Coleman's Steakhouse was a small little restaurant that was located at the far end of Main Street. Beside it one would find Benton Laundromat and across from it one would find Benton Auto Glass Works. Many people in town considered it a hidden treasure, unlike the newest steakhouse in town, The Cow Pen Jr. Located out on the highway this one was located in the heart of Benton. Many in town considered The Cow Pen Jr. a place for tourists to go too.

And yes, Benton, despite its small size, gets a good bit of tourists each year, people from out of state who come down wanting to explore the deep south and learn more about this forgotten part of America. Some are Blue's Historians who want to learn about local Blue's Musicians, others are Civil War historians who are touring battlefields and want to explore the old battlefields that lay scattered about. Including the one north of town. And others are seasonal deer hunters who come down and hunt trophy deer and then return. Those types of people flock to The Cow Pen Jr. But the local's tend to stick to Coleman's Steakhouse.

Coleman's is small too, it's nice and cozy and above all it's a family business. Johnny Coleman, the owner for example is the main cook, his son Noah Coleman helps him in the kitchen. His wife Joanna Coleman is the hostess and main waitress, her daughter Cindy Coleman helps her mom wait tables too. The Coleman's are a very civic minded family too, there a firm support of Benton Academy, which both their children attend. Cindy being a year ahead of me, she also a cheerleader. And thus a “Cheer Sister” to me, once a girl becomes a cheerleader she becomes part of a large sisterhood, and often or not we call each other “Cheer Sisters” its just one of those small town things I guess. Noah Coleman is also on the Football team and is a mentor to Ben. And last but not least Johnny Coleman cooks the traditional meal of steak and bake potato that always served to the football team before homecoming. And always given to the two hostages.

Anyway, the drive from my house to Coleman's only took around fifteen minutes. I wanted to joke with Ben and say we could have saved him a little gas money and taken the trolley, since the trolley ran right by the restaurant. The trolley stopped at the bottom of main street where the trolley barn was located. Short of a brick and tin shed. Like I said I wanted to joke, but there was something romantic about riding along with Ben in his borrowed car. And so I decided to keep my jokes to myself and enjoy the ride.

“Good evening!” A brunette girl around my age called out to us as we entered the waiting area of Coleman's Steakhouse. The air inside was nice and warm. The girl paused and then smiled a little. “Oh Jamie!” She said blushing as she walked over and threw her arms around my neck. “You look good there girl! I mean, I know you can clean up nice and all, but man you can really clean up!” She said smiling as she released me from the hug and stepped back.

“My brother from another mother!” Called out a guy who also had brown hair. He was tall, almost as tall as Ben and had the lean build of a runner. The guy walked up to Ben and the two did some kind of hand jester. You know the things guys do when they bump each other fist and slap the side of each other's hand. I mean even though I was once a guy, I never really understood the whole guy ritual greeting thing. It always seemed so strange to me.

“So!” The guy called out. “What brings you two here?” He said, I now noticed he was dress in a white t shirt and a pair of fading blue jeans. A black apron was tied around his waist. The front of the apron seemed to be fading and was stained beyond repair.

“Oh!” The brunette girl cried out. “You mentioned something about a date! Totally romantic, we're running a special tonight. We call it steak for two. For like fifty dollars, you two steaks, like it's our special in house cut, and all of our meats USDA Choice or higher so it's like melt in your mouth tender. Plus house salad, and your two choices of sides. And a desert to share. Tonight's desert is our special pecan cobbler. It's like peach cobbler only with pecans instead of peaches. Think like pecan pie without the bottom.”

“Totally, we have some of the best steaks in town.” Noah said with a smile. “Our meat comes from local sources. We buy our meat on the hoof from Brewer Farms.” He added. “Kayla raises the finest heads of cattle in Mississippi.”

I watched with some amusement as Noah punched my date in the arms and whispered something into his ears that caused him to give Noah a playful shove. Since becoming a girl, I'd find myself entertained by such antics. Noah returned the playful shove with one of his own and soon the two were trading blows, playful blows. My amusement had turned to embarrassment at this point.

“Anyway.” Cindy said. “Noah I think you need to get back to the kitchen. And I need to seat our guest.” Cindy then winked at me. “Also I love the dress girl. You look amazing.” She then picked up two menus and motioned for Ben and I to follow behind her. Ben turned to me and smiled and I felt myself starting to flush the truth be known I relished any attention he gave me. And that smile was worth a million dollars.

Anyway we followed closely behind Cindy as she guided us through the narrow maze of tables and chairs, the place was standing room only and I considered it a miracle that Ben had even managed to secure us a table on what must have been the busiest night of the year. We soon reached our table, a small, cozy one located in the far back.

“Here you go.” Cindy said as she sat the menu's down upon the table. “As you know my name is Cindy and I'll take your order this evening. So what can I get for y'all?” She asked as she reached down and pulled out a yellow note pad and a pen.

“Coke for me.” I said without  thinking.

“Same.” Chimed in.

“Okay we have two coca-colas.” Cindy said.

“And the Valentine's Day special.” Ben said.

“Excellent choice.” Cindy said with a small smile. “And one more question, what type of dressing would you like with your salad. All our meals come with a house salad.” She asked.

“Not really a big salad fan, can I swap it for an extra roll or something?” Ben asked.

“Of course,” Cindy answered.

“Same, not really a big fan of rabbit food. My sister is, though, I think she is part rabbit.” I said a smile, at that both Cindy and Ben had a little laugh. That was a little inside cheer joke among my cheer sisters that my older sister was part rabbit due to her love of salads of all kinds.

“Okay!” Cindy said as she finished writing all this down on her yellow notepad. “I'll put this order in real quick and it should be out in a flash. We're just getting the grill fired up.” With that being said she collected our menus and started to go but not before calling over her shoulder. “Just give me a holler if you two love birds need anything.”

Ben rolled his eyes and I blushed, but then we both shared a giggle. A few minutes of silence passed before Cindy returned with our drinks, two bubbling glasses of coke-cola, the beverage of choice in the south. I'm not lying when I say that, it seems we southerners take in coca-cola as soon as we can, often taking it in alongside our mothers milk.

“You know, this is really our first date alone.” Ben said as he took a sip from his glass. “Normally, Madeline and Matthew would be with us.” He added.

I nodded my head and a sip of my drink.

“I like our group dates.” I said finally after collecting my thoughts. “I like hanging around the bonfire too, roasting marshmallows and hot dogs and stuff. But sometimes I want to be with you. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad to have so many friends. But, sometimes I just want to along with you.” I said smiling as I eased my drink down.

“Same.” Ben as he peered across the table at me. “It's like, when were alone. I'm reminded how beautiful you look. I'm reminded of that of that beautiful girl that took my breath away at homecoming.” He added. “I'm reminded of that beautiful soul that stood up for what she believed in.” He paused and took another sip of his drink. “I'm just reminded of what made me fall in love with you.”

I felt my cheeks flush with color as I peered toward across the table and into Ben's eyes. I felt myself once more becoming lost, lost like somebody who's stumbled into a maze, a maze that one could not escape. A wonderful maze. Okay I'm rambling on, but my point still stands, the more I peered into Ben's eyes, the more I pondered his words, the more I felt myself falling into that twisted, turning maze, a maze I'll like to call teenage romance.

“You know.” I said having finally navigated to the end of my emotional maze. “Every time we're together, Ben. I'm reminded of that handsome boy that gave me my first dance and kiss.” I paused and took a deep breath. “Who was my first crush, then became my first love, who took me by the hand and ushered me into the green grove.” I said winking as I reached over and took another swig of my drink.

“Who rode his bike from Benton Academy all the way to King's Daughters Hospital in a freak snow storm and rushed to my side when I was getting loaded up in a meat wagon.” I paused to brush away a stray tear. “Who kissed me when I came too from a nightmarish dreamland. Who's kiss made me fell more than alive and assured me that I was still alive and not just another corpse awaiting autopsy down in the morgue.” I drained my drink at the last part.

Ben blinked.

“When I was named Homecoming Princess. Who was named Homecoming Prince?” I pointed across the table at Ben and smiled. “You.”

Ben blinked again, at that moment Cindy appeared and refilled our glasses. She quickly left though. I'm sure she noticed that Ben and I seemed to be having a boyfriend and girlfriend type of conversation. Though if I know Cindy Coleman and I do know Cindy Coleman, she and the rest of the squad would ambush me before long and demand all the juicy details. And I of course being honored bound as the youngest member of the 'A' squad would have to tell them everything. It's just the way girls worked, they shared everything.

“When I was baptized with a new name in the Episcopal Church, you were there to support me.” I said smiling. “Considering my whole freaking family is Episcopal that a pretty big deal that you showed up, you know.. cause when we get married, it's going to be in a big old Episcopal Church.” I said smiling.

“You mean St. Andrew's Episcopal Cathedral in downtown Jackson?” He said, smiling a little. “I said a lot of prayers in that church. Prayed before the altar every day you were knocked out and hooked up to all these machines. Sitting there in the pews, I noticed how pretty it was. Its almost as pretty as you.” He said, taking a sip of his drink. “While I was praying, I thought about what you said, how you wanted to get married in that church. I thought about how you looked in your gown and I made a vow. If we ever decided to get married. I'm going to do my best to marry you in that church.” He nodded his head.

“Ben..” I said I was honestly lost for words as I peered toward him. “You were my prince at homecoming, you were my prince at Mardi Gras, I hope one day you will become my husband too,” The words just fell out of my mouth.

Before Ben could respond though. Cindy appeared again, this time she was holding a big tray. “Okay Coleman's Romantic Steak Dinner for Two.” She said setting down two metal plates. “Two twenty two ounce USDA Choice ribeye steaks.” She said smiling. “And extra rolls, cause you're both not a fan of rabbit food. And when your ready for desert just give me a holler.”

And that was that. Table conversation we decided could wait, food had to come first. And soon the only thing that could be heard was the scrapping of forks on metal plates and the sound of two hungry teenagers savoring wonderful steak.

Ben and I enjoyed the rest of the meal in silence, it was the good kind of silence. Oh the Pecan cobbler was simply amazing, totally off my diet but so worth it. Once we finished eating, Ben paid the check and he was escorted back to his car. It was around ten o' clock at night, and nearing my curfew. Not that Lily would have minded if I stayed out at all hours of the night. She is kind of cool like that, and with mom and dad away and Lily manning the fort I'm sure I could have managed to stay out a little past ten.

But, one of the drawbacks of living in a small southern town is everything closes down around a little past nine. Sure we have all the modern conveniences of a larger town, we have a McDonald's but it closes its dining room at nine and closes down the drive-through at midnight. We also have a Pizza Hut, but it shuts down likewise at nine. Of course we could have gone to see a movie. But George, the owner of Benton Plaza Twin Cinema, also closes down at nine. And most of the movie's he shows are 'B' rated movies. So going out for ice cream or going to see a movie was out of the question. Of course we did have a Sonic drive-through in town, but as of late it seemed their ice cream machine was always broken or something.

So really if you wanted ice cream after dinner you're romantic dinner, your best bet was to go home or to one of the Shell Gas Station out on the highway. The Shell Gas Station was the only business in town that stayed open around the clock. And like most gas stations in the south it also doubled as a pizza place, an ice cream place, and a dinner as they had a hot bar that served both breakfast, lunch, and supper. But that was out on the highway and the kind of people that flocked it were kind of the rough types. You know, truckers and stuff.

The truckers were not the problem, no far from it, it was the other kind of people that tended to flock to it and hang around the parking lot late at night, loggers getting off from the graveyard shift down at the sawmill, hunters coming back from the woods, drunk seeking relief from their pending hangovers. Railroad workers coming in from a long haul, and generally a rougher type of crowd. The same type of people who spent all their pocket money at Buck's Tavern, a well known hell hole.

In short people who would love to kick the ever loving shit out of me if they knew who I was. While most of the town seemed to accept the small transgender population that calls Benton home, I was keenly aware that people still wanted me and my friends lynched and would be more than happy to have hanged me from the sour apple tree. Yes, I'm aware that lynching is considered a hate crime, but that only if its reported. I knew enough about the inner working of this town to know that a few key people in high offices would just look the other way.

I mean, if I'd happen to be found one frosty morning hanging from tree in the backwoods, a good many people in this town would mark it up as suicide, even if deep rutted tire tracks were found surrounded my dangling corpse. So yes, going to the gas station after sundown was out of the question.

“Hey.” I said smiling as I walked behind Ben. “Let's go to my house for some ice cream. Mom and dad are away, they have tickets for some magical show in Vicksburg. Lily is at home, but she'll be busy.” I said tactfully, yes I knew Lily would be busy. “So we'll pretty much have the whole downstairs area to ourselves.”

This seemed to throw Ben for a loop. But after a moment's pause he kind of nodded his head in understanding. I'm sure he wanted to go back to his house. But knowing his big sister, Joan, she'll be looking out the front living room window like a hawk at us. I've never met his mother or father before. But they seemed like good people. His mother though was worse than Joan, the few times I've met her, say at church dinners and stuff. She kept her eyes glued to me.
“Sounds good.” Ben said, smiling as he reached down and pulled the car door open. “Plus, mom and dad are at home.. and knowing mom and Joan they would both want to talk with you. About our date of course, nothing more.” He said shifting his eyes to the left along with his weight.

I spied a chance to mess with him and I took it. Us Potter's are known for our sharp wit, keen business sense, and social grace.

“You mean they would want to sit me down at the dining room table, maybe offer me hot chocolate, and between your mom and Joan they're going to interrogate me about tonight? Wanting to know how many times I've kissed you? Wanting to know what my plans for you were once dinner was done? Wanting to see my phone to see if I'd texted another guy while we were together? All the while you and your dad sit in the living room, your dad sitting in his chair, you on the sofa, both of you watching some rerun of a western.” I said folding my arms under my budding breast, the fact that I had breasts still amazed me. I was still getting used to them.

“Nothing gets past you, does it Jamie?” Ben said with a gentle sigh.

“Hardly.” I said smiling, “When I became a girl, I had to learn a lot of different skills. One of those skill's was reading between the lines and learning to read other people. Once I became a cheerleader, I had to develop a whole other set of skills. It's going to amaze you, but being a cheerleader means you're pretty much at the center of everything. You'll become a social arbitrage before you know it.”

Ben blinked and blinked again.

“Wow. Sounds like some high handed drama.” He said as he watched me climb into the car. He gently closed the door behind me and moved around the car, soon climbing into the driver's seat. Once he was in the driver's seat he started the car up and it roared to life. “But I guess you kind of enjoy that stuff?”

“No, no I don't. It's just like this. Cheerleaders are like the alpha female's of the school. We gotta be trend setters and sometimes peacekeepers. We also gotta maintain the balance if you will. The main thing we do between cheering at games, is making sure the school runs smooth. That means quitting people who bully, making sure everybody knows they can come talk to us. And make sure all the girls in school are invited to parties and stuff. Pretty much if a girl is having a problem, she knows she can come to one of us and we'll help her. Even if it's just a shoulder to cry on. We'll listen and if it's a big problem, we'll help her solve it.”

“Wow..” Ben said. “The football team is nothing like that.” He said blushing as he fastened his safety belt.

“It could be.” I said smiling. “You're going to be named Co-Captain next year. And After that you're going to be named Captain. You'll have a chance to change a lot of things and groom the next person to take over to keep the changes going. It's a battle.. a battle that is often lost but one we must keep fighting. A battle that gains strength as the struggle keeps going.” I said, I then sighed a little. I was starting to sound more and more like Lily with each passing day. And that honesty scared me.

“You know.” He said smiling as he reached across and wrapped his arm around my shoulder. I leaned into his hold and placed my head upon my shoulder. It seemed tonight would be a perfect night, one that would really mark another milestone being laid in my life. “I think, I'm starting to see another side of you. And I like that side.”
I blinked and lifted my head from his shoulders and peered at him. I peered at him for a good long minute before trusting myself to speak.

“What side?” I asked.

“The thoughtful side of you. The side that always seems to be thinking, the side that wants to leave everything a little better than she found it. The side that takes the lemon's life throws at her and makes lemonade out of them.” Ben said, smiling as he started the car. I kept my head to his shoulder as he pulled away from the curb and into the flow of traffic.

“Thanks.” I said smiling a little. “Hey, I was wondering if you would like to see sometimes. I know you're into superhero movies and stuff. And we'll their about to reopen the old drive in theater out on Old Benton Road.. you know it closes during the winter months and opens back up during the spring.” I said. “Maybe we could go see a movie out there. I heard it's kind of romantic.”

Ben nodded his head. I could tell he was thinking about it.

“Sounds good.” He said smiling. “I heard they only show vintage flicks though. You know those old school movies. Like 'The Legend of Boggy Creek' and 'The Town that Dreaded Sundown' I can dig those kinds of movies.” A playful smirk formed upon the bow of his lips. “And if you get scared, I'll be there to protect you. I promise you, I won't let a mask phantom or a swamp monster get my princess.”

“How sweet of you.” I found myself laughing at that line. It was just so cute. So perfect.. what had started out as a little crush, was starting to develop into something more. I felt a change taking place between Ben and I. At that moment I think both of us were ready to start seeing each other alone. It was time for us to take our relationship to the next level.

“But sure we can do that.” He said. “You have a birthday coming up. So that could be my birthday present to you.” He suggested.

I shook my head at the suggestion and before he could get a word in I said.

“No, no.” I said smiling. “I'm going to treat you.” I said blushing. “You treated me tonight and I'm going to treat you.” I paused. “Including ice cream. All dates should end with ice cream.” I added blushing.

Ben only chuckled.

We drove around ten for twenty or so minutes, killing time. Till at last he pulled up to my house. A true southern gentleman, he stepped out and opened my door for me. I smiled at the jester. When I was around Ben, I was reminded that Chivalry was not dead. And come to think about it, all of the guys in our group were chivalrous to a point. Ben, Matthew, Daisy, and Caspar all would stand toe to toe with any guy who dared threaten us.

“Hey, would you join me on the front porch please?” I asked as I started up the brick paved walkway that led from the front of the street to the wide wrap around porch that surrounded our house. Like most houses in Benton, our house had a wide screen on the porch that faced the street.

“Sure, I would love to.” Ben said with a small smile. “Give us a chance to talk a bit, you know. Besides, I have some time to kill. Can't stay too late though, I borrowed the car from dad. And he wants it back before sunrise. You know how my dad can be with stuff.” He said, chuckling as we walked side by side up the brick driveway.

“Oh trust me I know.” I said pushing open the screen door of the front porch. “I'm sure my dad's going to be the same when I start driving.” I said as I stepped into the enclosed porch and looked around. The porch that needed to be swept out and mopped. A sigh escaped my lips. No doubt that would be another chore mom and dad would add to the chore list. On the bright side I was paid for all the chores, and between working part time down at the family's store, working part time down at Lily and Robin's bakery slash cafe thing, and the many chores that needed to be done around the house. I had plenty of pocket money coming in. That might be the biggest lie ever told in the history of mankind though, I mean really, who ever heard of a teenage girl having too much pocket money?

Anyway, putting chores out of my mind. I walked over the old wooden swing and eased my bottom down. I then patted the open space next to me and smiled toward Ben who walked toward me and eased down beside me. The moment he was seated down beside me, he wrapped his strong arm around my shoulder and I leaned into his loving embrace. And that's how my Valentine's date came to an end. Me sitting on the front porch, being held by my boyfriend with my head resting upon his shoulder.

And so another episode in my life draws to a close. But stick around, there is a lot more to come. And I promise you it's going to be a rollercoaster of a ride.