Amanda takes me to the building’s coffee shop and we get some hot cocoa. We are the only ones in the room, but we sit at a table off to the side, never-the-less. Amanda tells me a bit more about her story. It turns out that she was thrown out of her home when she was just twelve because her parents did not understand her. She was declared legally abandoned and put into the foster care system.

She tells me, “It is fairly easy to make some shady contacts in the system. Let’s just say, I was able to get my hands on hormone blockers and female hormones–for a price.” She won’t elaborate on that. She continues, “I started taking the hormones unsupervised and wound up taking the wrong dose. Over time, it started the changes that I thought I wanted. It was easy to hide the changes to my body, since I was shuttled from foster home to foster home. But the hormonal abuse also created a bunch of other medical issues. They wound up taking my testicles out because they were turning cancerous. Since I was already full-on in stage four of female puberty, they decided it was best just to have me finish that course.”

She takes a careful sip of the hot cocoa and continues, “I was brought here for therapy and that is where I met Mom. Dr. Greene took me in and has now officially adopted me. With her help, I am getting through this, but know that I will have to live out my life as a girl now. I may still have a penis, but that is really all that is left of the old me…other than the mental side… In a way, I guess it is easier to not have a choice, but it was stupid of me to not wait and try to figure it out right…”

I look at Amanda and sigh, “I know I should be patient. It is just so hard–I kind of wish I was like you; I wish someone would make the choice for me. The funny thing is, I did not even know I had this ‘problem’ until I tried to help my sister. She came out smelling like a rose!” I grin lop-sidedly and lightly stoke Amanda’s hand, as I say, “I am glad that you wound up with Cindy, though. My Mom thinks the world of her and I am sure she will help you through all of this, the same as she will help me…”

I take another sip of hot cocoa and get a frustrated look on my face. I change subjects a little, “You know what I don’t understand? Why can girls get away with being boyish, but guys are ostracized if they are girlish? I mean girls can wear boys’ clothes and it is ‘fashionable’. But if a guy were to wear girls’ clothes? OMG! There are whole fashion lines and hairstyles for girls that are more masculine than some of the stuff I used to wear as George. Why can girls get away with it?”

Amanda giggles and says, “Yes, can you imagine going out as George in a skirt? I don’t know, Gwen. I guess girls just did a better job of pushing society’s buttons. I mean it is getting some better. Guys can pierce their ears without too much horror–at least from the younger generations. I am not sure if it will ever be acceptable for boys to wear makeup or heels, though.”

We chat a while longer while we finish our cocoa and then Amanda takes me back to my Mom’s office. Mommy smiles at Amanda and gives her a hug as she thanks her. When Amanda is gone, Mom asks, “Well Gwen, what do you think of Amanda?” I smile and answer, “I think she is very nice and has had a sad life. I am sure that Cindy is good for her, though. Can we stay friends? I really like her”

Mom smiles and says, “I was hoping you would say that. Of course you can. What did you think of her story?” I roll my eyes, knowing where this is going. I say, “I heard what she said, Mom, but I still feel left behind. I am not sure I can go through with this. Maybe it would be easier just to bite the bullet and go back to being George–at least he has his own hormones.” Mom shakes her head and says, “Sorry, child, but I am not taking you off the blockers until we know which way you really want to go. I will not be responsible for pushing you in the wrong direction…”

Julie drops us off at the house and takes Cathy with her. Bree asks me about my morning and I tell her about Amanda. She is dismayed that anyone could be cruel enough to abandon their child like that and is excited that she is going to be a new friend to the family.

I ask Bree what it feels like to take the hormones. She tells me that she really hasn’t noticed much, other than a little tenderness in her breasts. I sigh and think about what Amanda had said. I resolve myself to waiting…

It is five days before school starts and Mommy has taken us to get our uniforms. St. Mary’s has a strict dress code–boring pleated plaid skirts, white blouses, knee high stockings, and low-heeled shoes. We each get five uniforms–enough to last us the week and then we go to a restaurant to have lunch.

As we are eating our salads, Mommy says, “Gwen, I think you have waited long enough. Bree has already told all of her old friends about her change. Since it is official now that you are not going back to your old highschool, at least for a while, I think you really need to let Fred and Joe know what is going on.”

I sigh and say, “I know. I feel really bad about not telling them anything. They think George is off on an adventure, which is sort of true. I am not sure how to tell them, though–especially since I don’t know if George is coming back, or not. At least Bree could make a clean break…”

Mom smiles and says, “Fred and Joe are good kids. I am sure they will understand about Gwen. They may be a little more mad at George for keeping it a secret–assuming they don’t know already. Bree did not tell anyone until school was out, but I am sure that the kids still are talking to one another on social media.”

Fred and Joe come together and ring the doorbell. I open the door and grin shyly at them. Joe says, “So, it is true? George?” I say, “Yes, Joe. Although, I am Gwen when dressed like this. Why don’t you and Fred come in and we can talk about it?” Thankfully, they don’t freak out and come inside. I take their coats and we go to the living room. Bree comes in and, before they know what happens, hugs them and says, “Hi Fred, hi Joe. Long time no see. Did you have a nice Christmas?”

Fred stutters out, “J…j…jeff?” Bree smiles and says, “No, it is Bree now. Why don’t I get you something to drink while Gwen brings you up to speed? I am not anywhere near as good in the kitchen as Gwen, but I can get you sodas.” She grins and goes to the kitchen.

I look at Joe and Fred and say, “I am really sorry, guys, that I did not tell you what was going on…” I continue on to tell them the whole story. Fred’s eyes get really big when I tell the part about going into Gwen-mode to force Bree’s hand at coming out. Joe gets really pale when I get to the part about thinking I was taking female hormones. Bree hugs me when I get to the end and says, “If it had not been for what George started–and continued as Gwen–I would not be here as Bree today and would still be miserable. I was even thinking about suicide…”

We talk for quite a while and the guys are OK with why I kept them in the dark, but make me promise that I will not close them out any more–regardless of whether I am George or Gwen. I surprise them when I give them a hug as they are leaving. I simply say, “Thanks guys, you are the best!”

Mommy comes home a little after they leave and I hurry over and hug her. When she gives me a questioning look, I say, “Thanks for pushing me into talking with Joe and Fred. You were right; they had heard rumors. They were still shocked to see us and hear our story, but they are good friends and we are going to stay that way–no matter what!” Mom smiles knowingly and hugs me back.

I wake up at the crack of dawn. It is a good hour before my alarm is set to go off and I had set it really early to give myself time to get ready. It is the first day of school at St. Mary’s and I am nervous–both because it is a new school and I am going as a girl… Deciding what to wear is not an issue. Putting on makeup is not going to be hard–only minimal is allowed by the school code. The thing that will take longest is just getting my below-shoulder-length hair dry…

I give up on sleeping anymore and go take a shower. I am downstairs making breakfast, fully dressed and ready, before Bree or Mom even think about getting up. Both come down about the same time and give me a hug as I hand them a plate of scrambled eggs and sausage links. We quickly eat, brush our teeth, and pile into the car.

Mommy parks the car and we all go to the admissions office. Sister Schubert is waiting for us and we fill out the last of the paperwork. Julie had already sent over our ‘exams’ and we had already been formally accepted, but had to actually show up to finish the last of the admission. It was decided to wait until today to make sure that I was going to go through with it.

Sister Schubert smiles and says, “OK, girls. Welcome to St. Mary’s. As you know, we are an all-girl school, so there is to be no question that you are girls. Your mother and Dr. Greene both have provided the proper affidavits and have assured me that you are both in transition, although it seems at a somewhat slower pace for Gwen. Is this all correct?”

We both nod our heads and say, “Yes, Ma’am,” at the same time. Sister Schubert looks at Mommy and asks, “They are both on male hormone blockers and female hormones, correct?” Mom says, “They are both on blockers and Bree is already on a full course of hormones. She has already entered stage two of female puberty. We are holding off on Gwen, for now.”

Sister Schubert says, “I see. And is there a reason that Gwen is not on hormones? I feel that it would make the board a little more comfortable if she were.” Mom says, “Gwen is not emotionally ready for hormones yet. Both Dr. Greene and I agree that having her go into puberty would not be good at this point.”

Sister Schubert sighs and says, “OK. I will inform the board. At least she is on blockers, but I assumed that both girls would be on hormones, at least low-dose, when I was willing to accept their applications. I cannot guarantee what the board will rule on this…” She pushes the button on an intercom and says, “Sister Martha, please bring in Katelyn.” She looks at us and says, “Katelyn is going to be your mentor for the first couple of weeks–just to get you acclimated to St. Mary’s…”

Continued in Part 8.

Next time: The first day of school–and the board’s decision…