The Girl Most Likely To ... - Part 49
by Barbara Lynn Terry

Chapter I - Dinner is concluded.

As everybody left the the table, Renée, Rachel and their moms did the cleanup. Carl Richards decided to go out to the garage and work on

the, "I'm in a hurry" guy's car that wanted it done in three hours. One nice thing about having your own auto repair shop in your own garage,

is that you can work on customers cars anytime.

In the kitchen, as the ladies finished the cleanup, Rachel said she needed to study. One of the lesssons Rachel had to study about was history.

She had never been too good at history, social studies, geography or even math. What Roger was good at, was being a thorn in everybody's

butt. But, now that he has become Rachel just three weeks ago, she has been very lady like, very helpful, very caring, and very studious. She

even played referee between Tommy Barker and Darla Cranston, and now they are back together.

As Rachel went to her room to study, her mother and Gloria Richards talked a bit, after Renée went to her room to study.

"Gloria, do you think Rachel will make it? I mean it has only been a little over three weeks since she has been at the home. Is it too early to

tell?"

"Ruth, we need to take in everything that Rachel has done. She has seamlessly melded in to the population; she has counseled some of the

girls; she even played referee for Tommy and Darla. No, Ruth, I don't think it is too soon to tell whether or not Rachel is going to make it. I do

think, however, that she should complete her adolescence here, because she is being treated like a girl, and she is even acting like a girl

would. I am going to talk to Dr. Nita about putting Rachel on hormones. This way, by the time she is eighteen, she will at least have a decent

female figure.

"She is going to need breasts, too, and I heard there is a way they can take muscle tissue from the derriére and implant it, so the breasts grow

naturally. This way, too, her breasts will be real and not filled with silicone, gel or saline. Then she will really devlop like a real girl. Of course,

she will be barren, but then so are many natural women."

"She can always adopt, Gloria."

"Yes. That is an idea. Maybe we should get her a babysitting job, where she can learn to take care of a baby, properly."

"That is an idea. We can have Naomi help us look. She is in more places in a day than we are."

Naomi Petersen not only knew all of the children and all of the names, but she knew the parents and all of the games.

"Did I hear my name mentioned?"

"Naomi! We were just talking about Rachel. We think maybe she can get a babysitting job for after school, so she knows how to take care of a

real baby."

"I will look around, Gloria. I'm sure there are a few people here that need a baby sitter. I also heard you mention something about natural

breasts."

"I'm not sure, Ruth. I only know of two types of implants. If they have a way to take muscle tissue and implant it in the breast, so the breasts

grow naturally, then if anything happened to mine, I think I would want that procedure."

"For me, too, Gloria. What do you think, Naomi?"

"I think you ladies have thought this out. I also think that anything that involves Rachel, Rachel should be a part of. This would be a part of her

therapy. Remember, she has only been here a short time. She has a lot of issues to work out. With all of us here, and her sisters and surrogate

parents at the home, she is going to make it. So, something this huge and physical and life changing, should actually be discussed with

Rachel."

"I do agree, Naomi," Ruth Watkins said, apologetically. "It's just that I thought it would be better to talk to Dr. Nita, first."

"Yes, but...Dr. Nita will ask you if you talked to Rachel. So, you need to do that. We can do that tomorrow after school. I will also want Ms.

Wells in on this, too. She is, after all, the one charged with Rachel's therapy. We should have a meeting with the girls, too."

"But the girls already accept her as a girl."

"Yes, Ruth, but her sisters are a big part of her therapy. I think they should be involved with something this huge."

"You're right, as usual, Naomi. I was just thinking that maybe ... no, you're right, we should talk to Rachel first."

Now, unbeknownst to the ladies in the living room, Renée and Rachel were listening. After her mother had said that last bit, Renée and Rachel

went back in their room and closed the door.

"What do you think, Rach? Is that something you would like?"

"More than ever. I don't know why I didn't see it before, but it took my coming here to find myself. Now that I have found myself, I want to be

as much of a girl as I can be, both physically and psychologically. Sis, are you finished with your homework?"

"Kinda, I just have one more question to answer."

"Finish, then we will go downstairs and watch a little television."

"You have something in the back of your mind, sis. Care to share?"

"What? All I said was ..."

"Yes, girlfriend, I know what you said, and I also know that you're scheming, too."

"Well, let's just say that I am going to ask mom for a little favor."

"Oh, is that all, just a 'little' favor. Nothing huge, just something a 'little'." Both girls giggled, because Renée knew exactly what was on Rachel's

mind. Renée finished her last history question, and both girls went downstairs to the living room.

"We're finished with our home work."

"That's good, want to watch a little t.v.?"

"Yes, mom," Renée beamed.

"Mom?" Rachel started. "I have a small favor to ask. I was wondering if maybe I could start taking hormones to help me develop."

"Well, I'll be!" Ruth Watkins exclaimed. "We were just talking about that before you two came down. I will tell you what we will do. Let's talk to

Dr. Nita, and see what she says. Is taking female hormones something you would like to do?"

"Mom, it took coming here to find out who I really am. Yes, taking female hormones is something I would love to do, as soon as I can."

"Well, let us talk to Dr. Nita, and see what she says. She may want you to wait for a bit before she makes a decision."

"Well, do you think we can talk to her tomorrow? Mom, this is important to me."

"Alright, Rachel, we will talk to her tomorrow."

"Something else, too, Rach," Naomi added. "We were also talking about talking to Ms. Wells and the sisters at the home. I thought that we

should get them involved, because they were the ones that actually made you stand up for yourself."

"Naomi, I have something to say. I had three dresses, one full slip, one half slip, one skirt, one blouse, a pair of nylons that I cared for like it

was a new born baby, and a pair of black Mary Jane's. When my dad went to bed, I would put these clothes on. Mom, you never came in my

room, but told me through the door that it was bedtime. If my dad had seen me dressed like a girl, he would have beaten me until I was raw.

So, I kind of rebelled by being a bully. I just wish dad was the kind of guy that would have talked things out. But, instead, he was abusive and

yelled all the time."

"But, you know, Rach, it takes a very confident person to do what you did, even by yourself, in your room. You knew your father was in your

parents bedroom, yet you braved being discovered by your father. That takes brevity and confidence. So, being in the 'closet' like you were,

you have to remember, too, that your father was not in his right mind. I don't know when his trial will be, probably next month, since he has

the right to a fair, impartial and speedy trial. It depends, too, on what the doctors say. If they say your father is sane, he will go to prison; if

they say he is mentally incompetent, he will go to the state hospital for the criminally insane. Even though now it is more like other psychiatric

hospitals, it is for those that have been convicted of criminal offenses.

"Ruth, you did notify the Alameda County district attorney about your new address, didn't you?"

"Yes, Naomi, I did. I received a letter saying that they will issue a subpoena and have it served by the state police. I'm not really looking

forward to this trial, but I know I have to testify."

"Ruth, he will probably disrupt your testimony by calling you names. Just continue talking, because if he keeps calling you names, the judge

will have him removed to ante room where he will see the proceedings on closed circuit television. Just remember, he cannot hurt you

physically in the courtroom. The bailiff will see to that. You just testify about what you can remember."

"I can remember it all. Until that night, I was actually afraid of him. But then I saw it in his eyes. The only reason he picked on me and Rachel

was because he couldn't pick on men his own size. He was the real bully."

"Rachel, what do you think about that?"

"I agree with my mom. Dad was the kind of person that wanted control and he couldn't have that control with men his own size, so he

controlled me and mom, but only when he was drunk, which was mostly all the time. If he doesn't die of kidney failure, he will be lucky."

"Where did you hear about kidney failure?"

"At school, Naomi. Some of the boys were talking about one of their dads was in the hospital because of kidney failure, and was waiting for a

new kidney to be brought to the hospital, so they could operate on him. I never bothered to ask why he had kidney failure, but then I read in a

medical book in the school library about what alcohol can do to a person's liver."

"Yes, Rach, there are people that die of alcohol poisoning all the time. Your friend's father was lucky. I have to work first shift tomorrow, so you

let me know what Dr. Nita said about you taking hormones. If that meeting with her is after school, I will be there with you and your mom."

"Thank you, Naomi. You have been there for me since I met you. I ..."

"I said I would be here to help you in your therapy. I meant that. I don't know why I took an instant liking to you, but when I saw you in that

courtroom, you seemed different than the others who were in the system. When the judge gave me instructions on what to do, I figured I

would see just how far you would go to defy the judge and me. But, you didn't. I saw then that you were more than you appeared. That is

why I was very happy when I was called to take you to the home. We had a wonderful talk on the way. Sis, everybody right here, and all of

your sisters at the home, are going to be behind you. We will not push, but we may nudge a little." Everybody giggled. "Since you have been

here, Rach, you have been very caring, very feminine, very helpful and you have even shown us self growth, too.

"I agree with you, sis, that you have a lot of issues to work out while you are here. But, this is the place to work them out. Since you want your

transition to be a major part of your therapy, we can get this started tomorrow. Now, who wants to watch Crocodile Dundee?" Everybody said

"we do", so Naomi put in the dvd.

As they watched the movie, Naomi could see that Rachel was deep in thought. For thirteen years old, Rachel acted like she was thirty. Maybe

having to depend on yourself mostly, does that to a person. Rachel's grades in Alameda were mediocre at best, but here in Pine Meadows

County, they were starting to show a lot better. Naomi thought that Rachel would make it; if she keeps this up, she will. Naomi read on

different sites about the real life test for transgender persons. She looked at Rachel, and thought that she would have no problem living that

real life test, because that was what she was doing now. No, ma'am, nobody could ever accuse Naomi Petersen of being a hard nose. She may

fight like a lioness, but her demeanor was as gentle as a lamb.

As the movie was ending with the kiss in the subway tunnel, Naomi, Gloria and Ruth said it was time to turn in. When they looked at Rachel,

she was sound asleep with her head on Renée's lap. Ruth woke her up, and said she should get in bed. Sleepily, Rachel padded off to her

bedroom, with Renée's help. Renée undressed Rachel, put her in her nightie, and covered her up. Then Renée got herself ready for bed, and

climbed under her own covers. She was alseep almost immediately.

Part II - School and Dr. Nita.

The next morning, Renée and Rachel woke up and each in turn, took their baths. Rachel dressed in her favorite jeans, basic white lingerie, a

lime green long sleeve top that had a buck on the front standing on its hind legs. She put her lime green turtleneck sweater on, then she put

her knee length, doubleknit socks on, then her black Mary Jane's. Renée dressed casual, too. She wore her red and green plaid skirt, her red

and green plaid, long sleeve top, her black leggings tokeep her legs warm, and her double knit, knee high socks. She wore her knee high

bootswith the deep tread on the bottom so she wouldn't slip in the snow or on any ice.

Renée brushed out Rachel's hair, and put butterfly clips on each side, just in front of the ear lobes, and Rachel did the same for Renée. Except

in Renée's hair, Rachel had placed dolphin clips in front of eachear lobe and one large dolphin clip on the back of her head. As they inspected

themselves in the full length mirror on the closet door, they deemed themselves ready for school. They went down to breakfast.

Gloria and Ruth were already in the kitchen getting the breakast ready. Oatmeal with cinnamon, milk, orange juice, and each only had one

slice of toast to go with their meal.

"Well girls, are we ready for our second day of school?"

"Yeah, sort of, mom," Renée answered. "I am glad of one thing; that you drive us, instead of making us take the bus."

"Yes, honey. Those school buses can be a very bumpy ride. Besides, this way, if you have any concerns, we can talk about them on the way."

"Yesterday, we got our books and mainly talked about what we did over the Christmas holidays. Mr. Sampson said that today we are going to

start learning, again. That got quite a lot of laughs and giggles."

"What does Mr. Sampson teach?" Gloria Richards asked Renée.

"He teaches math and he is my homeroom and first hour teacher."

"Is he nice?"

"Yes, mom, he is. He has a wonderful sense of humor. He told us that he doesn't teach math in the old, boring way that most teachers do. He

said he likes to make math fun by making up math games. He also taught us something else. He taught us how to spell our first names in

Morse code. Like, dit dah dit, dit, dah dit, dit, dit, spells R E N E E."

"That's interesting, Renée," Naomi added, coming in to the kitchen. "Morse code isn't used anymore, except by ham radio operators, and even

they don't use it that much either. There are several amateur radio oprators here in Pine Meadows county. If you're interested I could talk to

Mr. Sampson and see if he will be your Elmer. That's a ham that teaches others how to be hams."

"That is interesting, Naomi. Naomi, what are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be at work?"

"Yes, Rach, but uhm, I had a slight accident at work and had to come and change my uniform."

"What kind of an accident?"

"Female things that happen to all women who can bear children from twelve and half to fifty years old."

"Oh, that. Isn't that kind of embarrassing for that to happen at work?"

"No, Rach, it is a natural part of being female. You two are lucky, though, because you don't have to worry about the cramps, the bloating, the

mood swings, wearing a size larger than you otherwise would. But, that is a part of my life, so I just live with it."

"Girls, it is time we started going. Get your coats, gloves and boots on, and I will get you to school."

"Have a good day, girls," Naomi said, smiling.

Gloria got everybody in the car and headed for the home to drop off Rachel. Then it was on to Pine Meadows Senior High School to drop off

Renée.

"Mom, is having your period really like what Naomi said?"

"Yes, and sometimes, if the clothes get stained, you have to throw them away. But, like she said, it is all a part of our lives, so we just live with

it. As you meet more and more friends, especially girls, you will find that they talk about this with other girls. Well, here we are, Rachel. Have a

good day, and I will pick you up at the house after school."

"Thank you, Mrs. Richards, for the ride. See ya after school, sis."

"See ya after school," Renée answered back.

Gloria Richards then drove Renée to the Pine Meadows Senior High School. This school was like three schools in one. It has an elementary

school section, a middle school section and the senior high school section. This was a big sprawling building in the center of town, not too far

from city hall, the courthouse and the downtown Pine Meadows business district. If you looked at this building, and did not know it was a

school building, you could mistake it for a hospital, because it was that big. Of course, there was only one floor, and all the school sections were

there. Renée's teachers were very firm in their teaching methods, but also very fair. Each teacher has a good sense of humor, but takes care of

business.

Renée gave her mother a hug and got out of the car and went in to the building. She stopped at her locker to get her morning books, and go

to class.

As she entered the classroom, Mr. Daniel Sampson was writing some math problems on the blackboard.

"Good morning, Mr. Sampson," Renée said, as she sat down.

Mr. Sampson looked to see who was talking, and saw Renée. "Good morning, Renée. How are you this fine, sunny, cold morning?"

"I'm awake, I think."

"Good, you need to be awake. One of the problems I am writing is; if an airplane climbs to 35,000 feet in five minutes, how fast is the plane

going?"

"That's interesting. I have been on a plane several times, but I never paid any attention as to how long it took to get in the clouds."

"Most air travelers don't, Renée. They just enjoy the ride. But this is an interesting problem. I think you will find the answer very interesting. Of

course, the plane doesn't really travel that fast, unless you are in a military jet, but I think for math purposes, this is a good problem."

"I come to 7,000 miles per hour."

"Correct. But the speed of the airplane is much, much slower than that."

"I am always amazed, Mr. Sampson, that something like an airplane can fly, and that something as heavy as a ship can actually float."

"Yes, Renée, that amazes me, also. But, science and engineering have come a long, long way since the primitive times when people used

horses and buggies to get around in. To really understand how all that works, is to actually take those classes in college. There is a shortage of

aerodynamics engineers. Even community colleges are offering aerodynamics."

The classroom started filling up. Everybody said hi to Mr. Sampson and Renée. With the seats all filled, Mr. Sampson took a cursory roll call and

saw that everybody was there. This way when the bell rang, he could get right in to the lessons.

While Renée was doing math, Rachel was learning U.S. history with Mrs. Simpson. But today, Rachel will meet her other two teachers, who will

teach the whole gamut of the high school curriculum. Mrs. Simpson taught U.S. and World history.

"Class, today we will study what is called 'the old west' and a man named Wyatt Earp. There are many famous lawmen of the old west, but

Wyatt Earp has a legacy none of the others have had. So, let's get started.

"Wyatt Earp was born in Illinois in 1848 and his full name was Wyatt Berry Stapp Earp, and he had several different jobs ending in his leaving

Tombstone, Arizona to settle down as a farmer, but not before going to Alaska to look for gold. Wyatt Earp was more of a gambler than he was

a lawman. Some people will argue that life is a gamble, but that is not the kind of gambler I mean. Wyatt Earp ran a faro table now and then.

He played poker for money. Wyatt had four brothers; Virgil Earp, Morgan Earp, James Earp, Warren Earp. By the time the famous gunfight in

a lot just outside of the O.K. Corral in Tombstone, Arizona there was only Wyatt, Virgil, Morgan, James and Doc Holliday, spelled with two "L's".

His full name was John Henry Holliday, but because he was a licensed dentist, he was known as 'Doc' Holliday'. He was living in the southwest

because he had tuberculosis, or TB, as it is abberviated. Today, warm, dryer weather is still prescribed for patients with TB. 'Doc' Holliday

wasn't actually legally married, but if you lived with someone for seven years, you were known as a common law couple. 'Doc' Holliday's

common law wife was Mary Katherine Horony Cummings, and was known as Big Nose Kate because of her Hungarian nose. Big Nose Kate was

born in Pest, Hungary in 1850 and died ninety years laters in Prescott, Arizona in 1940. Big Nose Kate was also known as Katie Elder.

"So, the legend of Wyatt Earp includes the legends of others of the time. The only way you can actually know all the facts about someone, is to

find an authoritative book on the life of whomever you want to know about. The story of Wyatt Earp and his brothers, 'Doc' Holliday, Ike

Clanton and Johnny Ringo are all linked because of the gunfight in the lot just outside of the O.K. Corral in Tombstone, Arizona. I would like

you all to write an essay on a figure of the old west. There are many to write about. This essay is due on Monday."

The bell rang ending the class. It was lunch time, so the girls all went back to the house to eat. They had twenty five minutes.

While they were eating their lunch, Rachel was thinking about who she would write about for a figure of the old west. She had heard about

Annie Oakley, the first female entertainer to make a name for herself. She would write about her marksmanship with a rifle, and her stunts she

did while with Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show. She would write about her affair with Francis E. Butler and their marriage. Rachel had also heard

that "Frank" Butler lost a bet to Annie Oakley in a shooting match that was set up by hotel owner Jack Frost.

Rachel was thinking there should be a lot to write about the famous sharpshooter whom Sitting Bull had nicknamed Watanya Cicilla. Rachel's

thoughts were interrupted, by being told they had to get back to the school. The girls all walked back to the school, chattering like chipmunks.

Sharon had asked Rachel what she was thinking about, and Rachel told her.

"You know, sis, that is a good essay to write. Let me read it after Mrs. Simpson grades them. I'm kind of interested in reading about Annie

Oakley, too."

"Alright. But I have to read about her first. I only know what I have heard. I would like to if what I heard is true."

"That's a must, sis. Here we are. Our next class is with Mrs. Cummings. She teaches Math."

As they filed in to the classroom, Mrs. Cummings, a lady with graying hair and an everyday flowered dress, told the girls to take their seats.

When they were all in the classroom, Mrs. Cummings took a cursory roll call, and started the lesson.

"Welcome class, I hope you had a wonderful holiday break. I see we have a new student, welcome Rachel. I have only one rule in this

classroom. Please be silent while I am talking. If you have a question, raise your hand and I will call on you when I am through speaking.

Rachel, where did you come from?"

"Alameda County, Mrs. Cummings."

"My, that is quite a ways from here. Alright, today we are goig to study about algebraic fractions. If you know how to do fractions, already,

these should come easy, once you know how to substitute the numbers for the lettters. For example, what would the answer be to this

equation? X ¼ equals 3 ½. First we have to find what "x" is to arrive at the answer. Can anybody tell me what "x" is?" Nobody said anything.

"Very well, class, "x" is actually the number what, class?"

"Mrs. Cummings," Sharon raised her hand.

"Yes, Sharon."

"Isn't there supposed to be a key, so that we can solve the equation?"

"Well, alright, I guess. The key, Sharon, is in the equation. You have the  ¼ and the answer of 3 ½. So "x" would be what?" Everybody was

silent. "Very well, "x" is the number 1. Here is how it is done. "X" plus  ¼ equals 3 plus  ½ and that makes "x" the value of 1. Do you see now

how to do simple algebraic fractions?"

"Yes, Mrs. Cummings," the class said, in unison.

"I want you to do the exercises in the back of chapter three. You will need plenty of paper to do your work on, because, even though these

equations are simple, they may be confusing to those who have not done them. You will come to appreciate this part of mathematics, maybe

not now, but later on, when you get a job. Alright class, we have a little time left, so you may get started on your exercises."

Mrs. Cummings sat down and looked over the class. She knew these girls would do well. Well, most of them anyway. For the ones that needed

help, she would help them student until they learned how to the problems themselves. But time flies when you're having fun and the bell range

ending the class. The girls all closed their books and put them in their backpacks. They wished Mrs. Cummings a good evening.

The next class was social studies, geography and economics. As the got in the classroom, Miss Jameson was writing something on the

blackboard. Miss Jameson was young, and had come to the Pine Meadows Home For Adolescent Girls the year before. She was just out of

teacher's college, when she saw the ad for teachers wanted. She had applied at the state office building in Wayne County and was told that

the position was in Pine Meadows County.

"Good afternoon, class. Let's review. Does anybody know what social studies covers?" Janice Peyton raised her hand. "Yes, Janice."

"Social studies is about people and their customs, their geography and econominc structure."

"Thank you, Janice. Yes, That is exactly what social studies is about. Today we are going to study about the people of Argentina. Does anybody

know anything about Argentina?" Several girls raised their hands.

"Yes, Rachel."

"That is where Sugar Loaf Mountain is."

"Yes, thank you, Rachel. Does anybody else know about Argentina." Sandra Erickson raised her hand.

"Yes, Sandra."

"That is where they have that giant statue of Jesus on the mountain, over looking Rio De Janeiro."

"Yes, Sandra, thank you. Anybody else." Sharon Hardesty raised her hand. "Yes, Sharon."

"That is where they have cowboys called gauchos that wear those hats with the tassels hanging all around the hat."

"Thank you, Sharon. Yes and no. Not all gauchos wear those black stetson hats with the tassels. Most gauchos wear a wide brimmed cowboy

hat, and some wear a regular cowboy hat. The Argentine gaucho is quite the same as our cowboys in Montana and Wyoming. The only

difference is, their customs. For the rest of the hour, I want you all to read about Argentina in chapter 8 of your social studies books. You may

begin, now."

The study of Argentina took the rest of the study period with Miss Jameson. The bell rang ending classes for the day. The girls put their books

in their backpacks, and waited to be dismissed.

"I want you all to do the exercises at the end of chapter 8 and I want you all to write an essay about the people and customs of Argentina. This

essay is due next week Friday, because I want you all to have a chance to research this in the library either here, or in town. Have a good

evening, girls. Class is dismissed."

The girls left the school building and were a buzz with chatter about how dreamy some of those Argentine gauchos were. When they got back

to the house, Naomi was wating for her, to take her home. But, they didn't get away that easy. Sharon and Janice cornered them both, and

invited them both for dinner. Of course, Naomi and Rachel accepted this kind "invitation", because they had no choice. Naomi called the

houose to let them know what was what, and before you knew it, the entire Petersen/Richards/Watkins/Peters household showed up, at

Naomi's invitation, at the Pine Meadows Home For Adolescent Girls for dinner.

Madelline wanted to know if the home was being invaded. Naomi told Madelline what Sharon and Janice did, and she invited her entire house

to dinner at the home. Madelline said that should teach those little rascals. Madelline and Naomi giggled.