Part 15

Monday after Thanksgiving the Clan Wells Point Contracting and Construction crew began work on converting the selected property into an accessible youth rehab center.

Kevin Stewart worked on getting Freddy and Barney every benefit which was available to them. In addition, he was busy setting up the various Clan Wells Point businesses including two newest, The Clan Wells Point Youth Rehab Hostel and The Clan Wells Point Attorney at Law. Kevin had his own small office in St. Michaels but was affiliated with a successful law firm in Easton. The affiliation allowed the larger firm to showcase for PR purposes Kevin’s gratis work as being sponsored by the firm. In return, they provided Kevin with access to their office staff to serve as his part-time telephone receptionist and secretary. With the Clan’s permission, Kevin would establish the office of his Clan attorney business in his remodeled new home on Wells Point. The only thing he needed was to secure a dependable secretary. That proved to be an easy issue to resolve, especially when the rest of The Clan Wells Point heartily approved his plan.

Finally freed from Dick’s heavy handed oppressive thumb, Ruth blossomed. Dick had wanted her to remain dependant upon him so had forbidden her to have a full time job. She worked about thirty hours a week as a secretary in a small office and had managed to squirrel away about half her earnings for the past ten years. Now with Dick’s income gone, she had to rely on that savings to pay the bills. While they could make do for better than a year, she knew she needed a full time position.

Ruth’s present employer was understanding but unable to give her more hours or a raise. He did provide a solid recommendation for her applications. Since serving as her lawyer, Kevin was well aware of Ruth’s job skills and needs. Kevin approached his affiliate in Easton with a request to allow Ruth to work with their office staff for two weeks to learn the basics of being a lawyer’s secretary. The Clan Wells Point would pay her salary during this time and the bigger firm would be freed from the small drain Kevin’s needs placed on their staff. They jumped at the deal. When Ruth learned the Clan was inviting she and Jamie to join and were being offered the house down by the landing, she broke down in tears of joy knowing her financial worries were solved and Jamie would have a safe accepting place to transition. Jamie was equally overwhelmed with joy.

Jamie and Ruth quickly grew stronger in their lives without Dick. Their twice weekly work out at the YWCA drew them even closer. At Jamie's request, Ruth gently pointed out any overtly macho habits Jamie had acquired. Jamie made an effort to squash those unwanted masculine indicators. Some were easy to manage, others were not, but he made steady headway to erasing his unwanted masculine traits.

During this period Jamie became more confident with his transgenderism and obtained some basic lingerie and nightgowns from the internet. These he wore daily while outwardly still presenting as a male. Although he longed to wear skirts and dresses, the idea of seeing his still all too male self outwardly dressed as a girl was too unpleasant to even consider. Dr. Sykes understood his reluctance to wait until his body began to soften and the electrolysis had time to remove most of the unwanted body hair. Jamie wanted to look like a girl when fully dressed, not like a stereo-typical jock in drag.

Once the soccer season ended, Jamie dropped out of the school's phys-ed program, thus avoiding the boy's locker room. The administration also had him switch from using the boys restrooms to using the intersex handicap facilities. This change caused the school jocks, although not to his face, to openly question Jamie's sexuality, many assuming he was gay. Many others thought the same thing but were accepting of gays so had no issues. At the same time Jamie eased his way into the ranks of the geeks.

At first the geeks were hesitant, fearing a big soccer player starting to hang with them was some sort of weird prank or a joke although they could see no point for humor. Slowly, as Jamie remained open and consistent with them along with his obvious self exclusion from the jocks, they began relaxing and letting him into their friendship circle. Jamie had always been a good student, but without the dumbing down peer pressure of the jocks and the constant harassment of his father, his work and grades instantly improved. Jamie had seamlessly slipped from a semi-jock to a nerd while still on talking terms with everyone. Some people thought that perhaps he was gay but as he wasn't flirting with anyone they simply let it go.

*****

After Thanksgiving things didn't slow down. The excitement about the school’s annual Christmas Dance went into high gear, at least amongst the girls. It was a quasi-formal dance, not as big as the prom, but the only school-wide formal dance. For the seventh grade girls this was their first chance at attending a formal dance. Like the other girls, Krista and Jasmine were swept into the maelstrom. Tony and Jimmy just went along for the ride. For the guys, it was fairly simple as they would rent a tuxedo. Their only concern was that the shirt match or compliment the color of their date's dress.

Since neither Krista nor Jasmine had any real experience in shopping for a formal, they decided to head to the Charisma Clothing Boutique on Tuesday November 27. The owner, Mary Willis, had used Krista in a photo shoot out on the bay that summer. With their mothers, the girls stopped in on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving to see what they could find.

"Its good to see you again," Mary said as she hugged Pat and Krista. "I hoped you'd come in for your gown. Who is your friend?"

"This is Heather Reese and her daughter Jasmine," Krista introduced.

"I've heard a lot about you two," Mary smiled as she hugged them. "I'm sure I can find something you'll look scrumptious in. I have an outfit in mind for Krista, but I'm not sure what will look good on Jasmine. Melissa, can you show Krista and her mother the gowns we'd been discussing for her?"

"Sure mom," Melissa, an eleventh grader, replied with a smile as she came out of the back of the store. "Hi Krista, come with me and we'll see what you think."

While Melissa led Krista and Pat over to several racks of dresses, Mary smiled at Jasmine and Heather. "First, I need to know if you're going to style your hair or wear a wig."

"I decided when I first woke up that I wouldn't wear a wig," Jasmine answered. "I know my hair is short and I haven't really done too much with it, but I've been thinking about having it styled in a short sassy Keira Knightly style." (http://www.short-hair-styles-magazine.com/short-celebrity-ha...)

"I think that's a marvelous idea," Mary smiled. "With a bit of a trim and bangs, you'll look great. The dress style will have to compliment your hair, so that points me in the right direction. Let's go see what we can find."

After looking at many selections, they decided on a long narrow gown that would accentuate her budding curves and enhance her short hairstyle. The sleeveless gown made her look older and was a perfect style for her. (http://www.millionlooks.com/images/keira-knightley-white-dre...)

Meanwhile, Krista was trying on her gown. It was a knee length girly gown with a floral lace overlay that left her left arm bare. It looked stunning on her and accentuated her tomboyish figure to perfection. (http://thefierceglamourblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/D...)

Both gowns had to be tweaked for the gowns to show off the girl’s figures. The girls and their mothers left the Charisma Clothing Boutique knowing they could pick up their gowns next week, Friday December 7.

*****

Cora gave notice at her job and they promptly told her to leave. That freed her to study hard and speak with the therapists at Requard.

On Friday November 31 Dr. Olsen drove her to John Hopkins and stayed with her as the teaching staff worked her over. An observer from the state medical examiners board was present as an observer. Dr. Olsen never said a word but her mere presence helped Cora overcome her nervousness and do well. She passed the special examinations with flying colors.

*****

The Olsen family moved into their new home on the December 1, the second Saturday after Thanksgiving. The farm was busy but with guidance and help from Bill, Larry and Rachel easily handled things. The fifty head dairy heard needed milking at 6:30am and 4:00pm. Each session took an hour to set up, do, and clean up. After that they mucked the barn. Then moved down to the landing to take care of the eight horses. They needed mucking only once a day. Jasmine and her sisters gave the horses their evening feed and rubdowns. The steers in the small barn on the triangular field only needed care once a day. Tony and Evelyn fed the chickens each morning and gathered the eggs before school began. In the spring they intended to up the dairy herd to one hundred fifty head and add more steers. They also planned to up the number of chickens to two hundred.

Kylie's repair business was booming. Ed was there at least six hours every day, Krista, Tony, and Jimmy spent two to three hours every day after school and most of Saturday helping out. The three youngsters became quite efficient mechanics.

Kylie completed the arrangements to fly to Thailand for her surgery. Her mother Evelyn would be accompanying her. With Kevin’s assistance both obtained their passports and had them appropriately validated. Kylie had notarized letters of recommendation from Dr. Sykes and her airline tickets. Thanks to Robert and Sheila, everything was pre-paid... an early wedding present.

She was scheduled to leave January third. The flight out would take two days, then one day for a thorough physical by the surgeon and staff. The surgery would be done the following day. In the hospital recuperation would take three to five days followed by ten days to two weeks of recovery in their hotel room. The trip home would take two days. The minimum trip would be three and a half weeks including travel time. Her expected return home would be January 28.

Ed willingly agreed to keep the business going while Kylie was gone and until she recovered. Krista, Tony, and Jimmy promised to put in as many hours as needed to help Ed. Kylie intended to return to work as soon as she returned. She fully understood her return to work would be gradual and quite limited with frequent breaks and perhaps even some nap time, but she intended to keep her fingers greasy.

Larry and Kylie spent a lot of time together. While Kylie was looking forward to completing her transition, the surgery scared her. It scared Larry too, but he was strong for her. Their separation would be difficult.

*****

The annual "Christmas in St. Michaels" event was held on Saturday, December 8th and Sunday, December 9th. CISM, an all-volunteer, private non-profit corporation, not only enhances the quality of life for residents, but also contributes to their basic and fundamental needs. The event is made possible through the work, energy, and creativity of hundreds of volunteers,
working together for most of the year. Since its inception in 1987, Christmas in St. Michaels has raised more than $700,000 to support various community groups and organizations. As in the past, many local businesses and individuals contributed goods, services, and financial support. The event would generate a total of $72,175 that would be awarded to eight local community organizations. The non-profit recipients were selected by the Board of Directors of Christmas in St. Michaels within the community of St. Michaels. These organizations deliver service to the community in a number of ways such as providing support to families, preserving the heritage of the St. Michaels area, and enhancing the opportunities for children and young adults.

This year a grant to the Good Samaritan Fund of Talbot County assisted residents with costs associated with food, prescription medications, rent, and utilities. A principal beneficiary of the proceeds of the 2007 event is the Critchlow Adkins Children’s Centers. The funds raised by Christmas in St. Michaels 2007 will also help to support an innovative playground initiative, to fund improved athletic facilities, to restore a local museum, to provide support for persons in financial distress, and to preserve the Bay Hundred Community Pool Endowment Fund.

David and Laura took Wanda, Sandi, LJ, and Peter to the Breakfast with Santa
Saturday, December 8 from 9:00am to 10:00am at the Town Dock Restaurant. This event, for children ages three to eight, began with a scrumptious breakfast while Santa and Mrs. Claus visited with each child. The little kids were pleased and excited.

Next came the annual Talbot Street Parade. Starting at 10:30am it formed in the parking lot of the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum on Perry Cabin Lane one block east of Talbot Street. The parade marched south on Talbot about two thirds of a mile to turn east onto Seymour Avenue where it disbanded in the school parking lot. Everyone from the Clan Wells Point was along the parade route intermingled with the crowds of spectators. Everyone enjoyed the spirited Christmas parade, the largest holiday parade on the Eastern Shore.

Next the Clan took the youngsters between three and eleven to Santa's Wonderland in the cafeteria at the St. Michaels School Complex on Seymour Avenue. This event was been planned especially for children and featured many activities. Santa and Mrs. Claus were there and every child had an opportunity to tell Santa about his Christmas dreams. Professional photo opportunities with the very popular couple were available but adults were encouraged to bring their own camera as well. The children participated in games, face painting and prize raffles. A disc jockey provided music. Shopping opportunities planned just for children were available in the Secret Santa Shop.

The event that made everyone drool was the Gingerbread House Competition and Display at the Woman's Club of St. Michaels on St. Mary's Square. Anyone could enter their gingerbread house in the competition. Everyone enjoyed the aromatic display. The gingerbread houses were judged in several different categories from children to professional.

One of the highlights of the Christmas in St. Michaels weekend is the tour of historic homes in the village and a few very special homes just outside of town. This is one of the longest running home tours in Maryland. The houses in town are within walking distance of each other, which gave participants a great opportunity to stroll through town and soak up the historic atmosphere. For the members of the Clan Wells Point who were not native to the Bay Hundred area, the tour made them aware of the history and depth of the community. Most of the homes, built in the 18th and 19th centuries, had at one time been the residences of watermen and seafarers and have since been restored, expanded, and adapted to today's life style. The country homes located just outside of town are mostly situated on expansive waterfront settings. Visitors reached the country homes via professional licensed shuttle bus service, which was included in the price of the tour ticket. The use of exquisite architectural details on the buildings and their creative landscaping set amidst the Eastern Shore landscape was quite impressive. Buses between the country homes left from the Crab Claw parking lot at the end of Mill Street. Along with the ticket purchase, a tour guide booklet with lots of local information and complete descriptions of each home on the tour along with other major landmarks in St. Michaels was provided. The ticket for the Tour of Homes also admitted them to the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum.

All in all it was a pleasant and informative day for everyone and a welcome relaxing day away from the normal bustle of activity on the Clan Homestead.

*****

The Campbells only made minor decorating changes to the home they'd selected, removing the objects d'art and other over the top furnishings as well as the antiques. Most they hoped to sell en-mass to a decorator. The house was then refurnished with good quality sturdy furniture that would hold up to daily use by adults and children. They easily converted the nouveau-riche summer vacation home into a family friendly home.

They had kept Gretchen appraised of their actions. While Steven stayed to hold down the fort, Cynthia and Heather flew to Vancouver on Monday, December 10. At their initial meeting there was a moment of appraising their competition, then Heather smiled and opened her arms for a warm hug greeting Gretchen as a sister.

"I never had a sister," Heather explained. "If you don't object I'd like to think of you as my sister."

"I would like that," Gretchen smiled. "We can be aunts to each other's children."

"That sounds like a plan," Heather smiled.

Benny Junior had no problem welcoming his grandma and quickly accepted his new aunt. The women made quick work of packing and disposing of what was to be donated. The vehicles were sold. Papers were signed with a realtor and local attorney to sell the property with the proceeds if any to be deposited in the bank accounts. Cartons with items Gretchen wanted to keep were boxed and picked up by UPS.

*****

Monday, December 10 had also been hectic for Dwayne and Phil. They missed school that day as they had their casts removed and began therapy on their unencumbered limbs. Both understood they had to ease back into using their limbs as they could easily be re-injured. Dwayne still had to be wary of his collar bone and Phil of his back. But to have the heavy casts off and to be able to bend their knees and elbows was a tremendous relief. They would still have to use wheelchairs at school at least for a week. It also meant they would no longer need the Comfort Keeper aids. While they had appreciated the assistance, it was embarrassing for their privates to be exposed to non-family.

They endured three painful sessions and would go to Tidewater Physical Therapy in St. Michaels for daily work-outs after school. In about a week, once they had regained some strength and stability, they could begin using crutches until they fully recovered. The pair profusely thanked the staff of Requard for all they had done to help them.

During their last session Barney and Freddy were brought into the gym. Much to their surprise and delight they too had their casts removed. The four warmly greeted each other and the younger boys filled the older pair in about the goings on at school.

For the first time in their lives, Freddy and Barney were eager to return to school. The school arranged daily tutoring between their therapy sessions were quite productive, especially after the Thanksgiving pep talks by Dr. Olsen and Kylie and Krista. The boys had surprised everyone, especially themselves, as they excelled in their studies. In the weeks since they had come to Requard the tutors had brought them up to speed in all their classes.

They knew their new home was being finished and once Dr. Olsen was satisfied, the duo could be transferred later this week with the prospect of returning to school after the Christmas Holidays.

*****

The big move came on Thursday December 13. Freddy and Barney were moved to The Clan Wells Point Youth Rehab Hostel. Upon their arrival, both were delighted to find the spacious property had been made fully accessible, including a small elevator four feet by six feet to the second floor. All the exterior doors had been equipped with electric door openers so at the mere press of a button, the door would open. (Anyone who has spent time in a wheelchair learned how difficult it can be to open a door with an automatic closer, then hold it open while crossing the threshold. If you don't, try it some time. It'll teach you that even handicap accessible areas are not so easy to get into.) All the interior doors had been converted to pocket doors that easily slid out of the way to give unhindered passage.

Waiting for the boys were two used power wheel chairs. Both had the speeds limited to a normal walking pace of two and half MPH. The unit Freddy was given had been equipped with special rear anti-tip wheels because the balance system designed into nearly all wheelchairs takes into account the weight of the users legs to act as a counter balance. Gravel walkways had been laid out throughout the yard to allow them unhindered mobility to the pier and out buildings. The pier had been equipped with sturdy guard rails ten inches high to prevent any wheelchair, manual or power, from accidentally or intentionally driving into the water.

Freddy would have the power chair available until he was fitted for and able to use prosthetic legs. Barney would only have his until he was strong enough to walk on his own. Even so, the boys were delighted with their new-found mobility and their new home. Both expected to return to school after the Christmas Holidays, Barney under his own power and Freddy in the power chair.

Nearly everyone from The Clan Wells Point stopped by that evening to welcome the boys home.

*****

Dwayne and Phil easily slipped into the rhythm of school. With their tough guy belligerent attitudes in their past, they gained new friends. While both were in the advanced class, neither had been academically motivated. Now they were doing their best to make up for lost time. Neither was sure what they wanted out of life, but they at least understood they had to have a good education and positive attitude.

What most people noticed was the pair were even more inseparable than they had been before the accident. Everything they did, they did together. Since they were neighbors they often shared meals. On weekends they even slept over. What really stuck out was how nice they were to each other, always smiling, racing to open doors for each other. The rumor mill quietly began to wonder if they were gay.

Realizing such a wild rumor, even if it was true, could have a serious negative impact on the pair, Krista and Jasmine decided they should have a heart to heart talk with the former bully boys who had now become their friends. Bringing Tony, Jimmy, Jasmine, Pat, and Principal Harris into the loop, they arranged a private 'study' session for the six friends during the class before lunch on Friday.

Dwayne and Phil knew something was afoot by the almost guilty expressions upon the faces of Tony and Jimmy. Not one to beat around the bush, Dwayne looked at Krista and spoke up once they settled into their seats around the library conference table. "Okay, so what's up?"

"You guys have been doing real good since the accident," Krista began. "Everyone is delighted with the new you and want to see it continue. However, there is a possible storm approaching and we want to let you know before it hits."

Phil spoke up. "What storm is that?"

"You guys were always close," Tony said. "Since the accident you've been glued to each other which is understandable. However, the rumor mill has started and we want to cut it off before it hurts you."

Dwayne and Phil exchanged looks of confusion, then Dwayne spoke. "What rumor?"

"People are saying you guys are hanging together like Jaz and I," Jimmy softly replied. "And Tony and Krista."

It took a moment before they duo realized the implications of Jimmy's statement. They exchanged looks of horror.

"That's why we wanted to tell you in private before you heard it or some dufus made a smart-ass comment," Krista said. "Whether the rumor is true or not makes no difference to us or most of the students. Most have accepted me so they'll accept you IF you're a couple. My guess is that you don't even know if you're a couple and I sincerely doubt if you've ever considered the possibility you're gay. I didn't know I was a girl until August. Up until then I thought I was just pretending to be a girl to make it easier to get here. I'd just realized that I really was a girl when I met Tony, then, wham, I'm the girlfriend of a hunky guy."

"We're not saying you're gay," Tony said. "What Krista is saying is don't over react and deny being gay. It will make it harder to admit the truth if it turns out you are gay. What we're asking you to do is think about how close you guys are. Face it, neither of you have really ever been interested in girls."

"Either way, we'll be your friends," Jasmine declared firmly. "We just didn't want you to be blind-sided when the rumors reached you."

Dwayne and Phil were caught off guard and unprepared. Their gut reaction would have been vociferous denial but Krista had prevented that. It was true neither had really been interested in girls. They appreciated girls, but there had never been any attraction. But they had never felt an attraction to guys either.

"I don't think we're gay," Phil said. "Neither of us is swishy."

"Not all gays are swishy," Krista answered. "That's just a stereo-type. A lot of gays are big and strong. A man who likes sports, hunting, and all that manly stuff can still be gay. Gay couples can both be manly. Gays don't have to be trying to hit on other guys all the time either. A lot become life-long couples. Like I said, we don't think you've ever considered the possibility you're gay. We're not saying we THINK you're gay. We are saying you guys have the type of bond we do. For couples to succeed they need to be each other's best friend. They feel a need to help each other, to make life easier for each other, and do their best to make each other happy. We see you, and so do a lot of other people, as a couple. There is nothing sexual about your relationship, no one has seen that, but never the less, you guys are behaving like a couple."

"You need to be true to yourselves," Tony added. "That's the biggest lesson Krista taught me. Do what YOU feel is right, not what other's expect."

"We'll head out into the library and let you two talk this over," Krista smiled. "You don't even have to reach a conclusion. We just want you to be aware the question is out there. If you want our input, we'll share, but this is your decision, your call to make or not make. Just remember, straight, gay, or whatever, makes no difference to us. We ARE your friends."

With that they left the Dwayne and Phil in the room.

Dwayne and Phil were deep in thought for several minutes. Finally Phil spoke. "Looking back on how we've been acting since the accident I can see where people might start to wonder about us. Heck, it even makes me wonder a bit now that I think about it. I know I don't want any type of sexual relationship with you or anyone else, at least for the foreseeable future. I've never even thought about being gay. I know I'm not swishy. But you are my best friend and I sorta like being considered a couple. Maybe that makes me sorta gay. I can see where others might think we're gay. Before the accident that would have pissed me off, now, I can take it. I'm just glad we have friends who warned us about the rumors."

"Yeah," Dwayne agreed. "I might have done something stupid if it just hit us. I never though about being gay either and I know I'm not swishy. Despite the way we used to talk about it, sex isn't one of my priorities. What freaks me a bit is I'm not upset about us possibly being a couple. Krista is right, we've always cared about each other, but since the accident, it's been different. I don't want to be without you, so I guess that makes me at least sorta gay too."

The duo looked at each other, not sure whether to cry or hug. Finally Phil moved closer to Dwayne and gave him a quick hug. Both boys blushed and said nothing. Then after a few moments of mutual contemplation Dwayne gave Phil a quick hug. This time they smiled while they blushed.

"I guess we are gay," Dwayne softly admitted as Phil nodded his head. "This is too weird. I'm not even freaked out. In fact, I feel a bit better."

"Krista was right again," Phil chuckled. "But since neither of us are swishy, at least we won't be holding hands and kissing in public."

Dwayne reached across and took Phil’s hand in his. "I'll agree with the kissing part, but I think I kinda would like to hold your hand sometimes."

Phil nervously smiled and squeezed Dwayne's hand. "All right, but definitely no public kissing!"

Both chuckled guiltily as Dwayne asked, "So what do we do now?"

"I guess we tell Krista and the others we are a couple and that we might be gay," Phil replied. "Then when we get home we sit down with our moms and talk to them."

Dwayne blushed uneasily. "Do you think they might suspect we're gay?"

"It wouldn't surprise me," Phil smiled. "They're happy we've got our act together and have been encouraging us to hang. I think they'd be cool if we are gay."

"Yeah, I think so too," Dwayne smiled. "So how do we tell the everybody?"

"We don't," Phil said as he stood up still holding on to Dwayne's hand. "Tony said he'd learned from Krista to just be himself. That's what we need to do, just be ourselves. We just go out to them like this."

"Sounds like a plan," Dwayne agreed as he stood. Together they left the room to rejoin their friends, smiling timidly and hand in hand.

Krista smiled when she saw them approaching. So did the others. No words were needed and none spoken. They headed off for lunch.

No one said anything but by the end of the day half the school figured out Dwayne and Phil were indeed a couple.

Their mothers were not surprised when the nervous boys held hands as they sat down to talk to them that evening. In fact, they were relieved and supportive.

*****