We had a game that Sunday. My last day in The Program—so my last day nude on a baseball field.

I didn’t play, though. I wasn’t supposed to pitch, anyway—Frankie pitched. And the coach called me over before the game. "Woodard, I think I’m going to try you in center when Gutierrez pitches—but not today. Rest the leg. We need you on the mound this week."

"Fine with me," I told him.

"Besides which, that means I can get you out on the field with the damn uniform on. Jeez. You nearly gave me a heart attack when you slid on Friday. I hope nobody else on this team goes through The Program."

"I doubt you can count on that," I grinned. "Some of us are kind of waiting for the day when Ed’s number comes up."

"Oh, geez, that’s all I need," Coach groaned. "Get him naked, and he’ll be taking time outs to go try to fuck every girl sitting on the third-base line." Then he blushed. "Scuse my language."

"Fuck your language," I told him with an impish grin. He grinned back. "You should’ve figured out by now that I’m not that pristine."

"Yeah, you’re right," he grinned. "In fact—and I’m being a real jerk by even bringing this up, especially if it’s not true, but I’m curious. I heard a rumor that you ‘got it on’ with some guy in right field."

"True story. Not just ‘some guy,’ though, Skipper. Your starting catcher," I grinned.

"You…and Kirkland?!?"

"Yeah, I thought you knew."

"No, I thought you guys were just good friends."

"No, Coach, sorry. We’re going out. You now have two members of your team dating one another," I grinned at him.

"Aw, Christ, that’s all I need!" Then he thought about something. "Wait a minute. You took your shower with the team Friday. Twenty naked guys. And Kirkland was in there."

"We’re cool with that kind of stuff," I told him. "Look, with every other member of the team, I’m one of the guys. With Mike it’s a little bit more complicated than that, obviously, but he understands how I relate to the rest of the team."

"That’s good. But, look, Lily—listen, I was wrong. You’re good, you’re damn good, and I think this team can really go places this year. And I already knew Kirkland was good. We’re going to need both of you. And if something happens in your personal relationship…."

"Don’t even spare a minute to worry about that," I cut him off. "Look, I know I’m only seventeen, but you know what the world is like today. I’ve been around the block a few times." He nodded. "I’ve finally found a guy that understands me. Completely understands all of me. I didn’t think such a person existed. You think I’m gonna blow that? I’m smarter than that."

"Yes, you are," he laughed. "Go on, get out of here. And don’t distract my catcher!"

"Wouldn’t dream of it. He’s going to need all his concentration to catch that slop that Gutierrez throws!"

After the game—which we won, in a rout, Ed hit two homers—Mike and I headed to the mall. I needed to buy a few things, and we were going to grab some food.

We ran into Jared and Amanda. "You’ll never believe what happened," Amanda told me. "I talked to Allie this morning. She and Stef went to bed last night!"

"Really?" Mike asked. "That’s great."

"Quick, but great," I laughed. "But, then again, quick’s nice."

"You know what’s amusing?" Jared said. "You guys first slept together on the Wednesday of your Program week. So did we."

"Hey, I don’t waste any time," Mike said.

"Oh yes you do," I told him. "You could’ve been fucking my brains out on Tuesday if you weren’t being such a ninny."

"Fine, rub it in," he laughed. "Anyhow, I’m happy for Stef."

"Yeah, Allie seems over the moon," Amanda giggled.

Anyhow, that’s the story of our week in The Program. It turned out not to be the disaster I thought it would be Monday morning. In fact, it turned out to be anything but. I got a boyfriend, made the team, pushed myself to my limits and exceeded them, and learned a lot about myself.

Mike and I are still together—and, I’ll admit, the word "forever" has escaped both of our mouths once or twice. Hey, I’m still in high school, I know. But sometimes you just find your soulmate.

I’m his, too. I’ve really come to terms with who I am, and he’s helped a lot. The week after we were in The Program, I pitched that Thursday. I had my uniform on this time—good ol’ 45 on my back—and I had eyeblack on and my hair up out of the way and all. But I also did something I’ve never done before—I took the pitcher’s mound wearing nail polish, a bit of lip gloss, and earrings. All that and eyeblack too! Stef was right—be who you are. I’m a girl who does some "guy" things.

And Stef, with Allie’s help, started taking her own advice. (Yeah, her. Those gender-neutral things confuse me—and I think of Stef as a girl. Mostly.) She and Allie actually showed up at the Mariner that week. Yes, I said she—she was all dressed as Stef. Word got around, it’s now common knowledge. She’s had some harassment, but Allie’s helping her through it. And she wore a dress to school for the first time the other day—instructed all the teachers to call her Stef. Good for her.

That all happened the week after we were in The Program. The week after that?

Oh, that was the fun week.

Ed’s name came up. Naked Third Baseman On Parade. I’m sure he’ll tell you all about it—it sure was eventful!

--Fin—