Dear Readers, This update has been inserted in place of my first try. When I reached a point in my story, I felt frustration and knew I needed to take a break. What I discovered was that it was much easier to start again

Eight

Lisa spoke with her mom, and then, they consulted Dr. Frankel. He was happy to provide them with the name of a lab that specialized in DNA testing. He smiled and reminded them that they had done a complete workup on Teri when they were diagnosing her intersex diagnosis.

“We looked carefully at Teri’s DNA. A test reveals a person's genetic sex and their sex chromosomes, specifically the X and Y chromosomes. However, a DNA test cannot definitely determine if someone is intersex. There’s a multitude of variations in chromosomes, genitals, hormones, and internal reproductive organs that don’t fit typical male or female patterns. So even when we knew a lot of the information about Teri, we really didn’t have everything we needed just from her DNA. Fortunately, we met with specialists who used CAT scans, MRIs, and X-rays. After all of that, we knew all about your sister. But our search went a lot further than just blood work.”

As they were thanking him, Dr. Frankel reminded them that intersex is not a disorder, just a natural variation.

After Lisa called and spoke to someone, they arranged for the lab to pick up the sample. As she told Jessica, “They specialize in transporting frozen samples back to their laboratory and making sure that everything stays clean and uncontaminated. It was just a question of giving them my credit card and asking to expedite the procedure.”

Jessica smiled. “It’s simple. Money talks.”

Lisa pondered this. “You know, it’s so strange how I’m not worrying about money anymore. The Wildcats went from being broke to being extremely wealthy. When GLOW offered us a million dollars to endorse their products, it was hard to fathom. But the point is, I’ve got it and need to become a lot more generous. I’m going to write you a check and donate it to your organization. I’m still thinking like I’m poor, and I need to change my perspective.”

Jessica laughed out loud. “Check? Do you have a checkbook?”

Lisa shook her head. “You caught me on a figure of speech. What I need to do is give you my credit card number and make a donation.”

Jessica nodded. “You know that’s great. We can use your money for battered wives and families, and helping our soldiers get back into society. I’m happy to donate my services to your detective work as well. You and Teri have helped me out many times in the past. But truthfully, our agency can always use more cash to help grease the wheels.”

When Lisa called to fill Teri in on what she knew, her question was, “How ya gonna track down my daddy? I do miss him so. And my birthday is coming up, and I want a pony. I want a black and white pony and I need a cowgirl outfit with white boots.”

Jessica heard her on speaker phone and laughed. “I’m working my way through Google, Facebook, the White Pages, and Ancestry.com. I’m hoping to get a hit.”

Teri laughed. “No Bat Cave? No digital computer magic where you can travel back in time and see my sweet papa donating his sperm. I wanted to see him walking out with a check in his pocket.”

As soon as she mentioned the word check, both Jessica and Lisa started laughing.

“What? What did I say?”

Lisa laughed at her younger sister. “Have you ever written a check?”

Teri thought for a minute. “Didn’t Mom used to give us checks for our birthday, or did she just put cash in an envelope?”

They were still laughing over the check thing.

“Hey. So if you get any hits, can I come along? I want to see my daddy up close and see if I look like him. I promise not to talk to him, just stare a bunch.”

Lisa shook her head. “And what if your dear poppa is spending life in a state prison for murder, or he’s on the run from the FBI for embezzlement?”

“Oh.”

“And what if Jack Dempsey has a real family and is a great dad to other kids our age? What would you do?”

Teri had to think for a minute. “Uh-huh. I’d knock on the door and when he answers, I’d throw my arms around him and hug him, calling him daddy.”

Lisa laughed. “You’re so ten years old.”

Teri smiled. “Yeah. Maybe I never matured past twelve or thirteen, probably ‘cause my puberty didn’t happen until later. But I like being Peter Pan. I like being a kid.”

Lisa shook her head. “You got away with the juvenile behavior because you wore a boy’s clothes for so long. Girls grow out of that silly stuff. And it’s obvious that you never thought about changing it up. Jenn must really love the boy who still wants to run away with the circus.”

Teri shook her head. “Hey, I deserve a break here. My musical ability is all mature and grown up; it’s just my point of view that’s juvenile. And I wonder about the boy-girl thing growing up. I never had any girl urges. And now, we’re talking about being parents, and I’m supposed to be a mommy, too. How weird does that sound? Jenn even says there’s a way that I can take shots and nurse the baby, too.”

“Teri, okay. I see the medical stuff, but seeing you as a nursing mother is kinda blowing my mind.”

“Yeah, me too. It wasn’t that long ago that I thought I was going to get testosterone shots and get all bulked up and be all macho. It’s strange to say it all out loud.”

Jessica was listening and decided to add to their conversation. “Okay. So by the time I was five years old, I knew I was in the wrong body. I talked to my older brother and my mom, but couldn’t go any further with it. My dad was a huge wall that made me keep it all bottled up inside. And all of that dysphoria haunted me for decades until I could change my outsides.”

Teri was trying to think about her past and if she ever felt differently. “Yeah, I really don’t know about me. The only thing I do know for sure is that I’ve never been more comfortable and happy. I wake up in a great mood and walk around humming all day long. But seriously, don’t you have any curiosity about this guy? After all, half your DNA comes from a stranger.”

Lisa laughed. “Okay, okay. I promise that you’ll be the first to know what we know. And, by the way. We’re giving a big donation to Jessica’s fund to help moms and kids who need help separating from their abusive husbands and starting a new life.”

“Yeah, that’s a great idea. I was thinking…”

Lisa smiled, “Okay, my sweet sister. What’s your idea?”

“Well, maybe Robert will let us play at the Rendezvous and do a long weekend of fundraisers. It would be our first weekend back as a band since Labor Day. We just have to wait until I’m well enough to stand on my feet for an evening. Maybe in two weeks?”

Lisa smiled. “Sure, that is a great idea that needs to be shared with the band. However, you will need your doctor’s approval for that. Without her permission, it’s a no-go. And I’ve gotta add, you always have great ideas, Tinker-bell.”

“Tinker-bell?”

“Sure, little sis. I can’t very well call you Peter Pan. I mean, that’s not fair to call you a boy’s name. Hmmm. I know. Okay, from now on, you can be called Pan.”

Teri struggled to find something good to say. “Pan sounds like a character in a Shakespeare play. You know, Midsummer Night’s Dream.”

“You’re thinking of Puck.”

Teri turned to her sister in awe. “You know Shakespeare?”

Lisa smiled excitedly. “Big secret here. News flash. I’ve read all of the work, whether William wrote it or not. And I believe that a woman wrote some of his plays.”

“How do you know?”

“I like reading about Shakespeare, too. And there’s a huge amount of documentation that questions whether Will had written any or all of his plays. Of course, we’d need a time machine to verify all of that.”

“ I never knew that. And all the plays? You’ve read them all?”

“All. Will gets credit for 38 plays, 154 sonnets, and poems. It became my obsession back in sixth grade when I could take his plays out of the library. And now I’ve reread them while we’re on the road. I’ve downloaded it all to my computer.”

Teri shook her head. “I never knew you read anything. I thought it was all about working up a sweat. Like with Smith.”

Lisa glared. “Huh? What does that mean?”

Teri started laughing. “Well, I guess you’re the only one who hasn’t noticed. But you and Smith definitely have a unique way of showing love. We’re all imagining your lovemaking is as physical as everything else you do. You’re a rock and roller babe, tough girl, athletic jock type. We pictured the two of you going at it like a mixed martial arts cage match.”

At first, Lisa stared at her sister, her brain suddenly pushed into overdrive. She was trying to work through what Teri had just said. After a minute of thinking, she grinned, smacking Teri on the arm.

“Ow! Hey, why’d you do that?”

Lisa wound up and smacked Teri again. But instead of taking the blow, Teri grabbed Lisa’s fist and surrounded it with two hands. Using her extra height, she pulled that fist downwards and held it there. Then, she let it go. Gritting her teeth, Teri said, “I’m not falling for that, you bully. First, I’m still recovering and shouldn’t be stretching my muscles too much. Second, this is not over, big sis. Just cause you're older doesn't make you better. When the doctor releases me, I promise that I will take you down until you beg for mercy. Let’s see, that’ll be March when I whoop your ass.” Then, Teri reached out and hugged her.

Lisa sighed. “I’m sorry. I forgot I was picking on a recovering patient. But it’s like you just tossed my whole relationship into one bucket. That sucks. It makes it sound like we’re just two rutting dogs.”

Teri squeezed hard. “Well, we all saw how you guys started out talking and flirting, and watched it ignite big time. After that, we enjoyed watching the fireworks that seemed to go on twenty-four seven. It was like you’d been saving it up all your whole lifetime. But you’re not the only one. Tiffany just admitted that she was making up for lost time with Mike. It’s fun to be a spectator to everyone’s lovemaking in the band.”

Lisa was trying to smile.

“But now I have to tell you kinda of a private secret that I haven’t shared with anyone except Jenn.”

Lisa stared at her, waiting to hear about a secret.

“Okay. So I can see and hear how all the women in the Wildcats have urges and needs. And I’m in pretty deep and kinda vicariously ride your ups and downs, including some frank discussions. Right?”

Lisa nodded.

“Well, the truth has to come out. I rarely get those incredible moments that you’re experiencing. It happens, but I kinda seem to be dead there most of the time. Grace thinks it’s cause my body doesn’t produce any testosterone at all. I’m doing okay in the estrogen production, but all genetic women have small amounts of testosterone flowing in their bodies, and it kinda helps get your motors all revved up.”

Lisa was shaking her head. “I heard that somewhere, but never gave it much thought. I just figured it was all the same for us.”

Teri wiped her eyes. “Not for me. I don’t have any, and it’s not being produced. Which kinda makes fooling around awkward sometimes. It’s okay. I’m not in any pain. But back to what I was talking about. It’s right out there, big bold capital letters, how you are head over heels over Smith. I see it in all the Wildcats.”

“Oh, my God, Teri. But with Smith, it’s so bad how he drives me crazy. Every time that I’m with him, well, I get so revved up, and well, I’ve never felt this before.”

Teri squeezed her again. “I love you and I’m happy for you. I’ve never seen you so head over heels in love. I believe that you two are perfect for each other, and well, it’s awesome. And I’m glad that the two of you found each other and make each other so happy.”

Lisa was grinning. “Thank you for sharing about your testosterone. Maybe you can take some pills or shots and try to balance all that out.”

Teri nodded. “I’ve talked with Grace about it and have contacted the endocrinologist who helped to diagnose that I’m intersex. I hope we can discuss this, and it might make things better. But the truth is that I am so happy with Jenn and wouldn’t want anything different.”

“I can see that. I love the way you both are together. And I am sure that you make Jenn just as happy as she makes you.”

“Yeah. In the meantime, let’s get back to discussing a weekend at the Rendezvous. I want to make it special so that we fill the place every night, and people not only pay the cover but also donate money. We can give up our salaries. And it would be a good excuse to get the band rehearsing sooner than later.”

Lisa was nodding and listening carefully enough to encourage Teri to go on. “I’m sure Robert will give us a cut of the ticket price or the liquor. He’s met Jessica and understands that it’s really such an important cause. But, do you think Zoe would be okay with that? I mean, can she play four nights straight?”

Lisa was nodding. “I know that Zoe will be excited about playing to help out moms and kids. And how cool would it be to see her showing and rocking on stage with her boomer inside?”

Teri thought for a minute. “I’m going to start working on arranging my Vampire opera so we can play those songs live. Yeah, that would be so cool to do a few at the Rendezvous.”

Lisa laughed, “Hey, Rock Star. Keep it simple and just teach us one new song at a time. If you could make it a dance music tune, I am sure that DJ Blank will see that it’s played everywhere.”

Teri paused. “Do you think that’s going to bother Wiggins and Warner Records?”

“Nope. He’s all about good causes and maybe we can release it as a single and donate the sales, too.”

After talking to her sister, Teri got excited and opened up her songbook. She found the lyrics she’d written to describe the scene when the two young lovers first meet. She remembered that the song was written from the teen’s point of view and tried to imagine it in her head. After looking at her book, she pictured it as a Haiku and began to write.

Walk in the daylight
Trout swimming in a cold brook
Chasing after mayflies.

Sensing another one
No heartbeat, empty like me
Saw inside his mind

Staring at my face
He was ready to run far
Fearing he was prey

I whispered, No, don’t run.
I control my thirst.
Stay, I begged.

He stared, frozen in his tracks.
Fear on his face.
Worried I might drain his life.
And imagined I was a monster

No, stop. This girl does care
And she isn’t bad
I want to know you
I want to talk to you

His voice was soft and gentle.
I intended no harm
was just caught up in your beauty
And wanted to know your name

We are so different from your people
We only bleed animals, not human flesh.
But you are beautiful
I can’t stop seeing you in my mind

After rereading and rewriting the words, Teri texted it to Zoe and wrote, “It’s my opening scene in my Vampire Opera. For some reason, the first three verses are Haiku. Interested in hearing feedback. Right now, it’s too Phantom of the Opera and seems flat.”

Within minutes, Zoe had written back. “Crazy, awesome! I’m picturing playing soft, love music in the background while Gina recites the Haiku poems, like the Moody Blues did in their album Knights in White Satin. Then you and Lisa sing the song together.”

.
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“How’s that sound to you, Jack?” The young musician looked straight into the glass window of the control room. He’d been frustrated trying to get a smooth, mellow sound out of his guitar and looked towards the producer to give him some help.

The producer had high hopes for the band. In his mind, they were a classic throwback to the times of the four-piece hard rock sound. Their lead singer, Richie Murgowski, had an amazing voice and was also a talented lyricist.

Capital Records had reached out and contacted him directly. He’d answered the call at work. It was Charlie Clossen, one of their representatives. “Hey, Jack. I got a job for you. They’re a new act, fresh off the festival circuit and making a name for themselves. The girls are going wild over these kids. However, we need someone to help refine their sound and make a great recording. You have the gift of taking young bands and helping them learn about themselves.”

Jack smiled. He’d had so much smoke blown up his ass by record company flacks in his musical lifetime that the shit rolled off his shoulders. Instead of getting caught up in the hype he was hearing, the first thing he did was concentrate on negotiating a lucrative contract for his time and a piece of the gross sales.

He remembered good ole’ boy, Charles Clossen (call me Charlie), trying to negotiate with him. “Hey, dude. No one gets two points of the gross, nobody.”

Jack paused and let his words hang there. It was obvious that Charlie accepted his price, which meant he could have gotten more. He waited and then spoke. “Okay. One point and you double my fee.”

“Jack! Jeez, man. What’cha doin’ to me?”

“Charlie, we both know that my salary will come out of the band’s signing advance. And we know that with their talent and my production efforts, we’ll make hits for Capitol. Just saying it aloud ‘cause you know it, too.”

Silence on the phone. Jack smiled and pictured Charlie punching numbers into his calculator. Then he heard him clear his throat and speak. “Dude, can you have it done for a Spring release?”

Jack smiled, knowing they were done talking about the contract. “Sure. And for another fee, I’ll tour with them and do the sound board.”

“Would you be their musical director and arranger, too?

“Sure. But it’ll cost ya.”

Two days later, the contracts were signed and his check was deposited. He liked knowing he could take Emma out of town to celebrate. He knew this great Inn in Massachusetts and good places to dance and eat lobster rolls. The check from Capitol covered his mortgage for the next three months and gave him some crazy cash, too.

After meeting the band members in the lobby of their hotel, he directed them up to the four-bedroom suite. As they walked through the bedrooms, Jack did his usual tour guide rap, knowing that this was the first time these guys had recorded and visited New York. He talked slowly, making sure he had eye contact. “You’re only three blocks from the studio and will walk by coffee shops, restaurants, and food carts. Beware, those carts can be a great place to catch food poisoning.”

They all laughed, but Jack remembered too many recordings canceled by someone eating a bad crab cake.

After that, he’d arranged a practice studio in the building where they could play for themselves for a few days. He’d come in and listen, occasionally asking them questions about their music. With young bands, Jack knew it was essential to establish a line of good communication, which meant he listened attentively to what they said. Rather than tell them what to do, he often asked them to explain what they were doing. He was used to the blank stares and the shoulder shrugs. He’d worked with so many guys that he was used to the ‘I don’t know’ response.

But his goal was to get them thinking about their music. He wanted them to be more decisive about what they played and why.

Today, they ran through most of their catalog, showing everything they had. As they played, Jack made notes on a yellow legal pad. Out of their catalog, they’d played him twenty-two great songs. He wrote each title and a few cryptic notes for each song they would record. When they were done, he did his best to be positive. “Okay, this is great, guys. You’ve got some amazing tunes here that will make you stars. We’re just going to polish them up before we record. Seriously, I really am hearing great stuff.”

The next day, they went through one song at a time while Jack tried to get them to enjoy fiddling with each one. He knew he walked a thin line. He wanted them to try new approaches rather than becoming defensive. Jack knew plenty of producers who liked telling everyone what to do and what to play. But he wasn’t that kind of guy. He liked it better when the group came up with music. And sometimes the outcome was better than he hoped.

In his head, Jack was repeating their names, Richie, Spider, Marvin, and Tank. He knew he was getting old when he had to repeat the names to himself so he wouldn’t forget. But at a certain point after a week in the studio, he smiled and said, “That’s great, guys. What do you say we go and record a hit?”

As they were watching their equipment being rolled down the hall towards the recording studio A, he walked in with them and said, “Tank, get our union guys to help set up your drums.” He turned to the rest of the band. “After that, the same guys will get your amps where we need them. Then we’ll balance your mics. Let’s just remember that they will do all the moving. We’re a proud union shop.”

That was two days ago. Since then, they’d completed five songs. But their guitarist, Spider, was still having trouble finding the sound he was looking for on their last number. It was a slow blues tune that needed a mournful guitar. Jack knew frustration could be a problem if it wasn’t solved. So, he turned on the soundproof booth mic. “It’s good, Spider. Do you want to hear a playback?”

The guitarist nodded and listened. Afterwards, he frowned and shook his head. “Nah, man. That sucks. Still got too much edge. I’m not used to going for that easy tone. Man, soft sounds are hard to make. I dunno. Can you lend a hand and help me out?”

Jack smiled and spoke into the mic, “Sure, Spider. You’ve got great talent, buddy. Let me just show you some tricks.”

He stood up from his swivel chair and came around into the studio. He smiled, taking the young musician’s guitar into his hands. After sliding the strap over his shoulder, Jack fiddled with the controls on the amp. Then, reaching into his pocket, he fished out a glass tube and slid it on his left ring finger. Using the glass as a slide, he slowly played exactly what Spider had been trying to do.

The young musician looked awestruck. He only knew what to play from what he’d heard from his favorite bands. And this producer, Jack, was something else. Back when they were signed, their record guy, Charlie Clossen, said he was sending them to New York to work with a famous producer. Suddenly, the Georgia-based rock band got shy. “Uh, seriously,” the drummer said. “Man, I don’t know if we’re ready to really record in a studio and all of that stuff. We can only play what we know.”

But Charlie insisted. “Reggie, it’s going to be fine. Jack Dempsey is a genius when it comes to helping bands find their sound. And he’s a studio recording expert. Believe me, Jack will be your guardian angel. If he takes you under his wing, well, you’ll get a string of hits out of your efforts together.” Charlie already knew that would happen. They wouldn’t have signed Deep Bayou if the company thought they were a lost cause.

Now, Spider looked at Jack. “Aw, hell, man. You make it sound so good. Seriously, you should record it and I’ll listen to you!”

Jack shook his head and patted the seventeen-year-old on the shoulder. “You know your guitar work is what gives Deep their sound. You’re better than anyone. I’m just facilitating.”

“No, dude. You make everything look so easy and sound so smooth. I wish I could play like that.”

The producer smiled and shook his head. He patted the kid on his shoulder. “Hey, buddy. Those wishes will all come true. I’ll check back with you after you’ve played for twenty more years and have it all under your belt. Then you’ll be able to teach this old man some new tricks. Believe me when I say that I can play because I’ve been around longer and seen way too much.”

“Jack, I’ve heard you sing and play with your band. You’re the bomb, guy. I guess that’s why the record company sent us to work with you.”

Jack Dempsey handed Spider his guitar back and flipped the slide to him. “Keep that and play around with it until you get set to record.”

Jack stood there patiently, watching Spider. The producer helped and encouraged him until the talented young guitarist had mastered the sound he was searching for.

Spider looked up, grinning with confidence. “Yeah. Go ahead and give me a playback of the whole song, and I’ll see what I can fit into the song.”

“You got it. Let me ready the song, and I’ll give you a countdown.” Jack knew that this was the final step to completing the song and helping to build up his confidence