Juliette, with help from Rachel and their friends, carefully prepares a borrowed outfit so she can attend Lily and Samantha’s ballet recital. Nervous but excited, she spends the day navigating the event, meeting people, and trying not to draw too much attention while enjoying the performances and time with the girls. The outing strengthens friendships and gives Juliette a rare chance to simply exist among them as one of the group. By the end of the day, however, small hints suggest that keeping everything secret may become more difficult in the future.

From Surprise Offer 2 Chapter 19:

While waiting to get picked up after school, the Girl Scouts and Jimmy were all standing together.

“Lily Ann Vanderbilt,” Sammie glared at her best friend. “What the heck happened today?”

“Christy demanded to see my old pad to prove it was bloody, Bestie.”

Anna added, “I am expecting she lied to McKenna when she complained about Lily showing it to her.”

“Lying, when there were two witnesses, would be something she’d do,” Jimmy suggested.

“Sounds like Christy,” Tina said.

Sammie turned to Jimmy, “You joining us in my mom's car?”

Jimmy glanced down, looking sideways towards another girl, “No, I have to go straight home.”

Jimmy didn’t leave after Sammie and Lily’s ride started to pull away. He just stood there silently watching Jen and Anna walk away after the car left.

“Don’t you have to go, Jimmy?” Amanda inquired.

“No, I lied to Samantha,” Jimmy replied while looking sheepishly at his feet. “Amanda, tomorrow is Samantha and Lily’s recital, right?”

“Yes?” Amanda stated.

“I would like to go but …”

“But?” Tina asked.

“You dress up for that, right?”

“I am going to,” Rachel stated.

“You going?” Jimmy got out, still not looking at the girls.

“I just said that,” Rachel said. “My sister is in the beginner’s class.”

Meekly, Jimmy says, “I don’t have any fitting clothes.” Looking around to see if they are alone, “Juliette was hoping to borrow a nice dress.”

“Say that again,” Rachel commanded. “I don't think I heard you right.”

“I, Juliette, would like to borrow a nice dress.”

Rachel thought for a minute, “I think I have a nice one, Juliette,” she mentioned before turning to Amanda and Tina, “If you will get her wig, we can do our homework before playing dress up doll at my house.”

After Tina and Amanda had walked away, Juliette stated, “I have a better wig at Samantha’s house. I wish I could get it without letting her know.”

Rachel turned to the only other person left in the school yard, “Do I want to know, Juliette?” … “No, I don't want to know.”

“Mommie, I brought a friend. Also, I am expecting Amanda and Tina soon.”

“OK,” came from the direction of a room with a television in the background.

“Can I borrow a phone to call my mother so I don't get grounded like last time?”

“Yes, it is right here.”

… “Hi, Mom. It is Jimmy.” …

“I am doing homework at Rachel Vickers' house.” …

“I am not sure how long I will stay here.” …

Rachel interrupted, “We will feed you.”

“Guess I am eating here.” …

“Yes, be home by eight thirty.” …

“Bye Mommie …. Love you.”

Bree Bowen looked at the phone in her hand in confusion. Did her son just call her Mommie and actually say he loved her? He reminded her of a girl that way. Lily must be rubbing off on him. She smiled at the past memory of her son in a girl’s Halloween costume dresses and had to admit he did make a cute girl. Still smiling, she hung up the phone.

“OK, Rachel, I can stay until eight … that gives me time to get home.”

“Great, let's find Juliette.”

In Rachel's bedroom, the genetic girl handed panties and a bra to the trans girl. “Let's see. Yes, this will do.” A yellow tee with Belle on it joined the pile.

“Are you trying to tell me something, Rachel?”

“What?”

“This tee says start my story.”

“Isn't that what you are doing?” She asked as she handed Juliette a pink Jefferson Elementary sweatshirt.

“I guess.”

Some yellow socks and blue jeans joined the pile.

Ding dong went the doorbell.

“Put those on, and I will let A and T in. ” Rachel smiled.

The three girls returned to a mostly dressed Juliette. She was just putting her sweatshirt on.

Tina walked up to Juliette and hugged her. “Nice to see you again.”

Rachel grabbed the wig from Amanda’s hands. She put the wig on Juliette's head. “Does Juliette or Jimmy want to try on dresses?”

“Juliette does, of course.”

“Let's do homework in the den, and then we can go dress hunting.”

“Hi, Cupcake. Amanda, Tina, and I am not sure of your name,” Mr. Vickers stated as he walked through the Den.

“Her name is Juliette, Daddie.”

“Hello, Mr. Vickers.”

“What are your plans?”

“We are just finishing up homework, then we need to find Juliette an outfit fitting for the recital tomorrow, hopefully with some pizza thrown in.”

“Oh, you're going to watch Jess tomorrow?”

“Juliette has more interest in the intermediates and one private lesson student than the beginners, Daddie.”

Faking hurt and shocked, “There will be more students there than Jess Vickers?!?!”

“Yes, Daddie. You would be an excellent court jester.”

“Don’t roll your eyes at me, young lady.” …. “I will be in the shop if you need me.”

“You will order pizza D a d d i e?”

“Fine, order pizza then the shop.”

Back in Rachel's room, as she opened the closet door, “OK, spill, Julie, why do you have a better wig at Sammie's house?”

“I thought you didn't want to know.”

“Wait, what!?” Tina exclaimed.

“I changed my mind.”

“Sammie is teaching me ballet.”

“So she knows about Juliette?” Amanda asked.

“As Jimmy or Juliette?” Tina asked.

“Did Sammie get it for you?” Rachel asked while getting some dresses out of the closet.

“One at a time, girlfriends. No, she doesn't know what happened at your house, Amanda, nor does she know the Juliette name. Samantha and Lily call the ballet student J. I definitely feel like a girl around Lily and Samantha, even if I have a huge crush on Samantha.”

“Oh, is that so? You didn't answer my question.” Rachel was holding a green dress up to Julie while asking.

“Does Sammie know you have a crush on her?” Amanda asked.

“Yes, she is very much aware. And … “

“You still haven't answered me.”

“Patience, please. As I was saying before I was interrupted, no, Mrs. Berger gave it to me after she trimmed my hair.”

“One question answered, five questions raised. Please try this dress on.”

“Here?”

“We are all girls here, and besides, we have already seen you in just your panties before.”

“Was Jimmy or Juliette getting her hair trimmed?”

“Juliette, using the name J, got her hair trimmed. Can you deal with my back and this ribbon, please?”

“That ribbon is called your sash,” Tina said, fastening the buttons behind Juliette.

“How often have you worn a dress?” Amanda asked.

“Does dress-up count? Does Halloween count?”

“Let's see you,” Tina stepped back to make sure the dress was done up right. “I am not sure if they do.”

“If they don't, this is my second dress ever. Can I see?”

Rachel turned Julie's head back away from the mirror before telling why, “I want to put makeup on you before you look.”

Tina sat down on Rachel’s bed to watch the makeup job, “But if dress-up counts?”

“My Kindergarten and first-grade teachers sent a lot of notes home about how Jimmy would not stay out of the girls' dress-up clothes. … Come to think of it, a certain Vanderbilt was equally in those dresses. I can't bring myself to say her previous name. And if I recall correctly, Rachel, you and Sammie were right there with me and the one now called Lily, recommending what we should dress up as to make play time more fun.”

Blushing, Rachel turned the focus back onto Julie, “What do you wear at Sammie’s house? Have a seat at my desk, please, Julie.”

“Ballet wear, usually. Leotards and dance tights.”

“Now, you girl, try that again. Like we taught you at Amanda’s house.” … “Very good, that is a good girl. I don't remember your brother wearing any girls' Halloween costumes.”

“None of the girls' costumes were actually mine. I got vetoed for quite a few years by my mother. I didn't ask any more two years ago.”

“Look straight ahead,” Rachel stated as she put makeup on Juliette.

“Every year, I convince my cousin to allow me to try on her costumes.”

“Blink your left eye, Juliette.”

“I was trying on her Elsa costume, with her permission, about six or seven weeks ago, when our mothers walked in on us.”

“Blink the other eye.”

“What happened, Juliette?” Tina asked.

“Not much. My aunt basically told me not to damage the dress and told me I had three hours before our fathers would return.” … “My mother just rolled her eyes.” Noticing the makeup was put away, “Can I look in the mirror?”

“Close your eyes. How long were you in the costume?” Rachel asked, leading Juliette backwards to the mirror.

“For how many years have you been wearing her costumes?” Amanda inquired.

“Please, can I look? I have tried on all of her costumes since we were about four.”

“Open your eyes. You didn't say how long you were in the Elsa costume.”

Juliette opened her eyes to see a girl in a green dress with a white peter pan collar. She squinted her eyes, trying to see the evidence of the makeup she knew she was wearing. “I was in it for just under three hours. As a matter of fact, I was pulling on my sweatshirt when I heard Dad’s car returning.” ... “I thought you put make-up on me.”

“PIZZA, Brat!” came a scream from down the hall.

“You’re the brat, Jessica.” … “Less is more, Juliette. Let's go eat, girls.”

Walking into the dining room, “Rachel, why is your friend in your dress?”

“We were trying dresses on so Juliette can wear a nice dress to the recital tomorrow, Mommie.”

“Are you going to my recital?”

“I …”

“You aren't the only one dancing tomorrow, Sis.”

“I want to watch two good friends of mine dance.”

“Well, young lady, don't spill anything on it. Otherwise, you can't wear it tomorrow.”

“Yes, Mrs. Vickers.”

“Speaking about that, Mommie and Daddie, can Juliette hitch a ride with us tomorrow?”

Looking at her husband, who just shrugged, “I don't see a problem. We have to leave at ten. Jess has to be there an hour before the recital, so bring something to keep you occupied.”

“Thank you, Mrs. Vickers, and I will.”

“Arms in front of you, Julie.”

Juliette looked shocked to see an Alice apron placed on top of the dress, “Alice's apron?”

“It does quite look like Alice's pinafore, but it is an apron fashioned in the style of a maid's.”

Juliette just shrugged and followed the horde getting pizza slices.

“So Juliette, are you in Mr. Conner's class?”

“I am, Ma'am.”

“Rachel hasn't mentioned you before.”

Juliette tried not to look nervous.

“Do I mention all of my classmates?”

“No, you must be new like that Lily girl.”

Juliette just discreetly nodded.

“Lily isn't new,” Jessica states.

“She isn't, Sweetie?”

“Noel, from down the road,” Jessica said. “Was saying she had to stand up for Lily in the bathroom today. Something about a dummy that swore there was no way Lily could be actively having her period.”

“Guess we'd better explain,” Rachel states, looking at her friends. “Lily is intersexual. She …”

“You have a trans girl in your class?”

“No, Mr. Vickers, Lily was… key word: was … a boy who suddenly had a period,” Juliette mentioned, while thinking that yes, there is a trans girl in our class, me.

Amanda explained, “She’s the one we visited in the hospital after our Girl Scout meeting. The doctors who visited our class say SHE has all the internals, and her chromosomes are XX.”

Tina continued, “Christy, who is the dummy that Jessica's friend was talking about, can't get it through her mind that Lily isn't trans.”

“There was an incident in the bathroom between Lily and Christy. I don't know the exact details. Lily only said that she had to borrow a pad from Christy.” Rachel explained.

Jessica added, “Noel told me that the idiot demanded to see the used pad and then got upset about being shown a bloody pad.”

“JESSICA!”

“Sorry, Mommie, for my language, but Noel swears she is one.”

Juliette added, “Now that you have pointed it out, Lily also mentioned that.”

“That dress looks nice on you, Juliette,” Mr. Vickers stated. “This wasn't the dress you were planning on wearing, Cupcake?”

“Thank you, Mr. Vickers,” Julie blushed.

“No, Daddie.”

Back in the bedroom, Rachel instructed Juliette to get out of the dress in order to keep the dress clean. After Juliette was down to her panties and bra, she went to grab Jimmy’s clothes.

“Absolutely not, young lady.” Rachel proceeded to hand the girls' clothes that Juliette had previously worn to her. With Juliette back in the pink school sweatshirt, Rachel thought out loud, “Now we need to figure out how you are putting that dress on tomorrow?”

“I will need help, of course.”

“I’ll gladly help you, Julie.”

“So I will just come here tomorrow morning.”

“That is the problem. You, Juliette, need to come here, not your brother, Jimmy.”

“Oh, big problem.”

“What would happen if I sent you home like that?”

“Umm… Daddie is on a business trip this weekend. Mommie might ask way too many questions.”

“You could hide your outfit under your jacket, Juliette,” Tina stated.

“That might work. How am I, Juliette, going to sneak out tomorrow? I can't go down to breakfast in my coat.”

“How about switching sweatshirts outside of the house?” Amanda asked.

Rachel said, “That is actually a good idea.”

Juliette just shrugged at the idea.

“Let's see, you will need clean clothes,” Rachel said, as she turned to her drawers and pulled some panties and socks out. She then started flipping through her shirts.

“What are you looking for, Rachel?”

“Another shirt that I won't mind that you, Juliette, will not return.”

“I will gladly return them, Rachel.”

“You will keep them or else!”

“Else!?!”

“Or Juliette will never get to borrow any more clothes from any of us.”

“Wait! Are you blackmailing me to add clothes to my tiny collection of girls' clothes?!?!”

“So you have more girls' clothes?” Amanda asked.

“I just have the panties and socks you donated to the cause at my house, Amanda.”

“What about at Lily and Samantha’s?”

“I wear Samantha’s leotards and tights. At least, I think they are hers. I don't fit Lily’s clothes.”

“What about panties? Bra?”

“Never worn a bra there. Leotards have bras built in, and I am just handed panties … I'm not sure if they are Samantha’s or mine, personally. … I throw everything in the hamper afterward. I have never discussed what happens to them when I am gone.”

“Don’t forget you own what you are wearing now, Julie.”

Looking down, “I can't accept this, Rachel.”

“You will! Or will your brother be going to the recital tomorrow?”

“Fine! This is the strangest way to be blackmailed.”

“Oh, you are enjoying it. Actually, I do need to take your picture, Juliette.” Rachel set a shirt down and grabbed her camera. “Sit nicely on the bed, Julie.” … “Perfect, say cheese.”

“Swiss.”

“Not kind of cheese, silly girl. I think this shirt is perfect for you tomorrow.” Rachel showed a pink shirt that said ‘I am literally just a girl.’

“Again, you are trying to tell me something.”

“Am I wrong?”

Meekly, “Nope.”

“Now, you can wear those jeans and that bra, but I'd better find you another sweatshirt.”

“How exactly am I getting Jimmy and tomorrow's outfits home?” Juliette asked as she was handed a pink sweatshirt with a cat's face on it to add to the pile.

“Amanda, can you remove her makeup while I grab something?”

Rachel returned with a paper grocery bag. “I put Jimmy’s sweatshirt on top. Amanda, you have to walk past her house to get home. Can you see that she gets home safely?”

“But what about me?” Amanda said with a smirk while hugging Rachel.

While Rachel was hugging Tina, “Fine, all three of you get home safely. Besides, you two live next to each other.” Rachel was pointing at Tina and Amanda while saying that.

While hugging Juliette, Rachel whispered so only she could hear, “It has been a few years since I had my Bowen Dolly.”

Julie just blushed bright red.

Rachel switched back to her normal volume, “You, young lady, try to get here at nine thirty at the latest, preferably earlier.”

“Yes, Mommie.”

“Don’t you forget it!”

“Juliette, we are almost at your house. I think it is time to become Jimmy,” Tina reminded.

As Juliette removed her jacket and sweatshirt, she exclaimed, “Burrrrrrrr!” The gray sweatshirt was quickly put on. He was about to put on the jacket again, but Amanda stopped him.

“Pull your sweatshirt down and do a slow spin,” Amanda requested.

Shrugging, Jimmy did that.

“Good, it hides the flowers on your jeans.”

“Now, may I get my coat back on? It is cold out here.”

“Yes, you may. Gee, someone might think you are a girl with how big of a deal you are making of it,” Tina said, smirking. “You might want to lose the wig too, Jul … Jimmy.”

“I admit to being a girlish wimp,” Jimmy sheepishly stated as they turned onto his street. “Thank you for escorting me home, my friends.” He turned to hug them both.

Walking in the house, “Mom … I am home.”

“Wow, you are forty-five minutes early. Did you get a ride, Sport?”

“No, Amanda and Tina walked with me.”

“In the dark? Where are they now?”

“Yes? They appear to be a few doors down now.”

“Stop them, and I will grab the car.”

Racing out the door, Jimmy caught up to the girls. While panting, “I… am … out … of … shape. … I … need … to … do … more … ballet.”

“You forgot something? Did we forget something?” Amanda asked.

While smirking, Tina expressed, “That wasn’t a very boyish thing to say.”

Sticking out his … her tongue. “Since when were I … or Lily model boys, Tina?”

“Umm, never.”

“I ran here because my mother will not let you walk home by yourself. Here she is with the car.”

As the two girls were getting out of the car, Amanda expressed, “We would have gladly walked home; it was just two blocks.”

“Young Lady, absolutely not in the dark.”

“OK, Ma'am, thanks for the ride.”

“Yes, thanks for the ride, Mrs. Bowen.”

As they were driving home, “Mom, I have plans with Rachel tomorrow. She would like me at her house at nine to nine thirty.”

“Let's see, if you weren't there, you would be at Samantha's or Lily’s houses.”

“No, both of them are busy until mid-afternoon on Saturdays. They have ballet every Saturday.”

Back in the garage, “You going to leave homework until you see Samantha on Sunday? I am not sure why you two usually leave Lily out on Sundays.”

“I did my homework at Rachel's, and Lily goes to her Grandma’s house on Sundays.”

“Very good, this expansion of your friends appears to be rubbing off on you. Not to say that pre-Lily was bad for you, but adding the girls has thrown you into your schoolwork more.”

Blushing, “Thank you, Mom …”

“Hang that jacket up, take your shoes off, put your bag away, then let's watch some TV.”

As Jimmy went in just his socks down the dark hall to his bedroom, Bree did a second look at her son and said to herself, ‘Is he wearing yellow socks?’ She decided she would get a better look when he returned. Bree just shrugged when Jimmy returned with his bare feet in his slippers.

Jimmy jumped on the couch and quickly covered himself up with the blanket that was lying on the sofa.

“Cold?”

“Yes.”

“You could've left your socks on.”

“Probably a better idea.”

After looking at the TV listing, “Junior Masterchef is on FOX. We can watch that until your bedtime.”

“Works for me, Mom.”

Jimmy grabbed his pajamas and tomorrow's panties and headed to the bathroom. Locking the door, he stripped out of the girl's clothes and jumped in the shower. He thought he heard the door rattle before hearing, “I will just use the half bath.”

Looking at the bra sitting on top of the yellow shirt on the counter, he … she was glad she had locked the door. She turned the water off and dried herself before putting on the red polkadot panties. She … he grabbed his pajamas and put them on. Grabbing Juliette’s clothes, he wrapped them inside Jimmy’s sweatshirt before going across the hall to his room.

He dumped the clothes on the bed. The girl's jeans, bra, and Jimmy’s sweatshirt were set on the dresser for tomorrow. The panties, shirt, and socks from earlier were quickly stuffed into his hiding spot. ‘I really have to figure out how to wash these one of these days.’ He dumped the paper bag on his bed.

He put Jimmy’s dirty clothes in his hamper before placing the cat face sweatshirt and wig back in the paper bag. The tee and socks joined the pile of clothes for tomorrow. Finally, he put the Jefferson Elementary sweatshirt in his hiding spot.

Dressed in the girl's clothes hidden by Jimmy’s sweatshirt, he stared at himself in the mirror, trying to make sure the pink tee didn't show. He … she was glad that the socks Rachel had chosen were white, granted white with ruffles. But the ruffles were hidden by her jeans.

‘What book should I bring to keep me occupied?’ She stared at her bookcase for girlish books and found none,

She … he left the room and went to the family bookcase in the den. Staring at that, he was interrupted, “You’re up early, Jimmy. What are you looking for?”

“I have to be at Rachel's before nine thirty, preferably earlier. I need to keep myself occupied for a bit today and was looking for a book to read.”

“How about the ones in your room?”

Reaching for ‘Little House in the Big Woods,’ “Already read those. I will read this.”

“I will cook you breakfast, how about a pancake?” Shaking her head at her son's choice.

“Fine with me, Mom.”

Outside the house with his … her paper bag, she thought, ‘Might as well get the freezing done and switch my sweatshirt. It is freezing out here. I would chicken out if I didn't want to do this so much.’

With her coat back on, she used a car's side mirror to adjust her wig before continuing her block walk.

“Ding dong.”

“Coming,” came from inside the house.

Juliette tried to keep moving in order to stay warm while waiting.

“Oh, it is you, Juliette. You must be freezing. Do come in.”

“Thank you, Mr. Vickers.”

“You're not wearing the dress?”

“No, I left it here to put on today.”

“Let me have your coat, Juliette.” After she handed it over. “Rachel just got out of the shower. She is in her room. You remember how to get there?”

“Yes, Sir.”

A few minutes later, Juliette knocked on the door.

“Who is it?”

“Juliette.”

“Come in.”

Juliette walked into the room to discover Rachel in her panties and bra, putting on tights.

“Quickly shut the door.”

“I could wait in the hall.”

“You will do nothing of the sort, young lady.” … Looking at the clock, which said 8:45, “Good, you're early. You might as well strip to your panties and bra, too. We both can get dressed at the same time.”

After Rachel's tights were on, Juliette got her own tights thrown at her. “Do you think you can put that on, my friend?”

“Yes, I have done this enough at Lily’s and Samantha’s houses.”

“Can you zip me up?” Rachel asked, wearing a red plaid dress with black accents.

“Your next.”

Juliette was helped into the green dress before being spun around for Rachel to fasten the buttons and sash.

“Have a seat at the desk so I can do your makeup.”

Juliette felt Rachel messing around with her wig. “What are you doing, Rachel?”

“Besides attaching your wig, you can see when I'm done with you.” Rachel had turned to Juliette’s face. “Now you may look.”

Juliette looked in the mirror to discover she had a green hair bow on her wig. Again, she couldn't see the makeup, but she knew it was there.

“OK, away from the mirror so I can do my own.”

“Here, put these black mary janes on.”

“We are dressed, Mommie,” Rachel said, walking into the dining room where Mrs. Vickers was helping Jess, who was dressed basically as a wooden soldier with a tutu.

“You two look nice.” She paused to look at Juliette. “Juliette, you are Rachel's age, right?”

“Yes, why, Ma'am?”

“Oh, you just look younger than her with that bow in your hair, standing next to Rachel with her in heels and you in flats.”

“Is that a bad thing?”

“Do you think it's a bad thing?”

“No, should I?”

“Nope, forget I mentioned it. Did you and Rachel eat breakfast? We won't be eating again until after two.”

“My Mommie made me a pancake.”

“I haven't, Mommie,” Rachel answered.

“Have a bowl of cereal.” … “Juliette, your parents know it will be late afternoon, early evening before we are done, right?”

“Daddie is out of town, and I didn't tell Mom when I will be back. She knew I was coming over here for the day.”

“Call her anyway.”

Looking nervously at Rachel, she went to the phone. Dialling her Mommie’s number while hoping she wasn't home, “Hi Mommie, the Vickers want to make sure that you know it might be evening before I am home.” …

“I will ask? They are busy getting Rachel's sister Jess ready.” …

Turning around, “Mommie wants to know if you are feeding me and if so, what she owes for feeding me.”

With bobbie pins in her mouth, “Yes, of course, and tell her not to worry about that.”

“Mommie, she said yes, and don't worry about the cost.” …

“I will be on my best behavior, Mommie.” …

“I will let you know how I am getting home this evening.”

“I love you.”

Bree Bowen hung up the phone, looking at it confused, ‘Mommie? I love you? Out of a ten-year-old boy? That is just not Jimmy. It hasn’t been for years. He’s acting more like ... like his cousin, a girl. Must be because of all the girls he is hanging out with nowadays.’

“How much longer till we have to go, Mommie?”

“Twenty minutes.” Looking at the clock, Mrs. Vickers expressed.

“Come to my room, I want a picture of you, Juliette.” Away from prying ears, “Does Jimmy usually call his Mom, Mommie? You know you called her Mommie multiple times, right?”

“I did? Fiddlesticks!!” Julie thought for a minute. “I have another problem. I don't think your parents are going to let me walk home after dark.”

“You might be right. I got my butt chewed out for you three walking home yesterday.”

“I had to run to stop Tina and Amanda so my Mommie could take them home.”

Once the camera was grabbed, Rachel led Juliette out of the room.

“I thought you were going to take my picture?”

“I am but in front of the tree.” … “Stand like that.” … “Let's see hands like this.” … “Say cheese.”

“Colby.”

“There you are again, being a silly girl.” … “Daddie? Can you take our picture together?”

Mr. Vickers said, “Say cheese, girls.”

“Cheese.” “Cheese.”

“You want a picture of your sister?”

“Yes, but take a picture of me by myself after I call her in here.” … “Jessica, come to the tree for pictures.”

Three more pictures later, the family was heading to the coat closet. Rachel grabbed two coats out of it. “Here, wear this, Juliette.”

“Rachel Joy! Are you trying to make her look younger by giving her last year's coat to wear?!?!”

“Hey, if the shoe fits, wear it, Mommie. Besides, she looks nice.”

Juliette just shrugged and put the puffy pascal tie-dyed coat on. Mentally, she was trying to figure out how to smuggle this coat home.

“I don't mind, Mrs. Vickers. I kinda like this coat.”

Rachel just looked at Juliette with a big smile at that information.

“OK, you three girls in the back seat, try not to crush Jessica's tutu.”

“Sis, you sit in the middle, and Juliette and I will sit on the outside.” … “Juliette put her tutu on your lap like this, that will keep it from being crushed.”

While walking into the theater, Julie pulled her friend aside. “Rach, why does this coat fit me comfortably if it was bought for nine year old you?”

“The correct size wasn’t available last year, so it was purchased oversized to please a bratty girl who threw a fit when Mommie told her to pick another jacket,” Rachel expressed with a red face.

Once at the hall where the recital was happening, Juliette hung her borrowed coat up before heading to the chairs with her book. Rachel sat next to her with her own book. After reading a few pages, Julie looked up and saw Lily dressed in a nice candy cane-like tutu and another girl, a little older, in a gingerbread man outfit. They were walking over towards a brown-haired teenager who had her head in a graphic novel. The girl with Lily looked remarkably like a younger version of the teenager.

Juliette wanted to say hi to Lily, but she was talking with the teenager, even after the younger version of the teenager had walked away. Julie decided not to interrupt their serious discussion. Besides, she wanted to introduce herself to Sammie first. A page more in her book, she noticed that Lily and the brown-haired teenage girl had walked away.

Still more pages in her book, Julie could swear someone was staring at her. Looking up, she spotted Samantha looking over at her, wearing a gingerbread outfit like the one she had spotted earlier on the girl next to Lily. Samantha started to walk to Rachel and her.

“Hello Rachel, and …”

“Sammie!” Rachel interrupted. “Meet my friend, Juliette.”

“Juliette!” Samantha stated.

Samantha was smiling at Juliette.

“I can't stay out here long. I was making sure Lily was OK with Megan before I noticed you two. I was sure I recognized you, Juliette.”

“Well, did you?” Juliette asked, looking at her feet.

“Yes, you and I have much to discuss tomorrow, Juliette.” Samantha lifted Juliette’s face.

“Am I in trouble?”

“Nope. I have to go soon, but you look extremely good. You did very well, Rachel.”

“How did you know it was me?” Rachel inquired.

“You wore that dress last week at church,” Sammie pointed out. “You also look nice, Rachel.”

“Thank you.”

“Make sure you two stay long enough after the recital, so my parents, Lily, and the Vanderbilts can see you, Juliette.” With that, she headed to Lily, who Sammie dragged behind the stage.

“Here are your programs, girls. The recital is going to start soon,” Mrs. Vickers said, handing Juliette two programs. She passed the second one to her friend.

Quickly glancing at it, it appeared that pre-primary ballet was the first group, and the recital ended with some solos. Rachel's sister, Jessica, was in the class performing right before Lily, with Samantha’s class following.

The lights dimmed, and a lady started to play the piano. Juliette smiled at the cute toddlers, some obviously still in diapers, streaming on the stage in their blue costumes with snowflake details. A hint of red just off stage caught her attention, before realizing that Lily apparently was wrangling toddlers.

When the music ended, the toddlers filtered off the stage, or most of them did. The last two tripped over each other, and Lily ran on the stage to help them up. Preschool-age girls in green ballet costumes quickly replaced them.

Jessica's class in their wooden soldier ballet costumes replaced the preschoolers. Juliette made a mental note to tell Jessica she did very well. Lily took the stage when the beginners vacated it. Julie thought her long-time friend was amazing, especially knowing that Lily had only started learning ballet after Halloween. Julie wished she could have been learning ballet in Lily’s class. Sammie was great, but she wasn’t a real ballet teacher.

Samantha and her class of fellow gingerbread girls danced on the stage, ‘chased’ by two cooks. Juliette smiled while really enjoying the dance. They were replaced by dancers whom the program called advanced students. Julie wondered if she would ever be advanced enough to dance in pointe shoes. Shaking her head at that silly idea, Julie continued to watch the show.

“That was very good,” Rachel expressed once the show was over.

Juliette nodded, “Yes, I just hope I am as good as the preschoolers.”

“Juliette Lynn Bowen, you are better than the preschoolers already.”

“Eep, Yes, Miss Samantha.”

“Don’t you forget it,” Sammie stated. “Come, I want you to meet some people.”

Samantha grabbed both girls’ hands and dragged them towards where hers and Lily’s parents were.

“Where’s Lily?” Rachel asked.

Sammie looked to the last place she saw Lily, “Talking to Tina Rose’s family.”

“Mommie, I would like you to meet Juliette.”

Mrs. Berger and Mrs. Vanderbilt turned around. Both moms looked shocked.

“Juliette?!? You look very nice,” Mrs. Berger expressed.

“You do look nice, Sweetie,” Mrs. Vanderbilt agreed. “Does your Mother know you are here?”

“Yes and no, Mrs. Vanderbilt. Mommie knows I am with the Vickers. She doesn't know what I am wearing.”

“Oh,” Rachel said, “Mrs. Vanderbilt and Berger, you might be an answer to an issue we have.”

“Which is what, Rachel?”

“Juliette needs somewhere to become her brother since my parents won't let her walk home once it gets dark.”

“I agree,” Susan Vanderbilt expressed. “Young Lady, you are absolutely not walking home in the dark. Now, . . . Juliette, we have told you multiple times, we will not lie for you. We, however, also will not out you. I do think that you should tell your Mom about who is really playing with Sammie, Lily, and Rachel.”

“Are you two wanting to come over now to spend the afternoon with Sammie and Lily?” Mrs. Berger looked at Rachel.

“No, Mommie and Daddie are taking the two of us, and Jess out to dinner soon. Can we come over at like four or five?”

“Yes,” Mrs. Berger said. “I expect Lily to be at our house this afternoon.”

Samantha had a big grin on her face over this information, “Juliette, I can't wait.”

“Eep!”

Rachel had turned to greet someone, “Hello, Mrs. Kane.”

“Hello Rachel, and who might this be?”

“My name is Juliette.”

“Juliette? I don't remember a Juliette. Are you new to the area?”

“Only new like Lily was right before Halloween,” Samantha explained.

“Is that so?”

Juliette blushed under the scrutiny.

“Sorry to leave, Mrs. Kane,” Sammie interrupted. “But, I want Lily to meet Juliette before she and Rachel have to go.”

Samantha again dragged the two girls towards where Lily was currently talking to her Granny Gilbert.

“Lily and Mrs. Gilbert, if I can interrupt, I would like Lily to meet someone.”

“But I already know Rachel.”

“Not Rachel, silly Bestie, meet Juliette.”

Lily spun around and looked Juliette up and down, “Juliette!”

“You have something to do with this, Bestie?”

“Blame Rachel, not me.”

“Is it a bad thing I am here?”

“Absolutely not, girlfriend,” Samantha said, hugging Juliette,

Jessica walked up and expressed, “There you two are. Daddie wants to get to our reservations.”

“Guess we have to go, my friends,” Rachel stated. “Juliette and I should be at Samantha’s house this evening.”

“Where were you two?” Mrs. Vickers asked.

“We were talking to Samantha and Lily, Mrs. Vickers.”

“Well, grab your coats and head to the car. We have reservations in fifteen minutes.”

“Welcome to The Meadows. How may I help you?”

“We have reservations at two fifteen under Vickers for five.”

“Your table is ready for you. Three children's menus?”

“Yes, please.”

“I notice a tutu sticking out of the coat. I hope a booth with a chair is ok?”

“Yes, that is fine.”

“Juliette and Rachel, you sit on that side. Jessica, you sit on the chair.” Mrs. Vickers instructed.

Juliette scooted towards the wall so Rachel could sit next to her. She opened the children’s Menu and tried to decide what she was having.

“Welcome to The Meadows. My name is Stacy. May I take your drink order?”

“May I have a Coke, Ma'am?” Juliette ordered.

The waitress turned and noticed Jessica, “Oh, were you part of Anastasia’s Ballet School recital today, young lady?”

“Yes, how did you know?”

“I wanted to go, my best friend's daughter danced with the pre-primary group today. I unfortunately couldn't get off work. Did you two dance?”

“I don't dance,” Rachel declared. “I leave that to my sister.”

“I am learning ballet,” Julie said. “But, not at the same ballet school.”

After getting the rest of the drinks orders, the waitress left.

“You're learning ballet, Juliette?” Mrs. Vickers asked.

“My friend Samantha is teaching me. Lily helps, but it is mostly Samantha.”

“Samantha, who is friends with Rachel?”

“One and the same, Mommie. She was one of the gingerbread girls today.”

The conversation was interrupted by the waitress, “I have returned, a sprite for the cute ballerina. … Two Cokes for the other girls. … Here is your root beer, sir. Someone else will deliver your wine, ma'am. Can I take your orders? How about we start with the other ballerina in green?”

“I would like the spaghetti from the children’s menu.”

“Young lady in red?”

“The cheeseburger, please.”

“With fries as it comes?”

“Yes, please.”

“Our wooden soldier?”

“The mac and cheese.”

“Your side?”

“She will have broccoli with it.”

“Mommie!”

“Don’t Mommie me, Jessica.”

“Sir?”

Mr. Vickers gave his order, which was followed by Mrs. Vickers. No sooner had Stacy left than someone else appeared at the table, “I have a glass of Chardonnay for someone at this table.”

“That would be me, Sir,” Mrs. Vickers expressed.

After the waiter had departed, Mrs. Vickers continued questioning Juliette, “Why not take lessons at an actual ballet school?”

“Ummm…” Juliette didn't know how to answer that.

“That is complicated, Mommie.”

“Complicated?” Mrs. Vickers asked before noticing that the young friend of her daughter had turned bright red. Thinking to herself, ‘Better drop the subject. Might be money issues because she also had to borrow that dress.’

Dropping one subject, Mrs. Vickers took another approach to learn more about Rachel’s new friend, “Do you go to Girl Scouts with Rachel and her friends?”

Juliette wished the ground would swallow her, “No, Ma'am.”

“You are in Mr. Conner's class?”

“Yes, Ma'am.”

Jessica opened her mouth to say something and suddenly jumped, “... Ouch.”

“Sorry, Sis, didn't mean to kick you,” … Rachel whispered something into Jessica's ear, which caused the young sister to stare at the older sister and Juliette. The older sister just blinked her eyes.

“Young lady, what did you tell your sister?”

Rachel applied her most effective innocent little girl look, “I was just apologizing to her.”

“That is right, Mommie,” Jessica confirmed.

The waitress happened to take that moment to return with the food, which, much to Juliette’s relief, killed all discussion about her.

Outside, away from the parents, Juliette asked Rachel, “What did you tell your sister?”

“I told her, unless she wanted her dirty secrets revealed to Mommie and Daddie, to keep her mouth shut about you.”

“You have dirt on your sister?”

“Yes, Rachel has dirt on me.”

Juliette jumped. “I didn't hear you come up.”

“Something about you … “ Jess looked around to see where her parents were. “I will look more closely at the fifth graders in January. I don't remember seeing you.”

“Sister, do you want to be grounded? I can tell Mommie and Daddie.”

“You wouldn't, Rachel!”

“I can.”

“Fine!”

Rachel whispered in Juliette’s ear, “Hopefully, she will forget it in two weeks.”

“OK, girls, the car is unlocked,” Mr. Vickers said.

Once in the car, Rachel asked, “After Juliette and I change, can we get a ride to Samantha's house. The Bergers are expecting us.”

“You may, Sweetie.”

“Make sure you call first to be sure they got home.”

“We will, Mommie.”

Back in Rachel's bedroom, the girls help each other strip before hanging the dresses up. As Juliette got into her jeans and pink tee, Rachel teased, “You want to keep the pascal coat, my friend?”

“I wish. It would be too hard to hide. The secret spot inside my dresser is already filled up with things you and Amanda insisted I have.”

Once Rachel and Juliette were both wearing jeans, tees, and sweatshirts, Juliette asked, “What about my makeup?”

“We probably should remove that.”

With that chore done, the girls headed to the phone. “Hello, Mrs. Berger, it is Rachel. My Mommie just wanted to make sure you were home before heading there. We will be there soon.”

“Juliette Lynn Bowen!”

“Samantha Allison Berger!”

“You …”

“Samantha! Let both of them get in the door before you interrogate Juliette.”

“Yes, Mommie.”

“Whose clothes are those, Juliette?” Lily asked when the coat was removed.

“Her own,” Rachel offered.

Juliette countered, “Only because you made me take them.”

Rachel just smirked.

“As I was saying before my Mommie stopped me, you owe me an explanation, Juliette.”

“Am I in trouble, Samantha?’

“Not yet.”

“I think yet is the key word, Julie,” Rachel giggled.

“I will start from the beginning, let me call my Mommie first.”

On the phone, “Mommie, I am at Samantha’s house now.” …

“Let me check.” …

“Mrs. Berger, will you bring me home? Or does my Mommie have to pick me up?”

“I will take you and Rachel home.”

“Thank you.” … “Yes, Mommie, she will bring me home.” …

“I already thanked her, but I will do it again later.” …

“Talk to you later, Mommie.”

Bree looked at the hung-up phone. There was that word again.

When Juliette returned from the phone, Rachel pointed out, “You said Mommie four times, Julie.”

“I did? Not again. Fiddlesticks!”

With everyone sitting in the living room, Juliette told about the notes that her parents had gotten for playing dress up in Kindergarten and first grade. She pointed out that she remembered Lily getting the same notes.

“I did?” Lily inquired, staring at her Mommie.

“You did,” Mrs. Vanderbilt agreed. “I didn't make a big deal of it, though.”

Juliette explained about always trying on her cousin’s Halloween costumes and that her mom would never let her wear one to actually go trick-or-treating in.

The girls nodded.

Juliette continued with telling the event which happened the day she called Lily a hermaphrodite, and who was involved.

Rachel blushed when her part in the day was explained.

Juliette paused and looked over at Rachel before stating, “Before they let me look in a mirror, I was sure Rachel had made me out to be a clown.”

“I would never!”

Juliette continued telling what happened at Amanda’s house, and how, in the end, she was just one of the girls. She finished with the fact that Mrs. Muller knew that she was secretly a boy.

“When I got home, I was grounded for, yet again, not telling my parents where I was.”

She explained about receiving the photo in the mail later that week.

“There were photos taken, Rachel Vickers?!?”

“Yes, Mrs. Vanderbilt. I took multiple photos of Juliette. I also took pictures of Juliette yesterday and today.”

“For what purpose?”

“Some good, some bad. The ones yesterday and today are definitely for good.”

“What about the photo that got sent in the mail?”

“That was for good.”

“Yes, it was a very nice photo of me in the flower girl outfit.”

Rachel frowned, “The rest of the photos were for blackmail purposes.”

“You're blackmailing Juliette, YOUNG LADY?!?”

Juliette laughed, “Does doing what you would have done anyway count?”

The adults looked confused.

“They told me to apologize to Lily and treat her with respect. Something I planned on doing anyway.”

“That is it?!?” Mrs. Berger questioned. “Nothing of value?”

Smirking while gesturing at her outfit, “She threatened to never let me borrow any more girl clothes if I even thought of returning these.”

“Rachel, do you understand what blackmailing is?”

“Yes, and I couldn't do that to Juliette.”

“Whose idea was it for you to go to the recital, Juliette?”

“Mine.”

“As Juliette?”

“Yes, my brother doesn't have any outfit that would work,” Juliette stated before going into the whole explanation of how she actually asked Amanda. Since Rachel was going, it was decided that she would help instead.

Mrs. Vanderbilt looked at Rachel, “Do your parents know about Juliette?”

“Just that she is a classmate from school. Mommie was giving her the third degree at the restaurant, and then she suddenly stopped asking questions.”

“I don't want to know how you pulled that off.”

“That is good, because we don't know either, Mrs. Berger,” Juliette said.

Mrs. Berger expressed, “You four can talk for an hour, then it is time for the three girls to go home. I recommend your brother be here just before we leave.”

“OK, Julie, I want to see this better quality wig which is here.”

Juliette grabbed Rachel's hand and dragged her to the spare bedroom. The other two girls followed behind, smirking.

Once in the bedroom, Julie tried to remove her current wig.

“Stop, Juliette. I need to remove the bobby pins.” Rachel proceeded to help Juliette remove the wig.

Juliette grabbed the other wig off the stand and put it on her head.

“Yes, I agree. That is a better wig.”

“If you four haven't found Jimmy, I recommend doing it now,” Mrs. Berger screamed up the stairs.

After removing her wig, Juliette placed it on the wig stand before removing her pink cat face sweatshirt. She … he grabbed the paper bag. Pulling Jimmy’s sweatshirt out, he put it on. The pink sweatshirt and cheap wig joined the book in the bag.

Samantha blinked at how little Jimmy had to do to hide Juliette. She turned to look at Lily, who was shaking her head.

Back downstairs, Mrs. Berger asked, “There he is. How did you have a complete outfit in that bag? It looked almost empty.”

“I didn't. There was only this sweatshirt and the wig in there. Oh, and a book.”

“Thanks for the ride, Mrs. Berger.”

“You’re welcome. Am I seeing you tomorrow?”

“Yes, I have lessons with Miss Samantha tomorrow.”

Mrs. Berger just shook her head.

Jimmy tried the front door and found it unlocked.

“Mom, I’m home.”

“Great, I am in the kitchen. Do you want ice cream?”

“Yes, please.”

“What did you do today, Sport?”

“Umm … Watch Lily and Samantha’s … recital.”

“Oh? I thought you were at Rachel's for most of the day.”

“Rachel was there, too.”

“There is more to that story, but it is your bedtime soon. Eat that ice cream and get ready for bed.”

Jimmy really hoped that she’d forget by the morning.

Bree Bowen noticed that there was another large envelope in the mail for her son. Like the last one, there was no return address. She considered opening it. Instead, she set it aside for when Jimmy got home from Sammie’s house.

Later that evening, when he was home, he opened it to reveal two pictures of that Juliette girl. In one picture, she was dressed casually on a bed. The other one had her wearing a Christmas dress in front of a tree. From what Bree could see, the girl looked familiar, but she couldn’t place her. Unfortunately, Jimmy took the pictures up to his room too fast for her to get a good look at the girl.

Bree knew she had to figure out what was going on with her son. He’s now getting pictures of a mysterious girl that Jimmy never talks about, and she has never heard of before. Maybe it was time she talked to the moms of the girls Jimmy has been hanging out with.