There was something awkward as Roxy congratulated Samantha, “You were as terrific in the play as you are precious in your dress.” And Samantha held onto her hand.

Samantha said, “Thanks for the compliments; they mean so much coming from you, but you look upset about something. What gives?” Samantha pulls Roxanne to her and sees she’s ready to cry. Samantha flops on the floor and pulls Roxy down next to her. “What’s up with one of my best friends?”

“I’m tired of being a good friend,” she says, “I’m sorry but it's true.”

Tally found the two of them, and she heard part of what Roxy said; “It’s your night to celebrate. I’m with you Roxy we need to talk things out, soon.”

Samantha said, “I can’t enjoy the night if you two are upset!”

Tally said, “Yes you can; girls do it all the time, but sometimes, like with Roxy; some things slip out. Just let people ask nice questions and compliment your appearance.” Tally and Roxy were about to walk away.

Samantha said, “How is it, you are ready to walk away, and I’m supposed to go on and enjoy tonight?”

Tally and Roxy turn simultaneously and say the same thing; “Because we both have feelings for you!” Roxy said, “Because you can’t see it!”

Samantha paused, was silent, and spoke, “Not true, I just don’t know what to do about it.” She flops down on the floor in her pretty dress and others in the room begin to stare. Soon it is the three of them sitting together.

Ms. Hughes saw them, but instead of getting involved she found Deanne and sent her. Deanne approached, quietly asking her sister, “Is what I’m thinking, have come to a head?”

Roxy sadly smiled, “Yes, I’m sorry I let it out.” Deanne quietly sat down saying, “It’s hard to imagine that you can have too much of a good thing. Not only is that the case, but Roxy and Tally both have strong feelings for you, Samantha.” Making light of the moment, Deanne also said, “You also showed off your yellow panties.” All four of them began to laugh uncontrollably.

Deanne lifted Samantha, and then her sister, Roxanne, and by then Tally was also standing and they gave a group hug. Deanne said, “We’ll talk about this tomorrow after worship at our church.”

The remainder of the After Play Party went with simple enjoyment. Deanne took Samantha aside. “Please don’t feel a need to say anything back. Because you are new at being a girl; you don’t know how great your performance was. It’s funny because you did become a little sister.”

Samantha interrupted, “And you’re a big sister who is hard to follow.”

“Quiet!” Deanne said under her breath. “I didn’t know, underneath it all you are a girl for real. I hope you can take things one day at a time, and sometimes one moment at a time.” Deanne gave a last hug and went onto someone asking for her.

Samantha found her brother with some of his friends. Dan laughed, “You becoming my sister is funny, because I had wished I had a sister who had friends I thought were pretty. But it doesn’t work like I hoped.”

He said, “I can’t wait until this is over and I can get to know you better.”

It was 12:30 when Samantha finally got home. She was glad her mother was home as she was eager to talk. “Mom, are you awake enough that I can shower and then come and talk to you?”

She was relatively soon back to talk, “I’m glad I can talk to you…” After some of the smaller questions, Samantha spoke about Roxanne, Tally, and her all having deep feelings for one another. “I knew they liked me, but I was already dating Tally. I felt guilty when I was near Roxy, but then I saw things with Rex in a different light, as a girl wanting a boy to like her.”

Somewhere in the conversation, her Mother said, “That’s where you talking about the LGBT support group makes sense. Plus, there’s counseling available through my women’s clinic. That could be better for talking through friend stuff, without those at school knowing.”

Samantha asked, “Did you already have an idea this stuff was building up in me? I was wondering if there would be someone not associated with your clinic.”

Mom said, “I wasn’t sure, because you were talking more to me, and you hadn’t said it was troubling you. I’m glad you are telling me. Yes, I would be open to another counselor, but the counseling available through the clinic is separate from where I go.”

“Oh, but could we still learn about other counselors? Samantha asked. Samantha yawned, “Better yet can sleep and we will talk about it another time.”

It was 7:00 in the morning and Samantha wanted to sleep, but she remembered she was to go to church and talk later about their dilemma. She quickly showered and got dressed. When she went downstairs to the kitchen, her mother said, “I thought you would be sleeping in.”

“Deanne suggested we go to the service at their church and talk afterward. Would the pink and blue dress be good to wear to church?” Samantha asked. She said, “I like it how girls just seem to talk together and work things out.”

Mom said, “Do you think it is that easy?”

“I didn’t say it was easy, but it’s better than boys; they stay angry until they cannot remember what they were arguing about. They may or may not be friends again,” It was Bruce’s thinking but Samantha said it. Her Mom giggled.

Mom said, “I am willing to take the four of you out for dinner so you can talk and eat.”

Samantha smiled and asked, “Would you have to eat with us?”

His Mother said, “I want to be with you or no more than two tables away.” Her would-be daughter was open to that. Mom followed Samantha to her room to help get her hair brushed out like it was. She was impressed by how Samantha made up her face and lightly used her makeup.

“I’ll drive to their church if you want?” Mom said.

Mom had gotten ready to go to her church after taking Samantha. “Wow, Mom, you look nice for church. I guess you expect to be taking us to dinner after church.”

They drove to the church and as Samantha was getting out of the car; Deanne saw them and came over to the car. Deanne asked, “Mrs. Sanders, are you here to go to church with my mother?”

Mom Sanders asked, “Isn’t she going with you Dad?”

“He’s golfing; my Mom will be alone if you aren’t with her.” Deanne is already calling her Mom, “Mom, Mrs. Sanders brought Samantha to church, is it alright if she sits with you?”

Ma Tremble said, “Tell her, that would be nice. I will be at the front entrance waiting for her.”

Mrs. Sanders parked her car; she and Annette Tremble went in to worship together. It was just a moment before worship was to start, that they both got texts saying going to dinner after church was fine. The Moms giggled and were happy that the texts came before the service began.

After they were at the play last night, the pastor remarked about seeing Morgan, Deanne, and Samantha at the service.

It was nice for the Moms that they got to sit together both for church and going out to eat. The girls invited Ma Sanders and Ma Tremble to sit with them if they could have dessert. The girls were eager to tell their Moms that Tally was going to date Samantha and that Roxy would date Bruce or the three girls could go out together. They told Mrs. Sanders that Samantha should get to go to school part of the time.

Deanne said that she was on the golf team, So she could only tutor Bruce or Samantha on rainy days when golf events were called off of Sunday afternoons, She did think Bruce still needed to practice reading and to check his assignments. “I do prefer helping Samantha; it looks better that way.”
=^_^¬=

Monday, it was Bruce who went to school, and since Samantha’s curls didn’t wash out; he was sure he would be teased. He did get teased, but most teachers took his side and stopped most of the teasing.

Roxy and Tally were both out for track and track coach Ruth Nelsen asked Samantha to come and practice with the team. “Who knows, you might want to run track as a girl this time next year. This would be a chance to see what you are good at. On meet days, you can be one of the people who helps around the track.

When Samantha said she didn’t always come as a girl. Coach Nelson said, “That’s okay, sometimes we let boys help if they know how to behave. I assume you can do that.”

Soon it was the week before Easter and Samantha’s Mom was taking Samantha to buy an Easter ensemble. That meant a new dress, stockings, shoes, a bracelet, and a necklace. Mom was excited for her first Easter with a daughter. They had gone to church Thursday night. Samantha and her Mom went to a salon Friday after school. Samantha would have a pedicure, manicure, and her hair styled.

Samantha asked for a permanent which meant she’d have to go to school as Samantha the next week or two. Mom knew what Samantha was doing and was okay with that. She said, “Samantha, you know you have your first appointment with Lisa Davis, your psychologist, this coming Monday at 4:30.”

The lilac and pastel yellow knit dress was snugger than her mother liked, but she agreed that Samantha was pretty in the dress and it was appropriate for a girl her age. Samantha’s hands looked much more delicate with the white gloves her mother insisted upon. With shoes that would show off her pedicure, Samantha had taken off her gloves so people could see her painted nails.

Penelope Miller the Associate Pastor complimented Samantha, saying, “I am glad you can embrace this side of you. I am sure Bruce is happy with the experience as well.” Samantha’s expression was as such that Pastor Penny said, to Samantha, “If you would like to talk with me sometime; I would be honored to take you to lunch someday.”

Samantha replied, “I hope you didn’t offer that lightly, because I’d like to. Would you be able to pick me up at my house?”

Pastor Penny had given Samantha her contact information.

Several days later, their next-door neighbor had an emergency; where she needed to go to the hospital with their son Jeffery and asked Carole Sanders if she could stay with their daughter Allie. Samantha said, “I could do it if you didn’t mind. I think Allie is comfortable with me. Doris giggled, “Yes, I know she would be delighted. I hope you won’t mind but she has two books she likes reading to anyone who will listen.”

Indeed, Allison wanted to read, but first, she wanted to be comforted by Samantha making a fuss over her. Samantha wasn’t used to having a younger girl cuddle with her. But then she thought, Deanne gave her a model to follow. It gave Samantha a chance to be domestic and bake some cookies with Allie. Samantha mixed up the cookie mix allowing Allie to pour in the chocolate chips. Allie also helped to put scoops of the cookie dough on the baking sheet.

They were taking out the baked cookies when Samantha’s Mother came over. She whispered to her daughter, “I’ve heard from Doris and they are running late. If you want I can watch Allie for you.”

“Are you kidding; I’m sorry for Jeffery, but we’re having a good time. You can stay for cookies and milk if you want.” Samantha was having a girl time and wouldn’t be denied the experience. Seven-year-old Allie was delighted to have two women giving her attention.

Samantha’s hardest task was limiting Allie to two cookies, His Mom set out to be the spoiler saying, “Allie was big enough for three cookies.”

Her mother went home and Allie found her book, ‘Millie’ a book with Dog tales. Samantha was surprised by how well Allie read. Sam was also delighted to help sound out words that Allie had trouble with.

It was 9:00 o’clock when Deanne called and Samantha informed her that she was watching Allie the girl next door.

Deanne giggled, “So another girl experience; are you enjoying yourself?”

She giggled again, when I told her, “My mother doesn’t want me distracted and talking to my girlfriends.”

Alison asked, “Which of your friends is that?”

I told Allie it was Deanne, thinking it would mean anything to her. Allie said, “Oh she that beautiful friend. Did she help you become a girl; I want to thank her.”

Deanne asked from the other end, “Why do you like Samantha as a girl?”

Allie responded quickly, “We didn’t have any pretty girls on our street. Now we have her and you, her friends.”

Samantha said, “I need to say goodbye for now.”

After both ended the call; Allie asked, “Can you help me pick a pretty outfit to wear to school.” We went into her room and looked through her closet. “I would like to wear a pretty skirt and blouse tomorrow.”

She had a pinkish gray skirt and a bluish blouse with different color butterflies that I said I liked. “I think you are really a girl because you have a girl’s taste in clothes.

Samantha had picked out Allies pajamas and left the room for Allie to change. But Allie was in the bathtub when her parents and Jeff returned home. Jeff had a cast on his arm, and Doris said “It took them longer to align the break, pin it in place, and get the cast as they want it.”

“I want to thank you very much for looking after Allie.” They wanted to pay her for sitting her daughter. After Samantha refused to take any money, Doris Anders said, “I’ll get you a gift card that you have to use or it will go to waste.”

To be continued…