"You are the sexiest woman I've ever seen in my life," he said.
Mom didn't react as though there was anything at all odd about him saying that. I guess she thought he was just making fun of me, like everyone else.
Melinda, as though my sisters had arranged it ( which they had ), said, "Mom, we've been thinking that we'd rather stay and eat here, tonight."
"Why?"
"Well, we're just tired out, is all. But Tom and Joanie can go by themselves, if they want to."
"Oh, so I don't get to go either, then?" asked Mom.
"Well, they're friends. Let 'em spend some time together."
My sisters were just bubbling over with excitement at the two of us having dinner together, but Mom didn't seem to notice.
"Is that what you two want?" she asked.
We said yes, so she agreed. Tom was to drive. He was sixteen and already had his license. She gave Tom her credit card to pay for the meal.
Tom drove us to the supper club. The night was heavenly. So romantic. I had no idea Tom could be such a gentleman on a date, opening the door for me, helping me with my chair, treating me like a lady. I was afraid to say a word out loud, lest I give myself away as a boy, but no one was staring, no one seemed to notice anything unusual about me.
When the music started, Tom stood and held out a hand to me. He didn't have to coax me at all. I took his hand, and he pulled me to my feet and led me to the dance floor. I'd never danced in a dress before, hell I'd only been wearing them a week, but I just stayed close to Tom and let him lead me across the floor. We danced close. I held on and tried to forget how much my feet were hurting in three-inch heels.
We went for a walk after dinner, Tom with his arm around my waist.
"What are you doing with me, Tom?" I asked. "You're so handsome and gorgeous. You could have any girl you want, and here you are, dating me. And I'm not even a real girl."
"You will be, one day."
I looked at him in surprise.
"In this world," he said, "you have to become who you are."
"You expect me to have that operation? Just for you?"
"Of course not. Not just for me, only because you want to. Because you're really and truly a girl inside. And I think you are."
"How do you know?"
"I don't. That's something you have to decide for yourself. But I hope you do become a girl, because---can I tell you a secret?"
"What?"
"I'm falling in love with you. I think I want to marry you, someday."
I couldn't believe what I was hearing.
"Tom, please don't say that if it isn't true. Don't play games with me."
"Of course it's true. I love you."
Before I could respond, he pulled me into an alleyway and kissed me.
We kissed for a very long time. When we stopped kissing and left the alley, we walked a little further and turned the corner. And there was a motel.
"Look at that," he said. "Do you think they would take your mother's credit card?"
"Tom, please don't ask that of me. This is all moving so fast. I mean, a week ago I was just an ordinary boy, and look at me now, in a sexy dress and high heels, going on a date with a handsome boy, and now you tell me you love me! I don't even know what you're going to ask me to do in a motel room, and I don't want to know! Please, let's just go back. This is all too confusing."
"Alright."
On the way back I saw a flyer posted somewhere.
"Look, Tom! There's a dance tomorrow night at the auditorium! Let's go!"
"Well, I don't know."
"Oh, come on! It'll be fun! Didn't you like dancing tonight?"
"Yeah, but I don't want to dance for hours and hours."
"Tom, it's not going to work for you to be the guy who doesn't ever do whatever he doesn't want to do. Sometimes you're just going to have to do some of the things your girlfriend wants to do."
And there it was. I had used the G word. I was his girlfriend.
"OK," he said. "On one condition. You wear that dress."
I looked down at myself, thinking he meant the sexy black dress I had on, but he was pointing at a shop window, and there in the window was the loveliest red chiffon dress I had ever seen in my life! OK, the whole dress wasn't chiffon, but the sleeves were. I could just imagine twirling across the dance floor in that dress, my full skirt swirling about my legs in nylons, Tom by my side.
"Do you want to buy it for me?"
"I'll use my own money. I brought some cash with me."
"Well, I guess I'll have to at least try it on. I can't resist trying it on."
We went into the shop together. Tom asked if I could try on the dress. I was still afraid to talk, still afraid I would give myself away.
I tried on the dress, and some red pumps to go with it. I came out of the changing room and awkwardly posed for my boyfriend. I was still a little nervous, being around other people as a girl.