Jimmy’s world is changing fast now that Bree sees her child as Juliette. The day after the big reveal is a wild ride for Julie, and she is not in control. Unsure about where things are going, she is overwhelmed and worried. Mom trying to make up for lost time and Rachel trying to be a good best friend are a force Julie can't slow down. The day's adventures bring her clothes shopping, two photo shoots, and to a Girl Scout meeting. Is it too much for Julie to handle, or meeting her every dream? Could it be both? New questions, nervous moments, and a few truths that can’t stay hidden forever all happen in one day. A day that Juliette will never forget.

“Oh, that’s convenient. Levy Dancewear is right next to the Girl Scouts Store,” Bree expressed as she turned into a strip mall. The adult parked in an available parking spot, which happened to be in front of the dancewear store.

Julie and Rachel filed out of the car and followed Julie's Mommie into the store.

“Hello, my name's Rebecca. How can I help you?”

“My daughter has been taking ballet lessons from a friend using borrowed clothes. We want Juliette to take professional lessons.”

“I see, let's go to the ballet department. Which one of you is Juliette?”

Julie timidly raised her hand.

Rebecca looked at the other girl, “Are you also going to take ballet, young miss?”

“No, that’s more my sister’s thing.”

The two girls looked more like friends than sisters, but that didn't matter to the salesgirl. Rebecca looked the ballerina over, mentally sizing the girl, “So who was teaching you?”

It seemed like a long shot that Rebecca would know her teacher.

“My… friend Samantha. But… s-sometimes my friend Lily helped.” Julie shifted under the older girl’s stare.

“Sammie Berger and Lily Vanderbilt?”

Juliette gulped, “Y-yes, M-Ma'am.”

“Lily's my ballet student, and where Lily goes, Samantha follows. Were you wearing Sammie’s leotards?”

“Y-yes, M-Ma'am.”

Rebecca turned to the adult with the two girls, “Juliette's Mother, Ma'am, are you thinking of sending her to the same ballet school as her friends?”

“Yes, Miss… ” Bree looked at the name tag, “ … Rebecca.”

Rebecca grabbed a pink leotard and tights off the shelf, handing them to Juliette. “Now, Mistress Anastasia prefers her girl students your age to wear soft pastel color leotards for class with no skirt. What you wear to practice at home is up to you. As for tights, you will need white or ballet pink for class. I recommend the white because it goes with more colors. However, you can get away with pink leotards and ballet pink tights.” While pointing at one curtained-off room, “Go to that changing room and try these on. Leave your undergarments on while trying them.”

Julie and Rachel looked nervously at Mrs. Bowen, but Julie's Mommie wordlessly pointed at the curtain. The nervous girl changed quickly. By now, she was an expert on putting on leotards. No, what really made her nervous was the one thing that might give her away, especially with a stranger right there. She walked back to where she left her Mommie and friend, with her hands pressed protectively in front of her.

Rebecca watched as the girl returned. The leotard seemed to fit well enough, except Juliette kept her hands low in front of herself. Maybe it was uncomfortable, or riding wrong. But it didn’t look off anywhere else. Maybe she was just shy. Rebecca had seen plenty of girls like that before. Still… something didn’t quite add up. She’d have to be careful.

Rebecca directed the girl toward a mirror. “Please put your arms to your sides, Juliette.”

Julie hesitated, then slowly did as she was told. It felt safer with the older girl standing behind her.

Rebecca stepped closer, pretending to check the fit at the shoulders. Her eyes flicked downward for just a moment. She was surprised by what she saw, but kept her expression neutral, though her thoughts sharpened. She’d need to tread carefully, and find out how much they already knew about Lily. “How long have you three known Lily?”

Rachel looked confused before saying, “Since kindergarten?”

“Same with you, Juliette?”

“Y-yes, M-Ma'am.”

Rachel looked over at the adult that came in with the two girls, “And you, ma’am?”

“I've known the Vanderbilts for years.”

“I don’t mean anything by this, but, Juliette, are you like Lily was before everything changed for her?”

Juliette’s hands flew back in front of her as she lowered her head and nodded.

“I’ll be right back,” Rebecca said before walking away and returning with a package. “Go ahead and try this dance belt on under your leotard, but since it’s not yours yet, make sure it is over your undergarments. It’ll help everything look a little better.”

Julie took the bag with a nude panty and went back to the changing room. She quickly opened the package and slipped the leotard back off. Once she had everything back on, with the new garment underneath, she turned toward the mirror, checking carefully. She searched for anything that might give her away. Seeing nothing, she smiled. She left the room and went back to where she had been standing in front of the shop girl like she had been instructed before.

“There, isn't that better, young girl?”

“Y-yes, M-Ma'am.”

“For class, you’ll want to wear that under your tights, Sweetie. It appears this is the correct size leotard. With class once a week, and practicing some other days in the week, you'll need enough to wear between times that the wash is done. I recommend starting with three each of short and long-sleeve leotards. You will probably want to purchase more later, for tights pick up at least five. And for your daughter's unique situation, you’ll want several of these belts as well. Five would be a good start. Now, if you three would follow me towards the shoes.”

In the shoe area, Julie looked at the rows of pointe shoes.

“Sorry, young ballerina, but you need to be a bit older for those. Usually at least eleven, and after a few years of lessons.” Rebecca expressed noticing where Julie was looking. “How long has Sammie been teaching you?”

“Just over a month.”

Rebecca decided not to mention it would be years before Juliette danced en pointe. The salesgirl directed the family to the soft ballet shoes. “Have a seat, little ballerina. What size shoes do you wear, Juliette?”

“Big kids size two.”

Rebecca slipped a size two sample shoe onto Juliette’s foot, and checked the fit. After trying a size two-and-a-half, Rebecca put the size twos back on and lacing the ribbons up, Rebecca said, “Stand up for me… third position… good. Now first… and fifth… good. Go ahead and relax and sit again.” … “Did those feel comfortable?”

“Yes, Ma'am.”

Rebecca removed the sample shoe and then put both of them in the sample collection. She handed a brand new package of shoes to Bree. “Let me grab a basket, and we’ll head back so you can pick out what you need now that we have her sizes.”

As Julie headed toward the changing area, Mommie called after her, “Keep the dance belt on so you can get used to it.”

“Yes, Mommie.”

Julie returned in her sweatshirt and set the leotard, tights, and dance belt package on the counter. Looking at the growing stack, Juliette’s eyes widened. ‘All this for me?’

“Juliette, grab a bag.” Mommie instructed.

With the bags in the trunk, Bree led the girls next door.

Pausing to glance at the clock, a college-aged woman greeted them. “Morning, how can I help you?”

“My daughter’s joining a Girl Scout troop. We found most of the uniform secondhand, but we still need a sash and a starter patch kit.”

“What troop?”

Rachel spoke, “Troop 5783.”

Typing on the computer, “I’ll need the troop leader’s name.”

“Mrs. Kane,” came from Julie this time.

“Got it. Hanna Kane's Juniors.” Directing the family to the Girl Scout area, “You’ll need these two patch sets, this vest, and these books. And go ahead and grab your troop numbers from that box.”

Almost back at the car, Bree teased her daughter, “You messed up in there, Princess.”

“I did?” Julie asked, looking confused, wondering what she did wrong.

“Yes, you let me leave a store without spending more than twenty-five dollars.”

Rachel giggled.

“Oh.” Once in the car, Juliette continued, “Seriously, who are you, and what have you done with my Mommie, who refused to buy me a girl’s costume for the last six years?”

Bree sighed and turned to face her daughter. “I’ll admit… I cared too much about what people thought instead of what made you happy.” She hesitated. “That’s… something I picked up from my Egg Donor. I’m sorry. I don’t want to be like her. I'll make the point that you didn't ask for a girl’s costume this year. I might have changed my opinion this year, maybe.”

“Your actions when I was wearing Denise's Elsa costume didn't show it.”

Sighing again, Bree responded to a very truthful statement by her daughter, “Honestly, you can thank Lily for our change of opinions… and your friends.”

“I see.”

“I guess your dad and I are trying to make up for years of hoping it would just go away.”

Julie looked towards the many bags in the trunk, “Where am I going to wear all these clothes? School?”

“You can be Julie everywhere except school for now. We’ll figure that out after you start seeing a counselor.” Bree turned and started driving to the mall down the street. “How about we stop at the Pizza Hut lunch buffet?”

“Sounds good, Mrs. Bowen.”

“Sure, Mommie.”

Rachel whispered, “Egg Donor?”

“It’s the not-nice nickname Mommie uses for my closed-minded Grandma Burroughs. The one I wanted to avoid when we walked around the block in the flower girl dress. She's no longer her Mother, she is Mommie’s egg donor.”

“Oh. Family drama?”

“Very much so.”

Bree parked by the Pizza Hut, near one of the mall entrances. Once in the pizza place, she told the hostess, “Three for the buffet, please. The girls are both ten.”

“A booth or table?”

Bree looked at the girls. Both shrugged. “Either one's fine.”

The hostess sat them at a booth, “Help yourselves to the buffet. Your server will be by in a minute for drinks.”

“That was a good lunch, girls. We need to head to Macy’s on the other side of the mall. We’ve got a few more things to pick up, and we’ll probably make some stops along the way. The mall will be packed today. I want you two to hold hands and stay close to me.”

Bree looked at the crowds in Build-A-Bear, weighing whether she wanted to brave it for the girls. Looking in a full-to-the-brim toy store, ‘Absolutely Not!’ "It's too busy, girls, maybe another day.” Instead, she directed the girls into the line for Santa.

“Mommie, we are ten!” Juliette exclaimed.

“If you keep complaining, we can see just how well you pull off that kindergarten look.. I’m sure I can find something very cute in your sizes.”

Rachel decided she wasn't going to complain, and Juliette slammed her mouth shut.

Twenty-five minutes later, they finally reached the front of the line, and an elf walked up to them, “Hello, ladies, would you like the girls together or separately?”

“Separately, please, Miss Elf.”

“OK, you are up, young lady,” the Elf said, directing Rachel to Santa.

Rachel sat next to Santa.

“Ho. Ho. Ho. What's your name, Sweetie?”

“Rachel.”

“Have you been a good girl for your parents?”

“Yes, Santa.”

“What do you want for Christmas?”

“A computer of my own and a bike, please.”

“I'll see what I can do. Can you smile at my elf with the camera, please?”

After the camera flash, Juliette replaced Rachel next to Santa.

“Ho. Ho. Ho. What's your name, Sweetie?”

“Juliette.”

“Have you been a good girl for your parents?”

“I… try to be good, Santa.”

“What do you want for Christmas?”

“An American Girl doll, ballet lessons, and… “ Julie hesitated, then whispered in Santa's ear, “Th-the… ability to be myself permanently.”

Santa hesitated for just a moment before continuing, “I’ll see what I can do. Can you smile at my elf with the camera, please?”

After the camera flash, Juliette rejoined her Mommie, who was paying for the pictures.
While they waited for Julie’s picture to finish printing, Bree smiled at the girls, who had clearly enjoyed the visit despite their earlier complaints. “Here are your coats, girls.”

Bree led the girls into a sparsely decorated storefront. Juliette looked at the sign outside as she walked inside, ‘Mrs. Claus's Closet Photo Studio.’

As Bree studied the prices displayed, the lady behind the counter said on the phone, “You realize you will forfeit the deposit, Sir?” …

“I'll process your cancellation.” …

“Goodbye.” The lady hung up the phone.

The two girls were looking at the selection of pictures hanging on the walls.

“Hello, ma’am, do you have time for at least two costumes for the girls?”

“I just had a cancellation for a ninety-minute block starting at one o’clock today. If the girls follow directions, we might even fit in more costumes.”

Looking at the clock, Bree thought, ‘That’s in forty-five minutes.’ Turning back at the receptionist, “That's fine.”

"I’ll need a fifty-dollar deposit to hold the slot.”

As Bree was about to hand over the money, Christina warned, “Because it’s so close to Christmas, Mrs. Claus’s elves can’t guarantee your photo backgrounds will be ready today. They have up to two business days to do them. That will be the end of the day on Tuesday next week. If that timing doesn’t work, we can use standard backgrounds instead of the green screen.”
“We’ll go with the special green screen backgrounds. It’s okay if we don’t have the pictures on Christmas day.” Bree responded. After exchanging information, the group headed back into the mall.

“Ring” …

“Mrs. Claus’s Closet Photo Studio, Christina speaking.” …

“I’m sorry, I just booked our last available time.” …

“We close for the season today at this location.” …

“Yes, our Riverville store will reopen on Monday the fourth.” …

“This mall location won’t reopen until Black Friday next year.”

	Jimmy’s world is changing fast now that Bree sees her child as Juliette. The day after the big reveal is a wild ride for Julie, and she is not in control. Unsure about where things are going, she is overwhelmed and worried. Mom trying to make up for lost time and Rachel trying to be a good best friend are a force Julie can't slow down. The day's adventures bring her clothes shopping, two photo shoots, and to a Girl Scout meeting. Is it too much for Julie to handle, or meeting her every dream? Could it be both? New questions, nervous moments, and a few truths that can’t stay hidden forever all happen in one day. A day that Juliette will never forget.

Right inside Macy’s, Bree handed her daughter a shopping basket. The two girls followed her into the girls’ department. Once there, Bree turned down the aisle with the socks and panties. “Juliette, grab some panties in size ten and socks for a ten-year-old.”

Juliette picked out mostly cute, girly designs.

Bree quietly added variety packs with solid colors for both the socks and panties. Before leaving the aisle, she also selected white socks, both with and without ruffles, along with tights in several colors to match dresses already purchased and others she planned to buy.

“Okay, what now, Mommie?”

Bree flagged down a sales assistant while gently resting a hand on Julie’s head. “I would like my daughter measured for a training bra.”

“I’d be happy to help. Young lady, go ahead and take off your top in that changing booth when you’re ready. I’ll be right back to measure you.”

“M-Mommie! Wh-what are you… d-doing?!?!” Julie whispered.

“Don’t argue. Go follow her instructions.”

Very nervously, Julie slipped into the changing room and quickly removed her sweatshirt and top. She was sure this wouldn’t end well. Uneasily, she looked at herself in the mirror. For just a moment, she thought she could see Jimmy staring back at her. Would this lady throw them out if she realized a boy was in the girls’ department?

“Knock, knock. Can I come in?”

“Y-yes, you m-may, M-Ma’am.”

“It isn't that bad, Sweetie. What's your name?”

The measuring tape slipped around Julie, snug just under her chest. Not knowing where else to look, she stared at the wall instead. “J-Juliette.”

Julie heard the sales assistant writing something down. The tape moved again, cool this time across the middle of her chest.

“That's a pretty name.”

“Th-Thanky, M-Ma'am.”

“Okay, Sweetie. You may get dressed and join me and your Mommie.”

Fully dressed again, Juliette rejoined Rachel and her Mommie.

“With a 28-inch bust, Juliette would wear a medium training bra. In regular bra sizing, she’s close to a 28 AAA, which is very hard to find. She probably won’t stay that size for long, so a 28 AA or even an A would be more practical.”

“Thank you for your help…” Bree glanced at the name tag. “Lisa. Please grab one of those multi-packs of training bras in medium, Juliette.”

Juliette obeyed and placed the package into the basket. She blinked in surprise when Mommie added another package beside it.

‘Pack of Five Padded Training Bras.’

Julie's cheeks warmed slightly.

“Lisa, we’re ready to check out.”

“Mrs. Bowen, don’t forget the Girl Scouts are having a Christmas party today, and Julie needs to bring a gift to the meeting.”

“Thanks for reminding me, Rachel.” Bree thought for a moment. “Well, we’re not going to a toy store, so we’ll have to make do with whatever Macy’s has.”
“How about these knitted gloves, Mommie?”

“Take them to the counter, Sweetie.”

Back at Mrs. Claus’s Closet, Mommie took the Macy’s bag from Juliette’s hands.

“Welcome back to Mrs. Claus’s Closet.” Christina glanced at the clock. “Thank you for being early. Mrs. Claus should be ready for you in five minutes.”

“Ring ring.”

Christina groaned softly. “Again? It’s been ringing off the hook all day. Why do people wait until the last minute to book Christmas photo shoots?” …

“Thank you for calling Mrs. Claus's Closet, Christina speaking.” …

“Sorry, we’re fully booked until January fourth.” …

“You have a nice day yourself.”

Christina blushed slightly when she realized she had just complained in front of a family who had also booked late.

A door opened, and someone dressed as Mrs. Claus stepped out. “Greetings! I have an appointment for Juliette and Rachel in my closet. First, we need to sprinkle you two girls with Christmas magic so the closet will accept you.”

Mrs. Claus waved the glowing snowflake wand she carried, pretending to dust the two best friends with magic. “Now, please bring your Mommie with you as you come inside.”

Julie stepped into the room and stared. One side was lined with row after row of costumes. Props filled the opposite wall, while a photography area had been set up straight ahead.

“So, Bree,” Mrs. Claus asked cheerfully, “are the girls deciding on outfits, or are you?”

“Myself. We have time for multiple outfits, right?”

“We should have enough time for at least two each, probably more. If the girls are very good at following directions, we might even fit in four or five outfits apiece.”

“Then, is it possible to make the girls look like toddlers or kindergarteners in a photo?”

“Mommie!”

“Mrs. Bowen!”

Laughing, “Yes, it is. Let me understand. You want a photo that looks like people in it are toddlers.”

Mrs. Claus continued, “What sizes are the girls?”

“We’re both ten-twelve,” Rachel answered.

“And shoes?”

“Big girls’ two,” Julie replied quietly.

Rachel added, “Three for me.”

“Those are big kids’ sizes, right?”

“Yes, Ma'am.”

“Mommie, are you trying to embarrass us?”

Mrs. Claus told the girls, “It will be fun. You are not the first children that have dressed younger than their real age. It will be fun for everyone.”

Still smiling, Mrs. Claus expertly moved along one of the costume racks. “Rachel? Juliette? Pink, red, white, lavender, or purple?” … She paused. “Actually, Mommie, Christmas-themed or not?”

Juliette answered hopefully, “Pink.”

“Yellow?” Rachel suggested.

But Bree overruled them both. “Christmas dresses.”

Mrs. Claus pulled out two red dresses. “Sorry, girls. Your Mommie outvoted you.”

She placed both dresses into a changing room, then added two pairs of white tights. “Bree, you are aware the tights are an additional cost since we can’t reuse them, right? They’ll be yours to keep.”

“I am now. That’s perfectly fine.”

Two pairs of shoes joined the growing pile in the changing room. “Hop to it, girls, while I set up the photography area.”

Shaking her head, Julie followed Rachel into the changing room.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Claus dragged over an oversized rocking chair and positioned two “Christmas trees” nearby. Wrapped gifts were added around the chair to complete the setup.

“How would you like the pictures done, Mommie?” Mrs. Claus asked.

“Together and separately, if possible.”

“Of course.”

A few minutes later, Julie emerged first. She wore a red Christmas toddler dress with white tights and black Mary Janes. Rachel, dressed almost identically, followed behind her.

Mrs. Claus directed Julie toward a small table. “Sit here for me, Sweetie.”

Julie obeyed as Mrs. Claus quickly freshened her makeup and gathered her hair into pigtails. As she worked, Holly Anderson, the owner of Mrs. Claus’s Closet, noticed that Julie appeared to be wearing an exceptionally well-made wig. There were very few reasons a little girl this age would need one. Her expression softened as the stress of the last few days seemed less important. Moments like this were exactly why Holly loved running Mrs. Claus’s Closet. Every child who stepped through the door deserved to feel special for a little while. Smiling gently, Holly tied off the pigtails with red ribbons before giving Rachel the same treatment.

As the girls were then led into the photography area, Julie quickly realized the Christmas trees in front of her were actually only the bottom halves of larger trees, cleverly designed to appear much larger than they actually were.

A ladder leaned against the oversized rocking chair. Standing beside it, Rachel blinked in surprise when she realized the chair’s seat was nearly chest-high on her. Using the ladder, she carefully climbed into the chair.

Once the ladder had been moved out of sight, Mrs. Claus frowned thoughtfully. “That won’t do. Rachel, please scoot back in the chair all the way so your legs stick straight out. Good, that gives more of that toddler sitting in a grown-up chair look.”

The ladder returned while Holly adjusted Rachel’s skirt and pose. Once satisfied, she removed the ladder again. “Smile for the birdie, Rachel!”

Three flashes followed.

Rachel was then repositioned toward the front of the chair. Again, the ladder returned so Holly could perfectly arrange the dress and tights before stepping away.

Three more flashes.

The ladder appeared once more. “Okay, Juliette, go join your sister up there.”

Rachel only shrugged at the mistake, while Julie, barely audible, whispered in surprise, “My sister?”

“Just go with it, Sis,” Rachel whispered back with a grin. “Apparently, she thinks we’re twin sisters. I'll admit, though, my little girl does look cute like that.”

Julie blushed up redder than Rudolph's nose.

After carefully adjusting both girls and hiding the ladder again, Holly grabbed a teddy bear and began making it dance just above the camera while pulling exaggerated silly faces.

Neither girl could hold back their laughter.

The camera flashed repeatedly.

“Now, girls, each of you hold this present like it belongs to both of you.”

After several more photos, the gift was removed. The girls were encouraged to sit together on the back of the rocking chair while Holly adjusted every little detail until she was satisfied.

Three more flashes later, the ladder returned so Rachel could climb back down.

Julie then received the same solo treatment Rachel had earlier.

Finally, Holly stepped back and looked over the setup thoughtfully.

“Let’s see, Mommie. I do have an oversized rocking horse…” She tapped her chin dramatically. “Or should we change outfits?”

“I think we’ve gotten enough little-girl pictures,” Bree answered. “Do you have elf costumes?”

“Of course. This wouldn’t be a proper North Pole closet without elf costumes.” Mrs. Claus helped Julie down from the oversized chair as she spoke. “Go ahead to the changing room, but don’t undress just yet. Let me bring your new outfits first.”

Julie followed Rachel into the changing room and stared at the reflection in the mirror. An oversized toddler stared back at her. ‘I bet even Lily wouldn’t want to look this young,’ Julie thought. She didn’t exactly hate the image staring back at her, but pigs would fly before she willingly encouraged Mommie or Rachel to dress her like this again.

A moment later, the curtain opened slightly.

“Here you go, girls. One red elf outfit with green-and-white tights, and one green outfit with red-and-white tights. Just keep the Mary Janes on and use the elf shoe covers.”

When Mrs. Claus closed the curtain again, the girls quickly began changing outfits, helping each other with stubborn buttons as they worked.

Meanwhile, Holly cleared away most of the earlier props. One oversized Christmas tree remained behind. A North Pole sign was brought out, along with a toy workbench. Soon, three separate photography scenes had been arranged across the photography area.

A few minutes later, two elves stepped out from the changing room.

“Ma'am, what do we do with the previous dresses?” Rachel asked.

“I’ll collect them when I bring your next outfits. Rachel, you’re first for the makeover this time.”

Rachel sat down while Holly quickly adjusted her hairstyle and pinned the elf hat securely into place. Once that was finished, Holly touched up the girl’s makeup to better match the costume.

Soon Julie matched her best friend, right down to the elf hat.

“Juliette, you’re first. Go stand by the North Pole sign.” Mrs. Claus tilted her head thoughtfully. “Hmm… let’s move your hands like this. Perfect. Now look over there.”

Mrs. Claus hurried back behind the camera. “Say Christmas presents!”

Three flashes followed.

Next, Julie was guided over to the oversized Christmas tree, where Holly carefully posed her again before taking several more pictures. After that came the toy workbench, where Julie pretended to build toys while the camera repeatedly flashed.

“Rachel, come join your sister at the workbench.”

Rachel only shrugged before stepping beside Julie. Leaning closer, she whispered teasingly, “Move over, sister, so I can fit on the bench too.”

Julie’s cheeks warmed slightly.

The girls were expertly posed together for several more photos. Afterward, the same pairings were repeated at both the Christmas tree and the North Pole sign.

Once the duo shots were complete, Rachel received her own turn posing alone.
Finally, Holly lowered the camera and smiled toward Bree.

“Now then, Mommie, what would you like next?”

“I want Juliette as the Sugar Plum Fairy.”

“And Rachel?”

“That’s the problem. Rachel doesn’t take ballet, and she probably wouldn’t enjoy wearing a ballet costume. I’m not sure what to do for her.”

“Can I choose?” Mrs. Claus smiled.

Bree laughed softly. “I think I’d enjoy seeing that.”

The girls headed back toward the changing area, with Holly following close behind. Soon, she handed Julie a purple ballet costume.

“Use the white tights with that, Julie.” …

Then she turned toward Rachel with another outfit draped over her arm.

“And for you, Rachel, Belle’s Christmas dress.”

Mrs. Claus collected the toddler dresses before closing the curtain behind the girls. Meanwhile, Holly cleared away the remaining Christmas props from the photography area to prepare for the next set.

A few minutes later, Rachel stepped out first with a huge smile on her face. The gold and red velvet Christmas dress made her look like a storybook princess. Julie followed behind her in the purple ballet costume.

Patting the chair beside the makeup table, Holly motioned Rachel over. “Belle first.”

Before beginning Rachel’s makeover, Holly handed Juliette a pair of ballet slippers. “Those should fit well enough.”

A few minutes later, the girls swapped places.

As Holly carefully worked Julie’s hair into a ballet bun, she took extra care not to disturb the wig or make it obvious Juliette was wearing one. The quality alone told Holly it definitely wasn’t cheap.

“Mrs. Claus,” Mommie instructed, “individual photos only in these outfits, please.”

“Of course, Mommie.” Holly smiled toward Rachel. “You’re first this time.”

Rachel was posed elegantly in front of the backdrop while Holly snapped photo after photo. Once Rachel finished, it was Juliette’s turn.

Holly positioned the ballerina in the center of the photography area.

“Fifth position.”

Several flashes followed.

“Passé.”

More flashes.

Then Holly smiled mischievously. “Pirouette.”

Bree looked at her daughter, not sure if she knew how to do a pirouette. Juliette’s recital yesterday hadn’t included pirouettes.

Julie quietly tested the softness of the floor beneath her slippers. Samantha had only recently started teaching her pirouettes, and her form was still shaky. Taking a deep breath, Julie spun.

The pirouette wobbled badly, but she stayed upright.

The camera fired rapidly while she turned, yet Julie barely noticed.

She hadn’t fallen.

Relieved, Julie immediately tried again, hoping for one she was satisfied with. This pirouette was steadier. When she finished, applause broke out from everyone in the room.

Rachel rushed over and hugged Julie tightly.

“Sis, you’re suffocating me.”

“Oops.”

Laughing, Rachel loosened her grip.

Mrs. Claus glanced at the clock, then toward the little girl who needed a wig. “We still have time for a fourth outfit.”

Bree laughed softly. “I’m officially out of ideas.”

“May I choose?” Mrs. Claus’s smile widened immediately.

“Yes, you may.”

“Into the changing area, girls. I’ll bring your outfits in just a minute.”

Holly expertly moved down one of the costume aisles before selecting two outfits from the racks. A moment later, she stepped into the changing area and handed them over. “Rachel, keep your hoop skirt on. Juliette, here’s yours.”

Once the girls had what they needed, Holly gathered up the elf costumes and returned to the makeup station to wait.

Several minutes later, two Victorian girls stepped out from behind the curtain. The dresses were elegant and old-fashioned, complete with lace trim, ribbons, and layered skirts. Rachel looked delighted by the outfit, while Julie nervously smoothed her skirt before following her best friend forward.

After touching up their makeup and adjusting their hairstyles one final time, Holly handed each girl a Christmas songbook.
“Perfect,” she said warmly. “Now hold them like you’re singing Christmas carols.”

The girls posed separately first while Holly snapped photo after photo. Once the solo pictures were finished, Rachel’s songbook was removed so the girls could share one together. Holly carefully positioned them shoulder to shoulder around the book. “Closer, girls. Sisters don’t stand six feet apart.”

Rachel grinned immediately and scooted closer.

Julie blushed but allowed herself to be moved beside her friend.

Several final flashes filled the room.

At last, Holly lowered the camera and checked the clock.

“We have about ten minutes left,” Mrs. Claus announced thoughtfully. She picked up the glowing snowflake wand from the nearby table and waved it dramatically at the girls. “That should give two ten-year-old girls enough time to get back into 2015 fashions before my Christmas Magic runs out and turns those magically created dresses back into Cinderella’s torn, tattered rags.”

Holding back a giggle, Rachel immediately grabbed Julie’s hand and dragged her toward the changing room. Together, the girls helped each other out of the Victorian costumes and back into the jeans, T-shirts, and sweatshirts they had worn into the studio earlier that afternoon.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Claus handed Bree a stack of paperwork. “You’ll find a web link on this sheet,” Holly explained. “Because of the Christmas rush, the finished photos with backgrounds might not be ready until Tuesday evening. However, you can already view the unprocessed images with watermarks. Once the final versions are finished, you’ll also be able to order prints and digital copies through the same link.”

“Mrs. Claus?” Rachel asked as the girls stepped out from the changing room. “Do we leave the outfits in there?”

“Yes, Sweetheart. Now come sit at the makeup table.”

Rachel climbed onto the chair, and for the fourth time that afternoon, Holly carefully scrubbed away the makeup. For a brief moment, Holly was tempted to put the girl's hair in pigtails with ribbons. Instead, smiling faintly to herself, Mrs. Claus removed the ribbons and pins from Rachel’s Victorian hairstyle, to restore the girl’s hair back into a more natural style she arrived with.

Once Rachel finished, Julie quietly took her place. Holly gently removed the pins holding Julie’s Victorian curls in place before cleaning away the remaining makeup from her face. Again, she worked carefully around the wig.

When both girls were finally back to normal, Mrs. Claus handed each of them a small wrapped present. She also passed Bree the worn tights.

“It has been wonderful working with you girls,” Mrs. Claus said warmly. “Merry Christmas to all of you. Please settle the bill with my receptionist on your way out.”

	Jimmy’s world is changing fast now that Bree sees her child as Juliette. The day after the big reveal is a wild ride for Julie, and she is not in control. Unsure about where things are going, she is overwhelmed and worried. Mom trying to make up for lost time and Rachel trying to be a good best friend are a force Julie can't slow down. The day's adventures bring her clothes shopping, two photo shoots, and to a Girl Scout meeting. Is it too much for Julie to handle, or meeting her every dream? Could it be both? New questions, nervous moments, and a few truths that can’t stay hidden forever all happen in one day. A day that Juliette will never forget.

“Mommie, I’m home,” Rachel announced, opening the door. “Julie and her Mommie are here too.”

Marilyn took off like a bat out of hell for Rachel’s room and grabbed the class pictures off Rachel’s bed. After hiding them in her own bedroom, she came downstairs much more slowly than she had gone up.

‘That was close. If Juliette saw those photos, she might get the wrong idea.’

When Marilyn walked into the room, Juliette, Rachel, Jessica, and Bree were already inside.

“Mommie, can you take my best friend Julie to and from Girl Scouts?” Rachel asked.

“Does Mrs. Kane know she’ll be coming?”

“Yes, we stopped at the costume shop to ask permission.”

Marilyn nodded, while mentally deciding, ‘That discussion will definitely have to wait until after Scouts.’ “By the way, I don’t think I’ve been introduced to Juliette’s mother.”

“Nice to meet you. I’m Bree Bowen.”

“And I’m Marilyn.”

Bree held out the photos. “Here are Rachel’s Santa pictures. And if you have a computer, we can see the raw proofs from Rachel and Juliette’s photo shoot.”

“Photo shoot? Where did you all go today?”

Rachel counted on her fingers. “Consignment shop, costume shop, dance shop, Girl Scout shop, Pizza Hut, Santa, Macy’s, and the photo place.”

Mrs. Vickers raised her eyebrows. “That’s it? And how much did you get, Princess?”

“Nothing. We weren't shopping for me.”

Marilyn held up the Santa photo. “This wasn’t something?”

“Mommie, you’re making a big deal out of nothing.”

“How about the gift you had in your hand when you walked in, Princess?”

“That was from Mrs. Claus after the photo shoot.”

Marilyn turned to Julie. “And how much did you get?”

Julie blushed beet red. “W-way too many things. They were all needed, but…”

“If you’ll excuse me,” Bree said, heading back out to the car, “I’ll dig my daughter’s new uniform out of the car.”

“While you do that, I'll grab the computer.”

Rachel dragged Julie away to talk softly in her room.

Downstairs, the two adults were looking through the raw photo proofs when Jessica walked past and glanced at the screen. “Who’s that cute toddler?”

“That's your sister,” Marilyn mentioned.

“I don't remember seeing that photo before.”

“It was only taken an hour or so ago.”

“What!” Jessica stared at the screen. Her eyes told her she was looking at a toddler, not her older sister. “I’ll be back.”

Jessica ran upstairs to her sister's room.

“…Daddie told me I had to take counseling,” she heard Julie say.

“Knock Knock.”

Rachel glared at her sister for interrupting, “Yes, dork.”

“Oh, Sis, I could get so much mileage out of that picture of you as a toddler, but it’s really convincing. Come look. I actually thought it was a baby.”

Shrugging, Rachel and Julie followed Jessica back downstairs to where their mothers were looking at the laptop.

“Mommie, I’m back with the models. Go back to the baby pictures.”

The adults were looking at photos of the two girls dressed as elves, but Marilyn looked at Rachel, trying to judge how willing her daughter had been in all of this.

“Can I see myself as a toddler?” Rachel asked.

Marilyn shrugged and clicked back through the photos

“That’s very convincing,” Rachel said when the toddler picture appeared. “I wasn’t sure about the outfits. My twin sister and I were definitely surprised when we realized what we were being asked to wear.”

“Twin sister?” Marilyn asked.

“Mrs. Claus, the photographer, thought Julie and I were twin sisters. No one actually got around to correcting her, Mommie.”

“I don’t mind being your sister, Rachel.”

“I couldn’t hope for a better twin, Julie.”

“There you go,” Marilyn said, looking between the screen and the two ten-year-old girls beside her. “Two toddlers sitting nicely on a rocking chair in front of Christmas trees.”

“How’s that done?” Jessica asked, leaning closer.

Juliette giggled, “Mrs. Claus shrank us down with this magic wand she had.”

“Wand?”

Rachel looked at her sister, who had spent this Christmas season trying to figure out if Santa Claus is real, "Mrs. Claus had this magical snowflake wand that lit up when she used her Christmas magic on us."

“Really?”

Rachel couldn’t leave her sister like this. She lightly swatted her sister. “Silly, gullible sis. The chair is huge, and the trees are even bigger. But, there really was a wand that lit up.”

The photo on the screen changed to Rachel in the Christmas Belle costume.

“How many outfits did you wear, Princess?”

“Four in total. There’s one more, Mommie.”

“All identical to Juliette’s?”

“No. Julie didn’t wear a Belle costume.”

“What are you wearing?” Jessica asked, looking at Julie.

Rachel smirked. “Just wait, impatient sister.”

“A ballerina!” Jessica exclaimed when the next photos appeared. “Wait! Were you posed, or do you actually know those moves?”

Julie opened her mouth, but Rachel shook her head and gently pushed her best friend’s mouth closed.

“Keep watching my ballerina sister. You tell me if Juliette is a ballerina or if she was posed.”

Jessica watched the ballerina on the screen do a very shaky, slow-motion version of a pirouette. You couldn’t pose someone like that.

Marilyn paused the photos after the turn.

“Keep going, Mommie. There’s another one.”

Jessica continued watching the stop motion ballerina do another pirouette, this time almost perfect.

“Those were excellent. How long have you been learning, Juliette?”

Blushing, Julie said, “J-just over a month. D-daily lessons with a perfectionist instructor.”

“Daily!?!? You go to a ballet school every day?”

“No, sis,” Rachel said. “Julie was being taught by Sammie. Key word, was.”

“Sammie from your fifth-grade class? And why was?”

“Yes,” Rachel said.

Julie provided, “My parents want me to learn at a ballet studio. Not at my friend’s house, using my friend’s leotards.”

“Yes, my little ballerina.” Bree stepped behind her daughter and hugged her. “Your father is very adamant that you learn from a pro.”

“I guess Miss Anastasia will have a new primary student,” Julie stated.

“Primary!?!” Jessica exclaimed, shocked. “But you’re ten, not a preschooler!”

Rachel snapped, “Juliette Elizabeth Bowen! Stop putting yourself down!”

“Julie, you’re better than a primary student. I’d gladly be in class with you,” Jessica said, before grinning as she thought of the toddler photos. “Based on some of those pictures, though, you would look cute as a pre-primary ballerina.”

The photos switched to the Victorian outfits.

After the photos were finished, Jessica blurted out, “I want to do that.”

Bree smiled apologetically. “Sorry, Sweetie, but they’re closed until January.”

“We can do it in January?”

“I’m not even sure if the closet part of the photo studio exists outside the Christmas season.”

Jessica pouted. “Oh.”

“I’ll look into doing it next Christmas, Cupcake,” Marilyn told her youngest.

“Really?!?!”

Sure," Mommie Vickers grinned. "I'd love to see my baby back in diapers.”

“Yes!” Jessica exclaimed. Then the second part caught up with her. “Wait!”

Bree pointed out, “Rachel and Juliette only got to do it because I booked right after someone canceled.”

“Those were excellent, Bree. Tell me how much I owe you for Rachel’s share of the photo shoot.”

“Same as your share of the Santa photos. Zero dollars, Marilyn. Having Rachel along today to help shop for Juliette’s clothes was very helpful.”

“Bree Bowen!”

“Marilyn Vickers!”

Jessica stared at the two adults as they “fought.”

“At least let me pay for the photos I want.”

“I guess I can do that.”

Marilyn glanced at the clock. “Rachel…and Juliette, go upstairs and change into your Scout uniforms.” She paused and looked at Bree before stating, "Separately please.”

Julie was handed her uniform, with her blank green sash folded on top.

“Oh, no patches on the sash?” Marilyn asked.

“Mrs. Kane said it was okay for Julie to come today without them, Mommie.”

“The patches are in the car,” Bree mentioned.

“If you grab them, I'll sew them on before the next meeting, Bree.”

“Why, thank you, Marilyn.”

As the girls went upstairs, they heard Marilyn say, “I’d like to meet privately with you next week, Bree, without any kids.”

“That’s a great idea, since I want to talk to you too about some pictures your daughter took.”

“Thank you for the ride, Mrs. Vickers,” Juliette said as she got out of the car, her green skirt sticking out beneath Rachel’s old puffy pastel tie-dyed coat.

“You’re welcome. Rachel, you need to hang out with her more so her manners rub off on you.”

“Yes, Mommie,” Rachel said, rolling her eyes while shaking her head. “See you after the meeting.”

Bree Bowen sat comfortably in her living room and dialed a number into the phone. “Hello, Miss Anastasia.” …

“I got your number from Heather Berger.” …

“I’m interested in my daughter learning at your studio.” …

“Ballet.” …

“Juliette Bowen.” …

“Ten.” …

“I’m told just over one month. Samantha Berger has been teaching her almost daily in secret.” …

“Why in secret? How do I say this? Juliette was hiding from us.” …

“Juliette and Lily have a lot in common.” ..

“No, Juliette wishes she would suddenly become a girl.” …

“Oh, you’re aware of the term.” …

“Yes, Juliette is transgender.” …

“Excellent. It isn’t a problem.” …

“That’s a long story that can be told another day.”

“She swears her skill level is on par with the primary class.” …

“Jessica Vickers adamantly disagrees.” …

“Yes, Juliette and Jessica’s sister, Rachel, are very good friends.” …

“Let me get my calendar.” …

Bree jotted down the audition time for Saturday, the twenty-sixth.

“See you on Saturday.”

	Jimmy’s world is changing fast now that Bree sees her child as Juliette. The day after the big reveal is a wild ride for Julie, and she is not in control. Unsure about where things are going, she is overwhelmed and worried. Mom trying to make up for lost time and Rachel trying to be a good best friend are a force Julie can't slow down. The day's adventures bring her clothes shopping, two photo shoots, and to a Girl Scout meeting. Is it too much for Julie to handle, or meeting her every dream? Could it be both? New questions, nervous moments, and a few truths that can’t stay hidden forever all happen in one day. A day that Juliette will never forget.

Rachel rang the doorbell after getting out of her mother’s car at the Kanes’ house.

Eric Kane opened the door, “Hello, Rachel and…”

“This is Juliette, Mr. Kane.”

“Nice to meet you, Juliette. Well, you know the way to the basement, Sweetie.”

As the two girls removed their coats and put them on the couch, Julie noticed a toddler playing with some toys. She smiled and waved at the girl.

"That's Lauren," Rachel said. "She's Mrs. Kane's. Come on, the meeting's downstairs."

Julie nervously followed her best friend.

"It's Rachel!” Amanda greeted before exclaiming, “And Juliette!”

Tina, Jenn, and Anna immediately turned toward the stairs.

Four girls ran over and hugged Julie.

“How did you sneak away from your parents to pull this off?” Anna asked.

“What do you mean? My Mommie knows exactly where I am right now.”

Jenn blinked. “What lie did you tell? Is this Rachel’s uniform?”

“I didn’t lie. This is my own uniform. My Mommie bought it for me today.”

“Your Mommie knows!?!?” Tina asked.

“Yes. I did a ballet …”

“Juliette!”

Julie meekly waved toward Samantha on the stairs. Lily was peeking around behind Sammie.

“What a surprise, my friend,” Lily said happily.

“It was Rachel's idea. Not that I was against the idea.”

“Girls! We are going to get started. Rachel has brought a friend, her name's Julie.” After a brief pause, Hanna Kane continued. “We will start like normal with the promise, then we will have our Christmas party, next we are going to do a guess-the-scent game, and finally we will do the closure.”

Marilyn Vickers went straight to her bedroom when she got home. Grabbing the class photos, she dropped them on Rachel's bed before heading to the kitchen to prepare dinner.

“We’ve come to the present part of the Christmas Party. Did everyone bring a gift?” Hanna asked. “Put your presents in a pile, girls.”

When the girls had done that, Hanna held out a bowl, “There are 13 numbers in here. Everyone, grab a number.”

Once the numbers had been picked, Hanna explained, “In order of your numbers, grab a present. Don't unwrap it until everyone has a gift.”

When it was her turn, Julie picked up a DVD-sized present. After the last girl had grabbed their gift, Juliette unwrapped hers and found the movie ‘Ice Princess.’

When the game finally came around, Hanna led the 13 girls to a table covered by a blanket. “We will start with Lily first because she's closest to me.”

The scout leader reached under the blanket and grabbed something.

Julie watched as Lily was blindfolded and had red winter mittens slipped onto her hands. The shortest ten-year-old was then guided over to Samantha.

“Samantha, you are in charge of Lily.” … “Amanda, you are our next guesser to get ready, and Tina, she is yours to take care of.”

Amanda received the same treatment as Lily, except with pink mittens.

“Julie and Rachel, you are a pair.”

Even after watching two girls get blindfolded, Julie still jumped slightly when darkness suddenly covered her eyes. Like the others, her hands were stuffed into mittens.

A few pairs later, Hanna announced, “Girls, we now have seven teams of two. One of them is blind without a sense of touch. I am going to give the other team member a box of items, and I want the blind one to guess what it is only by smell. Make sure you write the item number down on your sheet. They are not the same.”

“What's this smell, Sis?” Rachel whispered.

“Pine cone?”

“This smell?”

“Mint.”

Slowly but surely, Rachel brought smells in front of Julie’s nose. Then nothing happened. Just darkness.

“You okay, bestie?” Rachel asked as she noticed her best friend's shoulders droop.

“I am not sure. It's a bit dark.”

“I am right here.” Rachel hugged Julie, who immediately began to relax. “We are just waiting for the other teams to finish.”

Eventually, the scout leader, Hanna Kane, announced, “Everyone appears to be done. You can remove the blindfold from your team member.”

Julie blinked as the room suddenly became bright again. She looked down at the purple mittens she was wearing and nearly stumbled over a box of stockings that was sitting beside her.

Rachel handed their paper to Anna and accepted one from Tina.

Hanna told the girls, “You should see a bunch of five- to six-digit numbers on the sheets in front of you. Ignore all numbers except the digit in the hundreds place.”

“Mrs. Kane, can we remove the mittens?” Jill asked.

“Oh! Sorry, yes, you seven can remove your mittens.”

Julie removed the mittens and placed them in the box.

“Zero in the hundreds place is vanilla.” … “One in the hundreds place is spruce.”

“Is Christmas tree okay?” Rachel asked.

“Yes, that is fine.”

Eight smells later, Anna returned the paper, which had a large six written across the top.

“Smellers, raise your hand if you matched more than five smells.”

Julie raised her hand and saw three other hands were up, including Lily’s.

“Six smells?”

Julie kept her hand in the air. She noticed nobody else had lowered theirs.

“Seven smells?”

Julie reluctantly dropped her hand. The other three stayed up.

“Okay, we have our top three groups.”

When eight smells were called, only Mrs. Kane’s partner and Lily still had their hands raised. The girl Julie didn’t recognize dropped hers when nine smells were called.

“We have our top nose, Lily Vanderbilt. Will that hand stay up for ten smells?”

Lily shook her head and dropped her hand.

Julie watched as the top three groups were handed stockings as prizes for the game.

“Girls, it's time for the closure.”

Julie followed the scouts and stood between Rachel and Lily. Watching Rachel carefully, she took Rachel’s right hand and Lily’s left.

Rachel squeezed her hand and whispered, “Squeeze Lily’s hand, Bestie.”

“Thank you, girls. I'll see you next year in two weeks. Hopefully we will be investituring Julie then if she returns.”

Juliette followed the girls upstairs, stopping at the couch to grab her borrowed pastel coat,

“So, did you enjoy that, Julie?” Mrs. Kane asked.

“I did, Mrs. Kane.”

“Will I see you in two weeks?”

“Y-You will have me b-back?”

“Julie Bowen, you are always welcome.”

Outside, Julie watched Lily climb into her dad’s SUV. Turning, she spotted Rachel waiting beside her mother’s car.

As she started toward it, Samantha stepped into her path. “Juliette L… Elizabeth Bowen!”

“S-Samantha Allison B-Berger!”

“You didn’t tell me you were coming today.”

“I-I haven’t seen you s-since this was d-decided this morning.”

“I’ll give you a pass. However, I want my Julie hug.”

The two girls, who shared a mutual crush, hugged each other. Samantha whispered, “I love this smile on your face.”

In the back of Mrs. Vickers' car, Rachel sang softly, “Juliette and Samantha sitting in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G!”

“Rachel Joy Vickers!” Juliette protested, lightly smacking her friend’s arm.

“Juliette Bowen!” Came from the front seat.

“Her middle name's Elizabeth, Mommie.”

“Sorry, Mrs. Vickers. Rachel was teasing me.”

“I was just telling her the truth, Mommie.”

Julie responded with nothing but a bright red face.

“Well, Julie, I am going to drop you off at your house.”

“Because of our play fight?”

“Absolutely not. This was already planned before the play fight.”

“Oh?”

“For two reasons. The major one is Rachel, and I need to have a private talk.”

“We do, Mommie?”

“The other reason is that your Mother would like to have some mother-daughter time.”

“You are always welcome at our house, Juliette,” Marilyn told the girl as she stopped in front of the yellow house on Maple Street. “Let me have your sash so I can sew your patches on, Sweetheart. And here are your clothes.”

Juliette removed the sash before putting her borrowed coat back on. She then accepted the bag of clothes.

“Thank you. What about my coat?”

“You can keep that coat. Rachel doesn’t wear it anymore.”

“Yes, Mrs. Vickers.”

Julie walked into the house and hung up her ‘new’ coat.

“Julie, go to your room and change out of your uniform to keep it nice.”

“Yes, Mommie.”

Five minutes later, when she walked back into the room, “Princess, can you set the table?”

“Mrs.… Vickers didn’t give me back my coat.”

“What did you wear home?”

“Rachel’s… old tie-dyed pastel coat.”

“So you gained a better coat?”

“W-what's Jimmy going to wear?”

“Are you planning on seeing Jimmy?”

“Umm?”

Mommie Bree stated, “I am not expecting to see Jimmy again until school restarts on the fourth.”

“Oh,” Julie wasn’t sure if she should be very excited or upset. She didn’t really want to be Jimmy, but on the other hand, this sounds like she was being forced to be Juliette.

“I'll talk to Rachel’s mother when I see her on Saturday.”

“Rachel Joy Vickers, we are going to discuss the item on your bed when we get home.”

Alarmed by the sudden change in tone after Julie was no longer in the car, Rachel asked, “What item on my bed? There wasn’t anything there when I changed into my Girl Scout uniform.”

“That's because I hid it when you brought Julie home with you.”

Rachel blinked in confusion.

“Julie would have gotten the wrong idea if she saw it.”

After parking in the garage, Marilyn looked at her daughter, “Straight to your bedroom, and I'll join you in a few minutes.”

After removing her shoes and hanging up her coat, Rachel headed upstairs. Looking around the room, she saw nothing obvious. Then she noticed the class pictures resting on her pillow. Sitting down and holding it, she looked at it, confused.

Looking at her classmates, she saw Samantha Berger’s picture right next to Jimmy Bowen’s picture.

‘Jimmy Bowen! Juliette Bowen! Mommie obviously knows that Julie's Jimmy.’ That realization only confused Rachel more. Her mother had invited Julie back. ‘Mommie’s definitely upset at me… but why?’

“Knock knock.”

“Come in, Mommie.”

“I see you found what I put on your bed.”

“Yes, but what exactly about it made you upset? The fact that Julie goes by Jimmy at school?”

“Yes… and no.”

Rachel looked even more confused.

“I spent a lot of time with Julie during the recital. That was no boy that I took to the recital.”

Rachel frowned. “Am I not allowed to be friends with Julie anymore?”

“Did you listen to anything I just said?”

“What about Julie are you upset about, Mommie?”

“It’s not Julie I’m upset about.”

“You aren’t?”

“It’s you I’m upset at.”

“Me? Then why these photos?”

“Did you tell any white lies in the last week? Did you have any boys in your room?”

Rachel thought for a moment. “But you allowed me to take Julie to my room today.”

“I didn’t ask anything about taking a girl to your bedroom.”

Rachel just stared at her mother.

“But Julie is Jimmy.”

With a wink, Marilyn asked, “Does your twin sister know you are calling her a boy?”

“I am so confused.”

“Both incidents I am upset about happened on Friday after school.”

“Friday?”

“You were not honest about who you brought home. And you had a boy in your room.”

“It was just Julie, Amanda, and Tina in my room that Friday.”

“So Julie went to school on Friday?”

“Of course not.”

“So Jimmy came over, and Julie left your room?”

“Yes, Julie got dressed in my clothes in my bedroom.”

“There you go, you figured out why I'm upset.”

“So Julie's not allowed in my bedroom?”

“I didn’t say that.”

“Jimmy's not allowed in my bedroom?”

“Does Jimmy actually exist?”

“Mommie, you‘re so confusing.”

“What I’m upset about is the fact that you went behind my back and weren’t honest with me.”

“So you want me to be honest with you?”

“Yes.”

“My best friend, Julie, is a transgender girl. I gave her items from my wardrobe so she would have her own girls' clothes. I also took blackmail pictures of her earlier this month when Amanda, Tina, Anna, Jenn, and I forcibly dressed her in Amanda’s flower girl outfit after she said something mean to Lily.”

“Now that wasn’t so hard … Wait! Blackmail pictures?”

“I deleted them Sunday! And that's why I had to go see Juliette today. Mrs. Bowen wanted to yell at me for them.”

“What did you blackmail her for?”

“She had to apologize to Lily for being mean to her. That’s all, Mommie, honest. Once she did that, I deleted the pictures.”

The two talked for a while about the pictures and everything surrounding them.

Marylin just looked at her daughter for a long, silent minute, “I am disappointed in you, but that doesn’t increase your punishment.”

“Which is?”

“Rachel, I want to be clear. You are not being punished for being friends with Julie. You are being punished for not being honest, taking compromising photos of your best friend, and giving your clothes away without permission.”

“Yes, Mommie. What and for how long?”

“You are grounded…”

Pouting, Rachel immediately assumed she won’t see her best friend for a while, “Yes, Mommie.”

“Until bedtime.”

“Wait?!?! That's it?”

“Do you want more?”

“No! No! No!”

Marilyn kissed Rachel on the forehead. “I know why you did it. I am disappointed in you, not angry at you.” … “Well, except for the blackmail pictures. I am a bit angry at you for that. I’ll call Mrs. Bowen and then Daddie and I will talk to see if further punishment is needed for the blackmail pictures. For now, the punishment is just the grounding. Thank you for being honest with me.”

“Yes, Mommie.”

“Stay in your room, I'll call you down when it's dinner time.”

Cuddling on the couch watching television, Bree told her daughter, “Are you excited for Denise to properly meet her cousin tomorrow?”

“M-maybe,” Julie kept staring at the TV without really paying attention to it. “W-what about G-Grandma and G-Grandpa? A-Aunty and Uncle?”

“Grandma Bowen is looking forward to spoiling her new granddaughter. Grandpa knows you are coming, too. Aunty Harriet told me it was about time I acknowledged my daughter when I told her. Uncle William, being himself, just grunted.”

“W-wait, everyone knows I am c-coming?”

“Nope, it's up to you to tell Denise.”

“S-so tomorrow I’m s-supposed to s-surprise D-Denise by showing up in a d-dress?”

“Is that the only reason you are showing up in a dress?”

Julie turned toward her mother and thought quietly for several seconds. “N-no. Since I am a girl, G-Grandma expects me to wear at least a sk-skirt to family events.”

“You figured it out, Princess,” Mommie kissed her daughter on the forehead.