Allie called in the morning, “My Mom had to go to the hospital early; she was wondering if your mother could drive me to school.”

Samantha said, “Your school is only a few blocks away; I could walk you and then go on to the high school. Would that be okay?”

“That would be super! Are you serious?” asked Allie.

Samantha said, “Why don’t you walk over to my house; unless you need help in getting ready?” Samantha hadn’t got back to her room when Allie rang the doorbell. Samantha spoke loud enough for her mother to hear her, “Mom, I’m letting Allison into our house; I will be walking her to school and then walking to the high school.” Samantha said, “You might want to call the Mom on her cellphone and find out if anything has happened to Jeffery.”

Mom looked at Samantha after she let Allison in. Mom said, “Did you change your skirt because you are taking Allison to your old elementary school?”

Sammi said, “Mom, Mrs. McGuire is often out watching the children; it is crazy enough she’s going to see me as Samantha at least this skirt is a little more fitting.”

Her Mother giggled, “She and other former teachers saw you in the play; I am sure Mrs. McGuire will tell you how well you did in the play. And now to see you walking one of the children to school; if anything that will surprise her, from how Bruce acted up there.”

Her Mother came out to welcome Allison and tell her how cute she was. Allie said, “I called to ask you for a ride to school, but Sammi volunteered to walk with me today. I know Ms. McGuire, but she teaches older students. She makes sure we are treated nicely by the boys on the playground.”

Allie smiled with delight seeing Samantha, “Oh, Samantha, you are pretty today, I bet the older boys will stare at you.”

Samantha was now a little sorry she volunteered to take Allison. “Thank you for your compliment, Allie. With the outfit I chose last night some boy will like seeing you.”

Allie said, “That would be Alan. If he does he will be teased by Marcus. Marcus likes me but he’s too shy to say so.” Samantha giggles as she listens to her neighbor girl talk about little boys.

True enough, Mrs. McGuire says hello to Samantha, “You make a pretty high school student. It is sweet of you to be walking Allison to school. Where is Jeffery and their mother?”

Samantha stopped to explain, and Mrs. McGuire took in all the information. She asked, “If we don’t hear from her mother near the end of school; could I have someone call the high school so you could walk her home and make sure she is safe?”

Samantha said to herself, ‘I didn’t mean to obligate myself to all of this. But she said to Mrs. McGuire, “Hopefully Mrs. Anders will be back well before then, but yes, you could have me called if needed.”

Allison, said, “She babysat me last night when my parents took my brother to the hospital.”

Lindsay and her friend Judy stopped long enough that Samantha walked with them to the high school. Lindsay enjoyed teasing that Samantha had become a babysitter, “Did you have the Girl Scout training the rest of us girls took in fourth grade?”

They met Deanne and Roxy as they walked through town, and it seemed like it was becoming like a parade to Samantha. She wasn’t as upset or amused that she had seen similar things happen to girls and never gave it a second thought.

Roxy moved next to Samantha, and she joked, “You better hope the rest of the neighborhood doesn’t find out that you do babysitting.” They got to school early enough that they had extra time.

Deanne asked to talk to Samantha alone, “How did you like being there for your neighbor girl, Allison? That was sweet of you.”

Samantha paused, she likes how Deanne is there for her and gives her time and space to respond. “I’m not used to a little girl looking up to me and wanting me to help. It was nice last night as her brother went to the hospital and I watched her until her parents came home… Something happened early this morning and the parents rushed back to the hospital. What if something happened, I don’t know how to talk to little girls; I never was one.”

Deanne chuckled a little hugged Samantha and said, “Just like you are doing lead with your heart. Comfort her and wait for her Mom to do more.” Deanne stepped back, “You have a precious gift in your sensitivity, I know it can be a lot, but it’s a gift don’t be afraid of it.”

Samantha said, “You understand that is comforting to hear. Thanks for being here.”

Word got around that Bruce as Samantha had walked a girl to the elementary school. Jaden teased him, “Sweet boy helped a little girl. You’re becoming too much of a girly boy.” Brian joked next, and it was like that with remarks here and there. Come lunch in the cafeteria, Samantha had gotten lunch and was walking close to a table when Brian stuck out his foot tripping her. Little had spilled on her, more on the floor and tray. But trying to retrieve things with a short skirt made it a bit embarrassing. Instead of apologizing Brian said, “I guess you need to watch better where you're walking. Better yet wear pants and be a boy again.”

Samantha said, “I’m still Bruce, but you, not my skirt was the problem.”

Mr. Lee asked, “Bruce can you prove that he tripped you on purpose? If not, please don’t make accusations.”

She was angry and told Mr. Lee, that it was not her who was at fault. He said, “Are you insinuating, I too was wrong. You’re close to getting yourself in trouble. This is not a make-believe play.”

Ms. Greene, an aide, working in the lunch room, said, “Samantha, let me help you and get away from the trouble.” She offered to replace what she had with another lunch, but Sam had lost her appetite by then.

Unbeknownst to Samantha, Thomas Jones had bought her another lunch and brought it to her. Samantha sitting with some friends, was embarrassed when he did bring it there. She said, “You got most of what I had, thank you. What do I owe you?”

Thomas said, “All you need do is be happy again.” Layla moved over and said, “You can sit here if you want.” It was next to Samantha. He said, “No, we’ve been friends and I wanted to know she still has her friends.”

Samantha said, “I appreciate being reminded of that. You are welcome to sit with us.” She invited him but was shy about talking to him. Roxanne a few chairs away asked, “When did you two become friends?”

Thomas chuckled, “Bruce, I mean Samantha might not want me to say right now.”

Samantha cleared her throat, “For years, I’d always been one of the smaller boys on the playground. It didn’t stop me from getting into trouble, but Thomas would often be there when bigger boys would pick on me.”

Roxanne said, "Thomas, you didn’t do it just now.”

Again Samantha did not say much. Roxy looked at Samantha and then Thomas; Thomas was not only bigger but a good-looking boy a grade ahead of her and Samantha. She thought, ‘I wonder if she likes him more than she’ll let on.’ She ventured a guess, “Are you the Thomas who started on the junior varsity football team?”

He said, “I plan to be on the varsity team for two years. I play at running back and receiver on offense and outside linebacker on defense.”

Roxy asks, “Did you see Samantha in the play; what did you think of her performance?”

“I’m still getting used to her being Samantha. I thought she did really well in the play. It was like she was blossoming with the play. Your sister and the others were outstanding as well,” he added.

Some of the girls began to get up and leave and so did Thomas. Samantha was finished though she hadn’t eaten much. Roxy whispered, “Samantha, what did you think of your friend being so nice to you?”

“He was nice, but we haven’t talked much this year,” Samantha said.

Roxy said, “You seemed happy to see him, but didn’t say much. What do you think of him as a guy friend?”

Samantha said, “I need to get ready for my next classes. I’m sorry but I’m worried about Allison, my neighbor girl.”

It was the next to last class; that Samantha was called to the school office. “Mrs. Doris Anders called and was wondering if we could let you out early so you could walk Allie Anders home. Mrs. Anders and her son Jeffery are home, and she didn’t want to leave him alone just yet.”

Samantha agreed to walk Allie home from school and was going back to class when Thomas appeared. It looked like he was looking for her, and he asked, “Could we talk after school lets out?”

Samantha said, “That would be good but I need to walk my little neighbor girl home.” She started to walk, but Thomas asked, “Could I come to your home after that and we talk there?”

“Mm, I guess so.” She shyly went to her class; Thomas was happy and went his way.

When Samantha went to her last class; Mr. Lee gave her the note that she had permission to leave class fifteen minutes early to help a girl at the elementary school. “Make sure you get your homework assignment for tomorrow. You need to find three current news items and give your insight into each article.”

She left at the time needed and walked to the elementary school. Ms. Marsha Cline was waiting with Allie in the classroom. Ms. Cline said, “I heard it might be you who came for Alison. Other than be anxious about her brother; Allie did very well today. She said she and you read together last night. I thank you for being so helpful to her. The one thing Allison could use is a little more socialization.”

Samantha said, “I’m not sure how well I can relate to a little girl.”

Ms. Cline said, “I can appreciate that, but you have an advantage in that she likes you. She said you cared about her.” Marsha said, “You did very well in your play. I know you are popular, but it could help her and you to take a little time with Allie here and there. You’ll have my appreciation. Even Bruce could be a good friend.”

Allie’s Mom was on the front porch ready to welcome Allie home. “Oh Allie, I am so happy to see you. Your brother is home and healing. How did you like Samantha taking you to school and bringing you home?”

Allie didn’t miss many things from Mrs. McGuire in the morning having known Samantha before, or how her teacher Ms. Marsha Cline told Samantha that she had a good day. She even encouraged Samantha to take time with me. Isn’t that great mommy?”

Doris said to Samantha, “I greatly appreciate all you’ve done. You will be receiving a nice gift card from us… I know you are busy; we won’t obligate anymore from you concerning Allie.”

Samantha said, “I will accept a gift card if that’s reasonable, but if I do, you need to allow Allie and I to be friends, no compensation for being friends. She is welcome to come see me if I can play here with her. Ms. Cline suggested it might help show me some things I missed not growing up as a girl.”

Samantha got home, showered, and put on a pair of designer jeans to relax in. She wasn’t expecting Thomas to come over today and talk to her. Samantha invited him in and said, “I’m going to have a cup of tea; would you want that or some Coke?”

She got a bottle of Coke for Thomas and was heating the water for tea when she invited him to sit down and talk. Thomas apologized for staying away, saying he was surprised when he came out as Samantha. “I did talk to some team members about being supportive of you because you were my friend. They joked with me because I had defended you as a smaller boy. But I admit I didn’t know how to relate to you being Samantha. I was happy that Deanne Tremble helped you in your learning and for crossover day, but when you remained to be Samantha, I worried it was something unhealthy.”

Samantha interrupted him, “I’m impressed with what you did. I took it personally when you weren’t talking to me. I guess now that I should have called you. I had tried, but never left a message. I remember once when you helped me, I hugged you and cried, but I wasn’t trying to be a girl; it was just what I did.”

She said, “Deanne has only been good for me. I knew that after I came out as Samantha; she got blamed for my change. I did it with acceptance by my Mom and Dad. It wasn’t to last but I decided it was me. It was a part of me that I hid away and suppressed so even you didn’t know.”

They talked more but when Thomas was ready to leave it got awkward. He said, “I can’t jokingly kick your butt or mess your hair.”

Samantha says, “I know you generally hug Candy and Jenn, but I’m different and you don’t want people to misunderstand.”

He then seemed out to prove a point, Thomas hugged Samantha and kissed her cheek. Sammi said, “I didn’t expect that, but you’re special to me. I’m glad we are back as friends. Maybe, we could do something sometime.”

We hugged again but Thomas became embarrassed because he had become aroused and Samantha realized it. Samantha joked, “You probably don’t wear two panties to stop that like I do.”

“The ice has been broken Samantha; why don’t I take you to the Legion dance on Saturday?” said Thomas.

Samantha said, “It would just be as friends, but I’d like that”…

To be Continued...