’s voice loud enough to call Deanne that he needed help.

She whispered, “I was afraid you would damage the dress instead of asking for help. Thanks for trusting me.”

He confessed, “I’m feeling like a little sister who is thankful to have you.” After Deanne brushed his hair they went out together to show his mother.

The search for Bruce would have ended there but his Mom said more was needed. It included getting his ears pierced and two pairs of earrings. One for Bruce’s male ego, as well as a pair of silver studs, there was another with a pink crystal in each. The shopping spree included shoes with a three-quarter inch base and 2½” heel.

When he complained, Mom inserted herself, saying he would practice walking once they got home. “You want to have a girl experience this will be a mild one; you’re getting what you said you wanted.” There was a second outfit they bought which Mom said was for practicing. “Besides needing practice walking; you’ll need practice keeping your modesty intact.”

Deanne encouraged him to bring over his practice outfit to wear when they were studying on Tuesday.

They were ready to leave the mall when Bruce got a call from a number he didn’t recognize. But as soon as he heard the voice at the other end, he looked around and changed back to his girl voice. “Tally is that you? What do you mean if am I’m ready to go out?”

He looked at Deanne knowing and knew this was not a total surprise to her; he looked at his mom who was unsure if she knew. But she did indicate it was alright with her. Deanne turned to his Mom, saying, “We were thinking it would be beneficial if he got some real-time girl experience before Wednesday. We’d like to get lunch with her and then spend some girl time walking around.”

Deanne turned to Bruce, and asked, “What should your girl's name be?”

Bruce didn't admit he had thought of one, but then he didn’t want any of them naming him either. He looked at his mom and knew from a prior conversation she would have named him Samantha if he had been a girl. “My name was to be Samantha if I had been her daughter. That sounds good enough to me.”

Deanne said, “So you are comfortable going window shopping with Roxy, Tally, Brigid, and me.” Sam didn’t want the others but then again he did like that Tally called him.

Bruce’s mom gave him some cash and one of her credit cards. He’d have to use his I.D. card if Sam was to use the credit card. His Mom assured him that the stores wouldn’t mind him dressed as a girl if he was buying something. He planned as Samantha, he was sure she wouldn’t be buying anything. The cash given her would be more than enough if they bought something at the food court.

Deanne asked that Samantha agree that she was a younger cousin if anyone would ask.

The afternoon was speeding by and Samantha enjoyed being immersed in girl talk. Brigid was happy to meet Samantha saying she thought she’d have to wait until Wednesday to see Bruce’s girl side. Brigid said, “Knowing your oldest brother as well as Dan; I find you as a breath of fresh air. I like Randy but he goes out with too many girls. Dan on the other hand doesn’t impress me.” Seemingly, three of the four felt similarly.

They had stopped and had some ice cream instead of getting more to eat and drink. The others were wanting to go to a movie. But the fact, they had met some guys, was the deciding factor in Samantha’s desire to go home.

Tally and Roxy were set on buying something before they left and both wanted to go to the same store. Tally looked to Roxy for agreement and then said, “We’re going to each get a skirt in support of you. We’d also like you to try on a skirt that you like, though you won’t have to buy it.” Tally kissed Samantha on the cheek and hugged her. Samantha agreed, though she emphasized she wouldn’t be buying anything.

Roxy made a straight line to their favorite store 21 Forever. The skirts Samantha liked were shorter than she wanted to try on. Tally said, “You pick the skirt you like and I’ll pick a pair of tights or leggings to wear under it.”

That kind of nullified Sam’s resistance. She chose a mauve pink skirt and Tally chose a two-tone grey and white leggings. Samantha loved the skirt until she came out to show it off and Deanne snipped some strings holding the split front together. Sam said, “I’d never be able to wear something like that!”

Deanne told her, “That’s why you wear the leggings to keep your modesty intact. It does look like the combo was made for you… Did you realize those two are on sale and would cost you less than $25 which is a saving of close to twenty dollars?”

Roxy spoke up saying, “If she doesn’t buy it, I probably will.”

“Quiet, you’ll do nothing of a kind,” says Tally, “I’m talking her into it before I talk her out of it.”

“Hold on,” Deanne said, “I think Samantha should get them if nothing more than for practice and enjoyment. But she needs to be the one to decide.” Deanne whispers encouragement into Sam’s ear.

Bruce melts with the attention but says his mom didn’t mean for him to get anything. Unknowingly Deanne had taken a picture and sent it with a text to Bruce’s mom. And he quickly got the message, ‘The skirt is cute and that was the very reason I gave you my card. It will be great as we have a three-day weekend to enjoy it.’

Samantha would buy it but professed a greater interest in the selections of the others.

Deanne and Brigid had been carrying on their own conversation in the front of the vehicle. By the time they got to Samantha’s house, she/he was a little upset that they wouldn’t say what it was about.

Finally, Deanne insisted that Roxanne and Tally stay in the vehicle as she and Brigid had something to explain to Bruce. Once they were near the door, Deanne began to explain, “We’re sorry, we weren’t ready to say anything but then you got too annoyed with us to keep it a secret… You know we’ve just begun practice for the spring play. Well, there’s a part for a little sister and none of the regulars wanted. Brigid was the first to suggest that I’d be ideal for the part. We don’t want a junior high girl to take the part. The two girls likely to agree are spoiled prima donnas. You being new to this world would be ideal. You’re so easy to talk with.”

Brigid says, “We don’t want you to say yes or no but just to think about it.” Bruce shakes his head but only agrees not to answer and to think about it. Deanne in parting says, “You’d be my other little sister in the play.”

The weekend with his mom was enjoyable. Mom thought it would be good to have Samantha’s help with some baking and cooking. It ends up being mostly baking and nothing terribly hard. They baked a cherry pie for a neighbor's family and a lemon meringue pie for when Dad and Dan got back. Then they used the extra crust to make so cinnamon crisp cookies. They squeeze out fourteen of those cookies.

Eich Martin Bruce’s friend is very intelligent but socially awkward. He had noticed that Bruce had changed but wondered why. He called Sunday night and asked, “You’ve been acting different and I haven’t heard from you. But I had noticed you were doing better in school.”

Bruce told him, “I have one of the school tutors and I am showing some improvement. I have even been asked to be in the school’s play, but I can’t tell you about that.”

The first two days of the school week were uneventful with the exception that studying at Deanne’s house seemed to help Bruce in his studying. Bruce had changed into a skirt Monday and Tuesday at the Tremble’s. On Monday, he, Tally, and Roxanne practiced for a test on Tuesday and did some extra reading on Tuesday for a report that was soon due. Deanne read his report and questioned how he stated things. Having listened he rewrote his report, but out of time for Deanne to reread it. She suggested his father or mother help him.

Tuesday night, his Mom checked both the outfits for the next day as well as her son. “Bruce, how are doing? Are you excited or anxious about dressing as Samantha tomorrow?”

Bruce said, “Mom, I was excited when I first thought of it. Not having a sister, I’ve always thought it would be nice to have a sister. Now, I’m afraid of making a fool of myself. I’m thankful to have Deanne and the Trembles to help me. But it seems a little weird. I think they are helping me practice being a girl made sense. I don’t think I will be fiddling with my skirt as I first did at first, or sitting with my legs spread apart.”

“But leave it to the likes of Damien; he’ll probably mock me for acting too much like a girl.”

Mom said, “You’ve gained so much in the past two weeks. I believe the girls and women will be impressed for years from now. You are gaining the ability to talk with them and appreciate all that we do. Dressing like a girl and taking part in crossover day will add even more to that. I for one am proud of you.”

“Your Dad probably won’t say it, but he’s a little jealous that you will have an experience that he hasn’t ever had.”

Bruce said, “I know Dad didn’t say that.”

Mom said, “I shouldn’t have told you, but he did. If you say anything he may be upset and angry with me for telling you.”

That night as Bruce slept it was like a couple of other nights with dreams about being a girl, but this night was even more so. He was disturbed that another boy liked him and kissed him. He wanted to deny it; in the dream, he enjoyed his kiss.

To be continued…
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