Chapter 2

Maria told me how to dress for her family. Blue jeans and a button shirt untucked would fit in. Fortunately my present male closet has all those things. I don't want to buy clothes. I'm still holding out hope that I will be Carly again someday.

Maria is in blue jeans and a t-shirt. Her butt fills out her jeans nicely. Our DrugMart uniforms are shapeless so it's hard to tell how much of a figure any of us girls have. The only chance to see each other's true shape is if someone comes to work in street clothes. She changes into her uniform in the bathroom. Since I most often work an early shift and Maria usually works the evening shift I have never seen her in street clothes. I've never seen her not dressed as a DrugMart pharmacy tech.

Maria gets into my little Fiat. Why couldn't I have a nicer car as a guy? Guys are into cars, right? Hello, fairy godmother? You missed an area of my life to make a guy.

"Are you ready?" she asks.

"No." It's the truth. I'm so nervous.

"You'll do fine. You look nice."

"Thanks. So do you?"

"Do I?" She smiles and pushes her dark hair back.

"Thanks for doing this." She grabs my arm tightly. "It means so much. I don't think I've ever seen you in normal clothes."

"I was thinking the same thing."

"So what do you think of me?" she asks.

"I like it."

"Do you?"

"Yes."

"That's sweet of you."

I know when a girl is fishing for compliments. I'm not ignorant to it like guys are.

"You're a beautiful girl. I've always known it."

"You have? Why haven't you said so before?"

"We've been at work."

"Let me tell you a secret about girls," Maria say. "It's always a good time to compliment a girl on her looks."

I find it bizarre that she's telling me what girls like. She would really find it bizarre if she knew I am a woman within this male body.

We arrive. Her mother gives me a big hug and I shake hands with her father which is awkward since I shake like a girl. As I meet everyone else here, I do my best to shake hands firmly. I meet all the sisters, the one brother, uncles, aunts, cousins, nephews, and nieces. They're must be like 25 people here.

"So what are we celebrating?" I quietly ask Maria as soon as I can.

"Nothing. They're just here to meet you."

I'm stunned.

Father questions me after I've been introduced to everyone.

"So where did you meet Maria?"

"At work."

"So you work together?"

Maria comes up by my side and puts her arm in mine. I'm glad she's here to help with answers.

"So what are your intentions?"

"What?" Does he mean sex?

"Papa!" protests Maria.

"Mama wants to know if you're planning on marrying our Maria."

"We're friends," Maria says. "We're taking it slow. You don't want me marrying the wrong guy."

"So what do you want me to tell, Mama?"

"What I just told you."

"She wants to know when you're getting married."

"I know, Papa, but I don't want to rush into things."

"Welcome, Carter." He puts his hand out.

This time I reply to his hand with a manlier handshake.

Her mother interrogates ... interviews us not long after that.

"So have you set a date?" she asks.

"For what?" I say.

Maria knows what she's talking about. "We're just dating, Mama. We don't know each other that well yet. We want to take it slow to know if we're right for each other."

"What's there to know?"

"Mama!"

"You're 25 now. When I was you're age I already had three children."

"I know, Mama, I know."

Maria is unsuccessful at cutting her off. Her mother rambles on five minutes and I have a feeling Maria has heard it five million times.

I try to hang by Maria's side so we can have consistency in what we say to others and I honestly don't want to get to know her family. After dinner, I'm with Maria in the kitchen helping clean up.

"What are you doing?" Maria is annoyed.

"I'm just helping." I'm used to doing it and I enjoy helping out after get-togethers.

"You can't do that."

"Why not?"

"Look around."

"What?" I don't see anything weird.

"You have to go outside with the men. Only the women are allowed in here right now. It's the way it is with my family. They're old fashioned."

"Oh, alright." I now notice that it's only women in here. I didn't feel awkward. I'm still a woman.

I reluctantly go outside.

"So Carter," says an uncle whose name I've already forgotten. "Who do you like?"

"Um ... Maria," I say worried.

He laughs, takes a drink of beer, then says, "That's a good answer but I mean in the World Cup. Who's going to win it?"

"Who's playing?"

"Every country in the world."

"Is America playing?"

"They're not going to win it."

"Canada?"

He jokes on his beer while taking another drink. "That's funny, Carter."

"Do you want a beer?"

"No, thanks." I'm glad the topic steers away from whatever the World Cup is.

I'm quizzed by a female cousin about Maria and I'm able to keep our story consistent.

Another uncle ask me about the Dodgers.

"They're doing good, right?" I hesitate. I think they're baseball. I've never had an interest in sports.

"They're sucking. They should be way ahead of the stupid Giants."

Giants? So it's football? I thought they had the Super Bowl only a couple months ago. Is football going again?

"Yes," I agree.

"Stupid Rogers. Can't hit shit."

I nod my head and hope he doesn't ask another sports question.

"Let's go see Eduardo's truck."

"Okay."

I join the flow of guys walking around the side of the house and to the driveway. The truck's hood is up.

"What do you think of that engine, Carter?" someone asks.

"Shiny," I say. It's very shiny with all the silver things and it's very clean looking. I get a couple of weird looks.

I'm so glad when the temporary gender separation is over and I can stay with Maria most of the time.

I use the restroom and when I come back, Maria pulls me to the side.

"You need to be more affectionate with me. Some of my family are wondering if you're gay. Don't be afraid to kiss me and put our arm around me. Just don't go too far with where you touch me or they'll break your arm."

"Sure, Maria." I guess I shouldn't be surprised by the gay thing but breaking my arm has me worried.

"So follow me outside and plant one on me."