Summer With Em - Chapter 20

By Julie D Cole

I was glad to see that Frankie smiling again and enjoying the music. I had no idea how close we were to Ems but at least Frankie seemed to have recovered from the sadness of visiting the graves of her parents and Steph. She decided to call Em using hands free on her phone so we were on loudspeaker.

They both knew how long it would take before we arrived that wasn’t expected to be long and Em said that her and Bec’s would be on their way down to the coffee shop/café in 30 minutes or so. It was a nice evening so they hoped to find a table outside and suggested we share a dish of nacho’s and a bottle of wine. It sounded good to me even though we’d had lunch and then some tea and cake. At least we could relax and I didn’t need to change. Frankie was up for it as well but since she had to drive home later she sid she could only have one glass of wine. We were all working the next day so none of us were likely to go mad. I needed to take extra care anyway.

I’d caught the sun a little so I was hoping there was an umbrella or the table was in the shade. I ought to have been more careful having shaved my legs and I really ought to have taken some lotion with me. Still I wouldn’t be out in the sunshine much through the week so plenty of time to recover. Frankie noticed me examining them and offered to apply some aftersun if Em had any. I just smiled at the kind offer.

‘Now the weather is warmer you ought to book a spray tan at the centre. You’ve got nice shapely legs and if they were tanned you’d be surprised at the reaction you’d get. You’d knock ‘em dead.’

‘You mean I’d knock Em dead?’

‘No you fool knock them dead. It’s just a saying.’

‘Really?’

‘OK funny girl you got me.’

I found myself giggling at my silly joke and Frankie responded by laughing at me. ‘You do like to smile a lot Kimmie. You are like a breath of fresh air. Steph was a bit more serious and some days she was really down. I wish she’d not been so stupid. I could have helped her and made her happy I’m sure. Even if she’d had to walk out on her family. She could have lived with me.’

‘Maybe she was being bullied or scared of the reaction of her family. I didn’t….’ I had to stop myself mid-sentence.

‘You didn’t what?’

‘ Oh I just meant to say I don’t have a family, just mum.’

‘What have you got to be scared about even if you did? Anyway what about Em?’

‘Nothing I was just trying to imagine what it must have been to be in Steph’s situation.’

‘Oh so you are a boy then? And you had the cheek to say I was a man.’

I went silent. I didn’t know what to say so I looked out of the car trying to pretend I hadn’t heard her because of traffic noise.

‘So you are then?’

‘I’m what? Sorry I didn’t hear what you said.’

‘I asked if you were a boy.’

‘Why do I have a deep voice like Leonard Cohen?’

‘Not quite but there is something about you. Let me look at your throat.’

‘Why am I croaky or something?’

‘ No I just wanted to see if you had any sign of an Adams Apple.’

‘No I don’t so what next? Do you want me to show you my boobies?’

‘Sorry don’t be offended. It wouldn’t matter anyway. Your secret is safe with me.’

‘What secret?’

‘You’re a flasher who likes to flash her boobies.’

‘Very funny, I suppose I asked for it. OK you’ve got one back.’

Now I was pretty sure that Frankie had guessed. I’d tried my best to fend off her questions but they were very pointed even though it was light hearted. Should I just admit it? It wasn’t like I’d been hiding it or even that I’d arrived at Em’s with the intention of dressing as a girl or had spent much time experimenting at home.

Bec’s had accepted me like this and even agreed that I worked in girl mode. I had taken to it like a duck to water.

‘You’ve gone quiet. I haven’t upset you have I?’

‘No. It’s not like you were being serious is it? I made a joke with you so I have to be able to take a joke back.’

‘Well if you ever want to confide in me about anything, or if you need a friend you know where I am. You do trust me don’t you.’

‘Of course I do. Thanks. I don’t have anybody like you at home and friendships have been in short supply in my life.’

‘Well we are almost here so don’t worry your pretty head. Whatever you tell me is between us. I’m not a gossip monger.’

Once parked in the residents multi-storey car park we headed down in the lift to meet Em and Bec’s in the communal area that was part of the complex. As planned they had a table outside the coffee shop/snack bar and a bottle of wine was being delivered to the table as we hugged and then sat down.

They were both looking a bit disheveled that wasn’t typical of either of them. I sensed Bec’s had been crying since her eyes were red and her make-up smudged. But she smiled and asked if we’d had a good time. I hope they hadn’t been arguing.

At least now with 4 of us together there was a lesser chance of Frankie interrogating me any further. I was almost at the point of admitting that she’d guessed correctly. A part of me wanted her to know but another part of me felt guilty and embarrassed. I knew I was different to other lads at school but now I felt more comfortable.

Here in the North away from home I was being accepted as a girl. I didn’t have any males around me so not much chance of ridicule or hate comments. I’d felt more relaxed and alive since I’d arrived and Em was treating me like the younger sister she’d wanted. Bec’s was kind and Frankie was definitely interested. At least for now.

I was ready for a drink having spent most of the afternoon in the sunshine and as Em had said travelling with the top down in the car with the wind blowing made it seem safe from sunburn and sunstroke. I quickly poured two glasses of iced water from a large jug for Frankie and myself. I downed mine without stopping for breath. It wasn’t very ladylike but my throat was dry. I resisted the second glass that I’d have taken from the cooler at home and mum was always complaining that I drank most of it. No loud belch since I tried to behave properly. Dressing like this was improving my manners.

I was still hot and I felt that I needed to cool my face and neck that was a little sore and freshen up. Moreso I needed to relieve myself since I’d had my legs crossed most of the journey home and not to be more ladylike. I excused myself to go up to the apartment that would allow me to check myself out and get everything properly in place. It seemed to have disappeared somewhere but it wasn’t painful. I needed to check. Frankie decided to join me rather than use the public facilities in the coffee shop.

When I sat to relieve myself let my waters flow I was pleased to see everything was intact although much smaller than normal. My testes were overheated and they welcomed the chance to breath. I was happy to help and I used the bidet running cold water that brought further satisfaction. I wasn’t sure whether or not it was healthy to wear tight panties for so long but so far so good.

Frankie used the guest bathroom whilst I used the en-suite adjoining Em’s room. It looked like they’d left in a hurry with make-up, deodorant and perfume sprays strewn about. Most unusual for Em the bed was disturbed and she was normally very disciplined leaving it made-up as neatly as a hospital bed.

As we were ready to go back downstairs Frankie stopped me and pointed to my cheek saying I had a mark on it asking if it was mascara. I’d not touched my eyes since Em helped me earlier that day but Frankie leaned forward as I looked in my bag for a mirror.

As I looked up she was close enough for me to feel her breath and smell her perfume and then our lips touched and she pulled me close. It wasn’t a long embrace but I was in no doubt that Frankie was still interested in me whether or not I was male or female. Unless it was another test and she was checking for light stubble on my chin.

‘Thanks for today. I hope we can meet up again this week and go for another drive.’

‘Thanks that would be nice but I need to check what shifts I’m going to be working if that’s OK.’

‘Sure I’ll fit around you. I can always arrange free time and let one of the guys cover for me.’

Em had ordered the nacho’s that soon arrived after we’d settled back in our seats. We gave them a rundown on our trip and it seemed both Em and Bec’s had known all about Steph and met her several times. No wonder they were comfortable for me to meet Frankie and it made me think it was a deliberate set up. It seemed a bit far-fetched but was I a substitute or part of a healing process.

I doubted Em would do that. Frankie had treated him/her like a younger sister and I don’t know how the shock of her suicide had affected her at the time. She seemed a strong enough person to handle most things but I’d absolutely no experience. I understood that she was devastated when she found out what had happened and she’d blamed herself for encouraging him to let Steph come out.

We all tried to keep the chat as light hearted as possible but as we finished our coffees Bec’s suddenly burst into tears. Once she recovered her composure she announced that she was splitting with her husband and they’d not been sleeping together for a few weeks.

Earlier in the afternoon she had been home to collect a few things and intended staying a few nights with Em and I. She said that she was giving her husband chance to collect some things and move out. She didn’t seem bothered about where he went.

It was a shock but Frankie and I didn’t pry. Based upon a few comments that were made I concluded that he was gay and he was no longer interested in nocturnal events so they had grown apart. Frankie whispered to me that if Em and Bec’s needed some quiet time together I was welcome to bunk down with her. I nodded but in truth I knew it was dangerous. I was beginning to really like Frankie but was she offering a spare bed like I had with Em or did she mean to share her bed?

What a summer this was turning out to be and we were barely in June.