Surprise Offer 2: is a direct continuation of the story about Lily and her ‘brother’ Lance. Can she find acceptance and her place in the world as Lily instead of Lance? Emotions run high as Lily’s new best friend and ‘adoptive’ family members move things forward at lightning speed. Can she handle it all? How will a surprise just before Thanksgiving change everything? Lily and Sammie are back, ready to take on the world with pigtails and dancing, in a way only ten-year-old little girls can do.

Sunday, Lily got dressed in a lovely green dress she liberated from her ‘room’ in the Berger’s house. She tried to brush her hair the way Mrs. Berger had done yesterday before walking downstairs with the hairbrush in hand. Mommie was more successful in styling the short hair. 

When they arrived at Church, Lily hung up her pink coat before heading toward Aunty Hanna. She hadn’t gotten there before some of the girls around her age intercepted her. One of the girls, Kelly, said, “You are coming with us, Vanderbilt.”

Lily said nervously, “Ok, Kelly,” being led to a quiet corner in the common area by the four girls.

Stacy asked, “We can’t call you Vanderbilt till the end of time. What is your name?”

“Lily.”

“You were in church on the first, right?” Kelly wondered. “You wore a very nice pink dress.”

Blushing right up, “Yes?”

“Jill from my class at school mentioned that first prize at the Girl Scout costume party was won by a Lily who was visiting her troop.”

“I did win that prize.”

Diana asked, “Is it true you had your first period, Lily?”

Lily explained that it wasn’t her first period, just the first time where they connected the dots. The girls discussed the health issues of the new girl and the hospital stay. It seemed the girls were supportive, just extremely curious about the new girl they had previously known as Lance. Aunty finally gathered up her niece and directed her to a pew in the church where Mommie, Daddie, Granny, and Uncle sat.

Lily followed Aunty to the nursery to gather her cousin up before heading to the car. Once at Granny’s house, the preteen helped Lauren into the house. The two girls went toward the toddler’s toys. Lily had fun playing with them and Lauren. Before the meal was ready to eat, the older girl picked up a storybook and read it to the younger girl.

During a dinner of goulash, the family discussed what had happened in the last week. They also discussed what still had to be done, including all the records that needed to be changed. Lily just sat there quietly as the family discussed it. 

Granny said during the discussions, “Well, Monday before all the hoopla of this week, I made a brochure advertising Raggedy Lala. Here is a sample one. I also made new ones for the other three of us. But those are not as interesting as the Lala one.”

Lily stared at her brochure and smiled at it. She had enjoyed herself at that party. She did think she would have to learn some party games and how to lead party members in them. She handed the sample to her Mommie, who was next to her.

Once Lily was excused, she went to relax in the living room, just staring at the fire, thinking of all the changes in just over a month. She was soon distracted by Lauren crawling into her lap to cuddle.

“Oh, Uncle Eric?”

“Yes, Lily?”

“Thank you for painting my bedroom.”

“You are welcome, Sweetie,” Uncle Eric walked over and kissed the girl on the forehead.

Monday morning, Amanda tried to sit next to Sammie in the class. The fellow Girl Scout looked at her friend and said, “Please don’t sit here, Amanda.”

“Is Lance coming back?” Amanda asked.

Sammie whispered, “If Lily has her way, Lance is no more.”

Amanda got all excited and asked quietly, “Is Lily coming to school?”

“Hopefully, after a meeting this morning,” Sammie answered quietly back.

“Class, Lance is still out, and you have a substitute, Miss Fisher. I apparently have an emergency meeting this morning.” He continued, “And for some reason, Sammie is involved in this meeting.”

Mr. Conner directed his student out of the classroom towards the office. He asked as they walked, “Do you know what this meeting is about and how you fit in it?”

Sammie grinned, “I have been told to say nothing until the meeting.”

They soon set foot in the conference room, where it appeared they were the last to join. Mr. McKenna, the principal, started the meeting, “OK, welcome everyone. We have in attendance Mr. and Mrs. Vanderbilt, Lance’s parents. Mr. Olsen, Vanderbilt's lawyer. Samantha Berger, Lance’s friend. Also, Dr. Kendrick and Dr. Thorley, Lance’s Doctors. Mr. Conner, Lance’s Teacher. And I am Mr. McKenna, the principal.”

Adam Olsen interjected, “I would like to start by saying that Lance is no longer known by the name Lance. We have filed a name change in the court system. What is the new name and why it was changed is the subject of this meeting.”

Susan Vanderbilt looked at Sammie, “I think you should start by explaining what happened last Monday.”

Sammie carefully described the ballet practice incident, where Mommie took over and talked about the doctor's appointment. She passed the ultrasound around the table. 

Mr. McKenna asked, “You are saying the person formerly known as Lance has a full female system inside them.”

“That is correct,” Dr. Kendrick stated. “Chromosome testing also showed that she is also XX, so she should be treated like any girl.”

Mr. McKenna looked at the doctor and then the parents in confusion, “What is between Lance’s legs that got them declared as a boy at birth?”

Dr. Thorley explained, “This person has a condition called, ‘46, XX hermaphroditism,’ and the growth between the legs is usually a malformed clitoris. We admit we didn’t investigate her growth besides determining it was not a penis. We knew her internals worked because she was actively having her period.”

“I can’t go calling one of my students the person formerly known as Lance,” Mr. Conner said, looking at Mr. and Mrs. Vanderbilt.

“Sammie,” Mommie looked at her neighbor. “Go get your best friend.”

Sammie ducked into the hall and came back with Lily. The girl of discussion was wearing her flower jeans and a pink ballet sweatshirt. 

Sammie proclaimed, “I would like to introduce Lily Vanderbilt.” 

Lily just waved shyly.

Mr. Olsen handed the principal a few papers, “Here is certification that Lily has always been a female and should be treated as a female. I would like to remind you that this is covered by ADA and Title IX. I have already started the process to change all her legal documents to her new name and to correct the error made in her identification of gender. We are requesting that the school district personnel from this moment forward refer to her as Lily Ann Vanderbilt, and treat her like all the other fifth-grade girls in the district.”

“I see no problems with agreeing to the name and treating Lily as a girl like the medical information says she is,” Mr. McKenna held up a finger as he thought for a moment. “But, I do not have the authority to approve of her using the girls’ bathroom as long as she still has that growth between her legs.”

Dr. Thorley stated, “Using the girls’ restroom is up to you. However, since she is physically a girl, she can’t use the boys’. Although she does still have that malformed growth, I must stress that it is not a penis, and it serves absolutely no purpose. There are no testicles and urine doesn’t even travel through it. Lily also has a plastic tube between her legs so menstrual fluids can get out. Along with those, she is naturally growing breasts like any girl in puberty.”

“Hmm,” Principal McKenna contemplated his options. “I will have to consult some people at the District Office on how they want us to handle bathrooms. I am aware she is physically a girl, but that malformed growth complicates things.”

Lily’s face fell with this information. She got a hug from Sammie.

While showing no emotions, Mr. Olsen stated, “I will just warn you that the school had better tread lightly. Because of a previous experience, I am well versed in the steps to sue a school district.”

“I will call the District Office as soon as this meeting is over,” Mr. McKenna responded, “I will let you know their answer later in the week. Until then, Lily can use the bathroom in the nurse’s office, right across the hall from this conference room.” 

“We will, under protest, agree to Lily using the bathroom in the nurse’s room,” Mr. Olsen stated. “I expect to have a written statement from the district by the end of the week, stating their official position on bathroom use for children in Lily’s position, along with what must be met for Lily to start using the girls’ bathroom like all the other girls.”

“Okay,” Principal McKenna looked around the table. “How do you propose we introduce Lily to her classmates?”

“We thought we would give the students a lesson in intersexuality,” Dr. Kendrick stated. “And then introduce her.”

Mr. Conner thought for a moment, “That might work, but I will have to watch to ensure she isn’t bullied.”

Mommie smiled at the petite fifth grader, “Lily, how many of the girls in the class already know about you?”

Lily named her classmates who knew. The list included half the girls. 

“Since she obviously had surgery,” Mr. McKenna looked at the two doctors. “Are there any medical restrictions preventing her from doing P.E.?”

Dr. Thorley handed over a paper detailing the physical restriction, “No exercise until Thursday.” 

Principal McKenna looked around at the people in the room, “If there is no more to add, how about we adjourn the meeting?”

After the meeting had broken up, Mr. Conner, Sammie, Lily, and the two doctors headed to the classroom. Again, Lily stayed in the hall when the rest went into the room.

As Sammie took her seat, Mr. Conner went to the front of the classroom. “Thank you, Miss Fisher.” 

Mr. Conner waited for everyone to be silent before continuing, “Class, these are doctors Kendrick and Thorley. They want to talk to you.”

Dr Kendrick greeted the class before starting his lesson, “You know there are two sexes, but we are here to talk about the third one, Intersexual.”

Dr. Thorley added, “Intersexual means born with sexual items from both genders. There are also girls without internal items and boys at birth with girls' internals.”

A girl in the back yelled, “So they are freaks!”

“Christy, that wasn't nice. And quiet, the Doctors are talking,” Mr. Conner glared.

Dr. Kendrick continued, “It is that last group we want to talk about.”

“Do you know how they determine if you are a boy at birth?” Dr. Thorley asked.

Amanda blurted out, “They look for the presence of something between your legs.”

“And how do they determine a girl?” Dr. Kendrick asked.

Tina said, “The lack of something between your legs.”

“Correct,” Dr. Thorley looked around at all the students, “That works for most births, but with one in 6000 births, that doesn’t work. That equals about one birth every 14 days worldwide.”

Dr. Kendrick asked, “Do the letters XX and XY mean something?”

One of the boys in the class said, “XX is a girl’s chromosome, and the other one is the boy’s.”

Dr. Kendrick smiled at the boy who answered, “When one of your classmates started to have her period, we ultrasounded her belly and gave her a chromosome test. It came back as XX.”

Dr. Thorley went over and whispered to Sammie, “Can you please go get Lily?”

Sammie dragged Lily from the hall and proudly stated, “I would like to introduce Lily Vanderbilt.”

One of the boys said, “So you are saying he has a womb?”

“Yes, SHE has a womb. The presence of a womb makes HER a female. They were never a boy, even if the delivery doctor made a mistake,” Dr. Kendrick explained.

Mr. Conner interjected, “You are to treat Lily with respect. The same respect you give any other girl in this class.”

Another boy said, “So no respect!”

“I heard that Rick. You can go to the office if you need instruction on how to treat girls with respect,” Mr. Conner pointed at the door.

Rick gulped, “Nah, I am good.”

Mr. Conner turned to the two guest speakers, “Thank you, Doctors. And Lily, if you will take your seat, we will return to your regularly scheduled mathematics.”

The whole class groaned but opened their math books.

As Susan was trying to pay attention to the numbers on the screen in front of her, her personal cellphone started vibrating on the desk. She mentally got worried when the caller ID said it was from Pratt Children’s Hospital. Her boss be damned, she was going to deal with this during work hours.

“Hello, Susan Vanderbilt speaking.” …

“Hello Nurse Belinda.” …

“If that is Doctor Thorley's recommendation.” …

“I mean, I am not disagreeing with the recommendation. It does make sense. Her whole life has been turned upside down.” …

“Do you have any recommendations of who?” …

“You have a list of all the known ones in the area. Please do send it.” Susan proceeded to provide her email address.

“Thank you for your phone call.”

Pausing with the spreadsheet in front of her, Susan checked her email. ‘They weren't kidding when they said all of the known providers in the area. There must be one hundred on this list. I have an information overload.’

Picking up the phone, “Hi Alison. It is Susan.” …

“Pratt recommends counseling for your granddaughter.” …

“Why? They say since her whole life has been turned upside down, it would be better if she had someone to talk to.” …

“No. Actually, I was hoping you had an idea who? They recommended someone who has experience with gender issues.” …

“The hospital sent a list of all the known counselors in the area. The list goes all the way from Pittsburgh to Harrisburg.” …

“Just what I thought looking at it.” …

“Please do ask Hanna.” …

“Thanks anyway.”

Scrolling through her contacts, she selected the phone number for Church.

“Hello, Kendra, Susan Vanderbilt here.” …

“Is Pastor Paterson available?” …

“I am searching for a counselor for Lily.” …

“Oh. I would have thought the grapevine would have filled you in. Lance is actually my daughter Lily.” …

“No, she isn't transgender. Lily just got out of the children’s hospital for having a blocked vagina.” …

“Yes. My handsome boy, as you say it, had a period.” …

“But we are getting on a tangent.” …

“Pastor Paterson, Susan Vanderbilt.” …

“Pratt Children’s Hospital recommends a counselor for Lily, preferably one specializing in gender issues.” …

“Oh darn. I will grab your list if I have to resort to one that doesn't specialize.”

“Talk to you later.”

Susan walked to her husband's desk on the other side of the room. ‘Where did he put that number?’

Picking a piece of paper off the desk, she dialed the number.

“Adam, this is Susan Vanderbilt, Lily’s Mother.” …

“I am grasping at straws right now. The hospital Lily was in recommends a counselor, preferably one who deals with gender issues. They sent a list of every counselor from Harrisburg to Pittsburgh.” ...

“Yes, quite a huge list.” …

“You must have some knowledge of counselors in the area.” …

“Your wife used Jan Moore in Mountain.” …

“Does she deal with gender and children?” …

“She only does children?” …

“Is she still in business?” …

“Good. I will contact her.”

Dialing the number given, “This is Susan Vanderbilt at …” giving her phone number. “I am recommended to get a counselor for my ten-year-old daughter by Pratt Children’s Hospital. Please call me back.”

When Sammie and Lily got in Mrs. Berger’s car, they were questioned by the older one, “How did it go, sweetie?"

“I wouldn't call it a warm welcome,” Lily responded. “But then again, I wouldn't call it a cold welcome, either.”

Mrs. Berger moved her head from side to side, “So, a lukewarm welcome.”

Lily nodded, “Yes. The part I am most upset about is that they are making me use the office bathroom for now.”

Sammie said, “They are worried about her malformed growth between her legs.”

Lily pointed out, “It just hangs there. It’s not like I even pee through it. And anyway, no one in the girls’ room would ever see it.”

The two friends split up when the car pulled into Oak Acres. They would get together later at Lily’s house.

“Lily, is that you?”

“Yes, Mommie.”

“Is Sammie with you or are you alone?”

“Alone. I am expecting Sammie in 15 to 20 minutes.”

“Pratt called and suggested we find a counselor for you.”

“Why?”

Susan looked at her daughter and tried to think of a nice way to put this news. “Due to the fact that you've been forced to change genders.”

“I am not changing genders, Mommie.”

“So my son still exists.”

“No. I have always been your daughter.”

“I disagree with that always. And up to Halloween, you had most of your body in the closet.”

Blushing, “Okay. You win.”

Samantha walked into the room,  “Hello, Lily and Mrs. Vanderbilt.”

“Samantha, I have to continue this private conversation with Lily. Can you wait for her in her room, please?”

“Yes, Mrs. Vanderbilt,” Sammie walked upstairs, wondering what kind of trouble her best friend was in.

After the neighbor girl was out of the room, “I did some searching for a counselor, and Adam Olsen recommended someone in Mountain.” 

“Who is Mr. Olsen?”

“Your lawyer.”

“I have a lawyer?”

“Yes, you met him this morning,” Mommie explained. “He was probably the only person in that meeting this morning that you didn’t know.”

“Oh, him,” Lily scrunched her mouth back and forth. “Why did he recommend a counselor way out in Mountain?”

“You think there would be one that could do children's gender issues in this village with less than one thousand people?”

Lily hadn't thought about that, “I guess not. So who am I seeing?”

“I am not sure you are seeing them yet. They haven't returned my phone call.”

“Oh.”

“Now, I believe your best friend is waiting for you in your bedroom.”

Lily walked into her bedroom.

“Lily Ann! What did you do to get in trouble?”

“What do you mean, trouble, Bestie?”

“Wasn't your Mommie yelling at you?”

“No!”

“Then what was the private conversation about?”

“Mommie was telling me that I have to see a counselor because I was forced to be a girl.”

“What does a counselor do? And were you really forced?”

“I haven't a clue, and I tried that point with Mommie too.” Lily paused and thought for a moment. “I was forced to be a boy for ten years.”

As the two girls were sitting, eating dinner at the table, with the two adult Vanderbilts, Sammie whispered, “Ask the question, Bestie.”

Blushing and whispering, “No!”

“If you won't, I will!”

“Fine!” while dropping her shoulders.

After a few moments of Lily just sitting there in silence, looking at her food, Sammie spoke, “Mrs. and Mr. Vanderbilt, Lily, and I want to know what a counselor does.”

Susan wondered, “Not that I care, but why isn't my first daughter asking this question?”

“I told Sammie I would, but …,” Lily very softly said before finding some food on her plate very interesting.

Sammie saw Lily’s reaction and responded, “Because my best friend is too embarrassed.”

“Well, my daughter's spokesperson, a counselor, is someone you talk to. There are a lot of things in our lives that cause strong emotions and feelings. We can’t always deal with those on our own, and a counselor helps us figure out how to live with and manage them. They are like a teacher but instead of teaching reading, writing, and math, they teach you how to live with the things in our lives.”

“That is it, Mommie?” Lily looked up from her plate, finally finding her voice.

“Yes.”

Mr. Vanderbilt reached over and squeezed his daughter’s hand, “Lots of people see counselors. There is even one at your school.”

“Then why are we using someone in Mountain?”

“Mountain is only 30 minutes away. Only five to ten minutes longer than getting to ballet. I don't trust your school counselor to be knowledgeable in gender issues.”

“Oh.”

When her phone rang, “Hello, Susan Vanderbilt speaking.” …

“Hello, Jan.” …

“Yes, my daughter used to be my son, until she was introduced to her monthly friend.” …

“Pratt recommended a counselor that had gender experience.” …

“No. Lily’s lawyer, Adam Olsen, recommended you.” …

“So, you are knowledgeable about Intersexuality?” …

“Oh, good, you currently see another patient who is intersexual.” …

“Just over a week ago.” …

“We live in Whiteridge.” …

“Yes, I can be available tomorrow at one.” …

Susan Vanderbilt wrote the address down when it was given.

“Just myself?” …

“See you then.” 

After hanging up the phone, she dialed another phone number, “Hello, boss. Susan here.” …

“I have to take a half day off tomorrow.” …

“Talk to you later.”

Tuesday, right before class, Amanda came over and gave the two best friends pink envelopes. She didn't hang around long but headed to her other friends in the Scout Troop.

Lily opened hers to discover that it was an invitation to Amanda's birthday party in January, specifically on Saturday the 16th. She was glad that it was at two, so she had plenty of time to change after Ballet.

Mr. Conner said as he walked into the classroom, “Lily, you are wanted at the office.”

“Ok, Mr. Conner,” Lily said as she left the room.

After she walked into the office, Miss Fran, the secretary, explained that she needed a new student ID. Lily was asked to stand still for her picture. 

After the picture was taken, she headed back to the classroom.

During morning recess on Tuesday, Lily, Sammie, Tina, and Amanda were talking and sitting beside the school.

Jimmy came up and said, “Hey, hermaphrodite!”

Amanda and Tina jumped up and dragged Jimmy away. It appeared they were saying something, but the two best friends couldn't hear what was being said.✣

“Lily?” Susan asked on Tuesday afternoon when she heard the door open.

Lily and Sammie walked into the room, “Yes, Mommie?”

“I met with your counselor today.”

“Who is it?”

“Her name is Jan Moore.”

“When do I meet her?”

“Friday afternoon at two.”

“Isn't that during school?”

“Yes, it is. You are doing well in school, and your well-being is more important than school.”

Lily nodded before following her best friend out of the room.

Wednesday, as Lily was walking into the school, Mr. McKenna called her name from the office. The girl headed into the office. The principal handed the young girl her new student ID. The principal continued by saying, “Lily, school district offices say you can use any female restroom. Sorry for the misunderstanding.”

“Thank you, Mr. McKenna,” Lily looked at her new school ID before leaving the office and going to her classroom.

As she was sitting next to Sammie, her best friend asked, “What did McKenna want?”

“To tell me I don't have a restroom restriction anymore,” Lily explained.

Jimmy soon came up to the table that the two of them were sitting at. While being encouraged by Amanda, he said, “Lily, I am extremely sorry for what I said yesterday.”✣

“Apology accepted, Jimmy,” Lily smiled at the boy that had been a close friend for years. She got up and hugged the boy before sitting down again. Truthfully, Amanda and Tina were more upset than Lily was. The girl WAS a hermaphrodite, but she wasn’t going to admit that to Jimmy.

During lunch, Lily followed Jen into the bathroom. As she went to the stall to do her business, Christy snarkily asked, “Why is the freak in our bathroom?”

“She has a name,” Jen responded. “And, the only freak here is you, Christy.”

Christy huffed, “Transgender people are freaks.”

Jen said with a sigh, “She is intersexual. Learn the difference. Wait, Miss Last-in-Class is too stupid to learn.”

Christy just stomped her feet and left the restroom in a huff.

Lily said as she was washing her hands, “Thanks for standing up for me, Jen.”

“Hey, we were not kidding when we said you were our friend in our little speech in the hospital,” Jen said, giving her friend a side hug as they left the bathroom.

Lily just blushed bright red in response.

✣ Please see the story ‘Amanda’s Revenge - Juliette 1’ for another viewpoint.

Author's Notes: Comments and questions are always welcomed -- Thanks Becky

Amanda’s Revenge needs a day or two more before it can be posted. Hopefully it will be posted tomorrow or Friday.

This story is complete, though we’re wrapping up the proofreading process chapter by chapter as they get posted. I plan to post a chapter every Wednesday.