We were no sooner through the door when my sister called, “Hurry up, you’re on the news! They say Kaylene's a hero. I like the picture of you holding the dog and insisting on a Vet look at her.”

“I could ring Christy’s neck for getting me to dress as Kay and flirting with those boys,” Kaden said.

“But you’re the hero brother.”

Kaden said, “I only knocked down the next boy, and shielded the dog. Stacy was there; she forced the boys into submission. Why isn’t she the heroine?”

“But you’re the pretty girl holding the dog, and insisting on getting your way. What an adorable girl you make. And I love the dress and shoes you chose. I wouldn’t have expected you to choose ankle boots.”

“It was a better choice than 3” heels.”

Karen said, “Give it a break; Meagan saw an opportunity and you’re the beneficiary.”

Mom called upstairs, “Kaden, are you presentable, you have a visitor?”

“Tell the person no, Mom, I need to change.”

There’s a knock on the door and Christy comes in, “We’re sisters, you can’t say no to me. I have pictures of your Easter dress. I bet you didn’t show them to your sister yet.”

Karen sees the first photo, “Gee Kay, this is beautiful. And the ankle boot has at least a 2 ½” heel, probably three inches.” She sees a photo, where I posed.

Christy asked, “Your Mom told me a Pastor Ramona invited you to Our Shepherds Church on High Ridge for Easter. That’s supposed to be an up and coming church. Now we know it’s a welcoming church as well. Would be alright for my Mom and me to go with you?”

Kaden said, “We do so much together, why’d you think this would be different?”

My Mom called to my room, “Why don’t all of you come down, Cathy has news all of us should hear… This is not to be told elsewhere until it's commonly known.”

Cathy said, “You know you’re like family to us. While you were out shopping, I got a call from UNI and the University called me to be their new Coach for their Women’s Basketball team.”

Kaden looks to Christy, I knew Cathy had applied, but so had over thirty other coaches. Kalen hugs Christy; I hope you can stay here until the end of the school year.” Everyone heard what she said, Cathy said, “That needs to be worked out. We need to be at the University tomorrow.”

Cathy smiled, “We’ll make it work, we'll go to church Easter Sunday here.”

I asked, “Is Stacy Joens going to UNI?”

“That’s Stacy’s decision. Camille at Senior High will be invited to go as well,” said Cathy. “Kaden, you’ll be welcome most any weekend.”

It was a busy two weeks to Holy Week; by then the Easter dress had been fitted and a seamstress made the alterations. I had been Kaden so far this week; being Kay going in to for my final fitting had me nervous. Christy, Marci, and my sister were there along with my Mom and me. Meagan met us and introduced them to Constance, my seamstress.

The curtain was drawn to give me privacy as they helped me with the dress. Already Meagan said it was “beautiful”; Constance complimented the selection of the gown. “Any girl would be thrilled to have this dress, but it is you who needs to be pleased the most.” I felt electricity running down my body with the first touch of it coming down over me. It was guided over my head and down my arms. The dress was shimmering down my arms, sides, and legs. Mom and Constance were buttoning the back and checking my sleeves. Then I saw the dress coming together in the mirror, and others showing from the back and side.

I had never thought of myself as a beautiful girl until then. I’m not perfect, but the way the dress hugged me and it was perfect for me. The partition was pulled to the side and Christy, Karen, and Marci were in awe of what they saw. Christy, “Kaylene you are beautiful!”

I stepped out of the changing area and was led to a three-way mirror in the main sales area. I was embarrassed as people applauded and complimented me. Photos including for the area newspaper were taken.

Mom knew I didn’t want my picture to be taken and shown, especially in the newspaper. Mom said, “By the time most see you in the newspaper on Easter Sunday, you will already be in church and they won’t know where you are until later.”

Karen held my hand, “Please, enjoy this moment and again Sunday morning.”

Mom had sent pictures to my Grandmothers. Grandmother Martin called, “It’s just Grandma Martin calling to say how beautiful you are in your dress.”

“Thanks Grandma, but I hope it’s not embarrassing, that a bit of Christy has rubbed on me for years?”

“This part of you has been bubbling under the surface; it's time for it to surface. I want you to know we understand.”

I asked, “Whose we, Grandma?”

Grandma said, “All the family, plus your sister knows Morgan, a high school boy; he lives in my neighborhood. Morgan saw your picture and wondered if he could take you out on a date. Morgan is a wonderful boy, but you should meet him beforehand. I suggested he come with me to the Easter Service at the church. We would sit two of three pews away from you. If you wanted to meet him, you could come over and say hello to me and I’d introduce him.”

“But Grandma, it would be rude if I didn’t say hello to you,” Kay said. “Plus that would be me at my prettiest. Would he know I’m a boy?”

Grandma said, “He has a older cousin who’s a transwoman. His cousin has knowingly been a woman for ten years. She’s accepted as normal in their family. Morgan knows your sister and considers her a friend, though they’re not close friends.”

Kay realized she knew Morgan, and thinks he’s an okay guy. “Grandma, did you already invite him to the Easter service we will go to?”

Grandma answered with a question, “Karen said you might already know who he is. Would it be okay with you if I invited him? Karen didn’t see a problem with his coming.”

“She has good judgment, so I guess it would be okay. But I wouldn’t have much time to visit. Christy’s Mom will be back. Time with Christy will be at a premium.” Kay thought, “We will both have the day after Easter off from school.”

Mom asked after everyone was gone, “Did you agree to say hi to a boy at church, and again the next day at Grandma’s?”

“Mom, I agreed she could invite him to church with her. And he might not want to see me the next day.”

Mom said, “I didn’t know as Kay, you would be interested in meeting with a boy.”

“I don’t know either. I thought it sounded like a safe way to find out”

Mom, “This is an interesting step for you, Kaden, as Kay.”

Kaden’s voice surfaced, “Mom, right now, I’m not certain myself, but I need some experiences to help me understand myself.” Kay sat with her Mom, the others were there. She wrapped an arm around her Mom, “Mom, this is different. I see myself as your daughter. Somehow, I feel unusually warm and loved in your arms.”

Mom said, “I sense it too, I love you Kaylene.” Mom thought, I shouldn’t have said that, I don’t want to lead her on. But it is a beautiful feeling; Cathy said, something about Kaden changing.

Soon it was the Saturday before Easter and Kaylene had her salon appointment. Kay wanted a simple hairdo, Christy insisted she needed it styled with curls. “My hair’s not that long.”

Christy said, “Remember that style you liked, Candace said, ‘The style would be a very pretty look on you. Please, you know I wouldn’t steer you wrong on this.” Kay looked to his sister Karen, she smiled and shook her head yes.

Kay revisited the pedicure, but after Wanda started, Kay’s feet became putty in Wanda’s hands. Kay whispered, “Can boys have pedicures?”

Wanda said, “Yes, but you enjoy this time. I hear your ankle boots are open toed. This will add enough color to make you beautiful head to toe. The other women will notice.

Kay was in awe as Candace shampooed and conditioned her hair, “Your hair will glisten tomorrow. Have you ever had it styled like this?” Kay realized, the people at the salon, at least Candace did not know she was a boy.

When the rollers came out and the brushing and combing were almost done, the hairstyle was almost done. Meagan from Von Maur’s came to see her, and Kay waved her close, “I don’t think they know I’m a boy.”

“No,” Meagan said, “I realized that when you came in for the dress. You know, no boy is showing and won’t be tomorrow.”

To be continued…