Marley looked at his watch for the hundredth time. He was going to miss it. "Please Mom, faster," he said.

"I'm going as fast as I can," his Mom, Lisa, said as she whipped the van into the Jackson High School parking lot. Cars with bike racks were everywhere as well as cyclists warming up on trainers. A frowning volunteer pointing them towards empty parking spaces. A large banner tied between two trees announced this was the "Jackson Roubaix Road Race." Marley turned to his older sister, Ann, in the back seat, his eyes pleading for hope, she just looked down. Marley's watch beeped, it was officially 9AM, his race was starting. "Now you know these things are usually late, you'll be fine, start getting dressed and I'll run up and see if I can get them to wait for you, Lisa said. She exited the van and took off a dead sprint towards the school. Marley strained to see what was going on but the start area was out of view.

"Come on you heard Mom, get dressed, I'll get your bike," Ann said. Marley crawled into the back seat and began to strip. There were certain benefits to be a slightly built 13 year old, it was no problem for him to squeeze into the back seat. He had his street clothes off and was pulling on his jersey, "Your straps you idiot, you've got to put on your shorts first," Ann said through the window.

"Arghh," Marley said and yanked off his carbon black racing jersey and struggled to pull up his Castelli bib shorts. His sister was laughing hysterically when he pulled the straps over his shoulder and most of his chest was covered. Marley realized he'd put on his shorts backward, in his struggle to get them off he got tangled in the straps and fell against the window.

"Ohh man, let me help you," Ann said with a laugh and opened the door. Marley tried to cover up his boyhood but was too tangled up. "God relax, it's not like I haven't seen you naked," she said as she helped him untangled himself.

Marley was fully dressed and buckling his helmet when he saw his Mom approaching at a pace that spelled trouble. "It's too late," Marley said.

"Yeah, they started right when I showed up, I'm so sorry," Lisa said. For a few moments Marley waited in silence, hoping maybe this was a bad dream and he would wake up, no such luck.

"Damn it," Marley shouted and banged his hands on the handlebars. "Nothing ever goes right, everything we do is messed up," Marley said. He yanked his helmet of off and dropped it and ran his hand through his long blond hair. He'd always wanted to grow his hair out and his Dad wouldn't let him, that wasn't a problem anymore but his hair reminded him. "This wouldn't have happened if Dad was here."

"What did you say," his Mom asked with anger.

"If Dad would have been here we wouldn't have had a dead battery, we would have made it on time, and I would be racing," Marley shot back.

"If your Dad was here!, well he's not is he... He..." Lisa was about to go on a tirade over the man who left them but caught herself, looking over her shoulder she saw a family walking towards the event watching the drama over their shoulders. "I'm sorry the battery went dead, I'm so sorry," Lisa said trying to fight back tears.

Marley went to the front of the van and sat down, he tried so hard to fight back tears that his face shivered. Ann sat down beside him and held him and he began to cry, she teared up as well and soon his Mom was hugging them both crying her eyes out. Ever since their Dad, Tom, had left them a year ago the family seemed to be caught between terrible sadness and terrible anger. Bicycle riding was something that all 3 of them enjoyed and riding brought them together. Focusing on training for this race throughout winter had given them a goal and taking their mind off things, that's why missing it was so devastating to Marley.

"Well at least I'll get to watch you guys race," Marley said with a forced smile. "I'm sorry I said that stuff, it wasn't right. You're doing the best you can," Marley said.

"Thank you honey," Lisa said fighting back tears.

"You know you could just sneak into my race," Ann said with a laugh. "Just pull in behind us and ride the course with us and pull out before the finish line," I doubt anyone would even notice.

"Yeah, but I wouldn't be in the race," Marley said.

"So what, you'll still get to ride," Ann said.

"I can't win if I'm not in the race," Marley said with a smile.

"Heck, just sign up for my race," Ann said with a laugh.

"Yeah right, I'll sign up for junior girls, no one will notice I'm not a girl," Marley replied.

"Wait a minute, you might be on to something," Lisa said.

"I'm not going to race with the girls," Marley said laughing.

"No, they won't let a boy sign up and race with the girls, but they would let you if you were a girl," Lisa said.

"Well I'm not so forget about it," Marley replied.

Lisa got that look in her eye that said she was thinking outside the box, something she'd been doing a lot lately since Tom left. "Listen, all the hours you put in training this winter, all the miles we drove, you’ve worked hard, you should get to race."

"No way, I'm not doing it," Marley replied.

"You could win," Lisa said.

"You think," Marley said, his attitude suddenly more acceptable of his Mom's idea.

“Well you’d have a very good chance, you would be the only boy racing with girls,” Lisa answered.

“This is nuts, even if I wanted to do it, I can’t. People won’t think I’m a girl,” Marley said, though his voice lacked conviction. Marley wasn’t overly masculine, a fact that his Dad had reminded him of any chance he could. Marley wasn’t good at sports, especially the stick and ball sports that his Dad liked. He could run, swim and ride all day, but had little interest in shooting baskets, making tackles, and hitting balls. He didn’t like to hunt, he didn’t like to fish, which was a massive disappointment to his father who wanted his son to be an “outdoorsman” like him. Eventually Tom stopped trying to force his son to like the things he liked and steered clear of him, Marley wondered if it was his father’s disappointment in him that drove him away.

“Of course not honey, it was a stupid idea, I’m sorry I brought it up, you can just watch us race,” Lisa said.

Marley wiped the last bit of moisture from his eyes and cheeks, he watched a small group riding across the parking lot in full cycling gear, a man and his two daughters all three looked fast and sleek, and their shiny Colnago bikes shined in the sun, even the girls had carbon deep section aero wheels on their bikes. Their wheels were probably more than my entire bike, Marley thought. He wanted to race, he didn’t care against who, if he had to race girls then so be it.

“Allright lets do it,” Marley said. Lisa and Ann looked at each other and grinned, this would be fun.

Marley For the Win Part 2

Lisa and Ann both stepped back and looked at Marley then looked at each other. They had never really thought about it but with his longer hair it wouldn’t be that big of a stretch for him to look like a girl. He was 13, but his body hadn’t really changed from puberty, even his voice hadn’t changed.

“It’s the clothes,” his sister said, “That black jersey isn’t going to work, we’re going to have to change it.” Lisa nodded and crossed her arms, then looked into the back of the van.

“I guess it’s still in there,” Lisa said.

“I haven’t taken it out,” Ann answered.

“The good old emergency box comes through again,” Lisa said with a laugh. The emergency box was a plastic tub that stayed in the back of the van. It contained extra cycling clothing, shoes, a helmet, for the entire family. Last summer when the family started traveling to rides more often Lisa had grabbed the wrong bag and left her kit at home. She did the 60 mile ride in regular shorts and a T-shirt, and her rear was sore for the next week. After that her Mom got the idea for the emergency box.

Lisa and Ann dug through the box until they were near the bottom, “I knew there was a good reason to leave this stuff in here,” Ann said as she pulled out a pink jersey, some matching shorts, socks and a sports bra.

“Your old helmet is even in here, perfect,” Lisa said.

“Oh now wait a minute,” Marley said.

“If you want this to work you’ve got to look the part, the girlier the better,” Ann said as she held the jersey up to her chest. It was a light pink with a white swirl motif, accompanied by flowers and butterflies, the shorts were from the same set and even the socks were pink and had butterflies, it was the epitome of girlish.

“Umm, I don’t know,” Marley said.

“Listen you don’t have to do this if you don’t want, it’s totally up to you, but the junior girl’s race is in less than two hours so you better decide,” Lisa said.

“But if people find out I raced as a girl, dressed like that…” Marley said.

“No one is going to find out, we don’t know anyone here, we’re two hours from home, and no one knows you, anyway, when you’re out there racing with sunglasses and a helmet on everyone looks the same,” Ann said. Marley took a look at the pink outfit his was holding up and tried to remember when she last wore it. She got it a couple years ago when she was his age, she had been so proud of owning her own matching kit that she wore it on every ride, but took such care with it that it was still like new. Marley nodded and then smiled making a thumbs up.

“Allright, here’s the plan, take this kit and go into the school, try to find an out of the way bathroom or some place to change then meet me back here and we’ll all go register. I’m going to go get something and I’ll be right back,” Lisa said. She pulled Ann close and whispered in his ear, “Do a little something with his eyes, and maybe some lip gloss or something, oh and give him a bit of padding too, we really don’t want to get caught,” Lisa whispered to her daughter.

Marley sheepishly followed his sister across the parking lot and through the busy registration area towards the school. “This place is huge,” Marley said. His sister mumbled an agreement. They leaned their bikes up against the wall where so many other incredibly expensive racing bikes were just casually leaned. They found their way in and followed signs to the nearest restrooms, a line of men and women had formed.

“Come on, upstairs,” Ann said. They searched until they found an unblocked stairwell, the upstairs corridors were dark and silent but they soon found a completely free bathroom. There was a moment’s hesitation before Marley would enter. “Come on, don’t chicken out now,” his sister said.

“I’ve never been in a girl’s bathroom,” Marley answered.

“Well you’re in for a treat,” Ann said with a laugh and dragged Marley in. “It’s just a bathroom, the only difference is there are no urinals.” Marley looked in wonder at the long row of stalls with doors. “OK let’s do this, I think you should leave your bib shorts on and put these over them,” Ann said handing Marley the pink shorts.

“Why,” Marley asked as he began to remove his shoes.

“Well girls usually have a bit more butt, and the extra padding may help hide your junk,” Ann answered.

Marley turned red at the comment but slid the pink shorts up his legs, they were several inches shorter than his bib shorts. “Umm, now what?” he asked.

Ann pulled the legs of the pink shorts as high as they would go and then neatly folded over the legs of his black Castelli’s and then pulled the pink shorts back down. Marley’s shorts normally went nearly to his knee but these pink girl shorts were almost 4 inches higher revealing much more skin. “There, that should work,” Ann said. “Here, let’s go in a stall in case someone comes in,” Ann dragged Marley into a stall and began to pull his jersey off then pulled down the shoulder straps of his bib shorts. “Allright, you’re going to have to wear this bra,” she said and began to slide the light pink lyrca over his head.

“Wait, why do I have to wear that, no one can see under a jersey,” Marley asked as he brought a hand up to block the undergarment.

“Well there are several reasons, if someone looks close they can see the outline under your jersey, and what if your jersey gets unzipped a bit, a girl your age will be wearing a bra, and most important is that we’ve got to give you some boobs,” Ann explained.

“I can’t believe this,” Marley said as he helped his sister pull on the bra. She used some socks to stuff in the cups giving Marley some small breasts. The jersey was next, Ann pulled the zipper up over the sports bra and dragged Marley to the mirror.

“Come now take a look,” she said with a laugh. He uncrossed his shoulders and looked at himself in the mirror. His jaw almost dropped. The girl’s shorts and cycling jersey were only slightly different from a boy’s model but the differences were monumental. The shorter shorts revealed much more of his slender legs making them look longer, and the girl’s jersey was shaped differently from a boys. It was hourglass shaped, wider and a bit looser at the bottom, very tight in the mid and a wide again near the top, the seams on the front and back seemed to reinforce this shape. The sleeves were much shorter and skinnier than his jerseys. What really blew Marley’s mind was how totally different he looked with a different shirt and shorts, almost like he was another person.

“Well this might just work, especially since you’ve grown out your pretty hair,” Ann said as she mussed up Marley’s hair.

“God this is embarrassing enough without your making fun of me,” Marley said.

“It’s your hair, you’re the one who wanted it longer, why do you want longer hair anyway?” Ann asked.
“I don’t know, I thought it was cool, you know like Thor,” Marley said.

Ann cracked up, “Yeah he’s pretty hot, and your hair is about the same color, but you’ve got about 12 inches or so more to grow.”

Marley crossed his arms, “Dad wouldn’t let me, and now he’s gone, I guess that’s the reason,” Marley said.

Ann’s laughter died, “Yeah, I understand, well lets do a little makeup.”

“Makeup?” Marley asked.

“Yes makeup, but don’t worry it’s just a bit, mainly the eyes, we really don’t want you to get caught” Ann said.

Marley shrugged, and Ann went to work with some eyeliner and mascara, she did something to Marley’s cheeks but he wasn’t sure what. His sister was cracking up at the disgusted face Marley was making when she was applying some lip balm when the door swung open behind them. Surprised they both turned to see an authoritative looking woman in a pants suit with arms on her hips. “Ladies, this part of the school is closed to the racers, you shouldn’t be in here,” she said.

“Oh, I’m sorry mam, see my sister Marley, well this is her first race and she wanted to make sure she looked pretty, she’s really shy about her looks,” Ann said.

The woman’s face softened as she took in Marley, “Well little miss, a pretty girl like you shouldn’t be shy, go ahead and finish up girls, and head back down where you’re supposed to be,” said the lady as she left the bathroom.

Marley and Ann looked at each other and cracked up out of nervousness. Ann poked her brother and said, “Well little miss are you ready?”

“I guess, I thought we were caught, I guess this is going to work,” Marley said.

“You guess, take a good look at yourself, the lady was right, you make a very pretty girl Marley.”

“Oh can it,” Marley said as he looked at himself in the mirror, yet he was stunned, with this new look the words that came to mind were pretty and cute.

“Now listen sis, Marley could be a girl’s name too so we’ll call you that, but if someone refers to you as a girl, a miss, a she, a cutie, sis or whatever just smile and go along with it. Oh, and another thing, you’ve got to try to act like a girl some,” Ann said.

“What be a know-it-all whose never wrong,” Marley said.

“No… Don’t be a disgusting boy, no scratching, keep your hand out of your pants, and nose, and ear, don’t burp in front of everyone, make sure if you need to pee you go to the women’s room, got it?”

“Yeah, OK, but It’s like mom said, I’m just racing and this is over,” Marley said.

“Do you realize if you win you’re going to have to get on the podium looking like that,” Ann said.

“Oh, yeah. I hadn’t realized, what about my voice,” Marley asked.

“Your voice is fine, try to keep your voice light and high though, but it’s not going to give you away,” Ann said. She reached over and gave Marley a hug, then laughed, “I’ve always wanted a sister, look I’ve got to get ready. Why don’t you head back to the van and see if Mom’s back, then we’ll all go register.”

Marley nodded and just before he was out the door he felt a light thump on his back, “Don’t forget these,” he turned to see the pink socks with butterflies, just one more indignation.

Marley for the Win Part 3

Marley paused before turning the corner and entering the busy downstairs bathroom corridor again. He was losing his nerve, he was feeling a bit dizzy and grabbed a railing along the wall. Marley was a shy boy, he didn’t like drawing attention to himself, and he had always harbored a great fear of humiliation. “I can’t do this,” he said and turned around to head back up and get out of this ridiculous costume.

“Sure you can,” a voice said. Marley turned to see a middle aged man in full cycling kit who just rounded the corner, he a was a bit heavier than your average cycling buff. “It’s just a race,” he said with a big smile on his face.

Marley realized he needed to say something but he was afraid to use his voice, after a couple seconds awkward pause he said, “Thanks, I’m just nervous.”

“Yeah I was too the first time I raced, I’m Will by the way, what’s your name,” he said as he stuck out his hand.

“Marley, I’ve never raced before,” Marley said as she took his hand in a shy and light handshake.
“So you, umm, 14 or so Marley?”

“I’m thirteen sir, but I turn fourteen in June.”

“Well I’ll give you some advice young Miss, first you’ll be racing with girls older and younger then you. Watch out for the younger ones, they may over react, you know hit the brakes. You need to try and stay behind the older and taller girls who know what they are doing. They’re not in your class but that doesn’t mean you can’t draft them. Never get in the wind, always stay behind someone. Oh, and most important, it’s just for fun, don’t stress out,” Will explained.

“Thank You sir.”

“Good luck,” Will said and went on his way. Marley took a deep breath when he was gone, I guess this is going to work, he thought. He stepped out into the busy hallway and walked past the people waiting for the bathroom. No one paid him any attention, though he was quite sure a few of the younger guys might have gave him a look over. Marley went back outside in the warm and beautiful spring day and rode his bike back to their parking spot.

“Oh my gosh,” his Mom said.
“Hi Mom,” he shyly said.

“Wow, turn around for me,” Lisa said. Marley groaned and turned around giving his Mom a 360 view. She drew up close and took him by the shoulders, “Honestly if I didn’t know you were a boy I’d never… Oh I got you something,” Lisa pulled a bag from the front of the van and took out a jewelry set. It was pink heart shaped earrings and a matching neckless.

“Seriously,” Marley said.

“Well I wasn’t sure about this but I thought some earrings would help, honestly you don’t need them, but would you mind wearing them for me since I did just run out and buy them, they clip on,” Lisa said.

Marley crossed his arms and made a pouty face, “I guess,” he said.

His Mom clipped the earrings on and hung the neckless around his neck. “Oh you are so cute,” she said. Marley could feel his face warming up with embarrassment. A few moments later his sister rolled up wearing her new kit. It was still girlish but not as childish as Marley’s outfit. It had light pastel stripes running horizontally but Marley noticed how it too was designed and shaped to accentuate the hourglass figure.

“You did a great job getting your sister ready Ann,” Lisa said.

“Thanks Mom, I love to help out little Sis,” Ann said with a smile.

“Really am I not humiliated enough?” Marley asked.

His Mom drew in close, “Sorry hon, but we need to play it up, we don’t want to get caught.” She drew out and announced a bit too loudly, “All right girls, let’s go register,”

A large tent housed the registration area and inside a few people were filling out their forms. A friendly volunteer waved them over and handed Lisa a form. “Hello mam, are you pre registered?”

“No, my girls and I need to sign up,” Lisa said.

“Great, both girls under 18?” the volunteer asked.

“Yes, Ann here is 15 and Marley is 13,” Lisa answered.

“Allrighty they can go on your form, and make sure you fill out the section for a one day race license.”

Lisa and the girls sat down to fill out the form and Marley did his best to disappear completely.

“Lisa? Lisa Mattingly? Is that you?” A man in a “BikeTech” race kit asked startling Marley so bad that he jumped. Someone knew his Mom here, this was a disaster.

“Paul? Is that you? God it’s been forever, Kids meet Paul Kimmage, he introduced me to bicycle racing a long time ago,” Lisa said. Marley avoided eye contact, but Ann spent a moment to look over this Paul character, he was inshape and looked good for an older guy, she was impressed.

“Hello,” Ann said.

“Nice to meet you girls, looks like you’re racing today, have you guys raced before?” Paul asked.

“No sir, but we’ve been training since last year,” Ann replied.

“Well that’s good to hear, you’ll be racing with my daughters Mandy and Amy, I’ll tell them to look out for you.”

“Oh you have daughters too, I didn’t even know you got married,” Lisa said.
“Yeap, didn’t know you were married either,” Paul answered.

“Yeah it’s Lisa May now, but I’m not married anymore,” Lisa replied.

“Oh sorry to hear that,” Paul answered.

“Don’t be, it’s for the best.”

“Listen we’ve got to catch up,” Paul checked his watch, “The girls’ race is in about 45 minutes and they need to warm up, that’s real important. Lets watch it together and we can catch up, “Paul pointed to spot where large “BikeTech” banners were located, that’s BikeTech corner, come over and say hi.”

“Great thanks,” Lisa answered. When Paul was gone Marley gave his Mom a look that could cut through glass.

“You said we didn’t know anyone here,” he said.

“I don’t, or I didn’t, it’s been like almost 20 years since I’ve seen him, he didn’t even know I had kids so relax,” Lisa said.

“What’s the story Mom, who’s the Hunk,” Ann asked.

Now it was Lisa’s turn to blush, “Just an old college friend, we went out some and he got me interested in bicycle riding and racing.” Lisa answered.

“So in a way Paul is the reason we are here today?” Ann asked.

“No we are the reason we’re here today, but Paul is right, you need to warm up, go ride about 20 minutes or so and meet me back at the van to get your numbers,” Lisa said. Marley and Lisa did laps around the parking lot mostly in silence. Marley was trying his best to be inconspicuous but he couldn’t help noticing another rider shadowing him and slowly gaining. He was around Marley’s age dressed in a zipped down “BikeTech” racing kit and looked like he’d been through the wringer. He noticed Marley looking and pulled up along side.

“Hey there, you getting ready to race?” he asked.
“Yeah, junior girls,” Marley answered shyly.

“Cool, I just finished junior boys,” he said.

There was a pause and Marley figured he was waiting to be asked how he did, “So… how’d it go,” he asked.

“Well I think I got 3rd in the 14-15, but I’m not sure there were a lot of guys ahead of me. The big hill is killer, especially if you’re not a climber, it’s right about at mile 5, that’s where everything blew up, I was right there behind the older guys, then boom, someone went for an attack, and…”

“Come on Marley, we’ve got to go,” his sister interrupted.

“Good luck guys,” the boy said.

“Thanks,” Ann said as she herded Marley away.

“Whats the deal trying to get a date?” Ann said once the boy was out of ear shot.

“No, he started talking to me,” Marley said.

“Well you can’t blame him when you’re looking so cute,” Ann replied.

“Oh God please kill me,” Marley said.

“I wouldn’t say that when you’re about to do a bike race,” Ann said.

“Yeah, sorry, just kidding God,”

Marley for the Win Part 4

With numbers pinned and hugs all taken care of the May family entered the starting area right when the announcer called for the junior girls. “OK, you too, best of luck,” Lisa said as she rejoined the other parents around the starting area. Ann and Marley stood silently and tried to hide their nervousness as the other racers all filtered up to the line.

“Hey you guys, Marley and Ann?” an older girl said wearing a BikeTech jersey.

“Yeap, that’s us,” Ann replied.

“OK I’m Amy and this is my sister Mandy,” the girls said as she tapped another girl on the shoulder, she turned around and beamed a friendly smile. The older girl Amy looked super serious, she was rail thin, and had her hair pulled tightly back under her helmet, she was one of the few girls with no makeup or jewelry on. Figures it’d probably slow her down, she didn’t look like she smiled much, Marley thought. Her shorter sister, Mandy, on the other hand had a headful of frizzy hair poking out from under her helmet and was quick to smile. They were both on top of the line Trek race bikes with Dura Ace components, Marley was instantly jealous.

“So what’s BikeTech,” Marley asked.

“That’s our Dad’s bike shop, he sponsors this race, and the team,” Amy answered.

“Cool,” Marley replied.

“Yeah, he’s asked us to look out for you, so get behind our wheels if you can and we’ll try to help you out, but this is a race, so you know,” Amy said.

“Yeah we understand, thanks,” Ann answered.

“Have you guys raced before?” Mandy asked.

“No this is the first time,” Ann replied.

Amy didn’t look happy, “well you have at least rode in groups and drafted right?”

“Oh yeah we train with our Mom all the time, and we’ve been to some group rides,” Marley answered.

Ann didn’t look impressed, “OK, just don’t run us over and don’t freak out and lock up your brakes unless you have to, the last thing we want is a crash,” she said.

The announcer came to the front of the group with a microphone, “OK ladies, you’re all racing together but remember you’re only racing against those in your class. Now we’re going to line you out by class, let’s start with 16 to 18s,” a group of the 5 tallest girls formed the first line, 2 of them were in BikeTech colors one of which was Amy. “OK good, now next line 14 and 15 year olds,” Ann stepped up along with Mandy and one other girl. “OK great, now 12 and 14 year olds on the next row,” Marley didn’t really have to move and 2 other girls shuffled around him. “OK, now for the 10 and 11 year olds you’ll form the last line,” 5 younger girls that Marley couldn’t help think were too little and cute to be racing formed a line behind him.

“OK great job girls, now some final safety reminders, make sure that you keep in control at all times, ride smart and safe, the course is completely closed to traffic so you can cross the middle line to pass but it would be best if you all stayed on the right if possible in case a car wanders onto the course. There are a few corner marshals out there, follow any instructions they give you. The first mile is neutral, that means no attacks, keep the group rolling as it is, once the lead car waves the star flag then the race is on, good luck and remember to ride safe,” The announcer said.

Marley looked right and left to size up his competition, one was wearing the ubiquitous BikeTech jersey and the other was wearing a Business Solutions team kit, they both were thin and looked serious. A thought suddenly occurred to Marley, what if I can’t beat them, what if I can’t even stay with them. Then he turned the thought around, so what if I do beat them? I’m a guy racing against girls, that’s hardly fair. Of course they do have better bikes then me, and it looks like they have more experience too, so things are probably even, Marley thought.

Marley was roused from his thoughts by the sound of 15 cleats snapping into their pedals. Marley joined the chorus and the group pulled out. The Junior girls would be doing one lap of a the 21 mile course of the Jackson Roubiax. It’s name came from the very famous Paris Roubaix one day race in France which is known for it’s cobblestone sections. The Jackson cobblestones weren’t much like the ones in France, they were brick streets that the race started and finished on in town, but they gave the race character and made it one of the most popular events of the early season.

Marley glanced at his computer, they were going about 16 mph and everyone was on edge. There was so much tension and energy pent up in the group that Marley was reminded of a spring. A race official stuck a big flag out of the moon roof of the lead car and accelerated. “Race is on, pick it up,” Amy yelled from the front line. The pace shot up immediately and Marley had to push hard to hold his position. The next time he checked his computer they were doing 23. It was the closest and fastest Marley had ever ridden and his mind was 100% focused on the wheel in front of him and the girls to his sides.

In no time the brick roads and houses faded away and the peloton was on a smooth country road, Marley’s breath was coming in deep regular intervals, but his mind was so focused on the race he wasn’t even thinking about how hard he was working, he felt like he was flying. The flat land gave way to rolling Southern hills, these were climbs that Marley would normally at least gear down for but in the peloton he felt like he was being sucked up the road, and in a way the he was. He checked his computer, they had gone ten miles, it felt like they’d only been riding for a few minutes not 30.

The pace was starting to take a toll on a few of the riders, positions started to change, one of the girls from the front began to sag back, Marley checked behind and saw that there was still a few of the younger girls behind him and a group that was a few hundred yards back. There seemed to be a bit of lull, and Mandy was talking to his sister Ann. In a few minutes she freewheeled back a bit and a space opened up beside Marley. “Hey girl, how’s it going?” she said, not even breathing that hard.

“Good,” Marley spit out between breaths.

“Great OK, there is a big hill coming up, it’sbigger then these rollers, it’s probably going to cause some problems. Things are really going to light up.,” Mandy explained.

“OK,” Marley said. He thought that might be a great time to attack.

“Whatever you do, don’t attack,” Mandy said. “Just try to hang on as long as possible behind the older riders.
“Allright,” Marley replied. Is this a trick, is she setting us up? Marley thought. They did say they would help us. Throughout the entire day since he’d decided to race with the girls Marley mind was really contemplating how we would go about winning the race without making it look to obvious, after all he was a boy and therefore superior to girls at most things, at least in his mind. For the first time doubt started to enter his mind, Mandy smiled and gave him a thumbs up and pedaled back towards the front.

At mile 14 they turned a corner and a wall loomed before them, well if not a wall, at least a very sharp hill. Marley gulped. To his right the girl with the “Business Solutions” jersey maneuvered behind him and then crossed the line and moved up closer to the front. Marley wanted to join her but decided he would follow Mandy’s advice, plus the hill was freaking him out. There was a sudden change in the group and the sound of several chains clunking as gears were lowered. No one wanted to lead up the hill, well no one but the “Business Solutions” chick, she mashed the pedals and went flying off the front. Amy was on her in an instant, then most of the older girls followed in. The older girls were pulling away, in front of him Mandy joined the separation.

Climbing the hill at race pace reminded Marley of last summer in the wave pool when he thought he was going to drown. He couldn’t get enough oxygen even though he was sucking air like a madman, his lungs burned, his legs burned, and yet he was just hanging on to the riders in front of him. Up the road he could see a rider moving backward from the front, almost completely stopped. The first group crest the hill, and the struggling rider came into view, it was Miss Business Solutions. As the survivors passed her she glanced over at them, almost pleading with her eyes for someone to help her. I guess Mandy was telling the truth, Marley thought. The group around her looked to be struggling just as hard, she would get no help. When they crested and began the other side no one pedaled.

At the bottom of the hill one of the older girls who hadn’t made the breakaway spoke between breaths, “Let’s work together and rotate.” She took the first rotation and Marley found himself behind her, his sister was behind him, and a few other riders filled out the line. He pulled through like his Mom and Sister had practiced trying to stay smooth, it was now an epic struggle to hold 18 mph and no one seemed to be able to really catch their breath.

The next few miles went into a blur. As country roads transitioned to city streets Marley felt the rumbled of bricks underneath his wheels a few times. A few girls seemed to shuck off their turns at the front and then come out of nowhere to pull away. The finishing banner came into view up a small rise, Marley was fighting cramps in his legs and just trying to hang on to the rider in front of him, he didn’t even realized he crossed the finish line in his sister’s draft.

Their mother rushed up to congratulate them, but Marley could hardly comprehend his mother’s words, his breath was still coming in ragged gasps, his sister was no better. He slunk down to the ground. “Marley you all right,” his Mom asked.

“Yeah, just need more air.” Marley replied.

Paul Kimmage was huddled up with his Daughters not far away and they all walked over to join the May family, “Way to go girls,” Paul said.

“I sucked,” Marley replied.

“Whatever, you just finished your first race, you did great, both of you,” he said also tapping Ann on the shoulder. “The results will be posted in about half an hour, but it looks like you guys were just about in the middle of the pack.

“You guys realize that we’ve been doing this for years right,” Amy said.

“Oh, really,” Ann said.

“Sure I didn’t even finish my first race,” Mandy said.

“Lisa your race will be in about an hour, and they’ll call up all the girls’ junior winners a little before then so you guys be sure to be there and get your medals. I hope you guys will hang around for the presentations tonight. We’ve got lots of Swag to give away and I since we three will be doing most of the giving away I can promise you some really sweet stuff if you’re at the presentation,” Paul said with a wink and turned to go, Mandy elbowed him in the side and he turned back around. “Oh one other thing, we’d really like it if you’d join us to go eat after the presentation.”

“Umm, I’m not sure,” Lisa said.

“Think it over, my treat,” Paul said turning to leave.

Ann, and Marley pushed their bikes back towards the van while their Mom followed behind, “Geeze Mom, get your head out of the clouds,” Ann said.

“Huh, what,” Lisa replied.

“Oh my God you’re totally in love with him aren’t you,” Ann said.

“No, but he’s a very nice man, and I think it would be really nice to go eat with him and his girls,” Lisa replied.

“Yeah that’s wonderful Mom but aren’t you forgetting something,” Ann said.

“Umm, what’s that honey?”

“Marley,” Ann yelled.

“What? Oh my…” Lisa said.

Marley turned and looked at them Ann was trying very hard to contain a laugh and his Mom looked mortified, “What’s the…” Marley looked down at the hearts on his chest, he’d been so amped on adrenaline and so blown out by the effort he’d forgotten he was dressed as a girl, “Problem,” he finished.

“Yeah Mom, your new boyfriend thinks you have two daughters,” Ann said with a laugh.

Marley for the Win Part 5

“Yeah Mom, your new boyfriend thinks you have two daughters,”

Marley stopped and just stood there, his sister was laughing, but his Mom looked seriously upset. That guy Mom knows thinks I’m a girl, God this is messed up, Marley thought. Oh and she likes him, and now I’ve screwed that up, Marley’s embarrassment bubbled over and he yelled “Damn it this isn’t funny!”

“Yeah knock it off Ann,” Lisa said. “I’m so sorry Marley, this was such a stupid idea, listen let’s just get you back to normal and go home.”

“But what about your race?” Marley asked.

“Forget about it, it’s no big deal,” his Mom replied.

“No, that’s no fair, you should get to race,” Marley said.

“But what are you going to wear?” Lisa asked.

Marley just pointed at his pink jersey, “This I guess,” he said. His Mom came forward and hugged him and kissed him on the forehead.

“Thanks son,” Lisa whispered. “OK you two, get something to drink and eat, I’m going to go for a little spin and I’ll see you at the podiums in about 20 minutes,” his Mom said handing Ann a 20 dollar bill.

“Why, we didn’t win anything?” Marley asked.

“You guys at least both got 3rd place in your age groups,” Lisa said.

“Mom there were only 3 girls in our age groups,” Ann said.

“So, you still get a medal,” Lisa replied as she rode off.

Marley and Ann went over to the vendor tents and grabbed some food, there was a Mexican food truck and Marley got some excellent Nachos, Ann got her usual chicken tacos. They took seats at a picnic table and began to devour the food.

“So how’d it go?” a voice asked. Marley turned around to see the bigger guy from the hallway earlier, Will.

“Good I guess,” Marley said.

“I saw you too finish together, you guys finished strong,” Will said. Like before he was radiating friendliness and confidence. He stuck his hand out to Ann, “I’m Will he said, I gave this young lady a pep talk back in the school.”

“Hi, I’m the young ladies sister Ann,” she replied.

“Well look, I don’t mean to go on and bother you, but I think it’s so awesome that young people, and especially girls are into cycling, I wish my own kids weren’t so lazy,” Will laughed. Your parents get you guys into riding?” He asked.

“Our Mom got us into it,” Marley said.

“Lisa May, er well it used to be Lisa Mattingly,” Ann replied.

“Ohhh, yeah, I thought you guys looked familiar, your Mom was in our bike club back in college, man she could ride,” Will said.

“Really, you knew her,” Marley asked.

“Yeah a little bit, she was good friends with Paul, they used to go race all over, there’s a picture of her in the shop,” Will said.

Marley and Ann looked at each other with wide eyes, “Mom told us she used to ride but she didn’t say anything about racing,” Ann said.

“Heck, she was good, won a lot, I guess that was about,” Will began counting fingers off his hand, “Yeah she won the 1999 state championships, so that was 15 years ago.”

The smile faded from Ann’s face, “Huh, she never told us.”

“Well I’ll let you too eat, hope to see you at more races,” Will said as he walked off.

“Oh my God Marley, do you realize Mom stopped racing because she had me,” Ann said.

“Well, yeah, she couldn’t go race pregnant,” Marley said.

“Yeah I guess not, but I wonder why she didn’t start racing until now.” Ann said with a frown. The brother and sister scarfed down their food and in a few minutes their Mom showed up.

“You didn’t tell us you used to race,” Ann said.

“Well, I told you I rode, and I think I mentioned a few races,” Lisa answered.

“Yeah but you didn’t tell us you were good, like 1999 state champion,” Marley said.

“Who told you that?” Lisa said a bit defensive.

“Some guy named Will,” Ann said. “That’s so awesome you were state champion.”

“Well, that was a while ago, I just hope I don’t make a fool of myself today.” Lisa said.
“You’ll do fine Mom,” Ann replied.

A crackly intercom voice flooded the area, “Girls Junior results are posted, podium awards in 10 minutes, please check your results and wait to receive your rewards. The May’s rushed across the grass to the organization tent where a large bulletin board contained several print outs for the day’s results.

“Here we are,” Ann said running her finger down the line. “Huh, well I got 3rd of 3, and you Marley, you got 2nd of 3.” Marley couldn’t hide his smile, he’d beaten someone, the girl who went on the suicide hill attack. There was also a sheet that showed the overall results for all the junior girls. Ann was 8th, Marley 9th placing them right in the middle of the results. “I guess that’s not so bad,” Ann said.

The announcer called up the winners starting with the 16 to 18s, Paul’s stern daughter Amy was, of course, on the top step having set the fastest time and winning the overall race. Marley thought she might have cracked a slight smile, but she still looked mostly serious. Amy’s younger sister, Mandy, won her age group, the 14 to 15s. She smiled bright and waved to the crowd. Ann took the 3rd place step and smiled big as well.

Marley just then realized how many people were taking pictures, he had a mini panic attack. He was getting ready to get called up to the podium dressed like a fairy girl cyclist and get his picture taken. It’s going to end up on the web, he thought. His world froze and he didn’t even notice his sister return, he was called up and didn’t take a step. He was just about to make a dash for it when his sister pushed him forward. Suddenly aware that he was standing in front of a big crowd, Marley gingerly stepped up and took the second step of the podium. He tried to smile but couldn’t quite hide the fear from his eyes.

After what seemed like a million pictures he stepped down an examined the little medal, it had a bike rider on the front crossing the line in victory and on the back it was engraved, “Junior Girls 12-13 second place.” Wow, great, my first medal and it’s for a girl’s race, Marley thought. Still, he was glad to have raced and thought it was pretty cool for his Mom to come up with this crazy idea to save the day. Man, she would do about anything for me, he thought.

In a short time the May family repeated the number pinning and hug routine for their Mom and Lisa took her place on the start line for Women’s Cat 4 race. Despite the fact that this was supposed to be a beginner’s race Lisa was one of the few women not wearing a team kit of some kind. There were, of course, plenty of BikeTech jerseys, and Marley spotted the elder Miss Business Solutions. I hope she’s get better strategy then her daughter, he thought. The race was a bigger field then the juniors, with over 30 riders, but it was still only one lap.

Marley and Ann took a spot up the road a bit and were both jumping and screaming encouragement as their Mom went by. In a few moments they were out of sight down the road. Marley was thinking of something as they walked back towards the staging area, but was embarrassed to ask, finally he said, “Umm, did you bring extra clothes.

“Yeah, what I was wearing and something to change into, why?” his sister replied.

“Well, I was thinking, umm, I really want Mom to get to go out with that guy after the race,” Marley answered.

“So that means you’ve got to go as a girl and you need something to wear,” Ann said with a smile.

“Yeah I guess, trust me, I don’t want to, I’m not enjoying this, I was just thinking, Mom does so much for us, and I just want to do something for her,” Marley said. Ann hugged her little brother.

“That’s really sweet of you, all right, let’s go change, I’m tired of this sweaty stinky stuff anyway. Back at the van Ann handed Marley the jeans and top she’d worn this morning and packed her bag with shorts and a lighter top for the afternoon. Marley looked over his new outfit, and held them up to him. He’d seen these jeans often enough, low rise hip huggers that flared out at the bottom, he frowned at the colorful designs embroidered on the pockets and legs. The top had mid length sleeves that ruffled out and it was cut so that it widened and got a bit ruffled below the boobs. Its color was an intense pink.

“Oh man, this stuff is so girly,” he moaned.

“Well do you think I should dress like a dude, jeans and T-shirt every day, I think not. You could wear my shorts, and this top,” Ann said as she held up some shorts that were extremely short and a floral patterned sleeveless top that was trimmed in lace.

“No this will do,” Marley said.

“Oh one more thing,” Ann handed Marley a pair of panties.

“You’re not serious,” Marley said.

“Your waistband will show in those jeans people are going to wonder, why is this girl wearing fruit of the looms?” Ann explained. Marley rolled his eyes at his sister and stuffed the colorful underwear in his bag. As they walked back towards the school Ann said, “I think we need to use the regular restrooms.”

“No way!,” Marley said.

“Yes way, I don’t think I can talk us out of trouble again if the bathroom police come around, it’s just a bathroom, just walk in go to a stall, change clothes and walk out, it’ll be fine.” Ann said. Marley just grumbled. There were a few people in line at the restrooms and they settled into wait, Marley tried to avoid eye contact with everyone.

“Hey you two, what’s up?” the bubbly Mandy asked coming up from behind.

“Just going to go change clothes, Ann answered.

“Oh come on follow me, you don’t have to wait,” she said grabbing them both and pulling them out of line.

“Umm, is there another bathroom?” Ann asked.

“Yeah, come on, follow,” Mandy said nearly dragging them down the hall, they entered the gym and saw where someone had posted a hand written sign that read “showers.” One of the girl’s from their race walked by and smiled, she was still a bit wet from a shower and carried a couple of bags. Marley looked at Ann almost in panic.

“Oh we don’t need to shower,” Ann said.

Mandy gave them a funny look, “Yeah you do, anyway the best part of finishing a ride is a hot shower.” They went through a tunnel between the bleachers and entered into a hallway, Mandy started to swing open the locker room door and Marley froze, he was just about to make a run for it but Ann grabbed him.

“Umm, Marley’s kind of a late bloomer, and she’s really shy and sort of embarrassed about this, we don’t even have any towels, so we’re going to pass,” Ann said.

Mandy flashed her huge smile towards Marley, “Hey, listen, there’s a handicapped shower stall in here, just go in there, no one will see you OK. And as for towels,” Mandy walked down the hall to a hamper and came back with a couple of towels, “Fresh towel service, No one will be the wiser,” she laughed.

Ann looked at Marley and nodded, Marley gulped and nodded back, they took their towels and entered the locker room. After negotiating a short hall they entered a wide open space filled with steam surrounded by lockers and benches. There were two columns in the room with shower heads sticking out each direction. Most of the showers were in use. Girls were busy lathering up and getting clean. Marley couldn’t help to see, but quickly started looking at the floor. Mandy dropped her stuff at one of the benches that lined the room and immediately stripped off her jersey. Marley saw that she was wearing bib shorts with a very interesting design. The bib straps came together right under her breasts and then separated over the tops of them to go over her shoulders. She was wearing a light blue sports bra, but the straps made her substantial breasts really stand out, Ann looked over to see Marley transfixed on Mandy’s chest. She smacked him, and caught his eye with an evil glance, “Hey, don’t you need to shower.”

Amy stepped out of a cloud of steam completely naked, “She’s probably never seen bib shorts made like that,” she said. Marley looked up at Amy instinctively despite being older and taller she was way slimmer then her sister and had much smaller breasts, he quickly looked away. Stuff like this only happens in Anime, the dirty kind, Marley thought. He thought that he should be excited but really he was so embarrassed that he wanted to run.

“She needs them because her tits are so big,” said another girl showering which caused a raucous laughter.

“Shut up Jennie, you’re just jealous,” said a giggling Mandy. She looked up and saw how uncomfortable Marley looked and stopped laughing. She hopped off the bench and ushered Marley back around a row of lockers where there were some bathroom stalls including an enclosed shower stall. “Gosh I’m so sorry, we’re being so rude, go ahead in there,” Mandy said.

Marley nodded and entered the shower stall. Mandy turned to Ann who had followed them, “I’m sorry here we are making rude jokes and you said your sister was shy,” Ann and Mandy returned to their showering and Marley shut and locked the door on his shower stall. He sat down on a bench and tried to steady his breathing. There was a tall mirror on the stall door and he looked at himself, he saw a girl staring back at him. Marley took off his sister old kit and hung it up then enjoyed a hot shower, but he couldn’t get the images out of his head, he’d never seen naked girls before, nor naked guys for that matter. They didn’t shower in PE and he wasn’t on any sports teams or anything. This was his first experience with a communal shower.

Mandy was right though, the hot shower did feel really good, getting the grime and stink off made him feel like a new man, well that was until he had to put on his sister's clothes. The slightly damp bra and sock stuffers went back on then he pulled up the panties. They were really soft, and he immediately found he liked the soft and stretchy fit way better than the tighty whities he usually wore. They had repeating pattern of rainbow colored hearts in rows and bright blue bands around the legs and waist. He turned around and admired his backside in the mirror. “Nice ass,” he whispered to himself. Marley immediately shock his head and let out a nervous laugh, this is so stupid. He pulled up his sister’s jeans and took a good look in the mirror before heading out. He had to admit that even with the makeup washed off he made a more than convincing girl.

He was prepared this time when he went around the corner and kept his eyes averted from the couple of girls showering and dressing. Ann and Mandy were waiting for him in the gym, they were talking and appeared to have become friends. “Listen I’m really sorry about that in there,” Mandy said.

“Oh, don’t worry, it’s nothing,” Marley said. Ann and Mandy seemed to really hit it off, they chattered almost nonstop as they walked back to the race course. How do girls go on like that, they don’t even know each other and they’re talking like they are best friends. Marley didn’t say much and just followed them around while their discussion bounced from cycling, to school, hot teachers, fashion, hot movie stars, phones, hot boys in their grades, and back to cycling. Marley’s head was spinning, they had talked more in the last 20 minutes then he had his whole life.

“Hey there you are,” Mandy’s dad Paul said as come walking up. You should get to the finish line, your Mom will be coming in soon,” Paul said.

“Cool,” Marley replied glad to be away from the Chatty Cathies.

“Yeah, even more there is a breakaway of three riders coming in and your Mom’s in it,” Paul said with excitement.

Marley and Ann looked at each other, in surprise. “Wow, Mom is good,” Ann said.

FLASHBACK: April 3rd 2001

“Come on here we go, another bite, yum yum yum,” Lisa May snuck the spoon into her daughter’s mouth. “Come on little Annie, you’ve got to eat these yummy carrots.” Little Annie was not amused as orange goop ran out of her mouth, she swung her little arms in anger and gave a look that could melt ice. “OK, I get it, not your favorite,” Lisa laughed.

The door opened and Tom May walked in, dirty from head to toe in coal dust, he dropped his lunch bucket on the counter and dropped heavily into a seat. “What’s for supper?” he asked.

“It’s nice to see you as well,” Lisa said.

“Yeah, sorry, it was a long day,” Tom said.

“I know honey, these 12 hour shifts are killing you,” Lisa replied.
“Yeah, I’m really hungry,” Tom said.

“I’ve got a roast in the oven, be ready in like 15 minutes,” Lisa said.

Tom looked over at the oven, then over at the baby in the high chair, “How’s our little angel doing?”
“Well other than I can’t get her to like carrots, great,” Lisa answered.

“Smart kid,” Tom laughed.

“Oh hey, the weather is really nice today and I was going to see if you’d watch Ann for a couple hours before it gets dark I really want to go for a ride,” Lisa said.

Tom’s smile turned to a frown, “You know that I’m going over to Red’s tonight, the game is on. Anyway I thought we were done with the bike thing?” Tom asked.

“I never said I was done with anything, I said I’d stop riding when I got pregnant, I didn’t say I’d quit for the rest of my life,” Lisa said.
“Yeah, fine, but I can’t do it tonight, I don’t see what’s so wonderful about riding around on that stupid bike, it’s like a god damn toy!” Tom yelled as he dragged his filthy body out of the kitchen.

Lisa tried in vain to fight back the tears, and then nervously returned to her baby, “Come on Lisa, gotta eat this shit.”

NOW:

Lisa took a look behind her and saw nothing, not a single rider as far as the eye could see. Her two breakaway companions both glanced back as well. For the last 15 miles they had been working like a well-oiled machine, each taking 30 second pulls and recovering in a minute of draft. The gamble had paid off, and unless something crazy happened they were all guaranteed at least 3rd place. The two girls in front were both wearing “BikeTech” jerseys and trained together, they were more than happy for Lisa to fall in with them when her horsepower helped them get away from the pack, but now they both looked unhappy to see her hanging on behind.

Lisa had a pretty good idea what would be coming and wasn’t surprised when the 2nd rider cut across the road and stood on her pedals. Yeah the ol’ one two trick, Lisa thought. I’ll chase down this one and as soon as I catch the other will launch. I think not. Lisa watched as the rider quickly moved up the road but made no move to follow instead pulling in close to the other BikeTech who had just realized that Lisa wasn’t going to play their games.

“You’re not going to chase?” the rider asked. Lisa just shook her head. “You’re happy with third then?” the girl asked. Again Lisa just shook her head. She wanted to win of course, but felt like she little chance of that, if she stayed on her wheel she could probably out sprint this chick and claim second. “Well I’m not going to haul your ass to the line for free!” the woman yelled. She cut left across the lane and stood on her pedals, but Lisa was on her in flash. Just as I thought, this is the stronger of the two, the first was just a diversion. She’s attacking her own team mate up the road, could they be any dumber, Lisa thought.

With one team mate up the road the BikeTech woman was attacking, and attacking hard. With a quarter mile to go she had caught then moved right past her team mate who was flagging. Lisa chanced a glance and saw the first attacker was cooked, she couldn’t even grab her wheel. Maybe, just maybe, Lisa thought. The finish line was in sight, the woman in front of her showed no signs of slowing, she kept her head down and pumped the pedals furiously. When Lisa was sure she could wait no longer she pulled out of the draft and gave everything she had into the sprint. Her opponent did the same. Lisa’s lungs were gasping, she couldn’t provide her body enough oxygen and her legs were burning, she was neck to neck with the BikeTech woman, she let out a scream and pushed past the pain and past her opponent, beating her to the line by half a wheel. Lisa threw up a fist in triumph and screamed again.

“Oh my God Mom, you just won!” those were the first words she could hear when the pounding in her ears faded. She looked around Ann was at her side and another girl, no wait is that Marley in his sister’s clothes. What the hell? She felt a bit unsteady and thought she might faint but a strong hand steadied her.

“Oh hey Paul, umm, thanks,” Lisa said.

“Congratulations, looks like after all this time you’ve still got it,” he said.

After shaking a few hands and hugging her fellow breakaway riders Lisa gingerly walked back towards the van while Marley pushed her bike and Lisa steadied her. “OK what’s the deal Marley, was the cycling kit getting uncomfortable?” Lisa asked.

“Well yeah, but that’s not exactly the problem,” Marley answered.

“OK, what exactly is the problem?” Lisa asked.

“I don’t want to keep you from dinner tonight, you know with that guy,” Marley answered.

“Oh Marley that’s really sweet, I really appreciate it, but I don’t think so. I’ve put you through enough, it was a stupid idea, I’m really sorry, I can’t put you through more,” Lisa said.

“Really it’s OK Mom,” Marley said and Ann let slip a chuckle and Marley shot her a look of daggers.

“What? Sorry, I feel like we’re in the plot of some kind of cheesy old sit com or something,” Ann said.

“No Marley, I’m sorry but this whole situation isn’t good, after the podium presentation you can put your clothes back on and we’ll blow this Popsicle stand,” Lisa said.

Marley wasn’t sure why, but he really wanted to go to dinner with Paul and his family, he thought back to the shower, and earlier when he first met Mandy, her smile was like the most wonderful thing he could imagine. She was so… so perfect, and then there was Paul, he was like the perfect Dad. Of course there was the girl clothes, well that sucks. Marley held up his arms and looked at how his ruffled sleeves billowed out around his hands, he liked that. Kind of like a pirate, the thought.

Lisa collapsed in a folding chair while Ann showed her Mom the photos she had taken of her crossing the line and Marley helped her Mom change into sandals and brought her bottled water from the van. She wasn’t really ready to get up when the announcement was made for women’s cat4 winners to come to the podium but her two excited kids dragged nearly dragged her there. A small crowd had gathered around, husbands and kids mostly. Both bike tech girls looked less than thrilled as they were called up to the 3rd and 2nd steps. The podium announcer took a look at his notes and then addressed the crowd “Now ladies and gentlemen it gives me great honor to call up our cat 4 ladies winner. This lady is returning to racing after an over 15 year hiatus, former state champion Lisa Mattingly May!”

“How the heck?” Lisa said a bit confused.

There was a nearly riotous applause from their right and the May’s saw Paul, Will, his daughters and a cluster of other folks all applauding their heads off. Lisa shot them a dirty look then a broken smile and started heading towards the podium. Ann was jumping up and down and screaming, and as a boy Marley considered such over the top enthusiasm to be inappropriate, but considering his current state of dress and the way the other girls were celebrating Marley decided to let himself go. “Yeah Mom, yeee haaaa, go Mom!” Marley screamed as he bounced up and down.

The announcer gave the women their medals and then paused to address Lisa, “Lisa is it true your daughters are here racing with you today?” he asked.

“Errhhmm, Yes, they did very well in the juniors race earlier,” Lisa answered.

“Lets get them up here, come on girls,” the announcer said.

Ann and Marley looked at each other, but didn’t move, in a flash Mandy was behind them pushing them forward. “Come on don’t be shy,” she said with her winning smile. Marley and Ann joined their Mom and the crowd clapped again. Marley saw a man with a very professional looking camera taking some pictures and felt his stomach twist. Lisa put her arms around her two kids and bent low saying, “Smile big girls.”
After the podium crowd dispersed the Mays were surrounded by a small crowd of folks, most of them had been in the bike club with Lisa 16 years ago when she was 20 year old racer with unlimited potential. “We just never could understand where you went, it was like one minute you’re winning races left and right and then then you kind of disappear over that winter and we never see you again,” Will said.

“It’s kind of a long story,” Lisa said.

“Well I’m glad you’re back, and I really hope you’ll take me up on diner after the race, we really need to catch up,” Paul added.
“Oh that’s so kind of you, but we’ve really got to get back to Bent Fork, right kids,” Lisa said. Marley and Ann stayed silent and Lisa just frowned.

“That’s really too bad, maybe some other time, but make sure you’re up front in a couple hours when we do the final presentation and give out the swag,” Paul said.

“Oh I don’t know if we can stay that long,” Lisa said.

“Oh, well OK,” there was a moment of awkward trepidation and finally Paul reached out to embrace Lisa, she returned the hug with both hands wrapped around Paul’s back and they kind of held it for several seconds. Ann and Marley shared knowing glances again, there was something between their Mom and this Paul, something from the past. Even Marley, who would be first to tell you he had no idea about girls and relationships could tell. Although she was very good at hiding it, they knew how much their Mom missed having a man around and Marley felt horrible for messing that up.

Several minutes later Marley, Ann and their Mom were crossing the parking lot. “So spill it Mom, what’s the story?” Ann asked.
“What are you talking about,” Lisa replied.

“You know, Paul, you guys were, you know, like together,” Ann said. Lisa smiled but said nothing. “Come on Mom, tell us,” Ann begged.
“Nothing to tell, just drop it,” Lisa said. “Now son, why don’t you get in there and get your clothes back on and we can head home,” she said as they approached the van.

Marley couldn’t take it any longer, “I want to stay, get the free swag, whatever that is, and go eat dinner with Paul.”
“Now Marley we talked about this, we’re in deep enough as it is, let’s get you back to normal and just forget this whole thing,” Lisa said.
Marley crossed his arms and tried to stand strong, “No, I don’t want to, we’re staying.”

Ann let out a surprised laugh, but Lisa did not appear amused, “You don’t tell your mother what we going to do or not do Little Miss,” she said before she realized that she was addressing her son and not her daughter. Lisa was torn, a big part of her knew the right thing to do was to come clean, tell everyone that she had entered her son in the girl’s race because they were late, but if she told the officials that they would take her son’s and probably her medal away, which really isn’t that big of a deal. The big deal would be the fact that she would probably not be welcome back at future races, all her old friends would think that they were cheats and that she entered Marley in the race so he could beat girls. Besides all that why does Marley want to go to this dinner so bad, why isn’t he more eager to get out of his sister’s clothes. I’ve always wondered… God, I’d love to see Paul again, and it seems he’d like to see me, but how do I tell him about this?

Lisa realized her kids were waiting for some kind of reaction from her while she was lost in her thoughts. She took a deep breath and said, “OK, Ann would you please load my bike up on the rack, Marley and I are going for a short walk.”

Marley and his Mom walked across the school parking lot and across the school’s front lawn until they reached a bench, Lisa double checked to make sure no one was around then said, “OK, so Marley, I’m going to ask you something, why do you want to go to dinner with Paul and his family so bad?”

Marley paused to consider his answer, there were several reasons but he wanted to tell his Mom one that would make her want to go. “Umm, I… Well since Dad went you know, it’s just me, you and Ann, and it sounds fun.”

“Yeah I agree, but,” Lisa pulled the billowed shirt out and held it up, “Doesn’t this bother you, I can’t understand how you could want to go out with them in this, aren’t you embarrassed.”

“Yeah, I wish I was in my clothes,” Marley said.

“Umm, that’s what I don’t get Marley, you don’t seem to be that bothered by it,” Lisa said.

“Well, I…,” Marley stammered for a moment. “Once I saw that everyone just thought I was a girl it didn’t seem like as big a deal,” Marley answered. “It’s so weird it’s like I’m not really acting or talking any different, but I wear these clothes and everyone thinks I’m a girl.”

Lisa was pretty sure she knew where this was going. Marley had yet to start puberty at the age of 13, most of the other boys he knew had experienced changes they were all growing taller, more muscular, and their voices were changing. “I know son, but you’re just a little late, things will happen soon.”

“Mom, I really thought I would beat all those girls, shouldn’t a boy be faster than a girl?”

“Well, a lot of them were older than you, but you’ve got to keep in mind that we’ve only been training for less than a year, and those girls have probably been training longer,” Lisa answered.

“But you won and you’ve only been training for the same time as us?”

“Well, I used to race and I think my body kind of remembered that, and I do most of my really hard training on days that we don’t all ride together,” Lisa said.

“Wow, I would have sucked so bad if I’d raced with the boys,” Marley said.

“You don’t know that, but don’t worry about it, the only person that you’re really trying to beat is yourself,” Lisa said as she hugged her son. “Listen, I won’t lie to you, I want to go to dinner with Paul, catch up on old times and find out how his life turned out. So we’ll go, and see how it goes, I’ll tell him the truth later and we’ll work out what to do then, OK.”

Marley smiled and hugged his Mom back, “Thanks.” After a moment he raised his head, “Oh one more thing, what’s swag?”

Lisa laughed, “Oh it’s like stuff that they give away, kind of like prizes, but kind of random, sometimes it’s just junk, sometimes it’s really nice.”
“Cool, lets get some swag,” Marley said.

The next few hours went by kind of slow, with all their races out of the way the May family hung out around the race, and watched all the remaining races finish. These were two more men’s races, the pro, cat 1, and 2, and cat 3 men, and the cat 1, 2, 3 women who all raced together. Marley noticed his new friend Will, the big friendly guy, finish near the back of his race, he seemed really happy even though he didn’t even come close to winning. Paul was pretty busy, at some point he had switched out of his riding kit in casual clothes. The May’s realized he was the main coordinator of the race, and therefore not riding himself. Lisa let him know that they were going to take him up on dinner. Amy and Mandy had apparently left the area as Marley didn’t see hide or hare of them.

The pro and cat 1 men were the last to finish and they came in to the line like rolling thunder. Marley was stunned by the spectacle of a huge group of riders barreling to the line. When the peloton flew by they pushed air like a car on the highway. Marley was fixated on the men’s legs, they were huge, and yet their bodies were relatively small. He also noticed how the men’s legs were completely smooth and hairless, like a girls. “Hey Mom, why do those guys have no hair on their legs?” he asked.

“Well, most men bike racers shave their legs,” Lisa answered.
“Wow that is so weird,” Ann laughed.

“Why do they do that?” Marley asked.

“That’s a real good question, sometimes they say it’s for massage, or so that when they fall and get hurt it’s easier to change bandages, but really I think it’s because they want their legs to look good,” Lisa laughed.

Soon all the remaining people were gathered around the podium, the announcer called up the winners of the men’s race and then Paul took the Microphone, he had Mandy and Amy with him. “I want to thank everyone who hung around until the end. This year we had plenty of new faces and even some old,” Marley was sure that Paul took a moment to focus on his Mom, “This event gets bigger and better every year thanks to people like you. So to thank you all for coming and sticking around, its swag time.

Over the next 15 minutes all manner of bicycle related goodies were handed out by Paul and his daughters, lots of it wasn’t that exciting, stickers, posters, magazines, but then they got to the better stuff, T-shirts, cycling caps, all kinds of various clothing items with company logos, they had boxes of stuff, and everybody got something, though it seemed like Marley and his family were getting some real cool stuff. Mandy smiled real big and handed Marley a folded pink item. He unfolded it and saw a pink girls jersey, on the front it was emblazoned with the words, “Ride Like a Girl,” and had a racing design with checkered pink flags. I’ll never be able to wear this, Marley thought.

When the swag stopped flowing the people all started to disperse back in small groups talking and reliving the day’s glories. Paul caught up with the May’s as they shuffled away. “All right guys, give me 5 minutes to straighten a couple things out, we’ve still got a lot to do tonight but it can wait until after we eat. That’s my truck, I think there is room for everyone,” Paul pointed at the big crew cab pickup truck that until recently had been loaded with “swag.”

The girl’s all rode in the back, which seemed to annoy Amy, but Mandy in her never ending cheerfulness was happy to sit in the middle, Marley was drafted to also be in the middle so was smushed up beside Mandy and his sister, much to his excitement. Paul took them to a local restaurant called, “Torrelli’s” It was nice but not fancy, and he promised the food was excellent. “So no one is joining us,” Lisa asked as they sat down at an oversized booth.

“Umm, no, it’s just as, were you expecting someone?” Paul answered.

“Well I thought there may be others,” Lisa said.

“You mean like my wife?” Paul asked with a hint of pain in his voice.

“Umm, well yeah I, was going to ask” Lisa said.

“Our Mom had breast cancer and died in 2012,” Amy said mater of factly.
“Oh my gosh I’m so sorry,” Lisa said.

“Oh no, you didn’t know, I should have told you,” Paul said.

“Well I wish I could have met her,” Lisa said.

“Yeah me too, she was really something,” Paul said. The waiter arrived and the thought of food helped relieve the tension. This place specialized in Italian but offered just about everything, Marley was excited to see his favorite dish on the menu, lasagna. The conversation turned to the race and Mom relived her win for the table. Then the May’s talked a bit about their home up in rural Bent Creek, and the roads they rode on. Lisa talked a bit about her teaching job at the community college and Paul talked about his bike shop, eventually Paul indicated he wanted to say something, “Well ladies, there was an ulterior motive to my invitation, if course it’s a pleasure to have supper with you, but I wanted to invite you to join our team.”

Ann, Marley and Lisa all looked at each other, “Wow, that is so cool,” Ann said.

“Wow, thank you but I’m not sure if we’re going to be making any more races,” Lisa said.

“But you guys crushed it today in your first race, the season is just getting started,” Paul said.

“Well we live so far from any races, and girls are swamped with school, and everything,” Lisa said.

“Hmm, well that’s too bad, but I hope you think about it, we could really use you guys on the team,” Paul replied. The food arrived shortly and everyone dug in, a day of bike racing had a way of making you hungry. The food was fantastic, but Marley tried his best to eat like a girl, that is eat without getting sauce all over his face, not to mention his sister’s shirt. Once the food was gone and after a bit of stunted conversation Mandy seemingly sensing that the adults needed to talk alone said, “Hey lets go check out the boutique across the street, they’ve got some really nice stuff.”

“Oh that’s an awesome idea, Marley loves to shop, don’t you Sis,” Ann said.

“Yeah, you know me,” Marley said with a corny laugh. Mandy, Ann and Marley headed out the door, Amy took a look at the two adults and cheerlessly followed the girls.

Once the kids were gone Paul drew closer across the table, “What happened Lisa?”

Lisa replied back with a dazed silence then said, “What do you mean what happened?”

“What happened to us, you and me, back in college, what happened to you?”

“I had to take some time off.” Lisa replied.

“Because you got pregnant?” It was more of an accusation then a question.

“Yeah, I did. But now that you mention it how do you have a kid older than mine, Ann’s 15, and Amy’s 17?”
“It’s complicated,” Paul said.

“Yeah things often are,” Lisa replied. The two adults looked at each other in silence for a moment.

“I’m sorry,” they both said in unison.

“I fell in love with you, back in college, in 1998.” Lisa said.

“So did I, that’s why I can’t understand,” Paul replied.

Lisa hesitated a second before answering, “I was engaged to my high school sweetheart, I found out I was pregnant in November of 98, and we got married in February. I’m sorry.”

Marley for the Win Part 8

Paul’s thoughts were suddenly thrust to his past. We never did it, I mean not that I didn’t try, there was that one time we kissed but it ended awkwardly. Everything makes so much more sense now, he thought. “So that’s why we never could get things going,” he said.

“Not that you didn’t try, how many times did I have to slap your hand away from my…” Lisa said.

“That’s not fair you led me on,” Paul laughed.

“When did being friendly and spending time together becoming leading someone on?” Lisa asked.

“You’ve obviously never been a man,” Paul laughed and Lisa joined in. “Can’t fault a man for trying,” Paul laughed. “Really though, why didn’t you tell me, I mean for the last 15 years I’ve been thinking you didn’t like boys.” With the truth out the tension drained from Lisa and Paul, and has they chatted about old times and Lisa felt like she 19 again.

Meanwhile across the street Marley was learning a lesson about impersonating a girl, girls like to shop, like, a lot. It’s not like he didn’t know this, he’d been shopping many times with his Mom and Sister, but usually after following them around for 5 minutes he’d sneak off to the toys, games, magazines, or anywhere to get away from clothes. Yet he was finding this experience somewhat different, he wasn’t just a passive observer. Mandy and his sister kept saying things like, “This would look so good on Marley, or that top matches your sister’s eyes, or that would be like so cute on you.” He knew his sister was messing with him, but he was finding it exciting in a way that he really didn’t understand. It felt exciting because he was pulling one over on the girls, but there was something more.

The Boutique as it was called, was a consignment shop for fashion and it’s main clientele were young women and teens. Taylor Swift flooded the floor and trendy but amateurish bohemian interior decorating was everywhere. Being a Saturday evening at 6:30 there were a few other shoppers in the store. A girl was dragging around her boyfriend who looked like he could die of boredom and Marley thought, I feel for you Bro.

“Marley you should totally get this dress, it would be like so cute, and you could wear cowboy boots with it,” Mandy said.

“Errhh, um yeah, I guess,” Marley said. He imagined himself in the sleeveless calico dress that did look a bit western and he wondered how he would look in it. God I’ve got to get out of here, what am I thinking, he thought.

“Hey now just because were from the country doesn’t mean we’re rednecks, we don’t have cowboy boots,” Ann said with a laugh.

“I know, I’m just kidding around,” Mandy said. Amy who had been more or less looking at clothing in silence wandered across the store to the shoes.

“What’s her deal, does she not like us or something?” Ann whispered to Mandy.

“Amy, oh no she’s like that with everyone. She’s really not a jerk, she just seems like one,” Mandy said. Could have fooled me, Marley thought but kept to himself.

“Oh, OK,” Ann said not really convinced.

“Trust me, you know she’s like Spock, no emotions,” Mandy said.

“Oh that’s from one of those Star something shows, like Star Wars or something?” Ann asked.

Marley rolled his eyes, his sister was so clueless, “You guys like Star Trek?” he asked.

“Well Dad likes the old ones, with Captain Kirk, they’re so cheesy, we watch them sometimes, but really that’s Amy’s thing more than mine,” Mandy answered.

“Oh Marley we’ve got to try and find you some shoes,” his sister said grabbing his arm and nearly dragging him to the shoes.

“Oh no really, I’m good,” Marley protested, but in short order they were browsing a wall of pumps, stilettos, sandals and Mary Janes. Marley felt powerless as his sister pushed him down on a bench and started trying to take off his athletic shoes. “Come on, I really don’t need any shoes,” he protested.

“That’s something I don’t think I’ve ever heard a girl say,” Amy said as she turned and caught Marley’s eye. Am I just imagining things or did she just arch an eyebrow like Spock would, Marley thought.

“Oh these are perfect for you, and they are your size,” Ann said as he handed her brother a pair of lavender stilettos with at least a 3 inch heal. He just looked at them, I’m going to kill you, he thought.

“Come on Mar, try them on,” Mandy said. Marley slipped them on his feet and shrugged.
“OK, come on, you’ve got to walk to see how they feel,” Ann said.

Marley couldn’t avoid giving her a dirty look, but he rose to his feet and started to walk. He took three shaky steps and nearly fell down. It was like trying to walk on stilts. The girls were cracking up, even the one dragging her boyfriend around stopped to laugh, even the boyfriend was laughing. Marley turned beet read and stood perfectly, heels together, butt stuck out and balancing. “Marley those heels really do wonders for your rear,” Ann laughed.

He quickly sat down and took them off, leaving them on the bench he pulled his tennis shoes back on and headed for the door. “Oh, I’m sorry Marley,” Mandy said and started out after him.

Ann stopped her, “It’s OK, like she’s just shy about girl stuff sometimes, she’ll be fine.” A few moments later Amy went out without a word while Mandy and Ann tried on some shoes.

Amy found Marley leaning against a street lamp, trying to calm down.

“Girls can be so foolish sometimes,” Amy said.

“Why did she want to embarrass me like that, I’ve never worn heels,” Marley said.

“Why would you want to, shoes with heels are so stupid, did you know that in Roman times wearing high heeled shoes indicated you were a prostitute,” Amy said.

“Umm, no,” Marley said. Gosh this girl is weird, Marley thought. It was then that he noticed how she was dressed, wearing tennis shoes, jeans and a T-shirt, no ear rings, no jewelry of any kind, no makeup, and her hair pulled back in a pony tail. I’m dressed more as a girl than her, Marley thought.

“It seems as if being a female means your body is supposed to be like on display or something, like the whole point of your existence is to look good so guys think you’re hot, it’s so stupid,” Amy said.

“Umm yeah, that is kind of messed up,” Marley replied.

“My sister spends hours in front of the mirror, primping, if she spent half the time she wastes on riding she’d be much faster,” Amy said.

“Yeah my sister is the same way,” Marley agreed.

“Listen Marley, you’re what, 14?”

“13,” Marley corrected.

“13, you’re right at that age, if it hasn’t already happened yet. People will say, ‘you’re becoming a woman.’ Everyone will tell you, you’ve got to be pretty all the time. I see some of myself in you, back when I was your age. I didn’t want to be some asshole’s sex object, I don’t want to be Miss America. I don’t care that I’m flat chested, it doesn’t bother me that girls say I would make a better boy then girl. I am who I am.”

Marley wasn’t sure what to say, could this day get any weirder? Maybe she’d like to trade bodies, Marley thought. He wasn’t really sure what to do, but he figured that a girl would probably give her a hug, so he did so, “Thanks for the advice,” he said.

“Yeah,” Amy replied with minimal acceptance of the hug.

“Sorry sis,” Ann said a few moments later as Mandy and her exited The Boutique.

Marley shot a glare her way, “It’s fine,”

Meanwhile across the street, “Remember that time we went over to Hillsdale for the Classic and Will threw up all over his self when he was warming up,” Paul was cracking up.

“Oh God, that guy was such a doofus sometimes, drinking half a case of beer the night before a race,” Lisa was cracking up as well.

The 4 girls walked up to the booth, “What’s so funny?” Mandy asked.

“Oh, nothing, just talking about ‘back in the day,’” Paull answered taking one last sip from a long neck bottle that wasn’t there when the kids left.

“Well we’ve got a long drive ahead of us,” Lisa said. The two adults slide out of their booth and hug like long lost old friends.

“Keep in touch,” Paul says.

“I will,” Lisa replies.

“Thanks for taking us out,” Ann says.

“Yeah thank you guys,” Marley added. The ride back to Jackson High School was somber, and the drive out of town even more somber. Marley kept thinking that if this was a movie that they would slam on the brakes and do a U-turn, rushing back to Jackson where they could all live happily ever after. His Mom and sister were chatting but he wasn’t following the conversation. He was thinking of different stories that ended with the phrase, “happily ever after.”

“Come on princess, we’ve got to go” said Paul, who appeared to be dressed in medieval clothes.

“Hmm, what?” Marley said, he looked around he was lying in a exquisite canopied bed, all done up with lace. He was dressed in a flowing princess gown like Sleeping Beauty. “What the heck?”

Mandy came bursting into the castle bedroom, she too was in a princess dress, this one yellow like Belles’, “She’s coming its too late, we’re trapped.”

“Oh no,” Paul said just as an even more severe Amy strutted into the room. She was wearing military fatigues and packing a machine gun.

“Hey Marley, wake up!” she yelled.

“Hey, Marley, hey, bucket head, wake up,” he recognized his sister’s voice.

“Ahh, no umm, where are we?” Marley asked waking from his nightmare.

“Stopped for gas, you gonna change out of my clothes?” Ann asked.

Marley looked out and saw his Mom pumping gas in a crowded, well-lit gas station. “Yeah I guess,” Marley sleepily started to pull up his shirt.

“No, not out here dingbat,” Ann said.

“Huh, why?” Marley asked pulling the shirt back down.

“Well you may remember you’re wearing a bra, it wouldn’t be very lady like to go showing off your assesets to everyone around here,” Ann explained.

“OK then where do I change then?”

“The restroom,” Ann said.

“Which one?” Marly asked.

“Oh yeah, if you go in the girls and walk out a boy that could be an issue, and vice versa,” Ann said.

“Arghhh,” Marley was trying to unhook his bra under the shirt with his arms behind his back with no luck, “Would you help me with this please,” he asked. He turned around and his sister pulled up the shirt and unhooked the bra. Over the next several minutes he worked out how to pull his sleeves into the shirt and get the bra off. With the offending article of clothing off he switched back to his T-shirt.

“Well how does it feel to be a boy again?” his sister laughed.

“You’re never going to let me forget this are you?” he asked.

“Not likely,” she laughed.

Lisa opened the door, “Well my son is back,”

“Yeah, yeah,” Marley said.

Returning to school is never fun, especially after the weekend that Marley had. At least he got to relax most of Sunday after doing some homework and getting a short ride. His morning classes had flown by and now Marley sat down to lunch with his friends. Bent Fork School was small, the middle school was attached to the High School and shared most of the same facilities, including the cafeteria. The 7th graders were all eating now and there were less than 40 of them. Small classes like these tended to be tighter, everyone knows everyone, but social groups still form. There was a table of cool kids, rednecks, nice girls, mean girls, poor kids, but Marley wasn’t at any of those. Marley’s social group was clearly the ‘geeks.’

Marley joined the 5 other kids at his table and wondered if the school really expected him to eat this stuff they called food, he instinctively pulled his longish hair back out of his eyes and tuned into the latest discussion. “I’m just saying that Batman vs. Superman is dumb, it’s like how is batman going to beat Superman, I mean he’s freaking superman, Shane said. Shane is your archetypical geek; overweight, T-shirt, pimples, glasses, the whole nine yards.

He’s currently arguing with Mike, who is nearly the exact opposite in appearance, “Yes but you forget, Batman has technology, and he’s not all that worried about morality and stuff,” he argues.

“Well one’s “super” and the other’s a “bat” I’ll bet on the super over the bat,” this latest bit comes from Grace, the de facto leader of their group, a wild eyed, wild haired girl who seems to have a T-shirt with a snarky saying for every day of the week. She’s flanked on either side by her two best friends, Bess and Joelle. “Well if it’s Lance Armstrong, the unber biker,” how’d your race go?” Grace asks Marley.

“More importantly did you impress any chicks in your spandex shorts?” Shane asked. Geeze, what do I tell them? Marley thought. Lie and just say I missed my race, tell them it was fine, I don’t know what to say.

“It went OK.” Marley answered.

“OK, that’s it, you’ve been talking about this thing all year,” Grace said.

“Yeah man, did you win?” Mike asked.

“No, it was really hard, all the other guys were really good, but I got second,” Marley said.

“Second, that’s awesome Marley!” Joelle exclaimed.

“Yeah way to go man, did you get a trophy or something?” Mike asked.

“Oh, um, no just a congratulations,” Marley lied.

“Hey guys, I got good news, I got some new DVDs this weekend, want to come over to my house after school and watch?” Grace asked the table.

“What did you get, I’m not into some kind of girly anime,” Shane said.

“Stein’s Gate, the complete series,” Grace answered.

“Oh man, I’ve heard that’s really good,” Marley said. The entire table agreed that they could make it and everyone planned to meet at Graces at 5:30.

A girl approached their table, her long curly hair framed a face coated in makeup designed to make the 13 year old girl appear older, her clothes screamed prep, and her attitude said she was better than them. “Hey can you guys answer a question for me?” Brooke asked.

“We’re busy Brooke, go away,” Grace said.

“I’m talking to the boys,” Brooke said holding up her palm towards Grace. “So guys, are these girls like your girlfriends?” Each of the 3 boys had a different reaction, Shane seemed to think it was funny, Mike seemed to get angry, and Marley turned bright red with embarrassment.

“Go away,” Mike said.

“Humph, it’s an honest question isn’t it, or do you not like girls,” Brooke replied and Shane cracked up.

“How about you Marley, is one of these you’re girlfriend?” Brooke asked.

“Ummm, errh,”

“Don’t talk to my boyfriend you skank! Go be a ditz somewhere else” Grace said raising her voice.

“As if! You geeks are pathetic,” Brooke said as she sauntered off.

“You know what’s pathetic, your IQ!” Grace said, though it felt kind of hollow since Brooke and her preppy friends at the “mean girls” table were pointing and laughing.

“What did you think was so funny dickhead,” Mike said to Shane.

“I don’t know, it was a nervous reaction,” Shane replied.

Marley wasn’t paying attention he was looking at Grace with his jaw held open, did she just say I was her boyfriend? he thought.

“Come on guys, forget that moron, lets go outside,” Grace said.

As they walked to the yard, Marley and Grace hung back, “Did you mean that?” Marley asked.

For once in her life the girl who always seemed to have something to say was silent, she shrugged.

“You were just saying that because you had my back?” Marley asked.

“Come on before I make you take me to the Spring dance,” Grace said.

“Do you, umm, do you want me to take you to the Spring Dance?” Marley asked.

“I want you to do my bidding and help me take over the world, Mwhahaha” Grace laughed and with that they headed outside and Marley still wasn’t sure if he had a friend that was a girl or a girlfriend.

As the day progressed and Marley sat through his afternoon classes he couldn’t help but think of the adventures of his weekend. Over and over again he thought of the thrill of competing in his first race, but he also couldn’t stop thinking of the thrill of doing it as a girl. He wondered if at the next race, if he would make a fool of himself racing against the boys and if Paul, Mandy, and Amy are there he’d really have some explaining to do. His time in the girl’s locker room also seemed to be permanently etched into his memeory. A thought kept returning to his mind, but he pushed it out, he had other things to think about, such as getting Mom to let him go over to Grace’s after school.

“Allright you’ve got an hour to get your homework done first, then I’ll drive you over.” Lisa said as the May family ate a quick supper.

“Do you mind if I ride over, it’s only a couple of miles>” Marley asked.

“It’ll be dark when you come home, I don’t want you riding in the dark,” Lisa replied. “How about I come pick you up,”

“That’s cool, oh and Mom, there was something I was wanting to ask you about,” Marley said.

“What’s that?”

“You said that you did your hard training when me and Ann weren’t with you, is that your Tuesday and Thursday rides?” Marley asked. Tuesday and Thursday mornings Lisa taught afternoon classes at the college and usually went riding in the morning.

“Yeah those are my hard days,” Lisa answered.

“What do you do that makes them hard?” Marley asked.

“Intervals and drills, what’s up kid?” Lisa asked.

“I want to be faster, so I guess I need to train harder,” Marley said.

“Hmm, well it’s hard to train hard when you’re watching DVDs with your friends,” Lisa laughed. “I tell you what, I’ll try not to overdo it tomorrow morning and then Wednesday night when we usually ride I’ll try to show you some of the harder training, OK?”

“Awesome,” Marley said.

“Geeze, this show is kind of lame, there’s no action, no guns, no giant robots, it’s just people talking,” Mike said. From his position in the reclining chair.

“Quiet fool!” Grace yelled. Mike just rolled his eyes. This anime was ranked number 2 on some list of greatest anime Grace found online, right under Cowboy Bebop which everyone liked, but this show was a bit different. There wasn’t really much action, there was this mad scientist guy who talked funny, and some weird stuff going on with time travel, and a microwave that melted bananas. Marley wasn’t exactly sure what was going on. They had just started watching episode two and a new character was being introduced, a girl that Marley found very appealing. She was wearing traditional Japanese robes, she was shy and Marley found her very cute.

“What’s her name? “ Marley asked.

“Ruka, now shush,” Grace answered.

“She’s hot,” Marley said. He wasn’t sure why he said it, he never said stuff like that, in fact he rarely even thought things like that about girls. The others just ignored him and he focused on the show. Ruka and the main character Okabe are talking about a supposed magic sword, and he gets Ruka to perform a pretend exorcism.

The self proclaimed mad scientist Okabe’s thoughts are heard, “Urushibara Ruka, delicate as an orchard, fair as a cherry blossom, the personification of feminine grace, and a dude. Tall as a willow, slender as a reed, a dude. Radiant in shrine vestments, dude. Sun dips low in a rosy sky, saccades buzz, Ruka is a dude.”

Everyone in the room cracked up, “Oh wow he’s, a crossdresser. Marley, I didn’t know you were into dudes,” Mike laughed. Marley turned red with embarrassment.

“Well that’s one cute dude,” Shane said.

“Not you too,” Mike yelled. “I can tell this show is going to be gay, let’s watch something else,” he said.

“Shut up or leave,” Grace commanded and Mike made no argument. Marley was having a hard time wrapping his mind around this, first his crazy day as a girl, and now this, a guy who acts and looks just like a girl just happens to be in this show, not only that but Marley was sure Ruka was his favorite character.

Marley kept his thoughts to himself the rest of the evening and the group agreed to meet up at Graces next Monday to watch more episodes. Marley was the last to leave and Grace stopped him at her doorstep. “Hey, umm, I thought Ruka was really cute too,” she said. Marley looked into her face and smiled. He had been friends with Grace now for a couple of years and they got along really well together, in fact though Shane and Mike were good friends Grace was his best friend. Do you take best friends to the Spring Dance, Marley thought. He was just about to ask her when his Mom’s horn interrupted him.

“Gotta go, see you tomorrow,” Marley said as he dashed out to his Mom’s car with bike in tow.

* * * *

“Come on Marley, hurry up,” his sister yelled from downstairs. Marley pulled the straps up over his shoulders and adjusted the fit of his bib shorts. He attempted a muscled pose in the mirror but his diminutive body wasn’t too impressive. Marley glanced over at the chair in the corner where his pink “Ride Like a Girl” jersey was hanging, the swag from the race. It was too small for his sister, and she didn’t like it anyway, so Marley had tossed it on the chair not really wanting to get rid of it. He quickly yanked it off the chair and pulled it on. Marley took a moment to check himself out, he didn’t exactly look like a girl in it, but he didn’t exactly look like a boy either. Marley began to pull his hair around when he heard some stomping and quickly yanked the pink jersey off, and slipped into his usual black model.

“Geeze, what’s the holdup?” his sister asked ready to ride down to her cleated shoes.

“Chill out, I’m coming,” Marley replied and grabbed his shoes from the shelf. 10 minutes later Marley, his sister, and Mom were heading out of town on Old Route 34, an almost completely abandoned stretch of pavement with gentle rolling hills. The April air was just a bit crisp and they had all put on arm and knee warmers before they left. Old 34 was the training route of choice for the Mays it was short ride from their house, and it’s mild rolling hills and lack of traffic made it perfect for hard efforts.

“OK guys, Marley asked what made my training harder, well I do intervals,” Lisa said.

“We know what intervals are,” Ann replied.

“You only think you know what intervals are,” Lisa laughed. “OK here’s our first set. It’s a pyramid. We’re going to do one minute hard, then we’ve got one minute rest. Then two minutes hard, two minutes rest, then three minutes hard three minutes rest, we’ll do four, then three, two and one again. You guys can try to hang in my draft but if you don’t then you’ve got to time yourself. Don’t worry if we get spread out, just follow the time. Everyone got it?” Lisa asked.

“Yeah,” they both said.

“OK reset your computers and lets, go!,” Lisa said and immediately started pumping out a furious pace. Marley reset and reacted catching his Mom’s draft and getting in the drops. Ann was behind him. The minute passed very quickly and soon the three riders were soft pedaling. Before he knew it the rest minute was up and they were out of the saddle again building up speed then settling into a painful 2 minutes. It was the 3 minutes that saw Marley losing contact with his Mom.

“Thanks for bringing this up,” Ann said between breaths.

“Bring what up,” Marley asked.

“That you wanted Mom to take us out and kill us,” Ann replied. Marley chuckled and put his head down, his Mom was moving away pretty fast. When the 3 minutes was up he started spinning, he was way out ahead of his sister who had more or less gave up. The 4 minute interval started and he got back on it, his legs were hurting, he was losing more ground on his mom, but a quick check back showed he was way out ahead of Ann. In the 4 minute cool down he spun fast and was able to catch Lisa. “What happened to Ann?” his mom asked.

“I think she gave up,” Marley said.

“Yeah this is too much too fast, oh 3 minutes hard, go!” Lisa yelled.

“Not again!” Marley yelled back.as he ducked into her draft.

About 25 minutes later Ann caught up to Marley and her mom with a dejected look on her face. “Well I guess I suck,” she said.

“No, honey, not at all, the point of these isn’t to ride together,” Lisa said.

“Yeah, well Marley kept up,” Ann said.

“That’s because I didn’t quit,” Marley said.

“I didn’t quit, I just didn’t want to kill myself,” Ann shot back.

“Allright, new interval, if you’re breathing hard you can’t argue so lets do some jump drills. Here’s how it will work. We’ll ride in a pace line, the leader jumps off the front and stand and pedal all out for 10 seconds, then sit back down and rotate to the back of the line. Once you get in the line check for cars behind then yell for the next person to go.” Lisa explained.

An hour later Marley and Ann both slunk off their bikes and melted onto the ground after a session of tough intervals. Marley took his helmet off and dumped sweat out onto the driveway. “Next time I tell you I want to train harder just punch me in the gut,” he said.

“Oh don’t worry, I will,” Ann said.

“Well you know what they say, no pain, no gain,” Lisa said.

* * * *

The next day in school Marley couldn’t stop thinking about something, it kept creeping into his thoughts at random times throughout the day and try as he might he couldn’t banish the idea. He saw his sister in the hallway after school and asked, “You got scholar bowl today?”

“Well duh, I’ve got practice every Thursday,” she answered.

“So you getting a ride like usual?” Marley asked.

“Yes I’m getting a ride like usual, does Mom have you taking notes on me or something?” she asked.

“No, just thinking about what I’m going to do when I get home,” Marley said.

“OK, whatever,” Ann said as she walked off. Thursday was a late class for their Mom, she wouldn’t be home until 6, and Ann’s scholar bowl practice means she won’t be home until about 5:30. Marley walked out and boarded the bus.

“It’s really a pretty fun game, I mean it’s weird because you don’t play against everyone but you’ve got to work together as a team,” Shane said. Marley nodded but his mind was clearly elsewhere, for the last ten minutes Shane had been explaining the rules of a board game on the bus ride home.

“Errhm, well anyway, do you want to come play it?” Shane asked.

“Come play what?” Marley asked.

“Forbidden Island, you doofus, what we’ve been talking about,” Shane replied.

“Oh, ummm, oh man I can’t I’ve got some chores to do,” Marley lied.

“Oh, what you got to do?” Shane asked.

“Umm, clean, laundry, stuff you know,” Marley said.

“Well OK, maybe some other time,” Shane said.

“Yeah, for sure man, real soon, sounds fun,” Marley said as Shane got up and waddled off the bus for his stop. A short time later Marley was doing the same, he came into the house dropped his bag, “Mom, Ann,” he yelled though he knew no one was home. “Man maybe I should just call Shane and go play that game,” Marley said out loud. He pulled his phone out of his pocket and then put it on the table.

Just as he had been thinking for the entire day he went up the stairs and into his sister’s room. He went to her dresser and started checking drawers. Compared to his underwear drawer his sister’s was a cacophony of color, there were so many different patterns, colors, and designs. “Oh wow Ann,” he laughed as he selected a pink pair with a hello kitty pattern. He sat them on the bed and then found the bra drawer and pulled out a frilly pink one that matched. One last chance to back out, he thought to himself. For some reason he couldn’t explain he’d been thinking all day about wearing his sisters under things. “This is like the most perverted thing I’ve ever done,” Marley said out loud. That’s when he noticed just how quiet the house was. He sat the bra down and went to his sister’s nightstand, there was a radio alarm clock and he turned it on. Some random top 40 dance toon was on the radio. Marley hated that kind of music, or at least he normally did but the catchy beat seemed appropriate.

“4:15,” Marley said, “OK whatever,” he took kicked off his shoes, and yanked off his jeans then pulled his shirt over his head. He looked at himself in the mirror, hairless, and what he was sure was a very small and unmanly, manhood. He slid the pink panties up, a visible shiver ran though his body as they slid up his legs. They were snug around his genitals but seemed to hug his rear just right. He took a few moments to check himself out in the mirror. Putting the bra on wasn’t so easy, he couldn’t get it hooked and eventually he just hooked it then slid it over his head and worked his arms through the straps. It was a just a bit big and Marley had nothing to fill out the cups.

He pulled out some Kleenex from his sister’s desk and stuffed them in. “Hmmm,” Marley said checking out his tissue enhanced chest in the mirror. He picked the hair brush up from the desk and began brushing his hair. Sitting right in front of him was a plastic hair band with a little bow attached. Marley put it into his longish blond hair and pulled it back. A girl stared back at him in the mirror and a cute one at that. The bopping music caught his attention and he began to bop around, freely dancing in what he imagined was the most girlish way possible. He jumped and turned in mid air and landed on his toes then threw hand up and opened his eyes. His sister was standing in the doorway.

“Hello Marley,” she said.

The look on his sister’s face was a complex mix of emotions, amusement, anger, surprise, such a wide range of human feeling can be broadcast with a simple glance. Marley froze then quickly tried to cover himself with his hands, which he realized was kind of useless, he wasn’t exactly naked anyway. “You’re supposed to be at scholar bowl,” he spit out.

“Yeah, I wish I was, it was canceled, So, what’s going on?” Ann asked with a wicked smile. Marley was trapped, his sister blocked the door, he made a useless glance at the window and thought about jumping through it.

“Umm, I’m just…” Marley could think of nothing to say, his face was hot and red. His sister walked across the room and turned off the radio.

“So why are you in my room, and more importantly why are you wearing my bra, panties and hair band?” Ann asked without turning around from the radio.

Marley looked down at the soft carpet in front of him and mumbled, “I don’t know.” He bent over and picked his jeans and boxer shorts up off the floor.

“This is a really strange situation, I mean I get home early and find my brother in my room, wearing my Hello Kitty panties, bra, and dancing around like a fairy,” Ann said with a mix of amusement and anger.

“I’m sorry,” Marley said, he felt a tear begin to well up as he pulled his jeans up and buttoned them. He started trying to get the bra off but couldn’t.

“Geeze, let me help,” Ann said as she unclasped the bra. “Have you done this before?” she asked.

“No,” Marley said.

“See that’s even worse, because it’s probably my fault, it was my stupid idea for you to dress like a girl at the race,” Ann said.

“It’s not your fault,” Marley said.

“Ummm, sit down a second,” Ann patted a spot on her bed, Marley sighed and sat down. Ann pulled the hair beret out of Marley’s hair. Then helped him put his T-shirt back on.

“OK, so do we tell Mom about this?” Ann asked.

“Heck no,” Marley said.

“Well if you like to dress like a girl she’s going to find out eventually,” Ann said.

“I don’t, I mean, I just wanted to try it,” Marley said.

“Well you looked like you were having fun to me,” Ann replied. Marley tried to wipe the wetness out of his eyes but had no reply.

“So do you like, want to be a girl?” Ann asked.

“No of course not,” Marley shot back.

“Allright, look, a part of me wants to be mad about this, you’re in my room, messing with my stuff, and wearing my umm, underthings. That’s not cool,” Ann said.

“I’m sorry,” Marley said.

“Another part of me is kind of worried about you, you’re my little brother, and I want you to be OK, but another part of me would sort of like to take advantage of this situation, blackmail you into being my slave,” Ann said.

Marley felt a lump run down his throat, “Blackmail?” he said.

“Relax, I’m just kidding, but if I catch you in my room again there will be consequences,” Ann said.

“Ummm, thanks,” Marley said. He got up and started to leave.

“Wait,” Ann said. She went to her dresser and dug around some drawers, producing a black bra. She tossed it to Marley. “That is one of my old training bras. It doesn’t have hooks and it doesn’t really do anything, but you can have it.

“I umm, I really don’t need this,” he said looking over the elastic garment.

“Ughh, just take it, I’m trying to be the cool and understanding older sis here, if you don’t want it than throw it away, just don’t think you can come in here and go through my stuff again.

“Fine,” Marley said and made to exit again.

“Oh, one more question,” Ann said.

“Yeah,” Marley replied.

“Hello Kitty?” she laughed.

“Ugghh, I’ll bring them back,” Marley said.

“No, I don’t want them back, you keep them, or throw them away, or whatever,” Ann said. With that Marley fled his sister’s room and sped down the hall to his own dwelling, shutting the door behind him. He ripped off his pants and took a moment to look at himself in panties. He then yanked them off and redressed.

“I’ll never do something so damn idiotic again,” he said to himself and stuffed the training bra and panties into his trash can. Five minutes later he pulled them from the trash and stuffed them in the bottom of his underwear drawer.

The rest of the week flew by as usual, school, homework, chores, riding. Marley seemed to have escaped epic emberassement for his transgressions in his sister’s room. She hadn’t brought it up and everything seemed normal. Everything was normal until he arrived home Wednesday and found a large package on the front porch. He carried the box in noting how light it was for it’s size and deposited it on the kitchen table. The return address indicated it was from BIketech. Hmm, did Mom more order something from them he thought.
“Mom,” you got a package.

“Hmmh” I didn’t order anything,” Lisa said entering the room.

“It’s from Biketech,” Marley said.

“Oh, Paul!” Lisa said in mock frustration.

“What’s the dealeo,” Ann said entering the kitchen.

“I think we’ve just been given a gift we might not want,” Lisa said.

“Oh cool open it,” Ann said.

‘I guess,” her Mom replied as she cut the tape carefully with scissors. Inside was a pile of plastic wrapped packages and a handwritten note. Lisa read it to her kids.

Dear May Family
I have included a complete team kit for the three of you, tossed in gloves, socks, and hats even. Your sizes were on the race forms along with your address. If something doesn’t fit send it back and we’ll exchange. Having a family like yours on our team would be a big asset. The kit is yours no strings attached whether you want to join the team or not, but I hope you’ll join, Amy and Mandy really look forward to riding with you girls again. I hope you don’t find this to forward but this upcoming weekend is the Spring Fling Fondo over in Pinedale. It’s not really a race but a few of the climbs are timed, but there is a competition for largest team presence. We sign up as a team and I’ve already included you in our registration, if you guys come I think we’ll have the biggest team and win. I hope you can make it. It won’t be out of the way for us to come by and pick you up in the team van. Please call and let me know.
Your friend,

Paul

“Oh wow this is so cool!” Ann said.

“Umm,” Marley mumbled pulling out the top plastic bundle. It had a large piece of masking tape with his name scrawled along with woman's XS. The guys Biketech jerseys wer blue, green and white, a stylish mix of cool colors. The girls version where blue, green and pink, and had a more feminine biketech logo. The kit Marley held in his hands was, of course, the girls version.

Ann put her hand to her mouth and tried to suppress a laugh, she looked at Marley and blinked an eye then turned to her mom. “I guess you never told Paul the Truth?” Ann asked.

“I haven’t talked to him since the race, I’m definitely going to call now,” Lisa said.

“Well are we going to the ride?” Marley asked.

“I don’t know honey, after what we’ve done we may not be welcome,” Lisa said.

“This is so stupid, I’ll wear that jersey,” Marley pouted.

“Marley we can’t keep lying about this, do you like pretending to be a girl?” Lisa said.

“Arghh!” Marley yelled and stomped up the stairs.

“Geeze, what’s his problem” Lisa said.

“Umm, Mom, I think you may have hurt his feelings,” Ann said.

“What did I say? Do you think he likes pretending to be a girl?” Lisa asked. Ann didn’t answer just shrugged, “OK what do you know, spill it,” Lisa said.

“Well I think you touched a nerve,” Ann said.

“What makes you think that,” Lisa said.

“Well, I can’t really say,” Ann replied.

“Ann dear, I really would like to know what is going on with my son, so if you know something?” Lisa asked.

“Well, please don’t tell him I told, but I came home early last week and he was wearing my umm, underwear,” Ann said.

“Oh,” Lisa said bringing her hand to cover her mouth, “You weren’t going to tell me?” Lisa said.

“He said he wouldn’t do it anymore,” Ann answered.

“God that stunt at the race was so stupid,” Lisa said.

Lisa lowered her voice and stepped closer to her Mom, “You know Mom he’s always been kind of girly,” Ann said.

“That’s not funny,” Lisa replied.

“I’m not trying to be funny, I’m just saying, he’s not exactly Mr. Man,” Ann said.

“Well he’s not Mrs. Woman either,” Lisa said.

“Well duh, I just don’t think it’s our fault,” Ann said.

“OK, but I’ve got to call Paul and try and fix this,” Lisa said as Ann pulled her bundle out of the box. Lisa snatched it back. “Sorry we’ll likely be sending that back,” she said.

“Bummer,” Ann pouted.