SWEET REVENGE                  by: Jacki Pett

Part 2

 

Daren didn't waste any time. He was anxious to hear from his friend about Jack. "So what the hell happened to you and Jack this weekend?"

Jed was curious too. Staring at his friend, he couldn't help but notice there was something different about Craig but he couldn't put his finger on it.

Craig was surprised to see them but he didn't lose his wits. "I don't know. I got back late last night and all his stuff was gone." He had to play dumb. "I was going to call his parents this morning and ask where he was?"

Daren didn't feel like talking about it out there in the hall. He edged his way through the door and past Craig. It wasn't like they hadn't seen each other in their underwear before. Jed came right in behind him.

"What happened to your date Friday night? You guys went out with those seniors, didn't you?" Daren asked, leaning against the dresser.

Jed went over by Daren, standing by the bathroom door. He noticed what he thought was a funny smell in the room and was sniffing the air. What was that, he wondered? Suddenly it dawned on Jed. It had to be perfume.

"Nah. I had to cancel at the last minute. My Mom called and I had to go home. My father had what she thought was a stroke. I left here about four o'clock Friday and drove straight thru." Why shouldn't they believe him?

"Shit, then you didn't hear!" Daren went on to tell him the whole story about how Jack got caught in Meredith Hall, dressed up like a girl with tits and all.

How many times had he heard the story already, Jed wondered? He listened but he was studying Craig as Daren told it again. Craig seemed to be taken totally by surprise and was shocked at what his best friend had done.

It was definitely perfume that he smelled in the room. It wasn't strong but there was no mistaking it. Jed studied Craig's face when he wasn't looking. What was it about Craig that bothered him? Then it dawned on him, his eyebrows. God! What had Craig done to himself? Jed could see where he'd tried to pencil in around them. For God's sake, Craig's eyebrows had been plucked and shaped like a girl's. Craig was lying to them! He hadn't gone home for the weekend. Whatever shit Jack had gotten into, Craig was with him!

Daren was too engrossed in the story he told to notice anything strange. Was he blind, Jed wondered? He could understand his not noticing the perfume, he smoked like a chimney and couldn't smell a damn thing, but how could he not notice Craig's eyebrows?

There was something else too. Craig's legs. Someone said that Jack's legs were shaved as smooth as a baby's ass. As hairy as Jack was, he must have looked awfully strange. Jed tried to remember the last time he saw Craig in shorts, he just couldn't recall. But even so, Jed thought to himself, staring at Craig's baby smooth legs. He used to have hairy legs. Didn't he? Jed was sure he did.

That settled it for Jed. Whatever Jack got into, whatever sick game he was playing, Craig was part of it. The two of them had been masquerading around as girls. It was sick.

"Hey, I gotta go." Jed said, interrupting Daren, as he headed for the door.

That was fine with Craig. He was so nervous he was almost shaking and he didn't know how much longer he could hold it together. Jed, he was almost sure, had realized there was something wrong. Craig really wished he'd thought to sleep in his sweat pants last night. He wished that Beth had gotten there before his friends. Jed's staring was giving him the creeps.

"I haven't finished telling Craig about Jack." Daren protested to Jed.

"Finish it later. We're going to be late." Jed told him as he stood at the door with his hand on the knob.

Late? Late for what, Daren wondered. Jed was acting weird. They didn't have class for half an hour yet. He must have some good reason for wanting to get going. "We'll catch you later and I'll tell you the rest." He told Craig. It wasn't till he walked past him, till he took a closer look at Craig, that he thought something didn't look just right. He let it slide.

"Yea Craig, we'll see you later." Jed said, holding the door open now, waiting for Daren. He couldn't wait to get out of there and tell dumb Daren what he smelled, what the saw. Jed still couldn't believe it but what else could it be? Craig was a fag. All the time they'd spent hanging around with him and he was a fag and they never knew it.

He hoped they hadn't seen him standing there sweating. Craig was so glad they were gone. Maybe they hadn't noticed anything, he hoped.

He'd showered and cleaned up the room before Beth got there at almost 10:45.

"I'm sorry." She told him as she came in. "The damn store didn't open till ten and we had to search for the right color eyebrows." She dropped the bag on the dresser and turned back to him and hugged and kissed him. "How did it go last night? Did you manage to get in without being noticed?" She hoped he did.

"Last night was alright but two of my friends surprised me this morning. They barged in and had to tell me all about Jack."

That didn't sound good. It was obvious as hell to Beth that he had plucked eyebrows, but she'd done it to him. Those guys had to notice. "They say anything?"

"No but one of them was staring at me funny. I think he noticed my legs." He was wearing jeans now.

"You didn't have your pants on! Oh no!" That really worried Beth. Only an idiot wouldn't notice he'd shaved his legs. "That's not good."

"I know! What am I going to do?"

"For one thing honey, you keep your pants on from now on." Again, she hugged him. "It's going to be alright."

"I don't know?" He wasn't so sure.

"First things first." She went back to the dresser and got the bag she'd brought. "Let's get you some eyebrows." She pointed to a chair. "Sit yourself down there and let's get you fixed up."

It was nearly a quarter of twelve before Beth was done. She took a lot of time to make sure they looked as natural as possible. Beth had to trim them a lot, they were so bushy. "I think you'll be alright now." She told Craig, stepping back for a better look. Not perfect but 100% better than he was.

Beth had missed her first class and if Craig didn't hurry, he was going to miss his second. "Will I see you later?" He asked as she packed up to go.

She would have liked to but she didn't see how. "I've got classes till 4:30 and I'm supposed to be at work at 5:00." The last thing she wanted to do was to put him off. "How about we have lunch tomorrow?"

He was disappointed that he had to wait but tomorrow wasn't so bad. "Sure, ok."

It was obvious he was disappointed. "I'm sorry Cath . . . " Beth caught herself. "I'm sorry, Craig."

Not here, he thought to himself. Not now! "It's ok, but please don't slip in front of anyone."

"I won't. I promise." That would be disastrous. "I've just got so much to do this week and I've got to get us ready for this weekend." Us meaning him and her, or Cathy and her.

He still had doubts about the weekend, but he couldn't bring himself to tell her no. Not yet, anyway.

"Ok. Lunch tomorrow."

They set a time and a place. A deli shop off campus. Both of them agreed that it was better to be a little bit discreet about where they met. Craig wasn't worried about being seen with Beth. He was worried about running into any of his new friends that he'd met as Cathy, seeing them together and putting two and two together.

Beth had similar concerns. He was supposed to have gone home for the weekend. If his friends saw them together, it might give them something more to think about. She wanted the whole ugly mess about his friend to just blow over.

Beth stood at the door. "I'll see you tomorrow Sweetie." She stroked and kissed his cheek.

With her gone he had to get moving. He took one last look in the mirror before he left. Not too bad, he thought. Pretty natural looking.

He had time before his class and he was hungry. The last time he had anything to eat was at the mall last night. Craig headed for one of the small luncheonettes on campus.

Walking across campus, Craig noticed a girl he'd had a passing interest in a few months ago. He and Liz had gone out a few times but he lost interest when she finally told him she didn't fool around. When he got close to them, he said, "Hi."

Liz noticed him coming. She chuckled, thinking of the bit of gossip she'd heard that morning about him. She had to let Bonnie know it was him.

Neither of the girls responded with a greeting. Craig, wondering what their problem was, just kept on walking. He didn't know that the rumor mill had already gotten the word around and everyone suspected that he was part of whatever Jack had been into that weekend.

"That was him?" Bonnie asked.

"Yea!" Liz replied, watching him walking away.

"I can believe how he could get away with it." Bonnie was studying the slender guy, wondering what his hair would look like if it wasn't in a pony tail. It was certainly long enough.

"Can you imagine?" Liz said, sounding disgusted. He was too weird. She wondered what she'd ever seen in him.

"I bet he was pretty." He did have beautiful big blue eyes and the prettiest long lashes. "I'd love to see him all dressed up."

"Not me. I think its gross!"

Looking up at the menu board, Craig tried to decide what he'd eat. His first impulse was to get a burger and fries but a little voice inside suggested he eat something lighter, not so fattening. He listened to the little voice and ordered a tuna sandwich and a glass of milk. He did wonder what he'd look like if Cathy lost a few pounds. What could it hurt?

Heading for class, he did meet up with a few people who wanted to know the story about Jack. He was quite content to shake his head and tell them he had no clue what he'd been up to.

Craig caught himself a few times, sitting in class with his legs crossed the way they'd shown Cathy to cross them. Luckily, no one seemed to notice.

Craig did not look forward to his Psychology class that afternoon. Karen and Barbara were both in his class. It was going to be awkward, facing them, particularly Barbara. To his relief, Karen showed up without her. When he asked about her, Karen told him she just wasn't feeling well. Craig was sure he knew why.

For some reason, Karen did not bring up the subject of Jack and Craig was not about to either. She seemed rather cool toward him, having very little to say. Normally, they'd kiss and hug and play around. She said something about not feeling well and she didn't want to do any of that. Craig couldn't help but wonder if her attitude had anything to do with Jack and possibly suspicions about him too. He would have liked to ask about Pete and why she was out with him on Friday night. He couldn't very well do that without giving away the fact that he was there at the party. It did bother him though.

Normally, after Psychology, he would walk her over to her next class since his was in the same building, but not today.

"I've got a few things I have to do." Karen explained, in something of a rush. "I'll talk to you later." It seemed almost as though she couldn't wait to get away from him.

It was just as well. Strangely, for the first time, he really wasn't looking forward to lying to her. He'd lied to so may girls in his life and suddenly, he didn't like himself very much for having done it.

He was walking toward the Computer Science building when he spotted Amy and Sheri coming down the walk toward him. He was on the verge of calling out to them when he caught himself. The voice that would have come out of his mouth would have been Cathy's and he couldn't make that mistake. He didn't turn from is path. There was something he wanted to say to Sheri and now was as good a time as any. His voice may have come out a little deeper than normal. Maybe he was unconsciously over correcting. "Hi Sheri, Hi Amy."

They'd spotted him too. Curiosity kept them coming. In a rather cool tone, making sure they weren't giving away their secret, they replied only "Craig." They had no intention of stopping to chat as they were supposed to be the girls he'd cruelly stood up.

Craig realized they weren't going to stop. "Sheri, Amy! Could you give me just a minute? There's something I'd really like to say to you." He said it as nicely as he could, for a guy.

The two were a little taken back by him. They didn't expect him to even acknowledge them and now he wanted to talk to them. They stopped, curious now to hear what he had to say.

Now his problem was how to tell them how he felt without them realizing who he was, or who Cathy was. "I did some pretty mean things to you, both of you." He avoided mentioning Jack in connection with what he'd done. "I want you to know that I'm sorry. I know that you probably can't forgive me but I just had to tell you that I'm sorry." There, he said it. He couldn't say any more without fear of giving himself away. "Bye." Craig turned and walked toward Jackson Hall.

They were both dumbfounded, looking at each other then at the retreating figure. "Do you believe that?" Amy asked.

"I told you what Beth said. He's not the same person he was two weeks ago. I don't know how this past weekend could have such a profound effect on him but it certainly seemed to have changed him." Sheri had come to really like Cathy. Perhaps she'd grow to like this young man, Craig.

He was definitely a changed man. To all outward appearances he was still the same guy he'd always been, except maybe for the fake eyebrows. Any of his friends would have thought so, the way he looked at every pretty girl that walked by. What his friends couldn't have known was now when Craig saw a pretty girl, dressed the way he liked a girl to dress, other things were going through his mind. Sure, he still liked girls but he was also much more aware of what they wore. More than once he stopped to wonder how he might look in one outfit or another? Was he too fat to wear some of the things they wore? This was definitely a changed man.

It was about four when he got out of his last class for the day. Craig wished he knew what Beth's class schedule was. He was feeling kind of down and he would have like to see her. He had some homework to do but there was time for that. Craig had time to take a walk past Meredith Hall in hopes of catching her on her way out to work.

Beth left Craig that morning with a lot on her mind. She had feelings for the boy, feelings she had trouble understanding herself, much less without sharing them with her friends. Christy already seemed annoyed with her for her interest in him.

She had other problems too. She hadn't seen Kevin all week and her entire weekend was taken up with the prank she was supposed to play on the boys. When she called Kevin after Craig left her house last night, he was annoyed he didn't get to see her all weekend and she would be gone the following weekend. He had to work the following weekend and she planned to spend Saturday and the ‘stupid', as he put it, arts and crafts festival. They had a fight. Kevin was a great guy but he could be such an ass at times. Wouldn't it be nice if he could be a little more sensitive, a little more understanding?

Craig would normally hang with the guys through dinner then do some homework. If there was time, he'd find some of his buddies and do something before bed. That night, everyone was too busy to even go have something to eat. He figured out that they were avoiding him. Whether it was because of Jack or because Daren or Jed put two and two together that morning, he didn't know. They had to have noticed his eyebrows and shaved legs. It was a good thing he kept his arms down so they didn't see his shaved armpits. Craig spent the night in his room, getting caught up on homework, he skipped dinner and just had a snack in his room.

Christy and Kim had been busy that day. Kim was fourth year nursing with a minor in biology, she was their best bet to get him hormones and after a dozen calls, she found what they were after. It wouldn't do to just get him pills that he'd have to take daily. There was no guarantee they'd find a way they could get him to take them. No, it had to be the time release capsule that Kim told her about. One simple injection, placing it under the skin and his body would be flooded with hormones every day for six months. Then, if it still amused them, they would give him another. The best part was that he wouldn't even have to know he was taking them. It was going to be fascinating to watch him change into the girl he pretended to be for Beth. Christy was annoyed with her friend Beth. She didn't understand why she'd want to waste so much time on this kid. She'd told Christy that she was having doubts about giving him hormones, because of the permanent changes that would result. Christy decided Beth didn't have to know about them. Kim felt much the way she did so there was no problem.

The other thing they got their hands on wasn't so difficult. Beth had asked Kim if anyone made a lotion that contained a hormone-based formula. While there was nothing like that on the market, it was no big deal for her to concoct it for the boy.

"I think he'll use a lotion to make his skin softer and smoother." Beth explained to them. "He wants to be convincing and I want to help him. His friends won't notice if his complexion improves so he'll have no reason to be apprehensive about it."

Tuesday morning was no better. His friends were nowhere to be found when he went looking. In class he felt the stares of both guys and girls. All he could do was ignore them. He knew it would do no good to try and defend himself by denying the allegations. Someone would ask to see his legs or get really close and study his eyebrows. He didn't want anyone getting too close. Craig decided only time would take care of his problem. People would forget and things would go back to normal. At least that's what he tried to convince himself.

Craig had gotten ready for bed and was just about to climb in when he remembered something he wanted to do. In the back of the closet, buried on a high shelf, was a scale that he'd brought to school when he first moved in over a year ago. He'd brought it because he swore to himself that he was going to try and bulk up and he wanted it to check his progress back then. Craig had always been slender and that used to bother him a lot. His friends had no problem building muscles but as hard as he tried he could never fill out. The program never did work on him and he finally gave up. Now he rooted around to find it for another reason. Losing weight had never been a problem for him. Stepping on his scale he was pleased to learn he'd dropped a couple of pounds in the past few days. He was down to only 133 pounds. He'd been lighter, but not in a long time.

He was anxious so he was early for their date. Worried still that someone he or Beth knew might walk in, Craig took a booth way in the back to wait for her. He'd made up his mind about the weekend that morning. Why hang around campus all weekend when everyone was ignoring him. No one had to know about his taking off with Beth and the others so what could it hurt? He easily preferred the friendship of his new friends to the cold shoulders of his old ones. Being honest with himself, he was kind of excited about becoming Cathy again, with Beth.

He waited for Beth to arrive to order. She didn't keep him waiting long.

"Hi Hon. How are you?" Beth asked as she slid in the booth beside him.

"Pretty good." He replied smiling. Craig didn't want to worry her with how things had been going over the past two days.

Beth knew better. Sheri had filled her in on what was going around the rumor mill. "Sheri and the girls said to say hello when I told them we were having lunch today."

Craig was shocked. "You told everyone you were meeting me for lunch!"

"No silly. I told them I was having lunch with Cathy. What's wrong?" She wanted him to open up to her and be honest with his feelings.

"I'm sorry. I didn't think." He was ashamed for getting excited. He should have known better.

"What's bothering you? Let me help."

How could he confide in if not Beth? "It's been awkward the past few days."

This was more like it. "Your friends figured it out, haven't they?"

"I think so. I don't know if they're just assuming, because of Jack, or the guys that saw me the other morning are spreading gossip."

"How are you dealing with it?" Beth asked.

"I just sort of ignore it. I was walking out of Computer class the other day when I heard this cat call. I turned around to see who was being whistled at and there was only a bunch of guys standing there, talking. There wasn't a girl in sight. I didn't catch on at first but they had to be whistling at me. It was embarrassing."

She felt so sorry for him. She felt ashamed of the predicament he was in. It wasn't her idea for Jack to get caught and for him to be the brunt of such cruel jokes but she was responsible, wasn't she? "I'm glad you just ignored them. You know you can't react to their petty cruelty or they'll just get on you more and more."

"I know. Guys can be such assholes." Craig said thoughtfully.

How true but how odd to hear from another guy. "Just ignore them and it will all pass over in a little while."

Just what he thought. "That's all I can do."

Beth wanted to change the subject. She didn't like seeing him so down. She whispered to him, "So, Cathy, have you decided if you're going to join us Saturday? The other girls have been asking." She crossed her fingers.

"You still want me to go?" She might have changed her mind. He wouldn't blame her.

"Of course I do!" Beth said encouraging him. "It's all I've been thinking about the past two days."

That was true.

Why did she feel the way she did about him? "Than I'll go."

Beth breathed a noticeable sigh of relief. She leaned over and kissed him. "Oh good. I'm so glad you decided to go."

The waitress showed up to take their order. Craig had looked over the menu while he waited for Beth.

He decided on the salad plate. Beth ordered the same.

When the waitress was gone, he told Beth. "I think I've lost a couple of pounds since last week." He was anxious for her to know. He thought she'd be pleased.

Beth was pleased. She wondered why he ordered such a light fare. "That's terrific." She didn't even know he was trying. "You keep that up and you'll be in a size five before you know it." She was kidding with him.

"You think I could, really?" He knew now what that meant. Fat girls don't look so great in some of the outfits he'd seen over the weekend. The past few days he'd been looking at girls and guessing their sizes. Being a size five would be great, great for Cathy that is.

His response surprised her a little. He as really looking forward to becoming Cathy again and he was willing to make sacrifices to be the best he could be. This was great. "Sure you can. It just takes a little determination. You should also probably do some exercising so you don't lose in the wrong places."

He hadn't thought much about that but it would make sense. "What kind of exercises."

"I've got a book I could loan you. You don't have to go out to exercise. There are exercises you could do right in your room." He was really excited about the idea. It was great.

Beth had to get back to school. Her next class was in half an hour.

Craig reached for his wallet to pay the check.

"No you don't sweetie. This is my treat."

"But . . . " Craig tried to object.

"No buts about it. I invited you to lunch." Beth insisted. She got her purse from the floor and remembered what Christy had given her for him. If he'd said no to the weekend, Beth would have just forgotten the whole thing. But he didn't. "I brought something for you." She set the bottle of lotion on the bench between them. It was in a plain paper bag.

He picked the plastic bottle out of the bag. "What it is?" It had no label.

"It's lotion. It's a special concoction that will make your skin softer and smoother. It's for your legs.

Try it. I know you like what it does."

Softer, smoother legs. He'd like that. His weren't as smooth as the girls' he knew. They weren't as smooth as Beth's. "Thanks, I'll try it."

"Rub it gently, all over, after you shower. It'll feel a little sticky at first but then it will absorb into your skin." This is what Kim had told her.

"You mean on my face, my arms and on the rest of my body too?" Is that what she meant by all over, he wondered?

It hadn't occurred to her but why not. "Absolutely. You can use it everywhere. It helps tighten up pores so it will work just as well all over." Beth was glad he thought to ask.

Now she really had to get going. "Ok if I call you tonight, after I get in from work?" She asked. Now that he'd decided to go, there were so many things she wanted to do to get ready. Among them was buying him a few things.

"Sure. That's fine. Please do." He liked that idea.

Beth and Craig walked out front. "I'll get you that exercise book and mark the pages you should concentrate on. You don't need to do all the exercises in it."

"Thanks, I appreciate it." It would be interesting. It would occupy some of his time at night now that he didn't have as much to keep him busy.

With one last kiss on the cheek she hurried to her car and raced back to school. She was on an emotional high, feeling pretty terrific and excited about Craig, about Cathy.

He felt mixed emotions as he drove back to campus. On one side he didn't want to hang out on campus any more than necessary but the other side of him wasn't sure that he'd made the right decision about going with Beth and the others on Saturday. He hadn't given a thought to how that would work, his making the change over to Cathy. What was he going to do about clothes? Where would he make the transition?

Too many questions ran through his head as he sat through math class, barely able to think about school work. He ended his day in lab, about 4:30. He didn't relish spending the rest of the day in his room, waiting for Beth to call.

He debated calling Karen but decided not to. He decided they were over. He'd found someone infinitely better in Beth and he no longer cared what Karen thought about him. He didn't care what anyone thought.

Craig made up his mind that he couldn't just sit shut in all night. He dropped off his books in his room and headed for the mall. Not wanted to be too obvious, he drove about an hour to the other side of Tallahassee, to a mall there. His plan was to do some window shopping.

Later, back in his dorm room, he showered and rubbed a generous amount of his lotion onto his legs. He only debated a few moments before he applied it as generously to the rest of his body, including his face. Beth was right about his feeling sticky for a little while but it did finally soak in. It had the invigorating effect of making his skin tingle all over and that felt really nice. What Craig really liked was that it left no fragrance to betray his using it. Just in case anyone walked in on him, he put on his sweats.

The call came about nine, the first time his phone rang all day. "Hi sweetie."

Craig had a list of questions for her about their weekend.

"I don't want you to worry about a thing. I'm going to take care of everything." Beth assured him.

She'd arranged to be off of work Thursday night and she was going shopping. She didn't mention anything to any of the others. She wanted to surprise them as much as Cathy.

Should he worry? "Are you sure?" Craig had to ask.

"Absolutely, the only thing is I need you to be at my house right after your last class. I need you there no later than four thirty. You're going to spend the night there with me and Sheri." She'd thought this through.

"At your house? What about your parents?" He couldn't get caught by her parents.

"By the time they get home it'll be just me and my friend Cathy there to greet them. Trust me Hon."

Timing was critical but she was sure it would work.

"What if Sheri catches us? Won't she be home?"

"She won't catch us. She won't be home till after eight. And by then, we'll be out of there. There's just one thing I need you with me to find and that's a pair of jeans."

"You want to take me shopping with you for jeans?" That was a little scary.

"That's it. I'm taking care of everything else. It'll be fun, don't worry." Beth assured him.

"All right." Craig agreed. There was something else he wanted to ask her. "You know that lotion you gave me last Saturday, when Jack and I were there?"

There was only the delapatory. "Sure?"

"Do you think you can get me some of that before Friday, so I can be ready when I come over? It might save us some time." He suggested.

How thoughtful he was. "Sure. I was going to drop off that book for you tomorrow morning, early, on my way out. I'll put it in the box with the book."

"No! Someone might see it." The guys were always so nosey.

"The box will be sealed so no one can look in it before you get to it."

That should be ok, Craig decided. "Just in case, tell the office it's from my Dad in Seattle. That way no one should mess with it." Craig gave her his Dad's address.

"Did you use the lotion?" Beth just had to ask.

"That stuff really makes your skin feel good. I tingled all over from it." He was anxious to see some results but he knew it wouldn't work miracles.

All over? Beth hoped that meant what she thought it did. "Great. You just keep using it. You'll really like what it does for you." He should. "I'll call you tomorrow night and we'll finalize things." Thursday night she'd be out late, shopping.

He saw Karen again on Wednesday, but she didn't see him. Craig spotted her walking to Psychology class with Pete. So, they were back together. Let him have her he thought to himself. They didn't say a word to each other during class. That didn't stop her and Barbara from shooting him looks now and then. Craig just ignored them.

Wednesday was a pretty quiet day. He went back to his room and opened the box that had been delivered from his father that morning. Beth had been pretty sly. It was sealed and addressed as if it had come from Seattle. Beth told them that UPS had delivered it to the wrong dorm and no one asked any questions. He was a little bit shocked to discover that alone with the delapatory and the exercise book was a workout outfit, leggings and a leotard. The note inside simply said. "I'm sorry Cathy. I just couldn't resist." The leggings were black and the leotard was also black with a brightly colored floral print.

It was sweet of her but he wondered where he'd have to hide it really well, along with the book, when he wasn't using them.

Craig sat down and studied the exercises she'd marked off for him to do. He made sure the door was locked and pulled the shade down tight.

It was kind of exciting to pull on the leggings and step into the leotard. He liked the way it fit, hugging his body. The only thing he didn't like was that he didn't fill out the top. It looked odd when he looked at himself in the mirror. Just for the hell of it he took the scale out of the closet again. Another pound gone.

Craig studied the first few exercises again then set out to work. He did ten different exercises, three reps of each, just the way Beth spelled out. Craig did find it difficult to some of them, stretching the way you were supposed to but like any exercise, your body had to get used to using different muscles than you're accustomed to. He was sweating when he finished.

He washed out the leotard and leggings in the sink and hung them over the shower rod to dry. In the morning, he'd hide them when they were dry. Craig made a mental note not to use the lotion until after he exercised at night.

It was late when Beth called, almost 10:30. There was no change in plans. He would meet her at her house at 4:30. She did remind him to bring his lotion with him. She asked if he'd used the book or her other gift and after he'd playfully chastised her for sending the outfit, he told her he did his exercises exactly as instructed. Beth praised him and they said goodnight.

Thursday was a very long day but Friday was even longer. Craig was so anxious that he skipped his last class and went back to his room about two. Not that he needed to but he used the delapatory Beth sent over and did his legs, just to be sure. He also decided that if it did such a great job on his legs than it ought to work as well on his face. It took several applications and almost an hour but it worked. He used his lotion afterward, to sooth his skin. Craig was ready.

Beth got to the house almost fifteen minutes early and was surprised to see Craig's car sitting out front. She pulled up along side him. "Pull it in the driveway, to the back of the house and park beside the garage." She explained to Craig that she didn't want the neighbors to see a young man sitting out there when they got home.

Beth rushed him upstairs. "First I want you to undress and take a shower." She handed him the shampoo and conditioner she'd bought just for him.

"I thought I'd just wear the wig?" He asked, as he stood there wearing only the towel she gave him.

"No more wig. Your own hair will be just fine. Now, hurry up. We don't have a lot of time."

He did as she asked. Craig was just finishing drying off when Beth walked into the bathroom carrying a bag. "Wrap your towel around you and have a seat on the toilet." She told him.

He started to wrap it around his waist.

"Not like that. Do it the way girls do it. I want you to get used to doing things our way." Beth instructed him.

Craig could see she was a little tense. It had to be because she was worried they wouldn't have enough time. He quickly wrapped the towel around his chest, just under his arms and tucked it in front. "That better?"

"Much. Now have a seat." She unpacked her bag.

"You're going to set my hair in curlers?" This was something of a surprise.

"I'm going to do it this time but I want you to watch closely so you can do it yourself the next." Now came a delicate moment. "Cathy, I need to trim your ends just a little, to clean them up. You really need a trip to the beauty parlor but we don't have time for that right now."

"You're going to cut my hair?" This really scared him. If she did too much, people would be able to tell he was up to something when he went back to school next week.

"Just your ends. I'm not going to give you bangs or anything like that. Although you'd look fabulous with bangs."

That was a relief. "All right. Go ahead." Craig said with trust in her.

He really would have looked fantastic with long bangs but as much as she would have liked to cut them, she knew she couldn't. Craig's hair, hanging down soaking wet, came several inches past his shoulders. She wanted it as long as she could keep it so she only trimmed off the littlest bit of his split ends. He'd start taking better care of his hair from here on in. She'd see to it.

"That's it." Beth told him when she was done. "Now we set it."

He got up for this and stood in front of the mirror. She massaged in just a bit of styling gel before setting his hair in the large rollers. She explained as she went, taking his hair in sections and winding it around the big rollers. "The big rollers with help give you a fuller set, give you hair more body." It didn't take Beth very long.

It was getting late. "We need to get you dressed. We still need to do your nails, and your makeup."

Craig stood very still as she carefully placed the breast forms on his chest with the newly applied adhesive. "There." Beth said, standing back and checked their placement.

He turned and looked in the mirror. The looked even to him too.

Beth handed him a bra. "I bought this for you last night." It was a Bali, with lace insets on the cups.

"Isn't it pretty?"

It was pretty and oh so feminine looking. It felt strangely nice to slip his arms through and hook it behind his back. Beth adjusted the straps.

"I bought you a few other things." She laid four different pairs of panties on the bed. All four of them were satin and all very feminine, with lace insets. Beth stood back to see his reaction as he came over to look at them on the bed.

He reached out and touched the pink pair, fascinated with feel of the silky material. "You bought these for me?" He said turning to her. "They're beautiful. Thank you."

She wasn't sure how he'd react. Beth was so relieved that he liked them. "I'm so glad you're pleased. I wasn't sure if I should." She was definitely nervous about it. "You better put a pair on. I've got some other things for you too." She felt like Santa Claus at Christmas.

Craig stepped into the pink pair and pulled them up, tucking himself between his legs. The material of theses panties was stronger and hid him better than what he'd worn last weekend.

"They're control tops. I thought you might appreciate that." Beth wanted him to feel more comfortable then he had in the flimsy pairs he had worn.

"They feel wonderful." He ran his hands over the silky material on his hips.

Beth turned to the closet behind her and took down a hanger holding a lightweight beige sweater down. "Try this on and see how it fits." Beth had to hurry him up. It was sweet to see him take such delight in everything she'd bought him but they had to watch the time.

It was the exact same sweater he'd picked out for Sheri last weekend. "Beth, you shouldn't have." It was so soft.

"I knew you liked it and I wanted you to have it." She helped him pull it over the curlers. It was snug, but too snug. It looked really nice on him.

One of Beth's little concerns was that his arms would look to big in the short sleeved sweater but he looked just fine. Craig was one of those guys with wiry muscles that don't show. It was a good thing.

She held the best for last. "Here Cathy, put these on." Beth handed him a pair of black opaque tights.

Craig sat on the edge of the bed and started to put them on.

"I bought you a few different colors and a half dozen pairs of pantyhose. I wanted you to be prepared, just in case."

All these things she'd bought for him. "You know I'm going to pay you back for everything." He insisted.

Actually, Beth wasn't too worried. She'd planned on taking everything but the underwear back after the weekend. It wasn't unusual at all for her to buy and outfit, wear it and take it back the next day. All the girls did it. "It's alright Cathy. You don't have to."

"But I want to. You've spent so much on me already. I want to pay my own way." It wasn't like he didn't have the money.

Beth went along with him for the moment. She was sure he had no clue what it cost to buy better women's clothes. When he discovered what she'd spent last night alone, he'd think twice.

"Now your skirt." Beth handed him the pleated red tartan plaid that she'd fell in love with it the store.

She actually bought two. One for him and one for her.

This made him a little uncomfortable. He held it up to his waist and it looked so short. "You're sure this is my size?" He felt he had to ask.

Beth smiled. "I knew you'd ask me that. It's your size, believe me. Now, try it on and lets see how it fits."

Craig unzipped the side zipper and stepped into the skirt. It was snug coming over his hips but didn't seem too tight when he zipped it up to his waist.

Beth was pleased. "It fits you perfectly." His waistline was amazing for a guy. "You look fantastic in that outfit Cathy."

Did he really? Looking at himself in the mirror, he thought he looked pretty good. If the skirt just wasn't so short, it had to be no less than four or five inches above the knee.

"Try these on." Beth set the mid-heel pair of black patent leather Mary Janes at his feet. She prayed that she got the right size. She'd looked everywhere to find just the right shoes for the outfit. She was fairly confident about the size, after having him try on those shoes last weekend.

Craig slipped his feet into the shoes, adjusting the straps. These were nothing like the heels he'd worn last weekend. These had much wider, more stable heels. They were actually quite comfortable. "I think they fit ok."

"How much weight have you managed to lose?" It was obvious to Beth that he'd lost some.

"About six and a half pounds." At least that's what is old scale said he'd lost. "I'm down to about one hundred and thirty." He was quite proud of that. He wanted to lose more but he thought that was pretty good in only a week. "I hope to get down to about one, twenty." That was his goal.

Beth was impressed. She wished she could shed pounds like that. "It really shows. If you can get down to a hundred and twenty, you'll really be something." That was no lie.

She would have like to have him try on some of the other things she'd bought him but that would have to wait till later. "Alright now Cathy, sit on the bed and we're going to do your nails." It would be nice if he could just let his nails grow out but that really wasn't feasible. Beth couldn't help but notice, "You stopped biting your nails."

He had. When he sat there on his bed last Sunday night, looking at them in disgust, was when he made up his mind that, that was enough of that childishness. "They looked pretty bad."

"I'm glad you're letting them grow. They did look pretty awful." It would be great if he could let them grow out long but that wasn't feasible. They'd have to make due with the fake ones. She tried really hard not to let them look too fake.

Craig didn't hear the back door open and close with his head under Beth's dryer, but Beth did.

"Mom's home."

Now Craig felt really nervous. He was almost ready but that didn't help calm his nerves much.

He'd done his foundation for the first time and he'd even done his eyeshadow, with a lot of guidance from Beth. The eyeliner was the worst and Beth had to help him but all in all he'd done pretty well.

Mascara and blush were so simple compared with the rest. All that was left was his hair.

"I'm going to go down and let Mom know we're here. I'll be right back. Don't move." Beth had already told her about her friend coming over and been given the ok for Cathy to stay the night so they could get an early start for Mt Dora in the morning. Her Mom didn't mind at all.

Craig waited nervously.

Beth hurried back upstairs. "Everything's fine. You have nothing to worry about. I told Mom we'd come down as soon as you were done getting ready." He'd been under the dryer for almost half an hour.

It was time.

"Watch close now." Beth told him as she unwound his hair from the rollers. He had such beautiful thick hair. You'd never know it the way he always wore it plastered back and in that ponytail. It always looked so plastered down. Not any longer.

Beth parted his hair on the left and brushed it out. Why God gave some guys such thick, beautiful hair Beth would never understand? Craig was one of those fortunate guys. From his part, Beth brought his hair down at an angle across his forehead and then blended it back into the side. "You'd look so great with bangs." She remarked as she worked his hair. "You should also get some highlights."

Craig watched in the mirror as she worked. He never knew he could look like he had so much hair.

Watching his friend, Craig was amazed the way she styled it for him.

When she had it about the way she wanted it she grabbed her curling iron. "Now we're just going to give you a little bit of curl at the ends, just to soften your look a bit." She'd seen this done a few times and she really loved the effect. Loose soft curls covered his shoulders when she was done with him. Beth outdid herself. Cathy looked even prettier than she had dared to hope.

He thought he'd have a hard time getting comfortable around Beth's mom but she was terrific. He felt so welcome in her house that he really hated himself for deceiving her. When he first came down the stairs he didn't know what to expect but it certainly wasn't to be accepted so easily. In fact, she even insisted that he call her Mom. "All my girls' friends are welcome here and we stand on no formalities in this house." She'd told him.

What was really nice was the comment about how lovely she thought he looked. After that, Craig didn't worry about the length of the skirt any more. If Beth's mom didn't think it was too short than that was good enough for him. What a nice feeling it gave him.

"I told you you'd love her." Beth remarked out of earshot of the kitchen.

"Your mother's really sweet."

"She thinks you are too." Cathy didn't see the nod of approval she gave Beth when he wasn't looking.

The next hurdle to cross was when Beth's dad came home. He walked in as he and Beth were setting the table for dinner. For some reason, Craig thought he'd look older. The man was impeccably dressed in an expensive business suit and looked very distinguished. He was a very handsome man.

His own father seemed much older than this man. Of course, he hadn't seen his dad in a couple of years. He didn't even come down for the funeral in January. Craig didn't like dwelling on unhappy thoughts so he put it aside.

Craig was careful not to give Beth's father a masculine handshake. Not that the well-built gentleman would have even noticed his weak seeming attempt. He was a big man but not overweight at all. He looked in good enough shape to play professional football. "It's very nice to meet you Cathy. Beth's been talking about you all week." The girl was just the sort his daughter would make friends with. "My daughter has excellent taste in friends."

Craig wasn't sure what he meant by that. He didn't realize at first that he was being told he was a lovely young lady. It took him a minute to catch on but he did as he looked at Beth with that grin on her face. "That's very sweet of you to say Mr. Franklin." Cathy said in her shy voice.

Very well done Cathy, Beth thought to herself. But that was nothing compared to the way Cathy conducted herself at dinner. The way she helped her mom put it on the table, her impeccable table manners and the way she jumped up to help clear the table when they were done.

Conversation over dinner invariably turned to Cathy's family. There was no reason for Craig to lie or make anything up. "My mom and sister were killed by a drunk driver in January." He told them bluntly. He was still struggling to come to terms with losing them.

Diane, Beth's mother, felt so sorry for the girl. "Cathy, you poor thing. You and your father must be devastated." She could just imagine how hard it had to be for her, losing her mother.

Craig should have considered how his news would distress Beth's mom. "I'm getting used to being alone. My dad lives in Seattle, with his family. He and my mom have been split up since I was little."

Feeling so sorry for the girl, Beth's father, Bill asked, "Are you and your father close?".

"I don't see much of my father. I was up there a year ago last Christmas and we don't get along very well." His father had a new life with his new family and Craig felt like an intruder, like he didn't belong there.

Diane's heart went out to Cathy. She could see that she was trying to be brave, putting up a front.

"Well you're welcome in our house any time Dear."

Beth just sat there in amazement. Craig had won her parent's hearts in just those few brief moments.

She had to admit that he'd endeared himself to her even more than ever as well.

Bill made a mandate. "Cathy, we'll be expecting you for the Thanksgiving holiday and, if you care to, you're welcome to spend the Christmas break with us here too. We have plenty of room." He, like Diane, couldn't bear to have this child spend the holidays without some sort of family around her.

Craig hardly knew what to say. Just the thought of them opening their home and hearts to him the way they did was so amazing. "I can't tell you how much I appreciate your hospitality Mr. and Mrs. Franklin."

"None of that Dear. From now on, if it's alright with you, I want you to call us Mom and Dad." Diane insisted.

Craig didn't know what to say. A warm and pleasant feeling came over him. It was liked found something he'd lost and it meant a lot to him. "I really want to thank you for all your kindness. All of you." Craig meant everyone, including Beth.

Craig had his new purse over his shoulder and he was feeling pretty good about himself.

Beth's mother gave him a little bit of a shock when she turned to him and gave him a hug and a kiss on the cheek. "Young lady, you're welcome in my house any time. Now you girls go have fun but don't spend too much money."

"You really made quite an impression." Beth remarked outside.

"She's a nice lady. I like your mom a lot." He was sincere. To Craig's pleasant surprise, he felt quite at home, quite comfortable around her family, despite how uncomfortable he first felt, the way he was dressed. He'd lost some of his self-consciousness about the outfit he wore, with its short skirt. He just had to remember to be careful when he sat. Now, on their way to the car, he had to ask. "You sure I look alright in this?" He touched the hem of his skirt as he asked.

"Honest Cathy, you look fantastic." Would he ever cease to amaze her? He seemed to fall so naturally into the role of Cathy that it was almost scary. Beth loved the idea that she had a major part in helping him discover this side of his personality.

Craig didn't mind at all that they went in her car. It was a relatively short ride to the mall and Beth knew exactly where she wanted to take him to find a pair of jeans. "Let me pick out a few for you to try on." After all, she'd know better what was most likely to fit him best.

He didn't relish the thought to going into the ladies dressing room to try on pants but he couldn't very well do anything else. Craig followed her around as she piled pair after pair on his arm.

"One of those should do it." Beth decided when she'd picked out a half dozen different styles in what should be his size. She guided him into the dressing room and found him an empty stall. "Go ahead and give the first pair a try." She said to him, standing in the door of the tiny cubical.

It seemed so odd to unzip and drop the skirt from his hips, there among all those women going back and forth. Wearing the control top panties and the tights, no one could tell he wasn't one of them. Craig had to assume Beth had considered this when she selected this outfit for him to wear tonight.

The first pair was too short from his crotch to his waist. Beth didn't like the way they looked on him. The next pair was way too baggy. The next wouldn't even go over his hips. They went through a dozen pairs before finding something they both liked. It was a pair of Bongo's, stretch jeans and they fit like a second skin. Craig didn't even think he'd get them on but they gave in all the right places. What was amazing, when he finally got them on was that they were really quite comfortable, giving where they needed to.

"Take a look in the mirror Cathy. I think they look great on you." They were tight but that was the way they were supposed to fit.

Craig was most interested in the way his rear end looked in the jeans. He loved how girls wore tight jeans and he looked as good in this pair and any of them. "I like them."

"Good, I agree." Beth wondered if Craig realized that he was very likely going to turn a few guys' heads in those jeans. Well, that was something he was going to have to learn to deal with. It wasn't just the jeans that were going to turn guys' heads either. Cathy was actually a very pretty girl and with her hair styled the way it was she was going to attract some attention. Beth knew that was going to make him uncomfortable but she'd be there for him, to help him through it. Funny thing was, just the thought of guys finding him attractive made her a little jealous. That was silly of course, because Craig obviously had no interest in men.

Beth didn't know if he'd been aware of it but he'd already attracted some attention when they came into the mall. She'd noticed more than one pair of eyes looking him over. She knew that might make him uncomfortable so she didn't mention it.

Beth didn't argue when he insisted on paying for the jeans. It was neat watching him at the counter, taking his new wallet out of his purse and paying for them. His old wallet was hidden in the back of her closet with his other things.

That hadn't been nearly as awkward as he thought it would be. Craig was ready to do some more shopping.

"I've already got everything else you're going to need this weekend. Save your money." She told him. There was one other thing she wanted to talk to him about getting though. "Have you ever thought about getting your ears pierced?" Beth asked bluntly. She'd had almost no luck at all finding him clip ons that were stylish for girls their age.

It wasn't as though he hadn't thought about it. He hated the clip ons he had to wear and there had been times in the past that he'd considered getting one ear pierced. Two was another story but he had considered it a couple of times this past week. "I've thought about it."

"You really should you know. Lots of guys have pierced ears. Even the macho types wear earrings these days."

"I know but not usually both ears." That style was reserved for a rare few and those guys usually got a lot of ribbing.

Beth had thought about this. "I could get you some cover up that would hide they holes when you didn't want them to show."

"There's something that'll do that?" He hadn't considered that possibility.

"We could find something at one of the cosmetic counters. I'm sure of it."

"Why don't we take a look?" Craig suggested. If they could find something that would really disguise the holes then he'd consider getting them pierced.

They didn't tell the salesgirl what the concealer was going to be used for. She did have a shade that exactly matched Cathy's skin tone. When the girl tested it on Cathy, Craig turned to Beth and nodded his consent.

She was thrilled. Since they were at the cosmetics department anyway, there was one other thing they ought to look at. "How about I help you pick out a fragrance." It wasn't right, her deciding what perfume he should wear. That was a very personal decision that every girl should make for herself.

Up to now, Beth made all those choices for him. Since she suggested it though, why not? "I'd like that." It took Craig a few minutes to pick something out. ‘Escape' was a fitting fragrance for him. He loved the way it smelled on his wrist. How fitting, he thought to himself. Wasn't he escaping from one reality, to another?

Getting his ears pierced was the last big hurdle she had to get him over. "There's a shop just up the way where they do it." Beth waited while he paid for the concealer and perfume then they headed for the jewelry store.

"You'll only feel a little pressure for a second." The girl assured her. It amazed her that a girl her age didn't already have pierced ears.

Craig had expected it to hurt more than it did. The second one was just as easy. He and Beth had picked out a couple pairs of fairly inexpensive earrings before getting his ears pierce. He left the store with only the tiny diamond studs.

"What do you think?" Beth asked as they walked up the middle of the mall, heading for the exit.

Craig was hardly aware of the studs in his ears. He walked over to a display window and looked at his reflection in the glass. He thought the girl that looked back at him was very pretty and he loved the feeling of being her and feeling so feminine. "I love them." He said, smiling at her in the glass. He suddenly felt so happy, so content. He never wanted the feeling to pass.

Beth beamed. He really meant it. She could see that. What a beautiful, amazing person she thought to herself. "Let's get home. We've got to get up pretty early and we have a lot to do yet."

Short of shopping some more, there was nothing he'd rather do. "I'm ready when you are."

Sheri was there when they got home to Beth's. What was so fantastic was that she didn't even recognize Cathy at first.

She looked up when her sister walked in and she knew she wasn't alone. Glancing past her, she didn't recognize which of her girlfriends was with her. The first thing Sheri noticed was the cute outfit and wished she could wear something like that. The next thing she noticed was the girl's hair, so pretty. Only then did recognition set in. Sheri was dumbfounded. If Cathy had been convincing last weekend, a knockout was the only word that adequately described her now. The hair, the figure, even the outfit. The boy looked better than imaginable.

Beth was pleased by her sister's reaction. When their eyes met, Beth knew she was more than impressed. She would have loved to have been able to ask, ‘what do you think?'

Sheri even noticed the earrings. She couldn't imagine how her sister talked him into doing that.

They spent a little time with the family, telling them where they went and what they bought. Cathy showed off the couple of pairs of earrings she'd bought. Her mom sniffed the perfume, commenting how pretty it smelled. The jeans were nothing special, they were just jeans. By ten, the three girls excused themselves and went upstairs.

Beth would have rather Sheri leave them alone. Her presence only served to hinder Beth's helping Craig. She also didn't want her sister to see all the things she'd bought Cathy. She'd be jealous because Beth hardly ever bought her sister anything, except for her birthday and Christmas.

Sheri was just ecstatic about Craig. She couldn't get over how fabulous he looked, how naturally pretty.

"Sheri, Cathy and I really do need to get ready for bed. The others are picking us up at six." Little sisters could be such pests. Sheri wasn't normally like that though. Most of the time they got along really well.

"I guess I better leave you two alone." Sheri said reluctantly as she got up to go.

"Are you going to be around Sunday?" Craig asked. He understood what was happening. He'd had a little sister, once. Catherine had only been a year younger and she always wanted to hang around him and his friends. He missed that even though she was annoying at times.

"I'll be here!" Sheri remarked smiling. How sweet, she thought to herself. He was concerned about her and her feelings. How remarkable it was that this person who'd caused her such anguish only a short time ago had turned into such a sweet, caring, sensitive individual. No wonder Beth was so fascinated by him and was willing to help him be the best girl he could be. "Good night you two."

Beth was surprised she gave in so easily. "We really do need to get ready for bed." Beth said with a sparkle in her eye.

Craig smiled. He wasn't sure it was a good idea for them to do it, right there in her own bedroom, with her parents right downstairs but if she was ok with it, he certainly was.

"Isn't this pretty?" Beth asked, holding up one of the two nighties she'd bought him.

Craig felt the silky material of the short sleeved, pale pink, ruffled nightie. "It's beautiful."

"I knew you'd like it. It's yours." Knowing how he loved the feel of woven polyester against his skin.

Now Craig knew he had to insist. "Beth, I love everything you've bought me but I want you to let me pay for myself. I really do have the money. I get an allowance from the trust from my mom's insurance. She was really well insured and I can do it." This was how he paid for his college and there was money to spare. He received five hundred a month from the trust and that was after food, living expenses, tuition and books. "I want you to let me pay for my own things."

"All right, I will." Then she insisted, "But not this. The nightie is my gift to you."

Craig accepted it graciously. "Thank you."

It took them about an hour to get ready for bed. It looked sort of comical to see the two of them crawl under Beth's covers with them both wearing those huge curlers in their hair. What a sight they would have made if anyone walked in on them, making love and falling asleep in each others' arms.

Their morning started very early. They got up at 4:30. Beth wanted plenty of time to get themselves ready. Beth showered while Craig attempted to do his makeup alone for the first time.

Beth complimented him on his efforts when she was done in the bathroom. There was very little she had to show him how to correct. She quickly did her own and fixed her hair. She knew exactly how she thought he should wear his that day, somewhat similar to hers. Beth brushed it out and then gathered it into a bow in back. He still had some curl from last night but she wanted it to look perfect so she had him curl it a bit more.

"What do you think?" Beth asked, taking a step back so he could see better in the mirror.

She'd teased his hair in front, just a little and with the white bow and curls he looked like the girls he'd seen in the teen magazines he'd been reading lately. "It's great." Who would have thought he could look this attractive?

The best was yet to come. Beth showed him the rest of the things she'd bought him. In her closet were three new blouses, two skirts, two pairs of shorts, a pair of dress slacks and a jacket. To go with everything, she'd gotten him a pair of white Keds, black flats and a pair of white casual sandals. She wanted to be prepared for anything.

"All for this weekend?" She'd gone overboard but he wasn't complaining.

Beth smiled her impish smile. "And the next and the one after that. If my Mom and Dad have there way, Cathy'll be spending a lot of time here." That was fine with her.

She remembered one other thing she'd almost forgot. "Oh! There's one other thing." From her dresser drawer she took out the top she wanted him to wear that day. "What do you think of this to wear with your jeans?" Beth held up the off-white short sleeved, knit, crew neck bodysuit.

"Oh! Can I really wear that?" He liked the idea but he was a little concerned. "Will these look alright under that?" Craig asked, indicating his chest.

"Let's see." Beth said simply.

Craig pulled it carefully over his head and pulled his down over his chest.

"Just snap the crotch and let's see." Beth told him. She was anxious to know too.

It felt funny to wear something so snug that snapped in his crotch. It was a little like wearing his leotard. Craig turned to the mirror to see.

"I think it looks fine Cathy. You look perfectly natural." No one would ever know that wasn't really a girl's chest under that top.

He wanted it to look ‘fine'. He liked how it felt on him. "Beth, I really like this. Thanks." He'd wear it.

Finally, at a quarter to six, they were packed and ready. Each had their own suitcases for their clothes, shoes, makeup and incidentals. Beth borrowed Sheri's luggage so they wouldn't have to pack their things together. She explained to Craig that the others wouldn't understand and he agreed.

The weather in north Florida was cool in October so he wore the new jacket. He walked out of the house to greet the cool morning air weather wearing his new checked blazer. Mt Dora, considerably further south, would certainly be warmer but he was prepared.

It was still dark when they threw their bags in the back of Kim's mom's station wagon. She'd already picked up Christy and Pam. Even in the dark, the girls marveled at how terrific Cathy looked. Beth beamed, she was so proud of him and delighted at her friend's reaction.

Craig couldn't ask for more positive reinforcement. He took their compliments graciously, as he knew any girl would. They climbed into the back seat with Kim and were off.

Beth had done amazing things with the boy but it was not a game anymore. She had taken things too far with him. It was as if she couldn't separate reality with fantasy anymore. She might be willing to accept him as one of them but Christy wasn't. Beth and the boy needed to be taught a lesson and she had just the tools to accomplish that. She was sure that once her pretty little boy started to grow real breasts and his little penis shrunk up to a soft little stub, the boy wasn't going to think his little fantasy was so much fun anymore. It would become ever more difficult for him to maintain his role as a young man. Christy was sure he'd turn on Beth, blaming her and then she'd come back to her senses.

It took them almost six hours to reach the middle of the state but he enjoyed every minute of the ride. Beth's friends, his friends, were wonderful company. When conversation turned to guys, as it always did with them, he tried to join in. He made up stories about past boyfriends to try and fit in. They'd comment about guys they saw as they drove. One car, with three good-looking guys in it, played cat and mouse with them for about an hour, until they turned off the interstate to head west. Craig did feel funny about pretending to enjoy that part of the trip.

Beth thought he was cute the way he tried so hard to be one of them. He was getting quite an education from her friends and it showed.

Pam and Kim couldn't believe how he'd changed. When they first met him, he was as scared as could be. Now he had so much more confidence in the role he played for them. If you didn't know his secret, the way he was acting now, you'd never guess that Cathy was a guy. Kim thought he was adorable but not Pam. Like her friend Christy, she thought it was sick, perverted.

Parking in Mt Dora was impossible. They had to walk nearly a quarter of a mile to the center of the town. It was considerably warmer there than in Tallahassee. They all left their jackets in the car.

Craig had never been to Mt Dora before, unlike the others. He discovered a quaint small town by a lake, settled in the central Florida hills. Old shop fronts lined the narrow streets that rose from the lake. That day, those streets were lined with white canvas topped booths full of every kind of homespun craft imaginable. Spotted among them were the food merchants and handmade jewelry artisans, selling their wares. To fill in the picture, thousands had flocked to this small town for the once a year, two-day festival.

They split up because of the crowds, knowing it would take too long to see everything with the five of them together. Christy and Pam went off by themselves. Beth didn't mind that Christy went her own way. She'd noticed a few times that morning where she seemed to be trying to put Cathy on the spot with all her fuss about men and sex. She was starting to get on Beth's nerves. Pam seemed to enjoy it a little too much too.

He'd bought sunglasses when they stopped for gas that morning. He had a pair at home but he didn't think his big aviator style glasses would look in character for Cathy. The glare of the early morning sun in his eyes was not the only reason for the glasses. Craig decided that if people couldn't see his eyes then they couldn't see how worried and afraid he really was. His friends included.

Beth and Kim refused to miss a thing as they went from booth to booth. He tagged along, commenting on this and that. The venders did have some really interesting things for sale and there were even a few really pretty things that he thought it would be fun to have. Things like Beth and Kim bought to decorate or dress up their rooms. There was no point in his buying anything, he couldn't display it in his room if he did. What if it was seen?

He'd glanced at the jewelry for sale in a few booths but nothing there interested him. Then they went into a booth where the lady there was selling unusual, one of a kind rings. Craig had noticed that each of his friends wore at least two or three rings. Kim wore six.

"Why don't you see if there's something you like?" Beth suggested. She was glad he finally found something to excite him. He was starting to look bored. Whispering in his ear as the leaned over a display, she said, "You know Cathy, rings really do a lot to make your hands look more attractive. The right style can make your fingers look more slender."

He bought two at that booth and later on that afternoon, he found two more that he just loved.

Despite his whispered protests, Beth insisted on buying him a few little things. She found the most delicate glass tray. One of those a woman puts on her dresser to hold her rings and jewelry when she takes them off at night. She bought him a bean bag angle doll that she said reminded her of him. She silenced his protests saying that she'd keep them for him at her house. He could enjoy them when he came to visit.

It took a full five hours to go through it all. They found Christy and Pam plopped down on a curb with at least a half dozen bags each, surrounding them.

"I've had it." Kim said, exhausted, as she sat down beside Pam.

"I'm ready for an icy drink."

Eyes lit up with that suggestion. Within minutes they found a quaint little bar and were seated at a table on a second floor balcony overlooking the hustle and bustle below. Each held a large frozen strawberry Margarita. Everyone except Craig that is. He was sipping a diet Coke.

Even if he were old enough, he couldn't show his ID. He wished, as he sat there sipping his soda that he could get his hands on some sort of ID to suit his new identity. Craig carried a wallet in his purse that was bare except for the cash he carried. Was it wise to have no identification at all? He didn't think so. God forbid for some reason he had to show who he was. What would he do?

It had occurred to him that he thought he saw his sister's driver's license in the safety deposit box he had at the bank. The box held all sorts of things of his mom's and sister's. Including things he couldn't bring him self to throw away. It wouldn't help him get served but it might work as an ID. He was only about an inch taller but they both had blue eyes and light brown hair. Craig pondered ways he might get it renewed with his picture on it, pretending to be her?

The plan was to spend that night in Orlando. The girls had talked about going out partying but Craig knew he couldn't be included in their plans. They stopped north of Orlando for dinner then drove into town and found the motel. Their reservations were waiting for them. Beth was true to her word and she and Craig took a room by themselves. Craig didn't know how he would have handled it any other way. He couldn't see himself fooling the others in so personal a situation as sharing a room with them.

Christy and Pam knew that in order for them to carry out their plan, they'd need to get him out drinking. It wouldn't be necessary to get him drunk but they needed the pretense of his having drunk too much, in order to carry out their plan.

"I don't feel much like partying." Beth told Christy and Pam. That was the original agenda for their night away but with Cathy along, Beth knew that was a problem.

"We can just go right here to the hotel lounge. I saw that they have a band on Saturday nights." Pam suggested. "I don't feel like just sitting around the room all night."

Even Kim agreed. "We should just go and see for a while."

Beth turned to Cathy, she didn't want to put him on the spot but she had to agree. He could drink soda at least. They didn't proof people going into places like hotel bars. "Want to give it a try?" She wouldn't mind having a little fun herself.

Craig felt terrible. He was the one holding everyone back and it wasn't fair of him. "Why don't you all just go to a club? I don't mind staying here by myself."

How unselfish, Kim thought to herself, how sweet he was. "No Cathy. We're not going anywhere and leaving you here alone."

"Absolutely not." Christy insisted. What a wimp, she thought to herself.

"We don't have to stay if we're not having fun." Beth told him.

"I just feel bad that I'm holding you back." Craig said honestly.

"Don't be silly. It'll be fun. Let's change and get going." Pam said excitedly.

Beth had already planned what he'd wear if he was willing to go out with them. This was the first time he'd be out in a place like this and she didn't want it to be any harder on him than necessary.

About forty-five minutes later he was ready. He had on the new checked blazer he'd worn that morning with the woven rayon, hunter green, pleated slacks Beth bought him. Under the blazer he wore a rayon, short sleeved tee. He hadn't tried on the olive woven leather flats until just that moment. "This is really comfortable." Craig said smiling is approval.

"It looks really nice on you." Beth agreed. The best thing was it wasn't all that much of a departure from men's dressing. She didn't want him feeling too self-conscious. It was going to be awkward enough for him, going out to a bar.

"Is my hair and makeup all right?" He'd done it all himself, with no help from Beth and he was rather proud of himself. His hair lay loose tonight, with his curls over his shoulders. He wanted everything to be just so. He wanted the others to approve.

Craig looked just fine. Almost too good. Beth made up her mind that she couldn't put off the talk she wanted to have with him any longer. Tonight was the night. "Cathy, you look beautiful." How excited he was. How totally innocent and naive. He definitely should have been born a woman.

She'd delayed long enough. They had to meet the others soon. "You know Cathy, there'll be men downstairs in the bar."

He knew that. "Ok?"

"They're going to be looking at you, admiring you."

"I don't think . . . "

Beth interrupted him. "Yes they will. You may even find one may come up to you and offer to buy you a drink." She had to prepare him for this eventuality.

"No man is going to be interested in buying me a drink." He insisted. It wasn't like he was that attractive and besides he wasn't about to pay a man any attention. "If one does, I'll just ignore him."

Cathy had so much to learn about men. "Honey, I think you'll find that, that tactic will backfire for you. Most men love a challenge. You're ignoring them usually makes them try that much harder."

After reflecting a minute, Craig realized she was right. "So what do I do?"

"Be polite, be gracious, but be firm. Thank him and say you're out with your friends and you're really not interested." Of course, some men still will insist.

Craig tried to imagine himself being polite and gracious to another man. "And that usually works?"

"Usually. But not always. Whether you realize it or not, Cathy is really a very attractive young woman and men are going to be drawn to her. She, or rather you, are going to have to learn about the signals women give to men so you can avoid getting trapped by the simplest of mistakes." It was going to be difficult to teach him want most girls learn in the course of a lifetime.

He cherished the compliment she gave him but, "I really don't think . . . "

"Cathy, you have to listen to me. Men are going to hit on you. If not tonight, then tomorrow. If not tomorrow then next week, but sooner or later you're going to have to learn how to deal with it. The sooner you accept that, the better you'll be able to handle it." Beth stood close. "I'm not sure how it happened but I've come to love you Cathy and don't want you to be hurt in any way. You're the dearest, sweetest person I've ever met and care deeply what happens to you."

He didn't know why but his eyes had clouded over and a tear was starting to run down his cheek. No girl, no woman had ever cared about him the way Beth did. "I love you too." He'd never said those words to a girl before, and meant it!

Beth smiled and wiped the tear from his cheek, tasting the salt of his tears when she kissed the spot.

"Do you see what I mean? Cathy, you're wonderful." She lost her train of thought for a second.

He felt like a boob. He never cried and with that, another tear followed the first.

"All I wanted to do was to caution you. Don't get upset if a man tries to buy you a drink. If he asks first, say no thank you. If he doesn't ask and just buys it, say thank you and say you're sorry but you're not available."

"You make it sound so simple." Could it be that easy?

"Most of the time that's all it takes but I'll be with you if it gets sticky." She wasn't about to let some man pick Cathy up.

"I hope so." That thought was comforting, at least.

Beth kept her word and stayed close by his side. The lounge wasn't that crowded considering it was a Saturday night. Invariably, there were a few unattached men there but not too many. For the most part, the five girls were left alone. A pair of middle-aged men at the bar sent over a round of drinks to their table. They all acknowledged the men but that was all, telling the waiter they weren't looking for company.

The band came on at ten and they were pretty good, playing a mix of contemporary music and oldies. The others got up to dance but Beth stayed there with him. Craig felt bad because he could tell that she would have liked to dance too. He was just afraid, in front of so many people.

Beth finally asked, "You're sure you wouldn't like to try?"

"I'm afraid of making a fool of myself." He admitted.

"Just watch what I do and follow me. You did ok that night at Hayley's house." He could dance all right but he just needed to loosen up a little.

He looked around the crowded room. "I don't know . . . "

Beth stood up and reached down her hand to him. "Come on Hon. Dance with me."

How could he say no? They joined the others on the small dance floor.

The band was playing music from the top 40 and the beat was fast. His moves were jerky at first but he watched Beth and the others and soon he was moving his body to the music. He even got to the point where he was oblivious of the room around him and just enjoyed himself.

When they got back to their table, three songs later. There was a fresh drink waiting for him. He didn't ask, he was thirsty so he just took a drink. He was surprised but the taste of rum. Someone had given him a rum and coke.

"I got it for you." Christy leaned over and whispered to him. "I thought you might like something other than just plain coke."

"Thanks." He was grateful for it.

During the next hour and a half Christy bought him several more. From the third one on, he was drinking doubles but didn't know it. She also kept a steady flow of drinks coming for Beth and Kim. She was prepping them for what was to come.

By my midnight they were beginning to think it might be time to think about going. That was Christy's cue. "One last round." She insisted and went up to the bar with Pam to get it. She said she didn't want to wait for the waitress to get around to them.

The bartender poured the drinks and Christy paid for them. They didn't go right back to the table.

Pretending to be just talking, with their backs to the others, Pam pulled the tiny bottle out of her purse. Out of sight, under the edge of the bar, she filled the eyedropper to just the right level. Christy picked up Craig's rum and coke and held it down for Pam to empty the clear, tasteless fluid into it. They repeated the act with Beth's and Kim's drinks but spiked it with only about half what they gave Craig.

It wasn't till the cool night air hit them that they felt woozy. "I didn't think I drank that much." Kim said, making a little stumbling side step.

Craig didn't feel so stable either. His legs felt like rubber. What did he have, four or five rum and cokes? It couldn't have been any more than that. He used to be able to drink beer all night.

"I just want to get in bed and pass out." Beth told them. The sooner the better.

Christy laughed to herself. Exchanging smiles with Pam, she said to herself, ‘that's exactly what you're going to do.'

Craig had managed to get off only his jacket and shoes before he fell on the bed and passed out. Beth looked at him and grinned. He did ok tonight but she better watch his drinking in the future. She forced herself to get undressed before she climbed into bed. Since there would obviously be no lovemaking tonight, she got into the other bed. In the morning, she wouldn't even remember her head hitting the pillow.

Christy had stolen Craig's room key out of his blazer pocket earlier. When they were sure Kim was out for the night, the pair snuck over to the other room.

"A bomb could go off and she wouldn't wake up." Pam commented, looking at Beth lying there so peacefully.

"You're sure he won't feel anything?" Christy asked.

"You could amputate his arm and he wouldn't wake up. Trust me." Pam said as she set her little black bag on the bed beside the sleeping boy.

The following morning, Beth, Kim and Cathy met the others at the pool on their way out.

"Pam and I thought we'd just stay here and get some sun." Christy told them.

"I thought we were all going to Universal?" Beth replied. That was the plan.

"You three go. We're too hung over to wander around there." Pam was feeling pretty bad. They'd gone back and closed the bar last night.

"Suit yourselves." Beth was really getting tired of those two. She turned to Cathy and Kim. "Let's go."

They got there when the park opened at ten. The place was packed and it took forever to get into most of the attractions.

Beth noticed Craig rubbing his arm. That was the third time she'd seen him to that. "What's the matter with your arm?"

He touched the tender spot under the fleshy part of his upper arm. "I don't know. I must have banged it or something." It had been more tender when he got up that morning. "It's easing up. I'll be fine."

They had to leave the park by two in order to get back to the motel, pick up the others and get on the road. They wanted to be home by nine.

Beth's parents didn't mind at all that Cathy would stay over again. They went to bed around 10:30.

About midnight a young man slipped out their front door and their daughter locked up behind him.

The week dragged by. Craig went to class each day, went back to the dorm each night and did his homework. Few people said more than a few words to him each day. Karen didn't even bother hiding her new relationship with Pete, in fact she flaunted it.

A couple of times he felt so down that he just sat in his room and cried like a baby. He never used to get spells like that and that only frustrated him all the more.

None of his old friends had any time for him but that started to bother him less and less. It was frustrating to see people that he considered his friends, as Cathy, on campus. He couldn't stop and talk to them. He couldn't even say hello.

Craig did pass by Christy from time to time but she was never alone. He'd look her way with a hint of a smile, she'd wink and grin back but that was all.

"So what's taking so long. I thought you said they'd work quickly?"

"Did you think he'd just change overnight?" Pam asked Christy, feeling a little annoyed.

"He doesn't look any different." Pam was supposed to be so smart.

Getting angry with her, Pam remarked, "Look Christy, you didn't go through puberty overnight.

Neither will he."

"But you said it would happen quickly." That's what she said.

"It will, once it starts. What we gave him was not simply a complex blend of hormones. The accelerator that's in there will kick in when his body's been thoroughly saturated over a short period. The changes he'll undergo will speed up geometrically once they start."

"But when?" Christy was impatient.

"Any time now." Pam was confident of that.

He'd checked the safety deposit box that Monday. Katherine's license was there, as was her Social Security Card, along with some other things he thought might be interesting to check out.

There were two things that gave him pleasure on those quiet nights. The phone calls from Beth and the regular routine of exercises he did each night. Also, faithfully each evening, after his shower, he applied his lotion all over himself before bed. Checking for results, he couldn't detect and change but he made up his mind that he would have to be patient.

His nails were no longer ugly, gnawed on stubs. He cleaned them often and trimmed his cuticles. In no time they started to look more respectable. Not yet long enough to look attractive, like girls' nails, but better.

He thought Friday night would never get there. Like the previous week he arrived at Beth's at 4:30.

By six he was saying hello to his adopted family as Cathy.

Craig remembered what he had brought to show Beth. Off to the side, he took out Katherine's license, he asked her if she thought he could get away with using it if he had to.

"Wash it."

"What do you mean, ‘wash it'?" He didn't understand.

"Run it through the laundry a half dozen times. It'll soak through and ruin it."

He didn't get it.

"When it's illegible, take it to Motor Vehicles and they'll give you a new one, with a new picture of Katherine on it. Your picture." It seemed simple enough to her.

"They'll do that? Won't they know she died?"

"They won't even check. They don't have any reason to. Besides, all you have to do is open your wallet and show them your Social Security Card and the other identification you have now."

"That's it?"

"That's it!" Beth thought a moment. "By the way, they're open on Saturday mornings."

Thank God, because he couldn't go in the middle of the week.

Sheri was there for dinner and he really enjoyed the feeling of sitting down with all of them. He got a lot of pleasure from helping ‘Mom' in the kitchen with dinner. She took an interest in him and wanted to know how he was doing. She offered an ear if he needed someone. She offered her love and asked nothing in return.

How strange, Craig thought to himself. He and his mom never really got along. He and Catherine were always fighting too. Here, with these wonderful people, it was so different. In the months since the accident, Craig had a lot of time to think and he dearly wished his relationship with his mother and sister had been different. He sincerely regretted all he'd put his mother through. He'd matured enough in that time to come to realize that part of his problem was that without a father around he had no one to confide his thoughts, his feelings to. Catherine had Mom but he had no one. He'd been jealous of their relationship and that manifested itself in his rebelling against them both. How stupid and cruel he'd been in acting the way he did. He'd only just begun to honestly reflect on his past relationships. Were they the reason he treated girls so badly? It had to be. What really seemed so strange now was it seemed he had been given another chance and he wanted to make the most of it, even under the current circumstances.

It seemed that Friday night was to become their shopping night. He'd be going to church with the Franklins on Sunday so he needed an outfit or a dress and shoes. Beth helped him pick out an appropriate dress. He also bought two new blouses and a skirt.

"You really should be careful with your money. Can you afford all this?" Beth asked.

He could. "After my dad left us, my mom worried that if anything did happen to her that my sister and I would have nothing. We had it rough for a while then she got a fairly decent job with G.E. and she took out a lot of insurance through the company. I didn't know it till she and Katherine died but she had two hundred and fifty thousand dollars worth of life insurance. Since her death was an accident, it paid double."

"Your mother left you a half a million dollars!?" Beth said in shock.

"Most of it's invested. I can't touch it until I'm twenty one but I've got enough in the bank to pay for school and to live on." The money was there but it didn't seem right to spend it needlessly. Now he had a reason.

Beth couldn't imagine what it would be like to have that much money and no one telling you how to spend it. "So Cathy, what else did you say you wanted to look at tonight?"

"I'd like to see if we can find a necklace to go with this dress and maybe a bracelet?" He suggested.

They spent Saturday with Diane and Sheri. It was actually a pleasure to help them clean, do laundry and all the little things that he'd wished he was able to do with his mom and sister when they were around.

Later in the morning, he and Beth took a ride. Not a question was asked at Motor Vehicle. He was nervous when he sat for the picture to be taken but he was thrilled when he walked out with his new ID.

"If you'll let me hang onto that till next Friday, I might be able to get someone I know to make you up an ID." Of course she meant one to show Cathy was at least twenty one. "Right now you've lost a year. How does it feel to be 19 again?"

Looking at the driver's license with his picture on it, he felt a little strange. "It's great to have something at last, in case I need it but it does feel funny, knowing it's really Catherine's."

Beth could understand how he'd feel that way.

They hurried home and got right back to the cleaning they'd promised to help with. That afternoon they all got together and made a fancy dinner for Mr. Franklin, Cathy's new adopted Dad. After the clean up, the five of them went to a movie.

It was fun to dress up for church on Sunday morning and go as a family. Mr. Franklin took them all out for dinner that night. Craig was sad as he changed to go back to his lonely dorm later that evening.

"So you'll come next weekend?" Beth asked as she soaked the adhesive holding the breast forms with a q-tip.

"It's all right I hope." Mom had invited him.

The breast form came loose suddenly and slid out of Beth's hand, sliding across his chest.

Craig winced.

"What's wrong?"

"I don't know." He touched his nipple gently. It was still tender to the touch, the way it had started to feel earlier in the week. "It's so sensitive."

"Maybe some of the adhesive got on it. It'll be all right by morning." That must be what it was, Beth thought to herself.

"I guess so." Something else occurred to him to ask. "Do you think the lotion's working?" He stroked his arm. "I don't see any difference."

Beth had noticed some improvement in his complexion. "You didn't need nearly as much foundation as you did." She looked at his shoulders and chest. "I think your skins gotten smoother. Your pores seem to be shrinking." He seemed concerned.

"Don't worry Cathy. These things take time." She leaned over and kissed his cheek. "I think you're beautiful."

Beth knew just how to get a smile out of him. "You're prejudice."

It was her turn to grin. "You bet your pretty little ass I am." With that she gave it a loving squeeze.

"Now you better get your clothes on, you ‘boy' you. What's a boy doing in my bedroom?" She said playfully.

It wasn't alright by morning. His nipples were even more sensitive. It sent chills through him even when his cotton shirt brushed against it.

By the following weekend the sensitivity of his nipples was driving Craig nuts. If it weren't for the breast forms covering them, he would have gone crazy. He was even considering going to a doctor. Then, over the next two or three days, the sensitivity seemed to ease up.

Diane had been concerned about Cathy. For the past few weekends she'd had to share Beth's bed and Diane wanted her not to feel like a guest in her house. She ought to have her own bed, her own room. It wasn't fair to the girl. She'd asked Bill, knowing he'd say go ahead, then cleaned out the spare bedroom she'd used as her sewing room. During the week she had it freshly painted. New curtains were hung on the windows and a new bedspread decorated the bed. The rest was already there, Sheri's old bedroom set. They'd bought her a new set just last year.

The weekend was great, despite the fact that he had to sneak over to Beth's bed after everyone went to sleep and than back to his own before morning.

Beth's closet and dresser were getting really packed, adding all of his new things to hers. So she was relieved when they moved everything over to his room. It would be a little awkward for them to sneak around at night but her mom's and dad' bedroom was on the other side of the house. It wouldn't be too difficult.

"Now that you have your own room Dear, there's no reason why you can't move in here instead of living in the dorms at school. I'm sure you'd be much more at home here with us." Diane was really sincere. She wanted Cathy there with her and Bill.

Craig didn't know what to say to her. As he did so often lately, he felt overcome with emotion and he started to cry. He felt happy, he found family than he adored. He'd found contentment, being accepted by these loving people, even if it was as a girl. He felt safe under their roof. Nothing could hurt him here. Still, he knew it would be impossible but how could he tell her no?

Diane was a little surprised when Cathy welled up with tears. A mother's instinct took over and she held her, comforting her. She was more sure now than ever that she had to help this sweet, sensitive girl. She needed a mother and Diane had plenty of love in her heart to spare for Cathy. She'd have three daughters instead of just two. The idea was as much Bill's as hers. When she told Bill how Cathy reacted to the offer he'd be pleased.

When he finally managed to collect himself enough to talk, he had to tell her something. "I'd really love to but I can't impose on you like that." It was weak and he knew it. Hadn't she already set aside a room in her house for him?

Diane made it very clear that she was no imposition.

He had to think up a reason why it was impossible for him to stay there during the week. "You and ‘Dad' are the most wonderful people and I really love how you treat me like one of the family. I've just had so much happening to me lately that I need to decide what I'm doing with my life." He sat at the kitchen table. He felt weak from the emotional drain he was experiencing. "I've been trying to become more independent since my mom and sister died and it's so hard. I really feel like I need to try to make it on my own for a while." He wasn't making excuses now, he was speaking from the heart. It was surprisingly how many submerged feelings seemed to be surfacing.

Diane understood. She would have preferred Cathy move in but she understood and respected her for her courage. She knelt down on the floor beside her and stroked her hair. "You come to me anytime Sweetheart. If you need someone to talk to or a shoulder to cry on, I'm here for you." She gave her the house key she'd had made for her, along with a card with the codes for the alarm system. "You come whenever you want. This is your home now too."

He'd been looking at the floor, trying to keep from crying again. He just couldn't hold it back anymore. He turned to her and put his arm around her shoulder and just let it go. "I love you." He managed to say between the sobs.

They did their Friday night thing, of course. Now that he had a place to keep his things, and he had the money to do it. Beth encouraged him to round out his limited wardrobe. Spring styles were starting to appear on the shelves but there was still quite a selection of fall and winter clothes.

Craig had lost his initial fear of ladies dressing rooms. He still had to be careful to keep doors closed and curtains pulled tight but it was no longer any big deal. He and Beth shopped till the stores closed that night. They couldn't possibly bring everything he bought into the house, past mom and dad, they'd certainly wonder. Beth had thought ahead and they'd bought him a full set of luggage. Saturday morning, they'd pretend to go over to the dorm and get some of his things that he didn't need during the week. All they had to do was put his purchases in the bags and carry them in and put them away.

Beth helped him organize his closet once they'd gotten everything inside and moved from her room. One the right side of the closet hung a dozen dresses. Next came blouses, a dozen and a half. Six skirts hung from hangers, next to his slacks and jeans. He had three pairs now. Beth talked him into only one pair of relaxed fit jeans. A dozen pairs of shoes lined his closet floor.

"It's a good start." Beth said smiling at him as she closed the closet door.

He was really happy with it all as he looked at the clothes and the room that was his now. He was still thinking about her mom and their talk earlier. Craig felt so guilty and ashamed for the lying to her about who and what he was. It was just that he was happier now than he'd been in years. At least he was on the weekends. It wasn't the first time he wondered what it could be like if he tried living as Cathy all the time? Then he'd come back to reality. This was all just a short lived thing. It had to be, didn't it?

Friday night, as they lay there in Beth's bed, just gently caressing each other, Beth commented on how silky smooth his arms and shoulders felt. "That lotion is finally working."

He'd even noticed a difference. "I like the way my face feels." He admitted.

"So do I." Beth said, snuggling close and nuzzling his neck.

They went to the game Saturday. Florida State finally had a home game. They didn't sit with the usual crowd. Beth and Christy were fighting quite a bit over the past few weeks. It was always about Cathy. Christy couldn't understand why she'd dumped Kevin and was spending so much time with the ‘pervert', as she referred to him. Beth was just tired of hearing it. As far as Kevin was concerned, he was too self centered and she'd lost interest when she had much better things to do. Beth was quite content with her Cathy.

Kim, on the other hand, felt much the same way about Cathy as she did. Not the physical attraction but she adored him for the way he was so much more comfortable with the feminine side of his personality. She'd do anything in the world for their Cathy and protect his secret.

It was so easy for him to be accepted by strangers now. His stomach had actually stopped doing flips each time he met someone new. Kim's friends were really nice. One of the couples she introduced Cathy and Beth to was married and another was engaged. The third had been going together for over a year. It was a lot different atmosphere with them than with his other friends who were pretty much unattached and free spirited. He enjoyed the company of these people. In an odd sort of way, he and Beth were a couple but they couldn't show that side of their relationship in front of others.

They went to Jenny's and Paul's house after the game. They were the married couple. They barbecued ribs and chicken.

Craig preferred helping out in the kitchen to sitting in the family room with Paul, Doug and Terry.

"So my sister tells me you're a Freshman Cathy. What's your major?" Tracy asked.

Craig liked Tracy. She had a great sense of humor. She'd spent most of the day picking on Doug, her fiancé. It was all in fun and Doug obviously knew that because he kidded her in return, just as unmercifully. They had a great relationship. "Business. I think I'd like to get into international trade." It was something that had always intrigued him.

"That's impressive. You'll be breaking new ground. There's not that many women in that field." Tracy was impressed. She had her doubts though. Cathy seemed to be such a quiet, shy person. She couldn't imagine how she could survive in a male dominated field such as international business.

Jenny had met Beth a few times and she liked her well enough but she thought Cathy was not only pretty, but a sweet girl. Her brother, Gary, had broken up with his girlfriend a month ago and she thought the two of them would make an adorable couple. Gary was a little shy, like her, but he had a heart of gold. "So Cathy, where's your boyfriend. Why didn't he come to the game with you?" It was just her subtle way of asking if she was seeing anyone.

Beth was chopping celery when the question was posed to Cathy. She knew what Jenny was doing.

She kept chopping but her protective reflex was charged. She waited to see how he reacted.

Craig was draining the noodles that would soon become macaroni salad. Jenny's question sort of caught him off guard. "I'm not seeing anyone right now." Thinking quickly, he added, "School doesn't leave me much time for dating."

Beth relaxed. He'd handled it fine. He was getting better at handling new situations and she was relieved.

Craig took a sip of the wine that stood in a goblet next to the sink. They opened a bottle when they started preparing the meal. He knew better than to sip too much. Since his tolerance toward alcohol had obviously diminished, he was particularly careful. He didn't want a repeat of what happened a few weekends ago.

Jenny was pleased to hear that. Perhaps there was a chance for Gary and her. She'd give this some thought, she decided.

"Smart girl Cathy, you're better off without them. Men aren't all they're cracked up to be." Meg was just kidding. She adored Terry and, as much trouble he occasionally was, she couldn't imagine being without him.

"Can't live with em . . . " Tracy added, laughing.

The guys did the barbequing, all of them standing around the grill with their beers while the girls finished getting the rest of the food on the table. They settled in the living room to wait for the ribs and chicken to be ready.

They talked about babies. Jenny was trying to get pregnant. That turned to discussion about all the different things she and Paul were trying to get her pregnant. Craig certainly felt out of place but he did enjoy being accepted by them all. It wasn't so hard to fit in.

"Cathy, what else do you do besides go to school and beat off the men?" Jenny wanted to learn with she could about her. The more she could tell Gary, the more likely he'd agree to some sort of date with her, if she arranged it carefully.

He thought a moment, for the appropriate response. "I love to shop." He knew he'd win friends with that pastime.

"Who doesn't?" Tracy agreed.

It seemed to Beth that Cathy could use some help. "I've been trying for weeks to find a formal dress to wear to a party next week and I'm just about fed up with what's in the stores. Can anyone tell me what's happened to fashions for young women?" She said with frustration.

Craig knew there was no party. Beth would have told her if there was. Wouldn't she?

The question launched a flurry of suggestions on where to shop, which led to a lengthy discussion about the ridiculous dresses the designers were coming out with. Beth succeeded. Within moments the guys called in and said they were ready to bring in the meat.

Dinner was pleasant. Craig was careful not forget his manners. Except for licking his fingers, covered with barbeque sauce. It was a little harder to get it out from under his nails after dinner.

It was great not to have to wear fake nails. His own had reached a respectable length. Not long enough that it drew attention to Craig at school, although he would have preferred to let them grow out a little longer. He had to be content to keep them trimmed to the tips of his fingers.

Craig had never played charades in his life. He played it that night for hours. He never had more fun. He didn't even mind when the guys teased him as he tried to act out his clues. Doug was the worst, naturally, and Craig wasn't sure how to handle himself with him at first. Finally, at one point during one of his turns, Doug was so bad that Craig just stopped with he was doing, turned to Doug with his hands on his hips and glared.

"I think you finally got to her." Paul said to Doug. "I think she'd going to belt you." It would have served him right.

"You better stop!" Craig said, trying to sound sincere but then he ruined it by cracking up. It was too funny.

Beth just sat back and enjoyed him. He'd taken another big step and was learning to deal with men the way a woman would.

Jenny thought to herself that Cathy finally showed some spunk. She was beginning to worry that she didn't have any, the way she'd been taking Doug's teasing and saying nothing. She was more sure than ever that she just had to get her and Gary together.

Craig was ok when he calmed down. He didn't mean to laugh but it just came out and they all laughed with him. The next time Doug made a wise crack at his expense he just leaned over and swatted him across the arm.

The guys all thought she was pretty neat. Cathy was young but she was also quite pretty. She had a good body too, curves in all the right places.

About eleven, after a very enjoyable evening, the three decided it was time to go.

"Why don't you join us next Saturday night?" Jenny asked Beth and Cathy. "Once a month we all get together and go out for dinner and do something afterwards. We always have a good time."

Kim had told Beth about their monthly night out. It was a couples thing so Beth assumed that meant bringing dates. Well, that was out of the question. There was another problem. Beth had a commitment next Saturday night that she had to keep. She hadn't told Craig about it yet. "Can we get back to you?"

The invitation was a surprise to Kim too. She knew it wouldn't work but Craig wasn't supposed to know she knew his secret. She couldn't very well say anything. She hadn't told Tracy about him. She wanted to see what her sister thought of Cathy, whether she'd be as charmed by him as she was. How could she betray him now?

He liked these people. Why couldn't the three of them go out to dinner with Jenny's group? Beth must have had a reason for putting Jenny off, he supposed.

Beth waited till they dropped Kim off. They'd talk later.

"Why didn't you tell them we'd go with them next week?" Craig asked as soon as they were alone.

Beth thought before she answered. "I wasn't sure how you felt about going out with them." That wasn't the whole truth.

"I like them. They're nice. Didn't you?" He thought she had a good time.

Should she tell him her concern? Save that for later, she told herself. She'd been telling him he'd have to learn to deal with men. He'd done so well with the guys tonight, why not let him have a taste of what it was like? What could happen? Kim would be there. She knew she'd look after him. "I thought they were terrific. It's just that I can't go."

"Why?" He didn't understand.

"The sorority's having their annual dinner next week and I have to go."

He didn't know. "Oh. Ok. Maybe we can go out with them another time." Now he understood. At least he thought he did. He'd made friends with a few of those girls. "It'll be fun to see them some of them again."

Now Beth felt really bad. "Cathy, I can't take you with me to the party. It's just for members," Now the awkward part. "and we have to bring dates."

Beth was planning on going to a party with someone else? With a guy? He felt a little hurt, a little jealous. "Who are you taking?" It really didn't matter. She was going out with someone other than him.

"Kevin." She admitted. "We made these plans a long time ago. I don't want to but I have no choice." She couldn't very well show up with Cathy as her date. As far as her sister's at the sorority knew, that prank she pulled a month ago was history. They had no idea Beth had developed the feelings she had for Craig and was still seeing him. They'd be appalled if they knew she was sleeping with him and helping him to become more and more the young woman that he'd pretended to be so convincingly.

It was after midnight when they got home.

Beth sat on his new bed as he got undressed. When he was ready, they'd go to her room. Beth still wasn't positive that Jenny was setting Cathy up for a date. He could go and have fun. "Why don't you go with Kim and the others next week?"

He'd been thinking about it. Why shouldn't he go if Beth was going out without him. One good reason was that he'd never gone anywhere without her. Did he have the confidence to go out alone? "I might."

It was cute, watching him wiggle out of his tight jeans, Beth thought, watching him. When he'd gotten them down to his ankles, he stood there with his back to her, in just his underwear. Beth noticed something she hadn't really noticed before. Did he always have such a skinny waist? She thought back to that first time she met him. Did he seem skinnier now or did his hips seem wider to her.? "You're not still losing weight are you?" When he got down to 115 pounds they decided he needed to stop and try to stay there.

Funny she should say that. "Actually, I think I've gained a couple of pounds." He weighed himself before he left the dorm on Friday.

"I think I see where." Beth said, putting her hands to her hips. It seemed a little odd to her that he'd gain weight there but it did give him a more girlish figure. "You be careful you don't put on any more or you're clothes won't fit you."

He went to the mirror. Beth was right. His hips were a little wider. He didn't ever remember them being that wide. At least he hadn't gained around his waist. That was his biggest concern. He'd always believed girls should have a narrow waist and he was proud of how he'd gotten his so slender. "I've been doing my exercises regularly."

"Make sure you keep it up. You don't want to get fat." The exercises she set him up with we designed to give him more flexibility more than anything. Of course, she did give him a few to firm and shape him up in all the right places. She gave him several to do just to give his bottom a lift. Those seemed to be working pretty well. "I think you look great. I can see the difference they've made."

It didn't take him long to get ready for bed. When he was finished getting his make up off and rolling his hair, Beth helped him by rubbing his back with their special lotion. What a difference it was making for his skin. "You're skin's getting so soft." She kissed him between his shoulder blades.

Beth took no time at all getting ready for bed. They were very quiet, so as not to disturb anyone in the house. They slid under the sheets together. Later, he'd have to slip out of her room and back to his own bed.

He was still apologizing the next morning as he got ready for church. "It's just never happened to me before."

Beth was still insisting it was all right. "I told you it's all right. It happens once in a while. Don't worry. I still love it." It didn't matter. "I'd still prefer making love with you than with . . . than with anyone I've ever been with." Beth caught herself. She almost said she found sex with him better than with a man. So he couldn't get an erection last night. He still gave her three or four orgasms and the intimacy they shared before and after was wonderful. It was better than any sex she'd ever had with any guy. She just felt bad that he didn't enjoy it as much. He was so limp. She did try everything to get him an erection.

He wanted to believe her. "You sure?"

"Absolutely. Now stop worrying and finished getting dressed."

The temperatures had dropped that week and it was actually quite chilly. The cool weather was late coming to north Florida that year but it was in the low fifty's outside that Sunday morning. The air was crisp and the sky was blue. It was a beautiful morning.

He'd bought a three-piece outfit the other night and he was wearing it to church that morning. It consisted of a black wool blend slim skirt, a teal, jacquard lace, stretch polyester tank top and a matching, multi colored plaid jacket. The tank top had a scooped neckline. It was the lowest cut top he'd bought but he tried it on in the store and it wasn't cut too low for him.

His new heels had a gold trimmed bows on the toes that went well with the gold buckle on his wide belt. He had on his delicate gold bracelet. The one that matched the unique double heart pendant that hung from the fine necklace around his neck. The pendant had one small round diamond set in the center. He just had to buy it when he saw it in the store. The final touch was his new pair of small gold teardrop earrings. He turned to Beth and asked, "How do I look?"

He looked so pretty with his black bow in his hair and those soft thick curls on his shoulders. "You look beautiful." She told him with a smile. Amazing, she thought to herself with pride. "They're waiting for us downstairs. We better get going."

Everyone commented on how nice he looked. Sheri jokingly told him she was jealous of how pretty he was. He appreciated that. Sheri was like a little sister to him. Of course, according to the license in his wallet, they were nearly the same age. Hidden behind his license now was another that said he was twenty-one. Beth had given it to him when he got to the house Friday. It certainly looked real. Now he didn't have to worry about getting proofed. He really appreciated that and almost couldn't wait to use it. It was one of the reasons he was considering going out with Jenny's crowd next week.

Going to church, getting up and singing with the congregation no longer scared him. It was second nature to him now to talk, laugh and even sing in Cathy's tone of voice. It was during the week that he had problems now. He was in class last Thursday and he was asked a question. He actually replied to the teacher as Cathy. Everyone turned and looked at him. Craig quickly cleared his throat, pretending he had something in it, but it was too late. It bothered him at first but he decided what the hell, no one talked to him much these days anyway. What did he care what they thought?

Sunday, being the Franklins' family day that it was, Diane's mother and father, Beth and Sheri's grandparents, were coming for dinner. An occasion that took place infrequently. After church they went right home to finish tidying the house and to start dinner. Everyone stayed dressed up.

Craig had just finished dusting the living room. Sheri and Beth were in charge of the dining room and setting the table. He went into the kitchen to put away the polish and ask what else he could do to help.

"I forgot a few things at the store that I need for dinner at the store. Would you be a sweetheart and take a ride to Publix for me?" Diane handed Cathy the short list.

It took him completely by surprise. She wanted him to go to the store, by himself. He took a deep breath and said, "Sure. I'll be happy to."

Beth saw him come downstairs with his jacket on and his purse on his shoulder. "Where are you going?" She whispered.

Feeling very nervous, he replied in low tones, "Mom asked be to get a few things at the store."

"You want me to go?" It was obvious he was nervous.

He'd made up his mind that he could do this. Sooner or later he'd have to. Especially if he was going to summon his courage and go out next weekend without her. "No, I can do this." He replied bravely.

Beth was a little surprised at him. Pleased, but surprised. "Just be careful."

That was foremost on his mind as he slid in behind the wheel of his car in a ladylike fashion. Setting his purse on the seat beside him, he put the key in the ignition and started the car. He didn't even get out of the driveway before he took off his heels. Driving in heels wasn't as easy as Beth made it appear.

At the first red light he came to he remembered not to pull up right next to the car beside him. He hung back a little, making it very difficult for the man behind the wheel to look directly over at him. Beth had taught him that trick and he was glad she had. At the next light was a convertible with two young guys inside. Craig hung back.

The store was fairly crowded as he pushed his cart up and down the isles, looking for the items on mom's list. He was doing alright finding everything in the unfamiliar store. He smiled at some of the ladies he passed and they smiled back. He ignored the few men pushing carts down the isles, avoiding eye contact.

He was searching the soup section for mushroom soup when a voice behind him asked, "Do you know where they hide the stewed tomatoes?"

Craig turned to face a young man in his mid twenties. He looked like he just came from church too, still dressed in a suit. By his friend's standards, he was a good-looking guy. "I think I passed them in the next isle." Craig replied with a little quiver in his voice.

Robert decided he just had to find a way to break the ice. She was too pretty to let get away. "Thanks, I really appreciate your help." With step one complete, he turned around and went around the corner to the next isle. He'd be waiting for her at the end of the soup isle.

He wished his voice hadn't quivered, making him sound scared, insecure. Craig was relieved he left and didn't start anything. Finding his mushroom soup, he moved on.

He timed it perfectly. "I seem to keep running into you." He said with his best smile as he almost ran into the young woman.

"Yes you do." Craig had to say something, didn't he?

"It's usually not this crowded this time of day, especially on Sundays." Robert walked along pushing his cart beside hers, down the next isle.

So? He said to himself.

She wasn't going to be easy. That was fine with him. "My name's Robert."

"I'm Cathy." Craig replied, not wasting words or encouraging him. At least he thought he wasn't.

Second step successful. He knew her name. "My sister's name is Cathy. It's a pretty name."

Keep the conversation going.

"Is it?" Why wouldn't he go away and leave him alone?

"Shopping for Sunday dinner?" He asked. That wasn't a wedding ring she wore on her ring finger.

Bob saw no engagement ring either.

"Yes." He was getting annoying. Craig turned at the end of the isle and headed down the next. He was right behind him.

Robert checked her cart. He wasn't doing too well with her. He had to find a different ploy. "I always use vegetable oil for cooking. I see you buy olive oil. You like the way food tastes with that." It was lame but he was running out of ideas.

"I don't cook much. My mother prefers olive oil." Craig said, kind of over his shoulder.

She's unattached and lives at home. Great! "Maybe you'd let me cook you a meal sometime? I really am a pretty good cook." Robert knew that women like men that cook.

Craig couldn't believe that this guy actually wanted to pick him up. Did he really look that good? "I don't think so."

"Believe me, you wouldn't be disappointed. Unless there's a boyfriend?" What else could it be?

He was really getting annoying. On the other hand, his persistence did a lot for Craig's ego. The guy thought he was attractive enough to make a fool of himself over. He summoned his courage, stopped in the middle of the isle and looked right at him. "Robert, I'm sorry. You may be a great cook but I'm not about to agree to have dinner with you."

At least he got her to look at him. "Why not?"

Unbelievable! "I don't know you." This was unbelievable. He was getting hit on by a guy and he wasn't running scared down the isle.

"Give me a chance. If you don't want to sample my cooking, let me take you out for dinner." She wasn't telling him to get lost. She hadn't slapped his face. "I'm really a pretty nice guy and I promise, I don't bite."

"You're very persistent." Craig was beginning to think the whole thing was quite comical.

"I think you might be worth it." Compliment them. Women love compliments.

He wanted to ask, ‘why'. But he wasn't that brave.

She didn't say anything right back. This was good. "Look Cathy, let me buy you a soda and we'll talk.

You seem very nice and I'd like to get to know you better. There's a place right next to us here where we could sit outside and enjoy the weather." Make it totally innocent. A soda and some casual conversation in a very public place in broad daylight. What could be more innocent than that? He really wanted to get to know this one. Something about her intrigued him. She was really pretty and, unlike most pretty girls, she seemed shy, a little unsure of herself. That really intrigued him.

That was enough. "I'm sorry Robert. My family's waiting for me to bring these things home so they can finish dinner. I can't."

"All right, another time then Cathy." She was obviously not going to give him her number so he'd give her his. "Here." He held out his business card.

Craig took it. He had to. He had to take it home as proof that a guy tried to pick him up. Beth just wouldn't believe him. He tucked it into the side pocket of his purse. "It was nice to meet you Robert." He gave his cart a push and started down the isle.

Robert followed her to the end of the isle. "I'll be waiting to hear from you Cathy."

"Bye." Craig looked back and said with a smile. He'd throw the card away, of course. It had just been such a boost to think that some guy found him so attractive.

He was still smiling when he walked out the door with his bags of groceries. He couldn't wait to get home and tell Beth.

Mom's parents were really nice. Grandma Byrne was really sweet to him. It was obvious that Diane hand told them all about him because she knew he lived there on weekends and had his own room. She was the typical grandma type and just had to sit down with the girls and had to know everything they'd been doing since the last time she'd seen them. Craig was instantly accepted as one of her ‘girls' and she had a hundred questions for him too. He managed without having to make up too many stories.

Grandpa Byrne was quite a character. He was something of a tease. He seemed to love nothing better than to give his grandchildren the business. He handed out equal shares to all three of them.

They left after dessert, around nine. They had about an hour's drive home.

"What did you do?" Beth wanted to hear every word the guy said to him when Craig told her what happened at the grocery store that morning.

Craig had to wait until bedtime to tell Beth what happened at the store. It killed him to wait but they never had a chance to be alone. He embellished a bit, making himself sound a little more brazen than he really was.

Beth looked at the card in her hand again. Robert Himes. He was a district salesman for local company. It figured it would be some salesman, Beth thought to herself. The nerve of the guy. "And you weren't afraid?"

"I was a first but he was so persistent. I guess I just said all the right things." He was proud of himself now.

"And some of the wrong things." Beth cautioned him. "You really shouldn't play with guys that way. You don't know what could happen." There was so much he didn't know. "He could have been waiting for you outside."

"It was the middle of the day. What could he do?" He did understand why she was so worried.

"It doesn't matter. There's too many weirdos out there Cathy. You have to learn not to talk to strangers. You're used to looking at life as a guy. It's not the same for us, for you, anymore. You have so many new things to learn about how women have to be careful." She knew it was time to begin his education. He was getting comfortable with being accepted as a woman and it was time.

They talked till midnight when they felt it was safe for him to make his transition back to Craig, the young man. Beth soaked off the first breast. When she was cleaning off the left over adhesive, she noticed something. "Have they been bothering you again?" She asked.

"No. Why?"

She didn't want to touch his nipple, worried that it might be sensitive. It looked enlarged a bit. Not just the nipple but the surrounding pink skin. "It just looks a little swollen around it. Maybe it's just irritated from the adhesive."

The other looked the same when she got off the other breast. "May I touch it?" Beth asked. It was funny she asked. She was intimately familiar with every part of his body. "Of course."

Beth was gentle at first, afraid he'd flinch at her touch. He didn't. Both his nipples were noticeably enlarged. As was the surrounding area. There seemed to be swelling beneath too. Beth, very gently, squeezed the skin around one. There was soft resistance. Like something under the skin. It concerned her a little. This was something to keep an eye on, she decided. Not to worry him, she said, "It's nothing. It must be from the adhesive. I'll find you something less irritating before next weekend."

If she wasn't worried, Craig decided he didn't need to either.

As always, he dreaded going home to the dorm. It was like going to prison.

Craig was having a harder and harder time making the transition back and forth. Beth was always right there if he made the occasional slip on the weekends, as Cathy, but those instances were rare. During the week it was different. No one was there to point out his slipups. He'd sit wrong and not realize it. He'd forget himself and talk like Cathy. He's even catch himself walking across the commons with a feminine stride. He knew people saw him and it was embarrassing.

He saw Sheri and Amy a few times and they actually spoke. On weekends, they were the closest of friends, living under the same roof. During the week he had to pretend he hardly knew them. That was really hard.

After talking to him about it both Monday and Tuesday nights, Beth told Kim on Wednesday than Cathy would be going out with her and the others Saturday. "Just take care of him, please!"

Of course she would. "It's going to be awkward, with him thinking I don't know about him." Kim had heard through Traci that Jenny was inviting her brother to go along. "I'm almost positive she's setting him up with her brother."

That didn't surprise her. "I don't like this but Cathy insists on going."

"Are you going to tell him about Jenny's brother?" Kim thought she should.

"I don't think so. We've been talking about how he needs to learn to deal with men and this is a perfect opportunity for him to learn."

"You don't think he'll panic?" Kim worried.

Beth proceeded to tell her about what happened to him at the supermarket on Sunday, how he handled himself and how he said he enjoyed playing the game with the guy.

Kim was a little surprised. "It's hard to imagine. Cathy's so shy."

"He's a little more at ease with Cathy each week. He's really doing well. I just wish we could tell him you and a couple of the others know about him." But Beth knew that probably wouldn't be wise right now. He was in an emotional state and she didn't think he'd handle it too well.

Craig didn't go out any more than necessary that week. He had his homework. He exercised sometimes twice a day, giving himself his skin treatments after each session.

Craig checked his chest, his nipples, each day to see if the swelling was going away, it wasn't.

By Wednesday, he decided it was getting worse. Squeezing first one side then the other, he was sure his chest felt more fleshy than it used to. There was an area under his nipples that felt a little hard. Like he had a growth under them. He didn't want to panic over nothing and as much as he didn't want to, if it wasn't better by the weekend, he was going to the doctor next week.

They hardly talked anymore, which was awkward, considering they shared a room. When they did, it always ended in a fight. Beth was seriously considering moving back home next semester.

"So how's your sweet little Cathy doing?" Christy asked as Beth put her things down when she walked in from work. She'd gotten in earlier and was studying.

Beth wished she'd just leave it alone. "Fine."

"I saw him on campus yesterday. It looks like that lotion is doing miracles for his complexion." She was just making small talk. She was dying to ask more about him. Pam said he should be experiencing a lot of changes by now. She wondered if he was growing breasts yet. She'd have given anything to spend some time with him, see him naked.

There was no reason to respond to her. Beth knew where it would lead and she was too tired to get into it with her again. It did surprise her a little that Christy asked though. Was there something behind the question? Did Christy know something about what was happening to Craig? She mentioned the lotion. That couldn't have anything to do with what he was experiencing, could it? It was supposed to be laced with hormones but he wasn't ingesting it. Still, could that be doing this to him? It was possible, she supposed.

Beth agreed when they talked only an hour earlier about seeing a doctor. His symptoms were really starting to worry her. She insisted that he stop using his lotion immediately. That had to be what was causing it.

Besides his chest being swollen and apparently irritated, there were other things. The way he seemed to be fleshing out on his hips and behind. It wasn't just his exercising that caused the change. It couldn't be. It also bothered her that he was unable to get an erection, no matter what she did to him. Then there were the sporadic rushes of emotions he seemed to be experiencing, his crying at the drip of a hat.

Each of these things by themselves wouldn't have worried her, but combined, it gave her pause for thought. It was too coincidental.

Beth was very anxious for him to arrive Friday afternoon. She couldn't wait to get him undressed.

"How are you feeling?" She'd talked to him Thursday and it was worse, if anything.

Craig unbuttoned his shirt, exposing his chest.

"Oh my!" Beth couldn't help it. She wished she hadn't reacted the way she did. Craig was worried enough already. There was no mistaking it. His nipples were twice the size they were last weekend. So was the surrounding pink flesh. More than that, he had the breasts of a girl in the midst of puberty. They weren't pronounced by any means but there was no mistaking it. At the rate he seemed to be changing, in a week or two he would have a completely feminine chest. "We're definitely going to get you a doctor's appointment." Beth went straight to the phone list down in the kitchen, where they kept the numbers for the family's doctors. The only question was, which one should she take him to? Her dad's G.P. or her Gynecologist? Neither, she decided. It would take forever to get an appointment and they didn't have that much time. "Don't change." Beth turned to him and said. "Get your coat. We're going to the emergency room right now."

They prodded and probed. They took blood. They asked him all kinds of questions about his diet, if he was taking any medications. Beth was with him the whole time. She told the doctor about his mood swings. It was obviously a hormonal imbalance, but they couldn't come up with any explanation for why this was happening to him.

He and Beth had talked on the way to the hospital about the lotion he'd been using. They agreed not to say anything about his using it to them. It would be too hard to explain.

"It's the only thing that makes sense." They agreed. He wouldn't use the lotion anymore. The blood tests would be back early next week and they'd know for sure but everything they learned pointed to the lotion.

Beth felt terrible. She was the one who gave it to him, who encouraged him to use it.

"It's not like you meant this to happen." Craig insisted. Beth wouldn't intentionally do this to him. He was absolutely sure of that. "I'm not mad at you Beth."

Craig was worried though. The doctor said one of the things that could happen was that his penis and testicles could shrink up over time. He hadn't wanted to acknowledge it but they already felt smaller, even softer to him. He hadn't mentioned that to Beth. It was too embarrassing.

The doctor told them that if the blood tests came back showing unusual levels of female hormones, as he suspected they would, he would try combating it with Testosterone. He also said it was extremely difficult to control an imbalance of this sort, since female hormones generally dominate male hormones. Finding just the right balance would take time and a great deal of patience on Craig's part. It was even possible, actually it was very likely, that things would get worse before they got better, and that could take months.

They were at the hospital for almost two hours and it seemed they accomplished nothing. There was nothing to do but go home. "What am I going to do?" Craig looked down at the small protrusions on his chest.

Beth felt so sorry for him. She tried to sound encouraging. "Now that you've stopped using the lotion you should be fine. They'll give you male hormones and you'll be fine."

"You really think it was the lotion?"

"What else could it be?" Beth had her doubts but she didn't want to depress him any more than he already was. Something the doctor said still bothered her.

It was about seven when Beth turned onto her street and saw her parent's cars in the driveway. She kept going, past the house.

Craig thought he should just go back to the dorm.

He'd parked in back, the way he always did. Her parents' cars were in the driveway. He was blocked in. "Mom and Dad already know we're together." Beth had called them from the hospital, so they wouldn't worry about them. She told them they were getting something to eat out and that they'd be home later. "They're expecting us to come home together."

"How can we do that? I don't have anything to wear and there's no where for me to shower and change." He had to wash the gel out of his hair. He used so much styling gel to get his hair to lay flat. He had to wash it out.

Beth thought about it and she could only come up with one answer. "Let me make a phone call."

He had no idea who she was calling. He waited in the car while she used a phone booth to make a call.

She hung up but didn't come back to the car. A moment later he heard the pay phone ring and she picked it up.

"Alright, we're all set." Beth told him as she slipped back in behind the wheel.

"Who was that? Who'd you call?"

"Kim." Beth replied. Maybe it wasn't the best time to tell him the truth, with everything else he had on his mind but she felt she didn't have much choice. "We're going to get you something to wear and go over her parent's and change."

How could they do that? He started to panic. "She'll know."

This wasn't easy for Beth. Hesitantly, she said, "She already does Cathy."

Beth sat there in the convenience store parking lot and told him everything. He was upset at first. "So this has all been a big joke!"

"Not for me." Beth insisted earnestly. "I love you. You can't believe that everything we've shared was all just a joke to me. I've given up friends for you. I gave up Kevin because of how I feel about you." She was starting to cry.

He wanted to believe in Beth. More than anything he wanted to believe her. She couldn't lie to him about that. They'd been sleeping together for weeks. The intimacies they'd shared, those moments couldn't be lies. He believed that because he wanted to. He believed in her.

It was the others that bothered him. "Everyone else must be getting quite a laugh. They must think I'm a freak, a queer or something."

"You're wrong. They love Cathy to death." Almost everyone did anyway.

"Why should they?"

"Don't you know? When you're Cathy, you're the kindest, sweetest, most sensitive person they know."

Did they really feel that way? Craig thought about the way he and Sheri and Amy got along now. At Beth's, Sheri never teased him or made snide remarks. She only had nice things to say about him, about the way he looked. Craig hadn't forgotten the many times they just talked, like normal people. On campus, they could have made his life hell, they didn't. Neither of them.

He thought about last weekend when they were with Kim and how she treated him. There was no way that her sister Traci could have known who he really was, or the others there. She didn't even tell her own sister.

He was quiet. Beth could almost see the wheels turning. "Cathy, everyone thinks you're wonderful and they want to help you be happy. They know, they can tell that when you're Cathy you seem so at peace with yourself. They only want to help." It was true, except maybe for Christy, and Beth wasn't so sure about Pam any more either.

"What am I going to do?"

Beth knew what he should do but only he could make that decision. She could continue to encourage him though. "Mom's expecting the two of us back at the house tonight. I think that's where we should go."

"I can't go in there like this." God! He couldn't let her find out. Craig had found something he'd lost when he was accepted by Beth's family. He'd found the love he'd never known when his mother was alive. Could he give that up?

Beth felt relieved. He could have made the decision to give her up, give Cathy up, and go back to the dorm and try to become the person he was when she met him. There were still things to work out but he seemed willing to try. "I want to go to the mall and get you something to wear. Then well go to Kim's and you can change."

He wasn't sure he could look Kim in the face but it was the only way he could go back to Beth's house.

Craig waited in the car while she went inside. He closed his eyes and contemplated his predicament.

Beth flew through Burdines, grabbing what she thought she needed. It took her a few minutes to pick out a bra. There were no breast forms at Kim's and she had to figure out something else to do.

She plopped down behind the wheel, having thrown the bags in the back seat. "I think I got everything. Are you alright?"

"I think so." Craig said with only slight hesitation.

Kim raced home to wait for them. She knew Beth was telling him the truth about everything. She was so worried about him, about Cathy. She knew it would be a sin if Craig let go of that side of him he'd only just discovered. She was nervous about what she'd say to him when he got there, if he came at all. She prayed he would.

It was almost nine when she heard the car pull into the driveway. Don't seem too anxious, she tried to tell herself. Kim stood in the living room and watched through the windows as the two of them come across the front of the house to the steps. She'd never seen him like this before. How strange he looked. How could Beth's sister ever have found him attractive? Craig was cheated at birth, he should have been born a female.

Craig was actually shaking as Beth knocked on Kim's front door.

"Hi you two. Come in." Kim said, swinging the front door open. Be cheerful, she told herself.

It was such an awkward moment for everyone.

Beth waited for Kim to say something. Neither Kim nor Greg knew what to say. Beth couldn't stand it anymore. "Kim, Cathy needs to shower and wash her hair. Can she use your bathroom?"

It was ok before but why bother with the pretense if Kim knew, Craig thought to himself. It was Beth so he didn't correct her.

Kim was quick to respond. "Of course she can." She turned to the boy, standing there with his head lowered, looking at the floor and her heart went out to him. Dropping her bubbly facade, she went over to him. "Can you ever forgive me?"

Craig couldn't look her in the eye. Forgive her?

"Cathy, I'm so sorry." Kim said with true remorse.

"Craig." He whispered, correcting her. He was ashamed.

Kim heard him. She looked at Beth asking with her expression, what should I do?

Beth nodded to her to go assure him.

Kim walked over to him but didn't reach out. She wanted to hug him but didn't know if her familiarity would be accepted. "I know that in your heart lives a beautiful young woman named Cathy." She spoke with candor. "I've watched that woman. I've seen her grow and flower. I know it would be a sin if you denied that person inside that's trying to come out."

Her sincerity touched something inside him. He looked over at her. "Do you really mean that?"

Kim reached out and took his hand in hers. "With all my heart and I'll do anything I can to help you, to help Cathy to come to terms with her femininity."

Craig looked over at Beth as Kim held his hand. His eyes were misting over again. He was going to cry.

"I pray you believe me now. The others feel the same way." Beth assured him. "You have nothing to fear or be ashamed of."

A tear ran down his cheek. "I don't . . . " He started to sob.

Kim put her arm around him.

"I don't . . . I don't know what to . . . What to say."

Beth put her arm around him too. "Let it out Sweetheart."

A few minutes later, when he was calmer, Kim took him upstairs and showed him where the bathroom was. Her hair dryer and curling iron were under the sink, she showed him where.

They put the packages they'd brought on Kim's bed. Beth laid out the cosmetics she'd gotten for him on Kim's dresser. She let him know they were there. They went downstairs to give him a little privacy.

"What's he going to do?"

"We haven't talked about that yet. One thing at a time." Beth knew what she hoped he'd do. "He's kind of in a predicament." She hadn't told anyone about what was happening to him. After what they'd done to him, it was time that he make his own decisions about who knew what.

"He sure is."

There was one thing she did have to do. "I need to use the phone."

Wearing the robe Kim loaned him, he did his hair and put on his makeup. He felt very uncomfortable about doing it there, in Kim's house, with her knowing the truth about him. The way she poured her heart out to him was the only thing that made it possible for him.

"Shouldn't you go up and help him get dressed?" Kim asked after a while.

"Cathy knows what she's doing. She'll call if she needs anything." She assured her, correcting her reference to ‘him'. He needed to do this alone, Beth decided.

Craig dumped out the packages on the bed. Beth had bought him underwear, a pair of blue stirrup pants, a matching print sweater and a pair of black flats. What was missing were the breast forms. He stepped into the panties then picked up the bra that fell out of the bag. It wasn't like the ones he'd worn before. It was heavily padded and it was an underwire. He'd seen them in the stores. He assumed, that with the way his chest had changed, Beth must have thought this would do.

He knew what he was doing when he hooked the fastener in front, around his waist, then spun it around and put his arms through the straps and pulled it up where it belonged. Craig realized why Beth bought that particular bra. While he didn't quite fill it, the underwire and padding shaped his small breasts into something more realistic than breast forms. While it scared him to have feminine breasts it was nice to know he didn't have to have those things glued to his chest anymore.

The stirrup pants fit fine and the sweater was no problem. It was baggy and Craig understood why she bought if for him. I didn't define his chest and as far as anyone was going to be able to tell, he looked no different, no smaller than he did with the breast forms. The black flats fit just right and were actually quite comfortable. He wasn't sure what to do with the package of shoulder pads on the bed. The sweater already had them. He left them there.

He already guessed what the last bag on the bed held, as small as it was. Craig had a half dozen pairs of earrings back at Beth's but he didn't have a pair of 1" hoops. Now he did and they looked nice on him when he checked himself in the mirror. As a matter of fact, he felt really good about the entire outfit, looking at the pretty girl in the mirror.

It was time to go downstairs. Craig really wished that Kim hadn't seen him earlier, as himself. He felt funny about her seeing him that way. At the top of the stairs he called down to Beth. "Would you come up a minute?"

Beth was up the stairs in an instant. She wanted to tell him how great he looked. "Everything all right?"

"I think so. Do I look ok?" He wanted her approval. He needed it.

How sweet, she thought to herself. He was going to be fine. Cathy was going to be fine. "You look lovely Cathy. I saw that combination in the store and I knew it would look wonderful on you."

She did notice that his chest looked too small. "Didn't you put the extra padding in your bra?"

Extra padding? "What padding?"

Beth smiled and took his hand, leading him back to Kim's bedroom. Where she filled out the bra with the shoulder pads. "There, that's better." Now he filled out the bra better.

"Are you ready to go downstairs?" Beth asked.

He was nervous. "I think so."

No more surprises. "I called Sheri and Hayley. I asked them to come over. Sheri picked up Amy on the way."

Craig stepped back from the door. "Why?"

"I don't want you to have any more doubt. Not about yourself or your friends. I told you they all adore Cathy and I thought there was no better time to prove it."

"You didn't tell them . . . ? Kim doesn't know?"

"I didn't say anything about a hormone problem, if that's what you mean." Beth kept to her word.

"It's up to you what you decided to tell them. Sheri's going to notice something, sooner or later. I think we should tell her soon but it's up to you."

He believed her. "Not right now." Craig didn't know how he'd broach that subject but Beth was probably right. He couldn't live in the same house with her without her realizing. He'd been cautious up to now but that couldn't last.

"Come on." Beth reached out her hand to him.

Craig took it and nervously walked down the stairs beside her to confront the others.

They stayed close to home most of the day Saturday. Mom and Dad had gone off for the day. He was playing golf with clients and wouldn't be home till late that afternoon. Diane's boss asked her to work.

Craig had finished his chores early. Each of them had household tasks assigned to them. Diane told him he didn't have to do any but he insisted. It made him feel more like part of the family and it lightened Beth's and Sheri's load.

"You know you don't have to go." Beth told him as she was doing her hair up for the party.

He sat on the bed watching her. He was already ready. "I know I don't but it might be fun." He did enjoy their company and Kim would be there. Craig wasn't so sure about driving himself but Beth's logic had made sense. "If you're not comfortable, you can just leave."

Should she tell him her suspicions about Jenny, about her possibly setting him up for a blind date. Craig had been through so much already this weekend. She had time before Kevin was due to pick her up. All she had to do was finish her hair and put on her dress. Beth sat on the edge of the bed beside him. "I'm a little worried about you tonight."

"Should I change?" He thought she liked him in the red button down sweater and the pleated Glenn plaid skirt. He was a little concerned about how short his skirt was.

"No Sweetheart, it's not that. You look terrific." He really did. "I'm worried about you going alone."

She wasn't sure how to say it.

"Kim's going to be there." He reminded her.

Just say it, she told herself. "I've got a feeling that Jenny's going to set you up with a blind date."

"Oh!" That thought disturbed him.

"Some of the things she said last Saturday make me think she's got something in mind." She didn't expect him to pick up on it. He still had so much to learn.

"That's why you wanted me to drive myself."

"That's the main reason, yes." He wasn't as upset as she thought he'd be.

Craig's thoughts went back to last weekend and his encounter in the supermarket. It had been fun to see how far he could go with Robert. He'd only just been looking at the young man's business card in his purse that morning and laughed to himself about it. How different could it be to go out to dinner with someone. Especially with people he knew. Kim would be there if he got himself in trouble. He wouldn't, of course. Like Beth said, he could always just get up and leave. "I think I'll go. I'll be careful."

Now Beth started to worry. "Are you sure?"

He told himself he was. "Yes. Kim will be there with me."

"Ok, if you're sure. You remember what we talked about last weekend, about not giving the wrong signals to men?" They'd had a very long talk about it. Beth cautioned him about what not to do, how not to give a guy the wrong signals.

"I remember." The more he thought about it the more exciting it seemed to him. Craig almost hoped that Beth was right about Jenny setting him up. He could have fun with it. He started thinking about how he could make a great entrance in the restaurant. He did look pretty hot in his outfit, wearing the black pantyhose. Beth said he should wear his black flats and not heels. He wondered if he wouldn't look sexier in heels.

Beth wished now that she could get out of going to the party. She worried about Craig. There was something left of the brazen personality that was once the young man's. She hoped that side of him didn't surface tonight. Beth got up and went back to doing her hair.

Craig sat there watching her but his thoughts were elsewhere.

"Would you zip me?" Beth asked when she stepped into her new dress and pulled it up.

She didn't have to ask. He'd already gotten up to help. He stepped back after and just stared. Her party dress intrigued him. It was too low cut for him to even consider wearing but he still wondered how it would look on him. "You look so beautiful. I wish I was going with you instead of Kevin." He'd never met Kevin but he didn't like him.

Beth turned to him. Craig was jealous. How sweet. "I wish you were too."

He'd never seen her with her hair up. She looked so elegant. Could he achieve that look he wondered?

"Would you show me how to fix my hair like that sometime?"

"Of course. Tomorrow we'll experiment with you." All that worry about him giving up Cathy. All for nothing. She was so relieved.

Kevin was late, but he was always late. He had no idea who Cathy was or that she was really a ‘he', the he that she'd told Kevin about playing the prank on. Still, they both thought it wise if he didn't see him.

Craig watched from his bedroom window upstairs as the guy escorted Beth to his car and put her in like a gentleman. How classy Beth was, he thought to himself as he let the curtain close.

He'd felt braver when Beth was with him. It was time for him to go or he would be more than fashionably late.

Craig wanted to find a parking spot close to the entrance but the place was packed. He had to walk quite a way. People were standing on the porch of the restaurant, having drinks. He had to walk right through them. Most were families but there were a few young couples and some of the guys turned to look at the young woman who worked her way through the crowd to get to the door.

Craig didn't see any faces he recognized in the lobby either. He had a number of eyes turn his way that he didn't know. He approached the hostess. "I'm looking for the Wagner party." The girl looked down her list. "There's a Wagner party of ten in the back bar?" She pointed to a door in the rear of the dining room.

Kim was convinced that Cathy wasn't coming. He was already late. Poor Gary was looking so forlorn. When she got there with Jeff, she found out that Beth had been right about Jenny setting Cathy up with a date, her brother, Gary.

Gary was quite a good looking young man. He was a prep but not full of himself like so many good-looking preppie guys. He was well dressed, polite and while he was sort of quiet, he was personable. Kim had decided he'd be a great catch for any girl, even her if she wasn't so crazy about Jeff. She had no idea what would happen if Cathy did show but she'd do her best to make sure it wouldn't be a disaster.

Craig stepped through the door and looked around. There, on his left, along a row of windows, he spotted them at a couple of tables that had been pulled together. He took a deep breath and started in their direction.

Jenny had been watching anxiously for Cathy. She nudged Gary. "There she is. See, I didn't lie to you.

Isn't she a doll?"

Gary looked and had to agree. "You didn't lie Sis." She really was cute.

"Hi all." Craig said meekly. He looked to Kim and, with a smile said, "I guess I made it."

Kim knew what he meant. "I'm really glad you did." She supposed it was up to her to do the introductions. "Cathy, this is Jeff." Craig had heard her talk about him so she was sure he knew who he was. "And this is Gary, Jenny's brother. You know everybody else." She gave Craig the slightest wink.

So he was set up. "It's really nice to meet you." He said to Jeff. Turning to Gary, he just said, "Hi." He smiled as he said it but he didn't let his eyes linger too long. A bad signal, was what Beth would call doing that.

Everyone else greeted him and conversation resumed.

"Sit here Cathy." Jenny had maneuvered things so the only empty chair was between her and Gary.

Gary got up to let her pass. He remained standing as she brushed past him. The scent of her perfume drifted to his nostrils as she passed. She smelled really good.

He hung his leather jacket on the back of his chair with his purse. Craig was barely seated when Gary asked, "Would you like something to drink?"

Craig crossed his legs like a lady, pulled his short skirt down and then looked over at him with a shy smile and said, "Please."

Gary liked what he saw so far. "What would you like?"

Craig thought for a few seconds, looking around the table. Kim had wine. "A glass of white wine?"

He replied as if asking if that was all right.

The waitress was at the next table. Gray got her attention and ordered the wine.

Kim had very explicit instructions from Beth, not that she needed instructions from anyone to keep an eye on him. "Watch that he doesn't get himself in trouble and make sure he doesn't drink too much." Kim knew he couldn't drink from their night in Orlando, she'd watch him.

Gary tried to make small talk with him. Craig wasn't too comfortable with that so he kept his responses short and to the point. He didn't laugh or giggle like a girl might at the attention he was being paid.

The waitress returned with the wine. When Gary directed her to give it to him, he was glad he had the fake ID. He showed it to the girl and everything was fine. He went to take a few dollars out of his purse to pay but Gary insisted. Craig thought to himself, there were definite advantages to being a girl and he put his money away, thanking Gary.

Instead of feeling awkward, talking solely to Gary, Craig joined into conversation with the others. Even that wasn't so easy for him but it was easier than the one on one with the guy sitting right next to him.

It wasn't long before they were called for their table. Again, Craig was seated next to Gary. Tracy was seated to his left and Kim was all the way across the table from him. He would have preferred she sat beside him.

Gary held his chair and pushed it in for him when he was seated. Craig thought back to the way Kevin opened the car door for Beth earlier. Gary was every bit as much of a gentleman.

Doug had started in on him back in the bar. His teasing was actually welcome because it saved him from Gary's attentiveness. He was more comfortable now to give him the business right back. He did remember who he was supposed to be so his retorts were not as crude as Craig, the guy, would have made. He remembered he was supposed to be a lady.

Dinner went well. He ordered a shrimp salad, a light dinner. Most of the guys had steaks. They made his mouth water but he knew he couldn't eat like he used to. His stomach had shrunk over the past couple of months.

He remembered his manner and sat and ate like a lady. He was glad now that Beth had insisted he learn and practice when they were out.

As the waitress cleared the table, everyone discussed where to go next. Craig wasn't sure that he should go anywhere. He thought he should probably go home.

"Anyone else need to use the ladies room?" Meg asked, pushing her chair back.

They all prepared to go. He wasn't going to be left behind, left at a table with five guys.

Kim dropped back from the others to walk with Craig's on the way to the ladies room. They only had a few seconds. "Are you alright? You've been marvelous tonight."

"I'm so afraid of doing or saying the wrong thing." He was relieved now that Kim knew about him.

"You couldn't be doing any better Cathy. Just keep it up." She was so impressed. Nothing in his words or actions would lead anyone to think he was anything but a well mannered, polite young woman.

She knew a lot of girls that could take lessons from him.

"I was thinking I should go home now."

"If you're that uncomfortable but we're just going out for a little while." Kim wanted him to come but she wouldn't push him to.

She wasn't sure if she should but she asked, "What do you think of Gary?"

"He's nice." What else would he say?

"He really seems to like Cathy. You should see the way he looks at you when you're not looking at him." She realized he didn't want to hear that a guy thought he was terrific. "You make a wonderful impression on everyone, you really do." She was sorry she said it.

He went to the bathroom then fixed his lipstick. They all went back to the table together.

"We're all set." Terry announced as the guys got up to go.

Craig looked at Gary with mild surprise. "I have to pay."

"I've taken care of it. My treat." Gary said smiling at her. He had her jacket and held it for her to put on.

Craig slipped his arms in. He was beginning to enjoy being treated this way but he felt a little guilty for taking advantage of Gary. "I can't let you do that."

"Please Cathy. I want to." Gary insisted with a smile.

Craig saw Kim smiling at them. She knew what happened and she thought it was cute. Protesting any more would draw attention to him. "Thank you Gary. That was very nice of you."

Gary beamed. "It was my pleasure Cathy."

Outside, they decided where to go next. "I'll follow you." Craig decided he could go for a little while.

He really wanted to be home when Beth got there but it was only about 9:30.

"Why don't you go with Cathy?" Jenny said to Gary. "You know where Jamz-N-Java is. Cathy might not." Jenny was pleased the way things were going. They did make a cute couple, but she knew they would.

Gary spoke up. His sister was so pushy. "Is that all right with you?" He asked Cathy.

He didn't really relish being alone with him but he'd been a perfect gentleman so far. "Sure, that's fine."

Kim had been listening to the exchange. She was about to say that the pair could ride with her and Jeff but Craig answered too quickly. She'd tell Jeff to follow them, just in case.

Craig had a minor dilemma as they walked to his car. How could he allow him to open his door for him if he had the keys? He was enjoying being treated the way he was by Gary and he was curious how far he'd go. He went in his purse and got out his keys. Nervously, he held them out and asked Gary, "Would you like to drive?"

"Sure." He didn't mind at all. He was a little uncomfortable about having her drive him around. It didn't seem right somehow.

He did open his door and close it for him when he was in. Craig shot a glance into the back seat as he came around the car. He just wanted to be sure there was nothing lying around that would betray him. The only thing in the back seat was his book bag. He brought this books to do a little studying if he got time over the weekend.

It was funny when Gary got in and started the car. He was obviously nervous as he pulled out of the parking spot. He was being so careful that he drove like an old man.

Conversation, when they were alone, seemed a little awkward. Gary didn't seem to know how to open up. Craig had never been this nervous with girls. He couldn't stand the tension. "So what is it that you do?" Jenny had said something about him being in advertising or something.

"I'm a graphic artist."

"That sounds really interesting. Do you work with computers or are you a freehand artist?" It

sounded like she knew a little about graphic design. "Sort of a freehand artist."

It was like pulling teeth to get him to talk.

"Jenny tells me you're interested in going into international business. What kind of classes do you have to take for that." Gary was still nervous around her. In the past, he found that girls would do most of the talking if you led them to a subject that interested them.

So the conversation began. Each time Craig would offer information, Gary would encourage him to expound. Craig ended up doing most of the talking.

The club was divided into a small restaurant, a quaint coffee shop and a lounge. The lounge occupied most of the property. There were several bars surrounding a huge dance floor. They were early enough in the evening that they were able to find tables but they couldn't all sit together. Jenny and Paul had Cathy and Gary join them.

Craig was carded again when they ordered drinks. Conversation was no longer difficult with Jenny there. She loved to talk but she also asked a lot of questions.

Jenny was helping Gary to get to know Cathy better. It drove her crazy that her little brother was so shy.

By ten, the place really started to get crowded. The lights went low a little after and the music got loud. They had all the waiters and waitresses get up on the dance floor and do a rehearsed number. It occurred to Craig that it was intended to get people up dancing and it seemed to work.

It didn't surprise Craig that Kim and Jeff went out there. He was a little surprised that Doug liked to dance. He didn't seem the type somehow. Paul obviously hated dancing. He didn't budge, even when Jenny nagged him to dance with her.

Jenny was tired of begging. "Come on Cathy. Let's leave these two stick in them muds here." She got up expecting her follow.

This was not what he would have preferred to do. He had managed alright that other time though, he supposed. The option was being left there at the table with Gary and Paul. He pushed his chair back. "Let's go."

It took a few minutes but it came back to him. He had been drinking a little more last time and that had made it easier but it wasn't so bad. Like before, he watched the other women on the floor and imitated some of them. Jenny kept him there for the next song, Craig spotted Megan and Terry dancing.

Gary always felt he looked foolish dancing. He didn't think he had any rhythm. "I'll do the next one."

He told Paul.

"No you won't. You'll chicken out. Get out there!" Paul said laughing. "Don't blow it with her."

Gary'd been enjoying watching her dance. He liked the way her ass moved. It turned him on. "Shit."

He said, getting up. "I'm going to look like a fool."

"Better to look like a fool than lose your chance." Paul commented.

Jenny saw him getting up. She'd hoped he would.

Craig was surprised when he came up from behind him and started dancing. Jenny just slipped away.

Dancing with another woman was one thing but dancing with a guy made him nervous. He didn't feel he had a choice, he had to keep it up till the song was over. He couldn't just quit and walk away from Gary.

The song ended, blending into the next. Gary had gotten up the nerve to get out there so he decided he'd better stay for just one more.

If he'd said something right away, they could have gone back to the table but Craig hesitated because of Gary. One more and that was it, he swore to himself.

Paul had a bottle of wine waiting for them when they got back to the table. Craig was ready for another glass. He almost wished he had something stronger but he knew better. Just this one more he told himself.

Time seemed to fly by. Jenny talked a lot, but then so did Paul. Especially after a few scotches. He was so quiet earlier but he seemed to get louder with each drink. He also started getting a little obnoxious. He knew a number of rather crude jokes that Craig didn't think were appropriate for mixed company. Not that he was embarrassed but Jenny and Gary seemed bothered by them. Were they embarrassed for him, he wondered?

About eleven thirty, Craig decided it was time for him to think of an excuse to get out of there. Paul had gone over to the bar because Jenny got mad at him and said he was drinking too much. It was just the three of them for the past half hour. Gary was all right but Jenny never quit trying to drag him and Gary into conversation.

Finally, he had enough. He turned to Gary and said, "I really should be going. I had a good time tonight."

"It's early yet." Jenny insisted. "Stay a while."

"I can't. I've got a ton of studying to do for next week and I'm so far behind. I have to get up early tomorrow and get into it." It was partly true. He hadn't been able to keep his mind on much of anything the past week and he was getting behind. He had planned on getting into the books after church in the morning.

"Just for a little while?" Jenny pleaded.

Gary came to Cathy's aid. "Jenny, leave Cathy be." He turned to Cathy, "I'll walk you out."

Jenny conceded with that. "You'll have to come with us next month Cathy."

"I'd like that." He said with a smile as he got up. Craig didn't know what next month would bring but if he did go out with them again he wouldn't be sitting with her and Paul, that much he did know.

Gary helped her on with her jacket again. He didn't want her to go but he wasn't like his sister, he wouldn't harass her into staying.

Always the gentleman, Craig said to himself as he put his arms into his jacket. "Thank you." This time the smile was sincere. He went around and said goodnight to everyone.

"I'll talk to you tomorrow?" Kim said when she got up and gave him a kiss on the cheek.

"Ok." Craig returned the kiss and whispered in her ear, "Thank you."

Kim just smiled at him. Amazing, just amazing, she thought to herself.

They left the lounge and were walking through the foyer when he felt Gary's fingers touch his hand, clasping it in his. He could have pulled away easily but Cathy would have had no reason to. No one in the group could see them and it was actually kind of neat that he wanted to. He'd never see him again and wasn't this the game he said he wanted to play? Craig gave his hand a little squeeze.

Gary wanted to do that all night but he was afraid to. He was afraid she'd pull away. Gary didn't handle rejection well. He was so glad to feel the gentle squeeze of her hand.

It had cooled off a lot while they were inside. "I really had a nice time tonight Gary. Thank you for dinner." Craig said as they walked to his car.

"You're welcome. I had a good time too. I just wish you didn't have to leave." It took him so long to work up the courage to just hold her hand.

Be careful what you say, a little voice told him. "I'm sorry to run away so early."

"I understand about school work. It wasn't that long ago for me." He sympathized.

Gary still had her keys in his pocket. He unlocked her door and opened it for her.

This was that moment when Craig always managed to get a goodnight kiss, even on a first date with a girl. Now he stood there with another guy and the same thought was going through his head. What would he do if Gary tried anything? For an instant, he wondered what it would be like. There was no one anywhere near them and if there was, all they'd see would be a guy and a girl standing there. He had this picture in his head of how he'd always wanted a girl to respond to a first kiss.

Gary wanted so badly to kiss her goodnight. Every nerve in his body was tingling. Would she back away, refusing him? The awkward moment grew longer and longer, becoming almost unbearable. If he didn't at least try, he'd be too embarrassed to ever call her again. She was waiting. "Well, goodnight Cathy."

He wasn't going to do it. Craig felt a wave of relief wash over him. "Goodnight Gary." He slid into the front seat behind the wheel. He straightened his skirt and was reaching for the door to close it. He thought Gary would do it for him.

He was blowing it. He squatted down in the open door beside her. "Cathy, would you like to have dinner with me sometime? Just you and me?" Gary couldn't believe he just blurted it out like that. Cathy had to think he was a jerk.

Craig couldn't just say no to him. Gary had been so sweet all evening. He couldn't very well agree either. "I've got so much to do with papers that are due soon and I've got finals coming up."

He blew it. He knew he hesitated too long. "I understand."

Gary sounded so forlorn. "If you wouldn't mind waiting a few weeks, till finals are over, I'd love to go out with you again." Why did he say that? Was it so important not to hurt this nice guy's feelings?

Gary couldn't believe it. Reacting solely on impulse, he leaned in and kissed her.

 

(continued in part 3)

 

 

 

 

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