Author’s Note: The characters in this story are fictional. Any use of actual names is purely accidental.

 

Reunion Masquerade               by: Marti B.

 

"Oh come on. It will be fun! Besides, if you think my reunion is boring I promise we can leave. Wouldn’t you like to meet some of those weird friends I’ve talked about?"

This onslaught had started about fifteen minutes ago and showed no signs of letting up. I knew from experience that Paula would not relent until she had achieved victory. So, against my better judgement I agreed to go to Paula’s ten-year high school reunion in three weeks.

Paula and I are friends and roommates, but not in the way you are probably thinking. Our friendship started during our sophomore year at college. We were both studying management and found ourselves in many of the same classes. Casual nods across the room soon led to brief exchanges of pleasantries. These brief discussions led to our joining common study groups. As the year progressed we found a certain comfort in each other’s company. We often met to discuss family, friends, relationships, as well as classes. I knew I could rely on Paula for compassion and understanding and I believed that she felt the same way about me. Paula was very popular in college and I often served as her sounding board as she analyzed a series of relationships. These were particularly difficult for me since I dreamed of taking Paula out on a date and building a romance. Whenever I expressed these desires she would laugh and tell me I was silly to jeopardize our special relationship for a brief sexual interlude. I would agree and continue dreaming.

During our senior year we helped each other through the agonies of job hunting while quietly dreading our impending separation following graduation. Paula accepted a really good job in Milwaukee. I was devastated! All along I had hoped that we would both find employment in the same area so we could continue our relationship. Chicago and Saint Louis seemed to offer the best opportunities for us to remain together, but Milwaukee? I’d never find anything in Milwaukee.

As May approached my concern went from being near Paula to finding any job. I made the rounds of job fairs and ‘on campus’ interviews. Following each of these events my hopes would soar only to crash on the rocks of rejection. Through it all, Paula was there to console me and offer encouragement.

My greatest fear was that these corporate interviewers could look into my soul and see my deepest secrets. Could they uncover the side of my personality that I had kept hidden from everyone including Paula? Did they laugh behind my back and call me queer? Did they know that I loved the feel of women’s clothes?

April 27^th is a day I’ll remember forever. The mail arrived that morning with the usual envelopes bearing the corporate letterheads from my most recent interviews. I grabbed the first envelope and opened it while making some sarcastic remark only to stop in mid sentence as I read the opening. I had a job! Sure it was in Gary Indiana but it was a job! I was racing to the phone to call in my acceptance when Paula stopped me.

"Do you really want to work in Gary?" She asked. "You don’t know anyone there, you’ve never been there, you don’t even know what you’re going to be doing!"

"Paula, it a real job offer. In case you haven’t noticed, this happens to be the first job offer I’ve received. I don’t have much choice now, do I?"

"Look Tom, I know thing have been tough for the last few months. Just don’t jump into something before you understand all the ramifications. That’s all I’m asking. Look, there are three other letters here. At least open them before you head off for Gary."

I opened the three other letters and read the familiar words "we regret to inform you". In the end, I accepted the marketing position in Gary. Paula and I promised that we would keep in touch at graduation. We had talked about taking a vacation together to celebrate the end of school. Any excuse for staying together just a little longer. The need to repay college loans dictated that we start earning a paycheck. We met for one last time at the McDonalds on I-55 in Joliet, Illinois. Tears flowed freely as we embraced and climbed into our respective cars. Paula headed north while I turned east.

Over the next few months Paula and I maintained regular communication. Every Sunday evening we spend at least an hour on the phone. We both had found that we had trouble finding a decent apartment on our starting salary.

On August 17^th my phone rang a little after seven thirty.

"What’s up Tom? I just got back from the Dells and there’s fifteen messages on my machine from you."

I had clever plans for managing the conversation. I wanted to beat around the bush, drop hints, let the suspense build. I threw them all away and simply blurted out that I was moving to Milwaukee. Paula took over the discussion. She had a month to month lease so breaking it was no problem. She told me all about the apartment community about 15 minutes west of town that was perfect. We would get a two-bedroom apartment and share all the expenses. I found myself swept along in the tidal wave of Paula’s ideas. Three weeks later a dirty Honda civic pulled into the parking lot of the Pines Apartment Complex. I had arrived.

Our relationship picked up right where we had left it way back in May. Paula was very active, going out on dates two to three times a week. She introduced me to several of her friends and we did go on several double dates but romance seemed to be eluding me. I made a lot of new friends. I was included in most of the girls’ nights and had a ball. Several times one or another of the girls would remark that I should have been born female. Paula and I discussed this issue, often going into the early hours of the morning. She probed and prodded but failed to penetrate my defenses. I thought my secret remained safe.

Several years and several apartments came and went but Paula and I remained together. We both were advancing fairly rapidly up the corporate ladder. The apartments grew in size and opulence.

I remembered the evening that the invitation arrived. Paula sat thinking. She talked about her high school experiences and immediately got out her address book. What followed was a series of calls to renew old friendships and catch up on the latest gossip. Following these conversations Paula would talk about her experiences and friends. Mary, Julie and Fran were mentioned often. I slowly pieced together the fact that these four girls were best friends throughout high school. It was obvious that Paula was really looking forward to renewing these friendships.

I heard my name mentioned frequently in these discussions but never expected to be invited to go as Paula’s guest. Also, there seemed to be some problem with the reunion. Paula told me that attendance was lower than expected but they had come up with a little contest to increase interest.

We planned to leave on Thursday morning to make the eight-hour drive to Belleville, Illinois. Paula set us up at Fischer’s hotel on west main where the reunion was to take place on Saturday evening. We talked about going the Belleville West football game against archrival Collinsville on Friday night. The trip down was great and fortunately, shorter that we had thought. Paula talked about her high school memories. I tried to follow the conversation but soon became lost in the names and events. I asked several questions which seemed to infuriate Paula.

"You better pay closer attention!" She said. "You’ll need to know some of this stuff when you talk to the folks at the reunion."

We arrived at the hotel around four thirty. Paula checked in while I waited in the car. She seemed exceptionally happy when she returned to the car. We drove around the west side of the building and found a parking spot. I grabbed my tote and my garment bag while Paula got her suitcase, make-up kit and dress bag out of the back seat. As we entered the room, I was impressed.

Paula had booked a suite. We were standing in a small but comfortable sitting area. A mini bar with a small refrigerator was in the corner. At the far end of the room a short hallway led to two bedrooms with a connecting bath. This must have set Paula back quite a bit.

I told Paula that I was beat and wanted to take a quick shower. She said that that sounded great. She was going to call a few friends to see if we could get together that night. I carried my bag down to the room on the right and tossed it on the bed. I hung my suit and shirt in the closet and turned my attention to my tote. My soap and shampoo was on top. As I pulled out the plastic bag I was shocked to see a pair of panties sitting in my bag. They were one of the pairs that I had secretly collected over the past several years. I was sure that I didn’t pack them. Did I? Maybe they had gotten mixed up with my other underwear in the wash. I quickly stuffed them in the bottom of the bag, got a pair of Hanes boxers out and headed for the shower.

I set out my things and turned on the shower. It took a little while to get the water adjusted. I climbed into the shower. It felt great! As I was soaping my back I felt a draft as if someone had opened the door.

"That you Paula?" I asked. "I’m almost done. Do you want me to leave the water running for you?"

No answer. I looked but no one was there. It wasn’t till I finished my shower that I noticed that my boxers were gone. I wrapped a towel around my self and headed for my room. My tote was gone! So was my suit!

"Paula! What kind of game are you…"

My voice disappeared as I entered the sitting area. Two things became immediately apparent. There were four beautiful women sitting there and, I was standing there wearing only a towel.

"He’s cuter that you indicated," Said one of the women.

"Much cuter! Said another. "I think that this just may work."

"Paula, my clothes are missing. Do you…" My voice returned only to disappear again as Paula held out my case. This was not the tote that I packed for the trip. It was my secret case that was kept hidden in the deep recesses of my closet.

Questions raced through my mind. How did she find it? How did she know? How could she embarrass me like this? Why?

"Sit down Tom." She said indicating a spot between two devastatingly beautiful brunettes on the couch. "Although I don’t think I can continue to call you Tom now that I’ve seen this." She said indicating my case.

I started to offer an explanation only to be cut off in mid sentence.

"Don’t worry." Paula said soothingly. "I’ve known about this interesting side of you since college. I wondered why I kept loosing my underwear every time you did the wash. One day I was looking for a T-shirt to wear and I found your stash of frilly undies."

She knew. She knew since college. Did she consider me a lovable freak? No wonder she wouldn’t date me!

"I wondered if you were still dressing when you came to Milwaukee." She said. "It took me several weeks to find your stuff. Then I confirmed my suspicions by secretly watching you dress up in your pretty undies and prance around the house."

"Now, you’re going to help us win a trip for four to Hawaii. You see, the reunion committee was worried about the poor response and wanted to spice things up a little. They came up with the idea of having a little masquerade during the reunion. For a five hundred-dollar entry anyone could sponsor a ringer to attend the reunion. Tonight and tomorrow you are going to practice. We’ll tell you everything you need to know. Tom, you’re a great conversationalist and I know you can pull this off. The girls and I talked and we agreed that you deserve a prize if we win so we’re sponsoring your trip to Hawaii. Oh, how rude of me. Girls this is Tom, although I think we’re going to have to come up with a new name for him. Tom this is Mary, Julie, and Fran."

Fran was the brunette on my left. She was looking at me closely. All at once her eyes lit up. She cried. "Do you know how much he looks like Terri the …?"

Paula cut Fran off before she could finish. "Oh yeah. We know and he’s already signed up to go as Terri Conners."

"Now Terri." Paula said to me. "You need to get back into the bath and get those legs and underarms shaved. We’ll get your clothes for this evening ready."

It was at that moment that I realized that these girls expected me to attend the reunion as a girl.

"Paula, I can’t do this." I protested. "Yes I do have a collection of underwear that I like to wear but I never have dressed up completely and have never ventured out of the house as a girl. There’s no way I could pass!"

"Oh Tom, or should I say Terri you will help us and you will do your best to help us win. I’m sure your current employer would be most interested in this information that seems to have slipped through your background check. Don’t tell me you deliberately omitted vital information when you filled out all those forms Tom."

"I also know that deep down inside you really want this. I can see it in the way you talk and the way you walk. How many guys do you know who can intelligently talk fashion? Admit it Tom, when you put on your pretty undies don’t you secretly hope that someday you will get the courage to go all the way. Well Tom, think of this as a dose of courage."

I didn’t know how to respond. Paula’s words really hit home. I had always wondered what it would be like to complete the illusion. Could I look like the girl that I saw in my dreams? Did I really have a choice?

Julie spoke for the first time. "Look Tom. Paula told us about you and her plans for the reunion. I thought she was crazy. Until I saw you. Your reactions when you realized that we were here looked more feminine than masculine to me. They say that the eyes are windows to the soul. Looking into your eyes right now I see a soul who is scared. Not scared of accepting our challenge. Scared of not accepting. Scared of continuing to be shackled in the prison you have built in your mind. Tom, I believe that the true you needs to come out. Let us help you."

Reluctantly I agreed to go along with the girls’ plans, but only through Friday. At dinner Friday I would have the final say. I promised to try to make this scheme work but wanted to have the final go - no go decision. The girls were overjoyed as the agreed. Mary told me to hurry because we had several appointments that evening.

As I headed back to the bath to shave I heard Fran on the phone telling someone named Alyssa that we’d be there in forty minutes.

Several times while I was in the shower shaving I felt the draft as the door opened and closed. As I stepped from the shower I saw a matching bra and panty set on the counter next to a bottle of perfumed lotion. I applied the lotion over my now smooth skin and pulled the panties up. Gosh they felt good. I started to go toward my room but the girls summoned me to Paula’s room. They indicated that I needed to sit at the mirror. I had not put the bra on since there was no functional reason to wear it. Fran grabbed the bra and slipped it up my arms. She inserted two breast forms into the cups after she fastened the clasp in the back. I looked in the mirror astonished at what I saw. Yeah I had dressed up in the past but had never tried to simulate breasts. The bra cups hung loosely. Now, I felt the weight pulling on my shoulders. I felt the tension in the strap across my back. All these sensations rushed into my brain and joined in a single cry of jubilation. I’m Free!!!

Julie started working on my face as Paula played with my hair. I felt the sharp tug as each of my unnecessary eyebrow hairs was unceremoniously removed. Several times she stopped and asked the other girls to look. There always seemed to be just a couple more hairs to remove. I was convinced that I didn’t have any brows left when Julie announced "Perfect!"

"Now she began to apply foundation to my face and neck. She explained the purpose each step as she went. The foundation smoothed out my features and provided a consistent canvass for the other products. I watched in fascination as the transformation took place. This was not as I had imagined it. All the stories I read had the victim turned away from the mirror until the process was complete. I had dreamed of the moment when I turned to face the mirror and saw a strikingly attractive woman looking back. This however was even better. I watched in fascination as the old me was slowly, methodically hidden to be replaced by the new me. A touch of blush and my cheeks gained dimension. A careful blending of eye shadows and my eyes boldly demanded attention. My lashes grew dramatically as Mary applied several coats of mascara.

The picture was completed with the application of a little mousse and a casual tussling of my hair. Paula handed me a soft yellow sweater and a pair of stretch khakis to put on. We were off for destinations unknown.

Julie expertly took us through the confused jumble of the downtown streets. We emerged from the clutter of the town to the open farm fields full of golden corn stalks. We left the main road and headed down a remote country road at breakneck speed. I saw the interstate highway flash by under us as we crossed a bridge. Almost immediately we saw new signs of civilization. A right turn at a light and we were soon entering the parking lot at ‘Nu You’ Salon.

A hand magically appeared and flipped the sign next to the door to ‘closed’ as we approached. The girls were undeterred as we continued up to the entrance. Despite the warning on the sign, the door opened with only a gentle push and we entered the salon. A red headed girl who could only be disturbed as perky greeted us. I was introduced to Alyssa as Tomi. Alyssa ran her fingers through my hair. She carefully lifted small sections to check the length. Finally satisfied she told Paula that everything would work out as requested. She said that they could wait if they wanted but it would take about two hours. Paula, Julie and Fran said that they had some errands to run and headed out the door. Mary said that she would stay to keep me company.

Alyssa directed me back to the sinks where she wrapped a cape around my neck. "Too tight?" She asked.

I told her that the cape was fine. I leaned back till my neck was resting on the curved edge of the sink. Alyssa played with the water until she had the temperature adjusted and started to wet my hair. She applied a small dollop of shampoo that she massaged through my wet hair. Satisfied that the ‘product’ had been removed from my hair Alyssa carefully wrapped a towel around my head and, with a light but firm grip on my shoulder, directed me to her chair. Once in the chair she began to dry my hair using the blow dryer.

All this time Mary maintained a running dialogue full of encouragement. She seemed so confident that this wild scheme would work that I started to believe that there could be a small chance. I shared my fear of being discovered and embarrassed if anyone discovered that I was a guy. She told me that that was the least of her fears. She said that she had only known me for a short time but she was already seeing the same feminine characteristics that Paula had mentioned earlier. We talked about clothes and hairstyles. I amazed both Mary and Alyssa with my knowledge of these girl topics.

While we talked Alyssa had sectioned my hair. She said that my color was good. She pinned the top sections and opened a case next to her station. Inside was hair! Alyssa told me that we were going to be adding extensions to my own hair to give me more length and fullness. Alyssa talked as she worked. She told me that she actually sewed the extensions into my hair. This method produced the most lasting results. As the first pieces were added they extended just below my shoulder. Alyssa deftly continued to section then sew as my hair grew as if by magic. We talked about all topics but mainly about the people that I would probably meet at the reunion. Alyssa had been two years behind the others at West. She did know a lot about the class and added greatly to my understanding. Mary had her yearbook. We went through the pictures one by one. I felt like I was looking a group of mug shots. There was a story with each face. Soon however the stories and faces were running together. I told Mary that I was having trouble keeping everyone straight. We agreed to focus on twenty key people and to go into more depth on each one. I told Mary that I thought I could fake it for anyone else I met.

All this time Alyssa was busy. As I looked up at the mirror my shock was evident as I gasped. Alyssa laughed and said that she was glad I liked the result. I stared at the image in the mirror trying to find any resemblance to the guy who drove down to Belleville earlier. That guy seemed to have left. In his place was a good looking brunette with long disheveled hair. We continued to talk about classmates while Alyssa finished with the extensions. She trimmed my new head of hair to achieve the desired effect then set my hair using hot rollers.

We sat and chatted a while longer. I had all kinds of questions. Terri had been a cheerleader. Who else was on the cheerleading squad? Did I like them? Who were my boyfriends in high school? Were they coming to the reunion?

Paula, Julie and Fran returned as Alyssa was taking the rollers out of my hair. She brushed the long brown locks into a very attractive ‘pageboy style’. A touch of spray and we were off to the mall.

We started at one of the major department stores looking at shoes. I needed a size ten wide. The girls helped me select three pairs. I now owned some clogs, open toed sandals, and pumps with three-inch heels, all black. I also had several figure enhancing foundation garments. From there we walked down the mall stopping at several of the stores. I got an outfit for the football game at the Gap and my own little black dress at Express. I complained that I was getting hungry. Julie laughed and said that we only had one more stop and then we’d go for Mexican.

When the girls headed for Claire’s I tried to get away…unsuccessfully. "Come on now, don’t be a baby!" Chided Fran. "Girls have their ears pierced. You won’t be able to fool anyone if you show up Saturday with clip-ons now, will you?"

Reluctantly I allowed myself to be seated in the piercing chair. Julie pulled out a picture of the infamous Terri. The picture was about six years old and announced that Terri had made the Cheerleader Squad at Southern Illinois. What was more important to me was Julie’s announcement that Terri had three holes in each ear. The girls talked for several minutes alternating looks at the picture and at me. I knew something was up when the sales girl started giggling and looking at me. No sooner had she apologized saying that they, pointing to the group now openly laughing, had decided that Terri would have five holes by now. The only words to escape my lips were "No!" before the first hole was made. My shocked reaction allowed the salesgirl to get three more holes in my right ear before I knew what was happening. Paula came over laughing hysterically. She told me to hold still or they would add three more holes. She asked the girl if they pierced nipples. I was halfway out of the store when the girl said no. I was assured that the holes would close up very quickly if I didn’t keep a ring through them so I sat back down. The girl fired away with the gun then proudly held up a mirror for me to see her handiwork. Six holes in the right and seven in the left. Fran told me that I had been warned about acting like a baby. We left Claire’s with half the store embedded in my ear. Hoops, studs, dangling jewels, I had it all.

We did go over to Chi Chi’s for Nachos and Margaritas after that. We only had a couple of drinks before the girls announced that we better get some rest since we had a big day tomorrow.

Julie dropped Paula and I off at the hotel and took the rest of the girls home. We went into our room and I headed straight for bed. Paula stopped me. Under her guiding hand I learned to take off my make-up and to cleanse and moisturize my face. She sat me down and put my hair up in rollers so that it wouldn’t get too messed up for tomorrow. Finally, she handed me a package wrapped in pink paper with a large white bow. I slowly opened the end of the package and looked at the box inside. No hint. I slipped the paper off and opened the box. Inside was a beautiful baby doll outfit. I know I was expected to squeal with delight and rush to put it on but I just couldn’t. Paula and I had built our relationship on trust and honesty. If there was ever a time for honesty, I decided it was now.

"Paula, thank you for the gift. I’m sure that you mean well but I’m just not comfortable accepting it right now. A lot has happened to me today and I’m not sure that I’m happy with all of it. What I really need now is time to think, alone." I went into my room and shut the door.

I carefully removed my clothes and realized that none of my planned wardrobe was around. I usually slept in a set of boxers and t-shirt. I looked at the package. I took the baby dolls out. I held them. I wanted to wear them. In the end, I slept in the old pair of panties that I had originally discovered in my bag.

It must have been around two thirty when I became aware of a hand caressing my back. Paula sensed that I was awake and leaned close to my ear. "Tom, I’m sorry if you feel overwhelmed. I never wanted to hurt you. Never!" She continued to caress my back and shoulder as she continued.

"Tom, you’ve been my closest friend for seven years now. I always felt comfortable around you and wondered why there wasn’t the sexual tension that I felt when I was with other guys. I began to understand that you really cared about me and weren’t just trying to get into my pants. You became my surrogate girl friend. You know. The person I could share my deepest most personal thoughts and feelings with safely. You were my soul mate through college and I really missed you right after graduation."

Paula continued. "I was confused when I found your secret underwear stash. I didn’t know whether to run away or stay with you. I did a lot of research and began to detect the subtle hints that your mental gender was female. Your mannerisms, your voice, your interests were all oriented toward the female perspective. I tried to draw this out of you but you kept this inner self locked up. Now that your secret is out in the open its time to let your hidden inner self out. I think it’s what’s best for you and for our relationship. You really can do this and we’re here to help and support you."

With that, Paula gently pulled back the covers and slipped underneath. She held me close. Her fingers lightly brushed my neck. I felt her warm breath on my ear and heard the words of love she whispered. Later, we slept still entangled in a loving embrace.

Phones! Why can’t they be more polite?

There is no sound known to man that grates on the human psyche more than the harsh electronic ringing of the modern phone. I silently cursed Alexander Graham Bell and all of his ‘Baby Bells’ as Paula lifted the receiver from the cradle. From the conversation I knew it was Julie. From the way Paula scrambled to find the clock I knew we were running late.

We fought for space in the cramped bathroom, each of unwilling to even think of taking turns. I tried to do my make-up and it was a complete disaster. Paula calmed down and patiently guided me through the process. The results were acceptable but, in my way of thinking, disappointing. I found a new skirt and sweater outfit laid out for me. We grabbed two cups of coffee from the lobby and headed over to Mary’s house.

What a morning! I practiced walking and talking. I learned to sit properly. I was quizzed on almost all of the people that the girls expected to see at the reunion. We practiced dancing so that I wouldn’t try to lead. The girls tried to trip me up. It was relatively easy in the morning but I gained confidence as the day went on. Lunch consisted of a slice of quiche, a few celery and carrot sticks followed by sliced fruit.

Around three Julie suddenly yelled, "We’re going to be late!"

I got caught up in the mad rush as we gathered our things and headed for the door. Julie and I rode together in one car while Paula and Mary were in Paula’s car. We pulled up in front of ‘Lee Nails’. Again I tried to protest that I didn’t want nor need false nails. Again, I was unsuccessful. Kim, the technician worked on my hands and feet. I tried to tell her that I didn’t want the length. She just laughed and pointed at Paula and Mary who were watching my ordeal with big smiles on their faces. Kim explained that I would need a fill in two weeks. When I told her that I’d be in Sunday to have my nails removed she laughed and told me that they couldn’t come off.

We said our good byes. I jumped in the car with Paula for the trip back to the hotel. Julie and Mary said they’d meet us at the game.

Paula and I arrived at the high school around seven fifteen. The game started at seven and this gave us the chance for one final review just in case we met some alumni at the game. Paula headed for the stands. I stopped to get a Diet Coke and had to hurry to catch up. I was scanning the crowd looking for a familiar face when a group of girls started calling "Terri!" and waving at me. Oh No! The cheerleaders were here in force. Paula came up behind me and said, "You better go join your friends or they’ll know you’re a fake for sure. Terri Collins would never be caught dead with me or my friends. We’ll meet after the game at the hotel."

A sense of dread set in as I climbed the steps to join the cheerleaders. I would be stuck with these strangers reminiscing about old times for almost three hours! I was doomed!

Judy Quinn greeted me with a big hug. "Hi Judy!" I exclaimed feeling a little bit of confidence. Janice Lawler was easy to recognize after the hours of practice earlier today. I said hi and gave her a big hug. Janice handled the rest of the introductions, thankfully. We started talking about old times and lying each other about how "You haven’t changed a bit." We laughed as we remembered the losers from the class. Janice asked if that was Paula down there with me. I said yes when someone else added a very nasty remark about her. We were oblivious as we talked about friends and families and past exploits. Boy, did I get an education. And, despite earlier warnings from Paula and her friends I found myself beginning to really like these girls. I couldn’t believe that it was midway through the fourth quarter when I looked at the scoreboard. Where had the time gone? Judy said that the squad was going to party with the football players who had returned for the reunion. I tried to act eager as I accepted their invitation.

We piled into three cars and left celebrating another West victory. I briefly saw Julie and Mary as we pulled out of the parking lot. I was the designated beer purchaser at the Schnucks Market on West Main. Keystone and Keystone Light for old times sake.

We drove several miles outside of town and turned left onto a narrow dirt road. This road ran straight for about a mile then descended into a narrow river valley lined with trees. A raging fire lit the scene. There must have been fifty people! Judy’s horn was blaring as we got out of the car. I stuck with the cheerleaders for a while but their numbers quickly dwindled as they paired up with the guys around the fire.

"Terri! Terri! Terri Collins! You haven changed a bit! Don’t you remember me? The homecoming dance junior year? Joe?"

It all came flooding back to me. Joe Nolte and Terri were quite an item that year. Right up to the Homecoming Dance when Terri slapped Joe on the floor and stormed out.

"Joe, you’ve got a lot of nerve!" I said. "I haven’t forgiven you for homecoming yet!"

"Aw come on Terri. That was eleven years ago and I said I was sorry I offered you money for sex. The guys said it would be funny. I felt like I was being forced to do it. I didn’t want to hurt you. I never thought you were a cheap whore, really."

Joe was about out and I thought it would be safer to hang out with him than run into some unexpected situation later. We sat on his blanket; all the guys had blankets, and talked. Joe wasn’t quite as drunk as I thought. It wasn’t long before I found his hand on my thigh and his tongue in my ear. I tried to maintain control of the situation as best I could. I swapped a thigh for a breast since there was less chance of being discovered up top. I kissed Joe open mouthed. I felt his tongue probe my mouth. I rubbed his manhood through his tight jeans. All the while I tried to think of an escape.

Joe’s release was my escape route. With several spasms he came in his pants. A dark stain appearing as his juices soaked through the denim material.

"Oh Joe!" I cried. "Couldn’t you hold out a little longer or at least warn me that you were getting close. You’re a mess!"

Joe sobered up right away. He glanced furtively around to see if anyone was looking. He bagged me to be quiet. He said that his wife was going to kill him when he got home. I told him that I had a plan. If he would give me a ride home I would make it so his wife wouldn’t suspect what he’d been up to tonight. While Joe folded up his blanket I went over and grabbed two beers from the ice filled bucket. Several folks look up as we made our way, arm in arm, through the crowd toward the cars. Joe held the door for me and then went around to the driver’s door. He was exceptionally quiet as we headed back to town.

Joe pulled up to the hotel and I directed him around to the east side so he wouldn’t know where my room was. I kissed him goodnight and then reached over and poured an entire beer on his lap.

"Why’d you do that?" He shouted.

"Think of it as camouflage." I said. "Tell your wife that some dumb broad spilled her beer all over your pants. The beer definitely hides your little problem and my guess is that you’re little wife won’t check any further."

Joe drove off into the night and I wished I had his phone number so I could have a little chat with his wife before he got home.

As I approached the hotel room I heard voices inside. Opening the door I saw all four girls sitting up waiting for me.

"Look at her." Said Julie. "I told you he was making out. Did you have fun?"

"Fun! I’m the one who was forced to sit with a group of complete strangers and pretend to be long lost bosom buddies. You didn’t have to pretend it was all right to have some drunken oaf grope you just to find a way to escape. Don’t you dare talk to me!"

"You can take your reunion and shove it for all I’m concerned!" I shouted as I stormed to my room. I flopped on the bed and cried myself to sleep.

On Saturday morning I again awoke to the gently stroking of Paula. "Look, I’m sorry about last night." She said. "I really didn’t think about going to the game. Do you want to talk about it?"

Out tumbled all my fears. We talked for several hours about us. I agreed to go ahead with the reunion but demanded to have my male clothes back tomorrow. Paula told me I could have them today and that we would return to Milwaukee right away if that was what I wanted. Anything to keep me from being hurt. I smiled and told her that I really did enjoy the day yesterday. I even admitted that I had a good time with the cheerleaders last night until we got to the glen. I told Paula that I wanted to go ahead with our masquerade that night. I admitted I was having a good time but that I didn’t want to leave the old me behind.

We spent a quiet day out by the pool. Paula had an extra suit for me and it never entered my mind that I could get a tan line from a few hours exposure. Around three we went in to get ready. Paula gasped then chuckled when she noticed that I had a distinct sun burn pattern on my body.

I carefully washed and set my hair. Paula and I started on my make-up. Paula saw and plucked several stray brow hairs. I applied the foundation and did a good job with the blush. I sat looking in the mirror trying to decide how to do my eyes when Paula took charge. Under her skilled hands and discriminating eye my transformation into Terri was completed. Paula insisted that I have my breast forms glued on tonight, just in case. I agreed with the stipulation that they would come off before bed. I donned my waist cincher and padded panties. The dress felt so good as it slipped down my body. I went back into the bathroom to finish my hair. It looked almost as good as it did when Alyssa finished two days ago. Spray the hair. A little dab of perfume and I was ready. Paula told me that we should enter separately since we didn’t want to give ourselves away. She went first.

As the door closed I felt over whelmed by the events of the past few days. To find out that Paula knew about me way back in college and never said a word. The bond built through honesty developed a few cracks as I pondered the impact of that revelation. Did she set me up last night? The voice of doubt raged inside me. The phone was in my hand and the book was opened to the taxi listings. I could be on a plane and in Milwaukee in just a few hours. In the end however, I placed my trust in the best friend I have known. I put the phone down and locked the door behind me as I headed for the ballroom.

The persistent beat of the base guided me through the lobby and down the hall toward the ballroom. The music stopped as I entered the room. The abrupt silence helped Janice’s voice carry over the entire crowd as she called "Terri! Over here!"

Talk about making an entrance. I don’t know who was more embarrassed, me or Janice. All eyes were on me! Well, there goes any hope of slipping in unnoticed. Instinctively I flashed a big smile and waved to the staring crowd. "Let’s have some music." I called. "You all know I’m the last person that would want to stop a good party."

That seemed to break the ice. I heard several folks say, "Same old Terri" as I made my way across the floor to my ‘group’. I had to stop several times to exchange pleasantries with old chums I never knew. Thank God for nametags and solid coaching.

"You’re just in time Terri." Said Judy. "We’re trying to decide if Ralph Ronson is a fake or not."

"What?" I asked.

Judy pointed at the large board next to the stage. One hundred and fifty seven names were boldly printed on the board. At the top was the message ‘Spot the Fakes’. Janice handed me a set of rules for the game that would consume the crowd for the evening. According to the rules each person was given a token upon entering. The token represented that person’s one and only chance to falsely challenge one of the alumni as a fake. All challenges were made to one of the judges who would discretely confirm or deny the validity of the challenge. A right answer and the person kept his or her token for another chance. A wrong answer and the token was surrendered and the person became a spectator in the proceedings. There were ten fakes to find. The final three were worth a prize; $100 for third, $250 for second, and $500 for finding the second to last fake. The last remaining fake and his or her sponsors won a trip for four to Hawaii.

As I was reading this note a hush went over the crowd as a bright red line was drawn through Susan McDougal’s name. One down and nine to go. We discussed various strategies to help improve our odds of winning. Promises were made and deals were cut to capitalize on multiple guesses. Janice slipped away and talked to one of the judges. She smiled as the judge nodded and then went up and crossed Ralph’s name off the list. Eight left and I hadn’t been there for twenty minutes.

As I mingled with my former classmates four more names received the red line treatment. That meant that there were only four fakes left. One more and we were talking about money for a correct guess. I was dancing with Rich Nelson when I asked him about the quarry our sophomore year. I could tell by the puzzled look that briefly flashed across his face that he didn’t have a clue. He gave me some non-specific response.

"Gosh Rich! I didn’t think a guy ever forgot his first time. I must not have made much of an impression on you!"

With that I went and made a challenge. Rich’s name was crossed off the list. Thank you Janice for the excellent bit of trivia.

Bruce Baxter came up and asked me to dance. I remembered Paula telling me about a brief fling between the two so I knew I had to accept. Bruce was a former football player and I could feel that he kept in shape as a muscular arm guided my body into the desired position for this slow dance. The music stopped and a judge announced that we were now down to two fakes. I was close to winning that trip!

The music resumed and I was guided expertly along by this tall handsome man. We talked about old times. As Bruce asked about past events and experiences I began to realize that there was much more to this relationship that a brief fling. I kept watching Bruce’s eyes for any sign that I had been discovered. I planned to let Paula know immediately, even if I had to shout across the room so that she could at least get the second prize. I wasn’t even thinking when I responded to Bruce’s question about the Edwardsville game senior year. I knew it was a big game and we had won so I responded that it was my fondest memory. I told Bruce that I hoped to someday relive that night.

The change in his character was immediate and frightening! His hand moved down my back and his fingers sought entry into my rectum. His left hand moved, still gripping my hand so that he was brushing up against my breast. He whispered suggestions in my ear that sounded very ominous to me. What happened in the past? I just knew that I had to escape!

I excused myself saying that I had to go to the ladies room. I searched desperately for any of my friends. I didn’t want to leave the ballroom alone. As I moved through the crowd I could feel Bruce stalking me. I had to run! I slipped out of a side door hoping to find refuge in the ladies room. I was disoriented and turned the wrong way in the hall. My pace quickened as I heard the door open and close a second time. I sensed rather than heard my pursuer. I turned a corner and saw the dead end. Frantically I searched for an escape route. Out of desperation I tried to conceal myself in an alcove. I shut my eyes as if that would help me to become invisible.

Bruce turned the corner and paused. I don’t know if I made some miniscule sound or he just sensed my location but he was all over me. I pleaded with him to let me go. I begged. I told him I wasn’t really Terri. Nothing seemed to phase him. He hit me! I screamed.

He hit my face two more times. I continued to scream and pray for rescue. I was still screaming when I realized that Bruce was no longer concentrating on me. He was resisting as several of the men were attempting to restrain him. I opened my eyes and there was Joe. He asked me if I was ok. Tears were streaming down my cheeks. Janice and Judy had their arms around me as we made our way to the ladies room. Paula, Fran, Mary and Julie were there as well although they seemed to hang in the background. Did losing some dumb trip really mean that much to them? With the help of the girls I managed to repair the damage to my make-up. The bruise on my left cheek could not be hidden and my jaw was very sore. I regained my composure and told everyone that I did want to return to the reunion. Just then someone stuck their head in the door and cried out that there we had a winner in the fake contest.

As we entered the ballroom a judge was drawing that ominous red line through the name Terri Collins. I was busted. Janice turned to stare at me. Judy asked me who I was. The cheerleaders who moments before had been my best friends drifted away form the stranger in their midst. I was left standing alone in the middle of the room as the judge announces that Bob and Brian had correctly identified me as the fake and won the $500 prize. The judge asked Brian how they were able to identify me. "Well." He said. "The Terri the Tramp I remember from our school days never turned down sex. I also know that she was into pain. So when we realized it was Terri screaming we knew we had spotted the ringer."

The judge went on to say that Bob and Brian also were the winners of the trip to Hawaii since the fake alumni they sponsored had not been discovered. A buzz went through the crowd as people tried to identify the remaining fake. The suspense was short lived when the judge called for the final fake, Bruce Baxter to please come up to the stage.

Something inside me snapped. That ass hole who tried to rape me was a fake. There were no memories that led to the events of tonight. Bob, Brian and Bruce were standing on the stage with silly grins plastered across their faces. Brian expression was the first to change as he spotted the crowd parting to let me through. I marched right up on stage. My roundhouse punch connected squarely with Bruce’s jaw. I didn’t get the satisfaction of seeing him go down but he did flinch. The crowd was cheering as I turned and grabbed the microphone.

"This is a travesty." I shouted above the noise. "Yes, I’m not the real Terri and I’m proud of the fact that I didn’t graduate from your school. Where I went to school we learned respect for each other. We also didn’t reward attempted rapists with trips and cash. I hope I never see any of you again!"

There wasn’t a sound except for the determined click of my heels as I left the ballroom. No one followed, not a word was said. I went back to my room and cried.

About twenty minutes later Paula came into the room. She didn’t try to touch or comfort me. She sat quietly at the foot of the bed for several minutes. Even though our bodies were separated by only a few inches we were miles apart.

"I’m sorry. I never thought anything like this would happen." Paula got up and started to walk out of the room. As she reached the door she turned.

"Terri missed a major part of our senior year. The night of the Edwardsville game she slipped out of her house and went down to the school to meet Bruce Baxter. Only it wasn’t Bruce. It was his younger brother Tim who met Terri. According to the stories, he beat her up pretty badly. Terri spent four months recuperating. The Baxters had a lot of political clout around here so the whole issue was quietly swept under the carpet."

"Bob and Brian thought they were being real cute when they got Tim to pretend he was his brother. They were sure that no one would suspect and the brothers looked so much alike that everyone thought they were twins. They’re real sorry that you got hurt. They know they should have stepped in when they saw you dancing with Tim but they didn’t want to give up the chance for the trip."

"Oh. We took a vote after you left. The prize is yours. We agreed that none of us deserve it."

"I don’t want the prize." I quietly responded. "Take the money and give it to a battered women’s shelter."

Julie came in and announced, "The cops are here. They want to know if you want to press charges."

I wanted to. I really did. But, it would mean giving my real name and exposing myself to the potential of further abuse. "Tell them no. I don’t want to press charges. I just want to get away from this place."

The ride back to Milwaukee was the longest quietest journey I can remember. Paula concentrated on driving in the heavier than normal weekend traffic while I wrapped myself up in my own personal turmoil. A couple of times she tried to initiate conversation in an effort to recapture what had been lost between us. The barriers of mistrust completely overshadowed the years of trust and honesty that was the foundation of our relationship. It wasn’t all her fault. I had concealed a side of my personality that I thought had been kept very private up to this trip.

If I demanded honesty from Paula, how could I demand anything less from myself? I pondered this question across the vast farmland of Illinois. As the lights of Milwaukee appeared reflected off the overcast sky, came into view I made my decision.

I applied for and got a transfer to Colorado Springs. Paula and I parted as friends. We promised to keep in touch but without much conviction on either of our parts. I drove across Wisconsin toward Sioux Falls, South Dakota then turned south. I spent the night at a Comfort Inn just outside Kansas City.

Early the next morning an attractive lady checked out of the Comfort Inn, climbed into her Honda and headed west toward the Rocky Mountains and a new life. You see, I decided that I had to be honest with myself if I was going to demand honesty from others. During that long silent drive back to Milwaukee I explored the deepest recesses of my soul. I came to realization that I had been lying to myself all these years. My earlier crossdressing was a symptom of a deeper conflict. Paula recognized it. What did she call it? My mental gender. My mental gender was truly female. In the weeks after that fateful trip to Belleville I had contacted several support groups in Colorado. They set me up with a Psychologist who would work with me. I started hormone therapy the day I left Milwaukee. My company was surprisingly supportive when I contacted the human resources department. They insisted on the change in location saying that it was best for all concerned and would allow me to make a fresh start. My new boss is expecting his new female manager next week. I still have some fears about the future. But I am determined to face each of them as they appear. As the old slogan says, "Today is the first day of the rest of your life."

 

 

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