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Dear Readers, I have inserted a rewrite in place of the earlier publication. It's still rough.

The last day in the hospital was a blur. Jenn and Amy helped her pack up her cosmetics and toiletries. Jenn had brought her an outfit that would be comfortable for the ride home. Amy had told Conor to wait in the parking lot until she called to tell him they were on their way.

Finally, both Robin and Julia helped her down to the lobby. After many hugs and a thank you, Jenn handed Teri two small gift boxes to give to them. Teri glanced at Jenn, then she said to the nurses, “We want you to open them.”

They watched both nurses unwrap the robin egg blue paper to see a square box with the name Tiffany imprinted on it. Inside was a gold bead bracelet with a mini-heart charm. Both women thanked Jenn and Teri effusively and promised to look for the Wildcats the next time they were on TV.

As Amy was slipping an inflated donut cushion under her butt, Teri turned around to Jenn. “Thank you for getting those gifts together. You’re still ten steps ahead of me.”

“You’re welcome. But your brain will be back to normal in a few days. You’re still working on massive doses of Tylenol to ease the discomfort.”

Teri shook her head. “The pain isn’t really bad. But I’m looking forward to sleeping through the night without being woken every two hours for a nurse to check on me. Just being able to sleep with you is going to be wonderful.”

As Amy buckled her youngest daughter into Conor’s big four-door pickup, she kissed her on the cheek. “Well, here’s to hoping that you’re comfortable in your new apartment. You’ll need to be up and about during the day. Circulation is important to recovery.”

Teri kissed her back. “Thanks, Mom. I appreciate everything that you and Conor are doing for us. Since Jenn had to park her car back at our house, we’re going to be relying on public transportation and the Wildcat’s limo service to come home to visit. We do have a parking space that we bought with the condo. I guess I could practice my driving so I can commute to Allentown to work at the house each day.”

Jenn was smiling. “Right. As soon as Teri can take care of herself, we’re getting her back to the band house so she can work. And after I work the kinks out of my schedule, I’ll be coming back to the band house, too. I can study just as well out in the country, and we can use our apartment whenever we need it.”

Conor looked up at Jenn. “That’s smart. Of course, you’ll be giving up a lot of the social atmosphere of college life, hiding out in Allentown while Teri works.”

Jenn nodded. “I’ll have the best of both worlds with no one really telling me what to do. Having a rich girlfriend is pretty cool.”

Teri laughed. “So I am officially the rich girlfriend, huh?”

Jenn smiled. “My rock star’s videos are posted on the Wildcat’s YouTube channel. Everyone in the world watches her now. And sometimes she’s on Instagram and TikTok. Before long, she’ll be signing autographs wherever she goes.”

Teri frowned. “I hope not. I’d gladly leave the fame behind, thank you. The other Wildcats can have the paparazzi all to themselves. I’ve had one stalker and that was one too many.”

As they unloaded everything and carried it into the elevator, Teri leaned against the wall and closed her eyes. Jenn looked over and whispered in her ear. “How about if you just lie down for a while and rest. Your body is not used to all this activity. You’ve been lying down for the past five days.”

Teri kissed her mom and hugged Conor thanking them for their help, promising to see them soon. Then, Teri let Jenn help her back to the bathroom. After going to the bathroom, the two of them took a shower together. After that, they climbed into bed and Jenn held Teri while she slept.

Around five o’clock, Jenn got a phone message from Gina. She hung up and turned to Teri. “Hey, Rock Star. Grace and Gina are coming over and bringing dinner with them. I was thinking that it would be fun to go up on the rooftop deck and eat up there. What do you think?”

Teri smiled at the thought of seeing Grace. “Yeah, great idea. But I need to wash and brush if we’re going to be entertaining. Hopefully, we’ll find a little privacy up there. That deck is pretty cool and I’m sure more than one condo wants to use it.”

“Well, Gina said that she and Grace are going straight up to the roof with the food and will be waiting up there for us at six o’clock. They’ll be able to get a spot for us.”

Teri sat on her inflated donut and worked on her hair and makeup. She felt some discomfort, but nothing really painful. She was enjoying the fact that everything felt pretty natural both inside and out. Jenn had found her a long colorful peasant dress to wear that would not be tight or confining. At six o’clock, they rode the elevator up to the roof.

As everyone watched Teri come through the doorway, they gathered around and yelled out in surprise with a lot of cheering. After that, one by one, they approached her with hugs and kisses.

Teri was amazed that everyone had shown up. She saw Jessica and Mac, Richard and Phil, Robert from the club, DJ Blank and a beautiful new girlfriend, the whole band, including Lisa and Smith, Tiffany and Mike, Zoe and Bruno, and Amy and Conor. It was quite a gathering, and her emotions were fluctuating with every hug and kiss.

After a while, Teri started to get lightheaded and realized she’d been standing for a long time. She still felt comfortable greeting all her friends and wasn’t ready to end her day.

Teri knew that her week in the hospital had been beneficial. She understood that everything she did there aided her recovery. She felt strong and in control of her body. Spending so much time on her back wasn’t her preference, but she had enjoyed the naps. She never had more than three hours of uninterrupted sleep. As a result, she grew tired easily. The real solution was that she needed to be up and active, then sleep through the night.

Thank goodness, Teri thought, Julia and Robyn had gotten her up and walking countless times each day. Before she left, a physical therapist visited her several times and discussed exercises and how to gradually increase her activity. The therapist cautioned Teri that her muscles wouldn’t atrophy, and she could take her time returning to pre-surgery standards.

The first couple of days after her surgery had been rocky until the anesthesia finally left her body, and the dizziness had stopped. The Tylenol she was taking for pain didn’t seem to affect her brain, particularly her balance, and she finally felt clearheaded.

Her doctor warned her that the surgical area would itch more than it would hurt, reminding her that the nerve endings would regrow and reconnect over time, leading to increased sensitivity. The doctor was more concerned with Teri keeping herself clean. She discussed UTIs, or Urinary Tract Infections, and how to prevent them. The best part was that Jenn was present at all these conferences, and Teri felt reassured that a second set of ears would help.

As she was leaving, Robyn handed her a box containing the same dilators she’d been taught how to use this week. One time, Teri looked up the word "dilate" and discovered that it was a verb: to make or become wider, larger, or more open.

Jenn had leaned in and whispered, “Your first sex toy.”

Teri walked around and spotted Phil and Richard. She always thought of the two of them as her uncles. Of course, she gave Phil and Richard big hugs, telling them that she couldn’t wait to play her new vinyl on the stereo she’d installed back at the house. “When I get home to the band house, the first thing that I’m going to do is relax and listen to my Rock Gods! These are the Masters!” She paused for emphasis, then turned to Phil. “And I really want to record some new material. Having to stay laid up in the hospital for a week was tough; my brain kept coming up with new songs and lyrics for the band. I wrote up everything and I can’t wait to get back to work.”

Phil glanced at Richard and smiled. Richard turned to Teri. “Uh, just so you know, we had a gentleman’s wager that you’d be writing new material for another album when you were still in recovery. We figured that you could never just sit.”

Teri smiled. “That was the bet? And what did you bet?”

Phil blushed while laughing. “I’m not going to tell you, but I won.”

Richard grinned. “It’s the kind of bet that we both come out winners.”

Teri blushed, too. “This sounds like an X-rated bet that I’m not old enough to visualize.”

Richard smiled and then touched Teri’s arm to get her attention. “Have you heard about the changes we’re making with the SNL schedule and some cuts on a Christmas album with Taylor and Beyonce?”

“Yep. I’m excited about hearing the women’s songs and how we can get both voices integrated. And now they want it all done by Christmas!”

“Well, I am sure that they’d love to get it done by December first so they can release it early enough in the season to get on the play lists. You know it’s going straight to number one.”

Teri shook her head. “Well, sure. If they can get everything to me ASAP, I will begin to work on it. Maybe we can record in our studio, too. Do you think we can get the Flower Sisters in to help out with the brass?”

Richard smiled. “I will contact them tomorrow and maybe schedule them to come up on their days off.”

Teri was nodding. “That’s great. How about strings? I mean, Tiffany can help out with cello, but I’m picturing a full orchestra.“

Phil nodded. “Sure. The studio where we recorded your demo singles would be able to handle it. We just have to keep things under wraps so no one knows about the duo recording together. If no one knows it’s coming and it gets done by December first, it will shake the whole music world.”

Teri smiled. “I’m going to need lots of help. How about getting Blank to be around when we’re recording? That would be an extra set of hands and ears.”

Phil nodded. “Maybe we can talk to Bill Wiggins and see if we can draft some help.”

Teri thought for a minute. “There’s this recording studio in New Orleans, in the Treme, that Bill helped back. We did some work there. Maybe that might work.”

Richard was smiling. “It would be amazing if the Flower Sisters and Blank could help. It would make the studio end multi-cultural.”

“And don’t forget that I’m in the LGBTQ category, too. But I do have a question and would appreciate your advice on other matters. Is it wrong for us to start developing and playing new material even though the album’s only been out for a couple of months? If we start playing new stuff that someone tapes and uploads, will that bother Warner?”

Richard smiled. “No, I think it’s what happens to every band. There’s a whole world of music swappers who go around and tape band shows and then run ads swapping their recorded versions with other people. Some of that stuff is played on the radio. For example, if someone recorded an early version of “Show Me Your Love” and compared it to what you play now, there’s a world of difference. And while some people love the newest version, there are collectors who will seek out older versions to discuss and critique.”

Teri nodded. “Okay. I do variations of my guitar solos on Sam Cooke’s song, “Long Time Coming.” I never thought it was a big deal, but you’re saying people are listening to that stuff. And how about back when we used to play “Paint It Black? The Wildcats have changed things up to make them better.”

Phil smiled. “And let’s get back to discussing playing new material before you record it. I believe that the more the band plays the songs, the better they sound. You guys showed it off in the Philly recording studio. The band came rehearsed and ready to record those songs. Your first album was a great example of well-practiced material. All that playing and rehearsing made that album a work of art!”

Richard laughed aloud. “Some of those hits are a year or two old. I agree that you rearranged some of them, and yes, some of them were new. But everything had been test-driven. Every song had lots of miles on it. That’s going to be true for your new stuff.”

Phil laughed. “Introducing new music helps keep the band on its toes. Every musician releases their music at their own pace. Taylor Swift released music throughout COVID-19. She puts out a record when the spirit moves her. Adele has let years go by between her releases, and she doesn’t seem to be on the clock. We can examine each band’s chronology; they’re all distinct. Personally, I think it’s essential to continue producing fresh music. As far as sales go, we don’t want the band’s luster to fade from everyone’s mind, and we shouldn’t wait too many years for another album.”

Teri gave each of them a hug. “I can see that we can discuss this for hours, but I hope that you’ll hang out and stick around for the party. It could turn into a fun night. You don’t have to leave early? I’m assuming you’ll be staying the night?”

Phil smiled. “Of course. Throughout the time you've had the house in the country, we’ve been renting a condo outside of Allentown, not too far from Bruno. We’ve kept the lease there and, during the tour, used it as a place to change our clothes.”

Richard smiled and wrapped his arm around Phil. “And thanks to the Wildcats’ success, we’ve been able to sell our condo in Manhattan and find another one that we liked better. Neither of us has suffered hanging on to the Wildcat coattails.”

Teri smiled. “I think that it’s crazy and can’t believe how everything is happening so fast. It’s still weird for me to think that last spring I was worried about paying for a semester of music school, and now I could afford to start my own scholarship program.”

Richard smiled. “Your financial advisor should be able to offer you ways to create your own foundation to ensure that the charities you favor will receive some of the profits you make. And if everything is written correctly, you’ll be paying less taxes, too. But the important part is still to invest and put some of that money away.”

As they walked away, Teri shook her head. So much had changed in such a short time. It was crazy.

“Hey!”

Teri recognized a familiar voice. She turned and hugged Grace. “I love you and I’m so happy to finally see you. I missed you terribly and just wanted to call and talk on Thursday when we skipped our session.”

Grace frowned. “Are you okay?”

Teri laughed and squeezed her tightly. “I’m great. But I just wanted to hear your voice, and well, see your smile. I have to tell you about this crazy dream I had when I was in surgery. The doctor wasn’t sure, but she said that if the anesthesiologist had been using certain medications during my surgery, I could have been dreaming. Well, I found myself right on top of my imaginary hill. You know, the one that we created to help me with my anxiety. And I had a chance to live in my world and explore. I walked through the woods and swam under the ocean. It was amazing, and so realistic. I loved the adventure!”

Grace smiled. “I’m just glad that you made it through the surgery and came out on the other side with a positive attitude. Seeing you smile is reward enough for me.”

Gina appeared and stood there grinning from ear to ear. She looked at Grace and started telling a story. “You know, a long time ago, when you first joined the Cats, I asked Grace what she thought was going to happen to you. You know, back then, you were disguising yourself as Tasha and trying to work through everything. Back then, we didn’t even know anything about your intersex diagnosis. I was wondering where your masquerade was going to take you. I thought you were female from the start. You were just too beautiful and always got my motor running. And boys don’t do it for me.”

Teri laughed. “Oh, I remember. I was going through a lot of confusion. I was dressing up as a woman and trying to play the part. It was crazy. Jenn seemed to like Tasha, and she played a big part in the Wildcats. I loved what was happening, but felt a lot of guilt, too. And then finding out that I was intersex!”

Gina nodded.

“Yeah. My life’s been like one of those video games where things come at you and change you, and you still have to keep exploring and completing the quest. It’s like one huge reality test that never ends.”

Gina hugged her. “You got it there. You’re on a never-ending journey.”

“I don’t know.” Teri turned to Grace. “But isn't that kind of what life’s all about? I mean, we try to have control, but sometimes it's like riding a tornado, hanging on for your life.”

Grace agreed. “Well, sure. You’ve been through a lot and worked hard to handle it. And besides discovering the mental and physical issues of being intersex, you’ve been dealing with the success of the band. I think you’ve been doing a masterful job of keeping your head above water.”

“Uh-huh. Having the Wildcats blow up so quickly has been something I could have never imagined. And everything I touch seems to turn to gold.”

Gina shook her head. “You’re a wizard, Teri. You are magic. But tell Grace about your Vampire love opera.”

Grace laughed. “Oh, but do tell. I always love to hear where your imagination unfolds.

Teri smiled. “It’s my take on Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. They are both Vampires from different clans. And when they fall in love, it starts a lot of friction.”

Gina laughed. “Uh-huh. Teri is just light years ahead in planning for the band’s future. And from what I hear, this month she has to create and produce an album from Beyoncé and Taylor Swift’s songbooks for a Christmas record. And it has to be done before December 1st.”

Grace shook her head. “Is that all? So you have the other half of September, October, and November to wrestle this project together for the world’s biggest superstars.”

Teri laughed and covered her mouth. “And the whole thing has to be done in complete secrecy. We’re thinking about recording it out at our house in the basement.”

Grace shook her head and turned to Gina. “What do you think about all of this?”

Gina laughed. “Hey, we're just riding our Little Shit’s rocket. The rest of us spent four years touring every dive bar and small club playing music every night. We could only dream about what’s happening to us now.”