Gladys says to Alex, “come down here I want to see my daughter.” This is how she appeared upon arrival into the kitchen.

Mother has discovered Alex’s secret how will she react?

Revised and edited. Rights reserved by author with permission granted to Big Closet.

Alex woke up early on Sunday as demanded by father it was church day. None of his school friends attended the church his parents had selected. As Alex dressed in a white blouse, yes it was one of his sister’s conservative Oxford shirt styled blouses, and a pair of her navy colored dress slacks. Norman had no idea but Gladys certainly recognized the style. She said nothing to cause her son any more stress. Alex is under a lot of pressure. Gladys beamed at her new daughter’s attention to how she looked. She reveled in Alex's new found confidence and apparent ability to gain friends. Following the long sermon the family walked outside to the usual meet and greet. The minister directed them to the after service tea.

Inside the conference room people gathered in small groups. Their conversations centered on various church activities and social issues. People of all ranges of the pecking order made up the small gathering. Consisting of the well to do the middle and the poor they expressed whatever interested them. At the far end of the multi center which was nothing more than a large room one corner functioned to serve refreshments and meal prep. In an L shaped design a line of countertops, sink, range and refrigerator provided a functional kitchen. Near that arrangement close to the more formal conference furniture was a long table with folding chairs. Alex glanced toward the coffee urn and donuts adorning that table.

Alex demonstrated no interest in as she called it, sucking up talk. He said to mother. “I am going to see if they have any chocolate covered cream filled donuts. They disappear fast. “Gladys giggled interrupting her conversation with her husband. The woman’s social investment became distracted as she observed a strange interaction at the refreshment table. She saw Alex approach as a red haired boy picked up the last cream filled donut.

There were five or six teens at the service and like the red haired boy none of them wanted to be there. None of them appeared to associate with the others as they all had that, ‘can we get out of here’ expression. Gladys watched the red haired boy as he turned handing the donut to Alex. She heard the boy say “I ran ahead to get one for you and it was the last one.” As he offered it to Alex Gladys watched her daughter refuse with a kindly gesture. The boy turned to the counter and cut the donut in half. They then walked to a table where they talked, smiling a lot with each eating their half of the donut. Gladys barely heard Mrs. Olson the village busy body. When she said to Ethel Sharpe, “did you hear about the disgusting behavior on the bluffs last night?” Their tone grew hushed as Norman gathered his family saying, “time to go. I have to get back for the meeting.”

Gladys said nothing to her husband about the boy flirting with Alex. She thought ‘my daughter is happy. I have never seen her smile like that. What have we done to the poor child?’ The ride home was silent as Gladys, bursting from curiosity was dying to talk with Alex. Norman would be going back to the church giving the woman an opportunity to speak with her daughter. She walked to the bottom of the stairs calling to Alex. “What are you doing?”

Alex answers, “I am changing my clothes and will be right down.” Gladys says to Alex, “come down here I want to see my daughter. Do you understand what I mean?” Alex momentarily froze wondering if mother said what he heard. The girl inside beamed as she made her clothing selection and started down the stairs.

Gladys took in the vision as the teen appeared with the open kitchen forming the back drop behind her. Alex wore a grayish blue skirt falling just above her knees. Her pink camisole top featured string style straps resting on her bare shoulders. Alex feathered her hair forward framing her face barely betraying a pair of gold earrings of a floral shape. White running shoes covered her feet. They featured a tiny pink line at their base. The blue knee socks matched her skirt perfectly. Gladys wondered how her breast had developed without either parent noticing. Gladys also wondered how this lovely teen could have lived in her home unnoticed. “My Lord Alex you are lovely. Let me look at you.”

Alex did not know how to react she could only say “you are not angry?” The girl expected an explosion that reflected in her tight expression as she stepped from the kitchen. Gladys led her daughter by the hand turning her back into the kitchen. The stunned woman poured two cups of tea placing each on the table. She was finally able to speak. “Alex,” she says, “I noticed your jeans came from the Misses department. I watched you and realized you had no choice because of your figure. The hips and waist belong to a girl. I never saw the delicate loveliness that you are.” Alex sips her tea blushing, “what about father? He has not noticed has he?” Gladys shakes her head, mouthing “no.” She then spoke in an audible voice. “Am I to assume everyone at school believes you are a girl?” Alex nods.

Gladys shows her fear when she asks. “What are you going to do? You cannot deceive people it is not right.” Alex agrees defending herself by saying as she points to her breasts. “This is no deception they are real. I am happy mother; Reagan and Kathy are my best friends.” Mother nods raising another issue, “and Brian? He is what to you?” Alex blushes, “a friend.” Gladys widens her eyes measuring her daughter. “Does a friend kiss a girl goodnight after taking her to a movie?” Alex blinks remaining silent wondering how she knew. Gladys smiles. “When you walked into the house after Brian escorted you to the door your expression was the expression of a girl who had just experienced her first kiss. Alex a boy does not walk another boy home unless it is on his way. It was not on Brian’s way. So I will ask you, “is this fair to Brian?”

Alex clasps her mother’s hand with a gentle voice she half whispers. “In January, I will have an operation to become a physical girl.” Gladys raises both hands covering her face. “This will destroy your father.”

In response Alex in a resolute voice replies. “Isn’t this why father prayed? What could satisfy him a creature that is half and half with no chance of happiness? Would he accept the sick relationships allowed to someone like me? Would that please father more than the shame of having another daughter?”

Gladys exclaims, “how can you say that?” With a tinge of irony Alex narrows her eyes, “mother experts told me that if father had accepted Dr. Grant’s treatment my body would not have developed feminine features. Because he insisted in prayer claiming what will be is the Lord’s will I am becoming female. He is always obsessing about personal responsibility. It is time for him to accept what he preaches.”

Mother is shocked but she knew her daughter was correct. “Experts you have seen experts? Jami put you up to this didn’t she?”

Alex admitted Jami had her see a doctor who had confirmed her condition progressed further than Dr. Grant had presumed. Had Doctor Grant been allowed to begin treatments the seriousness of the condition would have been discovered. The treatments required further testing and checks. Without those test there was no control of the direction the changes would take.

The new girl spoke calmly to her mother. “Jami saved my sanity, don’t be angry with her.” Alex raises a broad smile, “besides she saved you a fortune by giving me all her left behind school clothes.” Gladys whispers, “I am not angry with Jami. I will be thanking her. You cannot dress like that in front of father. Please no, absolutely no love struck boys coming around. Father will think you are gay and call in an exorcist.”

Alex laughs, “mother it is the Catholics who have exorcism rites.” Gladys lowers her brows, “and our church has far worse. We just don’t talk about it.” Alex blinks, quickly agreeing.

On her way to her room the girl’s cell rang, “hello.” Jami was calling. “Hi sis just got back from your Sunday morning guilt trip right?”

“Of course,” Alex answered followed quickly by, “what did you find out?”

Jami questions, “in a rush are we? First you tell me. How are you doing do you still have your cover?”

Alex flushes answering, “almost.” She goes on to tell Jami about the movie and Brian. How he walked her home, kissed her and mom figured it out. Jami had to know more pressing Alex to tell all. After revealing how the red headed kid shared the donut and how Sean Fitzgibbons that is the red head’s name, flirted with her Jami laughed again. Alex explained how she was dressed now. Then described mom went nuts, exclaiming how beautiful her daughter is. Alex said, “that’s where we are.”

Jami, rather surprised considers, “I guess mom is not as clueless as I thought. So she is ok with it? She is not going to ambush you with dad?” Alex told her sister that she believes mom is on her side. “I am now getting the GIRL talk.” Jami laughed louder, “sis you definitely need it.” Jami then gets around to providing her sister with the information she called about.

“Dr. Bradley, do you know of her?” Without waiting for an answer Jami continues “I suppose you don’t. Anyway she is an OBGYN. Do you know what that is?” Again Jami answers her own question. “she is a female doctor and I don’t mean a woman doctor. She will see you after school on Tuesday. I will give you directions and you are to bring Doctor Grant’s report.”

Alex flushed finally getting a chance to speak. “I know what an OB is. What do you think sis? I am scarred.” Jami takes a deep breath trying to call up the right words. “In my opinion you are a girl. I think this will all work out freeing that girl.” She considers “I suggest you keep her away from dad. He will go nuts if he sees her. You are lucky that he is nearly blind to everything around him.” Another thought struck Jami raising concern. “Do you hang around any kids from the church families?”

The girl thought about that answering, “no other than Sean no one noticed me. Why is that an issue?” Jami wanted to know more about Sean Fitzgibbons. “Sis his family are farmers they live more than ten miles from town. Sean goes to another school closer to where he lives.” Jami could be heard breathing a sigh of relief. “Why is that an issue?” Alex’s voice ringed in Jami’s ear.

“Sis, think a minute picture an after church meeting. The group stands around discussing the expected Sunday N.F.L game or how the local high school hero tossed the winning touchdown pass on Friday night. Do you get the picture? Mr. Fitz struts over to dad saying, my son Sean has a crush on your daughter. You should be proud to have such an intelligent and beautiful daughter. He is trying to score points with a church elder and you become toast. It is called guy talk, though I doubt you know about that.”

Alex goes into a near panic “geeze sis that would be thermo nuclear.” Jami asks “can you see that happening?” The new girl thinks for an eternal moment. “I doubt it because they don’t talk and Sean does not go to my school. Shit, shit, shit. It could happen couldn’t it”

Jami advises “keep your circle of friends small. You think being a girl is cool you like it but” she allows the but to hang. “Girls, the pretty ones are objects to boys. They seek you out. When you are a guy girls will check you out but they don’t often become aggressive. You can keep your circle of friends small but there will be admirers. Sean, duh ring a bell? I bet you never noticed him. I bet you don’t know there are a hundred more just like him.”

The new girl somewhat shaken said to her sister “I had no idea.” Jami answered with “I thought not. We will have another girl lesson after you see Doctor Bradley call me.” With that Jami hung up. Alex sat on the edge of her bed trembling when the cell rang again. “Hi it is Kathy can you come over?” Alex checked with her mother and ran off to Kathy’s.

She walked slowly down Maple Street toward Kathy’s. Within a short distance she passed the second house which was in sight of her own. She starred for a moment at the walk leading to Brian’s front step. As she turned up the street her mother’s words haunted her. ‘Is this fair to Brian?’ That thought pulsed followed by another ‘why in hell should I give a shit? For Christ sake let me worry about Alex!’ As she neared Kathy’s an answer to one of her questions struck her. ‘Why should I be fair to Brian, Duh? Because, I love him. Good God girl can you dig a hole any deeper?’

“I like the outfit!” Kathy exclaims as she greets her friend at the door. “Come up to my room Reagan is already there.”

Alex followed up the stairs soberly reminded about Kathy’s exclamation she notice her predicament. She had not changed out of her skirt and top. She just rushed out comfortable in her skirt. She did not consider dad might be home when she returned. It felt good she liked it and whatever happens, happens. She entered Kathy’s bedroom to see a beaming Reagan bursting to present some Earth shattering news. “Glad you made it,” an excited Reagan said in her rush to spread the word.

The girls sat there as Reagan told how she learned from her cousin who’s next door neighbor’s brother was there to see it first hand. The keg party at the old bluff outside of town had gotten out of hand. The unnamed cousin’s, neighbor’s brother was well,” she giggled. “Do you guys know that perky little blond, Debbie Nelson?” The girls nodded. “Well I’m told he was about to drop his load into her.”

This was interrupted by a chorus of “Gross!” Regan continues her story. “Anyway he was about to when the long arm of the law seized him by the shoulders. He sprayed it all over Debbie’s face and hair.” Wide eyes came back with, “Yuck.” Reagan blushes, “and”, she points to Alex. “Your football hero was grabbed in a threesome with two skanks. I did not get their names.”

Kathy curious asks, “who was the next door neighbor or whatever, tell us the name.” Reagan laughs, “her name. He wouldn’t say other than she goes to our school. She was caught giving oral on another guy. They were all dragged off by the sheriff most of them partially clothed.” “Sooo,” begins Alex, “this cousin of yours is an innocent?” Reagan giggles, “not exactly, he was parked in a car elsewhere with Jen. He said she is a live one. Whatever, a live one means, but they were not at the bluff.”

Alex asks, “who is this cousin?” Reagan revealed she was sworn to secrecy and could not say. Kathy poked her adding, “Pete Reardon the team’s wide receiver. You just watch Pete will be walking down the hall tomorrow with his hand on Jen’s ass. She is a trophy and football players love showing off their hardware in more ways than one.”

The girls laughed and Reagan finally admitted it was Pete. “Screw him, he wants to act like a slut it is not my job to provide him cover.” The girls laughed again. Kathy acknowledged there will be plenty to talk about in school tomorrow. She then looked at Alex with a measuring gaze. “Allie” this is the first time I’ve seen you in a skirt. Don’t you dare wear one to school.”

Alex blinked back with a strange expression. At the same moment Kathy ran her fingers along Alex’s calf. “These legs are killer. I did not know you had gams that dangerous. Keep them hid or we won’t be able to keep the predators away.” Alex withdrew her leg slowly. Kathy grinned “I am not going to, and I don’t swing that way babe.” Again the room was filled with giggles.

On her two block walk home Alex called her mother. “Is dad home?” “Not yet honey,” came back a questioning answer. Alex speaks rapidly “I am on my way home. I forgot to change out of this skirt.” Gladys laughs, “I will distract him so you can get to your room. Do you want me to throw a pair of jeans and a tee into the garage?”

Alex says “no just give me a clear path to the stairs.” Her mother giggles saying, “I never imagined ever having this conversation with my,” she pauses collecting her thought, “child.” When Alex arrived dad’s car was in the driveway. She cracked open the front door to see mother’s back in the kitchen doorway. She was talking to Norman as the girl sneaked upstairs.

As expected the next day she saw Jen and Pete walking down the hall locked tightly together. Her mini was riding up and Pete’s hand was right where Reagan predicted. Alex blushed as Reagan said, “told ya.” Alex thought, ‘if her skirt gets any higher’ and giggled as well.

The buzz through the school reached fever pitch. The girls noted none of those named were in school this day. Both Alex and Kathy gave Reagan thumbs up as they sat at their table. It took less than a minute for Brian to plop down next to Alex. It was just before the unexpected happened. Jen dropped her book bag and pointed her attachment known as Pete to the hot girls table. “Be right over she said” before squeezing in between Alex and Brian.

The four looked at Jen with a shocked expression as the girl spoke. “Do you notice who is not here today?” The group cautiously nodded as Jen leaned forward with a consistorial gaze. “Kathy did you get my message?” Kathy regards the girl curiously answering in a guarded tone. “This morning mom told me you called the land line Saturday night. I figured I’d find out in school. Why didn’t you call my cell?”

Jen smiles, “I did not want to talk to you. I just wanted to find out where you guys were.” She tosses her hair. “I, didn’t think you would be out at the bluff. How was the Potter movie?” The girls narrow their focus at Jen. “And,” they say in unison.” Jen shrugs, “I will put it this way. It was my way of letting Jake know he can’t fuck with me. Aren’t you glad I like you guys?” She hurried off to sit with Pete.

“What the hell was that all about?” Brian asks the girls. Reagan smiles, “what a bitch.” This is echoed by Alex and Kathy with Kathy saying to the group. “It is her way of telling us don’t mess with the Queen.” Brian mutters, “I, don’t get it.” Kathy laughs pointing to Alex, “have Miss blue eyes over there explain it to you after school.”

On their way to the next class Kathy whispers to Alex, “I think Jen likes you.” Alex looks at her friend with an amused gaze. “What to you mean?” Kathy squeezes Alex’s hip, “likes you as in,” giving Alex a smaller squeeze, “that way.” Alex turns to face Kathy, “no, no, and no.” Kathy laughs bouncing into her Social Studies class as Alex goes toward skirt making 101.

Dr. Bradley stepped into her exam room to greet Alex, “call me Karen if you wish. My nurse practitioner tells me there are no signs of issues with blood pressure and so on. Dr Brooks, Rose as you know her by provided me with an update of your condition. Do you have the report from Dr. Grant? Alex nods as he hands over the report. “My parents are not aware of this.”

Karen nods, “and I, can’t tell them unless you say so. You will be eighteen in two months?” Alex nods as the doctor replies, “it will likely take that long to reach any decisions at any rate. Let me examine you and compare the two reports from Drs. Grant and Brooks.”

The doctor poked and prodded examining very closely the area of his genitals. She, ruffles her brows gazing at Alex with a bit of concern. “Am I mistaken or has your penis shrunk as well as your testis? These reports I thought may have been inaccurate, however, what I am seeing does not agree with either.”

Alex blinks again. “I, don’t make it a habit of paying attention to it. I don’t use it for anything other than going to the bathroom. Yes it does seem smaller.”

Dr. Bradley rubs her chin, “don’t be embarrassed it is not a crime to relieve yourself. Are you saying that you don’t get stimulated?” Alex blushes admitting, “well I do when taking a shower and I wash my” he paused pointing to his breast. “But not when you touch yourself down there?” Karen asks.

Alex admits the truth of the statement with a bit of embarrassment. The doctor begins to push personal questions. “What I understand is the school thinks you are a girl and you have not discouraged their belief?” Alex nods again pointing to his breasts “is it better to inform them and suffer the resulting teasing a boy with breasts would suffer?” Karen nods her head in agreement. “Your logic is sound and your friends your sister tells me both girls you hang out with are babes.” The doctor laughs, “you don’t have wet dreams thinking of them?” Alex flushes reporting with a positive voice, “no that would not be right.”

The doctor raises a brow regarding Alex. “What about other friends do any stimulate you?” Alex flushes at the question. Karen observes the blush. She is an expert on getting admissions out people and knows how to frame a question. “So there is a friend that causes you to get excited. Can you tell me his name, only the first name will do?”

Alex, quickly blurts out Brian,” he suddenly tenses up knowing he stepped into it. Dr. Bradley smiles gently asking “With Brian you are in the girl mode am I correct?” Alex nods, “I picture him kissing my breast and sometimes entering me. I know that is not possible and I will wake up from a dream covered with a mess.”

Doctor Bradley smiles “let me draw some blood I need to check some levels to compare them to what the other two reports claim. Your penis is half the size that Dr. Grant recorded. It was smaller as measured by Dr. Brooks. It tells me radical changes are happening and you can’t wait for the next checkup with Dr. Grant. It will take a few days to get the results.”

Karen Bradley spoke in gentle tones to the frightened boy. “Alex, I need to know the truth of your feelings.” Alex looked her in the eye promising to answer truthfully. “Good,” Karen Bradley said as she began. “This pretending to be a girl, is it a game or do you really want to be a girl?” Alex narrows his focus, “I, don’t think it is a game.” He described what a living hell his life was before moving across the state. He laid out how he was accepted and made many friends. He finished with, “I think I love Brian. I desperately want to kiss him and hold him and” his voice trailed off.

Dr Bradley said, “then what I suspect should not upset you. Your estrogen levels are normal for a teen girl. Your breast has enlarged from 32a to 32b. Your testosterone levels have fallen off the cliff. It does not appear you are creating that hormone. To reverse the process would be quite dangerous at this point. Alex you are a girl, almost.”

Alex smiles, “now what?” The doctor turns grave. “We need more tests. What I am seeing here is not anything that happens frequently. If you keep developing as you are, I expect you may begin to menstruate. There is no place for the excretions to go.” Alex half joking quips, “you can always cut it off.”

The doctor raises a brow, “not without months of sessions with psychiatrists unless there was a life and death medical reason. What I want you to do is go to the Women’s care center on West Drive. Give them this referral. They will do an MRI. Perhaps we will learn something. I am also going to arrange an appointment with Dr. Weber who will assess you for reassignment surgery.”

Alex questions, “reassignment but I, can’t do that until January.”

“I know,” the doctor answers. You need months of counseling first.” Alex nods her understanding. “I will see you in one more week Alex.”

On his way home Alex called the new doctor making an appointment for two weeks in the future. Alex was beginning to feel crowded like the walls were caving in.

Brian stepped back and took a long jump shot over Scott’s outstretched arms. It circled the basket dropping through the net. Scott grabs the ball bouncing it. He turns to Brian “you won that one. What is going on with you and Winslow?” Brian nods with a shrug. “She is cool we get along ok.” He continues to walk down the driveway with Scott following. “You know Bri; it won’t do you any good sniffing around that she is out of your league.” Brian stops and turns to face his friend. “What are you talking about?

Scott answers quickly, “well bro she is friends with Reagan and Kathy you are only kidding yourself, that’s all.” Brian’s ire now raised causes him to stare at Scott, “really?” He dials Alex’s cell. “Alex this is Brian do you want to go to a movie Friday night” adding “Just me an you?” Brian smiles, “you pick the movie, see you at seven.”

Scott looks at him just as Sandy Rice walks by, “hey Sandy got a minute?” The girl walks over to him all smiles. “I heard about the bluff.” Sandy blushes, “and why do you bring that up?” She shuffles her feet smiling at Scott. The boy touches her arm “I wanted to ask you what about Friday are you busy?” Sandy beams, “I’ll meet you at the Dog Shack say eight?” Scott nods, “it’s a date.” Sandy waves as she walks away. He turns to Brian, “we both have a skank for Friday night.”

Brian’s reaction was so quick it was almost as if his left upper cut found its mark before the words left Scott’s mouth. Scott landed on his back with Brian diving onto him. The scuffle lasted a few minutes before Scott’s father broke it up sending Brian home.

Kathy and Reagan sat in their favorite lunch seats arriving ahead of Alex. Brian joined them sporting a puffy cut lip. Reagan stared at him, “uh Bri how many times did I tell you not to pressure Alex?” The girls laughed while Brian blushed. “You should see Scott,” Kathy offered. “Why did you pop him Brian?” Brian shook his head, “I’m not talking.”

Alex appeared and everyone grew quiet. One look at Brian caused Alex to require an answer from him. But he was still not talking. Suddenly Scott showed up sporting a shiner. Brian started to stand. But Scott held both hands out motioning him to remain seated. The group looked at Scott curiously who very softly said, “Alex, Brian I am sorry. I should not have said what I did.” He turned and walked away. Brian got up and followed they talked for a few seconds, shook hands and Brian returned to the table with a grin. Reagan grabbed Brian’s shoulder, “spill.”

The girls walked Alex home chatting non stop amazed that Brian would slug his best friend because he said something nasty about Alex. “That boy is in love with you Allie,” chimed Kathy. Reagan added “totally gone.” Alex walked with her friends as they had teased non stop. She blushed often trying to get them to stop. Finally, her friends dropped off and Alex ran into the house. Her thoughts were on Brian as she listened to her stereo while spending an hour with the boy on her cell.

After school the next day, Alex walked into the Women’s care center presenting her referral. An hour later she walked out without the least bit of information other than her doctor will have the report in a few days. Alex had another wait so she shoved it to the back of her mind. Upon entering the house she saw her mother waiting to talk. “Alex you asked your father if it was ok to go to the movies Friday night? With Brian am I right?” Alex informs her it is only a movie nothing more than that. Gladys cautioned Alex, “First the boy kissed you after walking you home. You enjoyed it as you admitted to me. You realize the next step leads to another step further along. I told you before it is unfair to Brian to lead him on.”

Alex shook her head, “mother I am not leading him on.” Reaching her door she enters it slamming it behind. Alex even more frustrated by this conversation reached for a photo of Kathy. While starring at the silken long black hair of her friend, Alex slipped her hand into her jeans. She felt for the thing she often resented beginning to stroke it as her eyes focused on Kathy. ‘I love her hair I would give it a bit less feathering. Perhaps wearing a beret would look great on her’ Alex thought, as she continued searching for stimulation that was not there. ‘I really like how it frames her face.’ Alex suddenly stops realizing that there is no stimulation. ‘What the hell am I doing this for it is freaky.’ She stops putting Kathy’s picture back on the stand. ‘God that was so wrong.’

She sits there for several minutes reviewing what she just did. Pangs of guilt rise up. ‘That was just queer; I should not be thinking thoughts like that about my best friend.’ Alex squirms in her sitting position on the bed conflicted ‘what is wrong with a guy thinking thoughts about a pretty girl like that? Well perhaps it’s because I have crossed the line. Perhaps all this girl shit has me convinced I am a Girl. Father always said tell a lie often enough and even the liar believes it’ Alex closes her eyes for a moment.

Turning her head she notices a picture of Brian and she absently fondles her breasts while gazing into his eyes. It takes only moments for Alex to spasm into her panties. She moans, though sated Alex’s confusion morphs into clarity. ‘I like boys Brian turns me on Reagan and Kathy do not what the hell does that make me?’ Alex looks into the mirror raising a brow, ‘do I have to ask that question? I act and think like a girl. I look like a girl and I lust after a hunk.’

She calls Brian to relieve her frustration. “Brian what do you want from me?” Brian completely taken back has no idea what to say. He falls on the old reliable, “nothing.” Alex considers “I don’t mean things. I mean where do you see this going, me and you I mean.” Her statement was perfectly clear to her.

Poor Brian was confused. The poor boy was putting the lawn furniture into the garage as a fall storm was approaching when he got this call. He had a serious crush on Alex. But as Scott said she was well above him in the social order. ‘What in the hell is she talking about?’ He opted for a safe answer. “Alex, I, want to be your friend. I want to get close to you. I want to spend time with you. I want to know you. I want to protect you.”

The girl shook his answer was so romantic. ‘He was tall and strong and good looking and he wanted to protect me’. Her thoughts spun as she was trying to catch up with herself. “Is that all,” she says in a joking tone. Brian heard her tone, “are you laughing at me?” Alex answered quickly, “no I would never laugh at you. You are too important too me.”

Brian begins to come out of his daze. “Alex you said where do you see this going, me and you. Does that mean you think there is a you, and me?” Alex smiles, “don’t you?” Brian takes a deep breath. “Alex, are you my girlfriend?”

Alex catches her breath, “do you want me to be? I can’t give you what most boys want. I can’t at this time anyway.”

Brian rolls his eyes, again struggling for a safe answer. ‘Do I want Alex for a girl friend? Do I want to die and go to heaven?’ The safe answer suddenly appears. “What most boys want? I am not most boys, holding you and kissing you is more than enough. Waking up every day knowing Alex likes me is more than enough. I would never make demands of you.”

The girl smiles “so what was the answer to my question?” Brian smiles finally taking a chance. “Alex will you be my girlfriend? Go steady with me?” Alex now bubbling answers, “as long as you don’t tell my father. He does not want any boyfriends no matter how nice they are.” Brian answers, “deal.”

Brian sat in his room viewing a picture of Alex taken at a school event. He starred at those deep sparkling blue eyes that seemed to see through you. He took a deep breath raising a broad smile. ‘I never would have thought she liked me that much. Yes Alex, I will protect you.’ He rubbed his still sore lip and turned to his homework.

It was an hour later when Brian walked into the living room, “dad”. He said. Wayne Patten looked up and saw confusion on his son’s face. He put down his newspaper, “is something wrong?” Brian shook his head as he sat down

“Dad do you understand women?” Wayne laughed, ‘hell no son any man who claims he can is a fool.” Wayne studied his son, “does that have anything to do with that lip of yours? I did not quite buy that getting hit by a rebound story.”

Brian laughed and told the story of Scott, Sandy and Alex. “So you hit your best friend because he insulted this girl, Alex. Is Alex the Winslow girl do you?” Wayne asked cautiously.

The boy nods saying, “yes my question is about Alex.” Wayne tilts his head back. “I understand she is one of the popular girls. You have tended to avoid the so called school superstars. What happened?”

Brian shrugs, “we sort of hit it off.” He tells his father about the conversation with Alex. He just had on the phone. Wayne smiles, “I heard she is a nice girl. She is well mannered and there no drinking or parties. She has a good reputation. He winks at his son and darn good looking as well. You are telling me this popular girl that every guy is after called you asking for a date?”

The boy smiles, “not exactly but she hinted and asked some strange questions. We went out together last week to the Potter movie.” Wayne rubs his chin musing “so you did go on a date that night after all. I thought it was just a group hang out thing.”

Brian smiles “It was like that. Kathy Wyatt, Reagan Anderson and their boy friends were going. Kathy and Reagan asked me to join them if I asked Alex. Mr. Patten laughed saying “I understand this much. Two of the most popular girls in school asked you to date another very popular girl. That is an easy answer son; Alex had her friends get you to ask her.”

The boy blinks “Alex wanted me to ask her, me?” Now it is Wayne’s turn to laugh. “I kept telling you that there was a nice girl waiting for you. It looks like she found you. I take it you have another date with Alex?” Wayne cautions his son “you do know that Mr. Anderson is the president of the bank? Mr. Wyatt runs the Grange conglomerate for the Eastern side of the state. Mr. Winslow is the Comptroller for the district church.

Brian raises a big smile. “We are going steady dad.” Quickly adding “yeah but the girls are not uppity at all. You would think they were poor. They don’t even hang with the upper crust.”

Mr. Patten stands “son welcome to the club. Bring Alex over for dinner on Friday night. I want to meet this girl. From what I hear you did well.”

Alex stepped into Dr. Bradley’s office to get the results of her recent tests. The doctor took Alex’s hand and sat next to the girl. “You are the most interesting person I ever encountered Alex.” The girl blinked “what do you mean?” Still holding Alex’s hand Karen Bradley speaks in a soft voice. “I must share the findings with you and they are rather shocking. Considering the hormone levels the discovery is less surprising.” Alex blinks “what am I a freak as I thought?” Karen shakes her head. “No honey you are just different. Your body is at war with itself. It is a battle the male half versus the female half with the girly side winning.”

The doctor brings up the pictures showing the internal view of Alex’s body. “Do you see that?” she asks pointing to an odd shaped mass.” “Cancer,” asked in a trembling voice. Karen shakes her head, “no they are ovaries.” She draws her finger to another spot "and this is your urethra. It is a tube that connects your bladder to your penis. But as you can see here it forms a Y. One end connects to your penis the other to this.” She points to a one and a half inch tube like thing that ends behind his ball sack. There is a channel above it. “You see that channel it is just where it is supposed to be. Above the urethra the one that appears to just end. You see if the ball sack was not there you could pee out of both sides of that tube.”

Alex blinks, what is that channel?” Dr. Bradley answers without blinking, without pulling any punches, “your vagina. Consider this, your urethra connects to your bladder to your penis or you’re a hole below your vagina allowing you to eliminate. It has a small opening just below your vagina. Remove the useless ball sack open the vagina and you my young lady are the girl you were meant to be.” Alex begins to understand raising another question. What about my thing?” Karen smiles, “your thing as you call it could be several things. It appears to be a penis. It functions as one.” Alex raises a brow. Karen continues “the small sacks you have could not produce enough to combat the rush of female hormones you were producing. That is why you could not get an erection”

“So I am a girl,” Alex states with a noticeable satisfaction. “Karen cautions, “not so fast Missy there is a problem. You can’t wait until January.” Alex begins to panic “can’t wait?” Dr. Bradley shakes her head “your testicles have stopped producing and female puberty is screaming down on you like a runaway freight train. You will be menstruating any day now. I need to talk to your parents and we need to operate. You don’t want to find out what happens when that flow has no place to go.”

Alex shakes her head. “They won’t go along with it. It will be God’s plan even if I die.” Karen squeezes her hand and then hugs her. “Not even your mother?” Alex shrugs, “maybe.” Dr. Bradley says “your other option is to hang around the hospital emergency room waiting to pass out so we can do emergency surgery to save your life.” Alex promises to talk to her mother. Dr. Bradley said “I cancelled the appointment with the psychiatrists you don’t need it. I want to see you and your mother here after school on Monday.”

More scared than ever Alex walked home conflicted. ‘I am a girl after all. I won’t let my friends down. I can wear my hair long. I can dress in skirts.’ Her eyes narrow, ‘dad will freak.’