I do promise to get back to the Denver trip, but there has been so much going on lately that I want to talk about. Not necessarily in chronological order...
It seems that around our neighborhood, I have been the de facto social organizer when it comes to doing fly-outs. That was true even in the "old days." Generally speaking, if I don't get the ball rolling, everyone is too apathetic to arrange flying to breakfast. Well, I have a plane to fly for a while since I donated a bunch of labor to get my neighbor's plane back in shape. Last Friday I texted everyone, suggesting we fly to breakfast the next morning. After back-and-forth, it was decided to go to the Pyper Kub restaurant on the Williston airport, about 1/2 hour flight north.
Yikes!I say
yikes! because I have a history there. We've been flying there ever since I moved to this place 11 years ago. I have no idea why, but the proprietress, Carol, had taken to me from the beginning, always gushing over me and welcoming me in with big smiles and hugs, and making me promise I wouldn't stay away so long next time. Understand that this was "Steve" she was making such a fuss over.
The last time I was there was on November 4, 2017, according to my log. I was still presenting male, or at least androgynously. While I had what I consider to be my very first male fail there that day, Carol still saw "Steve." I wrote about it here:
https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,228563.msg2045764.html#msg2045764. (Incidentally,
@Jayne01 , this is the entry that prompted you to make your first post on my thread.)
So... I had to face going there for the first time as my new self. I fretted about it all night. There was no way I'd changed enough that she wouldn't recognize me at all. Besides, she'd recognize Sue and the rest of the gang I was flying with. I commiserated with
@SassyCassie about possible scenarios for the next morning. Cassie wondered whether, even long before either me or Carol acknowledged who I really was, that maybe it was actually Stephanie who she was making a fuss over. Could she have sensed it somehow? I had no idea. In any case I decided I was actually kind of looking forward to it. At least it would be over, one way or another. But the whole thing had an unreal quality about it. The place was so familiar, yet would be so new in so many ways. Just the thought of using the ladies' room, right across from the men's room I used to always use - the one with huge posters of Dale Earnhardt on the walls - was disorienting. Most distressing, though, was the uncertainty of my reception by Carol and her gruff husband. How would they react?
Tune in next week for the thrilling conclusion!!No, I wouldn't do that to you.
We landed and tied down the planes. The young lady on the golf cart on the ramp smiled and waved. To leave the airport property, you have to walk through the airport lobby. The guy working the counter and the inevitable airport dawgs hanging around the FBO smiled and said hi. No weirdness there...
Pause outside the door. Deep breath, and walk into the restaurant. Carol was effusive with her welcome to everyone else, who had gone in first. While she was distracted I took my seat, partially screened by the others. She took our breakfast orders, and it seemed like there was no recognition when she took mine. Curious. Coffee refills, still no comments or even noticeable signs she knew who I was. When we were done eating, I went to the ladies' room. Huh. No posters on the wall or any other decorations.
When I came out everyone had paid, and were walking toward the planes. Sue was chatting with Carol, and I summoned the courage of Tia and Cassie, walked up to her, and put my hand on her shoulder. I said, "It's been a long time, hasn't it?"
She said, "Yes, too long!"
I said, "There've been a lot of changes since I was last here."
"Yes, there have, and you need to come back more often!"
I promised I would, and that was it. How very strange. I wonder if she even fully realized what was going on; if it was going to sink in later. I had deliberately dressed up so there would be no question of my intention. In any case, back through the FBO, more smiles, and out to the ramp. The young woman on the golf cart motored up to the two women headed for their plane, and said hi. She had a neat necklace on, and I channeled Tia and complimented her on it, which started a whole conversation about necklaces and other jewelry. Just two stylish women having a chat...
We headed home. I still wonder what went on there, but it turned out a whole lot better than some of the scenarios I'd imagined. I do know, though, that I'll be going back more often now.
Stephanie
