Four o’clock in the morning Trudy sneaks into the room and bed with me.

I could say I protested and won, or I could make up stories come Monday morning at school, but it wouldn't be true. We did a lot of kissing and petting but things did not go as far as either wished. It was however more than I have ever done except in my dreams.

Even though whatever I was given so I could not get aroused, I got overwhelmed with feelings and excitement. Trudy says, since I couldn’t get aroused like a normal boy, my experience of stars and explosive feelings, must have been a girl's orgasm. I didn’t know boys could have them. There is not much question in Trudy’s mind. She said, "It wasn't my first time but it was the first time I had experienced this much joy." I got very excited just holding her as she gets exploded with joy time and again.

Once Trude's mother pokes her head in the door and says, “The next time I hear noise making its way out of this room Trudy, you will go back to your room. I will sleep in the hall if I need to.” She did not ask if we understood and we were not arguing.

Trudy gives me a kiss and whispers, “Our house isn’t quite like yours.” We began kissing and caressing again. I am not certain when I fell asleep, but it was not anytime soon and I fell asleep out of exhaustion. I did wake up at 9:00 in the morning in Trudy’s arms with my head snuggled next to her breasts. I set to caressing them until she wakes and there is a knock at the door. We are given thirty minutes to get cleaned up and dressed. I shower and find one of my outfits on the bed. It is more like an hour before we are ready and out of the room. Breakfast is only a sweet roll and coffee for Trudy and tea and juice for me.

My Mom and Dad arrive as they haven’t seen much of me. Dad is the only one who knows where the Kendrals live. Mom senses by my behavior that something is different but won’t bring it up just now.

I am wearing another light blue skirt with petticoats to dinner at the Kendrals’. Jack has on blue shorts and a short-sleeve shirt, knee-high white socks, and a white floppy hat.

Mrs. Kendral welcomes up into the house saying, “Please call me Hannah while you are here today..." "Charlie thanks for bringing Jack and Jill over to the house. I will give you a call when they need a ride” She comments, “Jack looks like a cute Dutch boy, and Jill you are just darling isn't she dear?” Mr. Kendral eats dinner with us and then finds a reason for leaving by 3:30. We enjoy our visit with his wife and their two small children losing track of time.

We help clear the table and load the dishwasher. Mrs. Kendral teases, “Jill, do you help in the kitchen like this when you’re at home?” She encourages us to play with the children until she finishes all that she needs to do. She asks questions like how I feel wearing girl’s clothes and acting as Jill.

I kind of like her talking to us because she sincerely listens to us. Trudy answers some questions and tells how she has seen me. I wasn’t going to tell Mrs. Kendral but Trudy shares I have been kissed by more than one boy.

Trudy receives a message at 5:30 p.m.: Cousin Staci has invited her to go bowling. Trudy responds telling her, “We need to change, please pick us up at 6:30. Know, we need to be home at 8:30.” I’m taken home with my intention to stay home, but Sara greets me with a change of clothes. “Mom and Dad have taken Nana out to dinner and then they are taking her back to her home. You are to be home no later than 9:00 p.m.” Sara closes the door saying, “Have a good time.”

I check the outfit; it is one of hers, a knit blouse and knee-length skirt. She includes footies and a change of delicates. Staci picks us up shortly after we have changed at Trudy’s. She shares three boys will bowl with us. Since they are Staci’s friends Trudy assumes they don’t know I’m a boy.

I’m matched with Brett. While he seems to be a nice guy; he likes to hold my hand or me around the waist. Come Brett’s first strike in the third frame, he kisses me on my forehead. I respond, “Please don’t do that.”

Trudy jests, “Then either give him a hug or kiss him on the cheek.” I try to kill Trudy with my stare but she laughs it off.

We played two games and the guys played a third game. I see three people from my school leave the bowling alley at 8:00 p.m. I hoped they hadn’t seen me. Brett had at least eight strikes by then and had given or collected a kiss each time. Brett and I won the second game. Brett kissed me and hug to celebrate. The kiss got a bit involved as he gave a little tongue which I didn’t fight off; despite thinking it was disgusting.

When we get back to Trudy’s, Sara and Mom are there. Mom hands me a bag with a thank you gift in it for Trudy. It is a blouse Trudy liked when we went shopping along with a gift card. We celebrate the journey as Jack and Jill with a cup of cocoa.

Once we are home, I get undressed and put on my underpants and pajamas. They feel coarse against my skin and a bit irritating, but I’m determined to wear them. I go back downstairs to ask Mom to help take my girl parts off. Dad and Mom smile when they see me, “We’re glad you remembered how to put them on,” jokes my father.

“I want Mom’s help to take off my girl parts,” I angrily reply, upset they feel the need to say anything.

Mom says, “I think we should wait until tomorrow night. Remember some school board members will visit the school tomorrow before the meeting. They want to see how students respond to you as Melanie. One of the members asking you to do that is Nancy Parsons. I’ve talked to her and I am sure she desires to be constructive about this.”

I calmly say, “Mom, I’m not a Native American nor a slave; I don’t want to die for someone else’s sins.”

“Well put son and we will back you, even if it means you need to change schools for a year,” my Dad says.

Mom suggests a warm bath to sleep better, she put in a little bubble bath oil. Instead of putting my pajamas back on, I change to my nightgown. Mom asks why, when she comes to say goodnight.

“The pajamas aren’t soft, plus I don’t get to be a boy until tomorrow night.”

She says, “You could easily be a boy tonight but that is your choice.” ‘Really, I don’t think so?’

One more morning getting up early, I brush out my hair and put it in a ponytail. I pick a fun dress. It has a print top and solid gold skirt that looks appropriate for fall. I go light on the makeup but highlight my eyelashes and eyebrows.

There are extra adults around the school today, thankfully only one looks like a bulldog, even when he smiles at me. Yuk! Every teacher is surprised to see me as Melanie. Even Sandy appears confused but she talks to me right away and spreads the message. Only a couple of handfuls of students are upset with me, I’m surprised half of them are girls. Sandy passes me a note, “In the dictionary under “’b*h’ It says to see them and has their pictures.”

Ms. Roberts gives me back my report on “Sense and Sensibility” A+; she whispers “I hope you rubbed off on Melvin.” Ms. Braun calls me into her office to tell me new arrangements would need to be made for PE if you continue as Melanie. "There are lockers for special need situations,” she says.

After lunchtime, Deb and her friends herd me into the girls’ restroom to take care of my needs. The need is mostly to wash up and freshen my makeup. I’m going to miss this. We are laughing as we come out. I see Ms. Parsons nearby but can only look away and giggle as I go to history. I raise the question in class, “Shouldn’t our history be based on achievements, and not conflicts within society and instead of wars over boundaries.” The teacher asks for possible ways to look at the present, I cite bringing closure to US military presence in conflict and the inability of Congress and the Administration to serve the country's needs.”

The history teacher asks, “If that would be popular?”

Sandy raises her hand and replies, “That’s like the evening news being based on ratings. My dad says, he hears and reads more real U.S. news when he travels to Europe on business.” Our class has a very interesting discussion today.

When I get home Mom suggests, “You should lie down and rest. Please make sure you undress and hang up the dress and slip properly. I hope come tomorrow you remember how to treat your clothes this well.”

I pinned up my hair and surprisingly rest well. Sara comes in before five and we visit about tonight and the past week. “You know Mel I am very proud of you. I was afraid you would embarrass me with you joking too much about being a girl. I’m surprised how good you are at being a girl. It might be nice to have Mel back but I will miss Melanie.” She hugs me.

“Thanks, Sis, I’m not sure I could have seen it through and appreciated it without your help. I’ve not been as nice of a brother as you are a sister. Being my sister is a lot more work than I understood.”

Sara says, “I think you will like this dress for tonight. It should look even better when you are wearing it. If you want to present yourself as a young woman instead of a girl, I suggest you wear my two-and-a-half-inch sandal heels.” Sara has me try the dress with a pair of flats and I see the difference. I look at Sara’s jewelry before I go downstairs. There is a gold and a navy blue bracelet and necklace I think are nice. I need to check with Mom first.

Mom drives the four of us to the School Administration building and we find our way to the Board room. There are a dozen visitors along with us. Mom hands me a delicate handkerchief after we sit. I am tapped from behind and it’s Trudy and her mother. Eight of the nine school board members are present with four of them being women. There is the Superintendent, Principal Lawrence, a man Dad says is the school lawyer, a secretary, and a treasurer present, and I’m not quite sure who is who.

The meeting is called to order, and though we are not going to be sworn in formally, we are asked at the beginning: “Do all present agree as you speak that you will be respectful and that what you say will be true?” I believe all responded by saying “I will.”

It is after 7:00 p.m. before my situation is brought up. The Courier News article as well as the town newspaper, several radio broadcasts, Fox News and CNN, and two comedy programs are mentioned. Principal Lawrence continues to speak. “The newspaper reporter confirmed for me that Melvin Greene issued a challenge stating ‘the school board’ would not take it up, about him presenting himself as a pregnant student. Melvin told me even a two-week time period would be too easy and too short of a time to learn from. When did I ask him what might be a meaningful challenge? He responded, ‘My Aunt Marti is due to have her baby in February, and if I could shadow in her footsteps that would make a meaningful report.’” He closed by saying, “Melvin agreed to cooperate with the school board and abide by your decision.”

I’m asked to step forward with my parents, Sara and Trudy want to be next to me but they're to wait. President Bennett asks, “Mr. Greene do you agree with what Mr. Lawrence has said?”

“I disagree with the reporter, she is the one who issued the challenge to which I said I didn’t think you the board would allow it. I did not mean anything derogatory toward the school board but that a public challenge like that is not wise.”

One Board member spoke up, “We agree that a public challenge like that is not wise, but along with the reporter several people confirm her story as what you said to her.” I tell them, “I’m sorry about that but still respectfully disagree.”

“Do you acknowledge that you agreed to continue as Melanie Greene wearing a pregnancy harness with increasing weights through your Aunt’s pregnancy and with her new child?” I went white and had to sit down.

“No, it was not my intention to continue as Melanie. By shadowing my Aunt Marti: I meant to be with her as best as I could. She is special to me and I am sure she would not mind me being there to help as I could. I know there are personal times I would not be privileged to see.”

“Again Melvin, Mr. Lawrence, Ms. Braun on two occasions and at least one teacher heard you confirm the agreement as stated here. We are not so troubled by those statements, because you have behaved quite well during this time. You have done even better in school than you usually do. You seem to enjoy the attention, especially as it has been shown to you by female students."

Another Board member asks, “How did you plan to wear the pregnancy harness as it expands without wearing women’s clothing for your pregnancy? I do not know of such clothing for a young man like you.”

“I acknowledge, I did not think it through and can see how you might jump to those conclusions.”

Nancy Parsons, “Mr. Greene do you understand what it means that we have worked hard to be a gender-friendly school? Some students have taken to heart your experience this past week and have seen many of your actions to be very sensitive of them. Your reneging upon your challenge would be seen as self-serving and a slap to them.”

She continues, “I would like to ask special privilege to speak to you and your parents for a few minutes. Then I would give the microphone to Mr. Henry upon our return.”

“Privilege granted, ten minutes be granted,” says Mr. Bennett.

Ms. Parsons waves us over, “Melanie, and Mr. and Mrs. Greene, I believe I come as your friend even though it may not feel like that now. Circumstance had me picking up my daughter at a bowling alley last night where I believe I saw Melanie with a date and hugging him; then today after lunch I was near the girls’ bathroom. Melanie, you and several friends came out of that bathroom giggling as girls might.”

“Your actions seemed more appropriate for a Tgirl which is not a disparaging thing. I know you deny being one and that's a decision and identity that only you can appropriately give yourself. Your Aunt Marti agrees that you two are close. She believes with her husband being gone in military service you two could each benefit the other quite well. It is my intention not to bring up this information about your date or very girl-like behavior. But Mr. Henry will motion that we accept your challenge but leave it open through the end of the school year if you would find that helpful.”

I speak next, “Ms. Parsons, you are considered friends to our family and you know from my family that our word is important. I am not lying that I heard and understood things differently. I don’t want to do this; my dad even said I could change schools if need be. But I agreed to cooperate. I will need some professional support because I don’t think this will be easy on me.”

“You did not ask Trudy Brandt, about the time with the reporter or the incident last night. You are right there have been times as Melanie that I naturally acted like a regular girl and I have no explanation, except I did not want to be discovered as a boy.” There’s a knock on the door and we’re to go back to the meeting. The school board officially accepts my challenge with a report qualifying as an independent study under the auspices of the Community College.

Sara, Mom, and Dad surround Trudy and me with Aunt Marti walking over to us. Aunt Marti has a smirk she is trying to hold back. “You might be a bit disappointed but with Ronnie deployed overseas; I’m glad you will be with me. When one door closes another door opens.”

Mom asks, “Marti can go with us to your doctor tomorrow or Wednesday after school?”

Aunt Marti looks to me, “Melanie is there a day you don’t work?”

That’s nice Marti asks about me, “Thanks, but it is Thursday when I don’t work. I don’t know if Mom’s willing to wait that long?”

“You will have to adjust to my schedule sometimes, as I am sensitive to you as well. I don't think your mother won’t mind waiting one more day; since she’s going to have her daughter for another four months.”

We go home to get some privacy and to let things sink in. I am holding Sherri and Marti holds the baby. Marti is thinking of something but is being quiet until I ask, “You seem to have something on your mind?”

“I don’t know if I should, it is a little quick,” Marti says?

I ask, “Well, I might as well think about things I need to consider?”

Marti smiles in response, “Well I think it might be nice if you came to live with me. I will be going to Lamaze classes soon. I would like you to be there for me as well? You would only be a few blocks from school and your friend Sandy lives at the end of my block.”

The doorbell rings and it’s pizza delivery. When we go back to the kitchen there is a bottle of pickles on the table. “Very funny everyone, but I don’t think this will apply to me.”

Trudy eats and then leaves saying she will see me tomorrow at work. Trudy talked to Mom, Aunt Marti, and Sara before she leaves. “I just want to assure everyone Jack won’t leave Jill holding all the responsibilities alone.” Everyone including me giggles.

I wake just before my alarm as the routine has set in. I shower, shampoo, and condition my hair. It is getting easier to brush it out and keep its style. My makeup is light except setting my eyes off a little more. Sara says it is well within good taste. I like the long sleeves on the mini-dress and thought while it is not tight it molds to my shape.

Down at breakfast, Mom and Sara both suggest I wear an outfit with a loose blouse and separate skirt. I like how I look, plus as a guy, I am not into changing my clothes just because someone says so. I did go to Sara’s closet to find another pair of 2” heel shoes that will look good. Sara looks and finds a beige open-toe shoe that goes nicely with what I am wearing.

I didn’t get all my homework done and it is a bit disturbing. Mel wouldn’t have been worried at all. Plus Sara wants to get to school early.

Ms. Braun greets me soon after I am in school. “We should go to the nurse’s office to get things set up.” I can see she is also amused with my dress. “You are very attractive this morning Melanie.” There is a nurse from a clinic in town to help us get things started this morning.

“I’m Nurse Heidi, Melanie. I work at the clinic your Aunt Marti goes to and I’m to help set you up with your first baby bump. Unfortunately, you will need to strip down to your panties and bra. I would have thought someone would have encouraged you to wear something else, though that is very pretty on you.”

In a small voice, I admit, "They did, but I didn’t pay attention to my mom or sister."

“Well it’s a good idea for us girls to listen to one another, but I guess that will be part of your learning,” she giggles under her breath. Heidi, “I am going to just glue this very small bump on you. It should hold till next Monday when we start using a little more weight and maybe the pregnancy harness.”

I slip my dress back on and Heidi helps to zip it up. I give her a small hug as I say thanks. She wishes me a good day. It all went quick enough that I get to homeroom. Classmates are amused by me remaining as Melanie. They are told by the teacher, “Our new student will be addressed as Melanie Greene until her project is over.”

Changes will include Gym switching me to a physical education class with girls and me using one of the individual locker rooms. I have the choice of Senior Health for girls or Home Economics. I am planning on Home Economics, as senior girls say I won’t like what they'll do to me if I take Senior Health. “No, it is not a threat; it is a promise,” so I’m told.

Practice in the chorus goes well and Mr. Larkin is happy to have me through the winter holidays concert. He even plans a duet with me backing my sister for a holiday tune.

Sandy did not show any special interest in me until she asks me to sit during lunch with her friends. She asks me, “Are you willing to double date? Lisa in our class says she is willing if you would like to go out with a girl sometime. Trent a senior would like to ask you out but I am not sure where he is coming from. I am sure I can arrange other dates if I know you are interested. Or will you be going out only with Trudy?”

I’m interested in seeing Trudy at work tonight. I have text messages from Trudy and Mrs. Kendral about work. Trudy wants to know if I want a ride which I do. Ms. Kendral says, she is happy I cooperated with the school board. Her note says, “Your employment in the bakery department should go well, and if there are any problems I will be very supportive of you.”

Trudy is happy to see me but I am now a girlfriend, not a boyfriend. She does ask me to go to a dance with her and some other girls Friday after work. I am accepted as another one of the female employees at work. It is no longer special to others and I am not getting special attention.

Things go smoothly until Thursday afternoon and my visit to Dr. C. Adair at University GYN-OB Clinic. Heidi welcomes me and takes me to an exam cubical and I change into a pink wrap. It is none too long nor designed for modesty. Once I have changed Aunt Marti is allowed back in with me.

Dr. Connie Adair is thirty-something and she has a nice disposition. She gives me an exam and wants to inject a tiny capsule under my skin. She says, "This will last two weeks and give you the experience many women have an early term." She truthfully says, "It is not necessarily a fun experience." To her surprise, I agreed. She needs to talk to my mother to get her to sign with me.

Dr. Adair also asks, “Would you be willing to move in and live with your Aunt Marti during the remainder of her pregnancy.” Besides an upcoming Lamaze class, the most important thing I am to do is just keep her company. “Yes,” I also agree to help do half the wash, wash dishes, and do some housework.

Things go well come Friday morning both at school and work. It is different this time going to a dance with Trudy after the fall concert. Trudy and other girls dance with me as many of the guys are staying away from me. Two horny guys dance with me during the night and Trudy says, “It is no less gross for a regular girl. Two guys cause me to feel differently. Jeff and I visit a little, “I know you’re another guy, but I would be interested in taking you out sometime. I hope it will get me over the fear of dating girls.”

Morning finds me near the toilet as morning sickness has set in. It is the effect of the medicine Dr. Adair gave me. If I could just stay close to this porcelain doll it would be better, instead, it just pushes back my move to Marti’s till after lunch. When baby Suzie wakes, it is my first experience of Marti nursing her baby. It is a beautiful sight but not in a traditional guy way of thinking.

The evening is simple: a Walt Disney movie for Sherri with popcorn. Marti nurses during the movie and I change Suzie’s diaper and put a sleeper on her for the night. Suzie will be a little over thirteen months when the next baby is born. Marti tells me, “Ron and I thought it would be a safe time to have sex without birth control.” She tells me, “You can see we were wrong.” I want to say it is too much information for her nephew to know.

Before I go to sleep I get a text from Trudy, “If it is okay to call now please let me know or you call me please.” I call her to find out what is up. “Melanie, I don’t know how to tell you this; I’m a little afraid. I find I like you in a different way than before.”

I ask her, “I’m happy but not quite sure what you mean?”

“I know, me neither, but please don’t laugh. You know we can usually talk about everything, this might be different.”

Assuming that she now likes me more as someone special I remark, “I love you too; I just hope it won’t get in the way of our friendship.” With a little more girl talk we say goodnight and it takes some time for me to get asleep.

Sunday, Marti takes me shopping; to my surprise, most of it is clothes for me. Another surprise is my sleepwear is different as a younger woman helps pick it out instead of my mother. She tells me, “I can’t officially tell you but you might enjoy using some of my prenatal vitamins.” I didn’t think I would but I did try one come Sunday night. “Unt-tie Melwannie, can you carry mwe?” I carry Sherri when I’m not pushing them both in the stroller.

When we get home I get to model everything for her, her mother, and my mother. I get upset at Mom taking pictures but I am overruled. Come time to go to bed, I knock and go into Marti’s room as she has asked.

Marti is visibly pregnant but nowhere like she was last year at this time with Suzie. We sit on the edge of the bed talking. She had just visited with Ron via the computer. She’s missing him but tells me how thankful she is that I am here. “I am talking to you more like a niece. While that might feel awkward, I greatly appreciate being able in doing so. You and I have always been close; I think these past two weeks, you have grown quite a bit.”

I tell her about my dancing with Jeff and his interest in dating me. She giggles at the thought, “I hope you won’t be surprised when the idea looks even more attractive to you.” She elaborates, “Being tucked away with a baby and a little girl, you will find it nice to go out with someone. You will probably even enjoy him showing you a nice time. Since you are living as Melanie; dancing with him and going on a date could be fun. Just remember this doesn’t commit you to anything and doesn’t mean you are gay or wanting to be a girl long term.”

Back in my room, I’m drifting to sleep, when my phone rings. It is Sara, “Hey Sis, Mom says you got some more girl clothes.” We drift into girl talk and it truly is a sister time. Our phone conversation ends after forty minutes only because Trudy and Sandy have called. I call Trudy back as I will see Sandy in school. It is midnight before we finish talking. “Have a happy third week Melanie.” I hear a kiss at the other end and I kiss back, it is not one girl to another to me but I hear Trudy, “I love you, Melanie.”

To be continued…

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