Until I joined this group, I had never been in front of other people while dressed as Paige (en femme). I spent some time in the chat room last week with some very supportive and helpful ladies who gave me some very good advice and encouragement. That led me to call a female friend of mine and bare my soul to her.
I had a trip planned to Green Bay for Thursday evening and I knew she lived in Appleton. She is a very good, old friend, divorced for some years now. We’ve been friends since grade school. I thought I could trust her with my secret and I was right! She was so happy for me, and wanted to meet Paige, as I told her I had wanted to get out in public. She agreed to pick me up at my hotel and take me out as my chaperone.
God, I was so nervous getting ready for that evening. When she knocked on my hotel room door, and I opened it, the look on her face was pure joy and acceptance. We hugged, we laughed, we cried. We sat for about an hour while I told her my story and plan for the evening. She insisted on helping me fix my makeup (thank you!) and we were off. We arrived at the bar/restaurant and panic set in. There were people everywhere. We sat for a bit while she calmed me down…she wasn’t letting me back out. Then I remembered some advice that two of my chat room ladies gave me, “Own your look. Be yourself, and no one will give you a second glance.” (Thank you Davita and Nicole Rose!) I got out of the car, straightened my skirt, and we walked to the building, we walked in, got seated, and not a soul cast a sideways glance at me. I was doing it! We ordered drinks, and talked for a bit, and Sarah (that’s what we’ll call my friend) told me the bartender was checking me out. I was read…oh, manure! Now what?
Well, nothing. Nothing at all. He just smiled and went about his business. Whew!!!
We ordered dinner, and to our surprise a second round of drinks appeared on the table. The waitress told us the group of ladies at the next table had sent them over. Sarah looked at me and said, “They know, and it’s okay. It’s their salute to you.” She was right. There was no pointing, giggling, staring. Nothing. They were just saying, “You go, girl!”
I could go on and on about the rest of the night, but there’s really nothing more to tell. We talked, we caught up on old times, and had ourselves a great time. I didn’t die of fright and nobody outed me in public.
I can’t take credit for this first trip into the wild kingdom. You. The supportive ladies here in this group. You helped me do this. You and a very good friend. Thank you is not enough to express how I’m feeling now that I’ve had a chance to look back on this first public experience. But, thank you!
Now, to plan the next excursion.
to chat again,your friend nicole
