"Oh Susie, what if I get a thing about bridal gowns as well?"

"I'll be disappointed if you don't, Jeffrey. I've always wanted to snog a girl under a veil."

"That's all very well, but this is already turning out to be a very expensive hobby. If we start acting out your wedding fantasies, I'm never going to have any money," I moaned. "Couldn't you have just as much fun dressing me up in black bin liners and brown parcel tape?"

Susie and Jeffrey 19 - 24 by Jamie Hayworth

Caitlin is worried about the fall out that her outing would cause. Alison and Meredith corner her in order to have a conversation about what's going on. Can she do this without another panic attack?

Now it's Jenny's turn to meet Darlene's family. Just to keep things interesting, Darlene's mother is marrying Don's childhood best friend's father, so Darlene has some introductions to make herself. Along the way Darlene invents double-cross dressing.

"This is sooo cool!" Laurie squeals as we complete the briefing in time for a late lunch. "I just know that we can find the spy. I can hardly wait to get started.  And we get to spend all this time together! Isn't this just the greatest? It is better than I had hoped for."

"Part of the job," Mrs. Harrison says, "is to help Kris blend in as a girl. I think that we are already seeing that it will take more than this week to help him become a believable her, so we need someone who can be around her as much as possible to help coach her and keep her out of trouble. Who better than her favorite cousin?"

I have to admit, that I feel better with this arrangement.  I am starting to doubt my ability to convincingly pull off being a girl without constant supervision.

Chapter 15: Shopping Lessons

A chance encounter in the laundry room leads two lonely people into something far beyond what either could imagine. All it takes is a sense of curiosity, an open mind and a bit of unrequited lust.

(The Darlene saga was my first attempt at writing fiction that wasn't purely sexual. By the time I finished the series the sex scenes were mostly a distraction that didn't contribute to the story. So here is the R rated version of how Darlene and Jenny found each other.)

"Kris," she says with hope in her voice, "I do like you–a lot. I would prefer to have you as a male friend, but I like that we are going to be able to spend the summer together after all. It will be a unique summer. I'll just miss the making out!"

"Me too," I say sadly as we share a sisterly hug.

Laurie's tears have changed to tears of relief.  I find myself crying too, for the identical reason.

Chapter 13: On the Road Again–Finally

Luck be a Lady

by: Catherine Linda Michel

Part 7

I reach up and touch the charm on my necklace and wish that I could go for a long run to sort things out.

The Major puts his arm around my shoulder and gives me a squeeze. "In the mean time, Princess, the fish is done," he says with a smile. "Let's go eat."

Chapter 11: Settling In