The Silk Trail

by Lisa Skye

 

Part 2

 

Nikki and Cindy talked about the dance and how great it would be to go the whole ride home. .Getting all dressed up, dancing in silky gowns - it would be a blast!

"I don’t want to ruin your fun," Karen said, "but you need to remember something girls. Not everyone will be nice about you two." She shook her head sadly. "There’s a lot of narrow-minded people in the world, sad to say."

"We know mom. In fact, they probably wouldn’t let us in or would make us leave. But it’s nice to think about. And who knows?"

The two teens went up to Cindy’s room to talk for a while before Nikki went home, talking about what kind of dresses they’d like for the dance.

 

On the ride home Nikki’s mom had to stop at the store. As they were going in they saw another sign for the dance. Linda pointed to it.

"This is the dance, honey?" Nikki nodded and she read it carefully. It was at the community center, but sponsored by several local dress shops. She jotted down the phone number to the community center and the names of the dress shops, and they went in the store. As they were coming out Nikki met up with Leslie again.

"Hi Nikki."

"Hi, Leslie. This is my mom - we met Leslie earlier Mom." Nikki leaned over and whispered, "I told her I was really a boy." In a regular voice, "She thinks Cindy and I should go to the dance."

"Oh yeah, it would be fun. Why shouldn’t you two go?"

"That’s really nice of you to say, knowing what you know about my Nikki," Linda said.

Leslie waved it away. "Who cares about that. If you’re nice, you’re nice. And Nikki and Cindy both seem pretty nice to me." Nikki and Leslie exchanged phone numbers and then Linda and Nikki headed home.

"So what do you think, Mom? Do you think we should try to go? I think it would be fun, but I don’t want to cause any trouble, or ruin it for the other kids."

"I agree with you completely, honey, including that last bit, but I guess that doesn’t really help much. I’m going to make a few phone calls to find out a little more. Tell you what, Nikki, why don’t you invite that girl Leslie over? She seems nice. She can help you find out what people around here are like."

Leslie wasn’t home but her mom said she’d give her the message to call. Nikki went to her room to put her things away then came out to show off the glamour pictures.

"Wow, honey, these are great! Do I get to put some up here in the living room?"

"You want to put them up out here?"

"Of course. My daughter is beautiful - why wouldn’t I want to show her off?" Nikki turned bright red. "You are just so adorable, honey!" Linda said, giving her a big hug. "Hey, maybe you and I should go. Get some mother and daughter shots. What do you think, Nikki?"

"Oh, I’d love it, Mom! I was gonna ask if me and Cindy could go again on my birthday. It would be really cool to go with you!" Nikki squeezed her mom tight. "I’d love pictures of the two of us all dolled up. I can’t wait!"

They had just gone into the kitchen to start dinner when the phone rang. It was Leslie.

"Hi, Nikki,.I’m not home now, but I got the message that you called. I’m with a couple of friends and we were talking about the dance. Nikki, do you mind if I tell them everything? "

"It won’t be a problem, Leslie? They won’t care?"

"I don’t think so. And I really want you two to come."

"Okay, Leslie, tell ‘em everything. Should get an interesting reaction," she said with a grin.

Leslie giggled. "Probably. I’ll call you back in little bit Nikki. Bye bye."

"Bye Leslie." Nikki turned to her mom. "Leslie is over at a friend’s house with some other girls right now. She’s going to have a talk with them to see what they think." She smiled and shook her head. "The first dance I want to go to and it’s a major problem just seeing if I can go!"

"Oh, don’t you worry, honey. I’m sure things are going to work out for the best. And you’re looking at things wrong, Nikki. Here’s an important being-a-girl lesson," Linda said with a smile. "If you’re going to a dance, or anywhere special, the major problem is always ‘what am I going to wear?’"

"I guess you’re right, Mom," Nikki said, smiling back. "Okay, so what am I going to wear?"

"That’s my girl!"

"How about pink? Think I’d look cute in pink, Mom? Oooh, layers of sheer pink - how does that sound?"

"Sounds nice, honey," Linda said with a smile. "You would definitely be adorable in pink. What about Cindy though? You’ll need to coordinate with her so that you two go together well. You don’t want to clash, honey."

"And all pink lingerie to go with it too!" Nikki giggled. "We did talk, Mom. Cindy wants to wear yellow. Pink and yellow will go together nice."

"Yes, it will look nice I think," Linda said smiling.

"And I want pink heart earrings. Not sure about any other jewelry yet. Maybe my Cindy locket," she said smiling. "Oh, and pink heels, of course."

"Of course, Nikki. Come on, dinner’s ready."

They were just clearing the table after dinner when Leslie called again.

"Hiya Nikki! What are you doing tonight?"

"Hi Leslie. Nothing really - I just got done eating dinner."

"I was wondering if you wanted to meet some of my friends. Everyone seems pretty cool with you at the dance, but they want to meet you." Leslie giggled. "Actually, they want to check you out! They’ve seen too many tv shows and expect you to look like a boy in a dress. I think a few might get jealous that you’re cuter than them!" She giggled some more. "So what do you think?"

"Sounds fun, I guess."

"Tina’s older sister - I’m at Tina’s house - will bring me over to get you. How’s that?"

Nikki checked with her mom and said, "Cool! Let me give you directions." She explained where she was. "Hey, how should I dress? I don’t want to make the wrong impression."

"How about we check out your closet when I get there?"

"Okay. See you soon Leslie. Bye bye."

It was only about fifteen minutes later when the doorbell rang.

"Hi Nikki. This is Donna, Tina’s older sister.."

"Hi Leslie. Hi Donna, nice to meet you."

"Oh my God - you’re adorable!" Nikki blushed bright red. "I’m sorry Nikki - I didn’t mean to embarrass you, hon." Donna was surprised that she was already treating this boy like a girl. But it felt natural. "I just didn’t expect you to look like this. There is no doubt at all Nikki - you’re a girl!" She gave Nikki a hug.

"Let’s go pick out an outfit Nikki, " Leslie said.

Linda had come into the room and Nikki introduced Donna. "Do you mind if we chat while the girls pick out an outfit?" Donna asked Linda.

"Not at all," Linda said. "Go on girls." Nikki led Leslie to her room.

Linda smiled at Donna. "I guess you’re wondering about all this."

"Not really," she said. "While I’ve never seen a situation like your’s for real, I’ve read about it. We even talked about it in some classes I took. But I’ll be honest - I did want to see how things looked here. And all I see is a happy mother and daughter," she said with a smile.

"I would never have let it get this far if I thought it would harm Nikki in any way. I think since I found my daughter we have actually gotten a little closer."

"That’s nice. This is a nice town, and people are generally pretty nice. I’ll be honest though, I’m not a hundred percent sure they’ll accept Nikki and her girlfriend at the dance. But then again, once Leslie puts her mind on something it’s not a good idea to bet against her." She leaned closer to Linda and lowered her voice. "She’s a good influence on my little sister Tina, a real good kid. But we won’t tell her I said that." They both grinned.

Nikki and Leslie came down a few minutes later. Nikki wore a silky light blue skirt and matching lacy blouse, and three inch ankle strap heels. Around her neck was her "Cindy" locket. "I’m ready," she said with a smile. "Let’s go."

"We’ll bring her back in a couple hours, Linda," Donna said.

"Bye bye, honey," said Linda. "Have fun!"

In the car Nikki began to feel just a little bit nervous. This would be the first time really that Nikki was out by herself. But Leslie seemed so nice, it would be alright.

In fact, she must have sensed how Nikki felt. "Don’t worry, " she said, "everyone is real nice - you’ll see. Right Donna?"

"Yes, they’re pretty nice I guess. Just be yourself and I’m sure they’ll like you. I’m betting my sister Tina will be jealous of your hair, though," she said, grinning. "So long, silky and curly." Nikki blushed.

A few more minutes and they were there. Once inside, Donna headed for the living room while Leslie and Nikki headed for Tina’s room.

"I’m back!" Leslie said as she stepped through the door."And this is Nikki everyone!"

"Hi," Nikki said shyly, and was greeted with big round of "hi"s and "hello"s. Then Leslie introduced her to the girls - Tina, Alicia, Cathy, Vivian and Brijjitte.

"Wow, you’re really a boy? You’re just too cute!" exclaimed Alicia. As Nikki blushed she said "I’m sorry Nikki! I didn’t mean to embarrass you."

"Alicia!"

"Well, Leslie, just look at her! I mean - uh - you know," now Alicia blushed, "Nikki," she finished. "She’s a doll!"

Tina was standing next to Nikki, and smiled at her and gave her arm a squeeze. "If Leslie says you’re nice I’m sure you, and that’s good enough for me."

"Yeah," Cathy said, "me too. So you have a girlfriend and you’re gonna come to the dance? Cool! I don’t really have a boyfriend but my next-door-neighbor will come with me. We’re really good friends and he’s a good dancer, too. Hmmmm," she said, raising her eyebrows. "Wonder how he’d look all dolled up in a gown?"

Brijjitte giggled. "I bet Jimmy would be cute in a dress."

Vivian sighed. "I just hope I look cute enough in my dress. I’m glad you don’t like boys Nikki ‘cause you’re definitely cuter than me."

"Oh, no way," Nikki said.

"Girl , don’t make me stand you beside me in front of a mirror. You know you’re cuter. I don’t hold it against you - especially since you won’t be competing for the boys! In fact, I might hang out by you so you can attract ‘em and I can collect ‘em," she said with a smile.

"See, Nikki - I told you it would be okay!"

Nikki smiled. Maybe she and Cindy really could go to the dance!

 

 

After they dropped her off back at home Nikki took a shower and put on a nightie. She went back downstairs and cuddled up on the couch with her mom to watch some tv.

"Oh Mom, everyone was so nice! I think me and Cindy will have a great time at the dance. I know I didn’t meet the whole town, but Leslie’s friends were all nice." She gave her mom a big hug.

Linda smiled at the little bundle of silk and lace hugging her. "I’m going over to meet Mrs. Desimone tomorrow, she’s in charge of the Social Committee for the community center. I think you should come with me. I didn’t really tell her anything - just that I had just moved here and my daughter was thinking of going to the dance, and I was curious about things since I just moved here.

"Anyway, I think it would be best if you went too. We’ll talk about the dance and the community in general before we bring up our ‘special’ situation." Just then the phone rang.

It was Cindy. "Don’t stay on the phone all night, sweetie. We’re going over there in the morning." Nikki told Cindy what had gone on with Leslie and her friends, and then Cindy started getting excited that they could go. Then she told her who they were talking with tomorrow and Cindy said to let her know what happened.

 

 

The next morning they headed to see Mrs. Desimone. Nikki was dressed nice but not flashy in a cute silky pink dress.

As she greeted them Mrs. Desimone said,"You sure have a pretty daughter Mrs. Jenkins. I’m sure she’d be just lovely at the dance."

Linda smiled and Nikki blushed as a younger boy peeked from behind the door. "Wow, Mom! She is really pretty! And dressed up pretty too!"

"This is my son, James." They followed mother and son to the living room. They sat down and Mrs. Desimone started telling them about the town and surrounding area. James began to fidget.

"Hey, Nikki, want to see my room?"

"Oh, she doesn’t want to see your room James," his mother said.

"I don’t mind," Nikki said smiling and getting up. The younger boy grabbed her hand and led her along. The two mothers smiled after them.

James’s mom said, smiling, "I think he just wanted an excuse to hold her hand for a minute. He’s just discovered he likes girls." Linda smiled back. "Now let me tell you a little about the community center..."

 

He led her to a typical little boy’s room - pretty much like hers had been a few years ago! There was a bed with a cowboy bedspread on it, a bookshelf, a toy box with some stuffed animals peeking out - the usual things. He was pointing out his favorite things when Nikki noticed a photo of a pretty little girl dressed as a fairy, in a silky, lacy white dress and butterfly wings. Nikki thought it might be a secret sweetheart. "Who’s this cute little girl?" she asked.

James excitedly said, "That was me at Halloween! I got to wear a pretty dress and everything. I got teased, especially for wearing girls’ panties and stockings, but it was fun. It really felt nice - but please don’t tell anyone I said that."

"You made a really cute girl, James."

"I still have it all. Um - Nikki? I could wear it for you if you promise not to laugh. We could play Candyland, both of us in pretty dresses!"

"I promise not to laugh James." He opened his closet and got out a dress and a little bag attached to the hangar. Grinning, he scampered into the bathroom and a few minutes later out came a cute little girl in a silky white dress.

James smiled shyly. "Isn’t it sooo pretty? And look - stockings, a lacy slip and lacy matching panties too - just like a real girl!"

"You look very pretty, James." His hair wasn’t real long, but it was long enough to look girlish. "Let’s play Candyland."

They had just started playing, taking a few turns each, when James asked, "Nikki, I was wondering if you would put some lipstick on me? The pink you have on would look nice I bet." Then he blushed.

Nikki smiled and said, "I don’t mind. Is it going to be okay with your mom?"

 

The two mothers had finally gotten around to the dance in their chat. Mrs. Desimone said, "I’ll be a chaperone. I guess I’ll drag James along. He really hates wearing a suit!"

"Is there an actual dress code for the dance, Janice?"

"Yes, we want it to be fancy. Would you like some more coffee? Okay, while we’re getting some let’s see if the kids want something to drink." The ladies gathered their cups. "As I was saying, there is a dress code. Suit and ties or tuxes for boys and long dresses or gowns for the girls."

"Hmmm, now is it written just like that? I mean, does it say ‘boys - suit and tie or tuxedo, girls - long dress or gown’?"

"Well, not exactly like that I guess. I don’t think many girls want to wear suits and I’m sure even fewer boys would wear dresses," Janice said. "You mean Nikki doesn’t want to wear a fancy dress? She’s dressed so nicely now."

"Oh no, she has her heart set on a pink gown."

"Then why were you asking?"

"I wanted to make sure there wouldn’t be any problems." They were nearing James’s room. "You see, Nikki was born as Nicholas. She’s actually a boy and wants to go with her girlfriend - who’ll be wearing a yellow gown, by the way."

Janice looked at Linda in surprise but didn’t know what to say. They were silent as they neared James’s door so they heard the children talking and stopped.

"Nikki, I was wondering if you would put some lipstick on me? The pink you have on would look nice I bet."

"I don’t mind. Is it going to be okay with your mom?"

"I really don’t know Nikki. I wore make-up on Halloween. Some kids teased me about that too. Mom never asked for this dress and undies back when I put them in the closet. I only wore it a couple time since then but I never told mom."

"Well, I don’t want to put any make-up on you if she doesn’t know. What do you think she’ll say if she sees you dressed up like this?"

"I’ve heard her say before that she wishes she had a daughter," they head James say and then heard them both giggling. Janice looked at Linda, raised her eyebrows and shrugged her shoulders. Linda smiled and shrugged her shoulders in return.

They walked in the room. The children were both sitting on the bed, in pretty dresses, playing Candyland. James had his back to the door and whipped around in surprise when he heard his mom.

"Do you two want something to drink?" she asked. James barely managed a stunned nod when she added, "It’s okay Nikki, but not too much make-up - he’s only ten."

Linda smiled at the kids and gave Nikki a wink as the moms headed back to get drinks.

Nikki pulled pink lipstick from her purse and smiled at James. "Lean a little closer. That’s good. Okay, now would you like a little blush on your cheeks too?" James gave her a big smile and a nod. "Okay, here we go. But that’s enough for you. Let me comb your hair a little better. Now go look in the mirror."

James ran into his bathroom. "Wow! I’m cute!" He ran back out and gave Nikki a hug. "Thank you Nikki! This is cool!"

A few minutes later the mothers came back with soda. James looked at his mother as she handed him his glass, not knowing what to think.

"James, you are so pretty!" Janice said, and suddenly he felt alright. He gave his mom a big hug.

"Thank you, Mommy. See, you could have a daughter sometimes. Playing dress-up is fun."

Janice smiled and hugged him back. "Yes, it might be nice having a daughter around sometimes. But I’m afraid those clothes won’t fit you much longer." She could see his disappointment and gave him another hug, saying "Don’t worry sweetheart, we can go shopping for some pretty clothes. I’m sure we can find another dress or two just as pretty as this one. And some nice slips and panties. Is my daughter old enough for a training bra?"

"Wow, Mom, do you really mean it! That would be so cool!" He gave her a kiss. "Isn’t that cool Nikki? Even a training bra, just like a real girl!"

Nikki giggled. "That’s really cool James. Hey, you want to know a secret? Come here." She whispered in his ear.

"No way! You’re too pretty!"

"It’s true - and I have a girlfriend who likes me like this. We’re going to the dance, her in a yellow gown and me in a pink one."

"Wow, that’s really cool. My mom’s a chaperone so I’ll be there but I have to wear a suit. Hey Mom, could I wear a pretty dress to the dance?"

"Do you really want to? Everyone will know who you are."

"Nikki and her girlfriend won’t laugh. And Marylynn won’t laugh. I never told you before but sometimes we play dress-up at her house."

"Marylynn’s mom is on the social committee with me, and she’ll be a chaperone also," Janice explained. In fact," she said as they heard the doorbell, "that is probably her now. I had invited her over too." As they headed for the door she said, "You think about it James and make sure you really want to. If your positive you want to go as a girl, well then we’ll have to get you a fancy long dress."

Janice opened the door and a mother and daughter came in. Before anyone else could speak James ran up in his silky white dress and said, "Guess what Marylynn! I get to go to the dance in a pretty dress, just like you!"

 

 

On the ride home Linda said, "Well Nikki, I guess one problem is solved."

"Yup," Nikki said happily, "now we need to find my gown!"

"Call Cindy when we get home and let her know everything is a go. We can look for gowns together with Cindy and her mom so that you two match up nice."

"Okay. This is gonna be great Mom!"

Linda just smiled. Sometimes everything did work out just right.

 

A few days later the girls were shopping for gowns. Leslie was going to meet up with them too. They were in a fancy dress shop that was for teens and younger girls, called Gossamer Dreams.

Nikki had already found a beautiful pink gown just like she wanted and was trying it on. Cindy was still narrowing down her choices. She looked over and smiled at a young girl holding up a gown, saying "Oh Mommy, isn’t this one really pretty?"

Just then Nikki came out of the dressing room.

"Oh my, Nikki. You look fantastic!" Cindy said, making Nikki blush.

"Nikki!" the little girl exclaimed. "Wow, Nikki, you are super pretty!"

"Hi, uh, Jamie," she said with a smile. "This is my girlfriend, Cindy." Nikki leaned close to the little girl and her mom. "She’s a real girl," she said quietly. Jamie giggled. "You look nice yourself Jamie. Is that a new dress?"

"Mom took my shopping. We had a ‘Mother and Daughter’ day. It was really cool, Nikki!"

"I bet!"

"I even got training bras Nikki! And nighties! Now I get to get a gown for the dance. Marylynn is gonna dance with me just like it was a real date too."

"Sounds fun Jamie."

"Here we go!" Cindy pulled a gown from the rack. "Yes, I think this is it. Let me go try it on!" She headed for the dressing room.

"Why don’t you go try that dress on Jamie," Janice said. "If it fits we’ll find a slip for it."

"Okay Mom!" Jamie headed for the dressing room too.

Just then Leslie came in. "Hi. Wow, Nikki, that looks great!"

"Hi Leslie. Thanks. Cindy is trying one on right now."

"Guess I better start looking," Leslie said, grinning. "I think I’d like something in lilac or violet."

 

Finally the dance arrived. Nikki and Cindy entered the community center, a gorgeous pair in pink and yellow. Almost as soon as they entered they saw Mrs. Desimone. She was watching two young girls dance.

"Hello Mrs. Desimone," they both said.

"Oh hi girls," she answered. "I was just watching Jamie and Marylynn dance. So adorable! It is nice having a daughter around." They smiled in answer and walked into the crowd to find Leslie.

"Oh wait," said Cindy. "I love this song. Nice and slow too. Let’s dance Nikki."

"Sure," Nikki said, taking Cindy’s hand. A few heads turned at the sight of the two girls dancing close and kissing as they danced, but apparently word had gotten around already and not many were very surprised. Besides, they were a very cute couple!

After the song they found Leslie and a few of her friends. And Cathy had gotten Jimmy to come in a gown - but not as a girl. He did look pretty good. Everyone complimented him and he soon got over being embarrassed and was enjoying himself.

As another song started Nikki said, "Come on, Cindy, this is a real nice song too." Out on the floor they went, two lovely girls in silk. Nikki looked into Cindy’s eyes as she held her close, swaying to the music. Smiling, they gently kissed.

 

 

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© 2002 by Lisa Skye. All Rights Reserved. These documents (including, without limitation, all articles, text, images, logos, compilation design) may printed for personal use only. No portion of these documents may be stored electronically, distributed electronically, or otherwise made available without express written consent of the copyright holder.