Previously, I cried, “Whether it’s now or at the end of the school year, I’m going to lose you.” Christy hugged me until I settled down. “It will be a two-way event, Kay, but we can talk every night and spend weekends visiting each other. It is what girls do. Or are you going back to just being Kaden...”

Kaylene says to Christy, “There hasn’t been any question about my changing back to being Kaden since I’ve become Kaylene. You called me Kay; Kaylene was the name I took when I realized I was a girl. It’s okay that you call me Kay.”

Christy says, “You’ve been going as Kaylene for at least two years. You’ve denied to others that you are transgender. Are you telling me your mother and others knew you’re a girl?”

“Shush, Dr. Allison knew,” Kaylene says, “But I haven’t given her permission to tell. I thought you knew; your Mom seems to know.’

Christy says, “I guess she’s been trying to tell me. She’s accepted you as Kaylene whenever you’ve stayed over. She even expects you to be Kay when you come to visit in Cedar Falls.”

“You need to tell your Mom and quit hiding.”

“I get hassled enough for dressing like a girl; I don’t want the hurt that will come when I’m out. Mr. Schmidt and Mr. Johnson have said as much. All I need do is make to the end of the school year, but then you’ll completely move away.”

“What does your counselor say to you about waiting until then?” Christy has sat down and her temperament has become a hard stare. “I can’t believe you haven’t told me.”

Kaylene said, “Can you tell me that you wouldn’t be after me to tell my Mom?”

Christy says, “If you hadn’t told her, YES! I wouldn’t have stopped until you did.”

Kaylene sits next to Christy and takes her hand. “You might have a hard time getting this around your head, but my being a girl hasn’t been about you since we were eight. Your friendship has become more special because I’m Kay. I will continue to be Kalene, even when you've gone. It’s something I know I can’t change.” Christy grabs my shoulder, and the next thing is a hug. It was different, and now it was Christy crying.

Christy says, “You knew I felt bad that I caused you to become Kay.”

Kaylene smiled, “I’m not your little puppy or a boy; you could train to be a girl. I was already a girl, but hadn’t realized it.”

“Dr. Allison will help me come out this summer. She is sure Mom and Karen will adjust and be there for me. The school will have a couple of months to get used to it. Whether they admit it or not, I’m sure they will find it easier than what I’m doing now.”

When Christy pulls back, with a relieved smile on her face. I tell her she can tell her Mom and Dad, but suggest she not tell Sam.

Christy tells, “I can’t promise she won’t tell my Mom. And I know she won’t lie to your Mom.”

I said, “Then, give me until Friday to tell my Mom and Karen. Mom and I will see Dr. Allison on Thursday after school.”

Christy and Kaylene enjoyed talking to each other. Christy even mentioned Chad and Tyler, whom they had met at the mall. “You know we’re both about fifteen and could date. Would you be open to going on a date with Chad, or would you rather go out with someone else?”

“I admit, I’m finding boys more attractive, but I’m not sure about dating,” I say. “What do you think of Mason Richards?”

Christy says, “I’ve seen you look at him, but he’s quiet and doesn't say anything.”

“He talks to me; we’re kind of friends,” Kaylene admits. “But I’m not looking for a boyfriend.”

Irritated, Christy says, “It would be a date, not marriage or even going steady.”

“Okay,” says Kaylene, “but to you know what I want? I want time to become the girl I am. Think of all you’ve done as a girl. I am a girl, but I’ve not ever gotten to be a girl.”

“Christy, I know you’ve dreamed of the woman you want to be.” Kaylene says, “But I haven’t been a girl with a favorite doll or a favorite stuffed animal. I had mittens, but only at night, have I pretend with her. Dad hid her away because he heard me talking to her when I was four. He said I wasn’t GIRL! Good grief, I still remember that.”

Christy is staring over my shoulder. I turned, and my Mom was there. Mom steps up to hug me. She says, “Were you being a girl then?”

Kaylene says, “I didn’t know it, but I guess I was… You told Dad there wasn’t any harm to it, but he said something about my not being allowed to.”

“Your Dad,” my mother said, “Grew up, and his parents wouldn’t allow it. That was why he wouldn’t allow it. I talked to him; he was going to allow it the next time, but we didn’t see a next time.”

Mom sat down with us. Christy asked, “Would you want some dolls and stuffed animals to play with?”

“Yes, and I’d like a couple of both that I could keep.”

Mom asked, “Would you be interested and going shopping to fins a doll or two, maybe stuffed animals?”

Kaylene had a sneaky smile. “I was wondering if I could choose a doll and a stuffed kitten? And if each of you would choose one for me?

Christy eagerly said, “That’s a great idea. I’d need to go home and get my purse.”

Mother said, “Why don’t you go home and get ready to go with us. We’ll get ready and pick you up in forty minutes. You won’t need money; I’ll pay for all of them.”

“Not good, Mrs. Martin. My present needs to be something I pay for with my money, so it’s from me.”

Kaylene said, “I didn’t mean for you to buy something for me.” There was no changing Christy’s mind, she was set on doing it.

Christy: “I wanted to buy you your doll many times. I always enjoyed seeing you hug Allie, my stuffed Kitten. Once, I awoke when you were sitting with me, and I found you hugging Allie, whispering that I’d be well soon. Our Moms thought you had a healing effect on me.”

Mom Martin said, “Yes, we thought her love for you had great power, and your friendship if full of love. You have a bond that will last.”

Christy responded, “Mm, can’t deny that we’re good medicine for each other.” We are on our way to a large shopping center. I drag Kaylene to a store specializing in dolls, stuffed animals, and all the extras that go with them. Where I point to a girl doll with a kitty. Kaylene saw the doll and cuddled the two in her arms. “I love them, but let me look around.” Carrying the girl and the kitten, Kaylene wanders the store and whirls around like she’s in the middle of heaven.

Mom is holding a cheerleader doll that we raved about before. She bought extra clothes for my cheerleader, so this will be her doll.

Kaylene circled the store three times and agonized over the girl and kitten, and a Caitlin Clark doll. Her Mom says, “Choose one to be Christy’s gift to you and the other that you’ll buy.” There’s a jersey and shorts outfit as well as a dress for the Caitlyn doll; Kaylen will buy them.

Kaylene has already chosen the name ‘Krista’ for the girl and ‘Mittens’ for the kitty.

Kaylene and Christy shopped, and each bought a skirt and blouse outfit.

One chapter to go… Sorry for the delay