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Different Sides of the Fence
By Lorraine B.

Copyright 2006
All Rights Reserved

Chapter 1:

The day was overcast, gloomy and raining off and on, this was not a good day for me as I walked into the off campus apartment I shared with Daniel Carson. I was caught in a cloudburst and drenched to the skin, the only good thing was that today was Friday and the next two days were mine. My mind was reeling from past events during and after my last class. I was not a happy camper to say the least as I slammed the door to our apartment shut and threw my knapsack full of books down near the couch.

Dan was sitting at the living room computer desk looking at me in amazement saying, "Uh oh, bad day Kat?"

"Nah, my entire world went to shit, that's all." I said as I went for a towel to dry my hair.

"You too Huh? Mary Ann and I just broke up, this time for good." Dan said.

"Good riddance! I told you she was a gold digger, how are you doing otherwise?" I said as I stripped off my clothes where I stood and taking them to my room.

"I'll survive but Mom blew her cork saying the same thing you did. Damn what is it with you both that you can see people for what they truly are? Anyway Mom said the same thing without even knowing you."

"It's a gift, Dan; Tanya and Lee will be here soon to get me ready for the character immersion part of the play we're doing next. Damn it sucks!"

"So what's the play this semester? Pearson and Ball kept it a deep dark secret. Are you doing the casting and directing like you did for La Mancha? People are still speaking about La Mancha that you did last term it was fabulous; those actors fit their roles. Tanya and Lee are makeup and costumes aren't they?"

"The Unsinkable Molly Brown, this time around but set for whenever. Do me a favor and look up Mary Frances Reynolds on the Net, find her vital stats and a picture of her in that role please, while I shower. Please let the girls in when they come."

"Better than that I have the DVD in the library. Sure but who the hell…wait a minute…isn't that Debbie Reynolds?"

"Yeah, so? Hey pretty good for a Sancho Panza, look I really have to shower, I'm freezing." I said leaving the room and thinking about what crap I was going to go through very shortly with Tanya and Lee. What I didn't say was that I was going to be playing Mrs. Johnny Brown and I was not a happy camper about it.”

Okay, so there have been times I have dressed as a young girl or young woman in the past, both for costume parties and plays for supporting roles. When they couldn't find a shrimp to play the girl parts, guess who was that girl? As the thespians say, The Show Must Go On!

While I climbed into my shower my thoughts shifted as I adjusted my water and closed the door. What pissed me off was that I was short, slight statured, longish, dark reddish/blond hair; alright my voice was high both speaking and singing. Okay so I wasn't the most spectacular male specimen on the planet but I also wasn't the most effeminate either or so I thought. In either case I was still a virgin and shaped like a bowling pin, which was always a sense of grief for me and amusement for others.

I checked my body over and shaved what body hair I had, as I was told to do by the diabolic duo that was coming over when I heard our buzzer, which I ignored when my shower door was abruptly pulled open several minutes later with Tanya saying, "What in the world are you using on that body of yours?"

"Soap…" I said as she threw a body wash, conditioner and shampoo at me saying, "Use them and don't give me any crap. Lee is getting ready to do your hair in the kitchen. From what I can see we'll not need much padding or a gaff, yet I do have some ideas in prosthetics."

"Thanks Tanya you really know how to boast the male ego."

"Sorry but I don't see any males in this powder room just two girls; just you and me. Especially with that young girlish shape you have. Look Kat you're not quite five foot two at one hundred pounds, small frame, almost a petite size four or five with a thirty-two chest, maybe a twenty-one or twenty-two inch waist but those hips are about thirty-two or three. I'd kill to have a figure like yours, with my breasts of course. My clitoris is bigger than your thingy!" Tanya said giggling and pointing toward the nether regions of my body.

"Thanks Tanya, just what I needed to hear from you, any more humiliation?" I said as I scrubbed my body. It was true I was humiliated to be told by this girl but I had no words to combat what she had said was true. Here I was a eighteen, almost nineteen year old virgin, the lowest of the low being a freshman going into my Sophomore year being compared by a beautiful creature that was a Junior and would graduate next year. Tanya is indeed gorgeous, as is Lee, yet they're spending this time with me.

"Tanya, why me and why the leading female role?" I asked somehow know what the answer was.

"Because, Pearson and Ball asked us to immerse you into the part. Look the leading lady character was very young and petite when she was married. We all watched the movie and saw the stage performances on film. Okay Damnit, I was in the back row near Pearson when I said facetiously said that Debbie Reynolds and you looked and sounded very close to each other at your audition. " Tanya said shutting down the water and stepping back from me as I gave my dubious look and then realized she hadn't lied with me saying, "So it was you that started this crap, gee thanks, with friends like you I don't need any enemies." While I dried off angrily ready to tell her and everyone to stick the role but with my luck she'd probably stick it in my ass with something large and long that wasn't lubricated.

"Kid you did great with that last production but this will give you further respect in what all actors go through to perfect their roles. Once we have finished with you there are no more boy clothes until the end of the play run. Phyllis Pearson said she already notified all your instructors and administration of what is being done to and for you."

"But classes as a girl? I can't, I just can't do that, the Jocks and the Frat Rats already give me a hard time, now you what to get me killed." I said as Tanya powdered my body.

"Pipe down squirt, no one is going to kill you, Lee is speaking to Dan about that, by the way he doesn't know it yet but he's playing the role of Johnny Brown, Now put these on girl, but of course you may lose these to those jocks and frat rats." Tanya said handing me a pair of golden yellow satin and lace panties, a matching bra and a short gold satin robe with matching satin mules.

I knew better than to say much of anything to this fireball. In my short time in the drama department I learned that Tanya and Lee where both as high up on the evolutionary scale as the two professors that had picked me for this role. I found out also that it wasn't only my wholesomeness or my resemblance to the actress that had played the part but it was also my facial expressions and my singing voice that landed it. When the hell did I sing for them? Oh shit, was it during Man from La Mancha? But that was only during rehearsals. Was it during my audition for the drama department?

I shivered as I drew the panties up my legs and up to my waist with them being a perfect fit. The bra was heavily padded in a A cup and was also a perfect fit as I clasped the hook at my back. The robe was heavenly as I placed it on my hairless body with Tanya smiling and saying, "Feels good Huh? Get used to it girl." I nodded my head in agreement as I slipped on the wedged heeled mules. Tanya wrapped a towel around my hair and led me by the hand toward the kitchen, when I put the brakes on saying, "I can't, Dan is out there."

"Oh yes you can, he's not here, you wuss. We sent him out on some errands and for food. We also called the restaurant to take their time making the food." Tanya said as she dragged me closer to the kitchen.

"Damn Tanya she does look like her in the face, but we'll have to help the body, hair and nails a bit." Lee said smiling.

In six very long hours and three bottles of wine later to anesthetize and release the depression from me, I now had the makeover that most females would sell their souls for; the only problem was that I was a sort of male. I was nearly in shock when I was shown myself in the mirror. My hair was a thick mass of honey blond curls that reached below my shoulders from the perm; my hair shone from the highlights that were added to enhance the color of my dark blond hair. The eyebrows were now thinly arched. My pierced ears were studded with sparkling zirconia. The fingernails were extended by a half inch and painted a deep, dark, rich red, as were my toenails. My eyes were accented in fuchsia and gray shadows, my makeup was flawless and the lashes lengthened. My lips matched the polish and were very full and kissable. When a photo of the grand lady was held next to me to see I had to admit I did in every respect look like her with longer hair. I sincerely hope that this was flattery to her image and I was determined not to do a drag queen impersonation of her.

"I guess she likes our work." Lee said just as the buzzer announced another visitor. I was ready to flee into my room when Lee took my hand into hers holding me still, as Tanya went to the door allowing Phyllis Pearson and Ernie Ball entering the apartment with Phyllis saying, "How's our star doing?" They and I were amazed as they took in the picture of the woman that received an Oscar Nomination for that movie with me reprising her role of Molly Brown.

"Ernie, would you please bring our star her new wardrobe from the step van and take her old clothes out in the hall down to it." Phyllis said and Ernie complying.

"I think this was the best makeover job I ever did, wasn't it Kat?" Lee said hugging me.

"I think that Kat is very inappropriate now considering her status." Phyllis said smiling while I was still trying to comprehend the female pronoun of her and the saying, "Mom always said I was going to be named Kathy spelled K A T H L E E N, Kristen Piet if I was born a girl so I guess we'll grant her, her wish."

Ernie had returned with a trunk saying, "Lee, you said the clothes were out in the hallway?"

"Yes, that's where I placed ten bags of boy stuff, why?"

"Well I think we'll have to replace it all. The bags weren't out there." Ernie said as he went out the door again. Great! Now someone ripped me off of all my clothes and shoes. The whole shebang got lifted and I was pissed off.

"Kathy, I know you were drinking before and you are underage but now I suggest you have a drink." Phyllis said as she escorted me to a chair and Lee poured a glass of Rose' Wine for me.

"Well Sweets, at least you'll have clothes to wear." Lee said as she handed me the wine glass.

"Yeah all girl’s clothes and I'm not even a girl."

"I beg to differ dear, until the end of the run you are and will be all girl everyday for the next several months, for this term, the entire summer and next term. In the fall you will be Molly Brown. Ladies, will you unpack Kathy's new wardrobe for her?" Phyllis said as Ernie brought in another trunk and left again.

"Sure, but will she have enough room for everything?" Tanya asked with Phyllis saying, "Make room for her wardrobe and I expect the both of you to train her well in our womanly arts, your grade depends upon it to be accepted into graduate school. And you young lady, better be amenable and an apt student by my TAs instructions. As far as anyone knows she has always been a girl, got it?"

Young lady? Girl? Parties and plays are one thing but living as a young woman is a different story altogether. Oh crap, then there's Dan to think about and every male there is of the same species. If I look like this but with clothes on leaving the apartment, I'll be in for the roughest six months of my life. I'll have the mark on me, if anyone finds out the truth.

"But professor, I can't…Classes…chores…"

"Sorry Kathy but you must, look sweetie we do it every day of our lives. You must learn to be the epitome of that grand, elegant lady you will be portraying as she portrayed Molly Brown. You will become her, the original actress, and her character that is why you are learning the immersion technique of acting." Phyllis said as Ernie came inside several more times with yet more trunks and saying, "That's all twenty-five trunks, now ladies please get this young lady dressed so that I may get the full effect. Besides it's not proper for a young woman to sit around dressed as she is with men present."

Again I was dragged from my chair and into the larger of the two bedrooms seeing added furniture that was once Dan's room with me saying, "Ah…This is Dan's room…"

"Was Dan's room is the keyword, now it's Kathy's room. Now off with the Bra and robe please." Tanya said as she started to bring out more clothes than I had ever seen before in my life.

Lee first wrapped and hooked me into a strapless gold satin corset that went just barely below the waist with Tanya pulling the cords taunt and tying it off. It was so tight I had to take short breaths while they both pulled up some loose flesh up and placed it into the bra cups. It gave the illusion of my own breasts and looking a bit bigger and with more cleavage. I was seated at a vanity table as sheer black stockings were rolled up my legs and fastened to the garters of the corset that were drawn through my panties so I could use the toilette without stripping. Next was a gold colored half slip and straight crepe skirt that zippered and buttoned in the back resting the hem about one inch above the knee. The jacket that was added was the same crepe material with a contrasting collar of gold and white embroidered flowers with a tapered waist and seven pearl buttons. The shoes added to my feet were gold, sling back sandals with a transparent vamp, gold strappy overlay with almost a three-inch, clear Lucite heel that fit just as well as all the clothes did. A thin gold necklace, bracelet and anklet were added and I was made to walk toward the full-length mirror in the room while the three women smiled at me into my reflection.

"See dear we told you, you could do it. Tanya you were correct we do have our younger Debbie Reynolds for the next show." Phyllis said as I stared mesmerized at the reflection in the mirror. After looking at the previous picture that the girls held I could be her twin but just an inch or so taller after I read her statistics.

"C'mon Kathy let's show Ernie and then I get to take him home and have my way with my husband." Phyllis said smiling taking me by the arm and leading me after spraying some perfume on me.

"Husband, we all thought…"

"Yes dear Kathy, he is my husband, Pearson is my stage name and I will say this, I bet Daniel and his pants will tent when they both sees you." Phyllis said giggling just as I entered the living room with Ernie and Dan sitting on the couch watching television.

When they heard us their heads turned with Dan giving a long wolf whistle and then saying, "Wow, is that you Kat?"

"No longer is there a Kat, this young lady is Kathleen from now on and I smell food." Phyllis said with us girls going into the kitchen and preparing plates. Okay so I called myself a girl, the way I looked, I sure as hell wasn't a corned beef sandwich on rye bread with a pickle. I felt at ease and at peace in the constraining garments I wore, besides being taller with the heels. I felt and acted graceful; being femininely demure with the attention I received. To be honest although this was not the first time I was dressed like this, it was blissfully natural to me, but the next months would be my trial by fire.

In some respects I’ve denied the real me and she has returned with a vengeance.

After preparing a plate, a glass of beer and utensils for Dan with all his favorite Chinese foods, I went back into the living room with it and handed it to him. He seemed a little taken aback that I was serving him until I smiled at him with Ernie saying, "Shit, she even has her smile, oh yes she will work out fine."

"Phyllis, you won the bet. Ah…Daniel please don't look at me like I have four heads…they both have them!" I said being cut off by Dan and hearing Phyllis giggle.

"I'm sorry but you're so damned gorgeous."

"Well in that case dear sir, I thank you for the complement, now eat, If you want anything else please call your personal waitresses and we'll get what you would like, of food that is."

"Ah, Kathy, I see what I would like to have right now and even later on." Dan said as I giggled and walked back to the kitchen with my hips swaying seductively. After preparing my plate I sat down after I smoothed my skirt to the delight of the women as they watched my every move. When I crossed my legs after I had finished, Tanya said, "I really think you really are a girl."

It was then I told them about the hell I received from other kids until I became active in drama, clothes design, dance, chorus and art. I won many awards for the schools I attended, from grade school to high school. I was what some commonly referred as creative and faggot by others. I won't say I was a brain, as I had to study probably longer and harder than any kid to get myself here into this college. I forgot what a social life was, preferring the solitude or the company of adults at the Little Theatres and Dinner Playhouses that never ridiculed what they saw before them.

"I was there when Kathy auditioned; she did Memories from Cats, Damn she was good." Tanya said.

"At first I was leery when I read the synopsis of her audition but now I agree her costume and makeup were the exact duplicate of Elaine Page's character. I was so lost into her performance I thought I was watching Cats from the audience again and Elaine Page singing the song in London." Ernie said coming into the kitchen to attack the Egg Rolls and the Dim Sum.

"Yeah, that's true but she almost killed me and Roger in that Singin' In The Rain number Good Mornin'. Did you know she made the costumes also for that number? She drove us all crazy for three weeks getting the number right since I…"

"You have two left feet and not a bit of patience, when I was making those costumes for us all." I said smiling.

"We found out about the costumes later, yet I was amazed to see a boy dancing that number in heels and a dress. You were doing it so naturally but that was also what brought on the idea for this next project, with I might add along with the blessings of the Board of Regents, after they saw your audition tapes and read my proposal for the next show. That's also why you and Daniel were cast into the leading roles, that was their stipulation to the play and I believe they think it will be a guaranteed success. Kathy, the only problem was they don't know your true birth status, but they insisted. Who are we to argue with them? You both have a certain chemistry, a finesse that you hardly every see anymore when you both work together." Phyllis said smiling just as the buzzer went off at our security door and Daniel having a stupid look on his face hearing he was the lead male.

I was in a panic when I heard my mother's voice on the intercom saying, "Okay Daniel let me in please, it's raining again." The fear etched on my face was evident to everyone in the apartment. My mother was here, why? She never comes here because she hates to drive the two hours to get here so I always have to go see her. On many of the trips, I dragged Dan with me not only for the company, but to make sure that peace was maintained in the house being that I come from a somewhat nutty family.

Mom was five foot eight and built like a female immortal human dynamo that relished any form of activity to keep her fit and her mind occupied. Dad was, from what I remember, over six foot and a couch potato that loved his televised sports and beer. I know they're exact opposites but hey, at night they used to make those bedsprings dance and sing. By occupation dad was an extreme high voltage electrician that maintained those generators that feed electricity to the homes from the Hydro generating plant. That was until before his death in an electrical storm repairing those generators for the grid. While Mom is an Assistant Administrator for a large five hundred-bed hospital in the major city near us.

Daniel met Mom at the door and introduced her to everyone while I hid in the background until that Fayeful moment Mom said, “Sorry about the surprise visit kids, but my schedule gave me the weekend off and I wanted to spend some time with the both of you. Where's Kat?"

It was then that the waters parted and Mom got a good look at me with her eyes widening in surprise and sitting down very slowly to a vacated chair saying, "Oh my, please turn for me dear and then come over here." I did as she said and came to stand away from her at arms length.

"I told you Mrs. Piet, Kathy will be a hit in the show." Phyllis said as tears formed in my mother's eyes.

"Kathy? You remembered what we were going to name you if you were born a girl; I am so very pleased that great grandma's name fits you dear. Now I would like a kiss from my daughter for the next several months." Mom said as I went to kiss her cheek and she held me to her as she stood with her saying softly, "She looks so very much like my mother and grandma. I can't believe, I mean I've seen her in character before and for the parties but I had no idea."

"Dan please bring my cases up from the car, I mean if it's okay with you, I'd like to stay here with you for the weekend?" Mom asked.

Dan and I both agreed with him to bring up her cases seeing my mother smile and me saying, "Mom I have household chores and a paper to do…"

"So, we could all help you and tomorrow we'll all go out to eat dinner as my guests." Dan said as Lee and Tanya begged off as they both had dates but Phyllis and Ernie said they would be honored to come.

Okay, I failed to say that Dan's family was loaded or was that Dan? Whatever, he was the one to rent this apartment. It was quieter, cheaper and had more privacy living off campus than on campus for the both of us. I was fortunate to have seen his advertisement on the Drama School bulletin board; okay so it was a three by five card. I refused to sponge off of Mom, we meaning Dan and I shared mostly all the expenses of living together but still living costs rose that I had to work for the college part time in the drama department, do fashion design and seamstress work for the students at a reasonable price. Dan was happy, though our interests weren't similar. It was just so he didn't have to cook; but he did help do many of the other things around our home that we shared.

While Dan and Ernie had brought in mother's cases, we meaning, Tanya, Lee, Phyllis, Mom and myself sat around the kitchen table discussing what was going to happen in my immersion process of my craft. From what I gathered Phyllis had spoken first to Mom several weeks ago and proposed this transformation I went through to her. Although how I had turned out was far beyond what anyone had or could have imagined possible.

It was getting on past One AM when everyone pulled the plug for the evening, leaving Dan and I in the very capable hands of my mother. I kissed them all and thanked them for what they had managed to accomplish in such a short amount of time. Sure I was pleased but deep down inside of me I missed the old male self and had regrets about what was done to me. Was I concerned that the old male me would return? I didn't know. What I did know is I felt correct in my role. But was it a role or my new life?

Just as the door was closed and locked for the night Mom spoke saying, "Now let's sit down and talk for a while, just the three of us, okay. Just family?" with the three of us going back into the living room with Dan and I sitting on the couch and Mom sitting in one of the living room chairs.

"Daniel, are you okay with this situation? I mean with Kathy being here now instead of…"

"Sure Mrs. P., besides Kathy is a hell of lot prettier than my former roommate was. I also think Kathy has always been around." Dan said as the alarm bells sounded in my brain when he said the words prettier and has always been around.

"Kathy do you really know or sense what journey you are about to embark on? Being a young woman is entirely different from being a young man, as you will soon find out. Kathy dear, live this time to the fullest as a young woman with no regrets in anything that you do. But do be careful in what you do. Daniel I expect you be the perfect gentleman, as you always are. I ask that you be around and for Kathy's protection. If there is a problem call Phyllis or me immediately. Also if you call me anything other than Corrine, Mother or Mom I will take…"

"I get the message Mom, jeez before this immersion stuff…"

"Oh Daniel, I'm sorry to put you through this, I don't want anyone to think the worst of me, especially you." I said as I reached over and touched his hand with mine that he took into his and held it. I felt an electrical charge flow through my body. I saw the smile that formed on my mother's lips as he held my hand with the charge flowing through me. Why in the world was I allowing this show of affection toward me by Daniel? I knew I wasn't Gay but then I think I might be attracted to him in so many ways that I couldn't begin to describe. Did I want to be his lover or friend? Well that was obvious that I wanted and valued his friendship, a lover, not hardly, well maybe. Oh I don't know! I was still a male just as he is.

"Okay so I guess we all agree, Kathy is coming with me to her room and you Daniel, make sure we're safe for the night." Mom said as she got up and walked to Daniel giving him a kiss on the cheek and pulling me along with her to my new room.

"My goodness all of these still have to be unpacked?" Mom said as we went into the bedroom indicating the stacked clothing trunks. I nodded yes looking at the mess of trunks stacked all over the room. It would take me forever to unpack all of them and get the trunks into the storage area. However Mom just smiled and said it would be done before she left. She wasn't too pleased with the overly male bedroom set and said it would have to go and more closet space was needed. Ah, Mom, this is an apartment not a house were my thoughts as she spoke to me.

In a manner of speaking I was happy she was talking to me and then I realized she was talking to her child, her daughter and not her son. I recalled that this is the way it was each time I prepared for a role or party. She had something to say and to share with only just her daughter. I felt privileged to hear her words of wisdom. I felt closer to her with a stronger bond to this woman that bore me. I paid attention to every word she said, as I carefully undressed with her watching my every movement. She seemed pleased and proceeded to undress herself with me in the room saying, "You do know Daniel likes you?"

"Sorry Mom, I don't have the right equipment." I said as I rummaged through the dresser for nightwear finding a pair of hot pink satin pajamas.

"Love will find a way dear. Just remember he sees you as a woman and a potential mate, though I doubt a conquest. Haven't you ever noticed he always treated you as a female?" She said as she unloosened the ties of my corset for sleeping.

"That's madness! Mom I haven't changed…"

"Oh but you have changed dear, you now fit his visual senses of the girl he has always seen you as, in his mind. Oh I brought you your allergy pills and Grandma can't wait to see her new granddaughter, she sent cookies for you both and several blueberry pies." Mom said as I thought, great I have a roommate in sexual lust, pills that put me asleep and a grandparent that wants to stuff my face and fatten me up. She pulled out a pair of the pink satin pajamas that could have matched mine from her case and immediately put them on.

"Mom, did you supply my wardrobe?" I asked, as she smiled not saying a word. She could be devious and I had to assume she had. Let's face it I was a student, didn't have a pot to piss in, I wore small sizes that wardrobe normally didn't have, I was too stubborn to ask for anything unless I earned it so I would say yes.

Once we were attired somewhat properly I was dragged into the bathroom and instructed in makeup removal from her standpoint and not the theater profession. While stripping off the makeup all I saw was that girl still in the mirror. It was as if the old me was gone I think for good. If he was gone would I miss him, I don't think so, however I would miss seeing this girl in the mirror that I now saw. I gazed at her face to study it, not seeing anything resembling my former male self and left for the bedroom climbing into bed.

In minutes Mom joined me, sharing my bed with me and hugging me to her breast. This was something she had not done in years with me. I closed my eyes and fell asleep, feeling the security she offered me that I had not really felt since I was a child.

Chapter 2:

My dreams that night were not remembered as I awoke the following early morning. Mom was still asleep as I left the bed to answer the call of nature. I silently grabbed the robe and slippers I wore the day before and headed off to the powder room, did my business, washed up and brushed my hair to where it was the evening before. Once again that girl was staring back at me from the mirror but this time she was smiling, as I headed off to the kitchen.

I made a hot breakfast for everyone when Daniel came into the kitchen, placed his arm around my waist turning me around facing him, when he kissed me tenderly and with an ardor I had never experienced in all my life. I attempted to struggle at first and then gave into his desires and mine. Oh yes I liked it and I wanted more, ever so much more.

"Am I interrupting something? I smelled the food and I'm starved." Mom said forcing us to break our embrace. Mom had that look on her face of I told you so when she looked at me.

"Ah, no Mom we were just…" I said as we both turned red from embarrassment.

"Kathy dear, I am not blind nor am I stupid, however I am hungry." Mom said as Dan helped me to bring the food to the table with him sitting very close to me with his leg touching and rubbing mine which I might add he had never done previously. Was this some sort of mating ritual that men were supposed to do? I guess I will have to discuss this with him and send him to the showers or quite possibly me too, I thought as I took my pills that Mom had brought. Damn with my luck he'd join me. Hey, maybe that might work!

We had finished eating when Daniel went out for the morning paper with just Mom and I in the apartment alone for a few minutes when I told her what Dan was doing to me at breakfast. She giggled and said he was very interested in me. Just wonderful and what was I supposed to do when she wasn't here to save my sorry ass? I had no experience in handling men or my emotions. What do I do? I know, just don't bend over at the waist!

By the time Daniel came back, Mom was already into the shower and I called Daniel to help me wash and cleanup the kitchen. In minutes we were finished when I made him sit down in the living room with me saying, "Daniel what in the hell is wrong with you? I put on a skirt and what you want I can't give you. It's to the point I'm afraid to bend over and you trying to put a smile on my face."

"Kathy, we've lived together for almost a year, I've always liked you and thought you were something special. I'm sorry but I fell in love with the female you when we were working together for your audition. I was the one that broke up all those relationships, because I really wanted you and me to be together, only I didn't know how to bring that girl inside you back to me. I would never harm you for any reason."

"Daniel do you know what you're saying? I don't have the right equipment to properly make love, I can't give you kids and right now I'm so damned confused…"

"Kathy darling, listen to the man, he's being totally honest with you." Mom said loudly from the powder room.

"Daniel, listen to me please, your parents will have to be told and what happens if I decide to revert to my former self after the run of the play?"

"For some reason you and I both know you won't, I've never seen you so comfortable, so self assured and so positive. To be honest with you, Kathy is not only hot but spontaneous, sweet and outgoing. That’s why I love her so damn much."

"How in the hell can you love me? Don't you understand I can't…"I said as I got up and ran from the room to my bedroom crying. I threw myself on the bed and cried heavily until I felt someone sit next to me, placing their arm around me and lifted me to them. On opening my eyes I saw it was Daniel that drew me up into his arms and held me to him as if I was a porcelain doll. I started to calm down as he held me to him with him saying, "Kathy, please don't cry. I see your point in everything you said, but there are also rebuttals to every objection. First, my parents will love you as much as I do, but they don't need to know everything at once. Secondly, we can adopt children. Thirdly, you could get the right equipment, until then we could still…"

"Daniel, please don't even say it. I'm so sorry for running away from you and I promise I won't do it ever again, but now is not the time to talk with Mom being here."

"I agree, yet this conversation is not over between us." Dan said as I nodded agreement and shooed him from the bedroom so I could dress and start on the housework.

I made the bed and went into the closet I found a pair of khaki slacks, a dark blue sweatshirt and brown loafers just as Mom came into the room shutting the door and saying softly, "Darling believe me when I say he does love you. You both have excellent arguments but they can and will be worked out. Do you remember when you were little when I used to dress you as a little girl and we would go out together? Never in your life did you act like a boy when you were young. One of the reasons I stopped that was your dad asked me to because he was afraid that you'd be imprinted with being a girl. I loved him so much I did do as he asked, but when you asked for the dancing lessons and everything else that goes with being a girl I had to break my promise to him. I let you dress as you wished. When you were growing up I saw things that made you different from all the other boys. I saw myself. I saw your grandma and great grandma in you and saw none of the male side of the families. When I saw pictures of you and then the girls of our family I saw you."

"Like sexual predisposition? Mom when I was made over yesterday it felt right, when I saw myself in the mirror it was as if I always saw this person when I saw the old side of me it was a stranger. It was just like all the plays and all those Halloweens of the past, or when I grew my little breasts for no apparent medical reason."

"Darling all I want is for you to be you, we wanted you to be happy, and that was what your father and I decided so many years ago. When you played all those girl parts and studied En Pointe in Ballet that was when he, no we decided to let you choose your own path, by the way Mrs. Kraven thought you were one of her best students. I was the one that gave you sewing lessons after you begged me to do so. We also knew from the teachers you had asked for those roles and they called me for permission. A few teachers thought it was strange, but others cared less as long as you participated." Mom said as I went to her and hugged her that she returned ten fold to me. For the first time I felt relieved that I wasn't doing anything wrong in dressing and acting as a female, strike that, acting as myself yet I was still scared.

Mom went with me to the powder room after Daniel took his shower and I chastised him for being a slob. I made him go back into the bathroom and clean up the mess he made, while Mom smiled saying I was acting as if I was his wife. With the Bath cleaned up, we went inside and I took off my pajamas and lingerie with Mom's help. I was never so overjoyed to be freed from that corset and dreaded that I had to put another one on after my bath that Mom talked me into.

While I relaxed in the hot fragrant waters of the bath Daniel snuck into the bathroom excitedly saying, "Sorry but I just got off the telephone with my Mom and I really need your help or I'm dead."

"Daniel, calm down and speak to me, what's wrong?"

"I'm screwed that's all! I forgot about my older sister, Lisa's wedding in three weeks, Gracie was going with me to protect me from those moronic, man hungry, penniless, society bitches looking for Daddy Warbucks, now I'm screwed without a date."

"Oh no, you want me to take her place and protect your big, hairy ass." I said making him go get Mom and letting her hear what he wanted from me with Mom saying, "I think you'll have fun together. Dear you're an accomplished dancer and actress, pretend that this role is for the Oscar. Tonight I'll speak to Phyllis and I'll speak to your mother, we'll work something out, now Daniel get out of here and let your girlfriend and my daughter finish her bath in peace."

Mom forcibly pulled Daniel out of the bath but not before he kissed us both, me on the lips and Mom on the cheek. I felt an exciting tingle as his lips brushed mine that I told Mom about when she came back saying it was the magic spark to start the fire in a relationship. Great, now please keep the flammables away!

Leaving the bath I dried, powdered and was helped into pink colored fresh lingerie being trussed tightly into another satin corset without garters. I drew suntanned colored knee-highs up and was helped into my jeans. Mom watched carefully as I did my makeup and then putting on my sweatshirt and brushing my hair. I placed a pair of dark blue leather pumps with a two-inch high heel onto my feet with my Mom saying, "I think you're more girl than you're willing to admit Kathy, but of course I've always known it."

"I don't know about that, but I did watch you an awful lot and to learn the makeup application for the stage. No Mom, I never used your stuff without your permission. I don't know it just feels so natural for me doing all of this." I said as we both walked from the bathroom and started the chores. With the three of us working we were finished in no time even with me doing the laundry and unpacking all of the trunks. Mom had called Phyllis and spoke with her confirming where we would eat which was the Pisa Palazzo Ristorante at Seven PM. The Pisa Palazzo wasn't the swankiest place in town but it has inexpensive good food, excellent service and very private. Phyllis and Ernie had also arranged an escort for Mom that just so happened to be my English Literature Professor, Edward Tavis and he was coming to pick up Mom. Talking about a stacked deck against you, well there it was.

We all managed to relax even as I worked on my paper at the computer enjoying each other's company. Just as I finished the last word of the paper Mom announced it was time to get ready. I told Daniel that if I was going dressed up, so was he going to be especially if I was going to be his girlfriend for the wedding. He was so pleased that if I had asked him to wear an electric lime green tuxedo and a purple paisley silk shirt he would have done it.

In my room I choose a red one-piece dress that was sleeveless with scalloped edged lacing and a gored chiffon skirt that went exactly to two inches above my knees. My shoes were red leather sling back pumps with an open toe and three inch heel.

With Mom's help I was into new red panties, red strapless corset with garters and a half-slip. I was about to put on sheer stockings when Mom gave me a pair of red stockings she had found in my dresser. I redid my makeup for evening and stepped into my dress and shoes. A quick brush to my hair, jewelry, perfume, red purse, and red sweater and voila, I was ready.

Going out to the living room I was greeted by the most handsome sight I had ever seen, Daniel in a three piece light blue/gray pinstripe suit, a white shirt with French cuffs, and blue tie. My Lord, he even had his hair combed! We both smiled at each other and approved of what we saw and lightly kissed each other. He took my hand into his saying, "Kathy, for my sake please don't ever revert and you're so damn beautiful." I leaned over and kissed Daniel when the buzzer rang with me going to the door and then downstairs allowing Mom's date Edward Tavis in saying, "Hi professor, Mom's still getting dressed."

"Young lady please stop and turn around for me. Are you in one of my classes? Oh no you're in…. my but you do have a striking resemblance to an actress, Oh dear Lord, you're…"

"Yes professor, I'm Kathy Piet and my Mother, Corrine is expecting you in our apartment." I said as we walked up the stairs, entering the apartment with Edward Tavis saying, "If I hadn't of seen you before your transformation I would have said impossible, now I stand corrected. Have you finished the paper I assigned you?"

"Yes sir, but I haven't cleaned it up yet."

"For the next assignment I would like for you to create two journals and enter all your experiences. I would like one daily entry and one synopsis of your week, be as graphic as you wish and start from your transformation date. I'll be right back." The professor said as he left the apartment and return in minutes with a camera bag saying, "In addition to the journal I would like photo documentation both film and digital to accompany it and since Daniel there is also in our class he will be the photographer.

I will speak and show these photos to all the professors on your behalf, speaking to them personally. Mr. Carson since you are also in my classes you will become this lady's shadow, photographer and whatever, just as Phyllis and Ernest stated to you. In order to prepare your instructors properly I insist you not attend classes until mid week so that we are all fully prepared for your emergence."

What emergence Darling?" Mom said as she entered making her entrance wearing a striking off the shoulder silk black dress that showed vast amount of cleavage, showed her womanly curves and that rested several inches above her knees with black hose and black, three inch, high heeled pumps. Professor Edward Tavis's eyes almost popped out along with Daniel, but Edward was really ready for action. I had to agree that Mom could be elegant in anything she wore but now she screamed sexuality. We made the introductions and Mom immediately was taken with him and his suave gentlemanly ways and panache.

Seeing that we needed to leave I went to my bedroom and slipped on a red pleated sweater coat over my shoulders and grabbed a black silk shawl that was moms from the bed, our purses and went back to the living room. I heard laughter and saw that Tavis and Mom had hit it off. It was funny because he seemed to be such a stuffed shirt but so could Mom. Oh well, two peas in a pod?

We locked up the apartment and went down to the car deciding that Mom and Tavis would go in the Professor's Cadillac and we would take Daniel's Jeep Cherokee. In seconds it seemed that I had sat and swung my legs into the Jeep with Daniel closing the door behind me. It was funny how much attention I was getting from him.

After pulling away from the curb we made small talk when he reached over and took my hand into his that I gave willingly saying, "Daniel, I'm a bit confused, I mean you could have any woman but yet I'm not a woman and you want me, why?"

"Kathy, maybe you're the answer to my prayers. When I dated other girls they wanted to be wined, dined and heavily gifted; even on the first date. You on the other hand live with me, we never argue, we get along admirably, you listen to me and are concerned. I see you working hard to make a few extra bucks and never have I heard you ask your mother or me to help you. I prayed for a woman like you every night and now as strange as it seems my prayers were answered."

"Daniel Carson, what did I tell you before?" I said forcefully.

"I know but please let's just enjoy each other; I don't mean sexually, but as a man and a woman having fun being with each other.” He said just as we pulled up to the restaurant and parked.

"Okay Daniel, it's a day at a time." I said as I gently squeezed his hand as he went out his door, around the car and opened my door. I swung my legs out and stood on my tiptoes, kissing his cheek saying, "Thank you dear, now will you kindly take me inside, I'm famished." Dan smiled then closed the door and offered me his arm as we walked into the restaurant.

In the foyer, Ernie was waiting for us and took Daniel off to the side and spoke to him briefly. Daniel nodded his head in agreement and came back to me escorting me to our table.

Mom, the professor, Phyllis, Ernie and another couple were seated. Ernie made the introductions as Daniel pulled out my chair, seated me and then sat himself as he held my hand underneath the table. The new couple were friends of Ernie and Phyllis named Glen and Jessie from out of state that had come to visit them, also college professors. They seemed to be friendly but all through the meal it seemed as if everyone at our table except Daniel was watching me. Him, he just held my hand and had a stupid look on his face.

Daniel paid for the meal as promised and suggested we go dancing at a new club called La Cantina. I was game for anything at this point feeling as if I'd been under a microscope during the meal. At least if I felt those same feelings of being stared at the club Daniel and I could disappear on the dance floor or go back to the apartment if the place was crowded enough.

On arriving at the club La Cantina you could hear the strains of a Latin beat out in the street. Inside the club people were mingling but it wasn't overly crowded. We ordered from a waitress and then I took Daniel out onto the large dance floor when a Tango began to play. By the third Latin and Salsa rhythms that were played, we had a crowd watching, Daniel and I, as we suggestively traversed the dance floor when there were several flashes from a camera.

With the song finished I needed to sit down, cool off and drink something like the fruit punch I ordered, you heard me, fruit punch since I was under twenty-one. Before I sat I brushed Daniel's lips with a kiss much to everyone's delight with an older handsome Latino man and beautiful Latina woman coming over saying, "You kids were great out there on the floor. I'm Carlos and this is my wife Lupe we're the owners of the club. You both burned up that floor doing that Tango and showed the kids that the dance steps aren't that hard to do."

"Carlos just ask the kids, oh never mind tupido, you can be such a meathead at times. Kids could you come in twice a week for two hours and give dance lessons, we'll make it worth your while let's say a hundred dollars a day each, plus whatever you charge for the lessons, free food and anything you want to drink for each of you." We decided not to charge for any of the lessons just to bring the people in and taste the food, enjoy the music and the atmosphere of our Cantina; we want people to enjoy themselves."

"Kathy, since you have to keep limber for the show it might be a good idea." Phyllis said.

I looked at Daniel and Mom as they both smiled at me with me saying, "Since our manager over there has spoken, it would have to be on your slow nights wouldn't it?"

"Sure, Monday and Wednesday are the worst from six until eight PM. We have good food that gets wasted." Carlos offered with Daniel smiling and saying, "I think it would be fun for us to do Kathy, besides you'll need to dance with me in the play and at Lisa's wedding."

Why is it that the holes keep getting deeper and deeper for me? It took several minutes when I made a decision saying, “Please sit with us, Okay but tell everyone it's casual clothing but they must use the shoes they will be dancing in and they have to be functional for the ladies to move around in."

As Carlo and Lupe sat down Carlos said, "Caro, they will help us, now we have a chance to make this dream of ours work. You will not regret this decision, nuestro bonito chica y nuestro pequeño Salvador."

"Poppa, speak English! I am sorry but my dear husband does get emotional and reverts to Spanish, he called you our beautiful girl and our little savior. Please enjoy your evening but when can we expect you to start?"

"Next week Monday, so you can publicize the event we'll be giving dancing lessons at all levels from beginner to advanced from Ballroom to Latin American to Disco." I said with Mom smiling to show me her approval.

"We'll all help at the college, besides Ernie says I'm getting too rounded of a butt." Phyllis said.

"You are teachers there?" Carlos asked.

"Not all of us, that's my mother, this is Daniel my boyfriend and I'm Kathy, Glen and Jessie are friends of Phyllis and Ernie over there." I said not believing I called Daniel my boyfriend to everyone at our table. I just knew I was going to suffer for that faux pas once I was alone with the ladies. Anyway the gist of the conversation was we would make some extra money two hundred a week for each of us just for helping others to learn to dance. Hey it was money and I didn't care if I had to be Carmen Miranda and wear a fruit bowl hat on my head. Mmmm…Bananas!

We all had a grand time dancing, talking and just having fun for the next several hours. I saw that even professor Tavis and Mom were having fun, as was everyone else until about One AM when the day and evening was finally catching up with me. I asked Daniel to take me home and told everyone I was exhausted. We said our goodbyes to Carlos and Lupe and assured them we would be there to start on the following Monday and gave them our telephone number, address and slipped quietly out the door with Daniel's arm drawing me close to him with him saying, "Dear, did you know that those friends of Phyllis and Ernie are psychiatrists? They were both observing us."

I stopped walking suddenly and looked at Daniel saying, "No and how do you know?"

"When you went to the Powder room, I heard them discussing us and Ernie slipped and called them Doctors." Daniel said as we went to the car and he opened my door for me.

"Great, so now I'm psychotic! So where are the men in the white coats?" I said as I swung my legs into the car and he shut the door.

"That's not funny Kathy! Phyllis said sometimes it's hard for an actor to lose the character after the run has been completed when they immerse themselves. She never told those shrinks fully about you until your Mom told them; they thought you were born a girl. They said the female side of you was too natural, too deep for you to be anything else. With the immersion into Debbie Reynolds and her character of Molly Brown they said you'd be perfect and would always be yourself afterward." Daniel said getting into the driver's seat and starting the engine.

I was silent as we drove back to our home after thinking about the situation I couldn't blame Phyllis or Ernie for what they did. I was distracted by my thoughts when I felt Daniel's hand take my hand and him saying, "Are you okay?"

"I guess so, I'm just tired from all the activity. It's funny that normally my Mom is the one that's a ball of fire and tonight I was glowing brighter than she ever did. Now what are we going to do with the extra money?"

"Oh I don't know how about we buy a house together and live as man and wife?"

"Daniel Carson, your parents and family would go crazy, especially if they found out about me."

"Naw, they all want me to be happy and I am when I'm with you. Mom even said I sounded happy after I called her back telling her I have a date and her name was Kathleen Kristen Piet and she will also be my fiancée."

"Are you totally insane or just blatantly daft, as the Brits say. What am I going to do with you? Daniel, please don't say things like that! You know…"

"Yes you can and you aren't a male as anyone can plainly see, even the shrinks said that." Daniel said as we pulled over to the curb. He drew me firmly to him and kissed me ever so passionately making my toenails curlicue as I closed my eyes. I felt my heart rate and respiration rise, my tiny breast nipples engorged and hardened as my body tingled in response to his kiss. Never in my life had I ever felt as I did now, my lord I wanted him, all of him in me to quench the fire that consumed me. We broke the kiss and stared into each other's eyes, I saw the sparks that my father had for my mother when I was younger and I saw not only sexual passion but also his love for me.

I had to think as things were happening too swiftly as I sat back into the seat of the Jeep as he resumed driving to our home. I remained quiet until we were at last through our apartment doorway and shut the door. I turned to him pulling him down to me by his arms and kissed him fully and ever so deeply reviving the few embers that had not died out from the ride home.

Daniel picked me up into his strong arms and carried me to my bedroom allowing me to stand, pulling him toward me. I felt everything of his as we undressed each other and explored our bodies as we kissed. We broke our kiss and I managed to remove the corset and stockings, putting on a black transparent negligee and panties as he went to the bathroom. I checked and repaired most of the damage to my makeup just as he returned to my arms. We positioned ourselves upon the bed and kissed, once again we explored each other with him beginning to probe with his dancing fingers lubricating me.

Oh Lord I was in heaven as he penetrated me making me squeal with the pain allowing a joyous, warm feeling within me. With each thrust he went deeply into me with me crying out my joy. My arousal grew as he sucked at my nipples and kissed me with that tingle that grew. It had grown in me was growing larger, and faster just as I felt he was increasing in size within me. Suddenly I was rocked internally by an orgasm just as he was releasing his seed into me as I cried out louder that I really did love him. Oh it was heavenly bliss!

I felt somewhat different after our act, not that it was dirty but it was fulfilling. Yes that's the word fulfilled, I want to use; I was fulfilled. Was I going to miss being a boy? Not in the least I thought as we held each other into our arms and kissed again. I saw that Daniel was happy just as I was fulfilled as I closed my eyes and drifting to sleep in my lover's arms.

Chapter 3:

I awoke at Six AM my normal time with someone's arms wrapped around me. Turning my body I saw it was Daniel and I kissed him saying, "Daniel dear, wakey, wakey, c'mon we have to get up now, so go take a shower, because your girlfriend wants you to get up."

"I’ll get up only if my girlfriend makes me breakfast this morning?" Daniel said just as I hit him with a pillow saying, "First you take my virginity and now you want breakfast, oh I guess so!" Then I kissed him, ran to the bathroom and locked the door. I used the commode and went into the shower. After a quick shower I felt clean, dried off and put on my shorty robe that was on the door and went out where Daniel was waiting and saying, "That wasn't funny Kathy and you know what? I know for sure that I love you." I kissed him just as the buzzer sounded for the door.

"Now who could that be so early…Oh my, where's Mom? She didn't come home last night?" I said as I went to the intercom finding out it was indeed Mom and let her up. Just as I opened the door she and the Professor where there, on seeing me all she did was smile and headed off to change clothes with me right in back of her, letting the professor find his own seat in the living room.

"So my little girl is a woman now, so let me hear it all Kathy." Mom said sitting on the bed and I near her, telling her everything, as I saw her eyes tear up and bring me to her breast as she cried holding me.

"Mom, please don't cry; I won't do it again." I said with her responding,

"Oh no Darling, these are tears of joy for you. You don't remember how often I cried for you when you were beat up, both physically and verbally. I recall how sad you always were and how I feared the worst was yet to come.

Daniel loves you, you do know that and I think you love him also."

"But Mom I can't, I'm still…"

"Think about what you were about to say dear, now just enjoy your life with him." Mom said as she kissed me on the forehead. We both quickly threw some clothes on wearing basically what we wore the previous morning just to make breakfast. Mom and I walked from the bedroom holding each other with the professor and Daniel just shaking their heads mumbling something to each other about not understanding women and their moods.

In preparing the breakfast meal Mom and I shared secrets about our men just as any mother and daughter did. For the first time in the years since dad died she found a man that she really liked and was compatible with. I had to admit that Edward Tavis might be a taskmaster but he was well like by many. Several times as we were cooking I looked out into the living room seeing that Edward and Daniel were conversing civilly and even laughing at times making Mom and I giggle.

Once we finished the cooking I called everyone into the kitchen to sit down, as we brought the platters of food to the table with the men pulling out our chairs when we were ready to sit with Mom saying, "See I told you they were gentlemen, but it's a question of will you respect me in the morning after a certain point in time in any relationship."

"Oh I see we have a cynic amongst us, as we ingest this superb meal Kathy and you have made, Corrine."

"Mom isn't a cynic, though I am, especially going to classes dressed as I am."

"My dear young lady, you have been confusing the hell out of the students and staff for months. The only difference now is that your clothing matches the brain, the body and mannerisms now. I have also seen you come out of that shell you had and I like the new you. Daniel was telling me that you know about those guests last night, is that correct?"

"Yes sir…"

"No my dear, to you and Daniel it is Edward. Oh, one further thing, I expect your mother and I will be seeing more of each other."

"Ah sorry, okay Edward, yes and I heard what they said and what you did for Mom, Daniel did for me." I said smiling.

"Corrine, do I want to hear this?" Edward said smiling and taking my hand.

"Not unless you want to dear, now you'll see what I've gone through for eighteen years. Daniel after we eat I need your help to move my things into your room and for you to move into Kathy's room with her." Mom said smiling to my Daniel's delight.

"You're not angry, Mom?" Daniel said.

"Why should I be, but I warn you she will be more than a handful." Mom said as I was banished to do the dishes and clean up the kitchen. While doing the dishes Edward came back into the kitchen to help me saying, "Kathy, I've come to help you and to prove once and for all to everyone that I am not a pompous, capricious ass as some have said." I had to admit that he was fun and was quite a wit as we cleaned the kitchen and dirty dishes. He showed a side of himself I never saw in his classes, that he was human.

We had finished and sat down at the table allowing me to pour coffee for him and I, when Mom and Daniel returned and joined us. Daniel laid down an envelope and slid it toward me saying, "Carlos and Lupe gave those to me last night when we were leaving." On opening the envelope I saw they were copies of all the photos they took that night of us. It was the first time that I managed to see Daniel and myself from another's eyes and perspective. I looked at each picture and passed them around for everyone to see when Mom said, "Kathy I would like a set of these photos and show everyone my daughter and future son in law. Darling these are remarkable."

"They certainly are, the camera tells no lies; these will be part of your photo journal. I can truly see why she was chosen for the part of Molly Brown she does resemble Miss. Reynolds but she is still Kathleen. They both are excellent dancers after seeing them last night and that is a fact." Edward said as I was getting a swelled head with all the flattery when Daniel said, "Mom there's a photo shop on the next block that's open…"

"Why yes I'd love a set."

"So would I, to show Kathy's other professors and to explain her situation." Edward said as Daniel gathered all the photos and took them with him after giving me a kiss and running out the door.

"You're a lucky girl Kathy, he's so in love with you." Edward said as Mom agreed, but why do I feel like it's a comedy of errors. I took a sip of the now cold coffee just as Daniel came back saying, "They'll be ready by noon, Mom. I'll go get them, when they're ready."

The day was going by slightly fast with Mom deciding to stay a few days longer with us, which I enjoyed the idea. Basically we all stayed around the apartment, lounged around and were more than civil to each other.

Mom and Edward had gone out for dinner although they invited us to accompany them that we declined on the offer. Daniel and I ate a light dinner that I prepared and relaxed in the company of one another until bedtime and then the old motor roared into life as soon as the lights went out. It kind of went Va-va-va-voom and my engine was racing.

Chapter 4:

The next day was not too remarkable, I forgot to eat breakfast, and I received my new I.D., I went to and then passed out in the library, was taken to the hospital by ambulance and was admitted. The doctor said I was run down, just a bit anemic and was wearing the corset too tight. I explained it was to prepare myself for a play but it went in one ear and out the other ear. Damn, I caught the riot act from Mom for that blunder and for not telling Daniel it was too tight. The University Hospital wasn't too bad and I was treated well but I missed being at our apartment home.

They had just brought me into my room when a nurse came in told me to roll over, stuck a needle into my butt and added something to the IV bag. When she left ignoring my questions, I became so drowsy I could barely keep my eyes open. I closed my eyes until a female voice that spoke softly into my ear saying, "Hi Ms. Kathilena we're going to take you upstairs now, so just relax and be a good girl for us." I was placed onto a gurney and covered up when I realized what she said. Upstairs? What the hell was upstairs? Who the hell is Ms. Kathi? I wanted to speak but somehow I just fell asleep, a very profound sleep.

I heard a voice calling me from a tunnel and listened to it saying, "Hi Ms. Kathilena, you now have your dream of having larger breasts like you wanted. In a few minutes you'll be back in you own bed and ready to go home later or tomorrow. Now just go back to sleep and rest dear." Breasts, what breasts? Larger! how large? What the hell was done to me? Dream, what damn dream? I thought and tried to say with nothing coming out.

Awaking in my room in the hospital bed, Mom, Phyllis and Daniel were sitting by the window when they saw my eyes open and came to me with Phyllis saying, "Are you okay Kathy dear?" I tried to speak but nodded yes when I was given a straw and sipped some water saying, "Mom, what the hell did they do to me? Who the hell is Ms. Kathilena?"

"Oh shit, she knows Corrine!" Phyllis said as Daniel held my hand Mom spoke telling me there was another patient in this room and our names were mixed up. She was in for plastic surgery, breast implants to a B+ Cup and hormonal implants. After the augmentation procedure was complete they realized they had the wrong patient and found Mom at our apartment. They were all looking at a major malpractice lawsuit and contacted my attending physicians and told them what had happened.

My physicians' contacted Mom, Mom contacted Daniel and Phyllis then they had a brief meeting with the Admin types. Since Mom was an administrator she laid down the law to them and their screw up. Phyllis had contacted the two shrinks and told them what had happened when they told them I was diagnosed as being Transgendered, so the augmentation would help me be more comfortable in my new sexual status until the point my own breasts grew. They both went into clinical detail of what they had observed when they had met me that eventful Friday night. They also recommended the removal of the testes, hormonal implants and injections. Well guess what I have now and never had? Yep, breasts, hormone implants and no balls! It seems that I never had any testicles or they were invisible, yet in every physical the Docs said I did. Hey the Case of the Phantom Testes! I guess that would explain why I never had an ejaculation or erection. I was perplexed that this mistake had occurred yet I was also relieved that it did. I was now on the road to where I expect I wanted to be and that was to be a woman.

I looked at Mom, Phyllis and Daniel with tears in my eyes saying, "What the hell did I ever do wrong to…"

"Just a minute young lady, you did nothing wrong, it wasn't your fault. Maybe it was you father’s and my fault, I just don't know. What I do know is I have a daughter that I love dearly." Mom said tearfully.

"Kathy, all I want to say is for the past several days I've never been so happy and now I'm lonely. I brought this for you and I hope it cheers you up, please come home to me." Daniel said as he handed me a round poster tube that I opened with his help. Inside was a poster of us dancing together at the La Cantina. I had a smile on my face and so did Daniel with our cheeks and bodies together dancing a Tango. He placed the poster in a frame and hung it in front of me on the TV bracket on the wall, when a young nurse came into the room and saw the poster saying, "Isn't that Debbie Reynolds? I've seen all her movies I think."

"Nope, that's the young lady in the bed, one of my Drama students. She and her boyfriend there are going to be teaching Latin dancing." Phyllis said.

"I'm Patsy your nurse for this shift, boyfriend huh, I guess the docs maybe won't try to make a pass at you. Wow she sure does look like her, where at? How are you feeling Kathy? Any pain?" Patsy said smiling.

"At La Cantina next week, Monday and Wednesday, they're free too, as for the pain, some."

"Okay dear, I'll get you something for the pain and don't be surprised to see the Cantina full next week." Patsy said winking at me and leaving for the pain medication. I raised the head of the bed somewhat and smiled feeling some of the tension leaving the room when Ernie entered the room with Edward. Both men came and kissed me with Edward saying, "We came as soon as we could, how in the hell could they make a mistake like that?"

"They forgot to tell the Prep Techs and the surgical floor that the other patient was moved to another room. I'm just thankful it wasn't for neurosurgery or a limb amputation. “Mom said just as an older doctor walked into my room saying, "I'm Doctor Connor Bradshaw, Chief of Staff which of you ladies is Mrs. Piet?"

"Okay Mom, what else did you do to piss them off?" I said looking at my mother.

"Mrs. Piet I'm so pleased to meet you and you're Kathy. I came to apologize for our staff in what happened to Kathy. I'm just pleased it wasn't an irreversible amputation procedure that was done."

"I was also, but Kathy was the one that the mistake happened to."

"We know and I also know Jacob Rawlings your Chief Administrator. He raved about you when I spoke to him."

"Doctor cut the BS and spit it out. There must be a reason you called my boss?"

"I'm on the Board of Directors and our Chief Administrator is leaving to retire. I was asked to inquire if you might be interested in the position. Tyree liked your style when you came to the defense of Kathy and he dislikes the politicians that are lining up for his job. We would like to speak to you later at the Board Meeting, would you be interested?"

"Gladly, but I do stress to you, heads will roll because of this screw up with Kathy. No matter if I am considered for the position or not. I am her mother first and she is all I have, what occurred should not have happened anywhere." Mom said with the chief of Staff saying, "We all agree with you on the Board that's why we need a person of your strength and stature to lead this institution. We are here not only to educate but also to serve those we heal. We decided it would be run according to your rules. Somewhere along the way we lost sight of what our purpose is and we need you to show us. We meet in an hour in the Boardroom near the cafeteria."

"Chief, you can't be serious I'm not prepared for this meeting…. I'm not dressed for it."

"It's a casual meeting Mrs. Piet, so please be prompt and the name is Connor." Doctor Bradshaw said smiling and left us all with our mouths open to catch insects.

Whatever the pain meds were had ran out of my system seeing my mother at a loss for words. I had to giggle that she was talked to that way and she just glared at me and then smiled saying, "Do you think it's funny? I just might take the job so I can keep an eye on you and Daniel."

"Hey Corrine they can come live with you." Phyllis said laughing and Mom saying, "Oh no, but they can live next door to me. Kathy is an adult and so is Daniel, they have their own methods of doing things."

"I think Phyllis is correct in her reasoning of this situation Corrine." Edward said laughing with Mom slyly smiling, softly and seductively saying, "Dear, do you like having it your way in bed? If you do, just think about it every night and weekend in privacy. You'll be walking bow legged, that I will guarantee you."

Patsy, my nurse had just come back with a filled syringe and added it to the IV bag saying, “Wasn’t that the Chief of Staff that just left? I can't believe he's actually slumming with the peons."

"Are you saying he's disconnected or distanced from the staff?" Mom asked.

"I think he is. He needs to be seen by his staff, he needs to see and remember how hard it was working out on the floors, clinics and labs." Patsy said while Mom listened. That was the thing that Mom did best was to listen to others. She’d try to find a viable solution to any problem.

"Look I have to go to that meeting, make sure Kathy doesn't get up and start dancing or Daniel doesn't climb into her bed, yes Dan I love you too." Mom said to everyone and winked at Daniel. She gave me, Daniel and Edward a kiss and ran out of the room.

"Phyllis, in my drug induced haze was Mom just offered a job?" I asked with her nodding yes and Patsy saying, "Where? Here? As what a Doc? A nurse?"

"No she's a hospital administrator from the big city. She has a meeting with the Board of Directors." Daniel said with Patsy saying, "Oh crap, me and my big mouth. Please don't tell anyone what I said, especially anyone on the floors. I just said what everyone says privately." We assured Patsy we'd be quiet if I could have some ice cream, so I was hungry and it was a good bargaining tool. At least it made everyone laugh.

While Patsy went for the ice cream, the men went to the cafeteria for coffee and Phyllis stayed with me saying, "Kathy, I'm so sorry for getting you into this mess. It's just we needed this to prove we justify the money we get in our budget and the donations we receive."

"I promised I'd do this play, but I had no idea I'd get a set of boobs of my own or a boyfriend. You heard Mom, she said I refused to admit what I was and that was a girl. I love the theatre; to dance and sing but as a male I wasn't and would never be a leading man or be playing male parts. Fate is fickle but my fickle finger is also fate." I said as I raised my middle finger of my hand into the air making us both giggle just as Patsy returned with a bowl of ice cream and left when Tanya and Lee coming into the room with Tanya saying, "Damn we miss dinner and she's stuffing her face with ice cream, how're you feeling Kathy?"

"Sore as hell, and very full on top!" I said as I ate with the girls not understanding what had happened until Phyllis explained with Tanya rapidly saying, "A free boob job? What size? Isn't this taking immersion a step too far?" Making us all giggle. They were called by Phyllis and told I was admitted to the hospital after I passed out but that was all they knew until Phyllis told them. We also told them about the dancing lesson with them promising to drag in their boyfriends to the lessons after they saw the poster. With Lee saying, "Damn you do look good, but before we start the rehearsals we have to cut the hair a little shorter. Hey at least you don't have to wear falsies but we do have a surprise for you when you get out of here." I tried my damnedest to find out what they had but they refused to tell me, all they said is it had hair. They both said they had to go but they would see me when I got home and they both gave me a kiss before leaving.

Phyllis and I were talking when the men came back from the cafeteria. It appeared that they found out where the Boardroom was and walked to it hearing Mom's voice giving them all hell for what had happened to me, when they decided to leave the area very quickly not wanting to get caught eavesdropping.

While we spoke two very large sprays of red and pink roses and two large pink teddy bears were brought into the room by a Candy Striper saying, "Ms. Piet, these are for you." Placing the vases near the window and the bears on my bed with two cards. One card was from Daniel and the other was from his entire family and signed Mom, dad, your sister in laws, Lisa, Vicki and Brother in law Ted. I called Daniel over and kissed him for the gifts but asked him about the card from his family. He said he would explain it all later, yeah I just bet.

Mom had finally come back and she was actually smiling with Daniel saying, "Wow Mom, did you rip them out new assholes? We heard the loud talking when we were leaving the cafeteria." Mom looked at him saying, "You heard me Huh, I guess we'll have to soundproof that room."

"Well? You took the job!" I said loudly as she tried to quiet me saying, "Yes, I start next month and I need you all to start looking for a house for me. I have to go back, sell the house and get it packed up No one knows yet except all of you and the others can't know until it's announced by the current administration. “We were happy for Mom to say the least, but I was happier because I felt deep within me we needed to become closer as we had in the past few days. I was totally shocked when Mom asked me to choose a house for her that she trusted my judgment. Edward, Phyllis and Ernie had even asked to help her move but Mom declined as the hospital was going to be paying for the moving expenses.

While my guests spoke to each other I became very tired and closed my eyes. It was strange that I saw Mom and Edward playing with four adorable children that looked like Mom, two boys and two girls having fun laughing and running I heard the children say grandma and grandpa several times. I awoke suddenly with a big intake of air, Grandma and Grandpa; hold on there a minute, I'm the only child and I'm not married and I have no children. I looked around the room seeing that I was still in the hospital and it was empty. I looked at my watch and saw it was Six AM when the nurse walked into the room seeing me awake saying, "Hi Kathy, did you sleep well?"

"I think so, but I am sore. Could I go home today? I really need a bath." I said noticing my IV was gone, I guess it was removed during the night.

"I would imagine but the doctor has to see you first. Now a bath and breakfast we can do, plus your Mom, our new administrator brought you clean clothes this morning before going back home with Professor Tavis."

"Mom the new administrator, I don't know anything about it." I said thinking Hmm…, intriguing, Edward went back with Mom? And the nurse knows about Mom? Oh well she's a big girl that knows what she's doing.

"We, the staff received the emails from the Board, tell your Mom to watch her back as the people she beat out for the job are really angry and it's all politics in every hospital." The nurse said helping me up from the bed to the bathroom.

"The Board works fast, still I just want to go home. I have so much studying to do, plus my apartment is probably a wreck from my roommate."

"Roommate, that's not what we hear, we heard that hunk is your fiancé from your Mom. Oh your Mom said the hunk will be here about One PM, he has some chores to do."

"Sorry to disappoint you, but look there's no rock on my finger, so there's no fiancé just a good friend." I said smiling as I thought about telling the world about Mom and Edward, but then I didn't want to hurt Mom or Edward in any way, I just couldn't be that spiteful, it wasn't in my nature.

The nurse slowly helped to disrobe me as the water ran into the tub. When she removed the wrappings and sports bra from my new boobs I became enthralled as they moved when I did, they danced and jiggled. Damn I like them even if they were on me by a medical mistake. I just hope that when the hormones kicked in they wouldn't get too big. These looked to be about just right. Then I saw my face and saw a girl that looked like a truck had run over her.

"It looks like the swelling is a bit down and they look real; Doctor Varney did a good job as usual. He's one of the best surgeons we have. Now let's get you into that bath." She said helping me ease into the hot water and left me to my thoughts. I was even more comfortable with myself now as my body was beginning to look, as my mind saw myself. There was only one more thing to be done but I had to be sure that this being a woman was what I truly wanted even though I knew in my heart, it was right for me.

When the nurse returned she helped me wash up, wash my hair, get up from the bath and dry off. I felt clean but still had some of the throbbing pain associated with the surgery as I walked back to the locker near my bed wrapped in my towel, I had decided to eat breakfast after I dressed.

One opening it I smiled to myself, Mom had thought of everything for me except for pants or jeans. I did my hair placing it into a ponytail and did my makeup. Taking out a clean bra, garter belt and panty set in red satin I slid the panties up my legs and adjusted myself with the bra next, thanking the gods that be that it was a front hook. Once my breasts were into the cups some of the pain I noticed earlier was gone. The nurse helped me hook the garter belt and drew up the suntanned colored stockings up my legs that made me shiver which she saw saying, "I know what you're feeling, they feel really great and men love your legs in them." Oh yeah and I was slightly mad I never wore these garments more often then I had. I took out a simple short sleeved, red denim, shirt dress and was helped into it and stepped into a pair of red leather double strapped slides with gold embroidered designs on the straps that kept the shoes onto my feet with a two and one half inch heel red leather covered heel. One look in the mirror I unbuttoned several top buttons to allow my real cleavage to show. I was smiling as I turned toward the nurse and she smiled her approval back at me saying, "Those really do make a difference, don't they?"

I had to agree with her just as several doctors walked into my room. The nurse left just as the older doctor said, "So how's our patient doing?"

I told them better than the day before and what Mom had told me as he examined his work. That was when I found out that three of the other doctors were psychiatrists with me saying, "Originally I was to be immersed to become a female for a theatrical production and then the mistake yesterday. However what you see is me and I like me and so does my fiancé." Crap, I meant to say boyfriend if I said anything else or corrected myself with this Freudian slip they could misinterpret anything I say. I also explained that up until the other night I had never had sex with anyone or erections or ejaculations. I told them it felt natural for me to be the receiver of Daniel's attentions and seed with intending to continue having sexual relations with him. Not one of the physicians blinked an eye or said a condemning word especially when Daniel walked into the room and kissed me with me saying, "I thought you were coming by later to take me home?"

"Well doc can my future wife come home with me now?" Daniel said with me saying, "Future wife, my butt, where's the ring on my finger?" It was then he pulled a box from his pocket and opened it to reveal a four-carat pear shaped diamond engagement ring and two gold engraved wedding rings that appeared to be antiques. He took my left hand and placed the engagement ring on my ring finger saying, "Kathy I love you and need you. Mom sent this set Sunday by FedEx that I received this morning; it was my great, great grandmothers and grandpa's set." What could I say except that I kissed him and said yes but I placed a provision of us being married after I graduate. He agreed but somehow I felt a small marriage ceremony for us would be sooner and then the big one.

"Kathy and Daniel congratulations, but Kathy if you need to talk, call one of us at anytime." The older of the shrinks said handing his card to me with me thinking, if I was crazy sure but I'm not; I'm just Transgendered.

I was told I could leave since I didn't have any stitches and the incisions were glued, though I did have to see the Doctor in two weeks. I had Daniel go with the doctor to tell the nurses I wanted the hell out of this hospital. Quickly I packed everything and had it on the bed just as he came back with a nurse right behind him with a wheelchair. In seconds I was in that chair, holding my purse and teddy bears while Daniel took my bag and the roses. I took one of each colored rose and gave the rest of them to the nurses.

In minutes I was taken to the lobby and waited for Daniel to come with the Jeep. While sitting I saw several older people stare and begin to point at me when one older man came to me saying, "Excuse me but are you related to Debbie Reynolds? We apologize for all the staring and pointing but it just…"

"No sir, please don't feel too badly, I've heard the same thing from many people these past days. I will be reprising her role of Molly Brown in a few months so please come and see us and please let me know when all of you are there in the audience."

"We will and I thank you." He said and walked toward the older people smiling with the nurse saying, "Girl, that was class! I do believe you will be sold out for every performance. Damn the daughter of our chief administrator will be in the lead role; I just have to tell everyone. Hold on, I see your meds to take home are at the front desk." The nurse said just as Daniel drove up with the Jeep and ran to open my door.

Chapter 5:

I seemed to have sprouted wings when he stopped the Jeep. Ignoring the nurse I walked through the doors, to the outside and inside the Jeep. Daniel closed the door helping me inside, taking my meds from the nurse and kissed me in the Jeep much to the delight of those in the lobby that saw us. Once on the road he said, "Do you feel strong enough to look at a few houses for Mom?"

"Sure, besides I'd rather be with you than at home on the couch or in bed." I said smiling at Daniel with him saying, "Good, I contacted a few realtors and one would meet us. There are two homes next to each other, one has six bedrooms and the other two bedrooms and a housekeepers room but they both have the same square footage and are nearly identical outside. Both have been extensively modernized to meet the building codes, also they're close to the shopping areas, churches and schools and in the city."

"Sounds interesting, But why does one have six bedrooms and the other two?"

"One is for a family and housekeeper with the other for a single person or a couple and a housekeeper." Daniel said smiling. That smile was a devious smile that a man gives woman just before they drop their drawers and he packs the sausage to them. Why did I feel as if I was going to lose my drawers?

Several minutes later we turned onto a tree lined street coming to an iron gated and fenced in property that he turned into. Following the tree and shrub lined drive a short distance. We went past a waterfall and pond to an older retro styled box house similar to what Frank Lloyd Wright loved to design. From what I saw so far outside, I fell in love with the home and grounds.

We met the realtor and were shown around quickly, making me further love the house. The houses we saw were designed and built by a Wright student and follower of his design school. The houses had fallen into disrepair and then modernized not long ago by the owner of both homes. Yes, one owner owned both homes I assumed it was used as a rental property but later I found out it was used as a sanctuary of sorts.

I loved the kitchen and dining room not only being spacious but also how they overlooked the pond, waterfall and gardens as a backdrop. The master bedroom on the second floor could take in three or four of the apartments we lived in. In all there was about four thousand plus square feet of combined living space from the basement to the family floor on five acres of wooded gardened land.

Like a little kid I went exploring each of the homes we went into, not going into the basements or storage areas along with not noticing Daniel and the realtor were both deep into discussion. Mom would go crazy when she saw the upstairs of the other home it had no walls not even for the bathroom and was the perfect open loft area with tremendous amounts of light and a porch/ deck around the entire second floor just as the first house had. The basement rumpus room could be used as additional bedrooms for guests, giving the owners the much needed and wanted the privacy they deserved that was explained to me later. I wanted to explore further but became distracted in the dining room just imagining what it would be to entertain in the houses. On my way from the kitchen I saw Daniel and the realtor shaking hands and coming to me with him saying, "Do you think Mom would be happy here?"

"Oh yes, I even love it."

"Okay, well now you really will have to marry me, I just made an offer for buying both homes, they just went up for sale. The County is the seller they were given to the county in an estate and we're getting everything for pennies on the dollar."

"But…Mom will go crazy that you did this without consulting her. Besides what the hell do we do with a house? How are we going to pay for it? “I said stunned.

"We live in it and I'm paying for it because I love you. Mom knows and I told her how you were acting, that's why she said to take it. Sweetheart she trusts our judgment and I knew you loved the house." Daniel said with the realtor coming to us smiling and saying, "The County accepts the offer you made on both properties Mr. Carson. They wish to close as soon as possible, two weeks or sooner, congratulations on your marriage Mrs. Carson I hope you both have many happy children for your new home."

"Ah, thank you but…"

"I'll have my attorney take care of the financial details now don't forget what else I want and along with photos and descriptions of the homes." Daniel said as we all left the house and were at our car with the realtor saying, "Sure sir and thank you both for looking and purchasing the homes. They really belong together."

Daniel opened my door as I sat and swung my body into the Jeep as he went around to the driver's side. What in the hell possessed him to by a house? What in the hell made him tell the Realtor we were married? Sure I liked both homes along with the wooded and pond areas, but damn he must be out of his mind, four thousand square feet that's an awful lot of cleaning to do.

When he was inside the Jeep I slapped him on the arm saying, "Are you out of your mind? And you lied to the realtor about us being married. Daniel these last few days have been hell for me, maybe I should see that shrink?"

"I thought you liked the house? So we'll get married sooner."

"I did, I do, but it was for my mother not for us. Damnit what about the furnishings? I mean that's Art Deco Modern; it'll cost a small fortune to furnish it. Sooner! I don't even have valid ID or a birth certificate."

"Okay, and those homes come with the furnishings and other things that the previous owner had in storage. Mom said she's sending your amended birth certificate tonight by UPS along with your legal name change papers that were approved by a judge she knows. Now as for marrying me how about sooner, like before Lisa's wedding?" I was so angry I wanted to cry and I did when Daniel stopped the Jeep and took me into his arms saying, "Kathleen, please don't cry, I did this for you. For us, for our children."

"Damnit I can't marry you! I'm still a boy with the boobs and body of a girl. Children, how in the hell do you expect me to conceive when I don't have the plumbing for it. If you want children than you'd better find a fertile woman and marry her or knock her up."

"Sorry but I love you, now if you don't mind let's go home and discuss this." Daniel said pulling the Jeep into traffic. I knew he was angry and so was I; we are the perfect match I guess. I just didn't want him to ruin his life and then have him hate me in the future. Okay Damnit, I love Daniel! While he drove, I went through my objections and then told him the truth that I loved him. The big goof hit the brakes so hard the Jeep skidded to a stop with another car almost hitting the Jeep in the rear and then going around us giving us the horn and the one finger salute. Yet it all was worth it all when he kissed me. Damn, it was worth it!

He smiled all the way to our pitiful student hovel and so did I to be truthful. Once we were home I called Mom at her job and told her I was fine and home also, about the homes that Daniel just bought and told her to store or sell her furniture as her house was furnished. Mom was pleased especially with the negotiated price that Daniel constructed for us and I was proud of what he did to help Mom. I had to admit he has a fine mind for business.

I told Mom also about the argument that we had and the realtor calling me Mrs. Carson, she laughed saying not to feel offended but honored to be called Mrs., as that's what most girls' dream of being someday. I knew better than to say anything that was contrary to what Mom thought as we just started to get closer again. I gave Daniel the telephone and I went to the bedroom and slipped out of all my clothes and looked at my perky B cup boobs; then I put on a nightgown nestling my boobs into the laced bodice, covering myself with a robe and slippers onto my feet.

Looking into the mirror I admired the swell my new breasts made in the clothing I wore. I was pleased with the accident that happened in the hospital. I was pleased with how I looked, but somewhat angry as this is how I should have looked years ago just after puberty if I was born a female. Oh well it's too late now. Bullshit, it's never too late! Damnit I used to dream of being a girl and doing girl things, now I'll be all that girl and more. I want Mom to be proud of her daughter. If Daniel wants a wife, he has her, me. If he wants children so do I we’ll adopt.

I walked from the bedroom going to the kitchen and poured two sodas for Daniel and me, noticing the dirty dishes in the sink. I took his glass out to him and returned to do the dishes and cleaned the kitchen up. Okay so I could have made Daniel do it, but it really wasn't that bad so I guess I could forgive him.

When I finished I poured another soda and went into the living room and stretched out on the couch putting my head on Daniel's lap and closed my eyes when I felt his hands softly manipulating my nipples and breasts that went from painful to erotic. Damn they were sensitive, as they grew harder to his touch, when I felt that tingling. My breathing began to increase when I took my hand and lowered his zipper fishing out his manhood. I caressed it, I rubbed it and I loved it, as I squeezed it gently. His concentration in talking with my mother was getting harder for him until he had to hang up. It was then I went to my knees before him taking him fully into my mouth and down my throat. This was an action I was doing that I had read about and fantasized about doing fellatio as a teenager. I dreamt about doing this for my husband for many years and now I was really doing it. I remembered each loving step of how to gently please him after practicing as a teenager with a frozen banana. When I sucked on his testicles he went wild with joy, when I licked his penis from the scrotum up the shaft to the tip, he almost ejaculated and then he did ejaculate after I took him down my throat and sucked him as he released. When he orgasmed I sucked him dry, putting a smile on my husband's face with him saying, "That was unexpected and nice darling."

"Well wives do things that are unexpected for their husbands. That was an apology from before and payback for driving me crazy for you when you were playing with my breasts." I said kissing Daniel and began walking toward the bathroom to cleanup.

"Damn, they look great but I forgot how much they still hurt you. I won't do it again."

"You better do it again, but just let me get over the pain dear." I said as I cleaned up. I had no regrets in what I did now or when I, no we made love together earlier. I would not miss my old boy life; as a matter of fact I was enjoying this new aspect of my life. I embraced this side of me I had always dreamed about but yet dismissed it.

Walking back to my bedroom I reapplied my makeup thinking I had always dreamt of wearing the clothes I wear now, I have always dreamt of having the correct anatomy, a woman's anatomy. I have always dreamt of having a husband, having normal sexual relations with him and raising our children together. I wished silently I could have our children to feel them grow within me to give them life and to birth them, was this possible? It was funny that my mind had repressed these things that I now felt was natural to do.

I had finished reapplying my makeup and walked back to the couch and was assisted by Daniel to lie down upon it while he sat on the floor next to me taking my hand into his when our telephone rang. I answered it finding out it was Melissa, Daniel's mother needing to speak to him. I gave the phone to Daniel and went to the kitchen taking my medications and brewed coffee after speaking to her for several minutes. I had never met her personally but we have spoken and she seems sweet, but you could tell her family comes first, as it should with any woman. While brewing the coffee my thoughts shifted if I could ever be half the woman my mother or his mother is. Could I be happy being a wife and mother as they were? I shook my head thinking that it was a selfish thought I had just had. Sure my happiness was important but so were my husbands and our children's happiness. There's that word again Children; sorry two words husband and children. Was I prepared to assume those two new roles in my life? Did women feel this way also? Where they ever confused by these thoughts?

I went back to the couch and lay back down and covered myself with the throw covering. I had just got comfortable when I was handed the telephone back with Daniel telling me that his Mom wanted to speak to me.

"How are you feeling dear?" Melissa asked as I told her I was fine now. I thanked her for sending the rings to Daniel, for the flowers and the teddy bear. We spoke about the new house and how enthralled I was with it but was leery with never having seen the furnishings. I remembered as we spoke seeing one bedroom that was or could have been a nursery at one time and told her about it getting very excited with Melissa saying, "So my future daughter in law, you will call me mother, are you both sure you want to do this? Do you both want to make us grandparents? I'm so pleased you both are getting married; it was a surprise for us. We thought his roommate was another boy but now I'm sure that's not the case. Wade your father in law is ever so happy. Welcome to our family dear."

The questions were fired rapidly with me answering them as fast as I could. I said we were both sure we wanted to spend our lives together, I asked her if we could invite the family to a small civil ceremony after Lisa's wedding which she agreed to. I told her I did want children but not right away and I'm the only roommate Daniel had ever had. I had that feeling that she knew the truth but was too polite to say anything or I was reading too much concern in her voice; no matter I was committed to be a bride. I said goodbye to my almost mother in law giving the telephone back to Daniel as I was falling asleep. All I remembered as I drifted off, was Daniel was still talking to Melissa when I went out for the count.

My main dream was maddening that started with Daniel making love to me in our bedroom in our new house. I watched intently as we made fantastic love and I already had my completing surgery. I looked a bit older in the dream but it was no doubt it was us. On completion of our act I watched as the bedroom door opened and a little girl in her pink-laced nightgown that looked like me came into the bedroom, she yelled mommy, jumping onto the bed with us. I took the baby into my arms and hugged, kissed, tickled and played with her. That wasn't too bad until the little girl flipped the covers to reveal my extended belly; I was pregnant that I didn't see before.

My dream fast-forwarded to what looked like a hospital room and Daniel and my mother were there and I was on the bed. The perspiration was flowing as I huffed, puffed and screamed seeing that I was in very heavy advanced labor. I saw the birthing team come into the room adjusting my legs showing that the baby was crowning. In minutes the baby was in my arms and suckling at my breast.

It was then I woke up with a start and screamed for Daniel, drenched in my own perspiration. He was suddenly at my side as I cried holding him and telling him what I saw, what I didn't tell him was that my dreams sometimes came true; the keyword here is sometimes. Still I knew that people that had the surgery to complete their sex could not conceive children not having all the baby making equipment or could they?

"Dear if you could conceive would you?" Daniel asked as I answered by saying, "Yes, no, damnit I don't know! It scares me that I'd be carrying around a new life that the baby would be dependant upon me, my body."

"Darling I'll be there to support you and help all I could." Daniel said and kissed me just as our buzzer rang, with Phyllis, Tanya and Lee waiting to come up. Daniel buzzed them up and let them in with Phyllis saying, "Why the tears girl? Corrine called me, congratulations on the house kids."

"Damn I am jealous, she has a hunk of a man, getting married and now a house to start a family, all she needs is to get knocked up or adopt. Let's see the rock, doll." Tanya said smiling as I showed off the engagement ring and had tears flowing. They had concerned looks on their faces when Daniel said, "She had a bad dream that she was giving birth to our child."

"Thanks Daniel…How…never mind, you and my mother have big mouths." I said as I held my hand out to them and Lee saying, "What's so bad about that? It's normal for a woman to dream about her children. That ring is gorgeous! Do we get to be bridesmaids? Can I be your midwife and an aunty?"

"But I'm a b…"

"Not in the least little girl and I, we said before we never thought you were a male nor does anyone else." Phyllis said coming toward me and hugging me while Daniel began to hang my poster that he had framed up in the living room. I looked at our images on that poster and thought of that night, damn it was a grand night in every possible way from the dinner to making love.

I guess your right, but there are so many times that I'm…confused." I said.

"Lee, go get that item you both made and those movies that are in the car. Kathy, Edward, Ernie and I spoke also about this journey you are about to embark upon earlier. We would like you to watch several of the great female stars along with Debbie and their films to see their fluidity in their roles. I would like you to pay close attention to Debbie and her comedic nature and her facial expressions. We want you to watch even the comedic stars such as Goldie Hawn, Lucille Ball and Carol Burnett and others, over the past years. Watch how they all retain their femininity, yet give a comedic performance. Edward has asked how the journals are coming? He still wants both written and photographic journals." Phyllis said as Lee ran out to the car.

"The movies sound like fun, as far as those journals I haven't done anything since Sunday." I said as Lee returned with several large boxes. In the boxes were movies and there was a smaller box that was handed to Tanya with her saying, "Hey wait a minute, how come it was handed to me?” She said as she opened the box exposing with what looked like two bottles with a liquid in them and a dead animal or something with curly hair with Phyllis saying, "Because you're the expert Tanya. Daniel, please leave us, this has to be a girl moment. Okay now Kathy off with the nightgown and drop your lacey drawers please."

"I want to watch!" Daniel said as Phyllis threw my slipper at him barely missing him as he ran to our bedroom.

"Damn and you sleep with that Neanderthal? At least he's cute." Tanya said laughing.

I slowly took off my nightgown and panties as I was told to do. I knew better than to get these three angry besides I was happy to take them off with them being still damp with Tanya saying, "Damn they did a good job on your breasts the swelling is almost gone. Now you're going to have to spread those gorgeous gams of yours sweetie and you'll feel wet and cold down there and some pulling." Tanya said as she was pulling on latex gloves and wiping the area down. I watched as she picked up that furry critter and turned it over and applied a liquid to it and let it set. Next she applied something that was left on for about fifteen minutes and wiped off in that most private of areas. She next took some alcohol preps and betadine solution and cleaned off my crotch area that burned the hell out of that area, making me scream. Next she applied hydrogen peroxide to clean off the other stuff while Phyllis had brought some ice and gave the bowl to Tanya. Lee and Phyllis each took a leg and spread me wide. Do I appear to be a wishbone? Okay girls, it not let's make a wish time!

Tanya was right that I did feel wet and cold down there, her playing with the ice gave me a chill, then I felt pulling of what pubic hair I had and then she said, "Girl, you can look now. Oh I forgot to tell you it's fully functional and will stay glued for six months."

"What in the hell did you do now? Holy shit!" I said in surprise as I looked down with Lee's help seeing that furry critter attached to me between my legs. By all appearances it looked like a vagina, I kept from touching it silently I hoping it wasn't a snapper because the damn thing looked hungry to eat anything placed near it. Hmm…, Oh Daniel honey!

"Damn girls it looks real, great job. Kathy, Tanya and Lee made that prosthetic for you and were making your boobs when you received your own from that accident. I want you to have and receive the full effect of what every woman goes through on a daily basis, now dear girl we can truly call you sister." Phyllis said as I thought, what the hell have I experienced if not the full effect. I probably have done things in the past few days that most females had not even done or experienced and surly not males. My lord I have a set of breasts and hormones that were surgically implanted that I didn't even order. Hell I'm even engaged to a man that wants to marry me and that man even bought us a house to raise our children. Our children? Oh hell yes, I want as many as we can handle. I turned toward Phyllis, Tanya and Lee saying, "I beg your pardon, full effect, kiss my fat, round ass." Looking at them I went into everything I just thought about venting my pent up anger when Daniel heard my voice as I ripped the women apart loudly.

As he came closer I covered myself, once I saw him with him saying, "I wasn't going to get involved, but Kathy is in pain and upset; I don't want her upset. She's gone through hell and what I heard her say was the truth. She's more woman than many that were born that way and I love her." I saw the amazement in all three women's eyes that we had the audacity to tell them where to place their full effect at, when Tanya spoke saying, "They are both right and I think professor, you were wrong. I see Kathy not only being an actress, but also a proud woman, wife and mother. I saw that the day she auditioned for us. Phyllis, think of what you'd do in her situation? I think she's handled herself admirably."

"Tanya I would say you're right, because after speaking to her mother and the shrinks I see Kathy as always being one of us. I also need you both to help me with her; she needs to be taught social skills of what we learned since birth." Phyllis said, as I needed to leave to use the bathroom. I lifted the blanket and sat up seeing that Daniel's eyes went wide seeing my anatomically correct body. Gathering up my robe, I saw the major tenting of his pants and his lecherous smile of lust, as I ran to the bathroom with my breasts bouncing and showing my new sex.

Chapter 6:

I had to smile as I relieved and cleaned myself. Daniel was correct I had become outspoken and self-assured. If I was like this years ago, I regret to say I probably would not have gone through the hell I went through. It's too late to lament the past now; I had to forge on and proceed with whatever the future held for me.

While washing my hands I looked at the symbol of love and promise I had on my left hand. That ring I wore professed the love and promise we had both made together to share our lives together. In my mindset I was no longer a male as what I had thought of myself. Besides how in the world could I ever consider myself male not ever having an erection or an ejaculation?

Going into the shower I had to get rid of the sickly perspiration odor I had on my body. While adjusting the water I went back to my thoughts of what I had promised to Daniel by accepting his ring. I ignored the slight pain I had as the water cascaded onto my breasts. Was I prepared sufficiently to become his wife? Was I prepared to become a mother when it was time? Hell, was I ready to become a woman in the deepest sense of the word? Did I love Daniel? I think yes, at least my mind says yes. Was making love and the emotions that followed only a small part of being a woman? In the entire global picture were the male-female interactions, the sparring shall we say that the sexes do on various levels, was I ready for them? That I can unequivocally say is a definite yes as to my other questions I had I didn't have an answer but I think the answers are all yes.

Getting out of the shower I dried off, turbaned my hair and padded to our bedroom to get clean garments. I decided to get dressed putting on a white laced bra and panty set with flared, hip hugger jeans, a red oversized sweatshirt and white sneaks. I felt tremendously better as I dried my hair and picked my hair and even smiled to myself. I knew that even though I had basically come to terms with everything; I knew there would always be room for doubt. Ah… the horns of a dilemma, don't you just love them as they stick you in the ass? The thrill of getting gored!

I used the briefest of makeup and went out into the living room to see everyone speaking in hushed tones. I must have shocked them to be seen dressed as they all stared at me and smiled stupidly with Daniel saying, "Are you feeling better?"

"Yep, especially with these new knockers of mine being supported. Damn they're hard to get used to." I said laughing.

"Just wait it gets better; cold, heat, clothes, lingerie, showers, men, yourself and more with the nipples going crazy and you're ready to attack any man." Phyllis said laughing.

"Naw, I have a vibrator when the boyfriend isn't around, sometimes it's a woman's best friend." Lee said.

"What, the boyfriend?" Daniel asked.

"No stupid, the vibrator. It has no feelings, wants or needs and satisfies all women sexually." Lee said laughing

"Unless of course it runs on batteries or electricity, then it has a want and a need." Phyllis added making everyone laugh.

Daniel helped me to straighten up the living room, as we all spoke together and discussed what I had said earlier. I knew that anything I said was going to get back to my mother, but I knew she would agree with what I said. While we spoke the buzzer announced a visitor that turned out to be Lupe and Carlos.

On opening the door they were both carrying a multitude of food dishes with more still in their car. Lupe said she had spoken to Daniel and was told I was in the hospital this morning but would be coming home today. They both wanted me to rest and made some food for us to taste and enjoy. We all helped to warm and serve the foods with me paying far more attention to Daniel then I normally would have. Lupe had brought foods she made from various Latin countries from South America to the lands of Spain that were in most cases very spicy to the very bland. Carlos had brought beer and wine but I passed on those due to the medication I was on.

"Will you be ready for the dance classes to start Kathy?” Lupe asked with me saying, “I think so, some of the discomfort is already leaving. I need to get active again but not push it."

"By the inquires we have been getting at the club, I think you'll be very active. Carlos how many have we gotten so far?" Lupe asked with Carlos answering by saying, "Over two hundred with both men and women calling for information, what Daniel had done with that picture was a stroke of genius for publicity. I think we need the same thing for the Cantina."

"So do it, somehow I know you'll do it anyway, no matter if I agree or not. Men! anything to spend money!" Lupe said giggling while Daniel took Carlos to the photo shop and we transferred the food to my dishes and washed Lupe's dishes. Once finished we sat enjoying each other's company. I spoke of my fears of getting married with Lupe and Phyllis saying it was foolish to be scared if I truly loved Daniel since we already lived together and shared the same bed. I was silent as I thought of what they said; it was everything mother had also said to me. When Carlos and Daniel came back everyone had decided to leave.

Daniel and I watched a movie together and just cuddled with me not even remembering what it was about. To be honest I didn't care as long as I was with Daniel. I felt comfort and security as I laid my head in his lap and he held me to him. We made it an early night as I had an early class in the morning.

While getting undressed the telephone rang with the realtor being on a three-way conversation with Daniel's attorney. I went to the bathroom as Daniel went to the living room. I had just finished washing up and changed into a nightgown when Daniel came into the bathroom. He picked me up into his arms and carried me into the bedroom and laying me onto the bed excitedly saying, "Darling, the house is ours we can move in at anytime. Now you'll have to marry me for sure." Then he kissed me; while tasting him, I wanted him so badly that I was ready to stay home tomorrow from my classes. I had to maintain my sanity and told him that tonight was not the night. I have heard many from women when then had said no that their husbands or boyfriends had difficulty in understanding that two-letter word. I was so pleased that Daniel understood that all he did was wrap me into his arms as we cuddled and fell asleep together.

On waking the next morning I smelled breakfast cooking with me thinking that's a switch. I quickly got up, made our bed and took a shower. I was so nervous, as this was to be my first day in classes since my change. There were fears from the professors, as well as from the students in my new sexual status. I was pleased that Daniel, Tanya and Lee would be sharing duties as my protectors. I'm not saying that I expected problems but I had to be aware of any and all situations that could or would occur.

I took extra time after my shower in getting dressed for some unknown reason. I put on pink lace bikini panties and a matching bra that held my proud assets. I put on nude pantyhose and a black half-slip with a black linen skirt that was hemmed about four inches above the knee for a conservative length. I put on a short-sleeved, buttoned down, pink blouse that was low cut that showed off my cleavage and a black linen blazer. Placing my two-inch high-heeled black pumps onto my feet and adjusting the instep strap. I stood looking into my mirror being pleased what I saw. In thirty minutes my face was on and my hair looking great. I placed some items into a black shoulder bag and grabbed my book bag and added just simple gold jewelry to myself.

Going into the kitchen Daniel was dressed and working very hard with me saying, "Hey, what're you doing taking my job?" I gave Daniel a kiss as he pulled out a chair for me to sit-down; I drank my juice and took my pills.

"I see you're all ready to go. I thought you were going to wear jeans but now I get to see your legs most of the day." Daniel said kissing me again with me saying, "Daniel thank you for understanding last night."

"What's to understand? We're still in school and I've been kind of pushy. Are you ready?"

"Kind of pushy? My that's an understatement coming from you. I'm somewhat scared but it has to be done." I said just as someone pushed the door buzzer.

I got up and went downstairs to find a UPS driver with a package for me. I signed for the package noticing it was light as I entered the apartment laying it down on the kitchen table, as I ate in the company of Daniel, with Daniel glancing at the envelope saying, "That's cute, read how your mother addressed the envelope." I read the name as Mrs. Kathleen K. Piet-Carson and had to giggle softly. Everyone wants to marry me off to Daniel, I could think of worse things than that.

We ate in peace and placed the dishes into the sink that I would clean later along with my kitchen that Daniel had destroyed. It was sweet of him to make breakfast but the mess he made was a classic in the annals of breakfast preparations. All I want to know is how do you get pancake batter to stick to the ceilings and walls in globs? Oh crap and I ate those sinkers!

We both grabbed our book bags and my purse with him holding firmly onto me as we left the apartment. In seconds we were on our way to the campus and parked in the student lot. The only thing that kept me from panicking was Daniel, as we traversed the campus to our first class, which was a sociology class.

On entering the main entrance everything was normal until we were at the door that when my knees began to knock. I felt a hand on my arm and turned seeing Mrs. Marstan with her saying, "Are you my new and old student? If you are, let's go to my office and talk dear." I nodded and followed her with the help of Daniel holding me.

On entering her office she told her TA to take over her morning class, as she needed to speak to one of her students. We were both asked to be seated in chairs close to her desk and offered coffee when she got down to the nitty-gritty saying, "I have to admit you are a pretty little thing, Kathy. I had my doubts when Professor Tavis told me but after seeing you in the photos and in person I see no problem with you attending classes as you are. I know about the journals you are to keep, So Kathy as part of your assignment for me I would like you to note in those journals on a daily basis what it means to be a woman in today's culture and society from a women's prospective."

"That's a tall order for her, plus attending lectures and the mandatory papers you want written." Daniel said sticking up for me with Mrs. Marstan saying, "How Gallant, so you wish to bargain for the young lady, very well, since you are involved also Mr. Carson you also will do the same as she but strictly from the male standpoint. You both are on independent study as of now and…Oh lord, Kathy is that an engagement ring on your finger?"

"Yes ma'am and everything you see is mine also."

"I wasn't aware you're Transgendered…"

"I wasn't aware of it either until all this happened and then the hospital screw up, the shrink’s diagnosis. Mom, Professor Tavis, Professor Pearson, Professor Ball and Daniel say I'm Transgendered too, I just say I'm me."

"Dear you've confused many people and this opportunity will give you an insight that few ever get. I heard the play for next season would be The Unsinkable Molly Brown. Now in that Journal I would like a comparison study on the way life was, to now, as I had said you both are on independent study but you are both required to take your exams in person." Mrs. Marstan said, damn this situation was getting deeper and became worse when my beloved said we bought an old art deco period house.

Okay so I was giddy and ran my mouth about the new house finding out that the professor before me was not only scholarly but a woman, a widow and a Mom. We delved into subjects that only women spoke about. She went from a business like nature to letting her maternal instincts take command of her words.

It was like this in each of the meetings I had with my professors both male and female they seemed to warm to me with no dispersions or quandaries to my motives. In each class except for Design class, I was to share with them all the contents of my journals in that class I was to also to do a comparison of fashion from the era of Molly Brown to the present. Also In that design class once the department head and the professors found out about our house that became my project with the classes from the Architecture and Art design school becoming active participants in our home and grounds and my mother's home. The professors said our homes were built by a man that was a student of the great Frank Lloyd Wright that used the concepts of lines, style and fluidity of grace to capture the soul of the home. This was a repeat of what we knew and I was somewhat pleased for any help we could get, as the gardens were a bit overgrown so I was spared from much of the gardening, broken nails and blisters I was sure to receive.

Going to the student union I found and sat at an empty table in a corner while Daniel went to get us coffees. When he rejoined me I felt the eyes of several people staring but no one approached, apparently minding their own business. Daniel rummaged into his book bag and pulled out the package that was delivered by UPS that morning and handed it to me. On opening it I saw all the legal paperwork and handed it to Daniel but read the letter from Mom saying in essence I was now legal and all records had been changed to reflect my new status. She said she loved and missed us. Normally Mom was so happy to run away from me, I guess things do change.

While sipping my coffee a woman walked over that I recognized as the president of one of the sororities, Faye Morrison, came toward us saying, "Are you the dancing instructors at La Cantina? We didn't know you're a girl, sorry but…That poster of you is gorgeous."

"Poster? Yes, well we are and that's okay Faye, are you planning on attending?" I said smiling with her saying, "I think everyone is planning to be there, those posters are all over, every place you go. We can't wait to start."

"How many did he print? What did Carlos do plaster the area with them?" I asked Daniel as he shrugged his shoulders saying, "I have no idea how many he had done up or where he put them. Crap those posters probably are all the way to Argentina." Daniel said just as his cell phone went off with him taking the call and leaving the table.

"All we know is that we intend to have a good time, so make sure you have your dancing shoes on." I said smiling as she went back to the table she came from speaking hurriedly to many the students.

Daniel returned and we left the table after quickly finishing our coffee as we went out the doors, we saw two posters advertising the dance classes with many students looking at them and many guys getting their ribs caved in when they saw us by their girlfriends. Daniel and I looked at each other and laughed, quickly walking from the Student Union to the Jeep. Once inside the Jeep we both burst out laughing again at how excited everyone was, it was even better that the posting of the grades or the acceptance to graduate school.

While he drove I noticed we were enroute to the downtown area and the county courthouse. He said that the call he received was from the county to come and sign some papers. We had parked and walked to the large building known for being the county seat and found the county clerks office with Daniel saying to the woman behind the desk, "We came to sign some papers Carson and Piet."

We were admitted behind the desk and taken to an office that said Thelma Paige, County Assessor and Clerk and told to sit, as Thelma would be right with us. I looked at Daniel saying, "Daniel, what gives? And don't give me any crap, I want an honest answer from you."

"We have to sign for the house dear and since we're here, I thought…"

"Oh no, don't say it, please don't say it." I said after seeing his face turn crimson. Why do people try to deceive others when they know they're going to get caught? Okay so the premise to sign the papers for the house but also to get a marriage license with him saying, "Am I that predicable?"

"Dear, ever since I got into panties you have been predicable. Why the rush? Why do I smell my mother's involvement?" I said as he jumped in saying,

"I swear it's not her, hell I even went against the advice of my lawyer. That fool wanted a Pre-Nuptial agreement and I told him to stuff it. I want us to be happy together."

"Daniel, I know, but these kind of things are making me nervous. Perhaps the attorney is correct on the Pre-Nupt?" I said just as the lady county clerk walked into the office shaking both our hands. Daniel had spoken the truth to me that we were there to sign the ownership papers to the house. We also took out a marriage license that I still wasn't comfortable with what I was doing; yet it made him happy. I was thinking, Ladies when a man says to you it's just to sign papers, unless it's for a divorce, pick up those skirts, kick off those heels and run like hell. If I had any sense I should have run with my skirt flapping behind me creating a breeze of all their own making. I should have followed my own advice in my thoughts. When Daniel's cell phone rang again all he said after the hello was okay and disconnected, that should have also made me run even faster. In minutes we left that building after everything was finished and I was hungry.

We both decided to eat at La Cantina as I wanted to find out just how far in distance those posters were placed. On arriving we found a parking place about three blocks away, I walked with Daniel taking my hand as we walked into the club/restaurant.

Inside the club we saw it was very busy and waited for a table until Lupe saw us and seated us saying, "I'm so pleased you're both here. Those posters of the both of you really brought us back to life, we owe you tremendously."

"Lupe just how far away did those posters go?" I asked with her saying, "I think about one hundred or two hundred miles. You'll have some very big classes to teach." I was speechless thinking we were in some very deep shit. If something were free even if it was a rolled and wrapped up ten-day-old garbage people would flock to get some.

"Lupe how in the world…. there'll be people coming from miles around, I mean, oh never mind. I guess we'll just have to do our best." I said as Daniel squeezed my knee telling me I did the best thing by not saying anything and agreeing. Carlos had brought a pitcher of Sangria for us to enjoy, the more I was lubed with the Sangria the more we danced until the food arrived. We had ordered a Mexican combination platter and shared it specifying pollo, pescado and marisco or chicken, fish and shellfish. I was in heaven as we ate with Daniel commenting something about me being pregnant as I stuffed my face in happiness. We washed it all down with a river of Sangria wine and finally very strongly brewed coffee with cinnamon and sugar added. To hell with those pain pills just bring on the wine!

Chapter 7:

I felt no pain anywhere as we left La Cantina of course I was the one that drank while Daniel drank coffee since he was driving. I was starting to sober up as we walked back to the Jeep and was all over Daniel until I realized I was acting like a slut in primal heat. Once inside the Jeep I softly made a vow to myself not to drink like I did.

Going down the streets I noticed we had passed our normal turnoff for our apartment when I said, "I think you passed the apartment dear."

"Yeah well, I need some things at the store, I wanted to leave earlier but someone wanted to dance." Daniel said smiling at me, all I could say was I was sorry. He made a few turns, more turns and then I recognized the street where the house was and saw the lights at the gates were on and the driveway was lit since it was somewhat overcast. I kept quiet until we turned into the lighted driveway and followed it to our house with me saying, "Shopping huh? So why are we here?"

"Well, I thought we'd just make sure everything is okay." Daniel said trying to visibly convince me, he's sweet but such a terrible liar.

I was completely sober when he opened my door and helped me out of the vehicle. Using a key he opened the door, picked me up into his arms and carried me over the threshold saying, "I love you Kathy and this is just the practice for when we get married." I smiled and kissed him for such a sweet thought until we walked inside.

I was more than amazed seeing the house was decorated with the proper furniture that belonged to the house that looked new. I was ever so pleased and showed Daniel I was, by kissing him and then saying, "Since everything is here, we have to move our stuff out of the apartment." With Daniel responding by saying, "It was and everything was already put away even the stuff we had in storage. The realtor helped out and hired the movers and packers. Hell they even went grocery shopping for us." He gently lowered me to my feet with me saying, “We'll have to get new mattresses and bedding…."

"All done Darling and so much more." Daniel said as he took my hand and led me upstairs toward our bedroom. Looking about I noticed that everything was clean and fresh from the natural woods to the oriental rugs. We arrived at the master bedroom and walked into the subdued lighting of the room. I was overjoyed seeing it with the furniture in it and the rug laid. It was a home once again and I sensed it was happy just as Daniel and I were.

While I disrobed, Daniel went back to the Jeep and brought up our books and whatever else was in it. I marveled at how clean and crisp everything was including the new pink and blue towels in the bath. It took me a bit of time but I found out where everything was placed. Looking around the extravagant bath area, I saw the immense marble sunken tub with what looked to be water jets and seats carved into it. I noticed the marble shower stall, counters and dual sinks inserted into those counters, a bidet and finally the commode. I was so impressed with the lighting that reflected off the rose-colored marble, mirrors, storage closets, the tiled floors and walls. On looking up at the ceiling and I saw there was a large skylight that could be opened by a motor. I thought that our former apartment could be placed into this bath and it still wouldn't fill it.

Walking from the bath to the bedroom I had found were my lingerie was placed into the black lacquered and brass dresser to match the other furniture pieces in the room. The bed seemed to be dwarfed in the room even though it was a King sized bed. My thoughts were to find a larger bed to fit the room more proportionately as I slipped into a rose colored satin lounger that matched the bedroom rug and room accessories.

Daniel had arrived back to the room just as I pulled on the oversized pants and I was admiring a large mural of several oriental pagodas and a young girl that appeared to be Japanese feeding Koi Carp in a pond. I felt his arm encircle my waist with him saying, "I assume you approve of the bedroom."

"Oh yes, I can't wait to go through the entire house. Dad and our attorney finally said to buy the house after they had done some research on the architect. The house isn't in the national records but it is important to the Wright Legacy. What convinced me weren't them, but you and your enthusiasm for the house."

While holding me, Daniel and I spoke about us, you know relationships, us. I was about to become defensive and then I understood how I always presented myself to others. I understood my body language was that of a female and not ever a male. It wasn't my mother's fault or anyone's fault it was just me, my actions communicated that I was a girl to everyone. Even before school, the boys avoided me with the girls accepting me as one of them. At home dad did have to admit I was never going to be as he was. However he still showed everyone he loved me. In school I was the social outcast avoided by many of the males from teachers to students for fear they would lose their sexuality. Up until a few scant days ago I had been celibate, never dreaming I would ever have a relationship. I had crossed that line having sexual relations with Daniel never wanting to return to being a male; but how much of a male was I in reality? In my own opinion not much and I loved sharing with Daniel, I began to hope and pray I could next share children with my soon to be husband. I had to admit to him I finally said yes to children, which made him so happy we immediately went to our bed and made love throughout the night.

In the morning I awoke before Daniel did, I kissed him and let him sleep. Quickly I showered promising myself to use my bath later, dried off and powdered. Going out into the bedroom with just a towel around me and my hair turbaned I gathered my clothes for the day, as I had to work at the college today.

I took out a Lilac linen skirt suit, a very low cut white sleeveless silk shell and lilac pumps with a two-inch heel. Finding my lingerie I took out a sheer white bra and sheer white bikini panties, suntanned pantyhose and a white half-slip. Once I was into my lingerie, I dried and curled my hair, applied my make up and finished dressing.

On checking my appearance in the mirror I heard Daniel stirring with him saying, "Hey what are you doing up so early?" I looked at him saying, "I have to work or…"

"No you don't have to work unless you really want to do so. We have so much to do around here besides going to school." Daniel said as I walked toward him and sat next to him on the bed crossing my legs saying, "Daniel I want to do my share financially, this house will make our bills skyrocket, with the part time jobs at least I'll feel like I'm doing something." I said as I switched purses.

"Besides you want to get out and show that cute body of yours off to the male populace and make the women cry in envy." Daniel said taking my hand and kissing it.

"Oh, so that's what I'm doing? Now where is my car so I can get to work after I have something to eat?" I said as I stood up heading to the bedroom door.

"In the attached garage next to the Jeep, your keys are on a rack on the kitchen wall. I'll come with you to the kitchen and then I have Brad and Jerry coming over to network and automate the house."

"Great we haven't even gotten comfortable yet in this house and you want to blow it up." I said giggling and running down the hallway to the staircase as he caught up to me and kissed me. Damn there goes my makeup!

I was in heaven when he kissed me I felt those stirrings in me get so strong, stronger than what they ever had been in the past few days. My body was awakening from its time of sexual denial to a blossoming flower just as it had done the following night. I was tempted to remain home but I had to do my share telling Daniel what I had in mind for him later when I came home. Home that sounded funny coming from my lips, but indeed this was our home and I loved it emphatically as I loved Daniel.

We broke our kiss going down the staircase hand in hand to the kitchen. I made him his normal heavy-duty breakfast while I ate light with a toasted bagel, cream cheese and coffee out on a stone patio off the kitchen, which we had never had. It was fabulous to hear and see all manner of activity with the wildlife as we sat together to eat. I was lost in the time I spent out there until I looked at my watch. I didn't want to be late and I had no idea the amount of time to get to the campus. I gave a pensive look at the gardens and then kissed Daniel good-bye taking the dirty dishes inside placing them into the sink to be done on my return.

I grabbed the only set of keys on the rack and my purse after touching up my makeup. Going out the front door, I found the attached garage and was about to raise the huge door when Daniel was there doing it for me. I saw his Jeep and three other vehicles but not my old junker with me saying, "Daniel, where's my wagon? I don't see it here and whose cars are these?"

"Ah…Damnit I should have told you yesterday…I was having it towed here on a flatbed and the chains broke causing the car to fall off the truck. I was going to get it repaired but it wasn't practical even though the insurance would have covered the replacement. I called dad with the family buying you this new conversion van. Mom says she doesn't want to worry about her grandchildren and you; they made sure it has everything. The other cars are part of the estate, an old MGB/GT and a 64' Corvette Stingray I really don't know how well they run yet but they look pretty good."

"Daniel, you're right you should have told me. Go inside and get dressed, now! I'm going to be late because you're driving me to work in my new vehicle. Oh and you will pick me up also from work, on time with no excuses." I said as I gave him a kiss and hugged him making him smile. Daniel ran into the house and ran out in record time with his clothes on and standing at the passenger side door helping me inside the van.

The van was in silver and red, a GM that had everything from captain's chairs and DVD/TV/stereo system to a refrigerator and an aerodynamic turtle top. I had to admit it was nice, yeah nice and expensive. I was furious that Daniel allowed his parents to do this for me but then my mother would have done the same. I had to admit the ride was great as we went to the school but…

"Daniel, stop at the campus police and please get a parking pass for this van on the way home. When you come pick me up, I need to go grocery shopping and you my dear need everything from everyday underwear to shirts." I said just as we pulled up in front of the Theatrical Arts building. I gave him a kiss and very carefully got out of the van straightening my skirt. I smiled and waved to him after I shut the door with him driving away.

Inside I felt as if I was at home, as I walked the hall to my destination hearing my heels strike upon the shiny, immaculate marbled tiled floors. On entering the department office I was greeted again by Faye saying, "You look so much better in skirts and dresses. I can't believe how drastically you've changed. Let's go freshen up so we can talk, since no one is here."

Faye works in the Admin Building where the student record computer terminals are. When she suggested going to the powder room my heart sank either this was going to be a shakedown for a favor or she knew something that wasn't to be known by students.

On entering the Powder Room she checked all the stalls before speaking saying, "Honey I know what happened to you, the play, the shrinks, about the implants, everything. I saw the medical reports and hid them from the Dean. Kathy, I don't care what you were in the past, what I am concerned about is you, are you okay?"

"Sure, yet I never thought in a million years I'd be wearing skirts, dresses and have a fiancé. I never thought about sex before, all I ever wanted to do was to be active in the theatre." I said.

"I know; the girls at the House saw your audition tapes that one of them sort of borrowed from here out of curiosity. We wanted to get to know the girl that we keep seeing on those posters. I saw some inconsistencies in your records that they forgot to change that I changed. What I saw was a very talented young woman, we saw your skill and I am here to ask you to become a part of our sisterhood. I'll sponsor you myself, no one would dare oppose me as the president." Faye said as my knees knocked and my mouth opened in surprise with me saying, "Me, are you sure? Faye, I really must speak to Daniel because this affects him also."

"I understand, so I'll come over to your apartment tonight and we'll talk. Kathy, this isn't a pity trip on you, we saw something in you, the person, that all of the girls like. I was floored reading what everyone did to you and you kept your composure, I think if it were me, I'd want someone's blood. “Faye said when I agreed to her wish and gave Faye our new address to where we lived. She agreed to give me the folder to give to Phyllis for disposal.

Using the powder room first and checking our makeup, we left after a hug with her going back to the Admin Building and me the Theatrical Office where Phyllis was seated at her desk.

Walking into her office I said, "Could I use your phone to call Daniel? And you need to be here also." I closed the door as she placed her telephone near me, as I sat in a chair. Dialing Daniel's cell phone number it was answered on the second ring when I told him what had happened, by whom and to what purpose. Phyllis looked at me in disbelief when I told Daniel to call my mother and to tell her what had happened. As I hung up Phyllis said, "Do you want to go ahead with everything? I thought those medical records are confidential?"

"Phyllis, Faye is coming to the house tonight and I bet she won't be alone. I didn't sense any malice but you never know. I've been committed since the beginning, so yes, I plan on going ahead with it besides I've grown accustomed to these babies on my chest. Those records are confidential and should not have left the hospital and the person that replaced the data didn't do such a good job for you. I need you to be at the house tonight and I bet someone will be getting their ass chewed out very shortly by Mom."

"Oh I just know they will, Ernie and I will be there and I think Edward and your Mom were coming back today." Phyllis said just as her private line rang and I left to give her privacy.

I busied myself at the computer and worked on some costume sketch ideas for the archives. I did some correspondence for the Theatrical Department until about One PM when I went into Phyllis's office to say goodbye. She assured me that they both would be present when Faye came to see me.

It seemed funny that all the times I had walked down these corridors before very few people said hello or plainly ignored me. Now it seemed that everyone was saying some form of hello as I walked to the door where I had entered that morning. It amused me that prior to my change I was invisible but I wondered just how many people actually knew my name.

Going outside the door Daniel was waiting for me in the passenger seat of the van with him telling me to drive the van. On getting into the van my skirt rose to mid thigh or higher when he looked at me hungrily with his eyes. Well, too bad we weren't in bed and it wasn't nighttime! Oh lord there was a seat that turned into a bed in the back!

I placing the van into gear, I drove to the nearest grocery store and department store. We stocked up on the things we needed or wanted for our meals and clothing for Daniel that I gladly paid for and rolled on home. Very little was said in the van about what happened thinking that he wanted to discuss the problem in our home.

I pulled into the driveway seeing Mom's car and one other car that had rental license plates on it. Why was I nervous? And that explains why Daniel was so quiet.

"Would you care to tell me now because I won't walk into a buzz saw." I said as I was pulling the van into the garage to park it. I said as he looked deeply into my eyes saying, "They all came this morning just as I came back from taking you to work."

"Ah okay… now who are they, besides my mother." When I saw his head droop to his chest I knew, “Oh shit not your parents! You didn't? How long? Damnit, why didn't you tell me? Why didn't you call me at work?" I yelled with him saying, "Because you're acting just as I thought you would. Look they came to meet you and our mothers like each other and dad is getting along with Edward."

"Edward? He's here too? I have Faye, Phyllis and Ernie coming tonight, I'm surprised your sisters aren't coming, they aren't, are they." I said as I turned off the engine with Daniel saying, "I don't think so. Look Sweetie, calm down they won't attack you."

"That's not funny, I just hope she keeps her claws sheathed and don't you dare think you're getting off easy. Tonight you might be sleeping in the van or on the floor in the bedroom, I haven't yet decided, I am very angry." I said smiling as I kissed him after I faked my own anger. I couldn't be angry for long with Daniel and he knew it. But Damnit, maybe he'd call me next time.

We carefully removed the groceries and packages from the van and took them outside when he said, "Watch this dear, we installed it today. I forgot to tell you that all the cars are in good shape and you can take any car you want to take." He pressed a keypad mounted on the garage and the doors lowered. I was grateful that he installed the door opener but there had to be a door somewhere since the garage was attached to the house. We walked together toward the door when Edward, and I had to assume Daniel's father Wade, came out to help us or at least me. I had to admit my future father in law was an older image of Daniel, physically fit and tanned, wow what a hunk.

"We came out to help you kids, don't you have a door that enters the house?" Wade said as he and Edward kissed me on the cheek, taking the groceries from me and went directly to the kitchen with the bags, catching just a brief glimpse of the interior of the house. I wasn't pleased when you see what amounted to the set backdrop of the Rosalind Russell movie Auntie Mame. The words of gaudy and tacky seemed to stick into my mind.

"Well there she is Corrine, she is adorable." Melissa said loudly coming to me and greeting me like one of her own children. She held my hand and walked me to where Mom was sitting, in what I had to assume was the den and library, as I didn't recall the room I was now in. My thoughts after seeing this room were, who in the hell let the Gay decorator loose in my home, the Sonofabitch had to be blind with a Chartreuse rug and dark wood paneling. My next thought was, I felt like someone that was beauty challenged next to this woman. She was perhaps five foot eight without her heels, with long chestnut hair to her butt and sparkling brown eyes with a body that could give men heart attacks. She wore a red double-breasted skirt suit with no camisole showing her proud cleavage and a hint of the swell of her breasts that were in the C+ or D Cup range. Her skirt that she wore was shorter than I would ever dare to wear, about eight inches above the knee. Her gorgeous legs and feet had on red three-inch, sling back, patent leather pumps and suntanned hose that accented her very shapely legs. Her jewelry was rubies, diamonds and gold from the earrings and necklace she wore to her tennis bracelet on her wrist. Her makeup was light and flawless, her skin tanned golden, with her lips a cherry red and pouty.

"Well we've been waiting for you to arrive. We looked at the house and I love it, just as Daniel said I would. Thank you dear for finding that treasure." Mom said coming to me and giving me a kiss with me saying, "Sorry Mom it was Daniel that found the houses. I was just astounded that these were next door to each other with them being so alike yet different, especially the decor. Have you looked at this one yet?"

"It is a bit tacky but perhaps that was the style of the times. We looked around a little." Mom said smiling but I needed to change clothes first and said so. I took the women up to the second floor and showed them around the bedrooms telling Daniel's Mom to take any room but the nursery as that was reserved for our baby. Boy, I saw her eyes light up with the mention of a child when she said, "You aren't pregnant are you?" I thought my mother was going to choke at first when I assured Melissa I wasn't.

I called Daniel and had him bring up their luggage into the room they selected to stay in, as we went into the Master bedroom. I could see both moms were suitably impressed but when they saw the bath, Melissa's eyes lit up. Now this was a woman that appreciated a fine bath and I saw a bit of envy until Daniel came into the bedroom. He offered to take them through the rest of the house that they accepted, so I could shower and change. Daniel kissed me and took them with him as I began to undress.

Finishing undressing I went into the bathroom and drew the water for a bath adding lilac oil to it, deciding I wanted to soak in a tub. I took off my robe and checked over everything and climbed into the bath. The water, as it filled was soothing and then I turned on the water jets and heater. I was in heaven as I sat in the water when I heard a faint knock on the door with Melissa coming in saying, "Sorry dear for disturbing you but your Mom went home with Edward and our men are embarking on some type of project. My that smells good, do you mind if I join you?" My teeth almost feel from my mouth as my future mother in law undressed and climbed into the bath with me.

As I said she has a body to make women scream in envy, but I had no idea she was so gorgeous. Disrobing I saw those perfect C+ sized breasts for her body and her smooth tanned skin with no bathing suit tanning lines. Her waist was small but damn she made up in the area of her butt and hips just like me. She put up her hair into a bun and climbed into the tub not saying a word until she sat next to me saying, "So I guess you're not a prude, I will tell you that my son loves you very much. Dear did you have the breast work done to please him?" Oh crap now how in the world do I explain the augmentation? I calmly said, "No not at all, how did you know?"

"I see the bruises, that doctor did a wonderful job. Do you really love Daniel? I mean he can be pushy like his father, that's why my breasts are so large. I love him but if he had to carry them around, all I'd hear would be complaints." Melissa said showing the almost unnoticeable scars to me and having me stand and then get back into the tub. While I did that I silently praised Phyllis, Tanya and Lee making me wear the prosthetic.

"Yes they did do a fine job especially hiding the hormone implants, you can barely see them. Is there something you'd like to tell me?" Oh shit! I was paralyzed with fear! I began to stutter and finally told Melissa everything from my childhood all the way to the present as the tears flowed from both of our eyes and her hugging me to her.

"Corrine told me the truth when Daniel was showing us around, that's how I knew, if you were wondering. We've never seen our son so happy, it seemed as if each girl he dated was out for what he could give her and I just don't see that in you. I see you as a woman full of pride, doing her share to help her man. Dear we'll love you just as we do our other daughters if you want to be a part of the family by marriage. I have a confession too, you see our children are actually from a previous marriage that Wade had. His wife committed suicide, he hired me as the nanny and things just progressed for us. I married Wade and the children only remember me as their mother. When I came to work for him I was in transition, you see I was born a boy too." I was speechless that this voluptuous woman sitting next to me was a male at one time. It took a great deal of courage to unlock that skeleton from her closet. She held onto me to let me feel her motherly love when my mother came into the bathroom.

"I take it you told her, Melissa?" Mom said as she started to remove her clothes getting into the water with us with them both sitting on each side of me.

"Mom I really do love Daniel, yet at times I want to hang him by his toes." I said as I cried my tears with them both holding me with Melissa saying, "Oh yes Corinne, she has it bad. I see no other way out but for them to be married."

"I agree Melissa…"

"All this rushing, hold on you two, I haven't had the surgery yet to finalize…"

"Leave that to me dear, now what's this about Faye and your conversation this morning?" I told them about the conversation with Faye in the Powder Room and that she stole the medical records from the Dean's office and saw the audition tapes. She was also giving them all to me later.

"I will have someone's ass for this foul-up, those records are confidential and I bet no forms were signed by you for the Dean to have them. Okay another question, when you have your surgery would you like to conceive or adopt?"

"Keep in mind that medical science has come a long way in their procedures and also transplantation of organs." Melissa said with Mom agreeing with her.

"Great and I suppose Doctor Frankenstein will be the surgeon. Mom if I could make you and Melissa grandmothers by conception I'd go for it." I said with Melissa excitingly saying, "I think we have a winner! If that's what you want we'll find the physicians to do it, if it can be done." We all stayed in the bath talking when Daniel stuck his head through the door and him yelling out to the men we were in the bath. Edward, Wade and he entered the bathroom stark assed naked joining us in the tub. I've heard of Russian and Japanese communal baths but I think this took on another meaning.

When they entered the bath, we meaning Corrine and Mom had to shift so the guys could sit next to us. We spoke of things together that would probably make most people blush; we became very close not just in touching skin but also as a family. All our little secrets were laid out for the immediate family to know, that did bring us closer.

Chapter 8:

Our bath time together did as I said bring us closer but we had quickly left the water once our skin began to prune. We quickly dried off as we all laughed and giggled with Mom, Melissa and I, acting like giddy school girls to the antics of the men. Being made an observer for the journals I had to do I made a silent note to myself that certain aspects of our parent's and our lives would not be included, I told the family of my decision. Edward and Mom understood my decision and suggested an unedited journal for just the family to read, that way our children and their children would see their parents and the entire family in a different light by not seeing us through the proverbial rose colored glasses seeing only what they or we wish them to see.

It was then I disclosed the former journals I had written as I grew up from grammar school giving a day-to-day account of my life. Mom knew of these journals, but being the mother she was, had always given me privacy that other kids didn't get. They were all hand written and I never gave a thought as to what importance they held. Most of the journals were packed away from Mom's old house and the ones from the past several years were with me on floppy disks and a CDR that I wrote to, that Edward asked for to read. I was hesitant at first as they did bare my soul for everyone to see my vulnerabilities and thoughts; but I did give him the floppies with the stipulation I get them returned. If he was to allow others to read them I would be advised first.

Daniel dressed and left the room to join Edward and Wade to help in Mom's house. Dressing quickly in a yellow short-sleeved, shirtdress over my yellow bikini panties, bra, garter belt, nude stockings and slip, I applied the briefest of makeup and placed white sandals with a two-inch heel onto my feet and fastened the straps around my ankles. My hair was pulled back into a ponytail and tied off with a yellow and white scarf giving me a retro look of the fifties. Just as I completed dressing Melissa and Mom came into the room with them both carrying two chests and placing them onto my dresser with Melissa saying, "Kathy, I want you to have this jewelry chest that was my mothers. My daughters won't mind because they will get their mother's chest from me and part of mine and you will get the other part from my chests when I'm gone." With my Mom next saying, "The other chest is from grandma and partly from me for her granddaughter and my daughter with the stipulation you pass it on to your daughter or daughter in law." They both gave me a kiss and went through the chests finding an Amber pendant on a thin gold chain, Amber earrings, and an Amber chain bracelet.

My emotional level was near the crying point, as they both had me look into the mirror. I saw myself over the years as just the weak boy and never realized what I was or would become a flower from the bulb that was planted in the humus of the flowerbed. I remembered many of my old journal entries now that I had forgotten. I had wished I could be like my mother and grandmother not only in their ways but physically. I presumed I had repressed that I wished I were female. Well by my blunders I am now female, in my mentality I suppose I always was and my appearance questionable, I soon would be one of them through the miracles of medical science and possibly to conceive a new life.

The three of us left the bedroom together and walked to the kitchen talking all the way. Corrine and Mom joked with each other like they knew each other since babies, as I made coffee and tea, after I found the pots. While brewing the liquids I silently thought this was now my kitchen just as mother had her own. I wanted to make it my own along with everything in this house. I was compelled to place my own loving signatures to show it belonged to me just as Mom always did.

I prepared some fresh domestic and tropical fruit placing the pieces on a platter, that I placed it on the table. I know coffee, tea and fruit is not the best taste treat in the world, but I also added bagels, Russian dark rye bread, lox, pastrami, kosher deli pickles, Swiss cheese, cream cheese, onion, and tomato to another platter. Okay, so I'm not Martha Stewart, thank the Powers that be. All I did was to prepare a snack for us when the most raucous noise you every heard traversed the house scaring the hell out of me at first. It sounded like a Chinese Gong that was found in their Temples and the striker with the mallet had an epileptic seizure while hitting the gong.

While looking around slightly perplexed, Mom smiled saying, "Oh payback as truly wonderful. Suffer my dear daughter, as I will, every time you hear that damn doorbell. I thought we had Big Ben in the house when I first heard mine." With me getting up, smiling and saying, "Sure Mom but then you have to come into our den and stay a few hours." When Mom smiled and said under her breath that I was a bitch. I giggled as I went to the front door and opening it to Phyllis, Faye, Ernie and two other women that I didn't know when Phyllis said loudly, "Girl, I knew you were eccentric but these furnishings are…"

"Kathy, were your decorators both color blind and Gay? Damn those color blends are very unusual." Faye said after I told her I thought the same thing and that the den was worse, making us all laugh. I took everyone into the kitchen and introduced the girls to Mom and Melissa, when Melissa gave me a small box she was carrying saying, “Cindy, Joni and I want to say we're sorry for removing the tapes and I want to apologize for reading the medical charts and allowing the girls to read them." I was mad as hell, stunned could be used as it was apropos saying, "Why? I mean…"

"Faye please, we read the chart accidentally, it was on her desk in the room we thought it was hers. We're also her roommates and her sister in the sorority. We didn't attempt to gain access or to break confidentiality." Joni said with Cindy saying, "Kathy we're asking you to become one of the sisterhood."

I looked at my mother and future mother in law as I gave the tapes back to Phyllis and the medical records to my mother. Their faces were impartial when I decided to ask, "Why me? There are I'm sure others that fit your criteria in joining."

"Well you're intelligent, gifted in the arts and…"

"Not a girl and you all felt sorry for me! What you all did was to invade my privacy, but I do owe you something, as the Dean was about to do the same. The tapes were an act of thievery, which could get you thrown out of college and the sorority placed on probation." I said angrily.

"Kathy, you're more woman than many females, we admit we did invade your privacy and we did steal those tapes and the medical file. We in fact think you have a great deal to contribute to our Sorority or we'd be snubbing you." Faye said almost in tears.

"Ladies, there are three staff members in this room; myself, Ernie and Corrine, the new Hospital Chief Administrator. Now Professor Tavis is next door…" Phyllis said when Melissa interrupted saying, "And my husband is an alumnus to this institution that has given major financial support. My son attends here and is the fiancé of Kathy; so I would say the crap has hit the fan."

"Faye you said she was cool! If I get thrown out daddy will kill me or make me marry that jerk kid of his boss." Joni said as Cindy joined in and said, "My daddy will cut me off from everything and I'm getting married next month; Mike will kill me!"

"Okay girls, calm down, we understand the problems you have. Just sit down and eat something and we'll talk." Mom said kindly to the young women while Melissa went to the den with Ernie and brought the TV with the built in VCR/CD player out to the kitchen table.

Ernie turned on the TV and placed a tape in the carriage in moments I saw the audition tapes of many persons, some good and some terrible. The picture and sound quality were professional grade with us all watching. It also occurred to me why the tapes were taken; blackmail for the new pledges of the Greek crowd to join or as a humiliation once they pledged. I paused the tape and looked at the women. I asked them my thoughts, after a brief pause Faye said it was true that it has been done for decades she imagined.

"Kathy please believe us we had no intentions of humiliating you, but by you joining us we would have had the most talented performer on campus as a sister. With that alone, the guys would flock to our socials just to get a glimpse of you. Honey don't you get it, we have a budding celebrity here." Cindy said.

"That's pretty shabby girls, I mean you girls are beautiful and intelligent, all of you could do anything in your lives, but using people to get dates that's hitting rock bottom. That's why I told Daniel to be careful of the gold diggers; of course he didn't listen to his mother or father. It took one person with ethics to convince him and that was Kathy." Melissa said

"The subject is what should be done so that this never happens again, any ideas?" Ernie said just as Wade, Edward and Daniel came inside the house. It was told to them what was discovered and the deception involved.

"Well ladies, if it were up to me I would turn this over to the Governing Board, but this isn't. I admit you did help Kathy, so I imagine it should be up to our daughter and our son in law." Edward said when I did a double take at Mom and Edward.

"Our Daughter, our son in law? Did I miss something in the translation? Are you sure you're speaking English? Do I need to make you both an appointment to see my shrink?" I asked when Mom held up her ring finger and said, "Edward Tavis, you promised me! I was going to tell Kathy later but since you opened your trap, we decided to get married in a year."

"Mom as long as you're happy, I don't care. Now daddy dear, about my grade and about Faye, Joni and Cindy…"

"Sorry no deals, no favoritism, I gave you your assignment and I expect it carried out. As for the others that is your decision." Edward said looking at me stoically with me saying, "What has been going on ceases, if I decided to become a sister I want to choose the sorority I belong to, not them choosing me. It has to be a decision of the entire sorority once the rushing period ends. This goes for the guys also and it should be brought before the entire Greek Council my wishes." I said fervently looking at the three women.

"That was well said. Daniel, she has a good head on her shoulders." Wade said with everyone agreeing with Faye asking, "Does that mean you'll…"

"Yes Faye I will, but whatever was seen previously or discussed about me in this house or on campus is to remain hidden. It would hurt not only the ones I love, but the sorority and me, is this a deal?" I asked as the girls went into the living room and spoke to each other and returned smiling and saying as a group, "Yes Kathy, we agree to the terms."

With that out of the way we enjoyed the next several hours of conversation and watching those audition tapes. When my audition was shown after some very badly put together production numbers there was silence as everyone watched and listened with Phyllis raising her coffee cup and saying loudly, "and there she is, our next Molly Brown and our next Mr. Johnny Brown the crème de la crème of Denver Society. May this production be the longest run in the history of the drama department. Now after giving some thought to the theft of these tapes I think a proper punishment for the entire Greek assemblage will be to help us construct all the costumes and backdrops. Those that can sew will work with Tanya and Lee for costume creations. During the show run you will all assist us in whatever needs to be accomplished, this is not a request but a requirement to keep all of you out of the Board of Regents sight. Any violations and charges will be brought before them for the theft of school property. Is this understood? Oh, one further thing is I will be attending the council meeting and speak to the advisors."

"Thank you Professor Pearson, thank you Kathy…"

"Don't thank my fiancé, but you and all her sisters of all the sororities will help her in any way you can. Now what Frat should I join? Damn me a Frat Rat!" Daniel said laughing with all of us joining him, breaking the tension.

Chapter 9:

While eating and speaking with each other, Wade had disappeared with Edward. As I prepared more of an antipasto tray I heard a loud crash and a the damnedest squeaking and groaning sound I had ever heard, together with the loudest and most forceful expletives I had ever heard. Now I remembered my dad using very descriptive words when he was alive and thought I would never hear them, but the words I heard would make longshoremen want to take lessons from the men that let those words fly from their mouths.

We ran into the living room seeing a portrait that was above the fireplace mantle on the floor, with the plaster fallen and cracked showing what looked like a hidden mirror. To the left of the fireplace marble mantle was an opened door. There was plaster and wood splinters everywhere with Edward and Wade both swearing at the mess with me saying, "Great we just move in and you want to wreck my house." I was close to tears when Edward said, "We measured the walls and found eight feet not accounted for, when we found a release or spring mechanism hidden in the mantle. I pushed it and the portrait came down when the plaster sealed door flew open, it must be on some type of spring system."

"So that gives you the right to demolish their home? I swear Wade what am I going to do with you?" Melissa said with Wade saying, "Hmmm, maybe there's a dungeon in there we can use? Wow dear, whips, chains and handcuffs, I'm first sweetheart!" Wade said laughing as Daniel and Ernie went through the door and coming out excited saying, "There is a room but not a dungeon. It has the largest home aquarium and air pump I ever saw, it must be at least five or six hundred gallons but the glass is cracked."

"Yeah and tools for a workshop with another door that leads to the garage." Ernie said with Mom saying, "Please don't tell me there's one in our house Edward. If there is, you take care of it; I can't stomach to flush the poor critters when they die. Kathy had goldfish and I cried when they died." That was true she did cry for days and guess who had to flush them down the crapper? Yep, poor dad!

We all grabbed brooms and a vacuum, cleaning up the mess, Once it was cleaned up, I had to admit an aquarium was a hell of a lot better than having that horrible impressionistic painting on the wall, Chagall, Picasso never, but maybe Rueben or van Gogh. Before any more furnishings were lost I asked Daniel to have a restorative architect survey the houses and grounds. I made them all promise not to look for any more hidden rooms. I had a suspicion that there would be more.

The evening went by quickly with Mom, Phyllis, Ernie and Edward leaving early. Faye, Joni and Cindy stayed later and I learned that they wanted me as a friend and not just as a status symbol; before they left I filled out and signed the application for the sorority membership.

Now Melissa helped me clean up the kitchen, while Daniel and Wade watched the late news in the den. I liked Melissa and I could see why Wade was enchanted with her, as we laughed and giggled reviewing the events of the day with her saying, "Lisa, Vicki and Ted can't wait to meet you dear. I called them on my cell phone when the men made that mess in the living room."

"Mom, they're all welcome to stay here at anytime. I just wished you all lived closer to us. We have at least three more years here and then who knows what we'll do. I love this house even though I hope it doesn't become a money pit. I want to see our nursery put to good use and the bedrooms filled with our children." Damn did I just say that? I did and I better go see that shrink real soon. Children are wonderful when they're small but then they become those creatures at the age of thirteen called teenagers, the nemesis of all parents. Damn I must be suffering from mental dementia; the after effects of all that gas I had in surgery. Hey you, pass the nitrous oxide!

I need to laugh.

"Well hello Mrs. Cleaver is the Beaver home as they used to say on Leave it to Beaver; with that dress I'm sure you'll be the most perfect mother. I was a mess when I came to take care of Lisa, Daniel and Vicki but then so were they. Their Mom just died from Postpartum Depression, I was in a state of what the hell am I, Vicki was a baby that was still nursing, Daniel was into everything, Lisa was attached to my skirt and Wade was whoring around.

Wade had to face the death of his wife and the kids looked to me as their mother and protector. One night I had the children settled down for the night when Wade came home. He was depressed, feeling that he was to blame for his wife's death. We spoke without him drinking a drop of booze. I made him a dinner that he liked and he helped me clean up. While we were cleaning I felt his eyes all over me, I had only been on hormones for about six months and I was still developing. I was just twenty years old at the time; I was younger than his deceased wife and also going to school. In my dreams I had fantasized about having sex with a man but had no experience in any relationships.

We went into the living room where I had music playing softly when he took me into his arms and we began to dance. It was a magical moment for us, we managed to click and wound up in bed together. From that night on we were together, I knew what I wanted and that was Wade with the children. He helped me through the pains of surgery with his love and compassion and the children gave me love and laughter.

After we had married we went to see my parents on a visit. They had no idea I had transitioned although my mother knew of my predilection of wearing her clothes or my sister's clothes. My sister and brothers had arranged that they would be at my mother's home when we came.

We met my sister first at the mall. She didn't even recognize me until I yelled out her name and hugged her to me when I ran to her. She was mystified at first not understanding my desire and need to be a woman but was pleased that I had finally achieved my goal in what I wanted. She saw that I was at last enjoying my life.

She went out to the car and returned with my mother, which was a surprise for me. Yet I had the bigger surprise, being married and having a family and my sister was an aunt and Mom was a grandma. She loved my family and fawned all over everyone when she decided for us to go to see my dad at work. One thing about my mother is, she is in charge and you just followed.

He was a machine shop foreman, a blue collar, a beer drinking, macho man, and a man's man. Sis and Mom dragged him from the shop with my brothers in back of them. He was cold to Wade and me at first but when he met the children he realized he was a grandpa and I was a woman, wife and mother. That in itself rudely awakened him; he showed a side of himself to me he only showed to sis and Mom, his soft side. We stayed a week and for three days dad, my brothers, Wade and Daniel went fishing and us girls went shopping or talked together. I felt wonderful that they accepted my family and me and it's been that way since then. I have both good and bad memories, but the memories I have with the children and Wade are the best.

Sweetheart, I only want you to have the best memories with Daniel just as your mother has of her deceased husband, Edward, Daniel and you. Just wait until you meet your grandma and grandpa it will be a real hoot!"

The more Melissa spoke the more I was enraptured with her honesty and the love she had for her family. She raised three children as her own that she hadn't given life to and taking those children from diapers to marriage. She helped repair a man to be able to love and care again about all things that were important, his family and to live life to its fullest. She was indeed a role model for her family.

I had to excuse myself, go upstairs to the bedroom and do those dreadful journal entries. Melissa walked me to my room and then went to her room. The guys were still downstairs in the den so I had some peace to compose my thoughts.

Going to the secretary desk in the bedroom I booted up my laptop. Quickly I changed into a pair of gold satin pajamas and matching robe after finding them, cleaned my face and returned to set up the format for the journals.

My first journal was the abridged version and the second was the unabridged version. Daniel had been diligent in the taking of the photos and I used those photos in my journals. Starting from day one, I placed my experiences, thoughts and captioned photos into the unabridged Journal finding out that in order for those that read the journal it was difficult to use an abridged version until my life settled down. In the abridged version I felt that certain family secrets should remain just that a secret. After several hours of work and several rewrites I felt it was ready to send on to the appropriate professors but before I did I decided to have someone read what I had wrote and that person was going to be Daniel when he arrived.

I was in the process of redoing my nails when Daniel came into the bedroom coming directly to me and kissing me saying, "Sorry but I was watching an old Hitchcock movie and I lost track of time."

"That's okay but I need you to read the Journal entries before I send them off. I'll also need to use your cell phone to send them off. When are we going to get in the network?" I said

"Hmmm… you know that's going to cost you? Possibly tomorrow, now are you prepared to pay the price?"

"Oh crap, why do I feel I just lost my panties? Okay it's a deal since tomorrow we have an afternoon class with Phyllis."

"Oh shit I forgot; do we have to go?"

"Yes we do and we need to see that architect on campus. I want my house back in order but I want the house to tell us all its mysteries."

Daniel sat down at the computer and read both journals along with the captioned photos. While my nails dried I looked over at him smiling and then him saying, "Mom told you all of that? I'm impressed that you managed to get her to speak about those early days. I don't remember anything but I think Lisa does. It really doesn't matter to us; she's our mother and always has been. We all love her for the person she is and the mother she has always been." Daniel said as I went to him thinking maybe this was a reason I loved him. He was never judgmental of people and took them for face value except when it came to his disastrous dates and the gold diggers.

Kissing him I then readied the various addresses and attachments using the cell phone to connect to the college's email server and sent out all the mail. I then checked both of our mailboxes with nothing there. I felt good that I had complied with the assignments with them giving me a better insight to my inner self and the people around me.

We cuddled together after we got into the bed with Daniel saying, "Mom's a bit hard to handle isn't she?" I buried into him saying, "Nope, but she loves all of you very much. She took over and raised you all pretty well so that gives her some credence and I think you came out just fine. Do you ever think of your birth Mom?"

"We all used to, especially if we were in trouble, then we all realized that Mom was Mom. She was the only real Mom we knew, she took care of us and loved us, hell she was always there for us and fought for us. She taught us so well that Lisa and Vicki are just like her in so many ways. Dad says she's the glue of our family that holds us together and I know he's right. We know she was born different but she's still our mother and love the hell out of her." I kissed Daniel and saw what he had said was the truth. I also had seen his tolerance for others that were scorned by many, such as people of color, gay, Transgendered and lesbian, along with the disabled; what he showed wasn't pity but open friendship. My pain had diminished but I just wanted to be held by Daniel, not realizing in fact how tired I was and fell asleep next to him.

Chapter 10:

I awoke very early the following morning realizing Daniel had held me to him all night. Slowly I untangled myself from him and kissed him gently on the forehead and went to the bathroom. I quickly showered and got dressed in sweats and sneakers, going down to the kitchen.

I started to prepare a breakfast of fruit balls, breakfast sausage, bacon, ham, powdered Buttermilk biscuits, bacon flavored Grits, hash browns, scrambled and fried eggs, juice, tea and coffee. I was partially complete making the meal when Daniel came into the kitchen and brought me to him and kissed me. When I recovered from the kiss I said, "It will be a requirement each morning for as long as we live for us to greet each other in the morning like that." As he looked into my eyes he said, "Oh I think that could be arranged Mrs. Piet - Carson. Before you get angry…"

"Oh Daniel, what now?"

"I checked our email and we had an answer from Professor Mabrey, he'll be here around Ten AM to survey the houses and properties. The realtor is coming also with the drawings and photos they found." Daniel said holding me and I saying, "That wasn't so bad."

Daniel continued saying, "One point of interest was that the original owners used this house as the family quarters and the other house was used as a studio, the original owner was the architect of the houses. That explains the loft area on the second floor, how open it is, how the light pours into the area."

"Not to say the lack of privacy in using the toilet; it seems so communal like a locker room." I said giggling having Daniel prepare the outdoor table for us and I readied the food warmers and coolers to keep everything warm or cool in the kitchen, allowing everyone to take what they wanted. I called Mom on her cell phone with Edward answering telling him breakfast was ready and for them to come over while Daniel went to get his parents.

Shortly they had all arrived enjoying a family meal together on our patio. The sun shone brightly as I saw several fish jump from the water in the pond to catch a meal of insects that were flying. The songbirds had tremendous voices that made me smile. This was how I enjoyed breakfast seeing nature that was all around us.

We were sipping our coffee when we heard a car come up the drive and heard the slamming of the doors. Daniel yelled loudly to the visitors and they came toward us with the crunching sound shoes make walking on gravel and pavement. We finally saw an older man with four younger men come from behind a bush when Edward said, "Hi Don, you certainly are here early."

"I've been trying to do this for years to these homes and I finally got my dream. None of us slept at all last night." Don Willis the chairman of the Architecture department said.

Don Willis was quite well known nationally being a member on the selection committee for the National Registry of Architectural and Historical Landmarks that they try to save historical buildings from demolition.

"Well, all I can say is if you break it; you fix it or replace it. I won't have my house shredded, bent or mutilated." I said making everyone laugh showing the new arrivals were the coffee and breakfast was at.

Once inside they seemed to go into a profound state of OhMyGod, acting as if the house was the holy of holies, a shrine built to the late Frank Lloyd Wright and his concepts. After everyone was fed it seemed that everyone offered to help clean up which I gladly accepted.

I decided to skip classes calling Phyllis and asked for the day off with Daniel. She agreed but my assignment was to watch at least one movie. She had received the unabridged journal entry and photo journal, which she was pleased with the quality, stating that was what she wanted from us. She and Ernie admired the honesty and integrity that I had used and stated they would see us later. I went to the den and started to go through the movies we had deciding to watch Miss Reynolds and her portrayal of Mrs. Molly Brown in the Unsinkable Molly Brown.

When the music started I curled up onto the couch with both Melissa and Mom coming in to watch the movie. Watching her comedic nature was refreshing with the movie being timeless. The classic line of comedy she used didn't escape such as, “It ain't the money I love, Pa. It's the not havin' any I hate, or you're no prize, where I come from we drown runts of the litter like you. I'm interested in ev'rthin', 'cause I don't know nothin'."

By the time the credits rolled showing the superb cast of the movie I was reaching for another movie with Melissa saying, "Sweetheart I see why Phyllis and Ernie chose you for the part of Molly Brown."

"My concern is how to be me and not replicate her performance. How could the new cast be refreshed in those roles?"

'I see, you'll think of something but by being the actress you seem after seeing that audition tape, I'd say this is the role of roles." Melissa said with Mom adding by saying, "Look at all those roles you've had before, and I'd say that the writer Helen Deutsch and the director Charles Walters conveyed an important part of the rags to riches story. They showed the love of two people and show how strong Molly was, but it was Miss Reynolds that carried it off without a flaw with the man that did the original play on Broadway, Harve Presnell."

I went to get something to drink for us in the kitchen seeing the men busy in the living room. On walking into the kitchen Daniel was there speaking into his cell phone to someone about the fish tank.

Taking the tea from the fridge I saw that the two-gallon sun tea pitcher was empty. I looked at Daniel seeing he had just completed his call and said, "Hey you, you drink the tea and put the empty back into the fridge? That doesn't work anymore around here. I better not find glasses all over the house or water rings on the tables either, keywords are coasters and washed."

"I swear I didn't drink it all, Okay I'll make sure that everyone does what you want. The guys are coming over to look at that tank, Dad is going to replace and stock it for us with a new tank and fish" Daniel said taking the pitcher from me and washed it out while I took another prepared pitcher from the windowsill.

"What does the professor say?" I asked with Daniel saying, "There have been extensive renovations done here by the second owners. They feel like you do, that things have been covered over and not done properly. Dad would like to know if you would like the house restored, he said he would like to see his daughter in law happy in her wedding present."

"Daniel this is turning into a money pit, sure you got a deal with the county but…"

"Believe me Dad can afford it, he wants to do it for us." He said just as there was a knock at the back door. On opening it there stood a teenage girl that looked to be a female image of Daniel that said, "Hi Sis, I'm Vicki; Lisa and Ted are right behind me." With Vicki coming to me and giving me a sisterly kiss.

"Daniel, get dad and Edward, go help your sister and brother in law with the luggage."

"Hey brat, dad's in the living room, I'll run out and help." Daniel said as I yelled for Edward, Wade and both mothers that came immediately to see what I wanted.

Wade and Melissa hugged Vicki immediately then I took her arm and I had her sit-down at the kitchen table while both moms and I scurried around the kitchen. Fresh coffee and tea was made and I managed to tell the men working around the house, when Lisa and Ted came inside with the men holding their luggage.

"I just love this old house, Ted I want something like this to keep us busy so we can say it's ours." Lisa said coming to me and holding my arm and then hugging me to her.

"Yeah sure, and guess who'll be doing all the work?"

"Sorry to hear that young man, there are several old homes locally that need to be restored that are just as important as these two old homes are. I know of several that the college owns that they would love to sell." Don said.

"And that ostentatious ass, dear people is Donald Willis, Chair of the Architectural and Design school." Edward said laughing with Don saying, "And I dear sir will send you my Bill for my consultation fees which could be taken care of with several dance lessons by your soon to be daughter and her husband, besides my wife said it's either I learn to dance or she finds a new husband."

"I'm going to hang Lupe and Carlos…"

"Dance lessons by my brother? Those are the magic words, where do we sign up for them? Ted is the worst of the worst. “Lisa said laughing while I looked at her strangely. I saw the resemblance of all three siblings and then I looked at Wade and Melissa. I saw some of him in his children but then I looked at Melissa and saw a great deal of resemblance. Something wasn't right but who was I to rock the boat with my unfound suspicions.

"Yes Kathy and I are teaching the classes, so no comments from any of you. Now let's take your stuff upstairs and Kathy has to go back to studying." Daniel said taking them all to the bedrooms while I took a pitcher of iced tea with lime juice and glasses into the den to watch the next movie, Singin' In The Rain.

I read the brief history and synopsis of the movie that said, Louis B. Mayer cast Miss Reynolds in the studio's musical charade of 1920s Hollywood, Singin' In The Rain released in 1952. Much to the disappointment of the star Gene Kelly who wanted a professional dancer placed into the part. Given three months to learn to dance well enough to keep up with Mr. Kelly and co-star Donald O'Connor. At the age of 19 Miss Reynolds did the impossible and kept step and shone brightly with the two seasoned professionals. Once again, her comic timing proved her savior, this time as a self-assured flapper (A young woman in the 1920s who flaunted her unconventional conduct and dress) and an hopeful actress (temporarily working as a chorus girl) who disregards Hollywood until she accidentally falls in love with silent screen star Kelly and gets a job redoing the voice of his romantic leading lady (Jean Hagen) who is having serious trouble making the transition from silent movies to talking pictures.

It was fun for me to be watching these films and watching this lady in her younger years. Her elegance in her movements were so refined yet simplistic. I had to admit I was enthralled with her stage presence. While watching the movie Mom, Melissa, Lisa and Vickie came into the den with everyone finding a place to sit. At the conclusion of the movie I decided I needed a walk to digest what I had seen and to think of other matters.

Walking alone outside I went to the pond and sat down onto the bench that was located in a secluded spot near the waterfall. I was amazed at the crystal clarity of the water and watched the Trout scavenging for insects or whatever was edible to them.

I reflected on my life as how lucky I was and how understanding Mom was to my new status in life. I had heard of many Transgendered being cast from their families, lose their friends, sometimes murdered or beaten just to be whom and what they are. Why in the world did I suppress what I was? Why did I not see my true personae? How did Daniel see what I didn't? How did Phyllis, Ernie and Edward see the same and more qualities in me that I missed? Lord, Daniel's entire family was now here, did they all know about me? I assumed they didn't but if they did it didn't seem to matter. Melissa and Wade I believe had a great deal in teaching their children that not all life or people are the same, to overlook and avoid the pitfalls of discrimination.

Standing I walked around the waters edge and continued walking toward the wooded area and found the beginnings of an overgrown path and followed it into the wooded area. I heard the leaves and brush rustle from the small animal life as I walked the path until I found a small clearing. In that clearing was another waterfall and a smaller pond with a bench that I cleaned off and sat on. While sitting I saw some of the smaller wildlife as they played, drank and ate with a few coming close to me with them scampering away probably after getting my scent. Hey, come on back I took a shower! Oh well maybe another time.

Continuing my stroll through the wooded area I found myself at a large patio at the back of the house. Looking around there were several statues of Roman or Greeks, three men and three women holding wine jugs near what appeared to be a nasty, old, large storage area. That in itself I thought strange when I felt an arm snake around my waist and a kiss on my cheek.

"Feel better?" Daniel asked as I turned toward him and said, "Daniel, are you sure about everything? I mean about us?"

"Not again, I had a feeling about what you've been thinking." Daniel said when my mother came from the house looking for me saying, "I'm so glad I found you both together. Doctor Bradshaw telephoned me from the hospital concerning you Kathleen. He wants you to see Doctor Fields tomorrow at the doctor's office."

"Mom please don't do this to me, I really don't want to go."

"Kathy, I'll come with you, maybe it's something simple that they just want to check. Besides my dad and Edward, have the reconstruction under control. They're helping install the new fish tank and cleaned up that back room." Daniel said.

"Okay I'll go, but no surgery and no hospital stays." I said just as Mom explained to Daniel my phobia of hospitals. The medical advancements over the past thirty years have been a godsend to all humankind, even more so over the last decade. I began to tell Daniel why I was phobic whenever a hospital was mentioned.

Dad was still alive and I became very sick with an elevated fever while I was in grade school. I passed out in class, was taken to the school nurse and transferred to the hospital by ambulance with Mom and dad waiting for me there. I was in a delirious state with them connecting me to every manner of I V there was to be placed into my arms. I remembered how cool the liquids felt taking the heat away from me with the doctors discussing probable causes of the fever.

On awakening I was in a room that had double doors and the people that came to see me all wore gowns, gloves and masks. Mom and dad were sitting in chairs near the bed with both their eyes swollen from what I recall now, crying. They had both seen my eyes open and ran to my side notifying the nurses I was awake.

There was no explanation that could be found as to why I was in the state I was, but the good news was the fever had broken. Little by little I regained my strength with the Virologists and Epidemiologists going mad not seeing what the cause was or how the fever started. Every four hours it seemed like some masked and gowned ghoul drew blood, urine or stool samples. I was poked, prodded and manipulated throughout the day and night bringing me to the point of tears with dad saying to me to be strong and Mom telling me it had to be done.

After a week in the Isolation Room I was taken to another more cheerful private room that even had a television. At this point in time I was behind in my schoolwork and had to catch up so the hospitals tutor made her visits to me. The tutor was a grand lady that was about grandma's age and a former Cancer patient. She recognized my depressive attitude having been through it herself, speaking to my parents and the medical staff. They agreed a psychiatrist was needed to also evaluate me.

The next day an older lady came to see me in the room dressed in a blouse and jeans with her hair in a ponytail. The way she was dressed reminded me of the Hippie Era I had read about. She put me at ease and asked all manners of questions including my past forays in dressings as a girl for the plays and Halloween. One question I remembered her asking was if I ever wanted to be a girl? My answer was that I was always a girl, it was just my body was different from theirs. Seeing her eyes open wide at my answer I became quiet just as I had always done when dad was around me doing the same thing when the answer was not what he expected.

One month later I was released from the hospital, yet the answers to what had caused the fever was not known. There were other things that were never discussed with me but I knew Mom and dad knew, it didn't matter to me I was now going home which didn't last long before I returned.

Mom always tried to be home when I returned from school and she was there when I walked through the door. Going into the kitchen, I kissed her as I always did and had a snack of a piece of fruit and a glass of cold apple juice. For the past several days I was not in a good frame of mind and was short tempered, had headaches, was somewhat bloated and mild pain in the lower abdomen. I told Mom how I felt with her saying it sounded like I was getting a Monthly Friend like she gets and laughed. The only problem was when I stood she screamed seeing blood on my new Khaki pants in the crotch area.

Not that Mom was an overzealous mother she helped me into the bathroom and had me strip out of my clothes where we both saw the blood saturated jockeys and the damage to the new pants. I felt no pain and told her so, but she had me climb into a warm bath and called the doctor. On soaking in the tub I felt the abdomen pain lessen and the headache leave when I heard the door open and Mom came inside and laid out a pair of girl's lilac colored panties, lilac t-shirt and a sanitary pad onto the vanity.

In the bath water I saw tiny drops of blood sporadically coming from my almost non-consequential penis. At first I was alarmed when I saw the blood droplets on the floor creating a trail of sorts to the tub when Mom just lightly touched my arm giving me a caring look of everything will be alright. She added some fragrant bath salts to the water and cleaned up the mess I made.

Mom showed me nothing but kindness and concern helping me after my bath getting me dressed. I had to wear the panties and sanitary pad just like a girl had to when she had her Time of the Month. Did I have confusion? Not in the least but I felt it was normal that it was going to be a part of my life and it was just that a part of my life that I hid every month. Mom loaned me one of her short robes that was a full robe for me, found me slippers and placed my long hair into a ponytail when the doctor came to our house to see me.

This was not normal for doctors to make a house call, I felt very special. Doctor Brissca was a kindly man that took good care of me in the hospital and now he was just as kind and gentle examining me in Mom's bedroom. Mom left the room to answer the telephone while the good doctor drew blood and swabbed the inside of my mouth taking more genetic material. I remembered as he packed up his Boston Bag, he was shaking his head and speaking to himself that I couldn't hear. He patted my hand, told me to rest and went out to talk to my Mom. Mom was so loving, kind and gentle when she returned, she was always loving and I bathed in her attention.

I went to school as usual but wore my normal boy's clothes with my girl stuff underneath carrying extra pads in my book bag changing them in the nurse's office. When the nurse read the note the first day from the doctor and Mom's note she turned white and became very motherly toward me, even the teachers seemed to have changed toward me treating me as another girl in the class.

Several weeks went by the blood had stopped after four days and I had another appointment with Doctor Brissca. I went through the routine of blood and swabbing with a physical. The poor man was really perplexed ordering more tests that day and for the next several months.

What was finally determined was nothing or a big fat question mark. I had a period each month and my blood and swabs said I was a girl when it was over they said I was a boy. CAT, MRI scans and Ultrasounds showed the presents of a female reproductive system that was not of normal size during my time of the month but after it they couldn't find any evidence of it ever having been there at all. Damn it was like David Copperfield pulling off a Magical Illusion to mystify medical science. When the rumblings came about an Exploratory Surgery I freaked and so did Mom and dad. I was healthy and decided to live as I was, a Freak of Nature; cringing when I hear the word, hospital, tests and doctors used in the same sentence or context.

With my tears flowing down my cheeks Daniel now understood why there were sanitary pads in the bathroom under the sink. He took my hand into his saying, "Kathy, we'll all go together tomorrow. Maybe they know something now that the doctors didn't know before. There has to be a reason for the problem now I know why you were so bitchy before, I just thought it was something I did."

"Bitchy is a kind word for her time of the month, her moods are worse than mine are. Kathy, please go tomorrow, we have to find out what is going on inside of you. Daddy was so very proud of you but there wasn't a day that went by that he didn't blame himself feeling he was the cause of the malady you were suffering with." Mom said with me saying, "I never suffered physically but I seemed to be in a land of sexual confusion all of the time. Okay mother I'll go, but the condition is, you all have to go, suffer along with me and hold my hand a great deal." Mom and Daniel both hugged me to them, as I saw their tears of joy when they released me.

Just as I was released Melissa and Lisa came to join us with Melissa saying, "Kathleen honey, Lisa and I heard everything. You won't be alone tomorrow if it's alright with you and Corrine we'd like to come also, let the men stay here and just us go."

"Sorry Mom but I'm going too, Kathy is my fiancé as well as my partner and the love of my life…"

"Little Bro, shut up, you made your point. Don't piss Mom or me off." Lisa said while Daniel walked away mumbling toward the storage house.

While Mom, Melissa Lisa and I were talking we heard a very loud crack and turned toward the sound just in time to see Daniel disappear from sight, and then heard a splash with the sounds of very sincere cussing coming from the hole. Lisa ran to get help and Melissa, Mom and I went cautiously to the hole Daniel went through, not getting close to it after hearing splintering sounds of wood.

Wade and Edward were the first to arrive followed by Don and his students and then Lisa talking on a cell phone. In the distance we heard the wail of sirens that were getting closer and then stopped with the sounds of people running toward us.

In the meantime Don had cautiously crawled toward the hole with a flashlight, speaking to Daniel and crawling toward the firefighters that had arrived. Several minutes had passed and I was close to totally losing my composure when the firefighters nodded agreement with Don.

Don walked back to us saying, "Daniel is fine just a wee wet from falling into the stagnant pool water, about four or five feet worth I'd say."

"Pool, what pool, can't you see its grass here?"

"Wow sis, you have your own pool, can I stay for the summer?" Vicki added.

"Kathy, there is a pool under there. I guess the previous owners didn't want it and instead of busting up and removing the concrete or filling it in they covered it with about three inches of wood and laid soil on the top. The wood rotted and we see the end result. They called for a crane and the hospital is sending a doctor to check Daniel over."

"A crane and a doctor? I thought he wasn't hurt?" I said just as I lost consciousness.

Chapter 11:

I felt a prick in my arm and opened my eyes to see a lab tech drawing tubes of the red life giving liquid from my arm and her saying, "I'll be done in a moment Kathy, relax." When my eyes focused I was tempted to see if any body parts were added or removed seeing that I was once again in a hospital room. As soon as the tech was finished, my unencumbered arm dove between my legs and went to my chest to take inventory, for a change everything was all accounted for when a younger lady doctor came into my room smiling.

She was about five foot ten with long chestnut hair tied back into braids, a very pretty face, tanned skin and a well proportioned body from what I saw. She wore a pink lab coat with a chambray shirt and hip hugger blue jeans with sneakers. She closed the door and came toward me saying, "Hi Kath, I'm Toni Field, your doctor. So why aren't you in my office?"

"Doctor, Excuse me but…"

"It's Toni Sweetie, relax, I had you sedated yesterday and had them admit you. Your Mom and husband to be as well as the entire family told me you hate anything that has to do with the medical profession and I can understand why after reading the records your Mom gave me. Your lower abdomen is a trifle distended, are you close to your time." She said as she examined me.

"You know…"

"Yes I do and your man is a real fire cracker, so is his family. His Mom and your Mom are very much alike. So your Mom is the new boss, I like her, new blood and all that."

"Toni, I know you're trying to help but this place gives me the quakes." I said shivering.

"Sweetie, all I ask for is today and tomorrow for the tests I need, I promise. You see when we're conceived not everything goes as planned or what the textbook says what should happen, amino acids and enzymes along with others tidbits build you; too much here and not enough here and we have one screwed up girl or boy. I'm not here to write a paper on you but to help you. Screw the people that want to be judgmental, I want to see the girl in that bed be all the girl she is, and more. I want you to meet someone, will you do that for me?" Toni said as I nodded I would with her going out the door and bringing in a stroller with the most adorable little girl of about three years old in it with Toni smiling and handing me the toddler and saying, "This is my baby Sheila and she's the reason I became a geneticist, I was a endocrinologist and still am. You see my baby was born a true hermaphrodite having been born with the sexual organs of both a male and female. My baby will have the choice, as she gets older to determine what she will be throughout life either male or female, maybe even remain as she is. Now genetically she is a girl, but no matter what she was born, she's my baby and I love her and so does her daddy."

"But I'm not a hermaphrodite, just confused." I said with Toni saying, "Oh but you are sweetie, at least by your reports, tests and films you are. In Sheila's case she is a genetic girl with an XX but you're like a chameleon that instead of changing your colors, your body changes the chromosomes and organs around. I saw yours go from XY, to XX, to XYX and back to XX you are a perplexing puzzle to us. I don't intend for you to be a guinea pig but I want you to have patience. Oh and I promise Sheila will see you a great deal."

The child was a lover, so sweet and gentle that I readily agreed with Toni to have all the tests I needed to have done. All that I asked was that if surgery was needed is that she'd break the news to me herself. I handed the toddler back to her mother after she gave me a hug and a kiss; it was decided by me I did want children. Was my dream prophetical? I sure as hell hoped so!

While Toni was getting Sheila into the stroller the family trooped in making a fuss with the baby with Mom saying, "Well Doctor, how's my baby doing?"

Mom was pleased I consented to the tests, but she had that look that she'd give orders to restrain me if I didn't want them. Now that I recall the entire family had the same looks on their faces. Toni said she would see me later and left me with my visitors.

I kissed Daniel asking how he was after the fall with him showing some cuts and scrapes from the fall but otherwise he was in great shape. Melissa started to giggle saying, "Yes but did he stink, I threw out all of his clothes. I'm surprised that didn't bring you out of that faint."

"Once the false cover was removed, Don had the pool drained and it is beautiful. A plumber and pool contractor came in and inspected it while we were all here. They were amazed to the condition of the concrete, ceramics and the underground pipes. They are replacing the pumps, painting the pool, replacing a few tiles and modernizing it. The pool house is also being repaired inside and out." Wade said smiling.

"Don also found several rooms that were sealed in the basement that were used strictly for storage. Earlier, one was a theatre with its own projector and the other was a second kitchen and family area crammed with all manner of things. The best find was another room that we assumed was a music room with a Barr, mirrors, and a piano. “Edward said with Ted saying, "The fish tank was installed, next will be the fish, coral and plants in about two weeks after they do the salinity tests. Sis, we installed all the garage door openers and you can walk from inside the garage to the house now."

"Great a money pit…Daniel please don't spend your inheritance…"

"He's not Kathy, we all are doing this for the both of you. Besides I like to come over and swim since you have the pool. We also found a gate in the fence and had it unlocked; By the way, that wooded area is gorgeous." Mom said smiling, as the tears flowed down my cheeks. For all those years it was Mom, Grams and I. Somewhere I forgot what having a family was like that loved and cared for each other. I now had everything; from family, to someone I loved deeply to a house to raise our family. Even if the damn thing is a Money Pit!

I kissed them all when I heard all sorts of hell being raised in the corridor by some irate women asking directions for my room and then my grandma with another man and woman walking through the door coming toward me smiling and saying, "Kathleen Kristen Piet-Carson huh? I do like it very much. How are you feeling child?"

Grandma was grandma, as feisty and loud as ever but she was the lady of the hour being loved and hugged by everyone in the room while introduced. She was the matriarch of the family that lived in Key West Florida; she was Grams or Mom to everyone. She was in her mid fifties, short like me, short reddish/blond hair, immaculate makeup and well dressed in a dark skirt suit, white shell and black, high heeled pumps with a matching purse. We tried to see her as much as possible but the scheduling was always hell.

Next to her were Melissa's mother and father Bill and Shirley. They beamed their smiles at me and came over kissing me in greeting. I swear that all grandparents are as loud and difficult as my Grams is. With her notorious twinkle in her eye when she wanted to see you blush grams said, "Alright Kathleen so when do we become a great grandparents?"

"Well Grams, that's why I'm here, soon I hope." I said making her blush instead and then making her giggle with Melissa saying, "Mom, I think she just threw the ball back at you."

"She's not kidding Mom, the doctor thinks she has all the right equipment but immature for her age." Mom said with the Grandparents slowly sitting on the bed next to me and taking my hand with a tear in their eyes. While holding my hands a nurse came with a wheelchair saying, "Sorry but Kathy has a test scheduled; Mrs. Piet, Doctor Field would like to speak to the family in the private dining room." I kissed everyone and climbed into my chariot after I put on a pink terry cloth robe and slippers that Mom brought for me.

The next few hours were hell, as I was irradiated, sonar scanned, peed in a bottle and fed the vampires my blood. I was so hungry that I could eat the asshole out of road kill. Hmmm…. That just about describes all hospital food right up there with airline food, not covering the plastic taste it had.

Anyway I made it to the room just as the…delightful… aromatic…smell of plastic food wafted through the hallways. When the tray arrived it was a liquid meal for lunch and I insidiously cursed every member in the hospital kitchen staff when Mom came into the room. I would kill for a nice greasy hamburger with fried onions and greasy fries.

She saw the displeasure on my face at the crappy liquid menu I had before me saying, "Be a good girl and eat it or drink it. Tonight, I'll smuggle you in a grease burger or a doggy bag."

"Gee Mom thanks, so what's with the interrogation?" I asked.

"Wade flew them up in their plane to see you and for them all to meet the entire family."

"Plane, they own a plane? What the hell am I getting into? They're redoing my house and fly the family up here. What's next on the agenda? Where are they staying? Mom we always lived simple, I'm not used to all this money floating around"

"Relax, they're staying with Edward and I. As to all this money being spent, I went in on it too. Honey you never asked for anything and your father left a substantial sum for us with the insurance that was reinvested. I earn a very good wage that's been almost tripled, so relax. I was amazed that your Grams actually likes Edward and she adores Daniel with all the future in laws."

I was a bit peeved but decided my words would fall upon deaf ears and smiled saying, "Oh mumsy dear…"

"Oh Shit, I smell a con game coming, what?"

"Please bring me some decent pajamas or nightgowns and the doggy bag." I said smiling, reaching for the telephone, dialing a number and making a reservation at La Cantina for them all at five o'clock. I told Carlos that I would pay for their evening.

"That was really dirty, my dear. They will have fits you aren't with us." Mom said as she showed me fresh clothes in my locker.

"So lie, just have a good time and I want the doggy bag mother dear. Tell Phyllis and Ernie to tell my Profs I'll be late with the assignments."

"Edward and Don already told them all, they all want you well but Lupe and Carlos are another story, I suggest you not eat when your tray arrives for dinner." Mom said just as my chariot arrived for the next series of races to commence. Mom walked with us until we were in the radiology department and kissed me to get back to the family.

The nurse left me in the capable hands of a radiologist that took me through a tunnel to another building where I was stripped of any and all metals. I was next wheeled into a cool room, given a sedative and placed into the tunnel of the MRI. While it spun up to do whatever it did, I fell asleep not awakening until I was touched by the tech. After I placed my watch back onto my wrist I saw I had been in that room for over three hours, now that was a nap.

On arriving at my room, I hurried groggily to the bathroom needing it badly. My next chores were a shower, clean clothes and eat; all in that order which I did quite well. I was content at last, even though the half chicken breast was like rubber and the veggies soggy.

Sipping my tea I turned on the television just in time to see an advertising commercial on a local station showing Daniel and I dancing from the first night we went there. When was this footage shot? The commercial was well done and professional, just as the posters were. In my heart I hoped and prayed our new friends would succeed in their endeavor.

Nothing much was on the television when I saw my laptop. With the television on for noise I picked up the case, opened it up and booted it. In minutes I was writing my journals, both versions. Writing seemed to pass the time well and I completed the next entries along with the rewrites after two hours saving the files to the CD, I had started.

"An assignment Kathy? Can't we ever get rid of you?" I looked up seeing Patsy's smiling face.

"Yep I have to keep a journal for all the Profs, I thought you were on a different floor?"

"I was assigned to you last night, it seems a certain Admin type requested me for her daughter." Patsy said smiling.

"She struck again, I'm so sorry…"

"For what, moms are protective, your doc is one of the best. I read the chart and it's restricted to just those that attend you." Patsy said, we then spoke of Toni and her daughter, my screwy family, in laws and I found out that her family was as nutty as mine is.

There was a knock at my door with Carlos coming into the room carrying a tray and smiling. Putting down the tray on a table he said, "your momma said they are starving you, so Lupe made a little of everything. Jorge, my nephew just left a tray at the nurse’s desk but if your friend wishes to join you there is more than enough." Looking at the overloaded tray my mouth salivated at all the delicacies that were on it. I kissed Carlos on the cheek and then filled a plate making sure Patsy joined me.

"Carlos, when did you take those movies? I saw the commercial so don't tell me a fib." I said as I stuffed part of a burrito into my face.

"Did you like what Jorge did? We didn't know until after we had the posters made. That boy edited the tape and put the whole thing together and surprised us with it. Lupe then told him to buy the time and have it aired."

"My boyfriend and I both saw the commercial. He even suggested we go to the club. I was in shock that something caught his attention besides sports." Patsy said shoving in a Soft-shelled Taco into her mouth.

"I liked what I saw but I would like a copy of it to show our babies after they've grown." I said smiling.

"You're not, are you?" Carlos said excitedly.

"No, not yet, maybe in a year or two we hope. Did my grandparents like the food?"

"Your abuela is a fine lady, speaks good Spanish, likes men and is a superb dancer. The man and other woman were very happy. "

"Hold on there, men, speaks Spanish and dancer, my grandma. How much tequila or mesquite have you had to drink?"

"None, she was dancing with Uncle Pepe' way before I left to bring the food to you. We saw where you received your talent from."

Well that was a surprise, Grams a hoofer! Why not? She was still young, great looking and a widow. She deserves to live life to the fullest just as Mom does, I thought as I bit into a burrito while I also feasted on pineapple, rice, chicken and beans.

"Ah…ha… I caught you two pigging out without me." Toni said coming into the room with Carlos handing her a paper plate and utensils. She dug into the food quickly and loaded her plate up. I introduced Carlos to my doctor and told her who he was.

"We've been there and I love the food. We also saw your commercial and we'll be there if I can get a babysitter. By the way who's the girl and that gorgeous hunk of man meat?"

"Uh that was Daniel and I, I know a teenager that might be just the ticket for you, speaking of the baby, where is she?” I said.

"You guys are good and the babysitter sounds great, but who?"

"Vicki my teenaged sister in law to be, call Melissa and ask her."

I will and the baby is with her daddy, while mommy did some research for a special patient of hers. It looks like we have a team and have some ideas, tomorrow we'll know for sure." Toni said.

Due to Carlos being in the room she didn't go into details, but I just knew that Mom was kicking up her heels and celebrating the news. Maybe that was why Grams was dancing? I thanked Carlos for the food and for coming assuring him that Daniel and I would be at the club on Monday. When I tried to pay him he said no and wouldn't take a cent for all the food or for the family's meals. That was what Lupe said and he said she is a formidable foe as he took the tray, kissed us all and left the room whistling.

"Damn I'm stuffed, now I'll call the hubby and tell him to order a pizza for himself. I want you to rest Kathy and maybe if you're good I'll let you go home in the afternoon. Patsy, keep our patient resting and tell Sylvia to do the same." Toni said as she was walking toward the door with me asking her to tell Mom what was going on.

Patsy went to the nurse's desk and I crawled into the bed with a very happy and contented belly, watching the television as I lay down. With all the channels available there was nothing interesting and settled on some old Carol Lombard tearjerker that was really bad.

While I lay in the bed, I heard the door open and heard two, then five sets of footsteps, turning my head I saw it was Grams, Vicki along with Daniel, Bill and Shirley. Smiling I said, "Okay all of you, I want a kiss from you all or I call my nurse and security. I thought you'd stay at the club longer?" I held my arms out to them and received my kisses and a tweak on my right breast from Daniel.

"We were but I missed you, we all did, so we left the family. That was a slick trick you pulled off on us." Daniel said.

"I know but did you at least enjoy the food?"

"Dear those people are the chosen few, you pick friends well. All we heard from them is about you and the dancing. I'm so happy I told your Mom to send you to that dancing school. Enough of that, my conscience was bothering me a little, I told Corrine to give your journals to Toni. Please don't be angry with us but Bill, Shirley, Edward, Corrine, Daniel, Melissa and I read them. I wish you had allowed me to read them sooner." Grams said.

"Grams, those were personal, all my thoughts and dreams."

"We know and we invaded your privacy. I've had this picture since you were in the seventh grade when Corrine made me a copy, I want you to have it." Grams said handing me a framed photo of two girls and a boy wearing costumes and the tears began to come.

I remembered it was for the school Halloween party; the boy and one girl were neighbors, Walter and Becky. They were my friends that accepted me and my friendship without qualms or abuse. They both loved me and I them. Their parents were also good friends with Mom and dad with their dad being a pallbearer at my dad's funeral.

Each year the school had this party and we wanted to do our costumes together as a theme so we chose the three main characters from Snow White; the wicked step mother, Prince Charming and Snow White. It was logical who was to be Prince Charming and Becky wanted to be the witch because she said she had long raven black hair; so I was relegated to be Snow White.

Our Mom's spent days and hours making the costumes and never once showed them to us until two weeks before the party. After school Grams came over and Mom made me take a long hot bath and then they did my nails, hair and some lingerie, after telling me that she wanted to see how the costumes fit that evening. I felt heavenly, but was somewhat worried that I was wearing a bra with nothing to fill the cups in. Mom said not to worry and had me put on a tracksuit over everything and left our house. We were all gathered at their home for dinner and then we were taken to separate rooms to dress after we cleaned up from the meal.

In the bedroom Mom had everything ready that laid upon the bed. The gown was pure white satin and lace with pearls, crystals and beads sewn onto the material. It was sleeveless and the bodice that had a high neck of lace with the bust area all satiny and lace with the full skirt that was satin and the crinolines. The lingerie was all white lace except for the white half-slip, which consisted of a corset, panties and white stockings that were embroidered with doves. The shoes were white satin sandals with three-inch, spiked heels. There was even a tiara that sparkled when the light was caught onto the stones that were embedded in it.

I remembered the pain from the corset and the breast forms in the cups giving me a shape that took my breath away. I remembered the feeling of the stockings being drawn up my legs and the feel of being taller as we strapped the sandals onto my tiny feet. I felt so grown up and proud, as I looked at myself in the mirror at the girl that stood there, after my makeup was applied. Grams loaned me her pearl necklace, bracelet, several rings and pearl pendant earrings for my already pierced ears. I remembered how long it took for Mom to button me into that gown that I found out was a modified wedding gown. I loved the feelings that I received from each article of clothing I put on; I also felt normal at last. When the Tiara was placed onto my head and my long silk opera gloves were on along with the bracelet the sight in the mirror said to me in my brain that this was the real me.

We three ladies went out into the living room when I entered everyone was speechless with Becky and Walter standing to each side of me and gave me a kiss on the cheeks. I looked at Walter dressed in a blue satin tunic, blue ruffled shirt, pantaloons that had a sword and dagger on a wide belt, dark hose on his legs and blue satin slippers boots that went up his calves. Becky had a gorgeous emerald green gown that was almost the identical one I wore but her crown was larger and she had an orb that looked like an apple and a scepter indicating she was a queen. We were all pleased and the cameras clicked away. From that time until the party after school, was Mom and daughter time. Sharing the time with me also were Grams and my friends Becky and Walter.

The day of the party we only had a half-day of school and went home for lunch. We all were so excited that we couldn't eat but managed to get dressed with everyone's help in record time. We all looked even better than the first time as we climbed into Mom's van. To be honest I think our mothers and Grams was even more excited than we were.

Mom parked the van at the back of the school where no one was around and we all went inside of the school meeting Mrs. Threll, our teacher at the door. She was a young teacher that simply adored all the students. But in my case I was I think special in her eyes and she was very protective of me. Her eyes and smile said it all, as she saw us in our costumes taking us to the office for the staff to gush all over us and then to the lunchroom were we held our dances and parties.

The dance was heavenly with even the teachers joining us; somehow I even got to dance with the principal. We three won most of the prizes for the best of everything but when they announced my name a few of the older boys started their crap and almost ruined the event. But the girls accepted me as one of them and my day was so very special. Mrs. Threll decided we were to do Snow White for our school play. Guess who had the leading parts? Sure did and I was great and Walter's kiss was wonderful. Yet the crap I took later was well worth that kiss.

As I said Becky and Walter brought me out of my shell socially but that wasn't to last because their dad took a promotion to another state and moved away. I was devastated when they moved away with me going back into my shell becoming a loner. High school was an abusive hell for me because I was different and those days I wanted to just bury myself in my past. Maybe I would go to a reunion one day as a famous star, with my husband. I do hope I have children by then to make my past tormentors cringe in not fear, but envy as my family went past them. Coming back to reality I thanked Grams for the photo with Daniel asking, "They all meant that much to you? Your first kiss huh?"

"Oh yes they did Daniel, but Becky and your wife to be were inseparable both good and bad." Grams said and Vicki adding by saying, "If they were so special why not have them come to your wedding?"

"I guess as we get older we find other friends, sometimes even husbands. The letters just stopped after awhile. I don't even know where they live now anyway I have you and Lisa." I added as I looked at the picture and then smiled at Daniel.

I changed the subject, as the previous one was too depressing as I placed the picture in its frame on the table saying, "Well there's one picture for the house, and I want many more to show our babies all of us with our ancestors."

"That you shall have dear one because…"

"No Grams, that's a surprise, she'll see when she gets home. Babies?" Daniel said taking my hand and Vicki saying, "I'll be an aunt? Wow! And Grams and granny and grandpops, great…"

"Hold on there young lady, we were all at that meeting and Toni had a theory and that was all." Grams said with me adding, "She was just here and had dinner with Patsy and me. She said that she now has a team working on the problem, but she did find evidence that I had the right plumbing inside me though it's…immature." Saying those words I felt Daniel's hand tighten onto mine along with his boyish smile that I became accustomed to and loved seeing. I saw the joy in the Grandparent's eyes along with the exuberance of Vicki as she squealed in delight, kissing us all.

I told them about my dream and of the four children when Phyllis, Ernie, Tanya and Lee walked into the room with Phyllis saying, "What kids? Whose kids? Kathy isn't this taking the immersion process too far."

We all laughed when Grams and Granny told them who she was and told them what Toni had said to them and me. The ladies rushed to me and hugged me to them while Ernie shook Daniel's hand and then hugged him.

"Damn, put this kid in a corset, dress, stockings and heels; she gets tits and the next thing you know she's spreading her legs and getting pregnant. We love you squirt, just be a good Mom and wife to the man mountain." Tanya said kissing me when Phyllis saw the picture saying, "OhMyGod, is that you? You're so adorable in the photo. Snow White huh?"

"Damn, look at those gowns, that's better work than what we do. Did your Mom save those costumes?" Tanya asked.

"I'm sure Corrine did, she kept all of Kathy's costumes but the other Mom made those other ones. We have no Idea where they live now." Grams said sadly.

"Look at the starburst pattern she did with the crystals on the skirt, now I know where you got your talent from." Tanya said.

"And Grams, she taught us both." I said proudly looking at Grams.

Phyllis and Ernie were both suitably impressed offering Grams a job that she accepted immediately with me saying, "Grams, Florida, you know your house, retirement and everything."

"So? I can live with Corrine or you, I may even buy a house up here beside I want to be closer to my grandchildren and family." Grams said smiling with Bill and Shirley agreeing with her.

Oh crap, I just know if we have kids, Mom and, Granny, Grandpops and Grams'll spoil them rotten when Vicki said, "That's what Mom and dad said too, so did Lisa and Ted. They all love it here and so do I. Besides an aunt has responsibilities to her nieces and nephews…"

"That's a load of crap sis, Mom and Lisa saw you looking at all the guys at the mall yesterday. If I find out you dropped those frilly panties of yours before you're engaged you'll have to listen to Mom and dad and then get your butt warmed by me." Daniel said seriously with Vicki sticking her tongue out at him and then giggling. We all had to laugh because here was an older brother, a very protective older brother giving the younger sister an ultimatum that I know she would push to the limits.

While we spoke further Patsy had come in and told everyone that I needed my rest and they could see me tomorrow, as she gave me a sleeping pill. They all kissed me goodnight with Daniel giving me the longest and very passionate kiss that looped my toenails. Damnit, I wished I could go home too, this bed was too lonely. Whatever that pill was I took started to work, as soon as my guests left the room.

Chapter 12:

I was lying on a warm sandy beach enjoying the rays of the sun and the cooling sea breeze reading a book wearing a very large straw hat, sun glasses and a red patterned bikini that made all the passing men drool and their swim trunks tent as they walked past me no matter what their age. I loved watching the waves breaking onto the beach and the Blow Boats under full, strained sails by the winds that blew. Further out I saw the charter fishing boats letting their paying fishermen catch the prizes from the seas. People were playing in the surf when I saw Daniel playing with four smaller children, then they all came toward me and ran as soon as they came from the water. I got towels out from a beach bag and wrapped the children handing a towel to Daniel and received a kiss from them all.

I seemed to be happy, content and fulfilled when the children called me mommy and Daniel daddy. I saw the pride and love that Grams and Mom have that I had also. There were looks of disbelief from many that walked past us that I was young, attached and had children. Some people would come walking to us and ask for our autographs that Daniel and I gladly gave them to the delight of our children. It was then someone called to me bringing me out of the dream saying, "Kathy dear, time to wake up, wash up, draw some blood and then eat"

I smiled as I opened my eyes to see Mom with me saying, "I had such a good dream and you had to wake me. Why are you here so early?" The next thing I knew I was not enjoying my weak coffee, rubberized poached eggs and dry toast, oh yucky. How in the hell can you rubberize eggs?

"They simply must teach those people how to cook properly. Anyway, Melissa, Lisa and I came to take you home but also to do some shopping first, if you're up to it." Mom said taking a sip of my coffee and making a distasteful face.

While getting up from the bed I began to tell Mom about my dream when Melissa, Lisa and Grams and Granny came into the room wearing Jeans, sweatshirts and sneaks with Melissa saying, "That's twice with the children in the dream. Some people would say it's an obsession that you want children…"

"But the old wives tale is if you dream it three times it will all come true." Grams added with Granny agreeing with her.

Taking my robe and slippers into the bathroom, I ran the shower and got into it. As I soaped up, once again I saw the faces of those children when I decided if they were to be raised by me and Daniel I would be the best damn Mom I could be, just as my Mom, Melissa, Granny and Grams are. I smiled and hurriedly finished turning off the water and drying my body when I saw the blood. I called Mom and told her what was happening with her going to the nurse's station and returning with a sanitary pad for me with a few extra for later.

There was a knock on the bathroom door and Toni came inside and locked the door saying, "I heard you have your friend so drop those pretty, lacy white drawers give me your pad, I need your blood. now girlfriend."

What are you doing here so early?"

Dropping my panties, Toni saw the prosthetic saying, "I want to get you home; wait a minute, I thought you didn't have a vagina girl."

"Tanya made it up, it's all latex, hair and it bites." I said laughing with her saying, "Yeah, all men say our vaginas bite, there was no record of you wearing that critter. Oh well, soon you'll have the real deal." We both giggled as she put the pad into a red Biohazard bag and then took my blood.

Toni stayed in the bathroom with me as I finished putting on my lingerie and makeup as we both spoke of what I'd be doing once I left and I asked her about planning for my surgery with her saying, "Sweetie I need just a bit more data. We need to see what and how you've survived all these years with these body fluctuations and with the high and low levels of your hormones. The finest clinical minds in the world are looking at your problems and we all feel that before the end of the summer we'll have a solution. We also feel that there are others that have the same problems you have. Please have patience with us and don't be in a hurry for the knife. I know you want a normal life, but think about the possibility of conceiving and birthing your own children. One other thing is to get all the exercise you can, watch the diet, have tons of sex with that hunk of yours and no stress." I was slightly disappointed with what Toni said but if it meant for us to be parents I would do as she asked and follow the rules she laid down. However telling a student not to have stress is like telling the Profs not to give mids, finals or papers.

Once back out into the room I saw I was packed up and Mom laid out jeans, a sweatshirt and white sneakers for me to finish dressing. I had to smile that they all let me dress so casually then I realized there had to be a reason to it with me saying, "Jeans, sneakers and a sweatshirt, what's going on?"

"We want you comfortable dear, that's all." Granny said with me saying, "Oh crap, they tore up my house, didn't they? The friggin money pit strikes again!"

"No, that's not it and please calm down. We're going shopping first and then Daniel would like to speak to you. Toni already discharged you, so we can leave at anytime."

I was so pleased to leave that room when the nurse arrived with the wheelchair. I sat down in it and had my laptop, my purse and a small bag. I said goodbye to all the nurses as we went past them going directly to the elevators.

Once down at the main floor I saw my van parked at the front doors saying, "If I have a parking ticket the one that drove my van will pay for it."

"Guilty, but I am the Chief Administrator and besides they wouldn't dare do that." Mom said and then became angry when she saw a ticket on the windshield. She ran out the doors grabbed the ticket and ran back into the hospital to the security man at the desk and started to speak to him, when I started to laugh. I knew exactly what he was going through with Mom's forked tongue.

We went out to the van making Grams sit upfront with Mom when she gave me a dirty look saying, "Kathleen, you dear one, are a shit. She's going to be pissed and guess who's going to get the worst of it, me." Granny, Melissa, Lisa and I smiled as we climbed into the back captain chairs. Looking into the lobby, there was the security man and two other men in suits that looked to be getting their butts reamed, as she was swinging that parking ticket around in their faces and then flinging it at one of the men leaving the scene. All three men were open mouthed as Mom came through the doors and climbed into the van and took off driving saying, "They stuck you in front, huh Mom? Now ladies I do not have that bad of a temper."

"Mom you're doing sixty in a twenty-five mile per hour zone, if you're not pissed then I'm a boy." I said with Grams saying, "She's pissed and you are definitely not a boy. Now Corrine, slow this damn van down now please." Mom slowed the van down as we all began to laugh as the tension subsided.

In minutes we were at the mall and inside going directly toward a Formal and Bridal shop named Kat's, when I stopped in my tracks as soon as we were all near the doors. All the women took both of my arms and dragged me inside. Escorting me toward the back of the shop and into a room where the door was closed and locked. I stood before a woman that wore a no nonsense skirtsuit, ruffled blouse and heels that told us all to get undressed that our clothes were in the dressing rooms and she would be coming in to help us get dressed. It was now my turn to be angry beyond measure. If I knew I could get out of there in one piece, I would have been gone by now.

Grams and Granny led me forcibly into a dressing room and again they closed the door. Inside I saw several gowns and fabrics hanging in different colors with one standing out that was all white and had a veil attached to the hanger. I was close to tears when Grams hugged me to her softly saying, "We're doing this because we knew you wouldn't come otherwise. You've given us some much joy and love over the years, not once ever asking for our help. We saw you taking odd jobs and doing babysitting earning your own way to buy the family gifts and your own clothes. We saw you suffer when the proms and dances came; when all the girls were their prettiest and had dates with you staying home or working. We all saw the insufferable ways you were treated by the bullies and sometimes the beatings, you tried to hide from us. These are all yours but I made those two white gowns for my princess when she gets married to her prince. I duplicated your first gown you ever wore. I want you to enjoy this new life and embrace it as the young woman you are. I want you to love you husband and your children when the time comes." I totally lost my composure, humiliation and fears as I cried into her breast. I heard the door open and strong hands and arms took me from Grams and hugged me.

Looking through tear stained eyes I saw Daniel smiling and softly saying, "Darling, Mom and Grams told my family everything along with all the nights you cried, from all the crap you took and what you missed out on. I know how important Becky and Walter were to you and how you hardened yourself psychologically, not ever to be hurt again by losing your friends. You thought that if you didn't make friends you wouldn't be so hurt when you lost them. Am I your friend, your best friend?" I nodded yes as I cried and blubbered with him saying, "Okay that's settled, I asked you before and I ask it again will you marry me and spend your life with me?" I again nodded yes as he tried to dry the tears coming from my eyes.

"Good, the semester is almost finished for us and I think we should be married after finals.”

"But we'll ruin Lisa and Ted's wedding plans…"

"No you won't Sis, Ted and I fell in love with the ponds and the woods at your home. We all love this area and we want to be close to our family. Our mothers are best friends and we have grandparents that care for us. We want to share our special day with my brother and his wife, so how about it Sis? You even get to pick out the date." Lisa said coming into the room.

My thoughts were the date was, how about never, yet I was at a loss for words that Ted and she would do this for a complete stranger. After all no one from Daniel's family really knew my side of the family or me. It wasn't only that but Lisa's plans, the guests and her monetary deposits were also foremost on my mind.

"Yeah, how about it Sis? You haven't given Big Sis an answer yet and she has a lousy temper." Vicki said with Melissa, Granny and Mom coming into the room.

"What is this, a family gathering or gang up on me? First the ticket, Mom's temper, then I'm Shanghaied here…"

"Yeah, yeah, sure, and you look like a raccoon, now everyone out of here and let the mothers and Grandmothers speak to Kathy and you Daniel go home, clean the house up and check that your father is okay. Oh and thank you for bringing Vicki." Melissa said pulling Daniel to the door along with everyone else. Before Lisa went back to her dressing room I told her I really wanted her to be married first by a minister and I thanked her for her thoughts and we would love her to be married on the property. Once the door closed the harpies descended on me. I was stripped to my panties, cleaned up, new makeup, and made to stand up straight but I did manage to get and use the powder room.

While in that shrine of femininity using the commode I thought of how my life had changed so drastically in so short of a time span these past days. I thought of how I had confused so many people throughout my life and how our gender based society placed or saw me. Grams was correct that I was angry for what Mother Nature had done and for the lies I lived formally on a daily basis. I was angry at how I missed being dad and Mom's little girl. I missed the dances, dating, many parties and of course my prom. I was always the receiver of the physical and verbal hazings, the beatings, trashings, swirlies and least we not forget the hateful name-calling. If I wasn't such a coward back then, I probably would have ended it all, but this is the new me and I love the new me. I just wished I had seen Kathleen many, many years ago in a plainer light. I believe in my heart that she would have made my former life so much better if she had remained. Her appearances during those events of Halloween and those theatrical programs made me stronger to accept my life as it was now and I do believe, for the future. I smiled to myself as I walked back to the clutches of those harpies that awaited me.

While I stood where I was placed, in the center of the room, Grams took my measurements with a tape measure she produced from nowhere it seemed. With a motion of Gram's hand, Mom brought a white strapless corset and pulled me into it under the watchful eyes of my dear sweet grandmother and her saying, "Pull it tighter Corrine, it's not tight enough." I was out of breath and so was Mom from pulling when Grams told Mom to tie off the corset. Next were the sheer white hose that were drawn up my legs and attached to the garters that hung from the corset by Melissa that shot me a smile and a wink.

Mom was next with the slip and crinolines that I stepped into, with Melissa bringing me almost the exact color, style and fabric of shoes; attaching them to my feet by the ankle straps that I once wore back in grade school. I was about to open my mouth and say something but I feared for my life at the moment. Grams, Granny, Melissa and Mom went to the hanging dress brought it over to me and lowered in onto my body. While Melissa buttoned the back buttons I looked down seeing, pearls, glass beading and crystals sewn into the white satin and lace on the bodice that ran to my neck and covered my shoulders. Mom and Grams smiled with Grams saying, "It looks even more gorgeous than the last one."

"But Mom…I outgrew that other gown so…"

"No buts young lady, Grams designed and made the first dress and all I did was finish it up. I made a promise to you and Granny, Grams and Melissa helped me to keep it" Mom said with me asking, "What promise?"

"Kathleen dear, before you went to sleep that night and each time you wore that first gown you asked your mother for a gown just like it when you got married to your husband. I redesigned the gown after Phyllis gave your Mom the measurements for your new wardrobe, which we put together and bought for you."

"But the store will be pissed that it wasn't bought here and we're using their rooms and …"

Grams cut me off, going to the door motioning for someone to come to the room. It was the lady that took us to the room when we all walked in together with Grams saying, "Marti, will the store be pissed if that dress wasn't bought here and we are using the dressing room?"

"Not in the least Kathi, since you own it and thirty nine others just like it. That gown design looks superb for the new custom line." Marti said and left, as I went and sat down slowly onto a chair in shock mumbling, forty stores.

"Yes dear which they all will be yours that Grandpa and I built from just one store and one idea. While building up the business, the stores put Corrine through school and she decided on a different career path but still helped me. When you became the love and light in all our eyes we saw things that were special about you. What I taught your mother, she taught you, skills later to be refined by me."

"That's why the chain is called Kat's after Kathleen that you used to call yourself when you were a baby and the chain then went on the stock exchange as Kat's Inc." Mom added.

"I see a method to all your madness, is that also why neither of you raised a fuss when I wanted to study costume design, drama or dancing? Why the job at the school with all this?"

"Possibly, but we, all of us want you happy and healthy. The school, well possibly to be close to all of you, especially you and Daniel I think. Beside I wanted to design your costumes for the play Mrs. Brown. Sweetheart, I missed an awful lot of both you and Corrine when you were growing up. I would like to see my granddaughter see her dreams and then for her to take over my dream that became reality."

"But the theatre…."

"So do it and learn the craft just as I did, Kat's doesn't just do gowns but we also do costuming for the world to see and enjoy in plays or the cinema along with business wear. You've always been independent and reliable, remember it's your decision to make later, with no pressure from anyone."

"I think it's a pretty good deal girl and until Daniel and you are ready. Wade will be running Kat's for Grams so she can get back to designing beautiful gowns that girls can afford that use their babysitting and odd job money to buy." Melissa said leading me to the mirror, in it I saw Snow White all over again until Mom added the veil to my head and Grams added a very large satin bow and train to my back.

"My word, you and that dress are beyond anything we could have thought of happening." Grams said as she took my arm leading me out into the main store area to show Marti and the other workers. Several pictures were taken when I saw Lisa's new wedding gown along with the one Vicki wore. Melissa hated both dresses on them when Granny stepped in and made suggestions because the girls liked the dresses. When Granny finished Melissa, Lisa and Vicki were all pleased perhaps stopping a family argument.

With us standing around it seemed that we attracted more clients and others that dreamed of that special day in a woman's life to be joined with her man in wedlock. The sales staff sold everything from accessories, to gowns, to business wear, to cocktail dresses and even the dressier pantsuits.

Lisa, Vicki and I had a chance to speak together because Grams got Melissa and Mom into the act to help her out in the store. We found out many things about each other and ourselves. I once thought that people that had money were prudish this was not in the case of Vicki and Lisa. It was then I realized why, it was because of Melissa and Wade. Granted they had money, old money however Melissa had a rough life and did without, many times before marrying Wade. She taught her children the values of money, love, friendship and honesty just as Mom had taught me.

Lisa looked down at her shoes sticking out from beneath her dress and then looked at me saying, "Sis, I hope you know Granny and Grams stopped Mom from making a scene with us."

"Sure do, but Grams has always been like that. She always has been the mediator of the family; between her, my Mom and Melissa none of us has a chance. However, Grams makes you sit back and think, twice."

"I think Grams is cool, you were so lucky to have her when you were growing up." Vicki said with Lisa saying, "It's beautiful to have a lady like that around to call grandmother." They were right and now we all could share the wonderful lady that was always called Grams by me and to share Granny.

Lisa and Vicki went back to their dressing rooms and got their clothes and then we went back to mine and helped each other undress when I asked Lisa saying, “Lisa, do you and Ted want children?"

"I do, but Ted would say he guesses so, we really haven't discussed it a lot. He seems to change the subject a great deal when we speak about it. I think because he is an only child and afraid."

"Vicki, have you ever babysat for a Toddler?"

"A few times, why?"

It was then I told her about Toni and her daughter needing a babysitter for Monday and I told her I thought she'd be perfect. Vicki became excited and accepted immediately and I went further into my plan involving Ted and Lisa to see his reactions with Toni's child. It was devious to say the least although a woman should know her man before she spends the rest of her life with him, sharing her bed procreating, or battling him in divorce court due to unhappiness and crying for the children she never had. Lisa and Vicki agreed with me with us deciding not to say a word to anyone of what we planned. Lisa I knew would be hurting if Ted failed his test, yet life does go on, with or without him with the Family there to help and support her.

Chapter 13:

The three of us got dressed quickly and called Marti into the dressing room leaving the gowns with her for a few more alterations to be made. We told everyone we were going to do some shopping and be ready to meet and leave in two hours.

We three looked around in the stores, drank coffee and went into more stores. We all had our nails done and went to more stores when I found a woman doing pen and ink drawings and looked at her work. I asked if she did oils and water colors which she said yes.

I asked her to be a La Cantina on the days we were all there and commissioned her to do six family and individual portraits with all of us. I went to the ATM and withdrew the deposit after she quoted the price. On returning to her, we spoke a bit after I gave her the money finding out she was an art major at the college. She was doing the sketches of people to refine her talent, which was flawless to my eye. I stressed to her that all the works were for a surprise and thanked her after exchanging our telephone numbers.

It was time to go when Lisa and Vicki said they wanted to pay a portion of the fees for the portraits. I said no but when we had children then they could help Daniel and me; they both smiled and agreed. I know I was dense in doing that, but I could afford the fee for the gifts and it drew the three of us closer while walking to the van.

Granny, Grams, Mom and Melissa were waiting for us as we all got in. Mom had us home in minutes driving like an Indy racecar driver through the streets and to victory, our victory was that we were alive and in one piece. On entering the driveway I noticed the bushes were trimmed and the long grass was cut. There were people working on the gardens and near the house planting more flowers. I really liked what was done so far when we stopped at the garage with Daniel, Wade and Edward greeting us all.

Daniel opened the garage doors and walked me into the house from the door they found. We all walked through the workroom that was clean and into the living room that was dark until the Fish Tank was lit, that illuminated the room showing how massive it was. Wade flicked a switch with recessed red and blue neon lights coming to life and shone from the bordered ceilings adding to the purple lighting from the fish tank. The lighting combined with the black and florescent pink gravel and the bubbles floating to the top of the tank from the bottom made it seem alive, it made the room live, I loved it.

"Don found those lights and had them recharged with the neon gas and modernized the wiring and power supplies to them, you can even adjust the amount of light." Edward said.

I was in awe as I looked around seeing the room spotless when the mad monk started hitting our gong telling us we had visitors that Daniel went to see who it is.

Daniel returned with three young men that looked nervous with Faye, Cindy and Joni that had smiles from ear to ear and Faye saying, "We went to see you but you left the hospital."

"Well, well, as I live and breath, my phantom students Mr. Gyts, Pratt and Swierski how nice to see you even though it is not in my class. I do believe it's been all week, though it is nice to see a few members of the Greek Council again. I also hope for your grades sakes that you have finished your papers and are ready for your finals." Edward said smiling wickedly as he held onto Mom.

Mom and I gave Edward the evil eye after making our guests feeling uncomfortable. I knew that Edward was going to hear Mom's mouth later. I introduced the ladies and Faye introduced the men as their eyes kept looking around the room.

"Faye Morrison, I believe you still owe me a picture." Grams said smiling, then going to Faye and hugging her with Faye's eye's tearing saying, "I went back to the store but you weren't there. The assistant manager took the picture; didn't you get it? I guess you didn't, I'm so sorry." I was slightly taken aback that Grams knew Faye, but I assumed that being the CEO of a public corporation she knew many people. Grams and Faye told the story of how they had met. Grams had taken over the store for her manager that was sick in the locale that Faye lived in. She had gone there to purchase a gown to attend a senior prom at her school. She had planned for the event for a year doing any and all odd jobs she could find coming from a family of seven kids with her as the oldest and her dad the only parent. Things were tough sometimes, her mother died in childbirth after giving birth to her youngest brother and the kids always came first with Faye sometimes dipping into those funds for what they needed.

After the totals were done for everything she needed, Faye was short fifty dollars. Grams being the type of woman she is, put the fifty dollars into the cash register after telling Faye she discounted everything. During the late afternoon she went to get her hair and nails done with the owner of the shop speaking to her. It was then that she found Faye working for the lady cleaning and sanitizing the shop for a few hours each day to get her hair done. Grams spoke to the owner finding out about Faye, her family and the hard worker she was. Without a moments hesitation she paid for the works to be given to the girl along with anything she wanted or needed to make her night special. A deal was also cut that the women would refer clients to each other with her doing the same to many of the quality shops in the mall, making it a win, win situation for all the owners.

"Young lady, I assume you are at the university on a scholarship?" Grams asked Faye with Faye saying, "Kinda, I have grants, loans and work at the daycare and administrative centers."

"Faye, I'm truly disappointed you didn't speak to me…"

"I tried, along with trying to get a job at the store at the mall. The manager said she had more than enough help and that a work schedule for me was almost impossible to be…"

Grams was pissed as she reached for her cellphone and called the store speaking to Marti. She left the room as she spoke but her voice carried from the outside patio. She came back into the room saying, "Faye, that wasn't the manager you spoke to before, but her assistant manager that no longer works for me. It would seem she doesn't care to hire the students of the college, which is against our policy. I have a position open at that store for assistant manager; it's yours if you want it?"

I saw Faye's eyes grow wide with excitement with her saying, "I have to give everyone notice that I'm quitting." Faye happily kissed Grams on the cheek with her saying, “Wade dear, if possible I would like this young lady hired until she graduates; she's a quick learner, very honest, very caring, and punctual."

"She's on payroll as of now Kris, as a part timer since you vouch for her so highly." Daniel's father said with Melissa saying, "Honey, keep the grades up and help Kathi out if you can."

"That's why we're here, Kathleen, on behalf of the Lambda Omegas we welcome you into the sisterhood of course there is the rushing period and all that but it's not too bad."

"Yeah, I bet that this initiation is going to be a whopper." I said with Faye saying, "Naw because you already have that whopper." I saw Daniel blush when one of the guys that came with the girls said, "Daniel, we're asking you to pledge Epsilon Kappa Mu as the Omegas are our little sisters. We had a combined meeting with them and spoke to our nationals and received the okay for you both after our meeting."

I looked at Daniel, looking at me with a stunned facial expression and then nodded to him to join, if he wanted to do so. He told the men he would as they took him away to the Frat house with my approval. I made my excuses, as I was getting very tired and went to my room, getting undressed. In the bathroom I started the water for the tub, added the oils I wanted and got into the soothing water. Turning on the Jacuzzi pump and heater I sat back as my abdominal cramps diminished and the slight headache I had vanished.

My eyes were closed as I heard the door open and the light footfalls of a woman enter the room and sit on the chair with her saying, "This place is simply divine, you sure are lucky Kat."

Opening my eyes, I saw Faye sitting at my makeup table and said, "I have so much more than I ever dreamed of. All I ever wanted was to be an actor on the stage."

"Honey no offense, but life is the greatest role you ever have. Myself, I always wanted to be a maybe a maternity nurse or doctor, believe me with all my brothers and sisters I have had the experience to be one." Faye said smiling with me saying, "Along with the parenting and mothering skills, for that alone I envy you. Grams and I will help you to become that doctor or nurse if you want it."

"Envy me? Why on earth…"

"Because you have siblings, Faye, could an actress be a mother? That's what I want! When Daniel and I get married and have our family I never want one child; I want a house full of children and I want to be their mother and love them all."

"Who wants to be a mother and love all her children, Kathleen?" Mom said coming into the bathroom with me saying, "Mother you have very big ears and you know very well I said those words. But I have a friend that needs help." I explained what Faye wanted to really do with her life after doing what she had done growing up with Mom finding out Faye had taken most of the laboratory courses but none of the clinical courses for a nursing career. Mom left the room as we spoke to each other when Mom returned. She was smiling and told Faye she was now enrolled in the Nursing School and that good nurses were hard to find.

Several days later the day had arrived for us to teach at La Cantina our dance classes that I was looking forward to doing. I did my makeup and hair done in braids. I wore a short sleeved royal blue dress with a flared skirt with a bolero jacket with flowers embroidered all over the dress and jacket in different colors that made it look gorgeous. Underneath I wore a blue bra and panty set made from stretch lace and smoke panty hose without the reinforced toes. On my feet I wore blue leather strappy sandals that matched my dress with three inch spiked heels. As I buckled the straps Dan came into the room and stole a kiss from me.

I sent him downstairs, as I finished getting dressed and changed my purse and re-checked my makeup. I also checked myself over and silently I approved and then I went downstairs to where Daniel was waiting for me.

Finding him where the fish rank was I watched him as he watched the scavenger fish and coral that we had put in earlier. He was immersed in his observations, as I snuck up on him and began to rub his neck and then I kissed him very gently. I was lucky to get out of his embrace otherwise I would have lost my panties right there on the spot.

We finally made it to my van and were soon on the road. After some smalltalk and about fifteen minutes we arrived with a crowd going out the door and around the block. Daniel decided to park in the back of the restaurant and we went in through the kitchen door.

Carlos and Lupe and the entire kitchen was busy as we walked in. Lupe was the first to see us and smacked Carlos to get attention with Carlos smiling at us and saying, “The restaurant is full to overflowing thanks to you. It’s been crazy all day since we opened. The phone has been going crazy too.”

“We saw the crowd outside waiting to get in. Is the DJ here?” Dan asked with Lupe saying, “Oh yes, everybody is waiting for you.”

We then left the kitchen and went out on the dance floor seeing that it was twice the normal size. People were sitting and standing, some were eating and drinking and the bar was loaded to capacity.

It was then we started at six PM with a Maringa getting everyone’s attention. We went through all the Latin, Spanish and Caribbean Rhythms and many people joined us and we earned our money bur so did La Cantina and the employees.

I noticed that the artist I hired was there and she even got a chance to dance to a few rhythms. I also noticed our families were in attendance and everybody was having a grand old time.

Finally after so many people and so much dancing the hour of two AM rolled around and my feet were killing me. I thanked the Lord no one stepped on my toes.

We were sitting down having a lime, coconut, mango and papaya drink when Carlos came over and kissed me saying, “We’re overwhelmed with the response we had tonight, thank you for staying later then we planned.”

“At least everyone got in to dance and to learn.” Daniel said with me saying, “It was fun but now it’s time to go home…”

“Not without your pay.” Lupe said loudly coming to us with two stuffed envelopes and giving the envelopes to us with Carlos saying, “Tonight was beyond our expectations. Everyone made more money from the waitresses to the bartenders and busboys. The restaurant made much money and toward the end we almost ran out of food. We have to re-stock later and start getting ready for Wednesday.”

“Why don’t you two get going for home again, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts. There is a tray for you in the kitchen ask Raoul for it as you leave.” Lupe said as she kissed us and we all walked to the kitchen.

Instead of us asking Raoul for the tray Lupe had Carlos get it. I looked at the tray and said to Lupe, “I thought there was only one tray? It looks like three to me and they are stacked.” Daniel took the trays from Carlos with them following us out to the van. Once again we thanked them for everything, put the trays in the back and we were on our way home. While Daniel drove I opened the envelopes counting four hundred dollars in each. For the first time in many years I was silent about the cash and silently thanked Carlos and Lupe.

Finally after a brief time we arrived home and went into the house. The first thing I did was to get out of my shoes right there in the living room while Daniel went to the kitchen with the trays.

I carried my shoes by their straps to the stairs with Daniel coming from the kitchen. He picked me up and carried me to our bedroom. Sure I was tired, but I found some energy somewhere as we made love after we disrobed. Okay so we scattered our clothes on the floor. We joined that night in the throes of passion in the early morning hours,

I awoke at 11 AM entwined with David. I slowly unraveled my self, got out of bed and into the shower after unbraiding my hair. The hot water felt good as it cascaded over my body. While in the shower I thought about what I had to do besides the laundry and my journals.

After finishing my shower and drying off I dressed for the day wearing White laced panties, white shorts and a light blue Halter Top with white sneaks.

I kissed Daniel and went silently from the bedroom to downstairs joining Ward, Melissa, Lisa, Ted, and Vicki on the kitchen patio. I filled up my plate from the servers and sat down at the table when Mellissa said, “Did you have a good time last night?”

“I never dreamed so many people would show up. We got back around 2:30 AM. The first thing I did was take off my shoes while Dan placed the food trays Lupe gave us into the fridge. Dan carried me to the bedroom and things sort of happened. He’s still sleeping.”

“It’s a good thing that fridge is so big to hold all those trays. I guess we’ll eat light a lunch and warm that food for dinner.”

“How was babysitting last night Vicki?” I asked with Vicki saying, “It went smooth, the baby is adorable! Apparently everyone that went last night had fun. I got home at 1AM and everyone else came in at 2AM.

“If you got in so late I have no idea how you could get up so early to make breakfast. What do you have planned for today Melissa and Wade?”

Melissa looked at Wade who winked with her saying, “We have an appointment at 1PM with the Architecture Department at the college.”

“So you guys want a Money Pit too? Can I talk you out of it?” I said with Wade saying, “We found another Art Deco by the same architect that built your Mom’s house and this one locally at the edge of town and Melissa wants to go look at it.”

“If you get it I hope it’s in better shape than this one was in.” I said with Melissa saying. “Don Willis is going to meet us there. After that Lisa and Ted want to look at some Victorian style houses that the college owns.”

While we spoke about houses Daniel joined us looking still half asleep after noticing breakfast was ready. He filled a plate and sat next to me at the table when Melissa said, “You still look tired Daniel.”

“I kinda am but we had a late night. “He said with me saying, “And someone wanted to fool around when we got home.”

“Okay, I lose but it was grand last night.” Daniel said with me saying, “Good! Today you have a run to the Dry Cleaners to make. If anyone needs anything dry cleaned or washed, put the cleaning outside your door and the laundry in the chute.”

Melissa giggled and then said, “Okay since both you and your father had your fun last night with us, you’ll do as you were asked plus anything Kathy and I think of, deal?”

“Sure Mom.” and with those word we did the house keeping, Laundry, dishes and grocery shopping.

When I came back I still had help with the groceries but Ward and Melissa were gone. I found out that Don Willis had collected them to go look at the house that was so much like ours. Deep in my heart I hoped it wouldn’t be a money pit and the previous owners kept the architectural loveliness of the house in place.

We had just finished putting away the groceries and finished up the laundry when Mom and Edward came over with Phyllis and Ernie carrying a large parcel.

I made lunch for everyone with the leftovers from the restaurant after heating it up when Phyllis pulled out the original scripts for Molly Brown. Along with the lyrics to the songs we were to sing in the show with Phyllis saying, “We start casting for the other parts next week with rehearsals in two weeks. Everyone knows the leads have been cast. The scenery will be here next week. Lee and Tanya are finished with the costumes for you and Daniel.”

“It seems as though it was yesterday I started this immersion project and to be honest with you I really like the new me. I feel more assertive and my shyness is now gone plus I have Daniel, this house and everything else in my life. Do I like being a female? I definitely think so. Do I want to revert to the old me? Hell no! I found something in myself that has been hidden over too many years. The genie has been uncorked from the bottle and what you see is what you get.” I said as I smiled in triumph at what I said knowing that I spoke the truth to those in my kitchen, as I fussed over lunch.

“Personally I think the genie did some good work,” Daniel said as he encircled my waist with his arm bringing me to him for a kiss that I really enjoyed with Phyllis saying as we kissed, “Okay you two lovebirds I believe you both, now let’s eat because I’m staving.”

I checked on the food after I broke away from Daniel and it was ready to be served. With there being four pans of food there was no reason for anyone to be hungry.

Very little was said as we ate the warmed food and enjoyed the tastes and the memories of La Cantina and Lupe’s cooking.

Epilogue:

Daniel and I have been married for five years and have made several movies together that have done well by industry standards. Currently we are working in pre production for a Broadway play. The critics call us the Burns and Allen of the 21^st Century, which I like as their work was masterful though I sort of wished they would call us Astaire and Rodgers or Fred and Ginger.

We do have a child and a nanny for her and she is just gorgeous. Is she adopted? No I had her naturally and she is ours and I want more babies.

Going back into my thoughts I remembered the next many weeks that went quickly by, between the new school semester, rehearsals for the play, pledging and dancing lessons at La Cantina. Opening night for the Musical is very close and I’m happy that things are going so well. My Journals were a hit with the faculty that I began a Blog at one of the Blogging sites for them as the mailing list became very large. From what I’ve heard it has become an important site for people to read. As far as us pledging goes, what little time we have goes into their pot and stirred. I’ve picked out a day for my surgery and that was in mid winter and after the holidays also having been told by Toni that I am all girl. Okay, so I choose the date because by then the play should have run its course. Was I excited? Of course I was, especially after reprising a role that was done to perfection.

Daniel was good to his word and the house was now wireless with DSL services anywhere in the house. The house was computerized for energy efficiency, just as the entire house was with Solar Panels and such. I’d write more on the subject but I’m very ignorant to technology issues.

Ward and Melissa bought the house they were after, after they added some refinement to it, to the delight of the architectural and technology departments. The one thing I liked is that the put heating coils in the floors circulating hot water. I liked the idea because there were no more cold floors in the house, if you were barefooted. Daniel, are you listening? I really hate cold feet!

Mom and Travis are very close to the point of them talking about marriage being sooner. Maybe I’ll have an in for my grade point? Anyway Mom loves the new job but somehow I think it’s a power trip for her after getting rid of the dead weight and the so called politicians. I really have to say the hospital is running very smoothly for the first time in years from what I’ve heard from Patsy. So kudos Mom!

Carlos and Lupe stated to me that the restaurant has become a gold mine since we started the dancing lessons that they’re thinking of expanding into the vacant store next to the restaurant and knocking the wall down. All I can say is be cautious on your expansion.

Daniel’s sister, Vicki is going to school and she baby-sits for Toni Fields and her husband with her being the first choice of a sitter for Sheila. Apparently Sheila enjoys having Vicki as her sitter and raises hell with the others, either crying or by temper tantrums.

Now about Lisa and Ted, they did get married and bought a wonderful old Victorian house. They both are always working on it but they seem to enjoy just being together doing things. Did we get married with them? Oh yes!

Faye studied hard and did her clinicals plus being my Big Sister at the sorority. She’s thoroughly happy and has even found a picture of her at her Prom that she gave to Grams making them both very happy. She is now a nurse in maternity

Now, let us talk about Grams. She is finally home and packing after being with us and after turning over her company to Wade’s management style. She’s enjoying her retirement and can visit anytime she wishes and has done so during the play. She adores both Daniel and Travis to the point of them being placed on pedestals and they sure as hell don’t deserve the honor but I’m not one to say anything to Grams about it. Grams also does her magic work on costumes for Phyllis

The day of the opening show had arrived and we were sold out after the dress rehearsals prepared us for this event. It took forever to get dressed for the show. Thank goodness in the beginning of the play Molly was a Tomboy.

As the evening progressed with the show, I became more comfortable in the part. At the intermission Phyllis and Ernie said that the cast, Daniel and I were doing great and to relax and enjoy the experience.

Originally we had scheduled ten performances or a weeks worth of performances that kept growing on us. Suddenly we had done three months and more as our worth and our audiences kept coming. We had several critics come and review the play and the reviews were outstanding to everyone in the play and production staff.

What I didn’t know was that there were talent scouts, agents, and producers in the audience that watched the play. I just thanked the Mercies that they weren’t around for opening night.

Daniel was perfect for the character Johnny Brown and of course we just gelled together in our roles. It was a first that Daniel didn’t have two left feet in the role, but you do know who helped him, yeppers, me.

Believe it or not we made it to 160 sold out performances when Phyllis finally ended it all by pulling the plug on the show. I have to admit we had a good run but I also felt she was right. The department and school really had a cash cow on their hands.

All of this time I manage to do everything I had to do from my wifely duties for my almost husband to my Blog and I had to do my Blog until I was at last normal after the surgery, but I was so very tired.

Believe me when I say I was glad the holidays had come and gone. It seemed as if I had all the holidays at my house. If our fish in our tank watched everything unfold they probably prayed to their gods that they were not on the menu as it seemed that I was always preparing something for the meals in advance.

While the days drew close together and with the shows and everything I was getting burned out until Daniel made me start to relax a bit more. The problem with that is that everytime I relaxed, there were more problems. My next surprise was Daniel had hired a live-in housekeeper and she is truly a life saver.

I remember during our run that we had the family and friends Christmas party on Christmas Eve before the play. We exchanged presents but from Phyllis and Ernie we got a two Palm Pilots that were filled with business cards from people that wanted both Daniel and I to call them. While I looked in our files there must have been over two hundred cards in each with a running commentary by Phyllis about each one whether to call them or not and the reason why.

As my mind came back to the present as I sat relaxed by our pool on a lounger. I thought about the many days from my past and how I was stuck straddled on a fence post, until I was pulled into my femininity. As I look back on it I will always cherish those moments and will always remember that I’ve been on Different Sides Of The Fence.

Daniel Carson/Boy friend
Toni Field/ Doctor of Kathy/ Sheila
Kris/ Grams
Bill/ Grandpop
Shirley/ Granny
Lee and Tanya TA's
Phyllis Pearson and Ernie Ball Drama professors and friends
Corrine Piet Mom / Edward Tavis Professor/Dept. Head of English department
Ward/Melissa/Lisa/Ted=Daniel =Vicki
Don Willis/ Architect
Carlos and Lupe/owners of La Cantina ell