by Torey
Switching Playing Fields
by Torey
Chapter 1
I never had a problem with Beth Garrison.
She was the best athlete in the seventh grade at Spring Hill Middle School.
I was on her team in Little Baseball. She was the only girl on the team, but she could hit the ball farther than any of us.
She excelled in basketball, volleyball, just about any sport she played.
But everyone was shocked when she showed up on the first day of two-a-days. As good of an athlete as she was, girls weren't supposed to play football.
It didn't sit well with most of the guys on the team.
"Everyone will laugh at us if she plays," said Ray Lefford, a big offensive lineman who already weighed around 250 pounds.
"I'm afraid there is nothing we can do about it," our coach, Coach Jackson said. "Since girls don't have a football team, we can't keep her from playing."
He mentioned something called Title IX. He also mentioned something called a "no-cut rule."
"That's the reason we can't keep you from playing, Lacy," said Josh Bryan, our quarterback.
That was directed toward me. I was one of the smallest on the team, and not the best athlete. I didn't think I was the worst either.
There was one way to keep Beth off the team. She never backed away from a challenge.
Big Lefford challenged her to a duel in a drill we call "bull in the ring." She would go head-to-head with another player on the team in full pads.
Whoever lost the battle would quit the squad.
What does this have to do with me? Lefford was too big, she wouldn't possibly go up against him and it would be fair.
There were a few players she could go one-on-one with and it would seem fair.
I was one of them. And despite my protests, I was chosen to go up against her one-on-one.
"You can do this," Lefford said.
I got into a three-point stance. So did Beth.
"I'm going to take you down, Lucas," she snarled.
As soon as Josh blew the whistle, we collided while the rest of the guys cheered. Rivets seemed to pop when our helmets and shoulder pads collided.
Things got really quiet when she knocked me flat on my back.
She raised her arms and danced around.
"You've got to quit Lacy, not me!" she shouted.
The guys were in disbelief.
Me, I was totally embarrassed.
"I...I challenge you double or nothing," I shouted back.
"Well, I dunno," she said.
But then she thought for a second.
"OK, if you win, you're back on the team," she said. "But you may not like what you'd have to do if you lose again."
"And what is that?" I said, hoping for a chance at redemption.
"Field hockey practice starts this afternoon from what I hear," she said with a wide grin. "You lose, you'll have to join the field hockey team."
The guys started laughing.
"You mean the girls' field hockey team?" I asked.
"I don't believe there's a boys team," she said.
"Do it, Lacy, knock her on her seat," Lefford said.
"You beat her and maybe she'll challenge you to the best two-of-three," Josh said. "Then you can get her to quit."
"Better think long and hard about this, Lacy," Beth said. "You lose, and you'll look awfully cute chasing a ball with a stick...in a skirt!"
"You're on!" I shouted, getting back in a three-point stance.
Josh blew the whistle. The guys cheered. Rivets popped.
She knocked me on my seat again.
####
The auxiliary gym was no man's land.
It's where the girls had P.E. It's where the cheerleaders practice.
It's where the girls athletic teams have their locker-rooms.
It was also where the field hockey team was holding signups. It was where the team meeting would be held before it hit the field.
It was going to be the second scene of my humiliation.
Beth and some of the football players walked behind me to make sure I followed through.
I never felt more alone as I shut the door between them and me and walked into the gym, joining the line of seventh grade girls joining the team for the first time.
"Can I help you, Mr. Lacy?" asked Coach Martin.
We had co-ed P.E. classes in sixth grade. Boys and girls were in separate classes in seventh and eighth grade. She was my teacher last year.
She was young. All of us boys in our class last year had a crush on her.
"I'm...I'm," I stuttered.
"Spit it out," she said.
"I'm here to join the field hockey team," I said.
The chatter, the giggling in the gym stopped. You could have heard a pin drop.
"Coach Martin, we can't let him be on the team," protested Gina Lenetti, who was an eighth grader and team captain.
Coach Martin looked up at Gina from her seat.
"Our state has an equal rights amendment," she said. "If he's serious about being on the team, he gets to be on the team. You remember, Bay Springs had a boy on their team a couple of years ago. You are serious about this, aren't you, Mr. Lacy?"
I nodded my head yes.
"Ok, then, take a seat on the bleachers with the rest of the girls," Coach Martin. "We'll start our meeting as soon as we're done with signups."
I got some strange looks as I walked over to the bleachers.
"You can sit by me if you like," said Kim Franks.
I'd known Kim since Kindergarten. I was glad to see one friendly face.
"OK ladies, listen up," Coach Martin said as she approached the bleachers with our assistant coach, Coach Parker.
"Coach Parker and Miss Lenetti are going to pass out forms you need to get your parents to sign. We'll have a trainer here tomorrow to give physicals. You will also notice a sheet with team rules."
I looked down at the sheet she was talking about.
"Girls, being a Lady Tiger is a priviledge, not a right," Coach Martin said. "To be a member of this team, you must follow all of the rules to the letter. There are no exceptions. Any questions, raise your hands."
I was still sort of in a state of shock when I read the rules. Some were universal. Others, I thought, couldn't possibly apply to me."
I was a too scared to raise my hand. I felt like crawling under the bleachers. I didn't want to draw attention to myself. I wanted to be as stealth as possible.
I found out that wasn't possible, not when a few hands shot up.
The first question was about me.
"Yes Miss Mitchell," Coach Martin said, acknowledging the first hand that shot up.
"Everybody has to follow the rules, including Lucas?" she asked.
"Every rule is to be followed on that sheet to the letter, no exceptions, not even for Mr. Lacy," Coach Martin replied.
Chapter 2
Many of the rules didn't seem unreasonable. Some were the same as the ones for the football team.
Don't miss practice unless you have an excuse.
You must maintain a "C" average to be eligible.
No failing grades.
Discipline problems in the classroom will result in suspension from the team.
No use of profanity.
Coaches, teachers and parents are to be addressed by "Yes, sir; Yes, ma'am."
The problem came a little bit in the dress code.
Practice gear: Warm weather -- spandex shorts (Ok, guys can get away with that), team practice t-shirts, sports bra (try telling your mom you need one), cleats. Cold weather -- sweat pants, sweat shirts, which can be substituted for Under Armour.
Game uniform: Sleeveless jersey, with matching long sleeve Under Armour top for cold weather; skirt and matching bottom, with Under Armour bottom worn during cold weather; sports bra matching color of uniforms. Coach Martin will make the decision if cold weather gear is to be worn. State rules mandate there must be no variation of uniforms, with the exception of safety equipment worn by the goalkeeper.
Bring leotard (they've got to be kidding!) Friday for coaches to take measurements for skirt, jersey and bra sizes.
Oh, there's more:
Hygene rules: Legs shaved. Since you'll be wearing a sleeveless jersey on gamedays, arm pits shaved (OK, I know what you're thinking, I'm in seventh grade, but I have a few hairs there finally).
Gameday dress code: We are borrowing a tradition from the football team. Their players were shirts, ties, slacks.
Our players will wear dresses (similar to what you would wear to church, to social functions, if you have a question about it, ask Coach Martin or Coach Parker).
That was the part I was hoping there would be an exception. Maybe I can get away with wearing a shirt, tie and slacks.
But the other rule, there may be no way around: On travel days, players will change into uniforms at lunch and wear them to class before we depart.
What have I gotten myself into?
#####
Mom had a pretty good laugh about it, but we went to the sporting goods store and bought the spandex shorts and sports bras for practice. Our team t-shirts would be passed out at practice.
School began OK. I was kidded a few times by some of the guys on the football team. I was shoved out of the way by Gina Lenetti and another eighth grader on the field hockey team when I was walking down the hall on the way to my locker.
"We're going to make it hard on you that you'll quit!" She shouted after shoving me.
The real torture came during my 10 o'clock P.E. class. More teasing, including from Coach Jackson.
I was surprised to see Beth in the class.
"The football players in class will have weight training on Tuesdays and Thursdays, that's why Garrison's here," Coach Jackson said.
"Heard practice was a bit tough for you yesterday," she said before we started our exercising.
She had no idea. I was intentionally tripped several times during scrimmage by some of the eighth graders on the squad. I was placed in goal for part of the scrimmage and some of the girls weren't aiming for goals...they were aiming for some place else.
"It went OK," I said.
I didn't want to tell her that. Her practice, from what I understand, went really well. She turned out to be the best receiver at practice, although she still went through some kidding.
"They're not going to make me quit," she said defiantly.
Quitting for me would seem to be an easy way out. I didn't tell her that.
Right before we were about to do jumping jacks, Gina Lenetti walked into the gym and handed Coach Jackson a note.
"Lacy, come here!" He said with a laugh. "You've been transferred to girls' P.E."
Ok, can I be any more humiliated.
"Come along, Lucas, Coach Martin's not going to start Pilates until you get there," Gina said, loud enough and sarcastically enough that everyone heard.
There reason I was transferred was for much the same reason Beth was transferred to boys P.E.
"Field hockey, volleyball players and cheerleaders have weight training together on Mondays and Wednesdays," Coach Martin told me after I joined her class. "We rotate with the boys."
####
Sore, bruised, sweaty and dirty.
That's how I felt sitting in Coach Martin's office.
"How serious are you about being on the team?" she asked.
I tried to tell her I was serious, although I really didn't know if I was. Maybe it was easier to go ahead and quit.
She told me she knew about the "bet" I had with Beth. Most of the team knew it.
That was one of the myriad of reasons they were doing everything in their power to make me quit.
Other players had other reasons, including Gina.
And Coach Parker was encouraging them. She was what Coach Martin called "old guard" who played back in the ages before Title IX and clearly didn't want me on the team because she felt I might be taking a spot from one of the girls if I were on the field.
And Coach Martin explained to me that some people felt a boy on the team gave the team a competitive advantage because of the physical difference between boys and girls.
"But that's not an issue with you," she said.
It was true. Ability-wise, size-wise, I was right in the middle.
"I want you to think long and hard about whether or not you want to do this," she said. "The torment you get on the practice field, here at school, will only be worse once we take the field for games. You're going to hear it from fans, the other teams, parents."
She had a point. And she seemed to care about what I thought.
She was giving me an excuse to quit the team. But then she stunned me by what she told me next.
"I'll be honest with you, Lucas," she said. "I was like everyone else. I didn't want you on this team and really didn't have a problem with your mistreatment by other players on this team. But I've been impressed with your effort the last two days in practice."
"Thanks coach," I said. I didn't know what to say.
"Truth is, we have only 14 players on this team," Coach Martin said. "I have to put 11 players on the field. If we get many players hurt, we're in trouble. If you truly want to be on this team, I want you on this team. But I want you to think long and hard about wanting to be on this team."
She'd given me a lot to think about.
"I want you to read this book," she said, handing me a book about the history of girls athletics. It was written by one of her coaches in college.
"I want you to understand what female athletes have to go through," she said. "It was an honor for me when I played to be a Lady Tiger, both here and at the high school. I'm willing to invest my time to make you the best field hockey player you can be. But you've got to prove to me this is what you want. I want to know that you want to be a Lady Tiger."
Chapter 3
Gina Lenetti and I sat quietly in Coach Martin's office.
I had no idea what our fate was going to be.
"Imagine my surprise when I was told to come to the principal's office to pick up a couple of my players," she said as she sat down in her chair. "He wants me to handle the punishment. And we're going to do that."
It started off with a little teasing from a couple of football players, Josh Bryan and Chuck Lawrence. I didn't like being called a sissy and shoved Chuckie into the lockers, only to be penned up by our quarterback.
"Mr. Lacy, I can understand why you did what you did," she said. "But you're going to have to put up with the teasing if you're going to be on this team. You're going to have to be our version of Jackie Robinson."
I understood the example. I wrote an essay on him during Black History Month in the sixth grade. It won a prize. His first season in the Major Leagues, he was told he couldn't retaliate, regardless of the racial slurs tossed in his direction.
"Miss Lenetti, I'm a bit baffled by your behavior," Coach Martin said. "I thought high sticking was an ice hockey offense."
I was a bit surprised by her behavior, too. The entire time, she had been riding me, trying to make it so hard for me, that I'd quit.
But when Josh had me penned against the locker, she came up from behind and whacked him right between the legs. It left him in severe pain.
We tried not to laugh at Coach Martin's "high sticking" reference.
But she wanted an explanation as to why Gina came to my defense. I wanted one, too. No one was more surprised by what she did than me.
"Coach, I still don't want him on the team," she said stoically. "I'm still going to make things hard on him until he quits. But he's my teammate until he does. No one picks on a Lady Tiger except those of us on the team, at least not as long as I'm captain."
Coach Martin cracked a smile. And then she got serious.
"Keep it up and you won't be captain much longer."
She picked up the phone and called Coach Parker into the office.
"I'm handing these two over to you," she said.
"OK ladies, I'm going to run you until you puke, now move!" Coach Parker yelled, pointing to the door.
####
We stood in line waiting on our uniforms.
It was picture day. It was one week before our first game.
Things were sort of dying down. The teasing was getting a little old, so I wasn't getting teased as much around school.
Our fearless leader, Gina, and the rest of the eighth graders, were still hard on me, but I couldn't tell whether it was because I was a boy and they were trying to run me off, or whether it was their regular treatment of us "seventh grade maggots" as they referred to us.
They were also hard on Kim and the rest of the first timers.
There were a couple of parents meetings and a heated school board meeting.
Coach Martin did her best to calm their fears in explaining I wasn't a 6-foot, 200 pound gorilla out to harm their daughters. Many of them attended practice and found out their daughters stood just as good a chance of harming me.
None of the teams in our conference seemed to be upset about me playing, especially when they found out I was 5-5 and weighed 120 pounds.
"We have majorettes bigger than he is," one of the opposing coaches told her.
There seemed to be more of an uproar about Beth playing football, that she was going to get hurt. But from what I heard about her in practice, she seemed to be holding her own.
"Here's your skirt, your bottom and your jersey, Mr. Lacey," Coach Martin said when she handed me my uniform. "I'm going to let you in on a little secret. No. 7 was my number, too. My dad liked it because Mickey Mantle wore that number. But I liked it because of John Elway. I want you to wear that uniform with pride."
I looked at the green and white uniform. The jersey was white with green letters spelling out "Lady Tigers" on the front. The number 7 was on the back. The skirt was green with white paw prints along the side. The bottom was green, but with "Lady Tigers" written across the back side in script.
"I'll wear it with pride," I said.
We were told to carry the uniforms home after practice and hang them up.
I walked into my deserted locker-room. It was actually the volleyball team's locker-room. But since practiced and played at different times, I was assigned there to change and shower.
I slowly put the uniform on, walked into the bathroom and looked in the mirror. I turned around a couple of times.
I hate to admit it, but I liked how it looked on me.
####
I always had to knock before I entered the locker-room where the rest of the girls were, which was where we held our team meetings.
"Wow, only two bandaids this time," Kim said when I entered their locker-room in full uniform.
"Yeah, I think I'm actually getting the hang of this leg shaving business," I said.
"It will be second nature to ya once the season gets over," Kim said.
"That's what I'm afraid of," I laughed.
"Alright Ladies, listen up!" Coach Martin said. "The football team is finishing up with their pictures. As soon as they are done, we'll take the field for a team photo and individual pictures."
We grabbed our sticks and headed out when we were told the football team was done.
I heard someone whistle as we were heading to the field.
I turned around to see Beth Garrison in full football gear, holding her helmet.
"Man, Lacy, you sure look cute in that skirt," she said.
I smiled, and did a little curtsy.
"Hold on you two, I want to get a picture," a woman said.
It was Beth's mom.
"You two look too cute!"
Beth rolled her eyes..."I've got an idea."
She got down on one knee. She told me to sit on her knee.
It was a classic football program photo, usually with a cheerleader sitting on the football player's knee, or the field hockey player or volleyball player sitting on the football player's knee.
"Please Ms. Garrison, I hope you're not putting this on Facebook," I said, grabbing my stick and heading to the field.
Chapter 4
"OK ladies, take a knee," were the words I'd been waiting for after running what seemed like an endless number of sprints at the end of practice.
I was out of breath, but tried not to let it show.
"Big game tomorrow," Coach Martin said. "It's our season opener and our first conference game. Eat a good meal tonight. Get plenty of rest. We've got a two-hour drive after school tomorrow to Sullins Academy."
"You know what that means, ladies," Coach Parker chimed in. "Bring your gear to the bus by 7:45. Bring your uniforms to the locker-room and come by and change into them during your lunch period. They won't be opening locker-rooms up for us. The only restrooms are at the concession stand. We pull out at 2:30. The game is at 5:30."
"Lacy, bring your uniform to my office, the volleyball locker-room's going to be used for P.E.," Coach Martin said. "Knock on the side door. You can change in there."
Coach Martin then went over starting positions.
"Rotating at fullback are Jessi Mears and Lucas Lacy," Coach Martin said. "I want crisp passes out of both of you. You were a bit sloppy today. Kim Arnold will start at keeper. Lucas you're backing her up."
"Be prepared Hobbettes," Gina Lenetti said. "I don't want 'The Beast' scoring many goals."
"The Beast?" Kim asked.
"She's a 6-foot-1 eighth grader, she's gotta be on ’roids, I swear," said Melanie Piper, one of our eighth graders.
They were talking about a girl named Becky Madsen. She led Sullins to the conference championship in field hockey, basketball and softball. According to Coach Martin, she was a star basketball player in summer AAU ball and a college prospect.
"They killed us last year," Melanie said after practice. "Gina was the only one who could keep up with her."
"Lucas, come here," Coach Martin said as I walked to mom's car.
"The dress rule has been waived for you tomorrow," she said. "But I can't waive the uniform rule. It's not practical."
I told her it was no big deal. But I dreaded the kidding I was going to receive in chorus and English, the two classes I had after lunch before the athletic period.
####
Mom prepared a bit of a spaghetti feast that night. She heard somewhere that pasta was good for athletes to eat the night before the game.
"Dad still not happy?" I asked.
"He's furious," mom replied. “He said, ‘if I had custody of that boy, he'd be playing football instead of that damned girls’ sport,’”.
She reminded dad that men also played field hockey, but he didn't listen.
"But he's not going to come from California to claim you," she said. "The bitch won't let him. I'd fight him anyway."
I rolled my eyes. The "bitch" was my stepmother. I had a half-brother and half-sister and my dad's world revolved around them more than me.
But I didn't care. My mom, little sister and I were doing just fine. And playing field hockey almost made me the anti-him, "Mr. Football Star", which was fine with me.
"I want to show you something," mom said, bringing out her old yearbook.
She turned to a page that showed her in a field hockey uniform when she played at the high school.
"I didn't know you played field hockey, mom," I said.
We knew all about dad's exploits. But turns out mom was all-conference at midfielder. She helped the team to the state championship her senior year. She was also a champion swimmer.
"I worry about you, the teasing at school, and what you'll probably here tomorrow," she said. "There were a couple of boys who played at other schools when I played, and they really caught hell. But no mom will be prouder to see her baby wearing the skirt of the Lady Tigers tomorrow."
####
"Nice legs, Mr. Lacy," my chorus teacher Mr. Skinner said when I returned from changing at lunch, much to the laughter of my classmates.
"You know I'm just kidding, don't you?" he said.
I knew he was. And most of my classmates were doing it out of good humor.
I walked up to my row as we got ready to practice and got high-fives from Jessi Mears and Emily Crue, my teammates in the class.
"We make these uniforms look good, don't we Mr. Skinner?" Emily asked.
"Yes you three do," he said with a laugh.
"Mr. Lacy, would you like to be grouped with the girls, your voice is almost high enough," he said jokingly. "I'm sure you'll feel more at home."
"No, Mr. Skinner, I'm good," I said.
I really didn't mind the humor. He always tried to be funny.
I didn't appreciate some of the snickers I got walking down the hallway to English, some of it coming from the football players, guys I once thought were my friends.
"Oh, don't worry about them," Kim said. "They're just a bunch of jerks."
English wasn't too bad. Four of my teammates, including Kim, were in there. We spent most of the class discussing our reading assignment, “To Kill A Mockingbird”.
"Lucas, can I see you a minute after class?" said Miss Hunter, who was one of our younger teachers, almost fresh out of college.
"Watch carefully," she said as she sat down in a chair and tucked her skirt tightly under her legs.
"Notice how your teammates sit," she said. "Sit this way if you're not going to cross your legs."
I was a bit embarrassed.
"Don't be embarrassed," she said. "No one saw but me. But you can't sit like a boy when you're wearing your skirt."
"What did Miss Hunter want? We're curious," Kim asked as we arrived at the bus.
"Oh, nothing important," I replied.
"OK ladies, it's time to get our faces painted and shoulders before we have to get on the bus," Gina said. "That includes you, Lacy!"
I got a green paw print painted on one of my cheeks. Another one was painted on my shoulder for team solidarity.
"OK ladies, get on the bus, we need to get going," Coach Parker said as we filed in.
It was a small bus. Coach Parker was the driver. Coach Martin rode shot gun. There were seventeen of us crammed into a small bus, including two managers and a girl who was our trainer.
####
"Hey, queer. Hey, faggot, get off the field," chanted a bunch of boys from Sullins Academy and a few fathers when I went in to sub for Jessi.
"Don't let them get in your head," Melanie Piper told me. "Keep in the game."
I did my best to block things out. I was a bit nervous and made a couple of mistakes. I let "The Beast" get by me as she scored the game's first goal.
But I redeemed myself with a pass to Gina, who tied things up a few minutes later.
It didn't sit too well with "The Beast", who intentionally tripped me and drew a penalty card.
I got the chance to take a penalty shot, but missed. Just when I was beginning to tire out, Coach Martin pulled me for Jessi, who was now rested. It paid off. She scored the next goal to put us in front 2-1.
"You're doing a good job, Lucas," Coach Martin told me on the sidelines. "A little dirt in the skirt never hurt anybody. Pay attention to how they're playing. You're going to be back out in a few minutes."
Just before I went back on the field, “The Beast” raced past Jessi and hit a shot past Kim, tying the score at 2-2.
We were able to hold them scoreless the rest of the half.
"Gina, you're going to have to do a better job of guarding Madsen," Coach Martin said. "And Jessi and Lucas, the Garner girl's been getting by you two too many times. You're doing a good job, but you've got to do better. And Melanie, do a better job of passing it to Gina when she's open. And Kim, keep it up, you're keeping us in this game."
Jessi started the second half, but I gave her a break a few minutes in. I thought I did OK.
We shocked Sullins about midway through the half. Melanie raced past "The Beast" and hit Gina with a great pass, putting us up 3-2.
"We can win this game Hobbettes if we can play good defense!" Gina shouted to me and Kim as she raced down field.
We were on the verge of a huge upset when "Godzilla Woman" made a vicious hit on Kim while trying to score. She was about as tall as she was wide. I'm guessing she weighed 200 pounds easy.
"Hey ref! That's intentional!" shouted Coach Parker.
It was in vain. We didn't get the call.
Melanie, Coach Martin and I picked Kim off the ground. She got the wind knocked out of her.
"Lucas, suit up," Coach Martin said when we returned to the sidelines. "I've got Mears going in for Lacy, Lacy for Arnold," she told the referee.
I looked up. There were three minutes left on the scoreboard.
"Nothing by you Hobbette, nothing by you," Gina said when I took my place in goal.
The final minutes seemed like an eternity. The Garner girl got past Jessi and took a shot. It was wide. My heart pounded when I couldn't get to it, but we still held the lead.
"The Beast" took matters into her own hand in the game’s final seconds. She raced past Gina.
The only thing that stood between her and the goal was me.
She fired the shot.
I knocked it away.
The whistle blew.
Lady Tigers 3, Lady Lions 2.
I sat on the ground, exhausted and dirty. Our sideline was celebrating like crazy. No one had beaten Sullins Academy in two years.
Gina reached out her hand to pick me off the ground. She dusted off the back of my seat and jersey.
"Way to go Hobbette," she said. "Way to get dirt in the skirt!"
Chapter 5
"Slow down, you don't have a train to catch," mom said as I gulped down my juice and shoved down a couple of pop tarts.
"Actually, mom, I do," I said with my mouth full. "Jessi's mom will be here any minute. We're not supposed to be late for the GAC meeting."
"That brings back memories," mom said. "I was in GAC in middle school and high school."
GAC was the Girls Athletics Club. Membership was mandatory for all players on the girls athletics teams at the school. I thought being a boy would exclude me, I was wrong.
"You're an athlete in the girls' athletic department, period!" Coach Martin said. "End of discussion."
I heard the doorbell. It was Jessi's mom.
"Oh my gosh, Janice!" Jessi's mom said. "I had no idea you were Lucas' mom."
"It appears they know each other," Jessi said to me.
"We were teammates on the field hockey and swim teams back in the day," Jessi's mom said. "Janice, you missed a great game last night. Jessi played great. Lucas played great."
"I wished I could have gone, Karen," mom said. "Amber had dance rehearsal. Can't be in two places at once."
"We know all about dance rehearsals at our house," Mrs. Mears said. "Both my girls dance and play sports."
"Mom, we've got to go," Jessi said.
"OK, let's get to the car," Mrs. Mears said. "Lucas, did you tell your mom about the trip to McDonald's last night?"
I shook my head no.
"He was the star of the show there," she said. "Everybody wanted to talk to the boy field hockey player."
"It really wasn't a big deal," I said.
"It was no big deal?" Jessi said. "You are such a diva!"
####
GAC consisted of every female athlete in the school. Field hockey players, basketball players, gymnasts, volleyball players, track athletes, tennis players and softball players, they were all there.
I tried my best to stay awake as they went over the minutes of the last meeting. They mentioned something about a car wash on Saturday to raise money for the teams, selling candles for Christmas, I couldn't remember everything.
"I'd also like to congratulate the field hockey team for their victory over Sullins Academy," said Coach Patterson, the girls basketball and softball coach. "Huge win for you ladies."
We stood up for the applause.
She turned the meeting over to Bayliegh Greer, a volleyball and basketball player who was GAC's president. Gina was vice president. I was amazed there was an organization where Gina wasn't in charge.
"As you all know, homecoming is in four weeks," she said. "We have to have our nominations in today, so they can get the ballots printed for homecoming queen election. As you know, each organization gets an eighth grade attendant and a seventh grade attendant, with the eighth grade attendant up for queen."
"We'd really like to make a splash with our picks this year, and show up the cheerleaders," said Betsy Wiggins, another volleyball player.
"Fat chance of that happening," said one of my teammates, Emily Crue.
"Eighth grade nominees first," Bayliegh said.
Melanie nominated Gina. She was up against a basketball player, a gymnast and a volleyball player.
We wrote down our choices. And much to the field hockey team's delight, Gina won.
"I think you've got a really good chance to be GAC's first homecoming queen in a long time," Coach Martin said.
Coach Martin, in fact, was the last eighth grade homecoming queen who was a member of GAC.
I wasn't paying attention when nominations for seventh graders began. I was too busy talking to Jessi and Kim when Gina raised her hand and asked to address the club.
"I yield the floor to Vice President Lenetti," Bayliegh said.
"All of the names nominated so far are really good nominees," Gina said. "But Piper and I've got a nomination that would really help us make a splash. And I'd like to put this nomination up for acclamation."
Suddenly some of the girls started turning around and looking at me.
"Oh my God, dude, she's going to nominate you!" Jessi said.
I slumped down in my seat. It was impossible to hide.
"I'd like to place in nomination Lucas Lacy as our seventh grade attendant madame president," Gina said.
"Are there any seconds to this nomination?" Bayliegh.
Every field hockey player in the room seconded the motion.
"The nominee is ineligble to vote, all in favor raise your hand," Bayliegh said.
Every girl in the room raised her hand.
"I'd like to congratulate this year's GAC representatives to the homecoming court, Gina Lenetti and Lucas Lacy," our president said. "Good luck Gina!"
####
I was still in a state of shock when Beth Garrison came up to me while I was drinking from the water fountain.
"Went to the game last night, I thought you did great," she said.
"Thanks," I said. "I know you guys have a game tonight."
"Yup, and I'm really excited," Beth said. "I'm starting at receiver and punter. You going to come?"
"Yeah," I said. "Jessi's mom is taking us."
"Lucas, I've got a question to ask," she said. "Our bet only required you to join the field hockey team. How come you stayed on the team?"
I laughed.
"I really dig it," I said. "Even with all that I put up with. It's really fun."
She smiled.
"I think being a field hockey player suits you," she said.
"I also think you're hot wearing a skirt," she said, winking at me."
I blushed.
"Well, how about you?" I asked. "Do you like being on the football team."
"I've loved football all my life," she said. "Play against my brothers and the boys in the neighborhood all the time. Why shouldn't a girl play football if she wants to?"
I have to admit, I admired her. And I heard she was putting up with about as much as I was. But I also heard she did so well that she had won over her teammates.
"Well, got to run, Lucas," she said. "Oh yeah...I forgot to mention...I think it's really cool you're on the homecoming court, too!"
Evidently, word had already gotten out.
#####
"Homecoming court?" mom asked.
"Yeah, I know, it's really out there," I said.
"Playing field hockey is one thing," she said. "I really hope you know what you're getting into with that one."
Truth is, I didn't, other than being in the parade and being escorted out on the field.
"It was Gina's and Melanie's idea," I said. "They want GAC to make a splash.
"Oh, I'm sure they will with you on the court," she said. "But if it's something you really want to do, I'm all for it. I think its good you're taking being a good teammate seriously."
"I appreciate that mom, I really do," I said. "I've got to go up and change, Jessi's mom will be here in a few minutes."
I was up getting changed when our phone rang.
"OK Gina, I'll tell him," mom said. "Jessi already knows? OK. But I'm leaving it up to him."
"What's up mom?" I asked when I opened my bedroom door.
"Gina wants the field hockey players to sit as a team," she said. "She wants you guys to wear your uniforms, except its going to be a little cool out. She said her mom is hosting a 'sweatshirts and skirts' party after the game tonight."
Jessi and her mom were waiting when I came down the stairs.
"I see you got the message," Jessi said.
We looked like twins decked out in our sweatshirts, skirts and sneakers.
"Gina's mom told me about the party at her house after the game," Mrs. Mears said. "I'll drop you two off there after the game and pick you up at 11. I've also got blankets in the car in case your legs get a little cool at the game."
I hugged mom and got ready to rush out the door.
"Did you ask your mom yet?" Jessi asked before we got out the door.
"Ask me what?" mom said. I'm sure after me joining the field hockey team and being selected for the homecoming court, she was expecting even more bizarre news.
"Lucas and a couple of girls from the team are coming to ballet class with me in the morning," Jessi said.
"Ballet?" mom asked.
I rolled my eyes.
"Come on mom, you know boys can do ballet, too," I said.
"Boys can play field hockey, too," mom said. "But around here, boys usually don't do either."
####
It was a little cool at the game, but we really didn't seem to notice. We were having a good time. And I guess the novelty of me wearing a skirt was starting to wear off.
I didn't get teased too much. And I laughed off what teasing I went through with my teammates. I didn't mind the strength in numbers.
I tried not to look too enthusiastic when we did the cheers right along with the cheerleaders, although the girls on the team did some of the moves they did. I did, too, but tried not to make it too obvious.
I also tried to keep up with the game as much as I could. It was pretty exciting. I heard a few insults hurled Beth's way.
"I bet you understand what she's going through," Melanie Piper said to me.
"Uh, huh," I said.
Beth was shoved to the ground a couple of times, which drew penalties. She wasn't having a great game until end.
Josh Bryan was on the verge of being sacked. We trailed by seven. Beth was the only open receiver.
He threw the ball to her. She raced down the field and scored a touchdown, sending the game into overtime.
I was trying to explain the game to some of my teammates. Athletic as they were, they were clueless about football. That is everyone except me, Gina and Emily Crue.
"We're going on defense first," Gina said to me. "Come boys, hold them!"
Each team would get the ball at the 10 yard-line.
We held them to a field goal.
"If we score a touchdown, we win," I whispered to Jessi.
It didn't look good. Josh was sacked for a 15-yard loss on first down. A holding penalty pushed us back in further.
"It's too long to try a field goal," Gina whispered to me when the boys faced fourth down.
"They've got to try a hail Mary," I said.
"A hail what?" Jessi asked.
"A desperation pass," Emily chimed in.
Josh almost got sacked. He threw the ball into the air toward a mass of players waiting at the goal line.
One of our receivers leaped amazingly high, caught the pass and landed on top of one of the defenders in the end zone.
It was Beth!
Gina was grabbing me and shaking me. Emily hugged me.
Everybody went crazy.
Beth scored the winning touchdown.
We lined up at the edge of the bleachers and congratulated the boys as the headed to the locker-room.
"Way to go 2-2!" I yelled to Beth, who was talking to a sports reporter.
"Thanks 7!" she yelled back, blowing me a kiss.
I didn't think anyone noticed. I was wrong.
"Oh...I think you two would make a good couple," Gina said.
"Oh, yeah," Melanie said with a laugh. "And she's the one who would wear the pants in the relationship."
I looked down and noticed my skirt.
I didn't really know if I'd have a problem with that.
Chapter 6
I pulled a sweatshirt over my T-shirt and a pair of sweats over my spandex shorts, it was a bit cool outside.
Jessi told me the clothes I wear for practice and a pair of socks would be fine for ballet class.
I was a bit tired. We stayed at the party at Gina's house way too late.
Mom made a pretty good breakfast. Her bacon and eggs were the best. I smelled them as soon as I got out of the shower.
I wasn't rushed, but soon there came a knock at the door. It was Jessi.
"By Mom," I said, giving her a hug as I rushed out the door.
"Have a good time sweetie!" she said, marveling at yet another one of her son's unconventional adventures.
"How's it going, Lucas?" Jessi's mom asked.
"A little tired, Mrs. Mears," I said.
"Joined the club," yawned Emily Crue in the back seat of the SUV. "10 o'clock on Saturday is way too early for a ballet class."
"Well, if you three hadn't stayed at Gina's so late, you wouldn't be so tired now."
"But it was fun, mom!" Jessi said.
I agreed. It was one of the most unusual parties I've ever been to. It was a "chick" party said one of the boys at the game.
A couple of boys wanted to come, but Gina refused to let them.
Nothing but her teammates.
"It's an all-girl party except for one of the Hobbettes," Gina said. "We claim him, he goes with us."
We danced. We watched movies, listened to music, gossiped (I actually mainly listened) and snacked. It was actually pretty cool.
We followed Jessi into the stately looking Spring Hill Ballet School, which was a lot more respected than the studio where my sister took class.
"Shhhhh, you guys come look," Jessi whispered, pointing to one of the studios.
"Oh my God, she's gorgeous," Emily said about the dancer who was working with a teacher.
"Yeah, she is beautiful," I said.
"They're working on a piece we're doing in the Nutcracker," Jessi said. "Don't you recognize her...or the teacher?"
I had to do a double-take. Maybe it was because her hair was in a bun. Maybe it was because she was in leotards, tights and pointe shoes.
Maybe it was all of the above.
"It's Beth!" I said, almost shouting it.
And the teacher working with her? My English teacher, Miss Hunter, the very same one who was trying to tell me how to tuck my skirt in when I was sitting.
"Who knew she could be so graceful?" Emily said about Beth. "She's not so much a jock after all."
"Come on in ladies and gentleman," Miss Hunter said. "Lucas, it's awfully good to see you. We really need boys at this school."
"Thanks Miss Hunter," I said.
Jessi explained that Miss Hunter danced with New York City Ballet as a child. Injuries forced her to quit, so she went to college and became an English teacher.
One by one, other girls began filing into class. A couple were cheerleaders from school. Most were surprised to see me there.
Miss Hunter gave a couple of minutes speech on how big of a role men played in ballet and how it was good that I decided to give it a try.
She also gave a mini-lecture on how good ballet was for athletes, how it helped with coordination and footwork.
"Okay, take your positions at the barre," Miss Hunter said. "Lucas, you and Emily need to get in the middle so you can watch the more experienced girls."
I found myself between Jessi and Beth.
"I'm really, really surprised to see you hear," Beth whispered. "But I'm glad. I think it's cool."
Miss Hunter kept things pretty basic. We did things called plies, tendues and degages. We did what she called centre work, and did a few "simple" turns, jumps and leaps.
It kicked my tail.
But it was also fun.
"I do hope you'll join us again next week," Miss Hunter said when it was over. "We so need boys in this class."
"I'll be back next week," I said.
"I'm holding him too it, Miss Hunter," Jessi said.
"So will I," Beth said.
I had to admit I saw another side of Beth that I'd never seen before.
Beautiful, glamourous, graceful.
####
"Okay ladies, pick up the pace," Coach Martin yelled in our scrimmage. "If you don't, Bedford Middle's going to eat our lunch."
Bedford Middle School didn't have Amazons like Sullins.
"They're a pesky bunch," Melanie Piper said. "They're like hornets. They're speedy. They'll swarm you."
"They feed off turnovers," Gina said. "They have the most aggressive defense we'll face all year."
"Crue, Lacy, Mears, Harbin, your passes are getting sloppy," Coach Martin yelled. "We've got to be able to get the ball down field to Lenetti and Piper. We won't stand a chance if you can't."
"My God, she's running us to death," Jessi said during a water break.
I was huffing and puffing.
"I wish she'd give Kim a break at keeper," I said. "At least she gets to stand around more than we do. I wouldn't mind practicing at keeper for a few minutes."
She didn't have to run up and down the field. But in the few minutes I played keeper against Sullins, I knew what a tough job she had. And she did her job well.
"OK ladies, huddle up and take a knee," Coach Martin said after our seemingly endless sprints.
"I ran you hard today," she said. "We beat them last year. Judging from how practice has gone this week, I don't think we've been taking them serious enough. Ladies, they beat Harding County last week. They've got a very good team. We've got to be ready to play tomorrow. Now hit the showers!"
Most of us had taken off our t-shirts and were wearing just our shorts and sports bras. Mine was draped around my neck as we left the field and headed to the auxiliary gym.
I noticed Beth sitting on her bike, shoulder pads and helmet hanging on the handle bars. She was wearing her football pants and a t-shirt.
"Lucas, come here," she said.
"Boy, that's different look for you than last Saturday," I said.
"I know," she laughed. "At least you know I'm versatile."
"Tough, but graceful?" I said.
"I think that describes both of us," she said.
I appreciated the compliment. But she was a much better athlete than I was.
"Gotta question to ask you," she said.
"What's that?" I said.
"Have you asked anyone to be your escort?" Beth asked. "Have you asked anyone to the homecoming dance?"
I told her I really hadn't given that much thought.
"I know that sounds bad," I said.
"Oh no, you've had a lot going on," Beth said.
"You know it's a tradition for the football players to escort members of the court at halftime," she said.
"I've heard that," I said.
"I hope you don't think it's too forward of me to ask to be your escort," Beth said. "I hope you don't think it's too forward to ask you to be my date to the dance."
I don't think its a shock to anybody that Beth was being forward. That's the way she was.
I smiled.
"Beth, I'd be honored if you'd be my escort," I said. "And YES! I'll be your date to the dance."
#####
A butt-chewing.
That's what Emily called it.
That's what we got at halftime.
We trailed 3-0 to Bedford. They were as tough as Coach Martin said they would be. They were as pesky as Melanie said they would be.
I spent half the game trying to slow down a girl named Ariel "Speedy" Gonzalez. Twice I got knocked down, on purpose, by a girl Gina called "The Enforcer." I was bruised and out of gas when it was over.
I wasn't the only one. We somehow came back to win 5-4, keeping our perfect record intact.
"If you had played the first half the way you played the second, it wouldn't have been this close," Coach Martin said. "Good effort. Gina, another solid game. Jessi, Lucas, good job getting her the ball in the second half. Emily, Paige, Melanie, great defense all game, girls. Kim, way to hang in there at keeper. Too many by you today, but it wasn't all your fault."
We sensed coach was a little disappointed.
"I know we can play better," Coach Martin said. "But I've giving you tomorrow off. Go support the boys. Be ready to work on Monday, another big game next week."
"Lucas, can I talk to you a minute?" Gina asked as I picked up my gear.
"Sure, what's up?" I asked.
"Heard Beth is going to be your escort and date for homecoming," she said.
"Yes, she asked me yesterday," I said.
"Looks like both of us will be escorted by football players," she said. "Josh Bryan's going to be my date."
That was a big turn-around. One minute she's wacking him in the you-know-where with a field hockey stick, the next minute she's going out with him.
"Would your mom mind if you come over to my house after we get cleaned up?" she said. "I've got to talk to you about what I have in mind for homecoming."
"Sure," I said. She peaked my curiosity.
#####
"You feeling OK Lucas, you looked like you got banged up pretty good out there today," Mr. Lenetti said as he offered me a glass of lemonade.
"I'm a little sore, but I'm fine," I said.
"Yes, he is," Gina said. "He was knocked around pretty good. But he's tough."
I appreciated the compliment.
"Let's go to the den, Josh and Beth are waiting on us," she said.
I was surprised she invited Josh and Beth, but she said they needed to be "clued in" on her plan.
"You want to know the reason I nominated you for court?" she asked.
I was curious. So was Beth and Josh.
"Girls are stereotyped," she said. "There's more to us than being prim and proper, pretty princesses. And we don't really get respect as athletes. And there are times when we're really not taken seriously."
Beth agreed with her.
"But I think people are beginning to look at us with a different light since Lucas has joined our team, and you've been playing football," Gina said. "I want people to see that the homecoming queen and her court are not just pretty, empty-headed bimbos, that we can be tough, smart, that there is more to us than meets the eye. And the same can be said for boys. They don't have to be Mr. Macho, tough guys all the time."
We all agreed she had a point.
"Here's my idea," she said. "I don't know how the rest of the week will go. I don't know what you'll have to do during the choreography part of the talent show of the queen competition. But on the day of the parade and game, Lucas, I want you and I to both get dolled up."
"Dolled up?" I asked. "You've got to be kidding."
"Look, its almost as uncomfortable for me as it is you," she said. "Other than the dress on game day, when else have you seen me in a dress other than a skirt during the game?"
"She's got a point," Josh said.
"Come on, it will be fun," Beth said. "You must so do this!"
"Beth, you're going to have to wear a coat, tie and slacks, just like Josh," Gina said.
"Consider it done," Beth said.
"And Josh, under no circumstances should Lucas be teased at all from the football team," Gina said. "If I hear of just one insult hurled his way, I'll never speak to you again."
"We won't," Josh said. "Luke, I think it would be cool if you do it. I'll go one better. During the field hockey game homecoming week, we'll all be there cheering you guys on. We'll all be wearing skirts in honor of Luke."
That actually made me feel a lot better about Gina's plan.
"Now Beth, if you and Josh will excuse us, I've got to talk to Lucas privately," she said.
"We'll go shopping for dresses together," Gina said. "Mrs. Piper owns a dress shop. I'll clue her in. My sister owns a salon. She and a friend of hers will do our hair and makeup. And we'll ride together in the parade on the back of my dad's 'Vette."
It was all a bit overwhelming. And fortunately, a couple of weeks away.
"I do want to tell you this Lucas," she said. "I was telling Melanie the other day that you're one of the few boys who could pull this off without it becoming such a big joke. I hope you'll take it as a compliment."
"And one other thing..." she said. "I'm still not a huge fan of boys playing on girls' field hockey teams, but I'm glad you're my teammate. You're just as much a Lady Tiger as any girl who's ever worn the uniform."
Chapter 7
"Ladies, wear the skirts to practice, Coach Martin."
That was the sign that greeted us on the door of the auxiliary gym.
"Hey coach, what gives?" Emily Crue asked coach before we went to get dressed.
"CNN is here to film our practice and football practice," Coach Martin said. "They want to interview Lucas and Beth after we're done this afternoon."
"And they want to see me practice in a skirt?" I said, rolling my eyes. "Coach Martin, do I have to do this?"
Someone e-mailed them the story the local newspaper did on us. That someone was Coach Martin.
"You are an extraordinary young man," she said. "Beth is an extraordinary young lady. I think you've got an extraordinary story to tell."
She also confessed to another motive.
"We are 4-0 heading into our homecoming game on Wednesday," Coach Martin said, "yet we can't get anybody in the seats to see how hard you and your teammates play. If this gets more fannies there to cheer us on, it will be worth it."
CNN wanted to show me practicing in a skirt and Beth in football gear to get "the full effect."
"The field hockey player takes ballet and is one of the school's homecoming princesses. The star receiver for the football team holds the state record in the 100 meters for 13-year-olds and is quite a home run hitter. That may not sound unusual...unless the field hockey-homecoming princess happens to be a boy...and the football playing-home run king happens to be a girl. That's the case here at Spring Hill Middle School, I'm Soledad O'Brian and this is their amazing story."
"You know this is all your fault," I whispered to Beth. She knew I was joking.
"Oh shut up, you're enjoying this," she said. "You are such a diva!"
I was wearing my field hockey skirt. She was wearing her football practice gear. The CNN reporter was sitting in a chair between us.
The interview lasted about 30 minutes. They also interviewed our coaches and our teammates. We told the reporter about the teasing we took, the cheap shots on the field. We also told her how much we appreciated our teammates rallying around us.
"I know it may seem strange to other people, but I love playing field hockey, I love my teammates," I said during the interview. "I don't mind wearing the skirt, it's part of the uniform. It's no big deal."
It was neat listening to our teammates stick up for us, especially the ones who didn't want us on the team when the season started.
"Oh no, I didn't want Lucas on the team," Gina said. "I did my best to run him off. But he really works hard out there. He's proven to us he belongs. He's one of us. He's one of the girls, now. As for the teasing he takes, he knows we have his back."
"Beth is an amazing athlete," Josh Bryan said. "She outhustles us. She's got the best hands on the team. If she's open and I throw it to her, I know she's going to catch it. She's like a little sister to us. If someone takes a cheap shot, we'll go to her defense. She knows we'll protect her."
"OK gang, that's a wrap," Coach Martin said.
"Have you got choreography rehearsal next?" Beth asked.
"Yup, and I'm really tired," I said. "I'll be glad when its over on Thursday. I really appreciate your help with the tap routines."
"I'll bet the dances are going to be really cool," Beth said. "I'm looking forward to seeing you in the top hat, tap shoes and cane."
"I know I'm complaining too much," I said. "It's a lot of work, but its actually a lot of fun, too. It could be worse, too. The eighth graders are having to do a talent competition as part of the vote for queen."
#####
"I've never seen this many people for a field hockey game before," Coach Martin told Coach Parker when we took the field for warmups for our game against East Highland.
Mr. Boldin, our principal, told her a few minutes later that he counted 7,000 paid receipts in a stadium that was normally near-empty for our games.
"At $5 a head, you've just funded the entire girls' athletic budget for the next two years," he said. "But more importantly, I looked it up. This will be the largest crowd ever to watch a field hockey game in the history of the state. Not even the high schools or colleges have drawn this much for the game."
The entire football team showed and sat in the student section. Every one of them wore skirts, as Josh promised, except for the lone solitary player in the middle of the crowd, Beth. She wore jeans.
"She would have worn a skirt, but the guys insisted she wear jeans to go better with the theme," Coach Jackson told Coach Martin.
"Oh my God, now that's funny," Gina said, draping her arm around me. "And it's pretty ugly."
"Lacy, please take this as a compliment," Melanie Piper said, also draping her arm around me as the three of us stood in amazement looking at the student section. "But you are the only boy who can pull the look off."
"Yeah, you always look good in a skirt," Gina said. "They look pretty ridiculous -- funny -- but ridiculous."
"Thanks, I think?" I said.
"Same starting lineup as last week, except one change," Coach Martin said. "Megan's cramping up. Lucas I need you at midfielder. Jessi, you're starting at fullback. I'll rotate the three of you if Megan gets to feeling better. If not, there will be no breaks for the two of you. You'll be in there the entire game."
Midfielder, at least on our team, is an offensive position. But I knew my job would be getting the ball to Gina, Melanie and Emily. They were our scorers. I was still expected to give Jessi and the other defenders help.
We fed off the energy from the crowd. Gina took the ball from the opening whistle and raced right down the field untouched. She easily put the ball in the net.
It caught East Highland completely by surprise. Jessi stole the ball on their first trip up the field. She flicked it to me.
I made one of my best passes all season to Melanie, who put it easily in the net. We led 2-0 in the first minute of the game. We won going away,8-0. Gina played the game of the year, scoring five goals.
We were proud of Kim, pitching a shutout at keeper.
We raced off the field to a standing ovation.
"I'm so proud of you!" Coach Martin said. "East Highland is a better team than we made them look today. I want you to enjoy the homecoming activities the rest of the week. Really support Gina and Lucas tomorrow night at the show. Come back Monday ready to work. If we win next week, we're in the conference championship game."
#####
Dress rehearsal for the show was in the afternoon. The queen candidates each went out and bought dresses for the talent competition.
That wasn't the case for the seventh grade members of the court. We had three dance numbers to perform at the beginning, middle and end of the talent competition.
We had been practicing with our canes, top hats and tap shoes since we were nominated. Miss Baldwin, the cheerleader sponsor, rented the costumes.
"Sorry Lucas, I got the costumes before we knew who was going to be in the court. I didn't even remotely take into account that we would have a boy in the court."
The costume? I could have died when I first saw mine. There was a white blouse, a red neck tie and a black tuxedo jacket. Yeah, I know that doesn't sound too bad. But did I mention the jacket was sequined?
But that's not the best part. There were the matching black sequined shorts, which were, actually, well, a little short. Did I also mention we had to wear stockings...fishnet stockings?
The topper was having Mrs. Tanner, the drama teacher, apply the makeup.
"You have to wear makeup because of the lighting," she said. "Guys have to wear makeup in our shows."
That's true. But normally their makeup doesn't match the girls. Normally, they don't wear makeup with glitter, which I was told was supposed to go with the sequins.
"Oh come on, you look cute," Beth said, trying to reassure me She and some of the football players were working as part of the tech crew.
"Cute wasn't exactly the look I'm going for," I said. "Besides, everybody I know is going to be out in the audience."
That included my mother. I knew she was going to die when she saw me in this get up.
"Oh my God, look at the crowd!" one of the other members of the court said before we took the stage for our first number. She was right.
It was packed.
I have to admit I forgot what I was wearing when we went out on stage. I really enjoyed it. And to my amazement, I didn't mess up!
"Coach Martin, I think my eyesight may be going," Mr. Boldin said. "Which one of them out there is supposed to be the boy? I swear, I don't see a boy out there."
"Lucas is third to the left, and he's doing so good!" Coach Martin said. "And your eyesight isn't going. I've heard the girls on the team say he has got to be the only boy in the school to pull something like this off. It's amazing how he blends in."
She turned around to talk to Miss Hunter.
"I really don't know how he does it," she said. "I addressed the team as only ladies and girls at practice at first because I knew about there were mixed feelings. But its amazing how he fits in and has never had a problem with it. It's weird. He's not one of those really effeminate boys. He doesn't act sissy and he's a better athlete than people give him credit for. But he embraces his role. When he's at a team meeting, practice, at a game, or up on that stage, he's one of my girls."
Mom and my sister sat with Jessi and her family during the performance.
"I wish I brought my camera," Mom said. "He looks so cute out there. And my boy can really dance."
"Yes, he sure can, he's doing awesome," Mrs. Mears said. "Jessi, I know he's probably dying in that costume, but he looks so cute, not gaudy at all. And I've got a digital camera in my purse."
I rushed off stage following our second number. Gina was about to take the stage for her number. From the look on her face, she looked really nervous.
"You look gorgeous, Lucas!" she said, giving me a kiss on the cheek.
"Thanks, Gina, you know this look is growing on me," I said, hoping the humor would help her relax. "You think we can talk Coach Martin into letting us wear fishnet stockings instead of Under Armour when the weather gets cold?"
"And glitter makeup, how cool would that look?" she said before walking out on stage.
"You know her look is about as radical for her as yours is for you," Beth said when Gina took a seat at the piano.
She wore a red sequined, strapless dress. Her hair was in curls.
"I think she's glamorous," I said.
She wowed the crowd. I never knew she could sing, or play the piano.
She brought the crowd to its feet as she sang and played Gershwin's "I Got Rhythm."
"You know Hobbette, I'm so glad we're going through this together," she said when it was over.
I was really amazed when it was over. I was scared it was going to feel like a freak show.
Everyone's reaction really surprised me.
Gina and I posed for pictures together for her parents, for mom and for Coach Martin.
"Miss Hunter, will you take a picture of me and my kids?" Coach Martin said, putting her arms around us. "They did so good tonight. They've also got a big day tomorrow."
"Yes we do, baby sister," Gina said. "Mom and I will be around to pick you up early. We get to skip school tomorrow to get all dolled up for the parade and the football game."
Chapter 8
We stopped by the school to get our permission slips to be out for most of the day.
"Parade starts at 3:30, you need to be at the old bank parking lot at 2:45 for lineup," said Mrs. Baker, the school secretary.
"We'll be there," Gina said.
Gina's sister, Mauve, and her assistant, Becca, were waiting for us at the salon.
"We're closed for everyone except you two," Mauve said when we walked through the door. "I picked up your dresses from the shop and they're hanging. We're leaving straight from here to the parade."
"So will Dad be bringing the 'Vette?" Gina asked her sister.
"Oh, the 'Vette's already here, parked in the back," Mauve said. "So, Lucas, not only we will be your stylists and beauty consultants today, I will be your chauffeur as well."
"That's cool," I said.
"Not a man of a lot of words is he?" Becca said.
"Oh he is once you get to know him," Gina said. "Right now, he's a little nervous."
"Actually, a lot nervous," I said.
The whole experience was a bit overwhelming.
"Nothing to be nervous about," Mauve said. "Step over here, your chairs await, ladies!"
"Just letting you know, we're gettin' the works," Gina said. "The hair, the makeup and nails."
"It's on the house," Mauve said. "So I need you to take off your shoes. And you'll need to lean back over the sink and relax....but first, we've got to talk hairstyles."
She showed me a magazine with hairstyles.
"You see this, this is an updo," she said. "That's what we're about to do to Gina."
I smiled.
"That'll be a cool look for her," I said.
She then flipped over a few pages and handed the book to Gina.
"When I saw him performing on stage last night, I knew exactly what I wanted," Mauve said, keeping in suspense.
"A pixie cut, that's what you're getting," Mauve said.
"That is going to be so YOU, Lucas," Gina said.
"I have to admit when I first heard we were going to be doing a boy, I thought this was going to be a challenge," Mauve told Becca while Gina and I were lying back. "I mean, how do you do a guy and not come out with some glorified drag queen? But this is going to be fun!"
That kind of talk frightened me a little.
"What am I in for?" I asked.
"Oh, you've got nothing to worry about," Mauve said. "Gina didn't tell me you were a beauty!"
A beauty? Just what did that mean?
"Well, I did say he was the only boy I know who could pull this off," Gina said.
"Lucas, please don't take this the wrong way," Mauve said. "We have women clients who have big feet and 'man' hands. They would flat out die to have your feet and your hands!"
"Bet you never had anyone tell you you had 'girl' hands before?" Becca said.
"I don't know if that's a good thing," I said.
"And Becca, look, look at this face!" Mauve said. "Puberty, I'm afraid will change it a little bit, but have you ever seen a face this beautiful on a boy? You certainly have a girlish quality about you, in a good way!"
Gina was giggling the whole time.
"You shouldn't be laughing my little sister," Mauve said. "Lucas, for the record, I think Gina's beautiful too, and she's like you, I don't think she accepts it or appreciates it!"
She was right about Gina. I've always thought she was beautiful, but last night during the show, I thought she was stunning. I didn't think she could be more beautiful.
I was wrong. After a couple of hours at the salon, she looked...well in guy speak...drop dead gorgeous.
As for me?
The three of them stared, smiling, after the makeup was applied.
"Isn't she the most beautiful creature you ever laid your eyes own, Becca?" Mauve said. "Sorry Lucas, I can't refer to you as a he after all of this."
"Let's get the dresses on and see how we look!" Gina said.
We were wearing matching, shoulder bearing, formal gowns with long light gloves. Coach Martin had also bought us matching necklaces to wear.
"I kind of look like a bigger version of my little sister Katie at her princess party," I said.
"Where's my tiara?" I joked.
"You are SO getting a princess party on your birthday!" Gina said.
####
We both felt like princesses as we rode on the back of Gina's father's convertible Corvette during the parade.
"Wave to the crowd Lucas!" Gina said. "And smile! Isn't this so much fun!"
"OK, you've got me there," I told her. "Yes, I'm having fun. By the way, how to you keep this gown up?"
I found myself tugging at it every few minutes.
Gina laughed. "Your having trouble with that, too? Look on the bright side, it won't be that much of a scandal if you accidentally flash the crowd. Me, on the other hand, that's another story."
"We love you Lucas!" shouted a group of students at one street corner. I could swear there were a couple of guys in that group, which I felt was kind of freaky.
"I love youse guys, too!" I said, trying to do it with a Philly accent.
"Youse guys?" Gina asked.
"You know, Rocky II, after Rocky beat Apollo Creed," I said.
She punched me in the shoulder.
"That's right!" she said. "My dad's a huge Rocky fan. We were forced to watch all of them. Lucas, you can be really funny sometimes!"
"Of course I can, I've got to have a sense of humor to be dressed up like this," I said.
"You're not the only one," Gina said. "I'm not a big fan of this get up, either."
"Seriously, it's a good look for you," I said.
"Why thank you, you're so sweet," she said. "You want to know something? I know you don't want to hear this, but your look suits you, too, little sister!"
"That's the second time you called me that," I said.
"I know," Gina said, pinching me in the cheek. "I think that may fit you better than 'Hobbette.' You're too pretty to be a Hobbit."
"Gee, thanks, I think?" I said.
The parade was fun for the most part. There were a few protesters from some whacked out Kansas church who held up signs and called me "queer" along the route.
But Gina told me to just ignore it, which I pretty much did.
Let's face it, being the only boy on a girls' field hockey team means you have to have a thick skin, especially if you end up on the homecoming court.
Our ride ended at the parking lot behind the gym. The football team rode ahead of us on a couple of floats, which meant Josh and Beth were waiting on us when we arrived.
"Can we help you ladies down?" Josh said, with Beth walking to my side of the car.
"Why sure!" Gina said, extending her hand to Josh. "You and Beth are being perfect gentlemen."
I about died laughing as Beth helped me down from the car.
"I've got to say, Lucas, you look amazing," Beth said.
#####
It was an amazing contrast, Gina pointed out.
We were standing in a line, waiting to walk on the field at halftime. All of us in the court, we were wearing elegant gowns.
But those of us with football players for escorts -- and there were three of us -- our arms were locked with escorts dressed in grass-stained, dirty uniforms.
But we didn't mind.
"Coach Jackson said he's not thrilled by this tradition," Beth whispered. "His starting quarterback, a receiver and a running back are missing his halftime speech."
"Well, at least you guys are leading by three touchdowns," I said. "I could understand if you were behind."
Just then, it was my cue to walk out onto the field.
"Lucas Lacy is the seventh grade representative of the Girls Athletics Club. He is a member of the girls field hockey team, the seventh grade honor society and the science club. He is the son of Janice Lacy. He is being escorted by Beth Garrison, a member of the football team."
I was amazed by the applause.
Then it was Gina's turn.
"Gina Lenetti is the eighth grade representative of the Girls Athletic Club. She is a member of the girls field hockey team, the eighth grade honor society and the math team. She is the daughter of Nicholas and Francesca Lenetti. She is being escorted by Josh Bryan, a member of the football team."
I was proud of her. The had a dazzling smile. She always claimed she didn't like doing things like this, but I thought that was just an act.
"This year's homecoming queen is Gina Lenetti," the public address announcer said.
The look on her face confirmed what I thought. She cried when last year's queen placed the tiara on her head.
She hugged the other eighth grade members of the court, and then waved for me to join her.
"Get over here," she said with tears in her eyes.
She hugged me and gave me a kiss on the cheek.
"Your time is next year, little sister," she whispered.
"Oh no, this is your moment!" I said.
#####
The court sat together the rest of the game. They then herded us to the gym for pictures of the queen and her court.
It allowed the football players to go get showers and get cleaned up. They ended up winning pretty easily.
We just finished up with pictures when Josh and Beth entered the room.
"Look at Beth!" Gina said. "She looks sort of Orlando Bloomish!"
Beth was wearing a ponytail pirate style. She was wearing a blue blazer, a tie and slacks. Josh was wearing almost the same type of suit.
"Beth!" I yelled. "You look really cool!"
"And you look really dazzling!" she said.
"We'll you know me!" I said, twirling around and joking. "I can be such a diva sometimes!"
Beth pulled a box from behind her back. It was a corsage.
"You know, maybe I should be doing this for you," I said as she pinned it on my gown."
"Oh I know, and spoil this moment for me?" Beth said.
We walked over to the table with the boutonnieres. I pinned hers on her jacket.
"We've got leadout, then pictures and then we finally get to dance," I said. "But I've never slow danced before."
"Don't worry," Beth said. "I'll lead."
"I wouldn't have it any other way," I said, locking arms with her.
Chapter 9
It was a conversation I wasn't supposed to hear, wished I didn't hear.
Serves me right for arriving at a team meeting early.
"It's Lucas' fault!" I heard Coach Parker say in Coach Martin's office.
"If he hadn't come out for the team, this wouldn't have happened," Coach Parker said. "It's like the Little League Softball World Series all over again. We're going to be playing a stacked team for the championship."
"How can you blame Lucas, Myra?" Coach Martin said in my defense. "There have been other boys play in the conference before. There are a couple of boys playing in high school now in other parts of the state."
"But a boy hadn't played in our conference in years," Coach Parker said. "I don't think one had played in middle school in years. Then what happens? We get one and get a lot of news coverage, and look what happens at Creekmore!"
"That's different, Myra, and you know it!" Coach Martin said. "Lucas playing for us is not a game changer. Everybody in our conference knows that."
"No, but Lucas coming out for our team opened the door for them to pull a stunt like this," Coach Parker said. "I don't like the idea of our girls playing against a team with two physically MATURE boys. It's not safe."
The girls were gathering at the door. Jessi and Emily put their arms around me.
"Don't listen to her, it's not your fault," Jessi said.
"Myra, what do you want me to do?" Coach Martin said. "Do you want me to forfeit the championship to them? How do you think they reached the championship game to begin with? We're 7-0. The girls have worked too hard to get here, including Lucas. Even with those boys, we can beat them."
Just then Gina barged in.
"I hate to interrupt, but we're all outside the door, even Luke," Gina said.
The room grew quiet.
"Tell the girls to go get dressed," Coach Martin said. "We'll have a little meeting in 15 minutes. Tell Lucas to come in here. I want to talk to him."
She looked at Coach Parker.
"I want to talk to him alone!" Coach Martin said.
I just looked down walking into coach's off. I was afraid to look at Coach Parker.
I almost felt like crawling under a rock, or at least a filing cabinet.
"Take a seat!" Coach Martin said. "You heard every word?"
I nodded my head yes.
"I meant every word I said," Coach Martin said. "You have been nothing but a joy to coach. What happens here has nothing to do with what happens at other schools, I want you to understand that."
"Coach...I'll quit if you need me to," I said. "What if Coach Parker is right? What if it is my fault?"
She shook her head.
"You have 10 minutes to get your practice clothes on and get your gear," Coach Martin said. "You'll have to run laps if you're late. I don't want to hear anymore talk about quitting."
#####
It was the quietest I've ever heard our locker-room.
I sat in my usual place on the front bench while we waited on Coach Martin and Coach Parker to enter the room.
"I have something to say before we talk about Thursday's game and what we're going to do at practice," Coach Martin said. "I know most of you heard the conversation I had with Coach Parker."
We nodded our heads yes.
"Before we go any further and talk about the challenge we face against Creeksmore, I want you to know Lucas has offered to quit the team for the good of the team."
"Coach, can I say something? Gina said, raising her hand.
"Of course, you're captain," Coach Martin said.
"If Luke don't play, I don't play," she said.
"I won't play either." Melanie said, followed by Emily, Jessi, Kim and every girl in the room.
"I didn't think you'd want to play," Coach Martin said. "I didn't even give him the option. But I'm glad he got to hear you say it. I'm glad other people in this room got to hear you say it."
All of the girls turned around an looked at Coach Parker.
"Coach Parker is entitled to her opinion and you are to respect her," Coach Martin said. "But at the end of the day, I'm the head coach. If there is anyone in this room who doesn't believe in what we're doing, if there is anyone who doesn't believe we can beat Creekmore, they are free to go."
No one left.
"Good!" Coach Martin said. "We need to be united when we hit that practice field. It has been a joy to watch you grow together as a team, as sisters."
"What did I tell you little sister?" Gina whispered to me.
"You've all been like my children, like my daughters," Coach Martin said.
"Even Lucas?" Emily asked, jokingly.
"Yes, even Lucas," Coach Martin said. "Even when you move up to the high school, you will always be my girls. We've used too much time. Let's hit the practice field."
#####
"They look old enough to drive," Melanie told Gina as Creekmore took the field for pregame warmups.
They had two boys on the team. They joined at midseason. They both were about six-foot-tall. They also played football.
They were eighth graders, very mature eighth graders.
"I checked their birth certificates," Coach Martin told a parent. "They're 14."
Creekmore changed their uniforms once they joined their team. They switched to shorts. They beat Sullins 2-1. "The Beast" got hurt in the game. She was out for the rest of the season.
Bedford and Lakeland, two of the better teams in their division of the conference forfeited rather than face them.
"Spartans, what's your profession!" one of the boys asked the rest of the team as they met in a circle at midfield.
Spartans was Creekmore's mascot name. The line was from the movie "300."
"Aooh!" the rest of the team shouted.
"What dipwads!" Melanie said with her arm around me. "Don't they know the 300 were men? Sure they've got burly giants on their team. But we like our boy just the way he is on our team, even if he is a bit girly."
"Gee thanks, Mel," I said sarcastically.
"Anytime, just got to build up your ego," she said.
"And you do such a good job at that, too," laughed Gina.
"Okay Lady Tigers, gather 'round!" Coach Martin said.
"We can beat them!" she said. "Gina, Melanie, their boys are quick and physical. They're going to pound on you. That's what they've done against other teams. But they are not a very fundamentally sound team. We are. We are far more disciplined."
She then looked at me, Jessi, Emily and Amber.
"The key is for you four to attack the girls on defense," she said. "When they pass it to them, you swarm them like Bedford did us. They're not very good passers. They're going to commit turnovers. We'll have plenty of opportunities to score."
She then looked at Kim.
"You've been solid all year," Coach Martin said. "You must hold your ground. Lucas is going to sub for you for a few minutes in each half. It's going to be really physical."
The boys pounded Gina and Melanie alright. They were getting cheap shots in. I couldn't remember a game where they hit the ground so much.
Both of the boys targeted me. Tripping me from behind and laughing. They got away with it. They were getting cheap shots in when they could.
They were fast. They jumped on top of us 3-0 in the first half.
"We've got to attack their weakness more!" Coach Martin said. "Remember what I said. They're not disciplined. They're not fundamentally sound."
That began to show in the second half. They weren't in very good shape.
Gina outran one of the boys to score our first goal. Mel matched her to cut their lead to 3-2. But they got their second wind and scored two more goals to lead 5-2.
But then we got pesky. We swarmed their girls. I forced a turnover and made a pass to Emily, who scored. Jessi forced two turnovers and passed them off to Gina and Melanie, who both scored, tying the game at 5 all with just a few minutes to play.
Kim made a couple of great saves at keeper with time running out.
Finally, Gina broke away with less than a minute to go. Both boys chased her, with one chasing her down. He kicked her leg out from under her. The ref didn't call it.
She went crashing to the ground.
I heard her scream.
"Lucas!" she yelled, passing the ball off to me.
I had an open shot on goal as both boys closed on me. I looked out of the corner of my eye and saw Jessi all alone.
"Jess, think fast!" I said, passing the ball to her right before one of the boys tripped me.
Jessi ran past their keeper and hit the ball into the net right before the whistle sounded.
We won the game 6-5. Our crowd, the team went crazy. We won the championship!
I looked around and saw Gina still on the ground. She was in tears. She was in pain.
"Somebody get the trainer!" I yelled, kneeling by her side and weeping with her. Coach Martin joined us. She held both of our arms when they put her on the stretcher.
"We did it, little sister!" she yelled, trying to act like she was Okay.
But I knew she was in pain.
####
All of us piled into the waiting room while Gina underwent surgery. We were there for hours. Nobody thought about the championship we won earlier that day.
All we cared about was Gina. Beth and some of the other football players were there, too, including Josh, who looked like he had lost his best friend.
"She's made it through surgery," her dad said. "You're going to have to wait before you can see her."
It didn't bother us. We weren't going anywhere.
Suddenly, her mom entered the waiting room.
"She's still a little groggy, but she can take visitors now," her mother said. "But only two or three at a time. Coach, she wants to see you, Lucas and Melanie first."
We entered the room. She was in bed with her leg in a cast.
"How are you feeling?" Coach Martin asked.
"Oh, tired and a little sore," she said groggily.
"It's a pretty bad fracture," her mother said.
"I'm filing a protest with the state committee," Coach Martin said. "I'm sending them the film from the game. The referees let the game get out of hand. And those boys should not be allowed to play anymore with the way they played."
"That's why I didn't want boys to play in the first place," Gina said. "Thanks to them, I'm going to miss lacrosse in the spring."
She then saw the tears in my eyes.
"What's wrong?" Gina asked.
"I still feel like it's all my fault!" I said.
"No, it's not," Gina said. "I don't have a problem with boys playing, now, as long as they play by the rules."
"But still, I was thinking I should quit," I said.
Gina looked over at Coach Martin.
"I want you to run him until he drops in the offseason, just for that remark," Gina said.
"Consider it done!" Coach Martin said.
"Listen here little sister!" Gina said. "You're a Lady Tiger! Lady Tigers don't quit. I'm looking forward to kicking your tail into shape when we're both on the high school team."
She looked over at Melanie and then back at me.
"Once you've worn the skirts of the Lady Tigers, you're in the sisterhood, isn't that right, Mel?"
Melanie nodded her head.
"What sisterhood is that?" I asked.
"The Sisterhood of the Traveling Skirts," Gina said, brushing my hair out of my eyes. "Don't you ever forget that!"
Chapter 10
I soaked in the silence of the locker-room one more time.
I put on my bottoms, the skirt and pulled on the jersey. I pulled on my ankle socks and cleats.
The uniform never seemed to look cleaner. I pulled out a brush and combed my hair one, trying to make sure I looked really nice.
We were making an end of the year team photo with our conference championship trophy out on the field.
This photo was going to hang in the gym where all of the portraits of conference championship teams hung. Not in the auxiliary gym, but the big gym where the basketball and volleyball games are played, and where the boys have P.E.
If someone asked me when this season began how I'd like my picture hanging on the wall with me in a skirt, I would be looking for a rock to crawl under.
Not now. I look forward to coming back and saying "that's me!"
I took one more look in the mirror before heading across the hall to Coach Martin's office.
It was sad thinking this would be the last time I'd wear the uniform until next fall.
"Come in!" Coach Martin yelled after I knocked on the door.
"Have a seat Mr. Lacy," Coach Martin said. "You like nice. The girls are still getting ready. You know how they like to primp."
I rolled my eyes. I didn't have the courage to tell her I kinda-sorta picked up the habit from them.
"You wanted to talk to me about something?" I asked.
"Yup, I do Lucas," she said. "I was thinking about the game the other day. When Gina was tripped, she passed you the ball. You had the clearest shot on the goal. I even watched it on film to make sure. Why did you pass the ball to Jessi?"
"I thought they were about to close in on me," I said. "I didn't think I had enough time to get the shot off."
"That answer won't cut it, Mr." Coach Martin said. "I'm not only your coach, I'm your priest and its confession time. I want the real reason why you did it."
"The reason why Creekmore advanced to the championship was because they had boys on the team," I said. "I didn't want to take the shot because I didn't want anyone to say we won it because we had a boy on our team. We're a girls team and I wanted the girls to get the credit."
Coach Martin smiled.
"I thought you were going to say something like that Lucas Lacy," Coach Martin said. "I'm very proud of you for having that kind of attitude. But next year, if I ever see you passing up an open shot, I'm going to run out on the field and give you a kick in the pants."
Emily and Jessi put their arms around me as we walked out on to the field.
"Okay, I want the team to line up in front of the north goal," the photographer said.
The photographer told Coach Martin he wanted us in two lines.
"We've got seven seventh graders and seven eighth graders," Coach Martin said. "Seventh graders, I want you to sit Indian-style. We'll put the trophy in the middle. I want the eighth graders to stand behind them. I'll stand at the end of the line on the left. Coach Parker, you get on the right."
We took several photos before the photographer finished up.
"Before everybody runs off I want to remind you of the team banquet on Saturday at 6 in the cafeteria," Coach Martin said. "Each family brings a cover dish. I want everybody in Sunday best."
Emily raised her hand.
"Yes, Miss Crue," Coach Martin said.
"We waived the Sunday best rule for Lucas during the season," Emily said. "He got to wear a shirt, tie and khakis. What will he get to wear at the banquet?"
"That's his option," Coach Martin said.
Suddenly the girls started chanting "dress, dress, dress, dress!"
They clapped and cheered when I shrugged my shoulders.
"We'll help you pick out something, some of us have to pick something out for ourselves anyone," Jessi said.
"Okay, but nothing gaudy, nothing tacky," Coach Martin said.
"I'll wear a dress, but I won't wear any makeup," I said. "I draw the line on makeup."
"It's a deal," Gina said.
#####
"You never cease to amaze me," Mom said when hearing the news.
"I've put up with spandex shorts, field hockey skirts, sports bras, a homecoming dress. I guess I'll put up with this, too."
"Thanks Mom," I said. "The girls will be here in a few minutes."
"Have you got any more surprises?" Mom said. "You're not going to enter any beauty pageants or demand to join the girl scouts are you?
"Come on Mom, get for real!" I said. "I'm not going to all of the sudden want to dress in drag all the time, geez."
Putting on the dress was a way for me to bond with my teammates. It also made me look at things from a different perspective.
I also looked at it as fun. Yeah, I know I'm different.
We filed into Jessi's mom's SUV and went to a place called the "Shoppe by the Creek."
Some of the girls hunted for dresses of their own. Jessi and Kim picked out a black and white dress for me along with a pair of black shoes called "ballet flats."
"That is tasteful," Jessi's mother said trying to reassure me. "It's not over the top."
"We've got a surprise for you after we're done here," Melanie Piper said.
The surprise was a trip to the mall and to a small shop called Claire's.
"Can I help you," the young lady at the desk said.
I rolled my eyes when Jessi said "we'd like to look at earrings."
"Come on Lucas, boys wear earrings," Gina said. "Besides, you just have to wear them to the banquet."
To their credit, they picked out a pair that boys would wear, a pair they thought would still go with the dress. They were small with little diamonds, or at least it looked like diamonds.
I was led to a chair that leaned back. The young lady behind desk put them in. It stung a little, but that went away quickly.
She then gave me instructions on how to care for my ears and the earrings.
"They look really nice on you!" the young lady said.
#####
"I swear you look like your Aunt Paige when she was your age," Mom said when we got in the car. I was wearing the dress, the earrings and the necklace Coach Martin gave me during homecoming week.
"Mom, if Lucas gets to wear earrings, why can't I," my little sister Katie said.
"Lucas is a teenager," Mom said. "When you become a teenager, you can get yours pierced, too."
I rolled my eyes. I knew Katie was just trying to pick at me.
The cafeteria was packed. All of the parents, brothers and sisters were there. So were some grandparents. Some even invited friends. Some of the faculty members even came to show us some support.
"Ms. Lacy, how are you?" Coach Martin said. "Lucas has been a joy to coach. You have raised a nice young man."
"Or young lady, sometimes I get that confused" she said when I came wearing the dress carrying Mom's casserole.
"I'm beginning to get that confused, too," Mom said.
"Seriously, Lucas is such a good sport," Coach Martin said. "He has gone over and beyond the call of duty to walk a mile in his teammates shoes. I am so very proud of him."
I had fun talking to my friends on the team and meeting their parents, who were really cool about everything.
"Okay, it's time to give out our team awards," Coach Martin said after giving everyone on the team a plaque and medal recognizing our championship."
Gina, to no one's surprise, was our MVP and top offensive player. Jessi received the newcomer of the year award giving to a seventh grader each year. Kim was named our top defensive player.
"She gave up the fewest goals in the conference this year," Coach Martin said.
Then it came time for the sportsmanship award.
"I could have given this award to any player on this team," she said. "I've never coached a more unselfish group of young women...and man. They've put up with some extraordinary circumstances this year. But the recipient of this award is a special player. I'd already made up my mind to give this person the award, but nearly every other member of this team came into my office to personally nominate this person."
Suddenly I saw most of the girls turn and look at me.
"The winner of the sportsmanship award is Lucas Lacy," Coach Martin said. "He is a true gentleman, who as you can see tonight, went through great lengths this year to be one of the girls both one and off the court."
I was stunned by the standing ovation and was in tears when I went up to receive the award.
"I'd like to get all of my players over here to get a picture of them," Coach Martin said, leading us to a corner of the cafeteria.
Coach Martin lined us up. She and Coach Parker joined us while several parents snapped pictures.
I looked up and saw the banner.
"The Sisterhood of the Traveling Skirts, Conference Champs 2009!"