Printer-friendly version

~* Lady Tiger? *~ “Out of curiosity, Robin,” the younger-looking woman whose name I also didn’t know spoke up this time, “Why exactly are you so interested in sports now? It was my understanding from the last meeting that you had no interest?” “A girl’s not allowed to change her mind?” I teased with a wry smile, causing them to chuckle then continued. “No, but to answer your question honestly, I never tried sports. I never had any… any drive, or desire to try because I was pretending to be a boy, and boys are scary to compete with, or against. To put it simply, I would have been a girl trying to play against boys. “But as my real self, as Robin, I know that my friends, my teammates, and even the other team aren’t out to break my neck. We’re all competitive, sure, but for the most part not as viciously. Plus I’ve found that it’s really a lot more fun than I gave it credit for when I don’t have to worry about someone trying to prove they’re better by hospitalizing me.”

---

“You seem to be a magnet for trouble, young lady,” Doctor Ketz teased, though I could hear the twinge of concern in her voice. I sat on her sofa with Mom and Margie on either side of me, having just related to her the events of the previous day, how Nicole’s old boyfriend decided the ‘whore’ needed to be taught a lesson. I could see through the open window shade that rain still poured from the darkened sky outside.

“I’m worried the school board might use this against me as evidence that if I tried to play sports, that more kids would get ideas,” I said softly as I concluded.

Doctor Ketz nodded, jotted something down on her familiar old notepad, and responded in a neutral but gentle tone, “That’s a valid concern. Speaking of which though, I’ve been reviewing their ruling, and I’m almost certain it was written as a blanket statement without taking students like you into account at all. Technically your late onset puberty could work to your advantage in that, while you experienced some secondary sex characteristic development such as your voice deepening slightly, things like bulked muscle mass and any major growth spurts never occurred.

“Frankly the only problem I see is their ruling on requiring surgery. It’s obvious to me that they know absolutely nothing about how serious SRS is. It’s a life-changing operation that a minor should not be expected to take lightly. Furthermore, by the time they are old enough to have that kind of surgery, the two year wait period to participate following is just laughably ridiculous, in my opinion.

“They need to realize that it’s the hormones that do the work, not the genitalia. I’d like to have a word with these school board members, myself. It seems they are in serious need of education on what a real transgendered student has to deal with.”

I brightened right up at that. Was she offering? “You’d speak on my behalf?”

She smiled. “Of course I would. It wouldn’t hurt to involve the American Civil Liberties Union as well though,” she added, nodding toward Mom.

Margie spoke up at that, “Yes, my attorney suggested the same. He has a contact in the organization who’s going to be watching this situation like a hawk to see how it proceeds.”

Doctor Ketz nodded. “Good. Now, how have you been adjusting to your new role in school?”

The rest of the weekend progressed relatively quietly. Come Monday, I dressed casual-conservative since I had to meet with the school board, opting for my Girl Scouts of America T-shirt and a pair of faded jeans with matched forest green socks.

As Allison, Nicole, Jennifer and I entered the front lobby of the school, w received quite a surprise. Everyone stopped what they were doing and turned to stare at me. One girl I recognized from cheerleading tryouts last Friday started clapping, and slowly the applause rose to a roar. I blushed. Deeply.

“What… What’s this all about?” I asked, pulling Stacey aside the moment I saw her. We didn’t exactly get along, but I knew she’d at least be honest.

“EVERYONE’s been talking about what Jason did to you. Everybody’s glad to see you’re okay. Of course, WE all knew you were okay physically, but you know how high school rumor mills are,” she added dryly in … was that a friendly tone?

I shook my head slowly, “Stacey it wasn’t that bad… Was it? It all happened so fast, and I was kind of in shock.”

“Look, I know I gave you a hard time Friday, and don’t think this means that I like you, but I’m not stupid enough to risk my social status to pick on the flavor of the month. When this crap blows over, we’ll see where you stand.” She smirked as she slammed her locker shut to punctuate the point, turning to walk away. I glanced at Allison and Jennifer, who both gave me an indifferent shrug. I took that to mean she wasn’t worth being offended over and smiled, continuing on to class with them. A few Bruce Lee whoops followed in our wake.

Home room, Math, and AP English all progressed down similar lines. I’d walk into the room, and everyone would stop and stare at me as I took my seat, then one or two people would ask if I was really okay. P.E. was the hardest though because Coach Wilson seemed to be running late, so I had plenty of time to explain that no, Jason didn’t do anything ‘bad’ to me, no, I didn’t hospitalize him, no I had no idea why he wasn’t in school today. I’d already dressed out before she finally arrived , and thankfully the conversation had changed by now. I’d chatting with a few girls about something called ‘Twilight’ when she approached..

“Robin! Oh thank heaven you’re back today. I’ve been worried about you all weekend!”

I smiled wryly as I turned toward the familiar voice. Coach Wilson really towered over most of us at six feet three inches, but maintained an attractive figure for her age despite it. “Really, I’m okay. It was just a couple of idiots who couldn’t take that a girl might be able to kick their butts in a fair fight. It just shook me up.”

“Well, if you want you can sit this one out today,” she began, but I interrupted her.

“Not a chance. I still don’t know if my condition will let me play sports or not. I don’t have time to jog in the morning with school back in session, and my evenings are full of homework and stuff, so I’m not going to back out of P.E. just because I hurt some jackass’ feelings.” I stopped abruptly, realizing what I just said. About half the class started giggling as I covered my mouth. “Sorry! It’s just… Well he kind of is.”

Coach Wilson winced slightly, more in empathy for me than at what I said. “I’ll let it pass this time. Alright girls, line up!”

I didn’t feel much like eating lunch today, so I instead just sat with my friends and nibbled some chili French fries while I listened to their playful banter. Jennifer abruptly wrapped me in a hug, causing me to jump and look up at her. She smiled.

“Sorry. You looked like you needed a hug. Anything you want to talk about?”

I shook my head, “It’s just everybody’s making a big deal out of like, everything I do. First it’s ‘valley girl’, now ‘Karate Chick’...” I whined. Nicole wrapped me in a one-armed hug from the other side.

“You’re popular, dear. This is what happens to popular girls. You know those annoying celebrity gossip rags at the grocery store? Yeah, think of yourself like being on the front page of one of those, only a high school edition.”

I groaned. “So not helping Nikki. I’ve got that school board meeting in like, ten minutes. There are some things the other kids DON’T need to know about.”

“We could give them something else to talk about,” she teased.

“Like what?” I turned to ask her. She caught me in a quick, soft kiss and grinned.

“Like that?”

A chorus of giggles came from everyone except me. I just sunk my head into my arms and groaned. It’s not that I didn’t ENJOY the kiss. I loved it. I just wasn’t ready to let everyone know the new, popular, drug dealer’s-butt-kicker was also in a committed lesbian relationship.

At least for now, no one seemed to notice. Or if they did, no one commented. I’d take that for what it was worth. I sat up again and hugged Nicole, leaning over to kiss her cheek. “I’ve got to get going. Walk me to the meeting?”

She grinned, grabbing my hand as we carried our trays. A few quiet giggles followed behind us, but they had to find out sooner or later. Better to get it over with now, while I was still hot news than to give them a reason to point and stare a couple of months from now, right? … Right?

Mom, Margie, Carol, Joe, Doctor Ketz, and a man I didn’t quite recognize, but that seemed somehow familiar, all stood in a semi-circle in the school’s main office as they waited. I gave Nicole a parting hug, sneaking a quick kiss when we didn’t think anyone would notice then stepped inside.

“I’m not late am I?”

“Not at all,” Margie responded. Mom picked up from there.

“We’re just waiting for the school board to finish another meeting. Remember what Doctor Ketz said the other day?”

I mentally replayed the conversation, trying to pick up on what the correlation could be. “You mean about the news people?”

She nodded. “From the sound of it, it’s just politics as usual that got blown out of proportion though.”

I nodded, shifting my gaze toward the man in the power suit. His short, curly black hair kind of added to his charming poise. Of course, he was old enough to be my dad so it’s not as though I found him attractive like that, even if I did like guys. He seemed to notice me staring and offered his hand, smiling.

“Max Greenburg,”

“Oh! Now I remember you. You got rid of your glasses though,” I babbled like a complete ditz, causing him to chuckle as we shook hands.

“Contact lenses. My astigmatism wouldn’t allow me to wear contacts before, but a client mentioned these new ones a few weeks ago. Incidentally, don’t be nervous about this interview. I finally got your paperwork through this past weekend on your birth certificate. Everything’s in order. If they try anything, the ACLU will be on them like the paparazzi on a drunken celebrity.” He grinned. I had to laugh. That was a beautiful analogy considering Nicole’s similar one earlier.

“Robin and company,” the principal stepped into the main office, smiling at his own atrocious joke as he showed another woman out. When she turned to smile at me, I recognized her instantly. I should have, after all, as she was none other than Tina Gale, the anchorwoman for New Haven Channel Two News. She broke the story about Allison and me with the Raggedy Man.

I gave her a nervous smile as she approached us, but thankfully just to pass us by heading out of the office. We filed into the conference room after Principal Rochelle, where he took a seat at the end of the table, motioning for us to sit.

“Now then. This meeting is to discuss whether or not to lift the moratorium on transgender students being allowed to participate in the sport of their identified gender, rather than their birth gender.”

Barbara immediately raised her hand, “Ah, before we continue… Barbara Ketzowski, PhD and MD, and Robin’s therapist. With all respect I’d just like to correct that statement if I may. Gender and sex are not the same thing. I realize they’re used interchangeably in general, but one’s sex and one’s gender, as was Robin’s case before she began taking corrective hormone replacement therapy, were misaligned. Robin IS female.”

An older, balding man cleared his throat, “Technically, Ms. Ketzowski,”

“Doctor Ketzowski,” she corrected neutrally.

“DOCTOR Ketzowski, without the change to birth certificate-”

Before he could continue, Max held up his hand, opening his briefcase. “Actually, before you break out that line of defense, Ms. Smith’s birth certificate and social security are in order and identify her as female.” He took a few Xeroxed pieces of paper from his briefcase and passed them across to the school board members. The blustery piped right down. I had to wonder if this interview might have gone better if they hadn’t just had Ms. Gale in here earlier, and mentally sighed as Doctor Ketz cleared her throat.

“Now then, the ruling by the Middletown School Board states that a child may participate in the sports of their identified gender only if they take corrective hormones before puberty, and two years after corrective surgery,” Doctor Ketz began, “The problem with that notion is that Sex Reassignment Surgery is a MAJOR medical procedure, and like any procedure there are certain serious risks involved in performing this surgery on a minor for what is, by many in the medical profession considered to be purely cosmetic.

“While there are psychological ramifications for the patient, i.e. they feel more self-confident, it is something that is and should be decided on a case-by-case basis, and not forced upon a student just so they can play sports.” I heard the door open behind me, glancing over just long enough to see Coaches Wilson and Greer entering. I smiled a little as I returned my attention to the school board.

“Again, one’s sex and one’s gender are two very different things. Hormones, ladies and gentlemen, are what make a man a man, and a woman a woman. In Robin’s case, she suffered a rare genetic condition which caused slow, late onset puberty. She only began to experience the effects of puberty just before turning fourteen, and this summer had already begun her transition. Currently she takes medication to block testosterone from affecting her, allowing her to develop as a perfectly normal girl her age should.

“To use a more familiar analogy, requiring Robin, or any student, to have sex reassignment surgery in order to participate in sports would be tantamount to requiring genetic female students have breast augmentation surgery because the Lakers cheerleaders did so.”

Every single face fell sheepishly at that, as Doctor Ketz removed her glasses, leaning forward and looking each person directly in the eye before she spoke again, “Let me put it simply. Does this young lady you see before you look like the six foot tall three-hundred pound linebacker this rule was designed to stop from having an advantage in girls’ sports?”

Each school board member cautiously looked at one another. Finally, and most surprisingly for me, the blustery man spoke, this time more gently. “Doctor Ketzowski raises a valid point. And with the issue of Ms. Smith’s assault last Friday,” he added, nodding toward me, “If word got out that we were discriminating against her because of a policy written by a school board that has never even met a transgendered student, let alone such a convincing girl, especially while the press are poking around, I think we all know the consequences.”

I frowned at his tone with the ‘convincing girl’ crack, to say nothing of his interest lying more in what the press might think, but at least we seemed otherwise to be on the same page.

“Out of curiosity, Robin,” the younger-looking woman whose name I also didn’t know spoke up this time, “Why exactly are you so interested in sports now? It was my understanding from the last meeting that you had no interest?”

“A girl’s not allowed to change her mind?” I teased with a wry smile, causing them to chuckle then continued. “No, but to answer your question honestly, I never tried sports. I never had any… any drive, or desire to try because I was pretending to be a boy, and boys are scary to compete with, or against. To put it simply, I would have been a girl trying to play against boys.

“But as my real self, as Robin, I know that my friends, my teammates, and even the other team aren’t out to break my neck. We’re all competitive, sure, but for the most part not as viciously. Plus I’ve found that it’s really a lot more fun than I gave it credit for when I don’t have to worry about someone trying to prove they’re better by hospitalizing me.”

I added a moment later, “And if you think that’s an exaggeration, then please check my permanent record from last year, at my last school. I got the crap kicked out of me by the captain of the wrestling team for no other reason than because he could.”

Principal Rochelle spoke next, “She was attending cheerleading tryouts when the Beaumont boy assaulted her.” He paused, nodding toward the two coaches who had, until now, been silent.

Coach Greer spoke up first. “She told us she knew she wouldn’t make it, but she was glad I talked her into trying out anyway just to have the experience. Isn’t that what High School is about – students experiencing all life has to offer, be it sports, reading, or finding themselves?”

Coach Wilson approached, placing her hand on my shoulder. “Ladies and gentlemen, I would be lying if I told you that I even began to understand what this young woman has been through, not just in the last three months since she began to transition, but throughout her entire life. I CAN tell you though, that talent only goes so far. Robin here is a team player. The only advantage she has over any other student is her ability to not let other students’ snide remarks get to her.”

Coach Greer picked right up where she left off, “I’m glad Robin wore her GSC t-shirt today because it reminded me of something you all need to hear. This young lady saved my daughter. Robin was known as ‘Spirit’ at her Girl Scout camp.

“She was accepted by the Senior staff as a Counselor in Training just like any other girl, and when my little girl was injured late in the first week, it was Robin who not only administered first-aid, but my Amanda’s doctors later told me that had she not been brought in when she had, that the infection that had already begun to set up would have spread and possibly taken her leg.”

By now, Coach Greer was on the verge of tears. As for me, I just sat there in shock. I had no idea her wound was that bad, and even Nurse Bree never told me anything more than ‘It might need stitches’! “It’s because of her that my baby can walk. You can’t deny that she’s a remarkable, strong, and empathetic young woman, and that she has every right to be who you all know she is. This is not some muscle-bound boy trying to pass himself off to have an advantage and you know it.”

The younger lady immediately smiled as she turned her attention to me, “I move to amend our Transgender policy to temporarily remove the two year waiting period for Sex Reassignment Surgery pending further research, and further move that from now on, we evaluate on a case by case basis. We won’t be letting every football player in a dress just sign up for girls’ sports, but it’s clear to me that Robin is an example of the exception, and deserves a chance to be herself in all aspects of her education.”

The formerly-blustery fellow stood. “I second the motion. All in favor?”

“Aye,” came the near-unanimous response. Two hold-outs, one middle-aged man and one woman I’d guess to be in her early thirties, remained silent.

“Congratulations, Robin. You can try out for the Lady Tigers.” Principal Rochelle pronounced with just a hint of pride in his otherwise neutral tone. His support continued to surprise me for some reason, but I’d take what victories I could get.

“Ah, one last thing,” Max held up his hand again before I could respond.

“You’ll remember from our last meeting that keeping Robin’s identity as a Transgendered student secret is of paramount importance to her perceived safety. Whether or not it actually is, the fact that she and her family strongly wish to keep it secret is enough that I’ve been keeping closely in touch with Kathleen Morrison.” The mood in the room tangibly shifted slightly. I couldn’t put my finger on it exactly, but it seemed as though unease, possibly even fear, permeated their mixed expressions. Max had just dropped a powerful name, apparently.

“Ah, you’re familiar. She’ll be in touch with the school to ensure that every step is being taken to protect Ms. Smith from any bullying based on her gender status or sexual preference.”

I couldn’t help smiling. “Thank you, Mr. Greenburg. I hate lying to my fellow students about my birth sex, but the truth is, they have no reason or any RIGHT to know private things like this. It’s hard enough for me to have to use the coaches’ offices to shower and change, without being able to tell them, but Jason’s already proven that some people will irrationally hate for any reason. I don’t want to put myself in unnecessary danger.” Okay, so now I had just entered damage control mode. I agreed with Max that my secret needed to be kept, no ‘perceived’ about it, but he went too far, and I had to at least try to make them understand WHY they were being so over-protective of me, Raggedy Man aside.

The woman who abstained from voting frowned at that sentiment, glancing between me and Max, then back again, “When you put it like that, I will tentatively support Robin’s wish to participate in girls’ sports.”

“Finally, regarding the Beaumont incident, my client and her family don’t wish to press charges against the school; however we expect this incident of bullying doesn’t happen again, or there will be premeditated assault charges against him, and the ACLU is prepared to level charges of dereliction of duty and endangerment of a minor against the school. Of course, I’m sure it won’t come to that.” He had a poker face that could rival Barbara’s. I cringed at the serious accusations being dropped though, but resolved to trust Margie and Mom’s judgment for now.

Principal Rochelle responded, “I assure you, Mr. Greenburg, it will not come to that. Under threat of expulsion, Mr. Beaumont revealed the name of his accomplice. They’ve both received a one week in-school suspension and campus staff has been alerted that he is not to come within thirty yards of Ms. Smith while on school property, and his and his accomplice’s classes are in the process of being rescheduled to present minimum opportunity for either of them to interact with her or her friends.”

We stood and shook hands, filing out. I grabbed my backpack and, after excitedly hugging Mom and Margie, and Carol and Joe, raced off to my next class, hall pass in-hand.

After school I walked back to the gym with Nicole, Allison, and Jennifer. I wasn’t about to leave their sides today, nor they mine. As we approached the gym I had to flinch. Nicole wrapped her arms around me, urging me to keep going. I rested my head on her shoulder and closed my eyes until we got into the main lobby.

“Hi girls. What can I do for you? Congratulations on the victory by the way!” Coach Wilson spoke cheerfully as we entered the office she shared with Coach Greer and the other lady coaches.

“Thanks. You and Coach Greer were a big help with that.” I blushed. “I didn’t realize how serious Amanda’s injury was. The camp staff never told me anything more, and then the next week I was already on a plane for San Francisco because my mom finally woke up.”

“Woke up?” She arched her brows at me, waiting for me to continue.

“Yeah… This whole thing started because my mom was in a car accident. I came here to live with my older sister, which is how I met Ally, Jen and Nikki.”

She nodded as she listened, offering me a sympathetic smile. “You just can’t have it easy can you? But don’t worry; Angie and I have been talking and we think we’ve worked out a system for you to get your shower after an Away game without violating your privacy. We’ll talk more about it after you’ve made the team though.” She winked, glancing at Jennifer. “Jennifer, are you trying out this year?”

“No ma’am. I’ll be at all the games though.” She grinned. “I made varsity cheerleader, and coupled with gymnastics and Robin talking me into taking AP classes with her this year, my plate’s too full. But you can bet I’ll work my butt off to help her!”

“That’s what I like to hear!” Coach responded warmly. “Oh, Robin, you’re probably tired of hearing this, but are you sure you’re okay?”

I gave a wry smile in response. “I’m okay, mostly. Just knowing what happened THIS close to staff, though … I was stupid not to wait for the others to come back.”

“Everybody makes mistakes. You shouldn’t beat yourself up over it.” She surprised me by stepping closer and giving me a friendly hug. People loved to hug me, but for the most part I couldn’t complain. I liked feeling like people could approach me, mostly.

“No, really, I was stupid. This isn’t the first time I’ve been attacked; only the other guy was a sexual predator.” I frowned, as did she. The mousy blonde-haired girl who had been typing away at the computer, up until now ignoring us in favor of whatever she was doing spun in her computer chair and listened as I recounted the Raggedy Man saga, and how those memories haunted Allison and me for months, and prompted me to start taking self defense classes before school started. As I spoke, I couldn’t help feeling I’d seen the other girl somewhere before.

“That explains why you reacted to that punk grabbing you the way you did,” Coach Wilson finally responded. “That would mess anybody up. Um, no offense.”

“None taken Coach,” I offered with a hint of warmth. The other girl slowly turned back to her work, typing away. I glanced over at her. “You okay?”

She forced a smile as she looked back at me. “Yup. Just surprised I guess. You seem so candid about these attacks, like it’s no big deal.”

I had to laugh, “I have a reeeeally good therapist,” I offered, causing her to giggle. “I’m Robin, by the way,”

“Oh,” she stood and approached brushing soft blonde ringlets out of her eyes as she adjusted her blue wire-rim glasses. She nervously extended her hand. “I remember you, Spirit – Elaine, from Girl Scout camp.” She grinned. “I’m just Coach Wilson’s administrative student aid. Glorified scorekeeper,” she offered with a shy smile.

“Bah, don’t sell yourself short Ellie. I’d be lost without you!” Coach shot back as I shook her hand.

“Elaine! I knew you looked familiar!”

She laughed, “Yeah, I cut my hair pretty short, but it’s starting to grow back. I didn’t figure you’d remember me though.”

“Of course I remember you. You were the only one besides Jen and Counselor Dunham to talk to me about that old mare throwing me. God that was so embarrassing. Hey, we’re going out for pizza to celebrate if you want to join us?”

She smiled, but shook her head, “Nah, thanks though. I’ve got tons of work to catch up on here.” She responded wryly. I couldn’t help feeling she just didn’t feel comfortable with us, but decided not to press the issue. I nodded.

“Suit yourself, but you’re welcome to hang out with us any time,” I offered in response. She smiled as she returned to her work, and I returned my attention to Coach Wilson. “Oh, hey, when are tryouts?”

“Basketball season won’t start until November. Tryouts are at the end of the month, but practices for hopefuls, old and new, begin this Thursday after school.”

“Thursday… Okay, yeah I can do Thursday. Can I come in earlier in the week and practice too?”

“If you can find an empty court, help yourself. It’s first come, first served, and the boys can get a little aggressive about girls using the court, but they’re smart enough to keep their mouths shut if they want to play. I have a zero bullying tolerance policy, and if I find out someone’s causing trouble, boy or girl, they’re off the team. Our male coaches hold the same stance, by the way, if you ever have a problem and I or Angie aren’t around to help.”

I nodded solemnly. “I’m trying to restrain myself from kicking anyone else’s butt, but Jason deserved it.”

She chuckled, “I know. I trust you to behave. Was there anything else you needed?”

I shook my head quickly. “No, thank you. See you tomorrow Coach!” We jogged out of the building together, out to the parking lot where Carol’s SUV now waited for us. Apparently she’d seen us heading into the gym and pulled closer just in case of another ‘incident’ like last Friday.

“Shotgun!” Allison squealed seconds before Jennifer, causing the four of us to laugh. Carol smiled cheerfully as she sat in the driver’s seat, turning the key. Nothing.

“Oh no,” she muttered, trying it again. “Come on you piece of junk!” she shouted. She slowly started to blush at her outburst; I’d never seen Carol actually raise her voice. It was kind of scary.

“Pop the hood,” Nicole stated casually. Carol turned to stare at her, as did the rest of us.

“Seriously, pop the hood and let me take a look.”

Carol slowly nodded, and Nicole got out, walking around to the front. Out of sheer morbid curiosity, I followed her. To say that I found the inner workings of the internal combustion engine intimidating would be the understatement of the millennium. I stayed RIGHT back and watched nervously as she fiddled with this and that.

She rolled up the lacy sleeve of her dress, removed several silver rings of varying macabre and gothic styles which she handed to me to hold, and shoved her hand right into a big bundle of dangerous-looking components.

“Is that safe?” I asked hesitantly.

“As long as Carol doesn’t try and start it? Yeah, completely. Ah ha! I think… That… should do it.” She stood back, letting her sleeve roll down again and poking her head around. “Try it now!” she called. A moment later, the sport-utility vehicle started right up like it had just rolled off the assembly line.

Nicole beamed as she let the hood fall closed under its own weight. “I thought so.”

“What was wrong with it?” Carol asked, as we piled back inside.

Nicole chuckled, sliding her jewelry back into place. “To make a long story short, loose wire. It’s the sort of thing a mechanic will overlook because it’s just such an obvious problem that nobody thinks to check it. It’s like checking to make sure the light bulb’s tight before declaring it a dead socket, but you guys all know me well enough to know that I’m a master of the obvious. Just, y’know, usually in sarcastic form.”

“Nikki, I’ve known you for years and I never knew you knew anything about cars,” Allison stated with mild surprise.

Nicole laughed, “Yeah, but like I’ve been telling you for years Ally, that’s why you love me; I’m full of surprises. Daddy had this… idea that since we clashed so much, that there had to be something we could do together. We tried a lot of crap that I hated, and of course I pretended to hate this at first too, but somehow he just knew that I was having fun working on Mom’s Mustang with him, so we kept doing it, then moved on to the Lexus as I got better at it.”

My girlfriend, the gear-head; I had to giggle at the thought. Nicole was absolutely ladylike when she wanted to be, and no one would ever be insane enough to accuse her of being even remotely tomboyish, let alone outright boyish, but the idea of her being the one to like getting her hands dirty and working on a car, where I could barely pump gas, amused me on several levels.

“Robin get down! I see Jason over there!” Allison whispered loudly. We had just pulled up to an intersection waiting for the light to turn green. I immediately sunk in my seat until the car started moving again, exhaling slowly.

Nicole looked like she was about to hyperventilate so I wrapped her in a hug, giving her a reassuring kiss on her cheek as we pulled into the pizza parlor. We piled out of the car and slowly walked inside, before she finally spoke up.

“Robin, walk me to the bathroom? I need to get this grease off my hands. Oh, and I’ll eat whatever you guys want as long as there’s no mushrooms,” she added her pizza comment as a complete afterthought. I should mention that she had no grease on her hands.

I glanced over and nodded, “Same. No mushrooms, everything else is fine.” I hooked my arm with Nicole’s and walked with her into the bathroom. I watched as she washed her hands, mostly a token gesture, while I touched up my shimmering pink lip gloss. I capped the tube as she finished, and she wrapped me in a tight hug and hesitantly rested her head on my shoulder, as though she were afraid I’d pull away.

“I wish he’d just die already. Three freaking months after we break up, he’s still causing problems.”

“I know, Nikki,” I offered softly as I held her close. I let my fingers fall through her hair, eliciting a soft nuzzle from her in return. “C’mon. Let’s go get some pizza. I’m starving.”

“Robin,” she laughed dryly, “You’re ALWAYS starving. It’s not fair. You eat like my dad, yet you have that cute figure, and you don’t even need a corset. You’re one of those high-metabolism girls.”

“You’re wearing a corset?”

“Um, yeah - Goth, remember?” She grinned impishly, grabbing my hand as we walked back out to our table and sat.

A cute, probably eighteen-ish waitress brought out our pizza and placed it on the table. She smiled cheerfully at us.

“Special occasion?”

I chuckled a little, “Kind of. Celebrating Jen’s making the varsity cheer squad and my being talked into trying out for basketball. Mostly Jen cheering though,” I added with a grin, glancing at my half-Polynesian friend and causing her to giggle.

“Ooh congrats! My sister Stacey made the squad this year too. I wanted to go collegiate cheering, but with work to pay for books I just didn’t have the time. Well, anyway, tables to bus, pizzas to deliver!” she beamed, far too excited, to my mind, to be working for minimum wage. She kind of reminded me of a young version of my mom though in that respect. I pushed those thoughts from my mind as I picked up a piece of pizza and dove right in.

“So, anyway Robin, we need to talk about what position you’re interested in. Given your height you’d make a great guard though,” Jennifer began. I stared blankly back at her.

“… You have no idea what I’m talking about, do you?”

“Um… No?” I responded hesitantly. She giggled, rolling her eyes, “Okay, then. We’ll start with the basic rules, and get you some court time tomorrow. Maybe we can get some two on two going with Chelsea before cheer practice.”

“Hey, Ally, why don’t you go out for basketball this year?” I asked, glancing Allison’s direction. She practically choked on her pizza, washing it down with a quick sip from her cola before answering.

“No way. Jen’s the athletic one, Nikki’s the dark one, and you’re the cute one. That just leaves me as the smart one.” She chided playfully, trying to recover from the apparent shock of my sudden question.

I rolled my shoulders, “You’re way more athletic than me. Besides, I see Jen at Kenpo practice courtesy of Josh, and Nikki and I have Saturday nights when we’re not having a sleepover. It’d be fun to have something you and I could work on together too, other than doing homework together.”

Allison chewed slowly on a piece of stuffed-crust as she considered my words, then smiled brightly. “I guess I can’t argue with that logic. Okay, I’ll come practice with you guys tomorrow then we can go from there.”

“Great!” Jennifer and I exclaimed in unison, causing us all, even Carol, to start giggling.

Things finally seemed to be looking up again. Jason and his little buddy couldn’t touch me without being slapped with assault charges, Mom’s health was improving daily, I had a wonderful girlfriend, and found myself surrounded by supportive and loving friends and family.

As I finished off the last of my pepperoni-and-peppers-laden slice, Carol’s cell phone started ringing. She retrieved the sleek silver phone from her canvas purse, flipped it open, and answered.

“Hi Kelly,” she paused, and her face fell. She turned to look at me as she listened. “Yes, of course,” she spoke more softly now. “What happened? Well do they know what caused it?”

By now, Nicole had wrapped my hand in both of hers. Everyone at the table shared the same worried expression. I think we all suspected the same thing. Finally, Carol closed her phone and sighed.

“Robin, I don’t want you to worry, but your mother was rushed to the hospital this afternoon.”

I could feel the blood drain from my face, even as Nicole wrapped me in a hug. I stared silently, dumbfounded.

“What happened? Is she okay?” I asked in rapid succession, trying to grasp the situation.

“Margie found her lying on the sofa unconscious, and couldn’t wake her. Kelly says her blood pressure was dangerously low so they’re going to run some tests. In the meantime you’re welcome to stay with us tonight if you don’t feel comfortable at your house.”

I nodded, “Thank you Carol. Um… Would it be alright if we went to see her?”

She gave me a sympathetic smile and nodded. I should have been the first to get up, but surprisingly Nicole, Jennifer, and Allison had already stood, staring at me expectantly. I pushed my chair back and rose, immediately enveloped in a group hug.

“I love you guys so much. You don’t have to go if you don’t want, though.”

“Of course we’re going,” Jennifer responded immediately, Allison and Nicole nodding their agreement. I smiled a little and nodded, quietly burying myself between Nicole and Allison as we walked out to Carol’s SUV. On the way to the hospital, I didn’t let go of them once. I needed them to keep me from breaking down, and even then keeping my emotions in check was a hard fight. When we reached the hospital, Nicole gently took my hand to help me out of the car.

“Sorry,” I began, as I hugged her tightly, “It’s just…”

“It’s okay. You almost lost her once. I’d feel the same way if it was my adopted mom.” She smiled, kissing my forehead. “C’mon, let’s go see if she’s awake, okay?”

I nodded quietly, looping my arm with hers as I held her hand tightly, letting the girls lead me inside. The last time something like this happened, I was home alone. I had to put on two disguises: the first being Robert, and the second being ‘brave’, but at least this time I didn’t have to be either, and I wasn’t alone. I just hoped Mom was okay.

---

If you liked this post, you can leave a comment and/or a kudo!
Click the Good Story! button above to leave the author a kudo:
And please, remember to comment, too! Thanks.