Sunday night Josey was back in her room with Megan. Megan’s visitors had left after lunch, and none of her friends recognized Josey. It was after supper and they were out dancing with others that Megan asked, “How was your date with Dan’s brother? Teri had told me you were going out. When I noticed a nice dress was gone; I was sure you were a willing participant.”

Josey blushed, but recovered, “It was nice, very nice. I hope to see him again before camp ends.”

Megan asked, “How were his kisses?”

“Who told you that we kissed? I was surprised but they were nice. I was the one who suggested he come back,” Josey volunteered.

Megan giggled, “You just told me; I was only guessing.”

While we talked, Kirstin one of the dancers came to Megan and kissed her. Josey’s eyes lit up. Megan introduced Kirstin, “Kirstin is here for the main production, I’m in it with her. She’s from the City (NYC) and we became good friends last summer. We get together enough to keep our relationship alive and warm.” Kristin and Megan giggled.

Kristin commented, “Josey, I heard you already won the pink tutu as your prize from your Aunt Beth. That is quite an accomplishment. I thought your Aunt might give it to you for trying hard, but that you achieved your own goal this fantastic summer.”

Josey found herself warming up to Kristin, and the idea of Kristin and Megan together.

Kristin said, “I hope you don’t mind but I know your secret with Megan. I think some of the other girls have figured it out as well. Like me, we’re impressed that a boy would be willing to do all this as a girl. That you never really danced ballet before makes it more impossible.”

Josey said, “If it weren’t for Anna Roche teaching me and Megan showing me how to do the different movements it would never have been possible. I was too ignorant that it should have taken much longer. Roche drilled me to learn the terms of ballet and repeatedly the movements learned quicker than I should… I’ll confess I did it all to impress Megan.” Megan was now the one blushing. The three of them hugged.

Kristin went to where she was staying, only after a long look at Megan hoping she would be coming. “Another time maybe.”

Before they went to sleep, Megan talked to Josey about her relationship with Kristin and that sometimes she would stay with her. Josey understood.

Josey asked, “Megan do you know who in addition to Kristin knows about my being a boy?”

Megan said, “Cynthia heard you and me talking and she heard Joey’s voice once. Diane told two people in her cabin and then your Aunt Beth. Mrs. Walters spoke to those girls while you were with your mother. Some have watched you not knowing what to believe. Most see you as Josey; not knowing if they think you’re a girl, or not. Most of the girls prefer it when you are not wearing the breast forms.”

Josey was upset upon hearing all this, but as she lay thinking a calm came over her. ‘It was no longer a secret and people hadn’t teased her. Was she free to be Josey? Her heart warmed.’ Before long she fell asleep and had a restful sleep.

Megan asked, “Josey, how did you sleep last night? You were talking and it seemed like you were talking to someone.”

Josey said, “It was a good sleep, but now that you mention that; do you remember a ‘Ronnie’ from the NYC dance team?”

Megan said, “There’s a Ronnie in their dance group, but I don’t know her. Why do you ask?”

“Because that’s who I was talking to in my dream.” Josey said, “I never had a dream like that. Did you ever have a dream where you’re in a conversation with someone you didn’t know?”

Megan asked, “Do you remember what you were talking about?”

“We were just talking, and she was supportive of me,” Josey stopped and thought. “Somehow she knew I’m trans. She thought it was neat that I was brave enough to be here learning ballet.” Josey paused, “That was it.”

Megan asked, “Would you like Cynthia to contact Ronnie to see if she remembers you from when they were here?” Megan thought of something and asked, “Were you attracted to Ronnie? Do you remember who she was when they were here?”

Josey pulled out a program from when the New York City Dancers were here. Ronnie from her dream popped out of the program. She didn’t see the name but her in the group picture. “We talked when she was here, but I hadn’t remembered that until now.”

Megan texted Cynthia and Cyndi replied, “Ronnie texted me last night that Josey was her kind of girl. She hoped I would talk Josey come to the city sometime with Megan.”

The Camp dancers were seriously preparing for their closing programs. Josey. Josey saw a new picture of herself. She was thinner and was getting the physique of a dancer. She was sixteen pounds lighter than when she came, though she had gained in her chest area.

It wasn’t until Tuesday afternoon when Michael was rehearsing with Josey and lifting her that he noticed when he lifted her. Michael, “Josey, you’re lighter and flowed into my arms as I lifted you! Did feel as awesome for you as it did for me?” Anna said, “Josey don’t answer; focus on your dancing… Everyone repeats that last movement and sets every move to memory.”

Anna said, "Josey, thanks for staying focused that is what a serious dancer needs to do. You just moved forward in your dancing.”

When she returned to her room before lunch, Josey saw she had a message from Trez “Can I take you out tonight so we talk about a date on Friday or Saturday?”

Josey messaged, “Let’s plan on it, but I need permission. I will text you when I know.”

Megan said, “Josey, you need to tell him you’re transgender. I am sure he will want you if you go out alone with him.”

Josey, “You can’t know that for sure.”

Megan replied, “Only 80% are sure; you should decide beforehand what you’re going to say if it’s true.”

“I’m not going to have sex with him, so I don’t need to tell him.”

Josey asked Anna, “Would it be okay to go out to eat tonight and on a date this weekend?”

Anna smiled, “Can I ask If these were the boys you and Teri dated a little while ago?”

“It would just be me out to eat tonight. I’m not sure about the date. We’ll talk about that.”

Anna said, “Yes, you have permission for tonight and I suggest the date be Saturday. I will likely ask for extra time on Friday, you'll be tired.”

Josey said, “Thanks, but are you serious about extra rehearsing Friday?”

Anna said, “Don’t tell anyone about Friday; it would only be for some of you.”

The lunch was a salad with mâche leaves, and feta cheese and she grabbed a handful of walnut pieces as she went to her room. She took Mysti out to run, using lean chick pieces to train her to return on command. Mysti got distracted once, but otherwise, she showed how smart shelties are. She had another half-hour to rest before the afternoon rehearsals. She sent her message to Trez.

Come the afternoon practice, Anna barked at Josey as they were about to begin. “Josey! Your thoughts are distracted; I won’t have that. Either your head is 100% here, or I have you the rest of today. Do we understand?”

She put a nylon mesh over Josey’s head; Josey’s sight was hampered. You will need to lean on what you’ve learned and your partner The second time they were repeating movements 2 and 3. “You know the steps, now trust your partner.” The music began, and Anna said, “Begin.” Josey was stressed as she danced through the 2nd and 3rd movements. “Back to position, repeat.” The third, fourth, and fifth times through the dance Josey and Michael were flawless. The fourth and fifth parts did not include Josey. She got to watch others. The sixth through eighth scenes all had parts where Josey was dancing. The seventh scene was the most demanding for Josey as she had seven steps to take on her toes, and then leap as Michael would swoop her away. Once back down she would gracefully run off stage. This movement took five takes, and Josey’s toes were sore after the second time her toes were experiencing pain.

Megan consoled Josey at the end of practice, you accomplished your goal, dancing on your toes; you’ll have to do it only once for each performance. If your toes and feet are sore, you’ll need to find it in you to perform at your best.

“Now put your feet in the whirlpool for at least twenty minutes.” Megan and Josey were both in the whirlpools at the same time. Reminiscing how far they’ve both come at the Dance Camp. Megan teased, “And you thought there was some simple thing that makes it possible.”

“The poise the dancers have deceives how difficult it is,” responded Josey. “I can’t believe you helped me do this. Thank you, thank you.”

Megan asked, “Are you going to be able to go out with Trez tonight?” Josey smiled and nodded her head affirming she would.

The time in the whirlpool and two Tylenol, gave enough relief to go out. She chose a blue flowered sundress and then went to take a shower. She smiled as she took of her bra. Between the pills and wearing a bra, fatty tissue accumulated and she hoped her doctor would say it was a natural development. She dreamt it was true as she washed herself with a soapy washcloth. Little bumps formed around the aureole of her tits. She swore the feelings she had were real. She asked Megan to look and touch them, but Megan wouldn’t even look at them.

She was dry and back to her room, Josey decided to wear her matching panty and bra set. The camisole barely touched her buns. She did most of her makeup before putting on the dress and brushing out her hair. Megan complimented her on the application of her makeup. “Everything goes together well Josey.”

She wore the shoes with the two-inch heels. “That is a smart choice. Your toes thank you,” Megan commented. She filled her purse with what was needed for the evening. She and Megan hugged, and then they walked together as far as the cafeteria.

Josey sat on the bench from where one could see the parking lot, as Megan went inside with the others eating there.

She saw Trez as he drove in, and was already walking to his car when he stepped out of it. “Wow, You’re very pretty tonight,” Trez said.

“Thanks, you’re looking good and handsome.” Did I say that?

She extended her hand as he reached for her; he took her hand and gave her a peck on the cheek. He escorted her to the door of the car. She sat on the seat and shifted her body until her legs were fully in. She looked up and saw that Trez was focused on the hem of her skirt. He shook his head as he changed focus and started around the car to the driver’s door and got in.

He took her to a Mexican café, the woman called Trez by name, “Nice to see you bring a pretty senorita here tonight. Are you two open to something just a little extra spicy?”

Josey said, “Yes if you guarantee it’s not too hot.”

Maria said, “You trust Mama. It will be a treat, not a bad trick. Thank you for trusting me.” She soon brought out two Pineapple Mocktails and they ate chips and sauce. Soon, a waitress brought out the two dishes. Josey’s was made with chicken, and Trez was given beef. Neither could guess the spices. The dishes did have a good tangy zing. There were peppers and onions. The red peppers had a sweet and zesty spice.

Trez talked about a hideaway on Saturday where they could be to themselves. His hand found its way to her lap as he talked. She pushed it back, “I am not sure I’ll be open to what you have in mind.”

“It won’t be anything you aren’t open to, I promise.” She asked more, but he wanted it to be a surprise. They sat in the car and kissed with a little petting before they returned to dance camp.

To Be Continued…