Dear Readers, This is an apology and an explanation. I started Wildcat Fall earlier this year and realized it wasn't the story I wanted to tell. So, I have started from scratch, and here is a completely new Chapter One. This is the continuing saga. I would appreciate any feedback. Constructive criticism is important to me as I am writing this story. Thanks.
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Chapter Three
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Teri hesitated and searched for what to say. She was physically and mentally exhausted, but exhilarated that everything had gone so well.

Making eye contact with her friends, she smiled. Taking a deep breath, she announced, “In a couple of weeks, I’m going to have surgery. Jenn and I have talked to a doctor who specializes in bottom surgery, and it’s all been planned for a while.” She slowed herself down and settled herself to find the words. “When you see me next, I will have straightened out all the confusion between my legs with a brand new vagina.”

Teri tried to sound confident. She’d never been more sure, and saying it aloud to her best friends reinforced her feelings. Feelings, that’s what this was about, she thought.

Everyone helped her through her journey. And now she was helping herself. She knew it was a selfish act. But it meant a lot.

Teri was making a big step and knew she’d hear skepticism.

For a few minutes, no one said a word. Teri watched, waiting to hear what everyone had to say. No one spoke, but they were all still staring. So she jumped right in. “No, seriously. It’s all good, totally elective. And I’ve been prepping for a while now. The way it’s planned, when all of you return from your vacations, I’ll be straightened out from top to bottom.”

Teri did not expect the avalanche of hugs, tears, and well-wishes. She’d been so caught up in the rehearsals and the music that she hadn’t had time to think about it. “Seriously, it’s just the last step in finishing up who I am. I haven’t said much cause I didn’t want to be a downer. I’m not complaining, but it’s been on my mind for a while. Like I said, it’s what I need for me. This will finally get my intersex body as real outside as I have become inside.”

Teri felt good and knew that she was proud of doing this. Of course, that was until Tiffany blurted out, “Does this mean you’re going to start having sex with guys?”

The rest of the Cats moaned.

Teri laughed and kissed her cheek. “No, Tiffany. That’s the furthest thought from my mind. I love Jenn, and she’s everything to me. The surgery is not about sex; it’s about being whole. Back in Chicago, we messed around with Jenn’s sister and her boyfriend. I’ve always loved women, and experimenting didn’t change my mind.”

Tiffany let out a breath and sighed. “But you’re only eighteen. Isn't surgery a big decision? You can never go back.”

Teri shook her head and tightly squeezed the tall blonde. “There’s nowhere to go. I never had boy parts. My genitals were just fibrous masses. Whatever sensation I had will still be there. But now, when I see myself, it would be easier to take a deep breath.”

Teri looked at all their faces and sighed. “I get a reminder every night before I go on stage when I glue a false vagina in place. It’s okay, but it reminds me that I’m incomplete. I just want to relax within my own body. I’ve talked to the surgeon and Grace. Amy and Jenn have gone to the appointments with me. So I’m pretty confident with my decision.”

Lisa turned her head. “Uh-huh. I get that it’s not a sex change, just a corrective surgery for an intersex woman. Is it going to be kept a secret?”

Teri laughed. “Well, I don’t know if anyone cares. Yeah, even before I was diagnosed as intersex, I was presenting as female. So, when I did the coming out interview for the newspaper, it wasn’t a big deal. When this surgery’s over and I’m out of danger, Jenn’s gonna text and let you know.”

Zoe looked her straight in the eyes. “Would you want me to cancel my plans and stick around for moral support?”

Everyone else immediately offered to do the same thing.

Teri held up her hands. “No! Seriously! I’ve got my cheering squad. Mom, Conor, and Jenn are all going to be right here for me. And, we’ve gotten the new condo in West Philly for Jenn while she’s going to school. And since the hospital’s only a mile away, it means I’ll be crashing there during my recovery.”

When no one said anything more, Teri spoke. “I appreciate your offers, but everyone needs time off. Jenn will keep everyone posted with what’s happening.”

Tiffany just couldn’t let it go. “You’re going to be all right?”

Gina looked at her carefully. “Tiff, did you just use an Irish accent?”

Tiffany turned to Gina and nodded her head. “Uh-huh. I’ve been practicing, so when I meet Thomas Hardy, he’s going to fall in love with me.”

All the Cats tried to keep straight faces.

Teri was happy the attention turned to Tiffany. “So you’ve given up on Brad Pitt?”

Tiffany blushed. “Well, no. But until we become world famous, I’m just not going to be in those same social circles. And I don’t want to make him uncomfortable having to hang around with you guys, especially Gina, ‘cause she’s such a moron.”

“Well, I want to hear more accent.” Gina was trying to keep a straight face.

Tiffany frowned. “That’s all I’ve got so far. I really haven’t had time to download any of his movies and practice while we’ve been on the road. That’s the good part about being with Mike for the next month. We’ll have time for lotsa movies.”

Teri looked at her strangely. “Have you told Mike about your crush on Thomas Hardy and your plans?”

Tiffany blushed. “Well, not yet. I’m still trying to keep the crazy under control. I’m afraid if I talk about what I’m thinking, he’d push me out the door.”

Teri shook her head. “Don’t you think that Mike has seen your crazy?”

“Sure, but I’ve been showering him with lotsa of love to keep him distracted.” Tiffany laughed and turned to Gina. “Okay, since I’m cleverly changing the subject, I was wondering. Every time you go to New York, all I hear is about you exercising all day and going out to dinner every night. What I can’t figure out is who does all the cleaning? Do you wear a maid's uniform to tidy up?”

Gina smiled and shook her head. “No, Tiff. Unlike you and your dress-up fantasies, my life is pretty normal. But I’ll bet that you have a sexy black French maid costume, right?”

Tiffany blushed. “Well, it’s black with white lace and trim. And I’ve got patent leather heels to match.”

They were all staring at their bass player.

Tiffany was waiting for Gina to give her an answer. “Do you clean the place? Are you her maid?”

Gina smiled and shook her head. “I do the laundry and make the bed. Grace has someone come in every day to clean her offices and her condo. I live a fine life in New York.”

Teri laughed. “I’ll bet. I’ve never heard you complain about living with the most beautiful woman in the world.”

Gina smiled. “Well, I used to feel uncomfortable about not contributing my share. But now that we’re finally making money, I don’t have to feel like I’m her pet. It gets weird that she works, and I just hang around waiting to entertain her. I had trouble with that idea when I started vacationing there. But she understands that the Cats' lifestyle is the complete opposite of hers. For the past three months, the band was working twenty-four seven on the road, caravanning from one venue to another, and our breaks were fleeting. No nine-to-five, no weekends off. But now I’m making more money than she does”

Teri laughed. “If you can call what we do work.”

Lisa shook her head. “Teri, you’re the hardest worker in the band. You sing, you play, you write, and you arrange. Isn’t that work?”

Teri laughed. “Nope. This is my dream. It’s all I’ve ever wanted. I used to worry about music school. Who’d accept me, and where would I find the seventy thousand a year for the tuition? Without any money, I’d have to panhandle and live in my car.”

Lisa was grinning. “I hate to break it to you, sis. But you don’t have a car.”

“See, that’s what I mean. It’s all become fun.”

Zoe smiled. “Well, I agree. Life’s changed for the band.” She turned to Lisa. “Remember wishing for roadies to help with loading the van.”

Tiffany laughed. “Our old van smelled.”

Everyone laughed.

Gina held up her hand. “Got a riddle for you. What do you call a musician who’s broken up with their girlfriend?”

She did not wait for an answer and simply called out, “Homeless!”

Teri looked confused. “I don’t get it.”

Tiffany shook her head. “That’s cause you’ve never lived out of the van traveling around playing for food and gas money. We beat ourselves up all winter long, dragging our asses from one dive bar to another. Our big break was when we’d head home to eat Mom’s cooking and sleep in a clean bed.”

Gina laughed. “That was our R&R. After playing at the Rendezvous for a month, we’d load back up again to play at all the beach and bar towns on the coast.”

Zoe laughed. “Life was different. What we made in one week with the old Cats is what we made on the first night with you in Atlanta. You were the magic, an angel sent down from Rock and Roll Heaven to bless us with success.”

Teri started crying. “It was unreal pretending to be Tasha. From then on, I never felt real. Back in school, I was the boy who couldn’t do anything the other guys did. I dreamed that puberty would come and make me real, like Pinocchio. But suddenly, it became too easy to be a girl.”

They watched the tears roll down her face.

“When I discovered that I wasn’t a boy or a girl, if it weren’t for all of you, Jenn, Grace, and my mom, I wouldn’t have known where to turn.” Teri shook her head. “Now I’m proud of who I am and just want to feel real. But I still worry about someone saying I’m a fake.”

Zoe wrapped her arms around Teri and rocked her. “C’mon, baby. You’re just exhausted. Nothing is left in the tank. But you’re more; you’re a super girl.”

After all the hugging and cheering, Teri dried her eyes and stopped her hiccups. She felt better. “Zoe’s right; I’m exhausted.”

Everyone walked out and greeted the Allentown contingent. They kissed and hugged while the compliments rained down on them. On the way back to the hotel, they all sang Beyoncé and Taylor Swift songs.

In the morning, after breakfast, the Cats all went their separate ways. Zoe and Bruno were flying straight to Hawaii, Smith and Lisa were headed to Texas, and Gina and Grace left early, heading back to New York. Mike and Tiffany stayed behind with the TV guys to wrap up all the tapes before heading back to Allentown.

Jenn and Teri packed up and rode to the airport with Richard and Phil. As they sat in the lounge together, Richard was smiling. “Well, all the news is great. The Fundraiser broke all sorts of records for a live broadcast on national TV.”

Jenn was smiling. She looked at Phil and Richard. “What are you two doing? Anything special?”

Phil laughed. “I just want to go back to the city and just put my feet up for a couple of days.”

Richard shook his head. “Right. Five minutes after you sit down, you’re going to be looking for something to do. But that’s all right. I’ve already got reservations for restaurants and Broadway shows when we return. But we are going to put our feet up and relax. I’m thinking we’d have siestas in Barcelona.”

Phil turned, “Spain! Wow!”

Richard smiled. “As long as we don’t have to visit any recording studios.”