Stranded in the Kitchen

At 3:30 in the Eason kitchen, Emily prepped a cookie sheet while I washed red potatoes.

"Going for mashed potatoes?" I inquired.

"Nope, something simpler. Mom's Wash Day Potatoes," Emily said.

After quartering the potatoes, we tossed them with olive oil, salt, and pepper, then spread them on the sheet and put them in the oven alongside Mrs. Eason's prepped meatloaf.

"That's it?" I asked, impressed.

"Easy, right?" Emily grinned.

I untied the apron I wore to protect the jumper I was still wearing and went to hang it back up on the hook, when we heard the door open. Though I was hidden from view from the entry, the tiny kitchen was a dead end, I was trapped.

Emily stepped out of the little kitchen and greeted her mom. “Hi Mom, are you home early or just stopping to get something?”

“Oh, we couldn’t finish.” Her footsteps were rapidly approaching the kitchen, “Two of the bridesmaids…” When Mrs. Eason saw me, she stopped mid-sentence and in her tracks.

I bit my lip. “Hi Mrs. Eason.” I said timidly, my arms were crossed over my chest, in a subconscious gesture of covering myself. I couldn’t think of an excuse for how I was dressed.

Emily stood watching both me and her mother. Both of us wondered what would happen next.

“Terry.” Mrs. Eason smiled warmly. “I guess some things don’t change. That dress looks nice on you.”

It was as though Mrs. Eason looked right through all my artifice and directly into my heart. She saw standing before her the same child that loved to dress up as Snow White, Cinderella, or no one in particular, as long as it was a girl. Relief washed over me as I saw Emily exhale, a sentiment I shared.

“Thank you, Mrs. Eason,” I managed, grateful for her kindness.

Mrs. Eason, breaking the brief silence, poured herself a glass of wine and noted our dinner preparations with an approving nod. “Thank you for that,” she remarked casually, as if the situation was nothing unusual.

Emily offered to help her mother with the car, but I quickly volunteered to assist, seeking a way to contribute.

“It’s fine, Terry,” Emily assured, “It usually only takes a few minutes.”

Mrs. Eason agreed, suggesting I could instead take her case to the sewing room, an offer I accepted.

Once done, I stood in Emily's room, faced with the decision to change back into my boy clothes, now a disheveled pile on the floor. The thought of making Mrs. Eason uncomfortable nudged me towards changing, but as I approached the pile, a wave of reluctance washed over me. Instead, I turned to the mirror, Mrs. Eason's compliment echoing in my mind, "That dress looks nice on you." I bounced up and down a little as the joy bubbled up within me – I did look cute!

Emily’s entry snapped me from my thoughts. “What’s going on?” she inquired.

“Yeah, I was just wondering if I should change since your mom’s home,” I admitted, seeking her insight.

“Mom doesn’t mind, Terry. You can stay as you are until after dinner, if you'd like.” Emily’s confidence in her mother's acceptance reassured me; Emily and her mom were very close. Very unlike my mom and me.

~~~~~

“The meatloaf is really good, Mrs. Eason,” I complimented, genuinely impressed. Family meals were a rarity at my house due to Mom's hectic schedule. There was a special warmth and comfort around the ritual of passing dishes around the table; eating together and having a conversation. Such a simple thing, but delightful, nonetheless.

“Thank you, Terry,” she responded with a kind smile. Our conversation meandered from cooking tips to more personal topics, until Mrs. Eason gently broached a delicate subject. “Terry, does your mom know about you… about this?” She gestured subtly towards me, her inquiry gentle yet profound.

A pang of sadness tinged my reply. “No, she doesn’t. I don’t think she’d understand.” I hesitated before adding, “You won’t tell her, will you?”

“It’s not my secret to tell,” Mrs. Eason assured me, her tone both comforting and firm. It seemed as though she might have more to say, but she let the moment pass, shifting the conversation back to the school play.

As Emily and her mom conversed, I drifted into my thoughts, struck by the comfort and acceptance surrounding me. Mrs. Eason's understanding felt like a warm embrace, affirming the identity I longed to express. Looking at myself, and thinking about where I was, a quiet smile crossed my lips. That which I most feared, discovery of my secret, ironically turned out to be the best thing that could have happened. My world had shifted; with Mrs. Eason’s discovery and acceptance, Emily and I could be at ease, free from the worry of unexpected encounters. In the Eason home, I felt like my soul had been let out of a cage. Free at last to live in the light of day.

~~~~~

After dinner, I put on my jeans, t-shirt and hoodie. Before I could walk out of Emily’s room, I caught my reflection in her full-length mirror. The jeans hung loosely off of my hips – the bottoms tattered due to my repeated stepping on the hem. While the jeans were too large, my t-shirt was too small. The once bright silkscreen of a sunny beach had faded to obscurity. My hoodie was a dark navy blue – a hand-me-down from my brother. Though my brother wore it at my age, it was still much too large for me.

“What a complete loser!” I spat insultingly at the boy in the mirror, before turning to delicately place the neatly folded white slip in the drawer and carefully hang the blue jumper in the closet in a way so that it wouldn’t wrinkle.

“Hey, are you okay?” Emily asked as she came into the room.

“Yeah… I’m just …” I shook my head and looked at her letting her see the sadness I felt.

Emily looked at me and frowned. “Is it getting harder for you? To wear boy clothes?”

I nodded, and felt my eyes getting teary. What was coming over me?

Emily stepped forward and gave me a hug, while I sniffed and wiped my eyes.

“Let’s try to have fun tonight anyway, okay.” She said separating from me.

“Okay. I just won’t think about it.” I promised.

Movie Party

The drive from the Eason's to Liz and Kristine's hilltop home was brief but included areas in the lower parts that weren't safe to walk after dark. As we drove into the brightly lit streets of upper Wallingford, the scenery changed to one of stately homes and well-tended yards. Mrs. Eason left us at a grand brick facade, its entrance bathed in welcoming light. Liz greeted us and welcomed us inside. I spent extra time wiping my shoes on the mat, fearing that I might tarnish the gleaming hardwood floors. 

The interior looked like an art gallery. Persian rugs, actual paintings, and treasures from the world, carefully placed to best advantage, each telling a story of adventures in faraway lands.

I glanced at Emily. She raised her eyebrows in silent communication. She too was impressed.

“Your home is really nice, Liz.” Emily said politely.

“Thank you. We’re actually going to be downstairs in the rec room. It’s a lot more casual.” She explained.

Liz led us down to a basement rec room that felt like a teenager's dream: a ping pong table, a shelf crammed with games, and a cozy sitting area with a big TV, surrounded by snacks and drinks. 

Within minutes, Tyler and Jenny joined us, diving into the snacks and excited chatter about "Grease." When Kristine, Liz's older sister, asked to watch with us, her slight hesitation struck me. Despite her usual confidence, she seemed unsure among us freshmen. I made an effort to include her in the conversation. Learning that she had not only watched the movie a few times but had seen the musical performed live downtown.

"Alright, everyone get comfy!" Liz announced, and we settled in with a cheer. I found a spot on the couch, and Jenny sat next to me, offering a Coke and sharing her popcorn. "Thanks," I smiled, touched by friendly gesture.

As the opening credits rolled, my thoughts briefly wandered to Sandy—her kindness, her transformation, something about her resonated with me. Not that I wanted to be her exactly, but there was an allure in her idealized character that fascinated me.

The group was fairly quiet during the title song and the first scene, but then the song Summer Nights came on. John Travolta (Danny) and Olivia Newton John (Sandy) each sang about their summer fling. Then the male half of the chorus came in.

Tell me more, tell me more, did you get very far? Tyler, from his bean bag chair sang along with the T-birds. This was the first time I heard his singing voice. Tyler is a good singer! I thought.

Then it was time for the Pink Ladies, not to be outdone, Emily sang along,

Tell me more, tell me more, Like does he have a car?

After that, everyone joined in on the chorus parts. Singing just for the fun of it.

I joined Tyler and the T-birds to help balance things. We had to make up in enthusiasm, what we lacked in numbers compared to the four Pink Ladies in the room. I was a little surprised that it wasn’t as difficult as I expected. While Kristine and Emily’s voices were strong, Liz and Jenny sang more quietly, seemingly lacking confidence.

At the end of the song, Jenny whispered to me, “I didn’t know that you were such a good singer!”

“Oh, thanks.” I replied, pleased by the compliment, but not wanting to say something insincere, “That was super-fun, wasn’t it?” I said, quietly. To which Jenny nodded enthusiastically.

The movie continued with the group joining in on the chorus parts.

When Beauty School Dropout began, Tyler surprised us all by standing up, brandishing his imaginary microphone, and sang the part of the Teen Angel (Frankie Avalon). Again, I was impressed.

Your story, sad to tell, A teenage ne'er do well,

Tyler sang with a dramatic flair to the assembled girls, who giggled at his performance. I covered my mouth stifling my own giggle as Tyler continued his over-the-top performance. Emily, must have decided to practice her part as Frenchie, because just like the actress on the TV screen, she looked up at Tyler as though he were a Hollywood icon. Catching her look, Tyler sang the song only to her. As Emily gazed upward, I couldn’t help but notice how beautiful she looked.

Can't even get a trade-in on your smock…

At this point, the chorus of Pink Ladies comes in.

La, lala, la, lala, la, lala, la …

Though it was intended as a harmony of female voices, it was in my range so I joined in. Jenny seemed happy to follow my lead.

Singing the girl’s parts in songs was nothing new for me, though usually I did it in private. But tonight, I was among friends, and it felt safe.

The final song, We Go Together about fun and friendship that lasts forever offered a perfect finale for our party. We all sang along. Everyone smiling and laughing.

After the movie ended, we chatted for a little while then called for our rides as it was getting late.

The night had been so much fun, I forgot my personal difficulties and simply enjoyed the friendship, music and fun. I honestly couldn’t remember a better party.

In Mrs. Eason’s car going home we were excited and kept talking about what a fun time we had.