My mom just shook her head and said. “Don’t you ever look where you are going?”   Sam & Jess Chapter 21 ©2010 - Andrea Ribeiro

“What did you think about Joan?” Jess asked me while we were walking to our homes.

“I liked her. I would never guess she was a boy.” I said.

“True, but then again, it seems she never was. Her sister told me that Joan might start her first period anytime now.” Steph said.

“Really? I’m happy for her.” I said. “And a little jealous too, I think.”

“Why? You wished you had periods too?” Jess asked me.

“I guess so. I know its icky and all, but it would mean that I am a real girl.” I said sadly.

“You are a real girl, Sam. You just have a birth defect. A lot of women don’t have periods or can have babies for several reasons.” Steph told me.

“That’s true, Sam. You are as much of a girl as any of us.” Jess said.

“Thank you, I guess I needed to hear that.”

“Changing the subject, why were you at school today?” Steph asked me.

“My mom and I went to give the principal the documents for me to be able to attend school as a girl.”

“How did it go?” Jess asked me.

“Pretty well, tomorrow I can go as myself.”

“Didn’t you have any problems?” Steph asked me.

“Not at all, quite the contrary. Oh, did you know that Miss Jenkins got the boot this morning?”

“What happened?” Steph asked.

“I think Joan did. Principal Addams told me that she tried to attack a student this morning and I think it was Joan. Apparently Miss Jenkins threw a fit when she was asked to change Joan’s name and status in the school records.” I said.

“Good riddance. She seems to be a big bigot.” It was all that Jess said.

“Okay, but that doesn’t explain why you were still at school when we left the class.” Steph said.

“Well…. I had to get out of the principal’s office and I wanted to see you guys.”

“Why did you have to leave the office?” Steph asked me.

“I was feeling a bit uncomfortable. After we gave the documents, he promptly accepted me as I appear to be. I think that had a big impact on mom and before I noticed they were flirting with each other.”

“Your mom and principal Addams?” Steph asked and started to giggle.

“It’s not funny.” I told her and pouted.

“It is a bit funny.” Jess added.

“Come on, you mom could do a lot worse.” Steph told me.

“How so?”

“Think about it. He is a good looking guy, with a stable job, likes children and accepted you without batting an eye.” Steph said.

“True, but I am a little uncomfortable with that situation.”

“Why? Is it because your mom is moving on?” Jess asked.

“I don’t know. I guess so. I still miss my dad.”

“You know your dad would like for you and your mom to be happy. If Mr. Addams make her happy your dad would be happy too.” Steph said.

“Yes, and if they get married you get to be the Addams family.” Jess said and giggled.

“OMG! I didn’t think of that. God I’ll be teased rotten because of that.”

“Just a little bit, Wednesday.” Steph said and we all giggled.

  

  

I got home and mom was in the living room reading a magazine. “Hi mom.”

“Hi sweetie, how did it go with your friends?”

“It was pretty good. It seems I ended up making a few more too.”

“That fast?”

“Remember the girl Mr. Addams told us about? The one that was wrongfully identified as a boy at birth?”

“Yes, what about her?”

“I bumped into her twin brother while going to meet Jess, Steph and the girls. I ended up with my behind on the floor again.”

My mom just shook her head and said. “Don’t you ever look where you are going?”

“Apparently not.” I said and giggled. “Anyway, her name is Joan and she is a very nice girl. I also met her sister and a friend of theirs. We all started to chat and the girls want to have another slumber party Saturday. It seems Joan never went to one.”

“And how many girls will be at the slumber party?”

“Just nine girls so far.”

“Just nine? That’s a big slumber party. Where do you girls plan on having it?”

“Mandy said her house has the space and we could have it there. I think it will be fun. At least this time I’ll know what to expect.”

“And does Joan know?”

“I think the poor girl don’t have a clue. Oh, the girls also want to go hang out at the mall Saturday afternoon before the party. Something about introducing us to girl shopping. I wonder how different it can be from the time we went shopping together.”

“It is very different. When we went shopping we had a mission to start your wardrobe. I think you will enjoy the experience.”

“Won’t you tell me what to expect?”

“And spoil the girls fun? No way.”

“You can be very mean when you want to.”

“I know.” She said and smiled.

  

  

“Mom, how did it go with Mr. Addams after I left?”

“Pretty well actually.”

“So?”

“So what?”

“What happened?”

“I don’t know what you are talking about.” Mom said but blushed a little.

“Come on mom. I saw how you two were looking at each other. I left because I noticed you two were flirting with each other and I wanted to give you guys some space.”

“Was it that apparent?”

“Yes, you would have to be a guy to not notice it.” I said and giggled.

“He is a nice man.”

“And?”

“And he asked me out for dinner Friday night.”

“And you accepted it?”

“Not yet. I wanted to talk to you first.”

“Go for it mom. I was a little uncomfortable at first but after talking about it with Steph and Jess I see that I was overreacting a little. I guess I was thinking about dad and how much I miss him.”

“I miss him too, sweetie, but we need to move on and he is a good man, and good looking too.”

“And him accepting me without batting an eye has nothing to do with it?”

“Well, I think it does have a bit to do with it, yes. It’s so hard to find a someone understanding like him, and I would never date anyone that couldn’t accept you for who you are.”

“Then call him and say you will go out with him Friday night. Even better, try to make it Saturday night as I will be at the slumber party and you won’t have to worry about me.”

“Hmmm…. That’s a good idea.”

“Good, that’s settled then.”
  

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