The Au Pair

Part 2 of 2

by RH Music

Ken, a gawky English boy, steals his sister's passport to become an au pair in America. There he encounters an inattentive husband, a frustrated wife, a rebellious daughter, and an amorous boy next door. How will he, now she, manage it all? (no sex, just a sweet, TG story)

Chapter 8

The next morning, a thick envelope arrived for Ken.

By that time, Julie was already on her way to school, and Michael had been fed and his diaper had been changed. Tina was still asleep.

Ken had put Michael in his stroller and was gently rocking him. He was exhausted by the morning's frantic flurry of activity. 'How did my mother manage it all those years?' he wondered. 'How does Tina manage it every day?'

Ken opened the package, it was from his friend, Sandra, and contained a note.

Our Dearest Kathy K:

Thank you very much for your prompt letter. Sarah and I had a wonderful time reading it, and we demand that you write as often as you can! Your story is fascinating so please keep us up-to-date.

We think it's wonderful that you're fitting in so well, I always knew you would. But are you feeling homesick so far away from home? If so, let me know, and I'll arrange a trip to the states to visit.

By the way, I checked on your address, and it turns out that the house where you are staying is quite famous. It is one of only three complete houses still standing built in the shingle style by American architects McKim, Mead, and White. My colleague in the area actually studied the house for his Doctoral dissertation some years ago. So take care of the place! You're living in a historical monument of considerable significance.

Nothing much new to report here. Got a death threat recently from an artist, third one this year and it's only April! Sarah is as busy as ever, recently engaged doing costumes for a local production of 'Follies'. She is now sodding sick of sewing sequins.

All our love,

Sandra and Sarah.

PS: Sarah included some things she made at the last minute, which our group thought you might find useful. Your story has been quite inspiring to them.

Ken dumped the contents of the envelope onto the table, and held up a T-shirt, a sports bra, a swim suit, and a very small pair of panties. The panties had a note pinned to them:

"Hi Kathy, this is a gaffe. Put it on very tight and it should hold your private parts neatly hidden away. It might be helpful with a swimming costume. -- Sarah"

'Or with a ballet costume!' Ken thought with elation. No more having to tape his genitals to his body!

Upon further inspection, Ken noticed the T-Shirt had pockets for inserting breast forms, as did the sports bra and the swim suit.

Ken's heart ached, so grateful he was for Sarah's thoughtfulness, and missing both of them so much.

Hearing Tina in the bathroom, Ken quickly hid his new clothes in his bedroom.

* * *

"Oooohhhh...." Tina shuffled into the kitchen, still in her flannel nightgown and slippers, stringy hair covering her face. "I need coffee."

Ken guided Tina to the breakfast table. Having anticipated her condition, a pot of coffee was already hot. Ken poured her a cup.

"How did I get into this nightgown?" Tina asked.

"Ummmm, well, that was me," Ken admitted.

"I haven't worn it in ages. I'd forgotten how comfortable it is. Was I that pathetic?"

"No! Of course not."

"Hah. You lie." Tina paused for a second, but then, from nowhere, tears began to well up. "Oh Kathy!" she said, leaning over and giving Ken a big hug, "thank you so much for taking care of me last night. You're becoming just like a sister to me. My younger, more responsible sister, that is. The one I always prayed for growing up."

"Really, it was no problem," Ken said, handing Tina a tissue, "you were just exhausted, and no wonder!"

"Exhausted and drunk, you mean. I was out with a girlfriend of mine last night. She said I should just leave Brian if he didn't appreciate me."

Ken's wide eyes showed his anxiety.

"Oh, don't worry," Tina continued, patting his arm. "This is the same friend who has already been divorced three times, can you believe? So I would never take her advice."

The two of them sat in silence for a minute, Tina sipping her coffee and Ken sipping his tea.

"But something has got to change!" Tina blurted out, banging her fist on the table. "I'm tired of Brian running this house from remote control. It's always *his* house, *his* furniture, *his* children, *his* yard, *his* family relations... but where is he? Always at work, never at home. It gets me so frustrated I just want to scream!"

Tina spied the note from Sandra. "What's this?"

"Oh, it's a note from my parents in England, you should read it."

Tina picked up the letter and started to read. "McKim, Mead, and White?" Tina exclaimed. "Stanford White? But they're, like, really famous! I read about them in college."

Tina paused, looking into space. It was as if her face, even in its current, pathetic, splotchy condition, was gradually coming into focus.

"It's time to change things." Tina muttered, walking over to the phone. Picking up a card from the countertop, she dialed.

"Hi, is this Marc LaRossa? Hi Mr. LaRossa, it's Tina Johnson. Listen, do you have that estimate ready? Excellent. Brian and I have discussed this, and we want to do it." Tina looked over and winked at Ken.

"That's right, all of it," she continued, "but here's the catch. It needs to be done in a month."

Ken heard panicky noises coming from the other side of the phone.

"Well okay then, let's not redo the kitchen. Let's just knock out all these extra walls and restore the surfaces of the main rooms. Surely that can be done in a month?" Tina paused, listening for a while. "Sounds great. Oh, and the pool too. Right... Okay... I'll get right on that, and let's meet this evening to talk about terms? Excellent. Bye."

Tina looked at Ken with a big smile on her face.

"But," Ken stuttered, "how... what... are you sure?"

"Absolutely. I hate living like this. All these small rooms. Each one no bigger than a coffin. That's how this place feels to me right now."

"But why a month?"

"'Cause that's how long Brian is going to be away. That's what the fight was about yesterday. Everything has to be done before he gets home and has a chance to object," she giggled. "He will just go ballistic, but you know what? If he's got a problem with it, well... then, he should be spending more time at home."

"You want to teach him a lesson," Ken said, his voice neutral.

Tina hesitated. "Well, yes, I guess I do. But look, you saw what your Dad said, right?" she picked up the letter and waved it. "This house deserves to be treated right. And what was it that Mr. LaRossa was saying?"

"... about how all these walls were done by Brian's grandfather, so he didn't have to climb stairs?"

"Right! These aren't original. So, let's restore the house to the way it ought to be! Surely Brian can't object to that, can he? It's a restoration - we're just taking better care of his own house. Better than he would ever have done," Tina snorted.

Ken was astonished. Was this the same Tina that he had tucked into bed last night?

"And Kathy?" Tina asked, "could you call your friend and get the number of his colleague? The one who did the dissertation on this house? Marc mentioned that we'd need some expert help to do a proper job."

Chapter 9

"Tim, I'm so glad to see you again, I've been thinking, and I really don't think I can go out with you."

Kathy and Tim were at the bus stop again, waiting for Julie.

"I just love your accent."

"Didn't you hear what I said?"

"Of course I heard. But your lips say one thing and your eyes say another."

Ken smiled despite himself. "Are you always such a charmer? Oh Bollocks. Please, Tim, it just doesn't make sense."

"Why not?"

"Well..." Ken had rehearsed this the night before but now, for some reason, he had a hard time getting the words out.

"I'm from England, right?" Ken ventured. "And I do like you..."

"You like me?" Tim's face lit up with pleasure.

"...but what happens after our date?" Ken hurried on, blushing. "Someday I'm going to go back to England to be with my family and we'll both get our hearts broken, and then we'll regret it for the rest of my life and...." Ken trailed off. Suddenly, this wasn't coming out the way that he had intended.

"Kathy, what are you talking about?" Tim reached for Ken's hand and held it tenderly. "It's just one date, that's all. Let's just go and be together. One teeny little date. What could be wrong with that?"

"I..." Ken was desperately trying gather his thoughts and say something intelligent, but all he could do was stare down at Tim holding his hand. The feeling was intense, as if an energy conduit had opened up between them.

'I'm holding hands with a Boy,' Ken thought to himself. 'A boy is sitting next to me, asking me out on a date, and he is holding my hand.'

A boy is holding my hand!

"Tim... I..."

***BEEEEP*** The bus pulled up.

Tim and Ken jumped up and shot apart as if electrocuted.

"You were holding hands!!!" Julie squealed, as she leapt out of the bus, raced over to Ken, and bowled right into him with a huge hug. She then turned and ran into Tim as well, hugging him too.

"Holding hands!!!" she shouted again, then turning to the bus, "THEY WERE HOLDING HANDS!!!" she shouted at the other students who were all looking out the windows, wide-eyed. "I TOLD YOU! I TOLD YOU THEY WERE IN LOVE! I JUST KNEW IT! I TOLD YOU SO!!"

"It's just one date," Tim whispered in Ken's ear, as the bus drove away and Julie literally ran circles around them, screaming with delight at the top of her lungs.

Ken looked into Tim's eyes, feeling trapped.

"I'll pick you up at five?" Tim asked, his eyes arched and questioning.

"Okay," Ken said tremulously, trying to smile.

* * *

"What have I done?" Ken berated himself over and over again over the next few days. "Why did I say yes? Why??" When he wasn't in the bathroom throwing up to calm his nerves, he was trying to think of ways to call Tim and cancel the date.

But darn Julie! Why was she so thrilled about this?

"I guess she's at that age where she's learning about mommies and daddies," Tina hypothesized as she looked over construction plans. "I think it's kind of cute, actually."

Julie could talk of little else.

"What are you going to wear?" she asked. "Will it be beautiful? I bet it will be beautiful. You'll look like a princess!"

Hardly, thought Ken. After all, he only had four outfits. Three were simple jumpers for taking care of children, and the last was too business-like to be good for going out.

Ken walked over and picked up the phone to cancel, but somehow he couldn't force his fingers to punch the buttons. Frustrated, he slammed it back down.

"You and Tim are going to go out on a date, and then you'll fall in love, and then you'll get married, and then you'll have children, and then I'll have someone to play with!"

"Julie!" Ken said, exasperated beyond belief. "I barely know him! How can you be saying all these things?"

Not that I'm much better, Ken realized, remembering his arguments to Tim earlier - all about having to go back to England and breaking peoples hearts. 'Tim is right,' Ken realized. 'It's just one date.'

But it grated irritatingly against Ken's entire vision of himself. His entire life had been predicated on flying under the radar. Being inconspicuous, not being noticed, not standing out as being special. Fitting in. "Maybe that way, people won't look at me closely, and then they won't be able to see what a terrible, messed-up person I am," he thought to himself.

"Maybe I can go with a sack over my head," Ken thought sourly. "Wouldn't that be attractive?"

* * *

Meanwhile, the renovation plans hurtled forth at full speed. Ken watched as Tina turned into a completely different person, energetic and focused.

"This is the first time I've seen you smile," Ken said after hearing about the latest plans from Tina.

"I feel so... I don't know. So alive!" Tina said, her eyes flashing. "I just hope that Brian likes it..."

During the day, the house was swarmed with contractors. Demolition had started and there was lots of measuring to do, drawings and plans to be created, and hundreds of decisions to make.

With Tina spending all her time on the renovations, it was all Ken could do to stay out of the way, keep Julie out of trouble, and keep Michael clean and fed. Because of the noise and dust, He found himself spending a lot of time in the park with the children.

Sitting in the park, gently rocking Michael back and forth, and watching Julie collecting leaves, Ken realized something.

"I like this job," he said, smiling to himself.

"But what am I going to do about Tim???"

* * *

Ken picked up the telephone, and started dialing Tim's number.

At the last second he checked his watch. 10:12 pm.

"Bloody, hell," he cursed, hanging up the phone. After 10 pm. It was too late to call. Ken would have to call him in the morning.

'What am I going to do??' Ken fretted to himself. "What am I going to do??"

Ken was alone. The date was now just two days away.

"What if Tim finds out who I really am?" Ken worried. "For sure he's going to tell Tina and Brian, and then I'll get thrown out!" Just the thought was enough to cause his eyes to get misty. Damn it! "Why did I have to agree to this bloody date!"

"Oh shit," a new thought crossed Ken's mind. "What if they call the police! What if I get arrested! Can you imagine how this would look in the papers? 'Transvestite, fugitive English Nanny sex offender arrested and charged with fraud!'"

Suddenly, Ken started to hyperventilate. Images of courtrooms, death threats, photographers, and jail cells flashed through his head.

"Oh shit..."

Ken clutched at his chest. "Oh no..."

A wave of vertigo and nausea overwhelmed him. Ken stumbled, and then collapsed to the floor, gasping, frantic, his heart racing.

"What is wrong with me???" he cried out, as the dizziness threatened to overwhelm him. "Stop it, stop it, stopitstopitstopit!" he stamped his foot in frustration, trying to get control of his body back. What am I going to do about the children? What if I collapse and there's no one to take care of them??

For the first time in America, Ken felt truly and completely alone. Tina was out. Brian was away on business. The children were asleep, and he was completely isolated in this horrible, alien country. Should he call a doctor? Which one? Go to the hospital? But then they'd discover he was a man for sure! God damn bloody...

"Miss Cabrini!" The thought came out of nowhere.

Frantically, he scanned the numbers on the icebox. There it was. He punched the numbers as fast as he could, his hands shaking.

"Yes?"

"Miss Cabrini!" Ken blubbered.

"Who is this?"

"This is Ken.... I mean... *KATHY*, this is Kathy!"

"Oh, Kathy, so nice to hear from you... Wait!! are you okay? What's the matter??"

"Please, I'm... Something’s wrong! I think I'm having a heart attack!" Ken cried out. "My heart is racing, I'm dizzy, I can't breathe... But I can't! Not now! The children are upstairs, and I can't..."

"Where's Mrs. Johnson??"

"She's out... with the architects, I think. I don't know where..."

"Hang on, Kathy, I'll be there right away."

* * *

Sarah Cabrini's car screeched to a halt in the driveway. Grabbing her bags, she hurried into the house.

"Oh, goodness..." Sara looked around, stunned by the construction work. All of the wallboard was gone and the downstairs looked like a forest of wooden studs.

"Kathy?" she called out, her voice echoing through rooms.

"I'm over here, in the kitchen," a pitiful voice called out.

Sarah followed the voice, stepping right through what just yesterday had been solid walls, and worked her way to the kitchen.

She quickly went over to the table where Ken sat, his head down between his knees.

"Kathy, you poor thing!" Sarah placed the two bags on the table.

"I can't seem to... I'm just... it's the dizziness," Ken explained. "What's happening to me?"

From her purse, Sarah pulled out a jar of pills.

"Take one of these," Sarah handed Ken a small white pill and fetched a glass of water from the sink.

"What is it?" Ken asked as he washed it down.

"It's Xanax, a mild sedative. Kathy, you are having a panic attack."

"A panic attack!" Ken's eyes went wide. "Are you sure??"

"Yes, I'm sure. You're much too young to be having a heart attack. And racing heart? Dizzy? Do you feel your chest tightening up?"

"Yes!"

Sarah gently stroked Ken's back. "That's a panic attack, dear. Unfortunately, I get them all the time. Lots of women do."

"It's not a heart attack? Are you sure?"

"Yes, I'm sure."

"Oh, thank god."

"Keep drinking," Sarah prompted. "I also think you're dehydrated."

Ken looked at her. "I can't be. I just had dinner."

"And then did you purge yourself?"

"I... ah..." Ken stammered, "no... I mean, of course not."

"Kathy, please. I *know*. You don't think it's a problem, but it *is*. Now here," Sarah opened up a paper bag rummaged around, and pulled out two milkshakes and four cheeseburgers. "You need to eat."

Ken looked at the food. "I'm not hungry," he said.

"You *are*. Here, just take two sips of the milkshake and two bites of the burger. For me. Please?"

"Okay..." Ken picked up the milkshake and took a sip. It was good.

The front door closed. "I'm back!" Tina called out.

"We're in the kitchen!" Sarah called back.

"Sarah! What are you doing here?" Tina asked, giving Sarah a quick hug. "Not that it's not nice to see you..."

"It's Kathy," Sarah explained. "She's had a panic attack."

"Kathy!" Tina exclaimed, rushing to his side, "Why didn't you call me? Don't you have my cell number? You poor thing!"

"I... I guess I didn't want to disturb you."

"Please, for everything you've done for this family! What's the matter? Are you worried about something?"

"I dunno, really," Ken took another sip of milkshake and two more bites of cheeseburger. "I was just in the kitchen cleaning up, and then I thought about Tim..."

Suddenly, Ken started to feel nauseous and hyperventilate.

"Tim?" Sarah asked. "Who is that?"

"No... I... It can't be... I mean..." Ken held a hand to his chest. His heart was racing. "No, darn it! Not again..."

"She's going on a date with a boy down the street," Tina explained to Sarah. "Is it your date? Is that's what's bothering you?"

Feeling overwhelmed, Ken's eyes welled over with tears. "Yes!" he cried out. "There's no way I can go!"

"Why not?" Tina asked.

"Because! I've never been on a date with a boy before!"

Both Sarah and Tina looked at him, stunned into silence.

"WHAT??" Sarah finally blurted out, incredulous. "You're, what, eighteen, and you've never been on a date before??"

"Nooo!" Ken wailed. "Of course not! I look horrible! My body is horrible!" Ken was crying in earnest now. "I'm a... I'm just so ugly! Why would anyone want to date me? I look terrible and I have nothing to wear!!"

* * *

Now this was something that *all* women understood. Tina and Sarah smothered Ken with hugs and Tina brought out a big box of tissues.

"You know," Tina said, thinking, "I may have some things upstairs that might look good on you."

"Excellent!" said Sarah. "You go and look, and we'll be up in a minute. Eat!" she commanded, pointing at the second cheeseburger.

Ken wiped his eyes and took another sip from his milkshake. It was empty! Sarah gave him a second one: strawberry.

"I think this is going to work!" Tina called from upstairs, excited. "Come on up!"

And so, gathering up the remaining food, Ken and Sarah went upstairs to Tina and Brian's bedroom.

"Cool!" Sarah said, admiring the octagonal bedroom, situated in the second story of the tower.

"Now, here's what I've got," Tina said, warming to her task.

Tina had so many clothes! Not only the clothes in her closet, but boxes and boxes of dresses and skirts and blouses and suits and jackets and on and on.

"How about this?" Tina pulled out a silk halter dress with a plunging neckline.

"Ooh! How cute!" Sarah enthused.

"Too low-cut, please ladies! It's only a first date! We're just friends, not lovers!" Ken blushed.

"Well, not yet!" Tina said, grinning wickedly.

"Tina!!" Ken said, truly shocked.

"Well, why not Kathy?" she shot back. "After all, he's handsome, tall, young, from a good family..."

"... and well hung I bet!" Sarah teased.

"Please stop!" Ken said, his face beet red, but enjoying the teasing none-the-less.

And if that wasn't bad enough, Ken had to insist on dressing in the closet. After all, he had to hide his falsies. And that way, anything too revealing he could reject without showing them.

"What?" Sarah asked. "We're all just women here! Please, there's nothing to be shy about."

"Please... no... I just can't... I..." Ken stammered.

"Hush Sarah," Tina waved her aside. "If Kathy wants to dress in private, well, they do things differently in Britain. They're more reserved there." She pushed Ken into her walk-in closet to change. "Go ahead honey, I understand."

Ken had never felt more pampered and appreciated. He tried on shirt dresses, sweater dresses, skirts with bolero jackets, little black dresses, one hideous pumpkin orange bridesmaid dress (causing no end of giggling), short mini skirts, flowing shifts, and many other things Ken couldn't even exactly name, but all of them gorgeous. For every outfit, Sarah and Tina would exclaim how thin and beautiful he was!

"Almost too thin," Tina said, a bit jealously.

"Definitely too thin," Sarah agreed, with a knowing stare at Ken. "But we're working on that, right, Kathy?"

"Well, I guess it wouldn't hurt to put on a pound or two..." Ken said, tentatively.

"Or five or ten!" Tina said, confidently. "Now, go try on this evening gown."

"But, this is way too much!" Ken cried out. "It's just a simple date. And it's already after midnight! Don't you have to get to bed?"

"You don't worry about us," Sarah said. "I haven't had this much fun in years."

"Try it on!" Tina thrust the gown in his arms and pointed to the closet.

"But..."

"Go!"

Ken reluctantly went into the closet and shut the door. 'What was Tina thinking??' he wondered.

"I can't wear this!" he called out through the door. "It's strapless!"

"In the back," Tina advised, "center drawer, you should find some strapless bras."

Ken rummaged through the drawer, amazed at the wide variety of colors and styles, until he finally found a strapless one at the bottom. Putting it around his chest, he fastened the hooks as tight as possible in front before turning it around and lifting it into place.

"This might work..." Ken muttered to himself as he slipped in his falsies.

Stepping into the gown, Ken pulled it up his body. Holding it in place, he tried to reach the zipper in back.

"Uh... I can't, I mean..." Ken called out.

Suddenly, the door opened and Sarah stepped in. She turned Ken away from her and efficiently zipped him up, closing the gown about his torso. Ken nervously adjusted his breasts and pulled up the neck line. Were his fake breasts showing?? Turning him back around, Sarah smoothed out the bodice.

"Fabulous!" Sarah said, swinging the door wide open and pushing Ken out into the bedroom.

"Whoah," Tina said, followed by a low wolf whistle. "Take a look!" She turned Ken towards the full-length mirror.

Ken looked at himself. The dress was absolutely gorgeous. It was made from a brilliant teal taffeta with a pleated bodice, a long classic A-Line skirt lined on the inside with tulle. The neck-line was a wide, beaded stripe which went straight across Ken's upper chest.

"Wait!" Tina said, "try this." She placed a wrap around his shoulders. "Like this," she demonstrated, pulling his hands together and then letting the wrap fall off his shoulders so that it elegantly draped down behind his back.

"Oh, my gosh..." Ken said. Ken looked at himself in the mirror, his shoulder-length hair gently draped around his shoulders, his elegant hands clasped gracefully together in front, his exposed shoulders bare...

"I'm... I'm a..."

Sarah kissed him on the cheek. "You're beautiful, Kathy."

Ken's eyes welled up with tears of joy. "I'm a beautiful... woman," he whispered.

* * *

But of course Ken couldn't wear a long evening gown just to go out on a simple dinner date. Such a gown would only be appropriate for fancy black-tie events. So in the end, they chose the black crewneck jersey dress made of some amazing silky fabric. The bodice had this fun pleating which emphasized his bosoms, and the Empire waist looked amazing on his figure. It was flirty and fun.

Ken looked at the label. "Oh my god," he said, shocked. "It's Versace! Tina! I can't wear this!"

"Shush!" Tina said. "Of course you can! It's perfect."

"You look amazing," Sarah chimed in. "Wear this, and I guarantee you, Tim will not stand a chance."

"But, it's only one date..." Ken said, worried. "I mean... I don't want..."

But the ladies wouldn't take no for an answer.

Chapter 10

"Oh my goodness," Kathy sighed, "everything was sooo wonderful, Tim! Magical. I don't want this night to ever end. The dinner... the show... mmmmmm...." Ken purred contentedly.

Tim and Kathy were back from their date, holding hands, standing on the front walkway of the Johnson's house.

"Well..." Tim looked around, "maybe we could just sit and chat for a while?"

Kathy looked at him. "Chat? But... I'm getting a bit chilled."

"Here," Tim took off his black blazer and placed it around Ken's shoulders.

"Mmmmm," Ken said, feeling Tim's body warmth from the jacket. "Thank you."

Tim guided Ken over to the porch swing.

"Oh!" Ken said, feeling Tim slip his arm around Ken's shoulders.

Tim pulled Ken in closer to snuggle. "So, tell me, Kathy, what do you want to be when you grow up?"

"What do I want to be?" Ken relaxed a bit and let his head fall back onto Tim's shoulder. "You know, I never really thought about it. I have no idea, really. I know that I like taking care of children..."

"Really?" Tim said. "Do you want to have children of your own, someday?"

"Well, sure," Ken said, not thinking too much. "But I doubt that it will ever happen."

"Why not?" Tim asked.

"Uh..." Ken tensed up, "oh... I don't know. I just doubt anyone would ever want to have children with me... I guess...."

"Are you crazy?" Tim said, turning Ken's face so they could look at each other. "I mean, my god, you are the most beautiful... I mean... you're cute, you're funny, you like children, you're incredibly smart, and you make everyone around you feel good."

"Oh please," Ken blushed at the compliments.

"No, seriously," Tim leaned in a bit closer.

Ken looked up a Tim. Was he...?

"I mean, why wouldn't anyone..." Tim whispered, getting even closer, "... want to be with you..." their foreheads were touching, "...and have children with you..." their lips were touching...

"Oh, Tim!" Ken said, turning his head slightly to avoid the kiss and pulling Tim into a hug. "You are the sweetest bloke that I have ever known."

WHAT AM I DOING? Ken thought furiously to himself. I ALMOST KISSED HIM! WHAT AM I DOING??

"But seriously," Tim said, pulling back so they were facing each other again. "Do you plan on going to college after you're done being an Au Pair?"

"I guess so, I just don't know what I'd do."

"What about architecture?"

"Architecture? Why would you suggest that?"

"I don't know. I guess, just the way you were talking about the renovations at dinner. You really seem to like it. And you really love this old building. How's your math?"

"Pretty good, I guess..."

"Well, there you go. A love of old buildings and good math skills. Sounds like architect to me."

"Architect," Ken mused to himself. "My friend, I mean, my Dad, I mean... my adopted Dad, friend of the family, really..." Ken sighed, trying to figure out how to describe Sandra, "he's an architecture critic in England... Do you really think I could?"

Ken looked up at Tim and somehow their foreheads were touching again.

"Of course you could," Tim said, softly. "You're smart, you're organized, and you see how things should be. You're..." Tim leaned in closer, their noses were touching, "...amazing."

What am I going to do? Ken mind was whirling, his eyes wide.

"Uh..." Ken whispered.

"Yes?" Tim whispered back, his breath gently stroking Ken's cheek.

Their lips brushed against each other.

"Oh... no... please..." Ken struggled, but before he knew it, they were kissing. And then the rest of the world just fell away - all his worries, all his concerns, everything forgotten as Ken's entire being became caught up in this one kiss.

'What am I doing??' Ken thought frantically to himself.

But then, after another second he couldn't help himself. Ken opened his mouth slightly and began kissing back in earnest.

And just at that moment, something clicked. Something that Ken had been subconsciously resisting all his life was set free. Ken finally knew who he really was.

He was Kathy now, an independent, self aware, beautiful young woman of his own.

And now, Kathy wanted more. *She* reached an arm up, put it around Tim's neck, and brought him in for an even closer kiss, her hand on the back of his head. Tim's eyes opened in surprise, but then surrendered to his newly assertive date.

And they kissed and kissed and Kathy thought it had to be the most wonderful thing in the world.

Chapter 11

"What am I going to do about Tim?"

Kathy stomped back and forth across the back yard, working out her frustrations by aggressively cleaning out the accumulated brush and trimming back the trees around the pool and patio.

"I can't be in love with him," she reasoned to herself. "I just can't! One date... I mean, it was just one date!"

She picked up a pair of hedge clippers and started to attack the bushes which bordered the pool deck.

"Life just isn't fair! Why did he have show up now?? Why couldn't I have met him in England? What am I going to do?"

Kathy stopped for a moment.

"Why?" she said softly, wiping away her tears, "why'd it have to be so perfect?"

"Are you okay?"

Kathy jumped and twirled around, clippers armed and ready.

"Woah!" Tim stepped back, narrowly avoiding evisceration, holding up his hands. "I'll go quietly! I swear!"

"Oh Tim!" Kathy said, breaking out into fresh tears.

"What's the matter?" Tim held her in a warm embrace. "Why are you crying?"

"'Cause...." Kathy said, her words coming out between sobs, "I... had... such a good time last night."

"Well... but that's a good thing, right?" Tim asked, confused in the way that men have been confused for generations.

"NO! It's not!" Kathy said, sharply before breaking out into fresh tears. "I'm... I can't... I mean... It's just all wrong!!"

"Hush, there, hush," Tim said, stroking her arm. "I know you're worried about going back to the U.K. and all..."

"Yes..."

"... but all I can say is that I really, *really* like you."

"Really??" Kathy looked up into Tim's eyes.

"Yes, really. And I think that if two people really, really like each other... well, I just don't think there is any problem too big to solve."

"Oh, Tim!" Kathy broke out into fresh sobs.

"Oh, my darling Kathy... please, don't..."

Tim planted small kisses on Kathy's head as she cried.

But through her tears, all Kathy could think was 'He likes me! He really, really likes me!'

And then her head just automatically turned towards Tim and sought out his lips...

... and they were kissing again, and it was heaven. Kathy's sobbing subsided as she lost herself in the kiss, feeling Tim's arms around her, lifting her arms to hold him tighter, letting the warmth of the kiss create a little safe bubble around them.

"Tim..." she started, backing away suddenly, "I... I have to tell you something..."

"Of course," Tim said looking at her with affection.

"It's just that... I mean... I'm... or rather, I'm not..."

"KATHY!!!!!"

Kathy and Tim jerked apart as Julie raced towards them.

"Mom said I could help you with the backyard. Can I help? Can I? Can I? Can I?"

"Of course you can, Julie!"

Jolted back to reality, Kathy thanked her lucky stars that she hadn't gone through with her confession. What was I doing? Kathy thought to herself.

"Okay, everyone," she continued, out loud. "We need to get this yard back into shape. The pool men are going to be here on Monday to start work. So, let's sweep the deck, cut back those bushes, and clear out that brush over there..."

* * *

The next few weeks went by in a blur. The renovations continued at a break-neck pace, with the inevitable problems encountered along the way. First, there was the sagging beam.

"Yeah, after years of punching holes in it to run water and electrical, this one's not gonna last much longer," Marc announced.

So they had to take a week to expose the old beam, jack everything up, and install a new one.

Then there was the issue of the missing trim.

"The problem is," said David, the architect, "we just don't have pictures of the inside. Tons of pictures of the outside, but really we don't know how the original architects would have finished the inside trim."

So, Tina spent hours trying to locate pictures of the interiors of period houses so they might have an idea of what to do.

"If only there was some... you know, 'Home and Garden' spread or something, you know?" Tina said.

"Wait! What did you just say?" Kathy looked up from where she was playing 'Chutes and Ladders' with Julie.

"You know, a 'Home and Garden' spread?"

A huge smile crossed Kathy's face. "Come with me!"

And so all three girls, Julie included, went to the second story, where Kathy led them into Brian's closet.

"Kathy??" Tina asked, surprised. "Have you been snooping?"

"Remember that day I was trapped while playing hide-and-go-seek with Julie?"

"Tag! You're it!" Julie said, whapping Kathy on the thigh.

"Well, I was looking for something, you know, like a piece of cardboard, that might open the door, when I ran across these."

Kathy opened the box in the back and uncovered the magazines.

"Architectural Digest, 1952," whispered Tina.

Picking up the magazine gingerly, she opened it up to the table of contents.

"Oh my god, look at this!" she said, excitedly. " 'Shingle Style Homes, the new standard for American Architecture by Vincent Scully'"

They opened it up to page 32 and there it was, the Johnson home in all its glory.

"Says here it was built in 1897," Tina said. "Look! Pictures of the living room! Oh my god, Kathy! This is perfect! Thank you!"

Just then, Tina's cell phone rang.

"It's Brian," she said nodding towards Julie.

"Of course!" Kathy said. "Julie!" she called out, "let's go the park, shall we?"

* * *

'What the hell is going on?' Brian wondered, hanging up his cell.

Tina was acting weird, there was no way around it. Normally, he would call, they would discuss the events of the day, he might say 'hello' to Julie, and then that was that.

But when was the last time he had talked to Julie? Hmmmm.... Brian thought back. It had been a couple of weeks, at least. Was something wrong?

But if there had been something wrong with Julie, Brian would have heard it in Tina's voice. Instead he had heard something else... Nervousness? Fear? and... excitement?

Something was definitely up, and Brian began to worry.

"Maybe I should try and get home early..."

* * *

"How was Ballet tonight?" Tina asked, pulling out a dress from her closet and holding up to Kathy.

The two were picking out a dress for Kathy to wear to the post-ballet concert party. Tina had offered to hold the party in her new (nearly) renovated home, and Sarah had gratefully accepted.

"It was wonderful!" Kathy enthused. "We finally got to dance in costumes and the girls are *so* cute."

"Well, Julie certainly loves hers," Tina mused, pulling out a skirt, a sweater dress, and a couple of blouses.

Ken took the dress into the bathroom to change.

Julie had raced around the house about a dozen times showing off her ballet costume. She had refused to take it off until Kathy had finally convinced her that it would get ruined if she slept in it.

"Well, well!" Tina whistled when Kathy emerged, dressed. "Not bad at all. You look good in a sweater dress. Look at those curves, I bet you just drive Tim wild."

Kathy blushed as Tina fussed with the drape of the skirt. Things with Tim had been going very well. Far too well, in fact. Kathy still had not had the courage to tell him her secret, and he hadn't pressed her for information. Thank god things hadn't progressed beyond kissing and heavy petting.

Tina sent Kathy to change into a second dress.

"How's Sarah?" Tina called out.

"Oh, blimey, she's almost completely mad! She's only had 7 hours of sleep all week!" Kathy stepped out with the next dress.

"Nope, not this one," Tina said. "Too frumpy for such a cutie like you, here try this."

Kathy stepped back into the bathroom.

"Well, at least the recital's tomorrow," Tina said. "Then hopefully her life will get back to normal."

Kathy stepped out.

"Woah..." Tina said. "That's the one."

"I can't wear this!" Kathy said, looking at herself in the mirror. She was wearing a mini skirt with a V-Neck stripped sweater.

"Why not?"

"It's... I mean... it's way too short!" Kathy tugged at the hem, feeling embarrassed to be so exposed.

"Nonsense!" Tina said, brushing her concerns away. "It looks fabulous on you. And Tim's eyes will just bug out! I'm going to tell him you chose it just for him."

"You wouldn't!" Kathy gasped.

"Yes I would!" Tina laughed, "Now hush, while I get you some boots to go with."

Kathy looked at herself in the mirror and somehow just couldn't stop grinning.

Chapter 12

"Now Brian, go hug your Pop-Pop."

Brian, just three and a half years old, toddled over the threshold and into the enormous wood house with the noble, pungent, smell of varnish and tobacco. He looked up, eyes wide and amazed at the elegant staircase, intricate moldings, and enormous sliding doors between the living room and dining room. He imagined himself as a bird, flying through the spacious rooms, swooping through the doorways and under furniture.

"There's my grandson!" he heard from above. Without warning, strong hands scooped him up and hugged him close. Brian nuzzled his face into his grandfather's sweater, smelling wonderfully of pipe smoke and mothballs.

"Brian?"

Brian looked over at his grandmother. The shape of her face was so elegant, framed by silver hair as she took another sip of bourbon, leaving a red lipstick smear on the Waterford crystal tumbler.

"Brian?"

Brian closed his eyes and just enjoyed his grandfather's embrace, never wanting it to end. His grandfather hugged him closer, and kissed the top of his head. "Our family future lies in your hands," he said gently.

"Brian, are you okay?" Tina shook him gently.

Brian opened his eyes and saw his wife kneeling beside him, a worried expression on her face.

"I'm fine..." he said, a little unsteadily.

"Are you sure?"

Brian looked at the newly remodeled house, unable to think coherently. He was sitting at the front door, where he had sunk to the floor, in shock. "What... how... the house???" he sputtered, barely able to speak, much less think.

"Oh Brian! I'm so sorry!" Tina blurted out, her carefully rehearsed speech completely forgotten. "I just... when Kathy found out..."

"Kathy?"

"Yes! She was talking to Marc LaRossa, he was the one who added all these walls on the first floor for your grandfather when he was sick. Well, not him, his father, really... well, he helped... I mean..."

"Tina," Brian tried cut her off.

"Look, we can totally put the walls back. Marc said it wouldn't be a problem..."

"Tina!"

"... but I thought, you know, to restore the house back to the way it was originally, and then Kathy...

"Tina!"

"... she found an old 'Architectural Digest'...."

"Tina! It's a wonderful!"

"... and it had pictures, you know, original pictures..." Tina stopped. "Wait, what did you say?"

"I said, it's wonderful!"

"What?? Really??" Tina's face lit up with joy. "Do you really mean it?"

"Yes! Oh my gosh, I stepped into the front door, and I was overcome with memories from when I was a boy and would go to visit my grandparents. It looks exactly like it did then. And... I..." Brian started to tear up, "I mean, it's just like I remember."

Tina gathered Brian into a warm hug, tears flowing. "Oh Brian! I'm so happy! I can't tell you!"

* * *

"DAAAADDY!!" Julie squealed, racing over to her father and running full force into him. Brian picked up his daughter and swung her overhead.

"Mr. Johnson!" Kathy exclaimed, putting down her broom. Tim looked up from where he was stringing Christmas lights for the party.

"So, I understand it's all your fault," Brian said, flatly.

"Wha... what is?" Kathy asked, taking a step back.

"The house. It was your idea."

"I..." Kathy looked over to Tina, who looked to be smirking. "I mean... I... I suppose..."

"Well, then, I guess I have you to thank!" Brian broke into a wide grin. "For the best homecoming I have ever had!"

"You like it!" Kathy exclaimed, relieved.

"Yes! It's amazing! The details, the trim, the gorgeous wood floors. I can't believe it! It's just like I remembered from when I was a boy. How will I ever thank you!"

"It was Tina who did all the work. You should have seen all the late nights she put in!" Kathy demurred.

"Well, it was a joint effort, that's for sure," Tina agreed.

Tina walked over to Kathy and gave her a warm hug. "But without your strength and encouragement, I would never have had the courage to attempt it. Thank you. You're really a member of the family now."

Kathy smiled and clenched her eyes tight in joy as she returned the hug. "This moment," she said softly to herself, "if only I could live in this moment forever."

"Hey, isn't there a recital tonight?" Tim asked. "Don't you girls have some dancing to do?"

* * *

"Pardon me, there!"

"Yes?" Tim looked up to find a somewhat rumpled older gentleman standing before him, a tweed driving cap in his hand and holding a small suitcase.

"Would you be so kind as to tell me where the Johnsons live?" His accent was clearly British and had a familiar ring to it.

"Oh," Tim said, "that's their house next door. But they're not there right now, they've gone to a ballet recital."

"Would you happen to know if they had a young English boy named Ken with them?"

"Uh... no. They do have an English girl named Kathy, though. She's their Au Pair."

"Kathy?" The man's eyes grew narrow.

"Yes, why do you ask?"

"He's... I mean she's my... uh... daughter."

"Really! You're Mr. Shore??" Tim lit up, all smiles. "I'm Tim! It's such a pleasure to meet you! Has Kathy told you about me?"

Mr. Henry Shore was taken aback at Tim's enthusiasm. "No... she hasn't. Why should she?" he asked.

"Well, uh," Tim hesitated, "I guess, because, well I'm kind-of her boyfriend."

Henry just stared at Tim. "You are, are you?"

"Uh, yeah. I guess," Tim faltered under the penetrating glare of the Englishman. "Say, would you like a ride to the recital?" he asked, quickly changing the topic. "Kathy will be dancing and I'm sure you wouldn't want to miss it!"

Chapter 13

"Places! Places everyone!" Sarah called out, clapping her hands.

"Kathy! I'm so nervous!" Julie squealed, grabbing Kathy around the waist in a fierce hug.

"There there," Kathy comforted her, "it will be great! You are a wonderful dancer, now get to your place and get in position!"

Julie raced across the stage and stood with the other children, waiting their entrance.

As the music started, Kathy danced out, her long Nun's habit flowing around her. She twirled and interleaved with three of the other mothers, as Sarah herself danced out to be the mother superior.

"This is fun!" thought Kathy to herself, enjoying the feeling of her body as it swept through the air. Since starting dance lessons, she had become much more graceful and her motions had become so much more confident, fluid, and feminine. "Most improved," Sarah had said.

Finally, the opening dance finished, and Kathy was able to enjoy the applause, lined up with the other Nuns behind Sarah. Smiling, she looked out over the enthusiastic audience, looking for Tina, Tim, and Brian. Finally she located them and smiled.

But as she followed the other nuns off stage, a tickling at the edge of her brain sensed that something was wrong.

But now it was Julie's turn! Kathy watched, proud as the children danced out with Maria, learning their "Do Re Mi's", all dressed in proper, heavy children's clothes of the 1930's. Julie couldn't stop smiling as she marched with the other children behind Maria, over and across the stage, until they finally broke out dancing.

It wasn't until early in Act II that Kathy finally got a chance to look out over the audience again. As she danced the simple processional she located and smiled at Tim again, who smiled back, delighted.

But still, something was wrong. What was it?

Kathy looked back at Tim...

... and then slipped and fell to the ground. It couldn't be, could it??

"Kathy, are you okay?" Sarah whispered urgently to her, helping her up.

"I'm fine," Kathy said, just able to get into her closing position before the music ended. Looking out over the audience, Kathy locked eyes with the man sitting next to Tim and glaring back at her.

It was Mr. Henry Shore. Kathy's father.

Kathy suddenly felt herself slipping backwards in time, as her awful, violent past rose up. Suddenly, all her pretensions were stripped away, revealing the lonely, naked, gawky boy named Ken underneath.

The gawky boy who would never fit in anywhere. Not ever.

"How did he find me?" Ken anguished, tears dripping on the floor, "How did he get here???"

"You okay?" one of the other nuns asked him.

"I... I need to go to the bathroom."

"Of course! We're not on again until the end..." the nun said after him, as Ken raced into the high school hallway behind the stage.

Stopping at the changing room to get his backpack, Ken hesitated, but then reached into Tina's handbag, taking her car keys.

"Please forgive me, Tina..." Ken said with gulp, as he left the building still dressed in his nun's habit.

* * *

"What am I going to do? What am I going to doooo?" Ken wailed, as he desperately fumbled with the keys at the front door.

Finally inside, Ken ran up stairs and began frantically tossing everything he could into his suitcase.

"Bloody 'ell!" he spat out through clenched teeth. "Bloody 'ell! Why'd he have to show up?? Couldn't he have just left me the fuck alone??"

Ken reached for the Versace Crewneck jersey dress and hesitated. It was the dress he wore on his first date with Tim.

Ken sat down on the bed, holding the dress. He thought of Tina, Tim, Julie, Brian, Sarah, Marc, and Michael - everyone he had betrayed with his stupid, selfish stunt.

Finally, he hung the dress back up on the hanger and completed packing the rest of his stuff.

Downstairs in the Kitchen, Tim tried to quickly write out a note for the Johnsons.

"I'm sorry for all the trouble I've caused," Ken wrote, his eyes welling over again. "Please forgive me." And then "I love you all."

Ken signed it and placed it on the counter.

"Kathy!" Someone called from the foyer.

"Shit!" Ken muttered, looking around desperately for an exit.

Brian and Tina rushed up to Ken, both talking at once. "Are you okay? What's the matter? Why did you leave? Is that man really your father? Is it true what he said? Are you really... a boy?"

"STOP!!" Ken cried, hiding his eyes. "I'm just... I'm just so sorry! Please, I have to go!"

Brian grabbed Ken's arm in a vice-like grip and pulled him roughly back. "Stop right there," Brian said in measured tones. "Tell us the truth. Who are you?"

"I..."

"Brian!" Tina said, shocked. "Stop that! You're hurting him!"

"Stay back, Tina," Brian spat out. "We need to get to the bottom of this. Are you Ken? Or Kathy?"

"I... please..." Ken said between choking sobs, hesitating, looking at the ground, in shock.

"I'm Ken," he finally said, his heart sinking.

"KAAATHYYYY!!" Julie banged open the door, still dressed in her ballet costume. She raced right into Ken, the force of her collision knocking him back against the counter and out of Brian's grasp.

"WHAT'S WRONG??" Julie screamed hysterically. "Are you leaving?? Don't you love me anymore? What did I do wrong? Please don't go!!!"

"Julie!" Ken knelt down next to her, his heart breaking at all the suffering he had caused. "Please, don't cry! Please, please, please don't cry! Of course I love you! It's just that... I think it's best if I go."

"Noooo!!!" she screamed.

Brian reached out and pulled Julie away.

Julie turned on her father. "It's your fault! Isn't it!! You're sending Kathy away, aren't you! I HATE YOU!"

"Julie," Brian said, trying to be firm. "It just that... Well, this may not be the right place for Kathy right now."

"Why not?" Tina said, her voice soft and calm.

Instantly, Julie's screams stopped.

"What?" asked Brian.

"I think Ken... I mean Kathy... should stay."

"But he's... I mean she's a..." Brian stumbled.

"A what? An amazing Au Pair? The older sister that Julie never had? A better than average amateur ballet dancer? The person who saved our marriage?"

Brian looked at his wife, dumbstruck.

"You can't be serious," he said finally.

Tina walked over to Ken and held him firmly to her side. Taking her cue, Julie rushed over and held on to Ken as well.

"I have never been more serious. Kathy gave me my self respect back. She's the missing piece that makes our family work." Tina looked directly into Ken's eyes. "You're my best friend, and I love you."

"I love you too!" Ken sobbed.

"I LOVE YOU TOO!" Julie shouted.

"But... but..." Brian stuttered.

"Brian!" Tina said, with authority. "You asked before 'how can I ever thank you'. Do you remember?"

"Yes..."

For some reason, just then, Brian glanced over to his briefcase sitting on the kitchen countertop. He thought back his hotel room (was it just yesterday?) which had been littered with organizational charts from the companies he was studying.

"Customer, Operations, and Innovation..." he muttered to himself. "Customer, Operations, Innovation..." And just then, he saw the pieces of the chart fall into place. The organization balanced, and whole. It was a thing of beauty.

"Brian?" asked Tina.

"Of course Kathy is staying," Brian said, suddenly. "She has to!"

* * *

"I don't know what kind of hold you have over these people."

"Dad..." Ken sighed.

"And now they want you to stay? Are they nutters? Having a pervert fag like you in the same house as their four year old daughter?"

"I am not a pervert..."

"But what else should I expect from Americans? No respect for position, that's what I say. No respect for a person's proper place in life."

"They're good people, Dad."

"Hah," Henry snorted. "If you say so. Well, get your stuff. We're going home."

"No."

"What?"

"I'm not going, I'm staying."

"I didn't fly all the bloody way across the bloody Atlantic ocean to hear you talk this way. Get your stuff, we're going."

"I'm not, and you can't make me."

"Oh, I can't? We'll see about that. Suppose I called the police? How about immigration? I bet they'll be pretty interested in how you smuggled yourself into the country on a stolen passport."

Ken felt his nerve slipping. "You... you wouldn't do that, would you?"

Mr. Shore sat for a long time, just staring at Ken, his face solid.

"I guess not," he said, finally. "Fine. If you're going to stay, then stay. Good riddance. But don't come crying back home when these people see you for who you really are."

"They already see me for who I really am."

"Right," Mr. Shore snorted again. "And would you please give your mother a call? She's been hysterical since the day you left. You should be ashamed for how you've treated her."

"Oh! Of course I'll call her! I promise, right away."

"Fine."

* * *

After they exchanged passports, Mr. Shore said his polite farewells to the Johnsons, and then accepted a ride back to the airport hotel.

"Oh, Kathy!" Tina said when he had finally left. "I'm so sorry he was so mean and intolerant! Can't he accept you for the wonderful person you are?"

"But... couldn't you tell?" Ken asked, looking at Tina, amazed. "That *was* his way of accepting me!"

"What... are you serious?"

"Yes!" Ken said, suddenly feeling as light as feather.

Chapter 14

But Ken wasn't out of the woods yet. There was one more person he had to tell.

"Tim, we have to talk."

"Okay... out here?" Tim led Kathy out to the back patio and closed the door behind them. Muffled sounds of the party came through the glass. Most of the guests were around the TV watching a video of the recital.

Ken grabbed both of Tim's hands and took a deep breath.

"Okay, here goes..." he said.

"Wait!" Tim trotted over to the bushes, fiddled with something, and suddenly strings of Christmas lights blinked on, adding white twinkles to the warm spring evening.

"Oh!" Ken said in wonder. "They're beautiful!"

"Now, what was it you wanted to tell me?" Tim reached out and held both of Ken's hands in his.

"I..." thrown off stride, Ken took a second to gather his thoughts. "It's just that... I mean..." Tim's hands felt wonderfully soft and warm, Ken realized.

"That you were born a man?" Tim asked, gently.

"WHAT??" Ken's eyes shot wide open. "How did you know?"

Tim shrugged his shoulders. "Sarah told me," he said simply, "a few days ago. I think she's known since you first danced for her."

"Really?"

"Yeah. And so, when I was helping out with the scenery, remember? She pulled me aside and told me. I think she could tell I was getting... uh... 'attached' and wanted to warn me before my heart got broken, or yours. She said you had enough to deal with already."

"I feel just terrible!"

"Why?"

"Because! I should have had the guts to tell you when we first met. I almost did, so many times! But..."

"But what?"

"... I was too afraid. I..." Ken hesitated, "I love you," he finally said, simply, staring down at the ground, suddenly so afraid that he started shivering.

Tim tilted Ken's head back up, looked him in the eyes, and kissed him.

"Mmmmmm...." Ken sighed feeling all of the day's stress and turmoil slip off his shoulders like a cloak, sliding down his body and away, revealing the girl within.

Ken was back to being Kathy again.

"I love you too," Tim said, breaking the kiss. "As if that weren't already blatantly obvious. I mean, when I first heard the news from Sarah, I was like, 'no way!' I mean, you're so beautiful! But then it started to make sense, your attempts to warn me off at the beginning, your nervousness on our first date... everything. And then, when I sat down to think about it, I discovered something else."

"What?"

"That it just made me want you all the more."

"That's impossible."

"Apparently not. I don't know why, but it's the truth."

Unable to speak, Kathy simply melted into Tim's warm embrace and kissed him.

"YAAAAAAYYY!" Julie squealed, followed by applause!

Startled, Tim and Kathy broke their kiss and looked over. The entire party had been watching the two young lovers from behind the glass doors.

Now the glass doors opened and the young couple were surrounded by all of the party goers.

Kathy and Tim just grinned, and kissed again.

"You go, you two!" said Sarah.

"Hey, get a room!" said Brian, teasingly.

"Don't listen to him," said Tina, pulling Brian into a kiss of her own.

"They love each other! I knew it! I just knew they would fall in love!" said Julie running around in circles.

'I'm Kathy,' Kathy thought to herself with a smile, 'and at least for now, this is where I belong.'

[The End]