Bruce was beside himself when he went home late that afternoon. He had done well in his reading, though probably not that good for smarter students but very good for him. Again, he had never read so many pages in one sitting. And if Roxanne was correct in saying they’d have a quiz the next day, there was good news and bad. The good news was that he was now better prepared. The bad news was when he wrote down his assignment to read, he had not heard the full assignment. ‘Is that part of my attention deficit?’ he wondered if that a doctor talked about.

The walk home felt different as the wind against his face woke him up with the cool air against his cheeks. He used his phone to see his reflection but didn’t see any difference like Deanne had mentioned. He wondered if it was caused by the cleansing mask that Deanne used.

That evening after supper, Mom talked to him privately again. “Bruce, your father and brother will have time away this weekend. That will allow us to have a time together as well.”

Bruce had finished another reading assignment and completed another short reading. When he told his mother, she asked what the difference was.

“The only difference was Deanne and Roxanne were studying. So when I thought of stopping, I decided to continue. Even when Deanne gave me a snack and some milk, she encouraged me to continue my assignments.

Mom and he talked, and Bruce asked if it would be right to have the Trembles help him get ready Wednesday morning. Mom giggled, saying, “I was wondering if one of them could go shopping with us Saturday morning for an outfit you might wear for Crossover Day? I’m not so sure about you wearing something of theirs.”

She was surprised when he asked about getting a pair of earrings. “Mom, it is not unusual for a boy to have his ears pierced today.”

Friday during the third class in the morning when they had their quiz; he got thirteen of fifteen questions correct. It was good that Bradley and he had corrected each other’s quiz because Mr. Murphy accused him of cheating. It took Roxanne to tell him that he had studied over at their house. That Deanne was tutoring Bruce.

Mr. Murphy murmured that Bruce better continue to do well, or he would go back and discount that quiz. It wasn’t meant as a compliment, but Mr. Murphy said to Roxanne, “It looks like he has been around girls, but I doubt that it had anything to do with studying.”

It was after lunch that Bruce was called to the office. He was asked to verify if he had started to study with Deanne at her home. Bruce said, “It is nothing formal, but we did it yesterday and plan to do it with her next Tuesday and Thursday. Hopefully, it shouldn’t be a problem; we don’t do anything bad.”

Vice Principal Phelps said, “It appears to have been good for you, but learning new study habits takes time to establish. When I heard Mr. Murphy question whether it was extra studying or something less desirable, I checked with Deanne. She is open to being in our program as a tutor; hopefully, you won’t mind that. The school prefers that it would be 3-5 days per week, but Deanne only agreed to do it three days per week if you were open to it.”

She said, “I talked to your mother, over her lunch time. She too thinks it would be better. She also assured me that she did not see any problem with an attractive girl working with you. Deanne is a very responsible young woman; it is nice to see her take an interest in another of our students.”

Bruce thinks, ‘But what happens when they tire of me or decide to have friends over or want to do other things?’

Deanne asked us, “Is it okay if Tally comes over to be with Roxanne or Layla to study with me while your doing your homework?”

Bruce lightly laughs, “I don’t want to be in your way. I thought girls got together all the time. I’m worried I might have to go on a field trip to a store or mall. Or worse, you would resent me because you couldn’t do those things because you’re helping me.”

Deanne jokingly said, “We could do such a trip, and you could be our accountant and quality control person. How about that?”

Bruce asked, “Do you know if Tally’s gone a little goofy since I first came here? She’s been acting friendly to me at school.”

Deanne says, “Roxie says she’s interested in you dressing as a girl for crossover day. She said something about her making sure you would be treated well... To be honest with you, I think she’s come to like you a lot.”

The fact that Deanne has made it clear that she is not interested in me, is something he already expected. Knowing that helped him in being around her; as he is less likely to get strongly aroused.

He and his mom were getting ready to go shopping when Deanne called, saying she wanted to come over before we were to leave. She was bringing over an outfit she hoped he would wear. Saying it would be easier in their search for a dress or outfit. Before she got there, Bruce was adamant about not wearing anything like that to go shopping. Deanne, however, has this soft, disarming way of talking to him. He admittedly changed his mind and would do it if he didn’t look like a boy dressed as a girl.

She said she wasn’t dressing me up fancy to go shopping as it would interfere with his looking at the clothes. He was interested in trying the outfit so he wouldn’t embarrass himself. She even convinced him he needed to feel comfortable in the clothes they chose.

Mom and Deanne were amused by his last attempt not to do it. He changed into the dress Deanne brought, and he wondered if she was seeing through him. Like Roxanne, he felt in the transformation that he was becoming a sister to this beautiful teenager.

Bruce continued to resist the idea of any transformation.

He hoped they could find something nice enough and he wouldn’t need to change into it at the store. He even told Mona, the saleswoman at the store, that he wasn’t a girl and shouldn’t be going in the girl’s changing rooms. “My darling, I thank you for dressing so convincingly. Let me know when you find an outfit or two, and I’ll make it as comfortable as possible. It would be better to do it here than in the boys’ changing area.”

There was a slightly longer burgundy skater dress with lace around the neck and down the arms. When Deanne asked his mom how much do you think this pretty dress cost. His mom indicated forty-nine to sixty dollars.

Bruce said, “I was thinking that too, but I was hoping if it was on sale for thirty-five dollars you’d consider having me try it on.” He spoke, “Even then, I’m not having you spend thirty-five dollars for something to be worn once.”

The sales lady warned him about saying anything more. His mom and his friend knew more about what prices would be.

Even with the lace and nice lines, he knew he had seen similar dresses and outfits for everyday wear at the school.

Deanne asked, “So, what would you be willing to pay for a dress like this?”

He laughed, thinking he was safe saying $30.00, but Bruce quickly knew he was in trouble with Deanne, and the saleswoman smiled. Deanne said, “Then $24.95 should make it very attractive to you.”

He couldn’t help but feel the skirt and look more closely to see why it was so modestly priced. Mona, the saleswoman, said, “There was an imperfection to the lace on the sleeve and the lining of the skirt underneath. We were throwing it out when our seamstress said it was too good for that… The repair is all but impossible to see, and since the repair to the lace and the lining was out of sight, she did an excellent job repairing that as well. This dress would regularly cost $69.”

“If she did so well, then why is the price drastically slashed?”

A woman spoke from behind me, “So that a pretty girl like you would be able to buy a pretty dress like that.” He then met Panneka, the seamstress. “You seeking a good experience this be an excellent choice.”

Bruce was going to say something, but Deanna stopped him, “They both want you to try the dress. Please do so, you don’t need to buy it if you don’t want it. You told me you would like to look like a regular girl; this or another outfit could do that.” She took him to the women’s changing rooms and, having checked, showed him to the first changing room. “I’ll be outside if you need help zippering up the back.”

Bruce sighed upon closing the door to the changing room. It was nicer than the boys’ changing area, and there were fragrances in the air and a woman’s voice two sections over. It was a struggle to unzip the dress he had on. But it came off easy enough with a little concentration. The lace sleeves made the dress feel wondrous going on. He hooked the top and pulled the zipper up the back to the bottom of his shoulder blades. Finally, he had to summon up his girl’s voice loud enough to call Deanne that he needed help.

She whispered, “I was afraid you would damage the dress instead of asking for help. Thanks for trusting me.”

He confessed, “I’m feeling like a little sister who is thankful to have you.” After Deanne had brushed his hair, they went out together to show his mother.

The search for Bruce would have ended there, but his Mom said more was needed. It included getting his ears pierced and two pairs of earrings. One for Bruce’s male ego, as well as a pair of silver studs, there was another with a pink crystal in each. The shopping spree included shoes with a three-quarter-inch base and 2½” heel.

When he complained, Mom inserted herself, saying he would practice walking once they got home. “You want to have a girl experience this will be a mild one; you’re getting what you said you wanted.” There was a second outfit they bought, which Mom said was for practicing. “Besides needing practice walking, you’ll need practice keeping your modesty intact.”

Deanne encouraged him to bring over his practice outfit to wear when they were studying on Tuesday.

They were ready to leave the mall when Bruce got a call from a number he didn’t recognize. But as soon as he heard the voice at the other end, he looked around and changed back to his girl voice. “Tally, is that you? What do you mean if am I’m ready to go out?”

He looked at Deanne, knowing and knew this was not a total surprise to her; he looked at his mom, who was unsure if she knew. But she did indicate it was right with her. Deanne turned to his Mom, saying, “We were thinking it would be beneficial if he got some real-time girl experience before Wednesday. We’d like to get lunch with her and then spend some girl time walking around.”

Deanne turned to Bruce and asked, “What should your girl's name be?”

Bruce didn't admit he had thought of one, but then he didn’t want any of them naming him either. He looked at his mom and knew from a prior conversation, she would have named him Samantha if he had been a girl. “My name was to be Samantha if I had been her daughter. That sounds good enough to me.”

Deanne said, “So you are comfortable going window shopping with Roxy, Tally, Brigid, and me.” Sam didn’t want the others, but then again, he did like that Tally called him.

Bruce’s mom gave him some cash and one of her credit cards. He’d have to use his I.D. card if Sam was to use the credit card. His Mom assured him that the stores wouldn’t mind him dressed as a girl if he was buying something. He planned as Samantha, he was sure she wouldn’t be buying anything. The cash given her would be more than enough if they bought something at the food court.

Deanne asked that Samantha agree that she was a younger cousin if anyone would ask.

The afternoon was speeding by, and Samantha enjoyed being immersed in girl talk. Brigid was happy to meet Samantha, saying she thought she’d have to wait until Wednesday to see Bruce’s girl side. Brigid said, “Knowing your oldest brother as well as Dan, I find you as a breath of fresh air. I like Randy, but he goes out with too many girls. Dan, on the other hand, doesn’t impress me.” Seemingly, three of the four felt similarly.

They stopped and had some ice cream instead of getting more to eat and drink. The others were wanting to go to a movie. But the fact, they had met some guys, was the deciding factor in Samantha’s desire to go home.

Tally and Roxy were set on buying something before they left, and both wanted to go to the same store. Tally looked to Roxy for agreement and then said, “We’re going to each get a skirt in support of you. We’d also like you to try on a skirt that you like, though you won’t have to buy it.” Tally kissed Samantha on the cheek and hugged her. Samantha agreed, though she emphasized she wouldn’t be buying anything.

Roxy made a straight line to their favorite store 21 Forever. The skirts Samantha liked were shorter than she wanted to try on. Tally said, “You pick the skirt you like and I’ll pick a pair of tights or leggings to wear under it.”

That kind of nullified Sam’s resistance. She chose a mauve pink skirt and Tally chose a two-tone grey and white leggings. Samantha loved the skirt until she came out to show it off and Deanne snipped some strings holding the split front together. Sam said, “I’d never be able to wear something like that!”

Deanne told her, “That’s why you wear the leggings to keep your modesty intact. It does look like the combo was made for you… Did you realize those two are on sale and would cost you less than $25, which is a saving of close to twenty dollars?”

Roxy spoke up, saying, “If she doesn’t buy it, I probably will.”

“Quiet, you’ll do nothing of a kind,” says Tally, “I’m talking her into it before I talk her out of it.”

“Hold on,” Deanne said, “I think Samantha should get them if nothing more than for practice and enjoyment. But she needs to be the one to decide.” Deanne whispers encouragement into Sam’s ear.

Bruce melts with the attention but says his mom didn’t mean for him to get anything. Unknowingly, Deanne had taken a picture and sent it with a text to Bruce’s mom. And he quickly got the message, ‘The skirt is cute, and that was the very reason I gave you my card. It will be great as we have a three-day weekend to enjoy it.’

Samantha would buy it but professed a greater interest in the selections of the others.

Deanne and Brigid had been carrying on their conversation in the front of the vehicle. By the time they got to Samantha’s house, she/he was a little upset that they wouldn’t say what it was about.

Finally, Deanne insisted that Roxanne and Tally stay in the vehicle as she and Brigid had something to explain to Bruce. Once they were near the door, Deanne began to explain, “We’re sorry, we weren’t ready to say anything, but then you got too annoyed with us to keep it a secret… You know we’ve just begun practice for the spring play. Well, there’s a part for a little sister, and none of the regulars wanted. Brigid was the first to suggest that I’d be ideal for the part. We don’t want a junior high girl to take the part. The two girls likely to agree are spoiled prima donnas. You being new to this world would be ideal. You’re so easy to talk with.”

Brigid says, “We don’t want you to say yes or no but just to think about it.” Bruce shakes his head but only agrees not to answer and to think about it. Deanne, in parting, says, “You’d be my other little sister in the play.”

The weekend with his mom was enjoyable. Mom thought it would be good to have Samantha’s help with some baking and cooking. It ends up being mostly baking and nothing very hard. They baked a cherry pie for a neighbor's family and a lemon meringue pie for when Dad and Dan got back. Then they used the extra crust to make some cinnamon crisp cookies. They squeeze out fourteen of those cookies.

Eich Martin Bruce’s friend is very intelligent but socially awkward. He had noticed that Bruce had changed but wondered why. He called Sunday night and asked, “You’ve been acting different, and I haven’t heard from you. But I had noticed you were doing better in school.”

Bruce told him, “I have one of the school tutors, and I am showing some improvement. I have even been asked to be in the school’s play, but I can’t tell you about that.”

The first two days of the school week were uneventful, with the exception that studying at Deanne’s house seemed to help Bruce in his studying. Bruce had changed into a skirt Monday and Tuesday at the Tremble’s. On Monday, he, Tally, and Roxanne practiced for a test on Tuesday and did some extra reading on Tuesday for a report that was soon due. Deanne read his report and questioned how he stated things. Having listened, he rewrote his report, but out of time for Deanne to reread it. She suggested his father or mother help him.

Tuesday night, his Mom checked both the outfits for the next day as well as her son. “Bruce, how are you doing? Are you excited or anxious about dressing as Samantha tomorrow?”

Bruce said, “Mom, I was excited when I first thought of it. Not having a sister, I’ve always thought it would be nice to have a sister. Now, I’m afraid of making a fool of myself. I’m thankful to have Deanne and the Trembles to help me. But it seems a little weird. I think they are helping me practice being a girl made sense. I don’t think I will be fiddling with my skirt as I first did at first, or sitting with my legs spread apart.”

“But leave it to the likes of Damien; he’ll probably mock me for acting too much like a girl.”

Mom said, “You’ve gained so much in the past two weeks. I believe the girls and women will be impressed for years to now. You are gaining the ability to talk with them and appreciate all that we do. Dressing like a girl and taking part in Crossover Day will add even more to that. I for one am proud of you.”

“Your Dad probably won’t say it, but he’s a little jealous that you will have an experience that he hasn’t ever had.”

Bruce said, “I know Dad didn’t say that.”

Mom said, “I shouldn’t have told you, but he did. If you say anything, he may be upset and angry with me for telling you.”

That night as Bruce slept it was like a couple of other nights with dreams about being a girl, but this night was even more so. He was disturbed that another boy liked him and kissed him. He wanted to deny it; in the dream, he enjoyed his kiss.

To be continued…
Kudos appreciated; comments and PM encouraged.
The writer responds to most comments or PMs with a reply or with a PM.

Started with shy Bruce speaking to Deanne a beautiful girl new to town...
Bruce was helped for a crossover day by Deanne...
Helped to be a better student...

His mom woke him up just before 5:30 a.m. “You need to get up and get ready Samantha.” Bruce gave his mom a peculiar look. She said, “Remember, you wanted to be Samantha in everything you did today. This is not the outfit you’ll wear to school but the panties and bra will be. I don’t want you to try showing your little jewels at the Trembles.”

The idea of him having to get down to the panties and bra in front of the Trembles was enough of a problem for him to work through. Bruce’s mother dropped him off ten minutes early at Samantha’s request.

Deanne answered the door needing a dress zipped up and said, “You are a bit early. You can come up to my room, but you’ll need to sit on my unmade bed until I can help you.”

Samantha looked around, never having been in a girl’s bedroom before. He looked at Deanne in the mirror, saying, “You look beautiful, even before makeup.”

Deanne was amused with his looking around, “What has you gazing around?”

“I’ve never been in a girl’s bedroom. The colors and fragrances are soft like you. Do you mind if I look at your dresses and stuff? I see some you have worn to school.”

Roxanne came into the room, asking if she could borrow a necklace. She had stockings rolled up in her hands reaching toward Samantha, “Here these are for you, but wait to put them on. I don’t want you ruining them, trying to get them on.”

Roxanne found the necklace she wanted and put it on. Then she brushed her hair back into place. “Oops, you have pantyhose on. I don’t remember our telling you to do that.”

Sam said, “I thought I’d save time.”

Deanne spoke abruptly, “No wrong, take them off and put on the stockings.” Samantha started to leave the bedroom to the bathroom. “No, just take them off here. You have panties on you won’t be showing us anything.”

Blushing, Samantha scooted her hands under her skirt and started pulling off her pantyhose. Part of the panty started down before she got it free of the panty. Roxanne was kneeling in front of Samantha, helping her to start with her toes properly and guiding the stocking as Sam gently pulled the stockings up her leg. Roxy gave her a hard time. “It looks like you have some good experience in doing this?” She had given Samantha the other stocking and without a second thought, Samantha guided her stocking up her leg.

Now it was time for Samantha to change out of her skirt and blouse. The skirt/blouse outfit Samantha had purchased was now awaiting her. Samantha had seen them when she came into the room and hadn’t remembered they were as attractive as they were. “Oh my, I didn’t remember them being this pretty.”

Roxanne, “Wait until you see how beautiful they are once, you’re wearing them. I don’t think you’ll look like a boy in a skirt and blouse… We should put the chicken cutlets in your bra cups before the blouse goes on. It will help you to look like a young attractive girl. I hope the attention won’t bother you.” Roxy put them in pushing Sam’s skin to build the illusion of an attractive girl… I think you should have a good experience. Are you excited?”

Samantha dropped her head to look down, Roxy said, “I didn’t mean that kind of excited.” Samantha and Roxy both giggled, with Samantha commenting, “No, it’s not that. I am anxious to be all done and going to school… I don’t want enough time to back out.”

Deanne and Roxanne both gave her attention after that comment. Deanne said, “Patience is one of the virtues girls need to develop. We dress up, do something special with our hair, and put on makeup but others may or may not notice. In your case, we can safely assume you’ll get noticed. I expect my sister and I have enough friends ready to support and encourage you that your day will go well.”

Roxy had handed Sam the skirt to step into. She said, “I was happy your mother bought you that padded panty. The thin belt will now be more of a decoration than a necessity. Do not tighten it up as the day goes along. A good fitting skirt is snug, loose near the waist, and rests on your hips.”

Samantha looked toward the full-length mirror and was impressed with the girl she saw there. “Wow,” She mumbled. Her eyes were tinted lightly with eye shadow and her lashes had a nice measure of mascara.

Deanne said, “Come on we’ll give you a touch of lipstick after breakfast.” It was then that Samantha heard her tummy rumble. But breakfast was not what Bruce usually ate. There was yogurt, fruit and berries, and protein bars. Samantha reached for three of the protein bars and had her hand tapped. Deanne added, “One protein bar and some yogurt and fruit or berries.”

“Could I have the yogurt with peach slices and some blueberries?”

Mrs. Tremble looked on and said, “Yes, I guess the girls are watching your weight like they do their own.” Roxy asked about Sam’s homework. Deanne asked, "If there was someone Sam was waiting to see or at least the expressions on their faces.? She admitted there was but wasn’t giving any names. Sam said, “I want to see how girls respond to how I’m dressed and see if they recognize me?”

Sam was sent back up to the bedrooms to use the toilet and check her hair. She sat like a girl and afterward made sure her skirt was not caught in the panty being brought back up. She used the wrong brush to fix her hair and made it worse. Roxy fixed it and took away the offending styling brush. She even got a lesson with using her purse. What was in it and how it was to be held.

They were soon on their way to school, walking as the Tremble girls liked to do. Tally was already with Roxy. They met friends as they went through town. Brigid was tickled to see Samantha and watch the reaction of others trying to guess who she was. Samantha looked like she could be a junior or an older friend of Roxy’s. Sharon, a classmate, was surprised to hear Bruce’s name as she never expected he would do this. Sharon thought Bruce was always too reluctant to draw attention to himself. This would never have been imagined.

A car of boys drove by, and Brigid wondered aloud, “I wonder if they’re asking who the new girl is?”

Samantha got more nervous and was close to a panic attack than anyone else realized. When they got to the school, Deanne took Samantha aside. “I need you to take a few deep breaths without drawing attention to yourself. Now relax before moving on. I or Roxy will be checking on you. Go, have a fun day at school… I’ll see you later and then we can go to the dance.”

“Dance!” Samantha had forgotten about the dance; Bruce had no intention of going.

Once at her locker, a few more realized who she was. She on the other hand had to think and look around. Was she supposed to take her purse or leave it in the locker? She got the books necessary for the first few classes and left her purse. She did take two tissues and put them in her left sleeve. Wait she needed a pen and pencil. Okay, they’re in the pencil bag Deanne fixed yesterday; the purse was going with her.

The homeroom teacher not only took roll, but she asked for Samantha’s name. Two boys, who were cross-dressed looked overdone with their makeup and had not dressed seriously as girls. There were others, one Bruce could tell was Dominica. a black guy, whom his sister or girlfriend helped. Like Bruce, Dom presented well as a girl. Eddie dressed effeminately but wanted to be seen as himself, not as a girl.

The students in this classroom were close-knit, so it was a safe place. Once roll and announcements were over the bell rang for classes to change. Sam heard the tapping of her heels as she walked. Tiffany Stahl said hello as they entered the history classroom. She asked, “Who helped you get ready this morning? The two of you did particularly well.” All Sam had the time to do was say thanks before they went to different seats.

Scott who usually sat next to Bruce was confused when Sam sat and said hello. Scott did a double take, chuckled, and asked, “Are you going to the dance like that?” During the class, he joked for Sam to save a dance for him.

The language arts class used a short play by William Shakespeare and cast girls as men and men in female roles. Samantha was typecast dressed as a woman. Someone started a discussion of women in the Old West, whether they worked like a man or not. It was decided most of them had tougher hands and weather-worn faces to various degrees.

Come, Chemistry class, Samantha made sure she wore a good apron and rolled up her sleeves when experimenting. Bill her usual partner was entertained by her change of behavior. They did their experiment with none of the playing around except for a threatened spill by Bill. When something did fall to the floor, Samantha heeded a warning from Roxy and made sure she squatted down instead of bending over and chancing a show of anything. She slapped a few hands during the day that got too close.

Sam was asked to another girls’ table and enjoyed the conversations there. She neither talked nor thought as fast as most of the girls. Sharon was there and did Samantha the favor of talking with her. There were funny questions like whether she wanted to dance with another girl or which boy she hoped would ask.

Samantha had put off using the girl’s second-floor bathroom, until after lunch. Deanne had seen her hesitance and escorted her in. There were no smells in the boys’ room. She delighted in sitting and peeing like the girls. She was back to the mirror when Sam realized that the lipstick she used this morning left a longer-lasting stain. Deanne handed her a lip gloss in the same shade. Tiff and another girl teased Sam playfully.

Deanne walked with her to the next class. Though it was not regularly Bruce’s class, she was to attend the girls’ health class today. Sam was requested to sit in the front row as it was the second month and the girls were instructed to do a breast exam. Contrary to Sam’s thought it was insisted that she too unbutton her blouse and do a breast exam. This month they were to partner in doing the exam of a partner. Judy rushed to be with Sam before the teacher could say ‘no’.

Though a little unorthodox Mrs. Rush approved with the one difference that Sam had to be behind Judy and reach around her to do the exam. Feeling while not seeing Judy’s breasts. The fact that Judy’s breast became aroused and the nipples formed bumps was not lost on either of them.

When asked what Samantha thought, she said, “It is humbling, and exciting. I don’t usually think of breasts like this.” That brought the expected laughter to the class.

Mrs. Rush was prepared for the day to be meaningful for those gaining a new experience; she gave Sam a button pinned on the strap of her bra under her blouse as having had an official breast examination.

Come, study time, Samantha received a note to see Ms. Hughes in her classroom. Not having her as a teacher Sam couldn’t figure out why she’d want him. Among other things, Ms. Hughes taught Drama and headed up various school plays and dramatic productions.

“Thank you for coming… Is it alright if I call you Samantha?” She smiled, “First off, let me commend you for being in the ‘Crossover Day’ festivities. I am impressed by how well you look as a girl.”

Ms. Hughes was surprised Bruce had no sisters and pleased that Deanne had not coerced him to do something he didn’t want. “The reason I asked you here with no others to pressure you; is to ask you to help us with our coming play.” Bruce was ready to say no right then, instead Sam listened.

Well, he could usually practice in non-descript sweat suits. And they would not promote the play using his name as the young girl. Bruce didn’t fully understand what she meant by a coming-of-age play. But seemingly the three-act play showed teens as they grew through life experiences. There would be a surprise ending that left people thinking. The actors wouldn’t know which ending until the afternoon of the play.

Sam asked if it involved her character, and the answer was unnerving. “Yes, you’d be involved but that’s all I can say. Those involved will be deeply moved but it is nothing that each of you couldn’t handle. There are multiple possible endings so searching on the internet will not be very helpful.”

Sam said, “I’ll need to ask my parents’ permission. And I’ll need to decide if it is worth getting hassled by my brother.”

Ms. Huges said, “I don’t think Dan will want to do that since he helps with props and other things behind the scenes.”

“Ms. Hughes, this will sound strange but since I’ll need to play the young girl; could some of the workout clothes for practice have some glitter or sequins.”

Ms. Hughes was amused at the request and recovered saying, “Yes, I agree, it would be a nice change from the boring stuff you boys have to wear.”

“I didn’t mean I like wearing girl clothes, it’s just…”

“That’s fine Samantha,” Miss Hughes replies, “you’ll be doing us a favor. Yours is a simple request that stays with me.”

Samantha was happy with how the day had gone; yes, she was hassled some. She turned the hassle of one boy around and he got the worst of the exchange of words. She was pinched on her bottom amidst the crowd. There was likely to be a bruise. She suspected a person but he had gotten some distance when she finally saw him.

Later, Samantha Sanders was told to report to the cafeteria where the dance was being held. She was met by Deanne, Roxy, and others decorating for the dance. It wasn’t anything fancy. Soon sports and other practice or club sessions were to be over. Those people were given time to shower, change, or go home before the dance began at 7:00 and lasted until 8:30 since it was a school night. It would likely end closer to nine before it was all over.

She was surprised to see her faux suede skirt hanging there with Deanne’s blouse which she loved. There was a screen she could go behind to change. Contrary to the expected procedure Deanne changed in the room including changing her bra, though she had turned away from Sam.

Once Samantha changed her skirt and blouse, Deanne helped take her stockings off and powdered lightly on her legs before watching Samantha put on her second pair for the day. Sam hadn’t noticed the small crowd of girls she attracted until she was finished and they applauded.

“Oh, I might as well go home,” Sam said, “I’ve been embarrassing myself one time after another.”

Sharon said, “I think quite the opposite; you’re attracting more admirers. It is like you’re taking the time to experience how we live.” Several other girls agreed as they hugged and greeted Samantha once she was back on her feet. A girl named, Deb was helping Sam with makeup, and Tiff helped with her hair. Anne was anxious to have Sam wear one of her bracelets. Anne even shared with others that Sam had gotten to check Judy's breasts for the partner exam exercise.

Samantha thinking, she was being smart in her denial said, “No, I didn’t there was nothing to be found.”

Both the softball girls and the baseball boys were said to be back, thus the dance was close to the beginning. Samantha’s hope at this point was to get to dance with the beautiful Deanne, or her sister and be done. Unfortunately, it would be like another girl. Since Sam came to school today he thought and hoped no boy would want to dance with him.

The idea of being attractive, Samantha wondered how it would feel to be asked by a boy. True to her first hope, Samantha danced twice with Tally, Roxanne, and finally with Deanne. It was after that dance Deanne and Sam walked off the dance floor. Deanne had a surprise waiting for Sam, it was a small perfume wand with a drop of her daisy perfume, a daisy/honey/vanilla fragrance. Bearing the fragrance of Deanne was enough to throw Sam into a dream-like state.

When Russ came to ask Samantha for a dance it seemed natural to say yes and for the two to dance. It was a slow dance and when Sam leaned her head against Russ, he remembered he was dancing with another boy. When they were asked to smile for the photographer of the school newspaper and yearbook the reality was setting in. She smiled at the pictures but worried about a permanent record being made.

She and Russ talked and Russ who was usually tongue-tied around girls was happy to meet one whom he could talk baseball. He said the photographers took many pictures but used only a few. Thus the odds of her picture being used were slight.

Then Bill, Bruce’s usual science lab partner, jokingly brought Sam back onto the dance floor for a faster dance. Bill said, “You know you’re enjoying things more than you should.”

Sam’s only retort was, “Well, you seem to enjoy dancing with me.”

“Yeah, like Russ, I’m shy around girls too. This helps to break the ice. The other girls like you, maybe it will be good to be seen as a friend.” Sam, at the end of that dance, introduced Russ to Roxy and immediately asked Tally to dance with her.

Come the end of the dance Tally asked Samantha on a date to go bowling Saturday night. Upon Sam saying yes, Tally said, “Remember it was Samantha that I asked… I like Bruce, but he needs to ask me if we’re to date. Oh yes, I hope you take the part of Molly in the play.”

It was a long and tiresome day for Samantha when the Trembles dropped her off at home. His mom reminded him, “You know, being Samantha your day isn’t done. So how was your day?”

She took Bruce to her bathroom where she had supplies for removing makeup and moisturizing skin. She handed Bruce her shampoo and pushed him toward her shower to shampoo and condition his hair. Bruce didn’t want her help until after he was back in a bathrobe and needed help brushing out his hair.

His mom was tickled to hear Miss Hughes’ request for Bruce to play a young girl in the school play. She told him about Tom Hanks, James Cagney, and other actors who had played girls as they started as actors. “Mom, I’m not any of them, nor am I desiring to be a movie star that doesn’t help me.”

She said, “But you like the attention you’re getting from Deanne don’t you?”

“Yes, but she won't see me as a serious boyfriend.”

“No, but you’ve become good friends that's what I think is more important. It looked like you enjoyed being a friend, even a girlfriend. Bruce, I wouldn’t be surprised if you become forever friends. You seem to enjoy being around people; what’s more, I’m happy that you have grown socially.”

“I do Mom, I even like the idea of being her little sister even if it was just for the play. I like the idea of what you called her a forever friend. I hope it will be forever and not just until the play is done.”

Mom lights up as she tells him, “You know my friend Peggy, Ashley’s Mom? Our friendship was cemented when we were in two plays together. There will be chemistry for many of you in the play that will last. You’ll not only have that time, you’ll feel a connection that continues.” Mom’s demeanor changes, “It’s time for you to finish getting ready for bed. If you have any homework do your best to get it done.”

He asked, “So, you’ll sign my permission slip?”

“It’s already signed and ready for you downstairs…”

To be continued…
Kudos appreciated; comments and PM encouraged.
The writer responds to most posts with a reply or with a PM.

The best thing to say about sleeping that night was that it was interesting. Samantha’s thoughts are that throughout the day, from getting up, getting help from Deanne and Roxanne to going through the school day as a girl, to being one of the girls to help with decorations for the dance. Every step was more than Sam had ever imagined. The kiss from Russ and dancing with Bill were weird, but a nice weird. He hadn’t told his mother about that nor Tally asking him out. He still needed to tell his parents to confirm their date. ‘What would his mom think about Tally having asked Samantha out?’

While he couldn’t remember much the dreams were good, at least one was as Samantha. Tally not Russ had Samantha’s interest, as a girl? Deanne being a big sister was good, she has helped Sam become a better student. Bruce saw it as a sign that he needed to be stronger.

During breakfast, Bruce told his parents that he was invited on his first date. The idea of him and Tally going bowling was seen as a nice idea. “There’s one more thing though; she asked Samantha and hoped I would go as Samantha.”

Dad chuckled, “I’ve heard at work how the girls today get you guys to agree to crazy things. It’s okay with me if it’s okay with you. I do request that your date involves another couple of friends.”

Bruce looked at his Mom; she said, “That sounds good to me. I ask that you’re home by 10:30. If needed you can give her a ride home after that, but you’d need to come right back.”

Dad said, “I hope you are going back to being Bruce.”

Bruce responded, “Of course Dad, I have the date and the play; so it won’t be over until all that is over.

Mom spoke, “But it would be nice to have my daughter for Mother’s Day and the church’s Mother-Daughter Brunch.” Bruce gave a typical teenager stare not wanting his life dictated by hi parents.

Bruce was at school before friends Russ and Sharon pointed out that he forgot to take his nail polish off. The fingernails were just the known half of it. There were his toenails and the fact that he had gym today.

Miss Hughes was happy to see his permission slip signed and said Bruce had the part as Molly. Friday all cast members needed to be to school by 7:00 a.m. They’d get their script copy, and hear who’s who in the cast. The next week they would begin reading through it. People would already be expected to know their lines.

Bruce continued to go to Deanne Tremble’s after school. Deanne had now added a reading program for him to practice his reading. She had set up a program for him to read stories and test his understanding. Between the need to read faster and remember what was read, his school reading for school benefited. At the end of each book; Deanne would give him a congratulatory kiss on the cheek.

Breathing in her fragrance was a treat in itself. If she sprayed him with a mist of her perfume, she sent him into heaven. The downside was walking past anyone on the way home or encountering his brother Dan before he would wash the fragrance off. Others gave him a strange look or giggled. Dan would give him a rough time especially if no parent was home. Dan liked pushing Bruce around and just dominating him as much as he could.

Reading through the play, he was overcome with how often Molly was on stage and the number of her lines. She wasn’t a major character, but Molly was more important than he would have thought. He found himself, excited to be a sister in slinky panties and pretty lace bras to Deanne. He wondered, what if, he hadn’t agreed to be in the play? This would answer a lot of his questions about what it would be like to be a girl.

Jake, one of the male actors, had not experienced the being encountered. Some of which Bruce had not experienced yet. When Bruce heard Molly’s sister talking about her life changes; he later asked Deanne what that was about. Deanne embarrassed finally told him; he asked if it hurt or ever caused her to get sick. She hugged him, “You are such a sensitive boy. Some girlfriend is going to cherish you.”

“Really?”

Deanne said, “If you ask her about it before she knows you; she might get grossed out.” It was a Friday and Deanne got an idea. “Would you like to know what it might be like for Molly?”

Bruce took the bait and said, “Sure, whatever.”

She came back with a thick hygiene napkin and told him how to wear it in his underwear, and to pull his underpants up tight. “Sleep in it tonight and continue wearing it through tomorrow.” She even told him how to dispose of it afterward.

Reluctantly, he did as was suggested. Wearing the pad was indeed yucky in the way it felt. He initially thought he was experiencing more than he wanted to know. It created a bit of a stink, so much so; that Samantha happily took a shower and used baby powder before bowling with Tally.

True to his agreement, he dressed as Samantha to go bowling. He didn’t know that Tally took Sam to a tea room for dinner. The owner gave them a lesson on women’s dining etiquette. Maria got Miss Samantha to sit up straight, to keep her napkin and one hand in her lap, and have her take small bites and eat slowly.

Bruce told her about the experience of wearing a feminine napkin. It became part of their evening discussion. Tally asked if it was to get into her character of Molly. Tally asked about a girl’s experience of waiting for a certain boy to notice her.

Tally remarked how nicely Samantha looked in her outfit. While Sam had thought Tally looked a little fatter in her outfit but didn’t say anything. Luckily Sam had told Tally she was pretty, which despite looking heavier she did.

When they got to the bowling alley, Talley used the women’s locker area to take off her wrap-around skirt. It revealed her blouse was a tunic-style sweater that extended down to her thighs. Her leggings and the tunic sweater prevented her from exposing her panties like Sam was in fear.

Samantha dressed as a girl and receiving girls’ bowling shoes picked out a lighter bowling ball than usual. When Brock and Hadden approached and asked to join them, Tally said, “We’re on a date, so unless you’re dating one another the answer is no.”

Upset, Hadden said, “But he’s dressed as a girl like he was on Crossover Day.” Bruce cringes for a moment.

But Tally boldly stated, “I like him and I have a soft spot for him as Samantha, as well as, Bruce. Now leave us alone.” It was the first time that Bruce finally understood that a girl was attracted to him.

Hadden said, "Bruce If you like dressing as a girl, what’s wrong with you being my date and Tally being with Brock?”

Samantha stayed calm and said, “Because, I came with her as her date.”

Hadden said, “Would you go out with me?”

Samantha got upset and said, “Just leave us alone.” Hadden pressed for an answer, and Samantha turned to Tally, “Let’s go bowling without them.”

Hadden and Brock finally walked away; only after Brock asked Hadden, “Were you seriously asking Bruce for a date as Samantha?” The two guys were out of earshot and neither Tally nor Sam heard if there was a reply.

Once Samantha was past being overly self-conscious bowling in a skirt, she enjoyed bowling. She and Tally loved talking together. Both complimented the other at different times about how they were dressed. Sam said Tally looked good with her long hair. Sammy enjoyed an excuse for allowing his hair to grow longer for the play, ‘A Time to Bloom’.

Soon Tally and Sam marked what they did each frame, but quit adding the score. Instead Tally asked Samantha to giggle instead of laugh and to think of something that would bring her to tears. That was hard as Bruce had learned not to cry, after being teased so often that real boys don’t cry. Tally knew Bruce was close to a grandmother who died. She asked Samantha to talk about her grandmother, and the tears slowly came. People from several lanes over were wondering and asked why she was crying.

Two guys voiced it was because she was being a wuss. Then other girls and some moms were moved and gave her comfort. Samantha drunk in the attention and sympathy she was getting.

There was a time in the second act when Sam’s character Molly was to cry about something. Tally said, “I think something like that will help you with similar feelings.” Tally and Sam hugged like best friends being there for each other.

Sam commented, “You like me being a girl don’t you?”

Tally says, “I don’t want to scare you, but I love all you are, Bruce included. I find you attractive in being vulnerable with me.”

For Sam, it was mostly Bruce, but what was seen by others was Tally giving Bruce one big kiss. When Sam drew herself back several around them applauded.

When they went to take back their shoes and check out; the woman at the desk laughed. “Someone tried telling me that one of you is a boy… Seeing you kiss was beautiful, but I want to thank you for not taking it any further.”

Going home, Bruce confessed, “I’ve never really loved anyone; I’ve hardly dated. If this is love, I think I’m in heaven.” Tally pulled off by a park, stopped the car, and gave Samantha a big kiss lipstick on lip-gloss. “There you went and did it; you’re making me cry like a girl,” Sam said.

Tally after having Sam fix her makeup, walked Samantha up to the door. She said, “Thanks, for going out with me Samantha. I hope we can do it again and you can be whoever you’d like. I’ve liked Bruce longer, but please wear panties.” They had exchanged a kiss before Sam said thanks as she was ready to go inside and Sam snuck a second kiss just before she went in the house.

Bruce took a few steps into the house and stood there as he heard his Mom coming. Upon seeing him, the mom beamed, “So it looks like your evening went well?”

“Well, being Samantha made for an interesting evening and I think, Tally thought it went well. It went very well, Mom, Tally’s my girlfriend and we’re in love.”

He could sense his mother was pondering to ask a question. He responded saying, “The both of us Bruce and Samantha.”

“Am I safe in assuming” his Mom asked, “things didn’t get out of hand.”

“Mom, you should know better; it was our first date.”

Samantha asked his Mom for help in taking off her makeup. Going into his room he saw some girl pajamas out as well as his regular pair. He looked at his Mom and she said, “I just thought you might want to finish the night as Samantha. You know you don’t have to.”

Samantha asks, “Are they my cousins?”

“They’re new and they’re yours. But I’ll take them back if you don’t want them?”

“Thanks, just leave them now.” Mom already put a makeup cleanser in the bathroom along with a moisturizer. He didn’t think he needed the moisturizer but his mom said you need to keep that on for a minimum of five minutes.

Once he could wash off the moisturizer, Mom left the room and he hurried to put on the baby doll PJs and got in bed. Mom surprised him by coming back into the room to talk and he thought she didn’t know what he was wearing. That was until she folded up his regular PJs and put them away. She left the room saying, “Goodnight sweetie.”

Morning came early as his mother woke him, asking. Why don’t we go jogging over by Murray at the wildlife area? It is a pretty area and Deanne was thinking of being there around 8:00 a.m. She called last night and said she’d like to see you before school on Monday.”

Bruce wanted to sleep in, but he was intrigued that Deanne wanted to see him. Bruce put on a pair of running shorts that Deanne had given him to wear when they were studying. He wore it with a knit running skirt over it. He was going to wear a baggy top, but his mom said, “You’ve gone that far wear a sports bra with your cutlets and a nice top. You’d do well to put your hair into a high ponytail.”

Mom and he were ready to turn onto Washington Avenue when they saw Deanne, Roxy, and Tally pass and go in front of Them. “Mom, I didn’t want Tally to see me still dressed as Samantha.”

Mom said, “We could turn around and stay home but I’m sure they already saw us.” He agreed and they turned to follow them. Mom said, “You know you could tell Tally; you’re doing this to get in character of being Deanne’s little sister.”

Bruce says, “That would be good; then I can just relax and enjoy myself.”

Mom asks, “Bruce, please tell me do you like seeing yourself as a girl?”

“Mom,” Bruce mutters, “That would be bad, don’t you think?”

She said, “I’m not asking you what you think others would say. I want your honest answer. Remember, I’m your mother and I love you very much. I wouldn’t have asked if I didn’t care.”

“Well,” Bruce changed to Sam’s voice, “I like some things about it like being your daughter, Deanne’s sister, and seeing things from a girl’s perspective.”

Mom says, “I haven’t been around you as Samantha with other girls very much. But you seem to glow a little being part of the girl talk and being seen as another girl.”

Mom’s car phone rang and it was Roxanne calling us. “My sister saw you talking and wondered if it is girl talk, a mother-daughter moment.”

Sam talked to his mom, “Yes, there is a part of me that wishes I were a girl. Oh no!” He quickly became anxious realizing the other friends heard what he said.

Deanne spoke next, realizing the other girls might have heard his confession, “Don’t worry Sam, we won’t tell. It is like you found another part of yourself. You are blossoming and it isn’t like it’s a Samantha or Bruce thing. You’re the same as you were, just more and better.”

Once everyone was in the park, the others paused; then they hugged Samantha and told her how nice she looked. Bruce would have just started out running, but the girls started stretching and Mom indicated to Sam that she needed to learn to do things the correct way.

Everyone started as one pack of runners but eventually got strung out. Mom and Deanne were the two who were in the best shape, but Sam worked to stay up with them. Tally and Roxy teased, “We enjoy watching Sam’s buns, can you make them wiggle a little more?” He tried not to, but they commented, “You do that too well for a boy.”

His Mom stepped back alongside him, saying, “We will talk later young woman.”

They started their cool down some twenty minutes before getting back in the vehicles. Deanne said they would stop at the small country bakery. Mom responded, “Is it good? We will too, I want this daughter of mine to show me her walk.”

“Ut oh!” Roxy and Tally said in harmony.

His Mother said, “It’s not a problem, it just informs me that I don’t know her as well as I thought.”

All the girls thought they had burnt off enough calories to splurge and get something they would not regularly have. When Samantha was ready to order milk with her cream-filled treat, the other insisted she graduate to a cholate mocha. She looked at her mom, who said, “Yes, I think you’ll enjoy it.”

Once they had their orders and enjoyed themselves, Samantha’s mom looked at Samantha and tried to snuff out a giggle. Deanne asked, “What’s funny?”

Mom tried to say, “Nothing,” which made the others including Samantha demand that she tell them why she was ready to giggle.

She looked at Samantha, “Are you sure what you want me to say?” She paused and waited for Sam to respond.

Sam, ‘I don’t know what she was thinking, but it can’t be too bad.’ “Yes, Mom, I’d like to hear it too?”

Mom said, “I was thinking your little mocha mustache is cute. What caused me to say it, was it might be the only way you ever get a mustache.”

Sam said, “What makes you think that as I mature I won’t have a mustache.”

Tally was the one to fill in the blank, “Because you are becoming a girl.”

Sam was upset, not because of the innuendo, but because she was beginning to think of that too. “Mom, there could be worse things as all of you are girls.”

Roxanne said, “Sam, have you noticed how wonderful you are as a girl? You’re becoming one of those beauties a boy will be afraid to approach.”

He laughed, “That’s funny I was just getting into the part of crossover day, and now it’s the play.”

Roxanne says, “You know if Tally didn’t have eyes for you, I’d be interested.”

Suddenly, he’s not thinking things are funny, “Mom, I think we should get back so I can change out of these clothes.”

Mother was surprised and the three girls all started apologizing. Deanne’s the first to speak, “We’re sorry for joking too much.”

Bruce spoke, “I know, but it’s time I get back and into my own clothes.” He went and got into his Mother’s car and was quiet. The girls waved and tried to talk to him, but he only waved once and then hid his face like he was trying to nap.

Halfway home Mother broke the silence, “Enough of that Sam, you can get to being Bruce. It is what we expected. It was you and others who were enjoying you as Sam.”

“Mother, did you hear Roxanne say she liked me? Then she said, “I was getting so pretty that the other boys would be afraid to ask me out.”

To be continued…

Bruce found attending school as himself and practicing for the play as Samantha was a bit confusing. That and continuing to be tutored by Deanne was like juggling; he felt a moment away from losing control. “You are doing well”, Deanne said to Bruce as he continued to improve his learning and study habits. “You are doing well, Samantha. It feels like you are my sister when we’re on stage.” She said, “I would feel angry with Roxanne if I found her going behind my back like Molly.”

Late in the second Act, Molly was hurt by her would-be boyfriend, who just discarded her like a throwaway doll. Molly still had a secret she was afraid to tell her older sister.

They have been given three scenarios one of which will be in the closing Act. Bruce’s parents are coming to the dress rehearsal which will have the first two acts. Some of the third Act had been practiced, but tonight would include the alternate ending Ms. Hughes chose. The night before Mom, Carole Sanders, is comforting her daughter who has a bad case of performance jitters. Carole is impressed, “Samantha, I am hearing rumors that you are doing well, and have become a fine actress in your own right.” She hugged Samantha as she was back from their last regular rehearsal. “I have begun a bubble bath as I am sure you are in need of relaxing and some TLC.”

“Mom, we rehearsed all three alternate endings, and I have a mixture of excitement and anxiousness that they’ll pick the one involving me. The three alternate acts were rough. I’m not sure how it will turn out. Plus, there’s an ending only two characters know. And I’m not one of them. I’m not a seasoned actress, how can Deanne say, I’ll be okay?”

Bruce is to go to school as Samantha but is to be at the school administration building doing Bruce’s school work, so he won’t be marked as missing school. Samantha’s thinking about Act 3; Molly’s slinky clothes she wore at the end of Act One and through all of Act Two are to be gone. She’s hurt by the reputation that she had gotten from her ex-boyfriend.

Mom says, “I am surprised that Ms Hughes took on such a challenging play. It is timely, but most schools would never have touched such a challenge. I think you should be real proud of being in the play.”

Bruce didn’t know his parents had given their consent two weeks ago for Bruce to be involved in this ending. Megan will actually be Samantha’s and Deanne’s stagemother for Act Three. Permission includes for the play to be recorded and possibly be shown in the conference’s high schools.

Bruce had continued to be a good student and was now standing on his own in class and with his reports and exams. Come Spring Break, he was on the mid-semester honor roll.

He had even worked up the nerve to ask Tally for a date and he would be going out with her the week after the play was over.

He had been caught by classmates twice with makeup still on when he went to school the next day. His excuse was it was in preparation for the play; which was partially true. The other half was he liked being a girlfriend whether with Tally or Russ Jenkins. It was the prior weekend and Deanne had taken Samantha to the mall for a pair of springtime shoes. They were supposed to make a day of it together, but Russ was taking Sam to a 4:30 matinee. Samantha wasn’t sure she could kiss another boy. She did like the idea of kissing Russ.

Deanne told Samantha, “Liking a boy’s kiss is not the end of the world. Whether you’re gay or a girl who likes boys; it will take time for you to learn that.”

Samantha was surprised that Deanne was upfront with her statement. “I’m not gay, I can’t be.”

“Relax Bruce, I didn’t mean to imply that you are. You’re becoming sensitive to things about yourself even if you didn’t know. If you go reading about possibilities just do it after the play. I don’t want you to be concerned about anything but schoolwork and the play.” She ended, “Remember that you can talk to me about you and Russ. It’s kind of like the play without the drama.”

Thursday was upon them; the day for the dress rehearsal for their parents and specially invited friends of the Drama Club and representatives from selected high schools. Bruce wasn’t in costume but dressed as Samantha and was taken to the school’s administration building by his Dad. “Good luck, Samantha we will be eager to see you in the play.”

Samantha was dressed in a red plaid kilt-like dress with a large pin holding the left side together, a white satin blouse, and a red/green tartan plaid sash coming down from her left shoulder to her right hip. She wore knee-high green socks. The green matched the green in the plaid. She had shiny Black patent leather shoes.

Samantha wanted to kiss her Dad on the cheek, but she resisted. Dr. Gwen Martin, the Superintendent, welcomed Samantha, “You present well today. Thank you for playing such a pivotal part in this play. I’m sorry, but I have a test to give you from Mr. Murphy; I will do it right before lunchtime. We encouraged teachers not to give tests today, but we can’t interfere with their right to do so.”

Samantha smiled, “I’m not surprised, but I am ready for the test. Would it be okay if I took the test at 10:30? I like to get it out of the way. So I can concentrate on the play and my regular school work?” Ms. Hammons the secretary said she couldn’t help but check in on Samantha several times. She brought Sam a Pepsi, which students usually can’t have during the school day. She also ordered the Salisbury steak offered to the staff. “We need to offer you some kind of treat for being closed away from the other students.”

Samantha was accompanied by Dr. Gwen Martin, who came at 2:00 in the afternoon.

The play was through the first two Acts and the third Act had been decided upon: Samantha as Molly was now a sad girl, with her reputation in question and her supposed boyfriend having skipped the area. While Molly had insisted she was the victim. She admitted she hadn’t heeded the warnings of her older sister Kayla (played by Deanne). Her only excuse was that she wanted to be seen as a grown-up girl capable of making her own decisions. Megan who plays her Mom was supportive but upset with Molly. They are now awaiting tests indicating if Molly indeed soiled herself and her would-be boyfriend was seen fleeing as the police came.

“What I did was bad enough, but Mama I didn’t want Rupert; he forced himself on me,” she said. Tests had been taken and they were awaiting the results. She couldn’t tell her mother that she and her friend had explored their bodies together. Somehow Rupert knowing her guilt, sought to exploit her for his own satisfaction. “Mother, I called Tetra, but I wasn’t sure, she heard me because Rupert knocked my phone away. I yelled Mama and I fought. He didn’t get to me. You have to believe me!”

Kayla kind of believed but it didn’t look good, her Mom was upset though she only wanted Molly safe. The nurse and the physician’s assistant were returning. Officer Tiffany, to Molly’s aide, said, “Tetra called us, having heard Molly’s cry.”

The nurse took Molly’s hand to comfort her as the physician assistant waited for the attention of those in the waiting room. “I’m Delia, the Physician’s Assistant in charge of Molly’s case. Molly, do I have permission to speak or do you want me to speak to only you?”

“I can’t be embarrassed more; you might as well speak so we learn together your results,” Molly said. Dejected she reached to Kayla with her free hand.

Delia said, “We can safely say she has attacked bruises on her wrists and body indicate she struggled, she even has bruises inside her thighs caused by the force of the same person. But her internal injuries were before that. More likely from a girl exploring herself and having gone too far. I suspect she felt too guilty to tell you of that. Her injuries should heal, but we would like to keep her overnight and maybe another day. She has been through something quite traumatic.”

Kayla spoke up and gave her sister a hug. “Sorry, I wasn’t there, but you’ve been pushing me away. I hope you can forgive me!”

Molly pulls back from Kayla, “You’re only guilty of being too pretty and hard to follow. Tetra and I thought many girls wanted to know what it feels like to be a young woman. Rupert was a horny boy who wouldn’t accept NO!” She paused and looked around, “I may have been a bit naïve and foolish, but I wasn’t guilty of what you thought. Others will probably judge me for what they assume, but don’t know.”

‘Time to Bloom’ went on to unravel the other stories of youth and the situations that come with maturing as young people. The play Director Ms. Hughes had planned to use another alternate ending the next night and use this one again on Saturday. The tumultuous standing ovation for a drama far exceeded any expectations. She quickly decided to keep that possible change to herself. Representatives from area conference schools were greatly impressed and supported the idea of recording the play production to share among the schools.

They did have a short cast meeting following dress rehearsal. Emotionally wrung out from her performance and like most actors she disliked hearing the points she needed to do better. Deanne again, sought out Samantha to lend support and encouragement. Samantha, “What would I do if I didn’t have you Deanne?”

Bruce stayed as Samantha the next two days, though not in character as Molly. Samantha going to school brought out some of their friends to shield her. Roxanne said, “Others have speculated who’s portraying the unknown Molly; I think this will add to the speculation.”

Samantha said, “I’ve been isolated in the Administration Building, and I was told after the dressed rehearsal word would pretty much be out. Deanne said, “That you came up with using a phone that was unexpected.”

Samantha said, “I was just using my head like you suggested. I told my friend to keep her phone near. The alternative of more injury from Rupert wasn’t a real option. I wasn’t sure it would work, but I was glad it did.”

Deanne joined them, “Your words made me feel guilty like I had pushed you away. Is that what you intended?”

“It wasn’t personal, but about our characters, yes,” Samantha said, “It would be hard following a sister like Kayla.”

Deanne turned to Roxanne, “Do you ever feel like that?”

Roxy became defensive, “Not usually, but sometimes it feels tough following you. I’m glad there’s a two-grade gap between us.”

Deanne turned to Samantha, “Am I too hard on you; you’ve been like a little sister?”

Sami smiles, “I’ve been learning to be a girl from you; it’s not the same. I have Dan and Randy: Randy could have been hard if we were closer in age. All I have in common with Dan is arguing. Once in a while, he’s a good brother, now that’s a bit surprising.”

“I knew our Mom often got frustrated with us and wished she had a girl. That was hard on me; I would try to think how a girl might be different.” Samantha paused, and Deanne and Roxy sensed she wanted to say something. “I couldn’t tell my mother that I felt like a girl inside. I guess I always had. The fact I look more like her and I’m overly sensitive; she’d think I was just acting.”

“Wow, Samantha,” Deanne asked, “How long have you felt like that?”

“I was in kindergarten and then first grade. They pushed me away from playing with certain things and told me what boys played with.” Samantha said, “I had played with those things enough. Even the dumb pink crayon seemed taboo. I don’t mind being a boy; I just liked being Samantha better.”

Ms. Hughes overheard what we were saying. “Sorry, to overhear you, I wanted to talk to you and Deanne. You said, you like being Samantha, like it was long ago.”

Sam asked, “Can we keep this confidential until after that play? But, yes, like I told them in kindergarten and first grade. After that, I tried not to make too many friends of girls. I felt awkward around them because I liked them.”

Deanne asked, “What did you want to say to us, Miss. Hughes?”

Ms. Hughes said, “You two are pretty close; I didn’t want you thinking about changing anything from last night. Some things were surprising but in a good way. I believe the Play exceeds what the play writers were intending. Don’t get swelled heads, or you’ll blow it. Well done!”

The regional newspaper had a reporter at the dress rehearsal and her newspaper review of “A Time to Bloom”. She wrote, “This high school drama is well done and will be a pleasant surprise for those mature enough to handle it. It is a coming of age play and takes on more issues our youth are often expected to handle.” She alluded to a wider audience than expected to be in attendance.

The newspaper report was the topic of the lunch room. There was speculation that the auditorium which was usually half-full for non-musicals was close to being sold out.

Tally said, “That’s three times more than were here last night.”

Everything was making Samantha more nervous than she already was. Deanne encouraged her saying she’d do great. Like the others in the play, focus replaced nerves as each part came up. Molly didn’t have it easy portraying the pressure of judgment and speculation that arose after she dialed her call; Rupert had shown up and began voicing his anger and intentions. Shy Samantha played her part screaming and fighting back. She warned her attacker; “Why are you doing this to me?” Rupert said, “Quit fighting me, or I’ll hurt you more. Enjoy it, you’ll like having me!”

Because of Molly’s screaming, Rupert didn’t hear the officers enter until it was too late. The anguish of Molly and her actions, shame, and waiting for the redemption of her situation were again powerfully portrayed. Deanne felt guilty that her sister called a friend instead of her was understood by the audience, as well as Molly’s vindication.

The two things different tonight were news reporters wanting to interview Samantha, and that the students now knew Samantha a transgender girl was playing Molly. The whole cast got hoots, whistles, and a standing ovation. When Samantha was being pushed into an interview with news reporters she called out for Deanne and her Mother.

They were soon there, but the questions and focus were on Samantha. “What do you credit your powerful performance young lady?” The questioner looked like a news personality from a New York TV station.

“I just followed the script and tried to do it justice. It’s a powerful play,” answered Samantha. She felt squeezes to her hands from her Mother and Deanne. She turned to them and smiled.

Jennifer, the new personality, asked, “Is it true you’re a transgender girl who usually attends school here as Bruce?” There was a hush over the room as the question was asked. “Is the student next to you, your best friend Deanne? How did she help you in this role?”

Samantha took in a deep breath; “Yes, as Samantha I’m transgender I guess. And yes, Deanne is my best friend and big sister in the play. You can imagine, I would have been a much weaker character without her help!

Samantha asked, “Can we take a question from someone else?”

Melanie, the news reporter they saw yesterday, asked the next question, “Today’s audience filled the auditorium, which is very unusual for dramas, and it was also recorded. How is it you didn’t seem to be nervous?”

“It was with the encouragement of Deanne, family, and cast. But I was more nervous than you could see; I guess that’s called acting.” She turned and hugged Deanne and then some of the tears showed. “I’m sorry but this is too much for me!” She wanted to leave.

Deanne said, “She did a powerful performance, but she portrayed how many girls feel trying to measure up against others.” Samantha added, “We’re ordinary girls feeling the pressure of being compared and there’s no script for everyday life.” There was some applause in the interview room.

Ms. Hughes off to the side, said one final question and that will be it for Samantha. Someone said, “Permission for the recording of the play was made two weeks ago for each of you. Did you know then how important that would be?”

Samantha paused, looked at her Mom, and said, “They understood better than me about how powerful this play could be. I honestly, hope you realize; there were more scenarios that ran the course of this play.”

Ms. Hughes stepped between the three and the reporters. No sooner were the three out of sight and Samantha turned to her mother and hugged her as she broke into tears. She was in the middle of a three-person hug and tears. “How can a boy be in the midst of all this drama?” she asked.

Others were still celebrating a little as Samantha and Deanne went back to get out of makeup and costume.

To be continued…

Ms. Hughes, the Play Director, told Deanne and Samantha that after the play, they needed to call it a night and get some rest. Dan complimented Samantha as she was leaving, “I have to compliment you, Sis; you are proving yourself in the play.” Samantha and Deanne both stopped in their tracks. Dan surprised them. Both the compliment and acknowledging Samantha as a sister were contrary to what was expected from Dan. Dan said, “I think this is the real you. I’m impressed.” He hugged her and ran off to do his work behind the scenes.

Samantha said, “Thanks, brother.” She turned to Deanne and said, “Pinch me, I must be dreaming.”

Deanne said, “I’ve noticed him watching you when we rehearsed and now the two performances. I think he’s seen you in a new light. How do you like being complimented by him?”

Samantha said, “My brother Randy called me before school to wish me well with the play. That was nice, but it didn’t surprise him. Coming from Dan, it is not only nice, it meant more because he didn’t expect it.”

Roxy and Tally were glad to hear from Deanne that we got away early from the playgroup. Tally asked, “Is Samantha there?” Deanne told her she was. “I would like to talk to her before she gets home. Could we meet somewhere?”

Deanne drove to Tally’s house, where Tally was waiting for them. Tally opened Samantha’s door, and they went for a walk. Tally turned and embraced Samantha and gave her a passionate kiss. “How can you not be a girl and act so powerfully? I love how much of a girl you are!” She asked, “Did Deanne do such a great job teaching you to become a girl, or was it already in you?”

Samantha felt the need to break character and speak as Bruce. “I’ve asked myself that question, and it wasn’t one or the other, but both. Don’t laugh at me, but I’ve been a girl inside since I can remember.”

Tally says, “I’m not laughing; I believe you. I love this about you. I liked you as Bruce. But I cursed that you weren’t your mother’s daughter.” There was another passionate kiss, but Deanne had gotten out of her car and said, “I need to take you home, or Tally has to drive you home.”

Tally said, “I’m afraid to ask my Mom to drive you home. Can you go with Deanne, and we can talk on the phone later?”

Bruce felt a bittersweetness about going back to the car. Tally had spoken with Bruce; something that spoke to being recognized as both or one. She did so with a passion that touched Samantha deeply.

Deanne asked her sister if it was okay that she took her home first. Roxy hugged Samantha which surprised Samantha. It was well received. Deanne drove to Samantha’s home but stopped a block away. She asked, “How are you feeling inside?”

Samantha voiced, “A bit confused; it seems I’m to be Bruce and Samantha for a while. I’m not going to be Samantha anytime soon, if ever. Like Bruce, I like this other side of me. The new me likes being a better student. You helped me to fit in as Molly and be the best girl in a tough situation. Thanks! I hope it is not embarrassing for you to have me as a friend.”

Deanne smiled, “I guess we’re coming to the same conclusion. Have you talked to your Mom and Dad about it?”

Samantha said, “I’ve become better at talking with my Mom, and my Dad will be alright with it through the end of the play.” Samantha changes the conversation. “You didn’t sign on to be the friend of a girly boy two years your junior. Are you wanting to move on from being friends with me?”

Deanne said, “I’ve been thinking about that. Strangely, I wondered if we might double-date with you going out with Tally, Roxy, or Rex. You could be a girl or a boy with the girls depending on you and them. I think Rex is taken with you as Samantha.” Samantha paused long enough that Deanne said, “Enough for tonight. Let me get you home. Remember, Ms. Hughes told us to sleep in and be fresh for tomorrow night.”

Samantha said, “I’d do that, but I might want to go window shopping tomorrow. Could you ask Roxy if she’d go with me?”

“Ask her yourself.” Samantha got out of her house but gave a girlfriend kiss to Deanne as she got out. Deanne said, “Thanks!”

Samantha’s Mom said, “I hear you outdid yourself, congratulations. I am surprised you are home this early.”

Samantha said, “Yes, Ms. Hughes let some of us come home early to get some sleep.”

“Does that mean you don’t want to unwind with a cup of tea?” Samantha needed to relax after the performance, and she now liked talking with her mom as if she were her daughter.

“Can I put on some moisturized first and then come back and have the tea with you?” she asked. Samantha went and checked her face; she had forgotten she had put on new makeup after she took off her stage makeup. Then she went back to have tea with her Mom. Her Dad had continued to watch TV. Dan had not yet come home from the play.

Mom asked, “Was it another good night for the play?”

“You heard right, it was another great night. The auditorium had people standing behind the last row and people down the outside aisles.” Samantha said, “It felt electric performing in front of a full house. You said last night that you still remembered how it felt. Now, I know the feeling.”

It got quiet as she wondered if she could mention more. “Mom, what would you say if I thought I wanted to continue as Samantha and Bruce? I didn’t intend it, but I think I will always be a girl and Bruce. It scares me.”

Mom said, “I’m not surprised, but I think it is early to say yes. Let’s get through the play and finish school. Is that okay?”

“Mom, I can and need to get through the play, but there are two months left before school is over. I want to go to the LGBT support group at the school or in the county. Can’t I at least do that? I feel like I’m alone.”

Mom said as she hugged him, “You’ve been thinking about this more seriously than I realized. Remember, you are not alone. Thanks for talking to me.”

Samantha says in Bruce’s voice, “You are not angry with me?”

She says, “A little surprised and wasn’t quite ready to hear it, but not angry.” There’s a change. “Let’s not tell your Dad tonight. When I told you I liked having a daughter, I didn’t mean permanently. Did you tell anyone else?”

Samantha wasn’t comfortable saying she talked to Deanne. “I think Deanne suspects something but we haven’t talked.”

Mom sips her coffee and fidgets more. “Why don’t you shower and get to bed? I’ll be up to say goodnight.”

When Samantha was in the shower, she wanted to sing: ‘I Feel Like a Woman’ but she was afraid someone else might hear. She put on a panty and a nightshirt and got in bed. When his Mom came in, he asked, “The night before the play would be over; were you anxious and excited?”

Mom relaxed and said, “Yes, is that how you’re feeling tonight?”

Samantha said, “I felt like I became closer to you and have made some friends like you said, that I’ll remember doing this with. Even Dan complimented me and called me Sis. If he comes home before I fall asleep, tell him, please see me please.”

Mom said, “He told me he had more respect for you being in the play.”

Fifteen minutes later Dan stuck his head into the room and asked, “What is it, Sis?”

Samantha scooted up in her bed and patted the mattress for him to sit near her. She said, “You don’t know it, but that meant a lot to get a compliment from you. Thank you!”

He asked, “Mom’s a little nervous, do you know what about?”

Samantha said, “I mentioned, I don’t think I can stop being Samantha right away. I think she’s hoped I would.”

Dan said, “That surprises me. I thought she liked having a daughter.”

“But she said, not permanently. I think she’d like to take back some of her encouragement.”

“I think she might be worried about what Dad will think. I was upset when this began, but I think you are Samantha and my brother. It took me some time to get here. If I can see it, I suspect Mom and Dad will too.”

Dan changed the subject to Sam acting as Molly. “I think you blew everyone away being so convincing as Molly. I know even your new core of friends thought so. But dialing and throwing your phone was a boy thing of being practical.”

Samantha said, “I thought that was Molly, but you might be right. I could sense how afraid she’d be. I’d never want to be a girl in trouble like that.”

They talked some more, and both knew it was a special time for them. When they parted and said goodnight. Dan said, “I wouldn’t worry too much about Mom or Dad; they both love you.” Dan closed the door as he left.

When Bruce finally awoke in the morning, it was later than usual. He dressed as Bruce and went down for breakfast. Mom was surprised. “I’m surprised to see you, Bruce. You said you wanted to go window shopping.”

“I might just play some games.” He grabbed a couple of pancakes and bacon and sat down.

He was almost through eating when the house phone rang. Hardly anyone called the home phone, it had everyone’s attention. Mom answered and asked, “Bruce aren’t you answering your phone? It’s Tally she says you haven’t answered your phone. Here, take the call.”

Bruce takes the phone and answers, “Hello Tally, what’s up… I don’t want a new dress… Why’s a dress needed for the After Party?”

Bruce asks, “Mom, does one need to dress up for the After Party?”

Mom replies, “It would be best if you did. You’ll probably be one of the people asked to be in front of the media.”

“But what will Dad say?” he replied.

His Dad was now in the room and behind him. “Don’t worry about me; you’re the one doing the juggling act. Tonight, Samantha has her big night; you might as well do it up right!”

Bruce answers Tally on the other end of the phone. “Give me an hour to finish eating and change over to Samantha… Yes, that would be good if you could pick me up here.” His Dad laid down a bunch of twenties. “The cash is for the dress; use the card your Mom gave you and get a pedicure. Then you can wear open-toe shoes to help them have something to talk about.” Mom giggled, “Do that. you’ll love it.” Mom gave me a pair of flip-flops, saying, “You’ll want them after the pedicure.”

Samantha changed into a simple cotton dress and was ready as Tally and Roxy arrived. Tally kissed Samantha on the cheek, grabbed Sam’s hand, and said goodbye to Mrs. Sanders in three steps, and they were out the door. They went to the mall and numerous women’s stores, and Samantha had tried on two or three dresses at each store. Samantha had bought a skirt and blouse outfit. They went back to the second store, hoping that was where she saw the dress she wanted. It was a yellow, scalloped mini dress. She was frustrated until she asked the salesgirl. Kelli said, “I think it was the last one there; let’s check the changing area. There it was, a rack yet to go back on the sales floor. The salesgirl brought a yellow satin panty over to where Samantha would change. Since the dress and panty cost less than other dresses, she justified herself in getting both. Samantha hadn’t thought a yellow satin panty would be special, but when she saw what Kelli. The salesgirl brought; she thought differently. Tally said she needed a good pair of nude stockings or pantyhose.

Thinking about what’s next, Samantha asked Tally, “Where’s a good place to get a pedicure?”

Tally asked, “If I’m taking you to my nail salon, you need to promise to get one. We don’t have time to ride around.” When Samantha said she would get one, Tally named, “Elegance Nail Salon as where they’re going. Make sure you bring in your dress so we can closely match the color.” Roxy and Tally both got manicures. A few minutes into her feet being massaged, soaked, and pampered, Samantha began to relax and savor the pedicure. She had been taking better care of her feet, but to be pampered and have dry skin taken care of, she was filled with remarkable feelings. Her phone rang and her mother was calling. “Are you getting your pedicure done yet?”

“Jun Sung is working on my feet now, thank Daddy for telling me to do it. You were right; this is more precious than I could imagine…” “Oh, did you see the picture of the yellow dress I bought for tonight?... No, she wasn’t supposed to send a picture of the panty; I didn’t even know she took pictures of that and the stockings… Thank you. You and Dad are spoiling me… I hope you thought to get something for Dan. No, I’m not getting soft about him. It’s just that I’m getting so much attention. I want to be fair.”

“Tally said they would be home by 3:30, which will give me plenty of time for a shower and to get ready for the play… I’ll be so wound up for the play; having energy should be no problem.” Samantha wouldn’t be a traditional beauty in the play, nor at the After Party, but she was excited.

Tally was nice in helping to carry some of Samantha’s clothes to the house, but she had ulterior motives that revealed themselves at the door. Somehow, a girl can hug and kiss while holding shopping bags and smash nothing. Samantha was to earth, as her love for Tally warmed her soul. Roxy was with them by the time they walked through the door.

Mom swatted Samantha on her buns to get going as the door closed on Tally and Roxy as they left. There was a refreshing shower with her hair protected. She was happy to have her mother’s help in getting her hair done and her makeup checked. It was funny to Samantha to have her new dress, panties, stockings, and more that she was taking after the play.

Backstage, there were different airs. Some seemed to know but weren’t telling. Others like Samantha didn’t have a clue. They were into the third act and everything was going extremely well. Then there was the attack by Rupert’ she had dialed and thrown her phone twice before, but tonight it was Molly’s sister who answered the phone, called for help, and hurried to be there for her sister.

The change for Molly was feeling guilty that her big and perfect sister loved her and was there for her despite Molly’s mistakes that could have left Kayla feeling indifferent.

Some of the crowd had been there for dress rehearsal or the previous night’s performance. One other scenario had been played out. It made the play longer and even more dramatic. There were more crying as the final curtain went down. The final bows and flowers are presented to Ms. Hughes the director. Morgan and Deanne called for the stage staff to come out and take a bow. Samantha went and hugged Dan as he came out on stage. And he had a flower he gave to Samantha.

This was all in front of a standing ovation from the audience. Samantha was only one of many girls hugging one another.

Samantha was halfway into her changing for the After Party; when Ms. Hughes called her to meet with the media. Samantha yells back, “I need three minutes!” She rolls up her stockings, and asks Roxy’s help in zipping up her dress, as she puts on a pair of open-toe shoes. Roxy says, “You need help with your hair.”

Samantha says, “Don’t talk. help me.” Roxy scoots the comb into Sam’s hands. Samantha combs the remaining hairs to the side and sits down.

“Samantha, you called your best friend playing your big sister, how do you explain that?” asked a reporter. “And the two of you didn’t miss a beat.”

Sam looks to Deanne. “Besides Ms. Hughes coaching us and falling into Kayla's arms, it was natural for me to trust her. I had mixed feelings of guilt and relief churning inside. Someone said it showed on my face.”

Deanne said, “The real drama is played out by teens every day; the play portrays part of that. You pick three more plays, and not one will have the chemistry like this one.”

The news reporter takes the focus back to Samantha. “You are transgender, but here you are, one of the prettiest girls ready for the After Party. How do you explain that?”

“I’m not one of the prettiest, but my parents want me to be happy and celebrate tonight. I’ll never forget those I was in this play with. I played out my life with them.”

The reporter came up afterward and asked simply delightful questions about Samantha’s dress, complimented her pedicure, and asked if her parents were for real.

To be continued…

There was something awkward as Roxy congratulated Samantha, “You were as terrific in the play as you are precious in your dress.” And Samantha held onto her hand.

Samantha said, “Thanks for the compliments; they mean so much coming from you, but you look upset about something. What gives?” Samantha pulls Roxanne to her and sees she’s ready to cry. Samantha flops on the floor and pulls Roxy down next to her. “What’s up with one of my best friends?”

“I’m tired of being a good friend,” she says, “I’m sorry, but it's true.”

Tally found the two of them, and she heard part of what Roxy said; “It’s your night to celebrate. I’m with you Roxy we need to talk things out, soon.”

Samantha said, “I can’t enjoy the night if you two are upset!”

Tally said, “Yes you can; girls do it all the time, but sometimes, like with Roxy; some things slip out. Just let people ask nice questions and compliment your appearance.” Tally and Roxy were about to walk away.

Samantha said, “How is it, you are ready to walk away, and I’m supposed to go on and enjoy tonight?”

Tally and Roxy turn simultaneously and say the same thing: “Because we both have feelings for you!” Roxy said, “Because you can’t see it!”

Samantha paused, was silent, and spoke, “Not true, I just don’t know what to do about it.” She flops down on the floor in her pretty dress and others in the room begin to stare. Soon it is the three of them sitting together.

Ms. Hughes saw them, but instead of getting involved, she found Deanne and sent her. Deanne approached, quietly asking her sister, “Is what I’m thinking have come to a head?”

Roxy sadly smiled, “Yes, I’m sorry I let it out.” Deanne quietly sat down, saying, “It’s hard to imagine that you can have too much of a good thing. Not only is that the case, but Roxy and Tally both have strong feelings for you, Samantha.” Making light of the moment, Deanne also said, “You also showed off your yellow panties.” All four of them began to laugh uncontrollably.

Deanne lifted Samantha, and then her sister, Roxanne, and by then Tally was also standing, and they gave a group hug. Deanne said, “We’ll talk about this tomorrow after worship at our church.”

The remainder of the After Play Party went with simple enjoyment. Deanne took Samantha aside. “Please don’t feel a need to say anything back. Because you are new at being a girl, you don’t know how great your performance was. It’s funny because you did become a little sister.”

Samantha interrupted, “And you’re a big sister who is hard to follow.”

“Quiet!” Deanne said under her breath. “I didn’t know, underneath it all you are a girl for real. I hope you can take things one day at a time, and sometimes one moment at a time.” Deanne gave a last hug and went onto someone asking for her.

Samantha found her brother with some of his friends. Dan laughed, “You becoming my sister is funny because I had wished I had a sister who had friends I thought were pretty. But it doesn’t work like I hoped.”

He said, “I can’t wait until this is over and I can get to know you better.”

It was 12:30 when Samantha finally got home. She was glad her mother was home as she was eager to talk. “Mom, are you awake enough that I can shower and then come and talk to you?”

She was relatively soon back to talk, “I’m glad I can talk to you…” After some of the smaller questions, Samantha spoke about Roxanne, Tally, and her all having deep feelings for one another. “I knew they liked me, but I was already dating Tally. I felt guilty when I was near Roxy, but then I saw things with Rex in a different light, as a girl wanting a boy to like her.”

Somewhere in the conversation, her Mother said, “That’s where you talking about the LGBT support group makes sense. Plus, there’s counseling available through my women’s clinic. That could be better for talking through friend stuff, without those at school knowing.”

Samantha asked, “Did you already have an idea this stuff was building up in me? I was wondering if there would be someone not associated with your clinic.”

Mom said, “I wasn’t sure because you were talking more to me, and you hadn’t said it was troubling you. I’m glad you are telling me. Yes, I would be open to another counselor, but the counseling available through the clinic is separate from where I go.”

“Oh, but could we still learn about other counselors? Samantha asked. Samantha yawned, “Better yet, can sleep and we will talk about it another time.”

It was 7:00 in the morning and Samantha wanted to sleep, but she remembered she was to go to church and talk later about their dilemma. She quickly showered and got dressed. When she went downstairs to the kitchen, her mother said, “I thought you would be sleeping in.”

“Deanne suggested we go to the service at their church and talk afterward. Would the pink and blue dress be good to wear to church?” Samantha asked. She said, “I like it how girls just seem to talk together and work things out.”

Mom said, “Do you think it is that easy?”

“I didn’t say it was easy, but it’s better than boys; they stay angry until they cannot remember what they were arguing about. They may or may not be friends again.” It was Bruce’s thinking, but Samantha said it. Her Mom giggled.

Mom said, “I am willing to take the four of you out for dinner so you can talk and eat.”

Samantha smiled and asked, “Would you have to eat with us?”

His Mother said, “I want to be with you or no more than two tables away.” Her would-be daughter was open to that. Mom followed Samantha to her room to help get her hair brushed out like it was. She was impressed by how Samantha made up her face and lightly used her makeup.

“I’ll drive to their church if you want?” Mom said.

Mom had gotten ready to go to her church after taking Samantha. “Wow, Mom, you look nice for church. I guess you expect to be taking us to dinner after church.”

They drove to the church, and as Samantha was getting out of the car, Deanne saw them and came over to the car. Deanne asked, “Mrs. Sanders, are you here to go to church with my mother?”

Mom Sanders asked, “Isn’t she going with you, Dad?”

“He’s golfing; my Mom will be alone if you aren’t with her.” Deanne is already calling her Mom, “Mom, Mrs. Sanders brought Samantha to church, is it alright if she sits with you?”

Ma Tremble said, “Tell her that would be nice. I will be at the front entrance waiting for her.”

Mrs. Sanders parked her car; she and Annette Tremble went in to worship together. It was just a moment before worship was to start, that they both got texts saying going to dinner after church was fine. The Moms giggled and were happy that the texts came before the service began.

After they were at the play last night, the pastor remarked about seeing Morgan, Deanne, and Samantha at the service.

It was nice for the Moms that they got to sit together both for church and going out to eat. The girls invited Ma Sanders and Ma Tremble to sit with them if they could have dessert. The girls were eager to tell their Moms that Tally was going to date Samantha and that Roxy would date Bruce, or the three girls could go out together. They told Mrs. Sanders that Samantha should get to go to school part of the time.

Deanne said that she was on the golf team, so she could only tutor Bruce or Samantha on rainy days when golf events were called off on Sunday afternoons. She did think Bruce still needed to practice reading and to check his assignments. “I do prefer helping Samantha; it looks better that way.” =^_^=
Monday, it was Bruce who went to school, and since Samantha’s curls didn’t wash out, he was sure he would be teased. He did get teased, but most teachers took his side and stopped most of the teasing.

Roxy and Tally were both out for track, and track coach Ruth Nelsen asked Samantha to come and practice with the team. “Who knows, you might want to run track as a girl this time next year. This would be a chance to see what you are good at. On meet days, you can be one of the people who help around the track.

When Samantha said she didn’t always come as a girl. Coach Nelson said, “That’s okay, sometimes we let boys help if they know how to behave. I assume you can do that.”

Soon, it was the week before Easter, and Samantha’s Mom was taking Samantha to buy an Easter ensemble. That meant a new dress, stockings, shoes, a bracelet, and a necklace. Mom was excited for her first Easter with a daughter. They had gone to church Thursday night. Samantha and her Mom went to a salon Friday after school. Samantha would have a pedicure, manicure, and her hair styled.

Samantha asked for a permanent, which meant she’d have to go to school as Samantha the next week or two. Mom knew what Samantha was doing and was okay with that. She said, “Samantha, you know you have your first appointment with Lisa Davis, your psychologist, this coming Monday at 4:30.”

The lilac and pastel yellow knit dress was snugger than her mother liked, but she agreed that Samantha was pretty in the dress, and it was appropriate for a girl her age. Samantha’s hands looked much more delicate with the white gloves her mother insisted upon. With shoes that would show off her pedicure, Samantha had taken off her gloves so people could see her painted nails.

Penelope Miller, the Associate Pastor, complimented Samantha, saying, “I am glad you can embrace this side of you. I am sure Bruce is happy with the experience as well.” Samantha’s expression was such that Pastor Penny said to Samantha, “If you would like to talk with me sometime; I would be honored to take you to lunch someday.”

Samantha replied, “I hope you didn’t offer that lightly, because I’d like to. Would you be able to pick me up at my house?”

Pastor Penny had given Samantha her contact information.

Several days later, their next-door neighbor had an emergency; where she needed to go to the hospital with their son Jeffery and asked Carole Sanders if she could stay with their daughter Allie. Samantha said, “I could do it if you didn’t mind. I think Allie is comfortable with me. Doris giggled, “Yes, I know she would be delighted. I hope you won’t mind, but she has two books she likes reading to anyone who will listen.”

Indeed, Allison wanted to read, but first, she wanted to be comforted by Samantha making a fuss over her. Samantha wasn’t used to having a younger girl cuddle with her. But then she thought, Deanne gave her a model to follow. It gave Samantha a chance to be domestic and bake some cookies with Allie. Samantha mixed up the cookie mix, allowing Allie to pour in the chocolate chips. Allie also helped to put scoops of the cookie dough on the baking sheet.

They were taking out the baked cookies when Samantha’s Mother came over. She whispered to her daughter, “I’ve heard from Doris, and they are running late. If you want, I can watch Allie for you.”

“Are you kidding? I’m sorry for Jeffery, but we’re having a good time. You can stay for cookies and milk if you want.” Samantha was having a girl time and wouldn’t be denied the experience. Seven-year-old Allie was delighted to have two women giving her attention.

Samantha’s hardest task was limiting Allie to two cookies. His Mom set out to be the spoiler, saying, “Allie was big enough for three cookies.”

Her mother went home, and Allie found her book, ‘Millie’, a book with Dog tales. Samantha was surprised by how well Allie read. Sam was also delighted to help sound out words that Allie had trouble with.

It was 9:00 when Deanne called, and Samantha informed her that she was watching Allie the girl next door.

Deanne giggled, “So another girl experience; are you enjoying yourself?”

She giggled again when I told her, “My mother doesn’t want me distracted and talking to my girlfriends.”

Alison asked, “Which of your friends is that?”

I told Allie it was Deanne, thinking it would mean something to her. Allie said, “Oh, she that beautiful friend. Did she help you become a girl? I want to thank her.”

Deanne asked from the other end, “Why do you like Samantha as a girl?”

Allie responded quickly, “We didn’t have any pretty girls on our street. Now we have her and you, her friends.”

Samantha said, “I need to say goodbye for now.”

After both ended the call, Allie asked, “Can you help me pick a pretty outfit to wear to school?” We went into her room and looked through her closet. “I would like to wear a pretty skirt and blouse tomorrow.”

She had a pinkish gray skirt and a bluish blouse with different color butterflies that I said I liked. “I think you are a girl because you have a girl’s taste in clothes.

Samantha had picked out Allies pajamas and left the room for Allie to change. But Allie was in the bathtub when her parents and Jeff returned home. Jeff had a cast on his arm, and Doris said “It took them longer to align the break, pin it in place, and get the cast as they want it.”

“I want to thank you very much for looking after Allie.” They wanted to pay her for sitting her daughter. After Samantha refused to take any money, Doris Anders said, “I’ll get you a gift card that you have to use or it will go to waste.”

To be continued…

Allie called in the morning, “My Mom had to go to the hospital early; she was wondering if your mother could drive me to school.”

Samantha said, “Your school is only a few blocks away; I could walk you and then go on to the high school. Would that be okay?”

“That would be super! Are you serious?” asked Allie.

Samantha said, “Why don’t you walk over to my house; unless you need help in getting ready?” Samantha hadn’t got back to her room when Allie rang the doorbell. Samantha spoke loud enough for her mother to hear her, “Mom, I’m letting Allison into our house; I will be walking her to school and then walking to the high school.” Samantha said, “You might want to call the Mom on her cellphone and find out if anything has happened to Jeffery.”

Mom looked at Samantha after she let Allison in. Mom said, “Did you change your skirt because you are taking Allison to your old elementary school?”

Sammi said, “Mom, Mrs. McGuire is often out watching the children; it is crazy enough she’s going to see me as Samantha at least this skirt is a little more fitting.”

Her Mother giggled, “She and other former teachers saw you in the play; I am sure Mrs. McGuire will tell you how well you did in the play. And now to see you walking one of the children to school; if anything that will surprise her, from how Bruce acted up there.”

Her Mother came out to welcome Allison and tell her how cute she was. Allie said, “I called to ask you for a ride to school, but Sammi volunteered to walk with me today. I know Ms. McGuire, but she teaches older students. She makes sure we are treated nicely by the boys on the playground.”

Allie smiled with delight seeing Samantha, “Oh, Samantha, you are pretty today, I bet the older boys will stare at you.”

Samantha was now a little sorry she volunteered to take Allison. “Thank you for your compliment, Allie. With the outfit I chose last night some boy will like seeing you.”

Allie said, “That would be Alan. If he does he will be teased by Marcus. Marcus likes me but he’s too shy to say so.” Samantha giggles as she listens to her neighbor girl talk about little boys.

True enough, Mrs. McGuire says hello to Samantha, “You make a pretty high school student. It is sweet of you to be walking Allison to school. Where is Jeffery and their mother?”

Samantha stopped to explain, and Mrs. McGuire took in all the information. She asked, “If we don’t hear from her mother near the end of school; could I have someone call the high school so you could walk her home and make sure she is safe?”

Samantha said to herself, ‘I didn’t mean to obligate myself to all of this. But she said to Mrs. McGuire, “Hopefully Mrs. Anders will be back well before then, but yes, you could have me called if needed.”

Allison, said, “She babysat me last night when my parents took my brother to the hospital.”

Lindsay and her friend Judy stopped long enough that Samantha walked with them to the high school. Lindsay enjoyed teasing that Samantha had become a babysitter, “Did you have the Girl Scout training the rest of us girls took in fourth grade?”

They met Deanne and Roxy as they walked through town, and it seemed like it was becoming like a parade to Samantha. She wasn’t as upset or amused that she had seen similar things happen to girls and never gave it a second thought.

Roxy moved next to Samantha, and she joked, “You better hope the rest of the neighborhood doesn’t find out that you do babysitting.” They got to school early enough that they had extra time.

Deanne asked to talk to Samantha alone, “How did you like being there for your neighbor girl, Allison? That was sweet of you.”

Samantha paused, she likes how Deanne is there for her and gives her time and space to respond. “I’m not used to a little girl looking up to me and wanting me to help. It was nice last night as her brother went to the hospital and I watched her until her parents came home… Something happened early this morning and the parents rushed back to the hospital. What if something happened, I don’t know how to talk to little girls; I never was one.”

Deanne chuckled a little hugged Samantha and said, “Just like you are doing lead with your heart. Comfort her and wait for her Mom to do more.” Deanne stepped back, “You have a precious gift in your sensitivity, I know it can be a lot, but it’s a gift don’t be afraid of it.”

Samantha said, “You understand that is comforting to hear. Thanks for being here.”

Word got around that Bruce as Samantha had walked a girl to the elementary school. Jaden teased him, “Sweet boy helped a little girl. You’re becoming too much of a girly boy.” Brian joked next, and it was like that with remarks here and there. Come lunch in the cafeteria, Samantha had gotten lunch and was walking close to a table when Brian stuck out his foot tripping her. Little had spilled on her, more on the floor and tray. But trying to retrieve things with a short skirt made it a bit embarrassing. Instead of apologizing Brian said, “I guess you need to watch better where you're walking. Better yet wear pants and be a boy again.”

Samantha said, “I’m still Bruce, but you, not my skirt was the problem.”

Mr. Lee asked, “Bruce can you prove that he tripped you on purpose? If not, please don’t make accusations.”

She was angry and told Mr. Lee, that it was not her who was at fault. He said, “Are you insinuating, I too was wrong. You’re close to getting yourself in trouble. This is not a make-believe play.”

Ms. Greene, an aide, working in the lunch room, said, “Samantha, let me help you and get away from the trouble.” She offered to replace what she had with another lunch, but Sam had lost her appetite by then.

Unbeknownst to Samantha, Thomas Jones had bought her another lunch and brought it to her. Samantha sitting with some friends, was embarrassed when he did bring it there. She said, “You got most of what I had, thank you. What do I owe you?”

Thomas said, “All you need do is be happy again.” Layla moved over and said, “You can sit here if you want.” It was next to Samantha. He said, “No, we’ve been friends and I wanted to know she still has her friends.”

Samantha said, “I appreciate being reminded of that. You are welcome to sit with us.” She invited him but was shy about talking to him. Roxanne a few chairs away asked, “When did you two become friends?”

Thomas chuckled, “Bruce, I mean Samantha might not want me to say right now.”

Samantha cleared her throat, “For years, I’d always been one of the smaller boys on the playground. It didn’t stop me from getting into trouble, but Thomas would often be there when bigger boys would pick on me.”

Roxanne said, "Thomas, you didn’t do it just now.”

Again Samantha did not say much. Roxy looked at Samantha and then Thomas; Thomas was not only bigger but a good-looking boy a grade ahead of her and Samantha. She thought, ‘I wonder if she likes him more than she’ll let on.’ She ventured a guess, “Are you the Thomas who started on the junior varsity football team?”

He said, “I plan to be on the varsity team for two years. I play at running back and receiver on offense and outside linebacker on defense.”

Roxy asks, “Did you see Samantha in the play; what did you think of her performance?”

“I’m still getting used to her being Samantha. I thought she did really well in the play. It was like she was blossoming with the play. Your sister and the others were outstanding as well,” he added.

Some of the girls began to get up and leave and so did Thomas. Samantha was finished though she hadn’t eaten much. Roxy whispered, “Samantha, what did you think of your friend being so nice to you?”

“He was nice, but we haven’t talked much this year,” Samantha said.

Roxy said, “You seemed happy to see him, but didn’t say much. What do you think of him as a guy friend?”

Samantha said, “I need to get ready for my next classes. I’m sorry but I’m worried about Allison, my neighbor girl.”

It was the next to last class; that Samantha was called to the school office. “Mrs. Doris Anders called and was wondering if we could let you out early so you could walk Allie Anders home. Mrs. Anders and her son Jeffery are home, and she didn’t want to leave him alone just yet.”

Samantha agreed to walk Allie home from school and was going back to class when Thomas appeared. It looked like he was looking for her, and he asked, “Could we talk after school lets out?”

Samantha said, “That would be good but I need to walk my little neighbor girl home.” She started to walk, but Thomas asked, “Could I come to your home after that and we talk there?”

“Mm, I guess so.” She shyly went to her class; Thomas was happy and went his way.

When Samantha went to her last class; Mr. Lee gave her the note that she had permission to leave class fifteen minutes early to help a girl at the elementary school. “Make sure you get your homework assignment for tomorrow. You need to find three current news items and give your insight into each article.”

She left at the time needed and walked to the elementary school. Ms. Marsha Cline was waiting with Allie in the classroom. Ms. Cline said, “I heard it might be you who came for Alison. Other than be anxious about her brother; Allie did very well today. She said she and you read together last night. I thank you for being so helpful to her. The one thing Allison could use is a little more socialization.”

Samantha said, “I’m not sure how well I can relate to a little girl.”

Ms. Cline said, “I can appreciate that, but you have an advantage in that she likes you. She said you cared about her.” Marsha said, “You did very well in your play. I know you are popular, but it could help her and you to take a little time with Allie here and there. You’ll have my appreciation. Even Bruce could be a good friend.”

Allie’s Mom was on the front porch ready to welcome Allie home. “Oh Allie, I am so happy to see you. Your brother is home and healing. How did you like Samantha taking you to school and bringing you home?”

Allie didn’t miss many things from Mrs. McGuire in the morning having known Samantha before, or how her teacher Ms. Marsha Cline told Samantha that she had a good day. She even encouraged Samantha to take time with me. Isn’t that great mommy?”

Doris said to Samantha, “I greatly appreciate all you’ve done. You will be receiving a nice gift card from us… I know you are busy; we won’t obligate anymore from you concerning Allie.”

Samantha said, “I will accept a gift card if that’s reasonable, but if I do, you need to allow Allie and I to be friends, no compensation for being friends. She is welcome to come see me if I can play here with her. Ms. Cline suggested it might help show me some things I missed not growing up as a girl.”

Samantha got home, showered, and put on a pair of designer jeans to relax in. She wasn’t expecting Thomas to come over today and talk to her. Samantha invited him in and said, “I’m going to have a cup of tea; would you want that or some Coke?”

She got a bottle of Coke for Thomas and was heating the water for tea when she invited him to sit down and talk. Thomas apologized for staying away, saying he was surprised when he came out as Samantha. “I did talk to some team members about being supportive of you because you were my friend. They joked with me because I had defended you as a smaller boy. But I admit I didn’t know how to relate to you being Samantha. I was happy that Deanne Tremble helped you in your learning and for crossover day, but when you remained to be Samantha, I worried it was something unhealthy.”

Samantha interrupted him, “I’m impressed with what you did. I took it personally when you weren’t talking to me. I guess now that I should have called you. I had tried, but never left a message. I remember once when you helped me, I hugged you and cried, but I wasn’t trying to be a girl; it was just what I did.”

She said, “Deanne has only been good for me. I knew that after I came out as Samantha; she got blamed for my change. I did it with acceptance by my Mom and Dad. It wasn’t to last but I decided it was me. It was a part of me that I hid away and suppressed so even you didn’t know.”

They talked more but when Thomas was ready to leave it got awkward. He said, “I can’t jokingly kick your butt or mess your hair.”

Samantha says, “I know you generally hug Candy and Jenn, but I’m different and you don’t want people to misunderstand.”

He then seemed out to prove a point, Thomas hugged Samantha and kissed her cheek. Sammi said, “I didn’t expect that, but you’re special to me. I’m glad we are back as friends. Maybe, we could do something sometime.”

We hugged again but Thomas became embarrassed because he had become aroused and Samantha realized it. Samantha joked, “You probably don’t wear two panties to stop that like I do.”

“The ice has been broken Samantha; why don’t I take you to the Legion dance on Saturday?” said Thomas.

Samantha said, “It would just be as friends, but I’d like that”…

To be Continued...

Samantha said, “It would have to be as friends, but I’d like that.”

Thomas asked, “Would it be okay for me to pick you up at your house?

“Give me a chance to ask my parents tonight,” Samantha said, “if that would be good. You’ve been one of my friends my Mom has always liked; it should be good.”

Sam texted Deanne and Roxy that she was coming to tell them something. She got interested in all the spring flowers she saw as she walked the five blocks to their house. There were lilacs, tulips, and smaller flowers she didn’t recognize. She could smell some fragrances like those in her perfume and soaps. She loved the vibrant colors coming out of a drab end of winter.

Roxy saw Samantha distracted by something as she was coming down their street. Roxy asked, “What was distracting you walking down the street?”

Sam said, “I was noticing the abundance of spring flowers.”

“There aren’t any more than usual; there’s like a lot of things you didn’t notice before. I should take you to Mrs. Zupkow; she lives just before you get to the park. She’ll talk to any girl who will stop and listen. She’d likely send you home with some starts for your garden there.”

Roxy invited Samantha into the house and she called for Deanne to come and talk.

Once Deanne was there; Roxy sprung the news that Thomas went to Samantha’s house. Flustered Samantha asked with a tone in her voice, “Where did you get that information?”

Roxy said, “He announced it so plenty could hear it, and I saw his car go the direction of your house. I didn’t think he was going that direction to help your neighbor girl.”

Samantha said, “Thomas is one of my, Bruce’s old friends; he asked to take me to the dance at the Legion. And before you ask, he kissed me as an old friend.”

Roxy giggled, “Did he use to kiss Bruce, what gives?”

Samantha too laughed at the way Roxy said it.

Deanne said, “Thanks for letting us in on your news. How was your morning and afternoon with Allie? I am glad you are making new friends.”

Samantha said, “I’m surprised that I like Allie and being her friend. She and someone you know said it would be good for me to make friends with younger girls.”

Deanne said, “Yes, I did. Samantha, it will give you an insight into what some of us have done when younger girls.” Deanna said, “Before I forget, my Mom and Dad said they would get us tickets to hear the Wildcats in Concert. I read that one of the Wildcats discovered recently that she is intersex. Tasha grew up as a boy named Terry. He’s slowly coming to terms with his gender. Dad thought you might like to know others have things in common with you.”

“Your Dad is the one who thought I’d be interested in that,” asked Samantha. “Wow! Yes, I’d like to see them in concert, but where? They’re an up-and-coming band; I love their music. Hasn’t Terry/Tasha written some of their songs?”

Deanne and Roxy giggle, Deanne said, “The ones we are usually singing!”

Samantha asked, “Are we talking about one of their concerts or going to Allentown? Whatever I’d have to ask my parents if it would be okay. I’m not sure if my Dad will like the idea of me seeing Tasha?”

“Telling him it is a girl band should be enough,” Roxy said.

“You and your parents would need to realize we would be away over a night or two,” said Deanne.

Roxy said, “If we’re done here; let me take you down to Mrs. Zupkow’s.”

Deanne asked, “Why Zupkow’s?

Samantha was distracted looking at spring flowers on her way here.” Deanne smiled and added, “She’ll love introducing you to flowers; she’ll even invite you back when her roses begin to bloom.”

Samantha thought she was safe as Mrs. Zupkow was not outside. Roxy rang the doorbell and Mrs. Zupkow answered the door and heard what the girls wanted. “Great, come inside for tea, while I change into my garden clothes.” They had to have cups of tea before going out into the spring chill. Julie Zupkow said, “How sweet Samantha that you like the spring flowers.” She showed the girls crocuses, daffodils, tulips, and a flowering forsythia. She took an empty feeder and said, “This is for hummingbirds that will soon become. Put some sugar water in it and you’ll begin to attract hummingbirds.”

Samantha said, “We don’t have hummingbirds at our house.”

Julie said, “You do what I say and patiently wait and the hummingbirds will come.” Now pretty girl, take these flowers and plant them where they will get plenty of sun.”

When they left, Deanne said, “Thanks, Mrs. Zupkow, you just converted a new flower lover.” Samantha and Roxy also said thanks and goodbye.

That night at the end of dinner Samantha told her parents about Thomas inviting her to the dance. And like she said, her mother liked Thomas. Her mother said, “If you are going to a dance with a boy, Thomas would be one of the better choices. But what about when he wants to kiss you?”

Samantha said sincerely, “We are going as friends, it’s not a romantic date.”

Her Dad said, “I can go along with that.”

Then Samantha told me about going to Deanne and Roxy’s house. “Deanne said, her parents can get tickets for a Wildcats Concert, and they want me to go with them.”

Dad said, “I bet that made you happy because I wouldn’t buy you concert tickets to go as Samantha.”

Her Mom jumped into the conversation, “That would be very nice of them, but we could pay for your ticket. I’d even consider going if I could get the time off.” Mom thought, “Where would the concert be and where would you be sleeping?”

“The Trembles didn’t say, but I think it would include a stayover. Us girls would be in the next room, and I’d have to change in the bathroom.”

Mom said, “We’ll wait until they formally ask; it is a nice idea, but maybe it’s only an idea.”

Dad said, “You are not a girl yet! And what kind of band is this?”

Mom said, “It’s a girl band that’s growing in popularity.”

Mom wants to talk to Samantha in her room. “We need to talk: one if Thomas came here and invited you to a dance. He likely likes you as a girl. A kiss is not out of the question, whether you plan to kiss or not.”

Mom said, “I read one of your magazines; aren’t the Wildcats the band where one of the girls is really a boy? Do you identify with the band because there’s a boy you might identify with?”

“Mom, it’s not like he and I would be talking.” Samantha said, “He’s a singer, guitar player, and songwriter. Tasha, his wild cat character is a bit crazy, but he’s probably not like that. He has a regular girlfriend.” Samantha knows little of what Terry might be like. “Mom, I’m a girl and it’s a girl band!”

Mom said, “Don’t get all defensive; I’m only trying to let you talk. I want to listen to what’s important to you. I want to suggest that you send an email to Tasha or Terry c/o the Wildcats. Maybe nothing will come of it, but you have nothing to lose.”

“Mom, that’s a crazy idea,” Samantha began saying, “I like it.”

“Samantha. I’m impressed with the friends you’ve made this year. You’ve gotten better academically and are more sociable.”

“Mom, you know the same as I do Deanne helping me with my school learning and then for Crossover Day,” Samantha said. “I’m thankful you didn’t squash my liking her and dressing up as Samantha.”

His Mother said, “We were stunned by how badly you wanted to be involved in Crossover Day. When you enjoyed it and wanted to be in a play as Samantha things kept going. Now I can see your emergence as Samantha. Dr. De Sylvan has indicated this side has been part of you for years. She’s agreed to monitor this phenomenon of Bruce/Samantha. She said, that your estrogen levels are high for a boy; they need to be watched closely.”

“Mom, Dr. De said my levels wouldn’t cause me to become a woman. And if you don’t mind; I’m tired and want to sleep.

Instead of going right to sleep, Samantha wrote and sent an email to Terry.

Terry C/O The Wildcats,
I'm hoping against hope that this will reach you, knowing it probably won't; I need to write anyway. I'm Samantha Sanders, actually Bruce. I have become a great fan and will soon see you in Concert. My friends Deanne and her sister Roxy have invited me to a concert to see you. They helped me to come out for a crossover day at school. I thought it might be neat for you to know I will be at one of your concerts soon. I’ve recently turned fifteen.
A BIG FAN, Samantha Sanders

Come morning, Samantha showered and changed over to Bruce’s identity. His hair was in his regular ponytail and he wore two stainless steel rings in as earrings. His schoolwork was done on his computer.

Dan said, “Woe, I see my brother for a change. Can I ask if your underwear matches your appearance?” Bruce chose not to answer or was at least quiet.

Bruce said, “Mom, I followed through on your suggestion last night and emailed it.”

“You already sent it. I was hoping to see it,” she said.

“Well, I sent you a copy.”

He said, “I’m going to leave a little early to get to Deanne’s before they leave for school. And if Coach Nelson allows me, I will run practice with the girls’ track team.”

“You should take some running clothes you can change into,’ Mom said, “if she says yes.”

“That would be a good idea if I had the time,” he said, “but, it takes longer as Samantha to decide which running outfit. I don’t want to miss walking with my friends.” He quickly gathered a bag of Samantha’s, as his mother insisted. He a text the Trembles that he was on his way, to walk to school with them.

Bruce was excited to share Samantha’s news of sending an email to Terry of the Wildcats. “My Mom suggested the idea.” He showed Roxy and then Deanne the email.

Roxy said, “Anyone want to guess if Samantha gets a general reply, or if it is Terry who reads it and emails back?”

Deanne said, “Too bad we don’t have concert dates yet as they’re to be out soon, but not yet… Does that mean your Mom is open to you going?”

The day went fairly normal, but Thomas turned and went in a different direction when he saw it was Bruce at school. Coach Nelson allowed Bruce to practice would need to change into Samantha’s clothes.

The next two days of school it was Samantha who went to school and on the second day, she got a text asking for confirmation on the dance from Thomas. Samantha informed him that her Dad had a curfew time for Samantha of 10:45. Thomas asked her if the father might change it to 11:00, not a minute later… She would check.

She had two quizzes and a test, and got an A and B on the quizzes, and an A on her test in biology.

When Samantha checked after practice, she saw she had gotten an email from Terry of the Wildcats…

To be continued…

Bruce had practice with the track team and walked home as Samantha, she was sweaty and in need of a shower. Her practice outfit including panties littered the bathroom floor. There was a knock and a voice, “I can’t wait,” said Mom, “What did your email say?”

Samantha said, “I haven’t read it yet; I don’t know if it’s a standard response or something from Terry. I told Deanne I’d wait for you and her to be with me. Can you throw me a towel over the door and then leave?”

Mom moaned and then left the room. Samantha breathed a sigh of relief as she stepped out of the shower. ‘Good I have some space,’ she said to herself.’ Samantha brushed out her damp hair, blowing it dry as she continued brushing. She was happy as waves started to come back in her hair, which was getting to a length she could do more things with it. She brushed up some hair and put a claw in to hold it. She then grabbed the bunched-up hair and put it into a French braid. She was down to between her shoulders when she set the end with an elastic band and then a pink satin scrunchie to set it off with a feminine flair. She was happy with herself, though she wasn’t certain her parents would be. Her mother had left a pink panty and bra set. There were designer jeans and one of her new blouses. Her mother had left a pair of Bruce’s jeans, underwear, and a shirt, but they were off to the side; like her mother didn’t expect them to be used, but offered them as an alternative. Dan had knocked and wanted in. When Samantha opened the door to leave; Dan said, “Mom thought you would emerge.” He stepped in and commented, “Did you have to use perfume on her?”
=^_^=

Samantha was called downstairs and given an apron to help serve dinner.

It was seven-thirty when Deanne, Roxy, and Tally came. Samantha’s Dad had gone to another room, unhappy about how feminine his son looked. Mom and Samantha welcomed the girls and they moved to a cozy den.

Samantha used her computer to open her email:
Dear Samantha,
I got your email this morning. Our manager, Richard, had a big smile when he announced that Tasha had a new fan. Of course, I immediately stopped what I was doing to read it. I even attached my Terry address so you can write directly to me.
On stage, my name is Tasha. But the world will always know I’m just Terry even though things have changed for me. But enough babbling, you have to tell me about you and who you are deep inside.
While we don’t know our tour schedule yet, we’ll be everywhere this summer. If you and your friends want tickets, just let me know. We’re rehearsing for an outdoor rooftop concert and a weekend gig at our local club called the Rendezvous. I’m starting to get excited about playing for fans again. We’ve been in our studio putting the finishing touches on our first album.
Terry

Once Samantha was done reading the email out loud; Roxy spoke, “Wow, you’ve kind of hit a jackpot?”

Deanne said, “You don’t need to tell him one way or the other; first be honest with yourself. Who do you see yourself being? It may be kind of early to do that, but give it your consideration. It won’t be set in stone but is your thought for now?”

Samantha looked up and gazed at her Mom; Mom said, “Trust me, you’re free, to be honest, I think I know, but I want to hear from you.”

Samantha became anxious, “Mom, I don’t know what you’re thinking, but deep down, I’m me, Samantha. Nothing against being a boy but I hadn’t felt I had a choice. I felt stuck. My French braid was pretty good for being the first time I did it on my own. I wonder if you’d take my picture with my camera phone so I can send it to Terry. Wait take a picture of me and my friends.”

Mom took the photo, and then Deanne took one with Samantha and her Mom. This time Samantha would make a Word document with the pictures and a more detailed letter to Terry. Deanne stayed around to see what Samantha was writing. Deanne said, “You know Samantha, I thought that was very brave of you to speak up like that. I was happy how well your Mother accepted and agreed with you.”

Samantha said, “I was afraid to say it: I knew my Dad wouldn’t agree. Mom’s agreeing with me felt like a weight was lifted off of my heart.

Someone sent me a message that The Wildcats performed their rooftop concert at Allentown and said it was the first step to them going on tour as the band. A photo of Tasha up on the roof was attached. The message was from a number I didn’t know, but the area code indicated it might have been from California.

Dear Terry,
I received an email from an anonymous sender that you had your rooftop concert a day ago. You having been in a recording studio making a new album blows my mind. The photo I received was you as Tasha up on a roof. It looked like you had just jumped with your guitar. You are as beautiful as Tasha.

A note said you are close to going out on a concert tour, but it gave no information. My picture shows me as a regular girl, nowhere as fancy as you. Deanne is the extra pretty one and her sister Roxy looks like a younger Deanne, and the other girl is Tally. The other picture is my Mom and me. Could you send me a signed photo of you?

I hear you were graduating this year. I am finishing my freshmyn year. With Deanne’s help, I’ve become so much better as a student that I am now a member of Roxy’ and Tally’s study group. I have never been close to being an honor student, I should end the year on the B+ Honor roll.

What does your sister think of you in her band? Word has it, you have spiced up their music and made them a more popular band. I suspect you couldn’t leave the group if you wanted to.

Enough, for now, love a fan,
Samantha Sanders

The letter was sent with one improvement from Deanne. Deanne and Samantha hugged goodnight. Deanne reminded Sam that Roxy and Tally’s study group would meet at her house after school at 4:00 p.m.

The next day at the study group; it felt nice for Samantha to be part of the study group. They were distracted when Deanne showed off her prom dress since the seamstress made the adjustments. She had taken in the dress and Deanne was wearing a flattering bra that made her look sexy. Roxy said part of it was push-ups in her bra.

She’s taking Adam to her prom and Adam is taking her to his prom.

I got to run in the girl’s last track meet; my time didn’t count but it was a respectful 2:34 and 23 seconds. Coach Nelson encouraged me to return to school in the fall officially as a transgender girl and take hormones.

Mrs. Short, the guidance counselor, and Samantha made her schedule for the fall semester: She will have Geometry, Literature, Chemistry, World History, German II, Choir and Girl Chorus, Speech, and Physical education (or Girls’ volleyball.)

Deanne called Samantha, “I was thinking since your date with Thomas had been postponed, until this Friday. I wondered if you’d mind if Adam and I went to the dance. I hope you don’t back out this time. I think he’s wanting to be more than an old friend. And it's high time you discover if being with a boy interests you. He and I have been friends for a long time. I believe he can handle it if you don’t hit it off. But I think you will like him as a boyfriend.”

Samantha said, “How can you say that when you know I have feelings for your sister and Tally?”

“Forget about them for now; have you picked the dress or outfit you plan to wear?” Deanne said. And it shouldn’t be if you are going to kiss, but if you’ll be open to the fact it is more than kissing a friend?” The study group was over and Deanne had asked me to her room so there wouldn’t be the distraction of Roxy or Tally.

Deanne said, “Here you are willing to write emails and letters to a rock star, and I know that excites you. You’ve been unwilling to let a guy friend dance and kiss you. It's time to let your own social life as Samantha move ahead and discover how you feel.”

Samantha is on the verge of crying, but Deanne backs away and won’t let tears stop what Samantha needs to do. Finally, Samantha makes the call on her phone. Deanne knew that Thomas would be waiting for it. “Hello, this is Thomas. Who’s calling?”

Samantha said, “I suspect you are waiting to know if you can pick me up at the house. My parents are almost as anxious as I am to see you come pick me up for the dance… Yes, my friend Deanne and her boyfriend Adam are going to the dance and hope to meet up with us there. Will that be okay?”

Thomas said, “I’m okay, I’m just eager for our date. Would you be open to going for pizza at the Tower after the dance?”

Samantha sighs relief after the call, “I put that off so long it worried me. Have you ever worried that you might have lost a date?”

Deanne said, “I’m kind of glad we became friends. Since our first incident, more boys have realized I’m a normal girl. I’ve become friends with more of the girls since I’m dating Adam.” She giggled.

Come Friday evening, Dan Sanders was eager to hear how his father treated Samantha’s date. Samantha was told by their father to wait in her room until she was called. Thomas came there at 6:50 and Dad welcomed him in before telling Thomas that Samantha was still getting ready. “Hi Thomas, it is nice to see you again. Before I call Samantha if she’s ready. I want to know if you plan to have her home around 10:00?”

Thomas said, “I can, but I was wondering if I could take her for Pizza at Pizza Tower. Deanne and Adam will be invited to go with us.”

Dad said, “You’re liked and respected by this family. I expect you to respect her and remember it’s your first date.” Mr. Sanders called Samantha and smiled, “Your date would like to take you out for pizza; would it be good of me to say yes?”

Samantha said, “Daddy, you’re being mean. I told you he’d ask for time to eat after the dance.”

Dad responded, “Oh, I don’t remember that, but my answer is yes.” He said, “By the way, you are very pretty tonight. Have a good time.”

Mom stepped forward hugged Samantha, asked if she had everything, and said, “Have a great time. Your Dad wasn’t too hard on Thomas.”

Samantha and Thomas left hand in hand; Thomas had a ’16 Mustang. Fortunately, she scooted herself around while Thomas circled the car. Tonight’s dance was at the Community Center. They had driven around to make sure there was a crowd before they parked and went in. She saw that other friends were there, but hadn’t seen Deanne and Adam. A friend, Tiffany, invited Samantha to go to the restroom to check their makeup. “Hey, girl, it is nice to see you out with a date. And look how cute you dressed for him. Have you known him for a while?”

Samantha responded, “It’s nice to break the ice and be out to a dance. And thanks for the compliment. You have spruced up and look very nice yourself. Regarding, Thomas we’ve been friends for some time. It was nice he asked me to the dance.” Samantha had checked her makeup and used a small brush to fix her hair.

They were out for their first dance when Deanne and Adam arrived. The dance was fast enough that there was some space between them. Samantha hadn’t seen Thomas dance and was happy to see him dance well.

They greeted Deanne after the first dance; Thomas knew Adam from the high school sports teams competing. Once the music slowed down, Thomas was quick to get Samantha to the dance floor. Samantha was anxious about dancing close, but she soon felt comfortable in his arms. She looked up to him and looked into his eyes. She thought it would be strange, and awkward to look at the face of someone she knew. She felt the desire to kiss him, and she found herself liking his smile. She was happy that his breath was fresh.

Tom commented, “I like your perfume; it’s sweet and…” his mind went blank or he was distracted. “I smell a flower and vanilla.” Tom had a sister, and Samantha thought she might have encouraged him to talk.

Just before the band’s break, Thomas and Samantha stepped next to each other and applauded the band. Thomas looked at her and she smiled. He leaned toward her and seemed ready to ask about kissing, but did so without asking. “My sister Aubrey, said I didn’t need to ask, but indicate what I was doing and do it.”

“Your sister is smart, I like her thinking.”

He did have out his phone to take a photo and asked. He took the picture, then turned and hugged her. “I am glad we are dating. It was early spring that I first thought I’d like to date you.”

There was a silence, Thomas was hoping she’d say something. Finally, Samantha said, “I saw you looking at me once, but we hadn’t talked since I began dressing as Samantha. I missed you as a friend, but it felt strange that you liked me as a girl. I didn’t know how to talk to you.”

Thomas said, “Now, I only see you as a girl.” He had a joyous smile, “It feels nice to hold you as we dance.”

Deanne tapped Samantha, “Earth to the stars, snap out of it, I’m glad you like each other.” Everyone laughed. “We’re here as well. How is your night?”

Samantha said, “You’re going to tell me; you knew I’d feel this way?”

Deanne said, “I thought it was a good possibility. You and Thomas seem to have good chemistry. So are things nice, good, bad, or something else?””

Tom said, “It is better than I hoped, Sam’s amazing!” All eyes turned to Samantha and she blushed a crimson red. Thomas hugged her, “Sam what do you think?”

There was the longest pause, and Deanne asked her to say something. “I’m glad my parents said where I had to stop tonight. Or I wouldn’t have.”

Deanne giggled, “They said you could do some petting?”

“You shouldn’t have been able to see that?” Samantha said.

“I didn’t but it looks like you pulled out his shirt and someone’s been under your blouse…”

To be continued…

Seeing her email from Teri of the Wildcats:
Dear Samantha,
Of course, we can get you backstage passes and a chance to meet the band for one of our favorite fans. By then, we'll have a copy of our new record signed by all the Cats waiting for you. Don't forget to bring your phones for selfies.
Love, Teri

Samantha quickly showered, changed, and went to the Trembles. “Hey, Roxy and Deanne, I’ve heard back from Teri and the Wildcats. She’s sending special tickets and backstage passes. We can choose from your tickets or theirs and sell the others.”

Deanne said, “Wait! Show me the email.” She read it and then said. “Once we receive the tickets and backstage passes, my Dad can sell ours online. We don’t want Teri or The Wildcats upset with us.” She looked at Samantha and asked, “Why did you dress up to tell us that?”

Sam said, “It’s new, and I wanted to impress Roxy.” Deanne sent Sam upstairs, saying Roxy had changed and was presentable.

Roxy took hold of her hands and stepped back sizing Samantha’s new outfit.

Sam said, “Since I’m working at The Town Dress Shoppe, I’m getting a 10% discount, plus this was already on sale.”

Roxy said, “I saw it in the window, and now I’m glad I didn’t buy it. I think it is beautiful, but you need to learn timing. It is too attractive to wear for general use.” She had Samantha twirl and pinch her buns when she did.

“Owe, that hurt.”

When Sam turned back around, Roxy stepped forward and gave her a big kiss and squeezed her buns. Roxy said, “Heather Parks stopped by, and we talked. She was hoping I would be open to dating her.”

Sam said, “I didn’t know she liked girls?”

“Neither did I; she said it wasn’t for advertisement. She’ll be a senior this year and will apply to Barnard University this year. Besides Chorus and president of the science club, she said her grade point was 3.97.”

Sam said, “I never heard of Barnard; is it good?”

Deanne was there and said, “Most boys wouldn’t, but it is tops among the universities for women. Their standards are strict enough that I could have trouble getting in.”

Deanne changed the subject, “Does Martha Hamilton at the store know you want to go to a concert in Atlanta?”

“I asked that when I applied. She said, ‘I needed to bring back a concert program from there. Since it is after July 4th, it should be doable.”

Deanne asked, “Did Roxy say anything about your outfit?”

“She said it was attractive but too good for general use,” Samantha said.

Deanne said, “If you haven’t changed your schedule since early April, you should; you’re a better student now. You hadn’t made the honor roll at that time. You and Roxy might not be in any of the same classes if you don’t.” Roxy and Deanne explained there was a tier system within the different grades. And that Samantha should now be in a higher tier than she was when she started her freshman year. “You’ll get some of the tougher teachers, but should be learning more throughout the year.”

“You mean there was a reason I didn’t see more of the honor students last year?” She said, “Maybe. I don’t want to be in with them?”

Deanne said, “Most of us are very nice once you get to us. It would also give you incentive to keep up your studies.”

Roxy and Sam went outside to see where Roxy had planted her rose bush. Roxy picked a new rose and put it in Samantha’s hair and took a picture. “I suspect you have never worn a rose in your hair before.” Seeing the photo, Samantha’s smile grew.

When she was walking home, she was teased by some boys, two had previously been friends of hers. Mr. Shaw, a person she knew, was nearby when it happened. He yelled, “Leave her alone!” It wasn't until she threatened to call the police that they moved on. He said, “Samantha, I’m sorry that happened… “You know you look too nice to be walking about without someone with you.”

Samantha said, “But I didn’t do anything wrong.”

Mr. Shaw said, “My daughters said the same thing, and that I didn’t understand.”

Sam moved on as she had a block and a half before she was home. Mr. Shaw would have given her a ride, but she said no.

She was crying when she got home. Her mother told her that evening, “You’re experiencing the double standards of the world. You may not want to hear it, but trans girls might experience it even more.”

She texted with Roxy and Deanne that night. “I was teased when I came home from your place. The teasing was more severe coming home, and it hurt more as the night wore on.

Deanne suggested, “Maybe if we get autographs from The Wildcats and selfies, it will help people see us in a better light.”

Roxy invited her, “You can come here, and we’ll have a sleepover.”

Samantha asked her mother, and her mother said, “You can’t go running away every time something happens.” Sam’s spirit was hurt, and she cajoled her mother until she allowed Sam to go.

Carole Sanders called Annette Tremble to be sure it was not a big inconvenience. Annette responded, “It will help me to know what to expect when we fly to the concert. I want to invite you all here tomorrow for a barbecue. Dan can come and bring a friend so he won’t feel alone. If he’s still going with Barb Hampton, that would be ideal.”

Carole said, “I appreciate the invite, and we will accept if you allow us to bring something.”

Annette asked, “What are your specialties in the way of salads and dessert?” They talked, and it was agreed upon that Carole would make her seven-layer-pea salad and apple crumb pie.

Carole felt much better when she took Samantha to stay at the Trembles. Roxy heard that the Wildcats were having their concert in Allentown. The girls had tuned into an Allentown TV station, by way of their computer; the TV station was broadcasting the concert live. The group was now at their first intermission.

Mr. John Tremble invited Carole to stay and listen to the Wildcats' second set.

Carole stayed and was delighted to hear the girls sing along with the singers. She was surprised that Terry had transformed into Teri and was mentioned as Teri, the little sister. She said with a raise in her voice, “Is this the one you’re excited about meeting?”

John Tremble spoke up, “He’s a music genius, he was intersexed. The change was healthy, allowing her to get on with her life. She’s the younger sister of the lead singer. I don’t think seeing them will cause Sam to change. Will it Samantha? Samantha is transgender; it’s different.”

Carole said, “I’m not sure I want Samantha to go.”

Annette said, “Maybe instead of her staying home, you should go with us. You were getting into the music, and your daughter's singing along.” Samantha had quit breathing, waiting for her mother to say more. “Samantha has come a long way in nine months; I wouldn’t want her to step back.”

Carole saw a wide range of ages in the predominant group of teens and college-age people. She looked at Samantha and admitted the positive ways she has changed. “Samantha, would I be crowding you too much if I went along?”

Samantha said, “If that’s what is needed to be able to go, I would say okay.”

Carole said, “No, I won’t stop you. This time it is me who needs to trust you. But can you come home tomorrow and help me make things for tomorrow's barbecue?” Samantha rand to hug her mom, “I’d be happy for you. Can you tell Mrs. Tremble how much I help now at home?”

They were into the second Wildcat intermission, and Sam’s Mom went home. Samantha’s hands were shaking at the thought of her Mom’s fear of her daughter.

Deanne took Samantha away, saying, “Let me run a bubble bath for you; you need to relax.” Annette joined in running the bath and put in what she said was ‘heather oil’. “Deanne and Roxy, you two stay out until most of her in under the bubbles.”

“You mean we can be in there with her?” Deanne asked.

Their mother said, “She needs the comfort of your presence, more than security from you seeing her. You’re going to be sharing a room on the trip, and I consider her another girl.”

The bubble bath had done the trick; Samantha was falling asleep as Annette brushed and blow-dried her hair. Deanne and Roxy had changed in Samantha’s presence, and they giggled that Samantha didn’t notice them.

Once their Mom had left, Roxy moved from her bed into bed with Samantha. She wasn’t doing anything worse than spooning behind Sami. She did give her a goodnight kiss. Sam’s turning and holding Roxy brought warm sensations to Roxy.

Sam had awoken first and was delighted to see Roxy next to her. She gave Roxy a warm kiss that caused Roxy’s eyes to open. They snuggled and lay there another twenty minutes. Hearing Mrs. Tremble walking by, they were soon up. Roxy went to shower, and Samantha dressed into a pair of shorts and stole Roxy's top with a puppy dog.

Samantha said, “I dreamt of seeing Teri at the concert and that I talked to her… I won’t be able to tell my parents about my dream.”

To be continued…

The week of the concert was exciting; it was hard for Deanne, Roxy, and Sam to wait for the concert. Samantha used a program to give her phone more room for pictures and better tools for taking them. Their tickets from Teri were for the first row, slightly to the side where Teri played. They had a dozen red roses that the girls would throw onto the stage when Teri had solos, and Teri was in her furry costume singing Fur Face. Sam knew the band was terrific, and the Wildcats were older than they were. The Wildcats were vivacious and better than her dreams. She loved watching Teri; she went wild when Lisa or other Wildcats stepped forward and were close enough to see them close up. As one song ended, Lisa, Teri’s sister, even asked, “Who’s Samantha?”

All Sami could do was scream, “Me!” once and long. Lisa knew Teri was close to stepping forward to begin a song. Samantha threw one of her roses had a water pick, which Teri used twice as a pick on her guitar before throwing it to a stagehand. Sami was so hyped, she thought of trying to get on stage; Annette pushed Deanne to pull Sam back. Deanne said, “Go, Sam!” John encouraged Annette, “Let the girls be.” Finally, Roxy pulled Sami back, and then Samantha, Roxy, and Deanne danced to numerous songs and were getting hoarse singing along. Three Wildcats sang, “Take me higher… I want to, I want to take you higher… Baby, baby, baby, Light my fire… I wanna take you higher…” Samantha took it as an expression of where her emotions were taking her.

Annette said to John, “I bet all three are getting turned on.” John said, “How did you guess that?” “Because I would be if I were them.” She nuzzled John and gave him a big kiss. “Mmm.”

Someone came to them near the end of the concert, “Three of you come with me… Parents, they’ll return to the left side of the stage…” Shortly after the concert, there was a time the Wildcats gave to them, despite their being exhausted from their performance. Teri was perspiring profusely and drank some water to rehydrate. She asks, “What did you think, Samantha? Glad you came… you’re one I write to, and I read your stuff.” Teri signed her poster. Lisa signed a Wildcat group picture, as did Zoe and Tiffany. Jenn asked, “How do you like My Rock Star?… You wanna be like her?”

“In my dreams, maybe,” Samantha echoed. Jenn smiled; Teri and Jenn said, “Dream big. Being you is good.”

While the girls got several selfies with them, Deanne covered for her again, “Don’t mind her, she, we have dreamed of this but it seems unreal. Teri’s guitars and keyboard were soon in the area. The Wildcats talked with other fans. Sami was awestruck by how well and how many instruments Teri played. Teri hugged her, and Samantha asked, “Can I have one of these towels?” She had gotten one of Teri’s soaked sweat towels.

Teri, despite being drenched in perspiration, was beautiful and Samantha told her she was jealous. Teri said, “The key is to be comfortable with ourselves. Having other women, who compliment and encourage us is very helpful.” He says, “I like your pink hair as well as the blue hair of your girlfriend Roxy. Are the colors for the concert or are they for everyone?”

Samantha, Roxy, and Deanne took a bunch of selfies focused around Teri. Some pictures caught other Wildcats. Teri picks up a dry towel, wipes herself off her face, signs it, and gives it to Samantha, who holds it so she can get a picture of Teri, the towel, and her. Two posters were signed, one by Teri and Jenn and the other signed by the band.

A woman tells the girls it’s time for the group to wrap things up; they need to leave soon. Samantha squeezes another out hug from Teri, this time realizing she felt Teri’s breasts against her. She was surprised but also felt guilty. “Oh, my!”

Returning to the front of the concert hall and seeing the Tremble parents greeting them made their return surreal. John, seeing their faces glow, smiled and was ready to hug the bunch of them. With the house lights lit. Annette said, “Can you believe this place was packed full and rocking?” The three looked around and were amazed that they had sat up front.

Samantha said, “I can’t remember if I even thanked them for the tickets and the backstage passes. It was awesome to see and speak to them. I bet Teri wished she could have changed out of her top and cooled off. She was toweling off the sweat with everything on!”

Annette asked, “So, you’re sure she is a girl?” Deanne responded, “Mom, it was obvious on stage and clearer in her presence. Roxy’s holding a sweat towel that Sami asked for. The original one she asked for was sloppy and drenched.”

Sam said, “Thanks, thanks, thanks; Deanne, see what you started. I got to be a crazed girl here tonight because of you!” She looked to Deanne’s parents, “A big thank you, Annette and John!”

Deanne said, “I don’t know about everyone else, but I’m hungry.” Sami said, “Food?”

Annette said, “A little while ago, someone came out and gave me this pass to help us get into this eatery. I suggest we go there.”

It took the group half an hour to get there and longer to find parking. Showing the pass, they were waved inside and told they needed to wait a moment. Moments after that, they were seated, and there was a commotion, and people with them on the main floor looked up and applauded. They didn’t get a good look, but they were a group of young women, a lively group. ‘They thought it might be the Wildcats.’

They ordered their food and then went to the women’s restroom. Roxy and Sam were singing songs from the concert, and they got back to the mirror. A college woman said, “Those are Wildcat songs; were you at the concert?”

Samantha joyfully said, “You bet we were, right up in front of the Wildcats. We even got to go backstage to see them.”

Sydney Lauer said, “You have a northeast accent; where are you from?”

Roxy told her, “We’re from New Jersey?”

Sydney asked, “Why did you come here? Will they be at PNC Art Center in New Jersey next week?”

Their eyes popped open wide. “They hadn’t announced their other tour dates at that time,” said Roxy. “It was great to be here anyway! We’ve been to the Garden State Art Center. It’s nice, but this was great.”

We were on our way out of the Women’s room when Tiffany came walking in. They easily recognized her and said, “Hello, Tiffany!” They kept walking, not knowing for sure if she had heard them. Annette went to the Women’s room after the girls, and Tiffany asked, “Weren’t you the Mom of three girls in the front row of tonight’s concert?”

She said, “I thought I was crazy when some women said hello to me as I came in here.”

“No, you’re not crazy, but you are terrific. It is a lot easier for us to recognize you from the concert than you recognize your fans. Two of the girls are mine and the other is Samantha, Roxy’s girlfriend. She came with us to see the concert… Excuse me, I’m sorry, I shouldn’t be keeping you. Congratulations on a great concert.”

Tiffany said, “She’s the trans girl who has written us through Teri. Tell your daughters thanks for being encouraging of Samantha. We guess her parents are accepting enough; we believe your daughters and you have helped her, and we appreciate that… Oh, by the way, we heard Deanna’s voice; come after graduation; she could be a traveling volunteer for next summer?”

Annette walked away thinking, ‘I’m not trusting my daughter one summer, one night with the Wildcats on the road. I was a groupie.’

The five of them enjoyed their meal and were happy Annette had talked to Tiffany. That night, the girls slept in one room together, reminiscing more than sleeping. They woke late in the morning; Roxy and Sami snuggled together.

Mrs. Tremble wanted to go where Martin Luther King, Jr. had preached. They had gotten there too late for worship, but they were still plenty to take in. Deanne said, “I wonder if the Wildcats got to see places like these?”

Annette said, “Only if someone scheduled it beforehand. They wouldn’t want to disrupt a worship service and turn it into a circus. It was then that they learned Mrs. Tremble had followed a band one summer when she was going to college. She said, “I didn’t mean to mention that, and I’m not saying anything more. Roxy and Deanne teased her to a point but knew to back off. The rain stopped them from going to the Braves game. But they did make it through the World Coke-Cola Center.

That night, they got to sleep at a decent time and were up early to catch their flight home.

Once home, they called a radio station advertising the upcoming Wildcat concert. They got first to speak to a person at the station; after they told them they had been to the Atlanta Concert, they got to talk with the DJ on air. DJ Stormy Halvers said, “I’ll be speaking to them at the concert; I’d like to drop your names and find out if they had talked to you as you say.”

Deanne said, “That’s fine with us. Since you don’t seem to think we did, what will you do for us afterward?”

Storm asked, “What would you like?”

Samantha spoke, “Why don’t you call ahead? If they remember us, it would be nice for you to buy us tickets to this concert.”

They were cut from the live broadcast, but the person saying goodbye said, “We’ll see.”

Deanne made a website and a blog, ‘Wildcat Sightings,’ on which she posted our selfies with Teri and others in the group. The signed sweat towel became an item, getting many likes and a few offers to buy it. Friends from Roosevelt High School and others were taking notice of them. That had been one of their hopes.

They heard back from the radio station, but since they were a small sponsor, they were prohibited from doing anything more.

Annette said, “Your website and blogs would do well to invite others to this concert to share their reactions to the Wildcats, what songs they liked, and who their favorite Wildcat was. They opened a section they called ‘Jersey for the Wildcats.’ It would get many hits from Wildcat fans, and this concert in particular.

Samantha told Deanne and Roxy, “I liked what Teri said, ‘The key is for me to be comfortable with myself.” She said, “Seeing Teri has made me think even more about finding myself.” Hugging Roxy and then hugging Deanne, she said, “I’ve been blessed with you two, your parents, and my Mom. Looking back, and being in the play helped ground me in being a girl.”

The End