In the early stages of my transformation from scrawny boy to slender girl, nothing could possibly replace the support and protection of my sisters. They, and my parents were 'there' for me in ways I didn't appreciate or even find out about until later.

 

Rhonda's Story

by Rhonda

Part 3

 

The inpromtu pool party was the greatest, but it was now very late. My friends had gone home at 10, when Suzie and mom went in which meant for us girls that we had ½ hour left. I was so very tired, but so excited I wondered if I would be able to sleep at all. With all my new nighties, I was confusing myself trying to decide which to wear for my first night openly girl.

The biggest thing was that now I didn't have to keep my covers up to my chin so no one would notice I had a nightie on in the first place. I didn't have to try to dress under the blanket anymore, or wait until I knew everyone was asleep. Finally, my sisters and I went inside, and took turns brushing each others hair out after we took off our swimming caps. Renee did mine, and brushed it into two pigtails. I did the same to hers when she finished. Molly and Sara took turns with each others hair.

"All my daughters are beautiful again" mom said as she came to check on us.

"Which nightie are you going to wear Rhonda?" Renee asked "We're all dying to know and that's probably why mom isn't in bed yet".

"Caught" mom replied.

"I think I have it narrowed down to the pink shortie with the lace bow or the red negligee form Fredericks" I said.

"Well, don't just sit there, go put one of them on and model it for us so we can help you decide" Sara said.

I set out for my room to a chorus of yeahs and hurrys. When I looked into my room and saw that mom had already laid one out on the bed for me, I hollered back down the hall "Or the yellow one with the hearts on it".

I took off my wet bikini bottoms and the gaff, and finished patting my bottom dry. I then put on the panties to the set. They were yellow tricot with mint colored cupid hearts printed on them. I took off the top next, preparing to catch the breastforms before they fell, but the forms stayed right there and felt surprisingly heavy with no support. A lot of the foundation dad had put on to blend the seams fell victim to the chlorine of the pool, but enough of it was still there to make the forms look like a part of me. I patted my chest area dry and reapplied the foundation lightly along the edges of the form as dad had done, and came up with a passable job after a few attempts.

"What's taking so long?" I heard through the door. I thought my sisters would wait in the kitchen for my grand entry, but apparently Molly was impatient.

I hurried with the nightie, pulling it over my head and drawing the lace string around the collar is so I could tie the bow. It was just long enough to cover the panties as long as I stood still and the mint lace on the collar and hem seemed to really set it off. After checking myself out at three angles in the mirror, I put the pink robe over it and put on the fuzzy pink slippers. I walked back toward the kitchen, doing my best wiggle move throwing my hips from side to side like the models on tv do. Everybody laughed at that entrance.

"The robe looks nice dear, but what's underneath it?" mom asked.

I slowly opened the robe, drawing every second out of my debut that I could, until I had my sisters jumping up and down in their chairs with anticipation. I let the robe slide off my shoulders, and doing my best to do a model pose, said "Ta Da!".

My sisters all stood up and did that polite little handclap thing as I slowly spun around so they all could see it.

"Why don't you go back to being a boy?" Sara said, breaking the mood.

"What? I thought you wanted me to be your sister?" I replied, trying quickly to figure out what I had done wrong.

"I do" she replied, "But if you switch back I get all those pretty nighties since they are closest to my size".

We all broke out laughing at that point, and I promised her I would share, but not until I got to wear them first. Mom gave me a big hug and whispered thank you in my ear, then she announced that it was past bedtime and Saturday was going to be a big day. We all headed for our rooms giving each other a hug and a kissy-kissy on the cheek as we parted. I was surprised when I pulled down my beadspread and found that mom had changed my pillowcases from the white heavy duty cotton to a pretty pastel yellow with lace trim on the edges. I laid down, one happy, contented, new little girl, and promptly fell asleep.

I awoke to the sound of the usual saturday morning commotion outside my door. Saturday was the day all of us had to strip our beds when we got up so mom could wash all the linens, so it was noisy as they each asked if someone had swiped their pink pillowcases (Renee) to can I borrow your powder blue set for the week (Molly), and other comments.

Finally, I heard Sara say "Someone's gonna have to loan Rhonda a set until she gets some of her own."

Then I looked at the clock. It was already after 8, I never slept that late on a saturday, especially when school was out, but here I was still in my yellow nightie. It wasn't a dream. My mind was immediately filled with apprehension as I wondered how my first full day of being a girl would play out. How were the neighbors going to react? What about my other friends, and the kids from school? Would the other boys still welcome me to play baseball with them or would I be relegated to the sidelines with the other girls? They already thought me a little wierd being the only boy on our street that was 'wrong handed'. I'm not a boy anymore though, I reminded myself, and after word got around I could never be one again until we moved anyway. With my head in that cloud, I headed for the kitchen, following the aroma of frying bacon.

"Look, Rhonda Van Winkle finally decided to rejoin the living!" mom said. Adding "You're going to have to shake a leg to get yourself around, little girl".

"Sorry mom" I said. as I came back down to the present.

"You've got just an hour to eat, change your linens, and make yourself presentable, young lady" mom replied.

I realized just how far behind I was when I saw my sisters all coming down the hall, dressed and carrying their laundry baskets.

"I left a set of yellow sheets out for your bed, if Sara didn't swipe them, sleepy head" Molly said.

"There's more to being a girl than laying around eating bonbons" Sara added.

Renee said " I'll help you catch up as soon as I get these in the washer, its' my turn to go first".

They all headed for the basement laundry, giggling, and commenting on my nightie and mussed up hair. I'll have to remember to brush it out before I come out to the kitchen I noted to myself, as I got up and headed back down the hall to get started on my room.

"I think you've finally outgrown the cowboy bedspread" mom called after me, "Just fold it and set it on your dresser."

I had quickly stripped the bed and put on the yellow sheet set that was a match to the pillowcases already on the bed. I also replaced my blanket with the yellow one with satin edges that Molly had included. Getting my laundry ready didn't take long at all since my whole wardrobe had just been changed the night before. All I had to add to the sheets was Renee's panty set, Sara's slip and my new dress from yesterday.

I was taking one of my new pink short sets out of the closet when Renee showed up.

"No you don't, you can't wear pants your first day" She said in mock anger. " The top's ok but that pink cotton skirt is going to be the uniform of the day for you. Suzie's taking us into the city for the day, so we're all wearing skirts."

"Even dad?" I asked.

"Dad's not going, Suzie is, just like you're going to leave Ron home too" she answered.

"Ok, I guess that makes sense, but I don't quite see how yet" I said. "Are you going to leave so I can change?"

"No, you still need a coach, and I've seen your little wienie plenty of times before" she replied and she handed me a gaff. and started going through my undie drawer.

Still being shy, I turned around to put the gaff on and got myself situated. She was holding out a pink bra and panty set as well as a pink cammie for me to put on. I realized that the pink nylon tank top I had picked out was a little thin and the cammie was a good idea, guess I did still need a coach. I put on the skirt and she zipped it for me and straightened the seams. I went to my drawer and took out one of my new pair of panty hose, when she stopped me.

"Nope, we're going to do this right" she said as she took me by the hand and led me toward the bathroom. I was confused.

"We still got some time, sit down on the stool and put your legs across the side of the tub." She added.

She got a bottle out of the vanity, pulled my skirt up and started to rub the contents on my legs. It started tingling right away, then started to almost burn.

"This stuff takes five minutes to work, so we can do your hair and makeup while we wait." she said.

She brushed the tangles form sleeping out of my hair, rolled the flip at the bottom in her fingers and lightly sprayed it with hairspray, just the way Claire had done it yesterday. She put light pink blush on my cheeks, and the pink lipstick they had bought me yesterday on, and blotted it for me.

"Now, hold your skirt up and sit with your legs in the tub." she said.

She turned the water on, and wiped the Nair off my legs with a big sponge. All the fuzz was gone, and my legs looked smoother than they ever had.

"Thanks," I said.

"We're not done yet, we've got to put lotion on them so they don't dry out from the treatment, then we'll put tanning oil on them so they are shiny and you won't need stockings. They would be awful hot by this afternoon." She said.

We both put lotion on, and I did her hair and makeup to match mine while we waited for it to soak in. We put the oil on after that, and I looked in the mirror. Wow! so that's how girls did that. She put some of the tanning oil into a little sqeeze bottle and handed it to me.

"You might have to redo this a couple of times through the day since your legs are still pale, so put this in your purse" she said.

My purse, I had forgotten I would need one! Renee saw the look in my eyes and took off for her room while she told me to go put on the pink patent sandals. She came in as I was putting on the second shoe with a patent purse that was within a couple of shades of my shoes. I filled it with the blush, lipstick, oil, my emergency phone booth dimes (yes I really only cost a dime back then) and my school ID which I hoped I wouldn't need. She handed me another pair of pink panties to put in too, explaining that a girl always carried a spare for a day trip. There, all loaded down, I thought, but she disappeared again. She returned with a couple of safety pins, a purse size tissue pack, and a compact mirror.

"We're not moving yet, we're just going into the city for the day" I said. That got a laugh.

"I know, this is just the essentials, if you didn't have five other purses to help you out, you would need more"she joked (or at least I thought she was joking).

Finally, I was ready for my big presentation, so we headed back for the kitchen.

"That took long enough, but I guess it was worth the wait" dad said, inspecting me as I twirled for the room.

Mom had us all line up so they could check us before we left. (actually so mom could get another of her family photos). Molly had on a light yellow cotton jumper with a light green 'v' neck shirt under it and white pullon tennies with anklets. Sara had her red 'v' neck and her full red skirt with a white waistband and hem. She also wore her white heeled sandals. Renee was wearing her pink blouse and skirt set with pink flats, that looked similar but didn't quite match my outfit.

Flash! spots all over! as mom burned up a roll of film. Mom was wearing an off-white a-line dress with embroidered flowers along the hem. Then there was dad! He/she, anyway, Suzie, (I had to get used to that) had on a shiny red sleeveless dress that came above the knee and had a really wide collar and plunging neckline that came clear down to the red ribbon bow on her bra. She also wore red patent open toe mules with a 1 ½ inch heel, that revealed the bright red polish on her toenails. Her fingernails and lipstick would match a fire engine too, but the crownng touch was the auburn hair that came down to her shoulders and flipped out and had long side-swept bangs with a red bow to keep them in place. He/she was absolutely georgeous, tall, slim, and with ALL that cleaveage showing. It was going to take some real adjusting to get used to dad like this, as I had never seen him in girls clothes before yesterday, but never seen him out of them since.

Of course, he must have the same adjustment with me, I thought. But no, the whole family had been planning today for a year now, I was the one who wasn't up to speed. It only took my sisters and mom 30 seconds or so to completely drop the male pronouns, and nobody had even started to call me Ron since yesterday morning. After a couple of minutes of 'remember tos' Suzie announced that we all passed inspection and were ready for or trip. She then smiled and kissed mom, getting her lips all red and us giggling, and we headed for the car. I noticed mom playing with Suzie's behind as we headed out.

We took mom's station wagon, as it had three seats so it was big enough for all of us to travel with comfort. Renee and I always got the back, with Molly and Sara in the middle. It was a 45 minute ride into town so we spent it in light chitchat, and Renee fiddling with my makeup, smiling and holding my hand. Molly and Sara seemed really happy to have a new sister, but Renee was positively overjoyed, it must be the twin thing.

I was still worried about what might happen if someone discovered I was really a boy in drag. We got off the freeway and ended up in a section that mom called 'old town'. It was full of small storefronts and cafes, and home to the city's small openly gay community.

"This is the area I started going out in public in" Suzie said. "Even if they 'make' you, no one here is going to get excited about it, so its' a good place to learn".

"Thanks Suzie, but how did you know I was worried about it?" I asked.

"If you weren't, there would be something wrong, especially at first" Suzie said.

"You did so well yesterday at the mall that no one noticed, so if you remember to remember and don't do dumb 'Ron' things or go overboard you'll do ok" Renee said.

Suzie found a place to park, and we all piled out of the car and got our bearings. "I think we'll shop first, then eat and explore" mom said, "We've got to help Rhonda get a replacement for the cowboys".

We set out down the block following mom and Suzie as they seemed to know exactly where they were going. Sure enough we came to a store that had bedspreads and other linens on display in its' windows. We all went in and started looking around at the displays inside the store.

"Hi Suzie, Linda, I see you finally decided to let me meet the rest of the girls" the owner said, seeming to pop up out of thin air.

Mom introduced us one by one and we each got our hand kissed amid effusive comments on how pretty we looked. John was genuinely excited to meet us.

"Don't move an inch" He warned, "Benjamin just has to see this". As he headed to a door at the side and hollered up for Benjamin to hurry down.

Benjamin emerged in no time and stood next to John admiring us, as he introduced each of us. He came over to us and the hand kissing and compliments were reapeated.

"Is this a social visit, or are you going to help us keep the doors open?" just call me Ben said.

"Six 'born to shops' and you're wondering who is going to be broke when we leave?" Suzie asked.

Everyone giggled as we all split up to browse. Molly and Sara wandered off with Suzie while Renee, mom and I went over to the wall that had more bedspreads on display than I had ever seen in one place before. We looked at several, touching the fabrics and admiring the patterns. Renee found one she liked and held up the corner of it for mom to see. It was a pretty one, in lavender with large white roses on it. It also had a double row of satiny lace across the top, as well as a single row all the way around it.

"We'll take two of this one in twin size" mom told John who was following a couple of steps behind us.

"This size?" he asked as he held his hand up even with the top of Renee's head. We all laughed.

We got the spreads, two sets each of matching sheets and pillowcases, and a set of bolster pillows each that matched the spreads. Suzie and the other girls managed to find a towel set in the same color for me, as well as a matching cloth for the top of my dresser and my nightstand. My room was going to be a lot prettier now and I was happy, and Renee's was going to look the same. John was talking to Suzie about how much they were going to miss her and mom after we moved, and how disappointed he was that they waited until now to introduce them to the rest of the family.

We headed back to the car with all the stuff and put it in the back. Then Suzie pointed to one of the cafes that had tables set out on the sidewalk and asked if anyone was hungry yet. Dumb question! We all headed for it with Molly and Sara talking about how pretty the spreads were and how jealous they were that Renee was getting so much new stuff too.

"Don't worry, we'll get new linens for you two when we get to the new house, but Rhonda needs some now and I finally get to enjoy my twins". mom said.

We all ate and lingered over iced tea while we chatted about what to fill the hour until the band in the park started with. We finally decided that we were going to have to hurry if we were going to make it past three blocks of store windows in time. We made it, but ended up each carrying a bag of things we found on the way. I got a new bracelet and earrings, Renee found a small porcelain doll in a victorian dress to add to her collection, Molly and Sara each got ty-died tank tops, mom got a gauze skirt, and Suzie got the bills for it all and a new purse. We found an empty spot on one of the wooden bleachers in front of the bandstand that was big enough for all of us to sit together just a few minutes before the music started. The first band played several beach boys type songs, and the second one played jazz and Chicago blues.

After the concert we took our time walking back to the car, acquiring a couple more bags on the way. We headed across town, and drove down the lakefront until Suzie found another sidewalk cafe with a view of the water. We all talked about how we were going to miss the big lake when we moved. Mom and Suzie discussed how well I did all day and a few things they would have to work on with me. It was starting to get dark when we found our way back to the car again and headed for home.

When we got home, mom said it was too late to redo my room but I did get to put the bedspread and pillow cases on before I got into my pink shortie jammies and got to bed.

Sunday morning was another test for me. After breakfast, I showered and got out the pink dress that we had gotten for church. I wore the 'Sunday' panties, since they were pink and a white lace trimmed bra under the pink lace slip. I wore pantyhose and the white flats mom had gotten me. When I was dressed, I grabbed my purse with my makeup in it and knocked on Renee's door. She let me in and I used her vanity to do my makeup while she finished getting dressed.

"Are you nervous about church?" she asked.

"Yes, very, this will be different from the mall or the city because everybody knows me." I answered.

"Well, usually not that many people show up in the summertime, and there's only about 15 other teens anyway" she said, trying to reassure me.

"Do you have any pink blush?" I asked.

"In the second drawer on the right" she replied, pulling her own pink creation over her head.

"You haven't worn that dress since you got it" I said.

"I've been saving it for the right occasion, and this is it" she said.

"And which occasion is that?' I asked.

"Getting to match my twin's dress for color" she replied, adding "Here let me help you" as she took the blush from me and picked up a tissue to blot off the mess I had made.

"Mine doesn't have the cute little lace bib on the front, I'm jealous!" I said as she started to repair my face.

"But we both have pouffy white lace sleeves" she pointed out, "Besides, I have a sneaky hunch that mom will buy a lot more outfits in pairs now".

"Yeah, the bathing suits were a gas, we have almost the same figure except my falsies are bigger than your realies" I teased.

"My hips are more defined" she said, defending herself, "And I've got pads in my dresser somewhere, zip me".

"Well I'll just have to see if dad has some hip pads I can borrow" I replied.

"No you don't!" she shouted, going over to block the door as I started toward it.

"Cat fight, cat fight" Molly hollered form the next room.

Renee sat down after I backed away from the door and stuck her face in the air, "Do me now" she said, "And I want to look sultry".

"You got a long time before that happens, mom is just starting to look that way babyface" I said. "You get the same pink cheeks, lips, and eyelids you gave me".

"Just imagine, dad'll be the only boy, if he decides to go this week, he'll have to escort a whole flock of girls!" she said as I worked on her face trying to get it to look like mine did.

That took a few minutes as I was fairly new to makeup, only daring to do it when I knew I would be alone long enough to make sure it was washed off before anyone could see it. Dad only went to church maybe six or eight times a year so it was hard to try to imagine him there with the rest of us being girls this week.

"There, you're almost as pretty as me" I said when I had finished her.

"My lashes are prettier" she said.

"that's only because you didn't comb mine out like I did yours" I replied.

"Girls!" mom yelled down the hall.

"Sit" she said.

I sat, and she brushed my eyelashes, then colored them and my brows with some of her dark brown mascara.

"Now we're the same" she said when she finished.

"Wow!" I said, noticing how the coloring made my eyes look huge, and really completed the look, half little girl, half young lady.

That done, we headed down the hall toward the kitchen where the rest of the family had headed several minutes earlier. When we got there, we both did a double take, there was Suzie dressed in a beautiful white shirtdress with pink and red roses embroidered on panels around the waist hem and collar.

"Suzie decided to make her debut at church to support you" mom said to me as I was trying to catch my breath.

"I've got hip pads if you feel you need them, but you'll have to wear a girdle with them. Besides with the cinched waist and full skirt of that dress you're shape is very feminine for a 12 year old" Suzie said as I was starting to breathe again.

Turning to Renee he said "A bit busty aren't we? When word gets out about how fast you're growing none of the teenage boys will miss church next week".

"Gotta keep up with my twin or she'll get all the boys" Renee replied.

"I thought boys were just a pain in the ass to you". Molly chipped in. Renee just gave her the evil eye not wishing to get her going on Renee's lack of interest in them.

We all sat down to eat breakfast at that point, and full mouths cut the conversation for a while.

"Dad, are you really going to church dressed like that?" I finally asked.

"Why not? A lot of the congregation are people I've done business with in the past and they have already met Suzie during the week, and the ones who haven't probably don't know who I am anyway since I go so seldom." Suzie said. "Of course some of the wives will be jealous when they see what a pretty person 'Ed' is".

"How long have you been Suzie in public, mom said you've always been a crossdresser, and Molly and Sara saw you seven or so years ago, but what about everybody else?" I asked.

"Well it is complicated, but let me briefly explain it to you. I have dressed up since I was about 5 but noone knew except your aunts until your mom found out my secret in high school. The first time I went out in public was because she insisted I take her out on a date dressed comfortably. When you kids were real young it was no problem around the house, and the few times we could afford an evening out then. When Molly was 6 she saw me by accident when her babysitter had a flat after I was already dressed for the evening. She was cool with it so we let Sara meet me to see what she thought, then the same with Renee, but with you we had to be a lot more careful not knowing how you would react. You've seen me a few times but didn't recognize me. My urge to be feminine is a strong one, so after I bought out my partner six years ago, I dressed like this for work that halloween. It was such a positive experience that I told them I would make it permanent and have been changing when I went to work ever since. Four years ago I started taking hormones to develop these, and fill out my bottom so I could get rid of all the pads and things. I've had to keep them wrapped in an undersized sport bra or ace bandage around you, and I wore a lot of sweaters or loose shirts. Now that you know I can finally use the pool again, go to church regularly and do my nails with the rest of you girls. My business was a little difficult at first, and I did lose a few customers, but since most of my business was with women, it worked out. They had more of a tendency to help me with fine points of my dress or personna than reject me. Now I will be Suzie full time, so I'll be around to help you adjust."

"What can I expect today?" I asked.

"The girls will probably accept it since you look the part so well, some of the boys will and some will think you're queer or something." mom said.

"We'll protect you if anyone gets nasty" Molly and Sara said in unison.

We all went out and got in the car and set out for church. We got there just as the service was starting so we didn't have time to run into anyone as we sat near the back. During the service we got a few wierd looks, but most of those seemed pointed at Suzie, not me. Finally, the service was over and the moment of truth was at hand. As people filed out, one family stopped so that we could file out of the pew.

"Good morning Suzie" the lady said as dad emerged first. She must be one of his customers I thought, she was smiling and seemed familiar with her.

The minister was standing at the door, greeting each person as they left. "Good morning Mrs. Barron" he said when mom got to him, and shook her hand.

"Good morning ma'am, and whats' your name?" he asked Suzie. She told him and offered her hand.

"That went well, relax" I told myself.

He did pretty much the same with Molly and Sara, and then it was my turn.

"This is Rhonda, she's new" Sara told him as he was releasing her hand. This is where the light came on for him, two Renees made him pause and think for a minute. He looked at both Renee and me and turned back to Sara, "Thank you, I wouldn't have been able to tell them apart" he said.

"Welcome Rhonda, you look radiant today" he said to me as he shook my hand a lot more gently than he ever had before.

He lingered with the handshake while he looked me up and down. Finally, he let go of me and greeted Renee. He lingered with her too a bit, and then watched the two of us as we hurried over to Suzie who had waited near the door for us. Mom was already outside talking to a few of her friends, and Molly and Sara were over with a group of other girls who had split off from their parents. Suzie went over to mom as Renee took my hand and led me over to our sisters.

"Hi Renee, who's your friend?" one of the girls asked as we arrived, looking striaght at me.

"I'm Renee!" Renee said. "This is Rhonda".

"No!" she replied, "I can tell a girl from a boy".

"It's true," Sara cut in, "But don't feel bad, I can only tell them apart because I know which one has which dress on".

The other four girls stepped back a step and all five of them stared at Renee and I, still holding hands. You could feel the tension in the air until Betty, the oldest girl in the group came up to us.

"Welcome to the St. Francis girl's club Rhonda". she greeted us, But we do have to get you two nametags".

That settled things down and the chatter went back to clothes, gossip, and boys. I kept quiet mostly, trying to study the way girls talked with other girls, because it was different than when they talked before when Ron was around. Things changed again when Betty's little brother Brad broke off from the group of boys and came over. He studied Renee and I for a couple of minutes.

"Ok, I give up which one of you is the girl and which one is the queer?" he asked.

"Bradley! You apologize right this minute, then get lost." Betty said to him.

"Sorry" he said, as he left, throwing a snicker over his shoulder. Suzie had seen him come over, and was just getting there as he left.

"Is everything all right over here?" She asked.

"Fine" Betty said, "But who are you?"

"This is Suzie, she's my dad" Molly said. That got both Suzie and I a group stare.

"You girls about ready to go get something to eat?" Suzie asked us as if nothing had happened. We all nodded, and followed her over to where mom was.

"How did it go over there?" Suzie asked me when we got out of earshot of the girls.

"Rhonda did great until that jerk Bradley came over and called her a queer" Sara said.

"I'm sorry, I should have stayed a little closer Rhonda" Suzie said.

"That's ok, the girl's club would have beat him to a pulp if he tried anything." Molly said, "They really like Rhonda".

"I guess I'm stuck hanging out with just girls then" I said.

"Why do you think you never see a girl alone with a group of boys?" Molly asked me.

She continued without giving me time to respond, "One on one boys are ok, but when they are in a group they try to see who can be the biggest jerk".

"By the way, Betty, Beth and Wanda wanted me to ask if it was alright for them to come over and use the pool this afternoon" Molly said to Suzie.

"Sure" Suzie answered, "Have them invite Brad too, it will be fun to have him be the only boy at a hen party".

Finally we got to where mom was talking to a group of women. Mom finished up quickly then, excused herself and we all headed for the car.

"What was that all about?" Suzie asked mom.

"After you left, Helen and Sarah started telling me how sinful it was to behave like this" mom said.

"What did you do now?" she asked.

"Apparently I was seen in public with a crossdresser". mom replied, chuckling.

"So now the bible study group has to clense you of your sinful ways, or do they just want to see if I'm as pretty in casual dress?" Suzie asked.

"That's one group of girls I won't miss when we move" mom said.

"Church is over mom, let's go to the new pancake house." Molly said.

It was just a few minute drive from church so the car filled with imaginary orders based on the tv commercials.

"Let's find out if this crossdressing thing works" Suzie said, "Rhonda and I will go in and get a table then the rest of you can join us in a couple of minutes".

I was apprehensive, but the chorus of ok's and that's neats drowned my thoughts. So father and son in white and pink dresses went into the restaurant to get a table.

"Morning, ma'am, and miss two for breakfast or lunch?" the girl asked.

"Breakfast" Suzie answered, " and we'll have four more joining us so we'll need a larger table".

She walked us over to the table,but she kept on glancing at me just a little wierd. Idid mental notes trying to figure what I was doing that got me spotted as we got to the table.

"I know you, I think, your Molly Barron's little sister Renee aren't you?" she asked as she pulled my chair out for me.

"Why yes, how did you know? " I asked.

"I saw her bring you to the library when we were doing our group science project a couple of times" she said.

We had just gotten seated when the rest of the gang showed up, and Molly's friend did a double take when Renee came over and sat next to me. She looked at Molly for some kind of clarification or something, but Molly just smiled. She looked a little hurt as she took our drink order and told us our waitress would be Becky.

"Only one of you gets to be Renee when Becky gets here, she was in three of my classes this year" Molly said.

This would be the test, as I had been bored and hung around a couple of times when Molly and a few of her friends were studying, including Becky. She brought the tray of juice and coffee and started putting them out. She did Renee and I last and as she put our drinks down, looked at us both and said "Ok what gives? one of you isn't Renee!"

Renee and I both pointed our fingers at each other and said "She isn't" in unison.

She shook her head, and started taking orders, going around the table. She whispered something in Molly's ear as she got to her.

When she left Renee said "We gotta have rules, you can't be me, number 1 when I'm here, and number 2 if you do something I'll get in trouble for."

"What did she whisper to you?" I asked Molly.

Molly just giggled, and when I asked her again, she shook her head no. so Renee asked her.

"Ok, she thinks Renee is Ron in drag" she said.

"What?' Renee said.

"She thinks you dressed up to try to look like Renee" she said to Renee, pointing at me, "And she told me you almost pulled it off".

We all laughed, except Renee who was trying to figure out why someone would think she was a boy.

"Why did she think that?" Renee asked.

"I don't know but that's twice this morning someone thought Rhonda was you while you were standing there". Molly said.

"We gotta get nametags" Renee said.

"Its' the little things that give you away when you're dressed like a girl" she said to Renee.

"I'll help teach you Renee" I said.

Another round of laughs, again except for Renee. Mom and Suzie were poking each other laughing all the way through our conversation. Finally, our food came and things got quiet as we ate. Renee still had her little pouty face on though.

When we left for home, mom filled us in on the bible clubs decision to help us escape our hedonistic ways. "Is it really a sin?" I asked.

"No" mom said, "I read the bible from cover to cover when I first met your dad and there's nothing in there about it being evil. Some people think anything different from what they're used to is evil though."

When we got home, we all changed into our swimsuits and headed for the pool, except Molly who called her friends first to invite them over.

Sara coated me with tanning lotion because I wanted girl tan lines, and I laid out in the warm June sun to get them. The others played in the water, except Molly who didn't want to get her suit wet before her guests came. It took about half an hour before they showed up, and Betty brought her little brother Brad. Brad noticed he was the only 'boy' there and went to jump in the pool to get away from us all.

"Not so fast young man," Suzie said, "We don't allow cutoffs in the pool because they jam the pump when they fray."

"But this is all I have to wear" he said.

"Well, you can swim naked, sit in a chair and watch, or I can help you" Molly said.

"What can you do?" he asked.

She took him by the hand and led him into the house. He came out with a very red face and the bottoms from Mollys navy blue two piece on.

"He refused to wear the bra, is it ok if he goes topless mom?" Molly asked.

"It's ok this time I guess, but I don't want to see anyone else doing it" mom answered.

"Aren't you just soooo cute?" Betty said to him as he quickly got into the water.

After we all had our fill of the water for a while, mom brought out a pitcher of lemonade and some cookies. The girls, and I, since I was one of the girls now, gathered at the patio table. Mom and Suzie returned to their recliners, and Brad sat off by himself by the edge of the pool. The girls were full of questions about my coming out, and compliments on how good I looked as Rhonda, and promises that they would protect me if one of the jerks (boys) gave me trouble.

As we talked we noticed Brad inching his way closer to us. Finally his sister said "If you want to hear what we're saying so bad, just join us".

He pulled up a chair on the outside edge of our cirlce as the girls all filled me in on how much fun life would be for me now.

"Yeah, you get all the good stuff, and no periods" Wanda said.

Finally Brad spoke up "Why would you ever want to be a girl? They always get the short end of everything."

"The short end?" we all asked.

Let me educate you a little, little brother" Betty said. "when we go on a date with you, we get the meal and you get the bill, if we agree to marry you, we get the ring and you get the bill, we get the pretty clothes and you get the dull ones and the bill, we can be goofy and you have to be responsible, we can change our minds on a whim and you have to stick to your decisions, how is that the short end?"

"I never looked at it that way" he said.

"Of course" she said "boys are so busy proving themselves they don't ever realize that we lead them around by the nose".

"I don't really know why, but I just feel more comfortable being this way, I always have. Doing it out in the open is fun, except when someone tries to make trouble like you did this morning." I said.

"I said I was sorry, didn't I? The other guys put me up to it" he said.

"See always having to prove yourself" Betty said.

"You're getting really red sis," Sara said to me, "Let me get some sunblock for you."

"I want to make sure I have bikini lines." I said.

"You know, you're never gonna hear the end of this Rhonda." Brad said.

"The end of what?" I asked.

"You trying to be a girl, the other boys will ride you about it no end." Brad replied.

"This from the guy who's wearing my smimsuit." Molly said.

I sat and worked on my tanlines a bit more while the rest of the group cooled back off in the pool. Finally mom made us all come in out of the sun for a while. We went in and changed out of our wet suits. I changed into a powderblue skort-style sunsuit and tennies, touched up my hair and added a little color to my face. Ha, the pink really showed off how red I had gotten at the pool. Fortunately, Sara noticed and put some hand cream on me so I wouldn't burn.

When I made it back to the kitchen, mom and Suzie were making hamburger patties and seeing if anyone wanted to stay and eat. The other girls and Brad said they had to go, so it was just us again.

"You know, Brad's right," mom said, "The boys are going to tease you a lot, and some may make trouble for you."

"I'll just have to try and stay out of their way until they get used to it" I said.

Suzie said it probably wouldn't be too bad, as long as I didn't wander off alone or make an issue of it myself. I resloved to spend the three weeks with either my sisters or Rod and Paul, who seemed ok with it. Besides, if I wasn't with Renee, I could pretend to be her as that seemed to work ok so far.

After we ate, there were still a couple of hours before the Sunday night tv shows we all watched, like Ed Sullivan, Bonanza, and Peter Gunn came on. Suzie offered to let me go through some of her old makeup to see if there was some that I might want, and she felt was appropriate for a 'soon-to-be-teen' girl.

Sara decided to be the family 'artist' , so we went to her room and I sat at ther vanity while she experimented with colors and combinations. After four trips to the livingroom so the others could see the results, she settled on a purple motif in deferrence to my sun reddened face. It included lavender eyeshadow, brown mascara, light rose blush, and plum lipstick. Suzie promised to help me before I wore makeup in public!

The three weeks before our move went fast, too fast. Suzie went to New Orleans for the week to make sure the house would be ready, while mom took care of the details of power, newspapers, mail forwarding, etc. on this end. We girls said goodbye to friends who would be on vacation when we left, and started packing up our personal things. It kept us busy and me out of potential trouble. We all also worked on our stereotyped impressions of how to be a 'southern belle', loosely based on the images we got from tv shows.

Finally, the big day came! we had loaded up mom's Country Squire and dad's sedan deville with all the clothes we would need for our trip on friday, while the movers emptied the rest of the house. Molly had sold her car to a friend, who came and got it, mom gave the collected house keys to the realtor, we got final hugs from the neighbors, and set out on our adventure.

Since it would take a week for the mover's to get our stuff to the new house and set up, so we would be in motels anyway, the plan was to work our way south slowly. It was late afternoon when we left town, so we were booked in Springfield for the first night. From there, we would go to Memphis, see the civil war battlefields at Shiloh and Chatanooga, then head to the gulf around Mobile. Since it was 1962, and many civil war centennials were going on, it promised to be a fun and interesting trip. It would also be my first experiences where nobody had any knowledge of me other than as a preteen girl.

I rode to Springfield with Suzie, while mom and the other girls folowed us. It gave us an opportunity to really talk for the first time in a couple of weeks. Suzie wanted to know how seriously I intended to follow through with being a girl full time. After dinner in Champaign, she gave me a big manila envelope full of papers to look over the rest of the way. It was new paperwork and things for school, with the gender boxes marked 'F'. Suzie knew a friend from college who was a supervisor in the Bureau of Records, and bent a few rules for friends who needed consistent documents. We would not find out until later that there was one major error with my Michigan birth certificate. The state had changed the forms so mine (and Renee's) had no box for 'race'. In down river Detroit area, and in Chicago, it didn't much matter, but in the pre-integration south it was more important than your name.

 

Author's note: Stay tuned for part 4, where four northern ding-a-lings try to become southern belles.

  

  

  

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