Heather                   by: Jacki Pett

Part 2

Jack was alone in the house when he woke up around noon. Jim and Carl were gone, but that was normal. His head throbbed as he stood up. He gripped the arm of the chair to steady himself.

Aspirin, he had to have aspirin, he said to himself. He walked gingerly down the hall to the bathroom. Rooting through the medicine cabinet, he found the bottle and, with water, took four tablets. He sat on the toilet after closing the lid. He prayed that the medicine would work quickly, giving him relief.

It was while he sat there that the events of the night before began to come back to him. Walter, his nephew, the sick little pervert. Jack’s memory of the boy in the print dress nauseated him. How could he?

It was his brother’s wife’s fault. Jack had never cared much for Gail. She tried to separate Jack and his brother because she didn’t approve of Jack’s lifestyle. Well, the bitch could disapprove all she liked now.

It was her fault that the kid was the way he was. She had turned him into a sissy. Craig, Jack’s brother, should have stepped in and seen to it that the boy was raised properly. No, Gail had him wrapped around her little finger. Craig was never the same after he met the bitch.

He only glanced down the hall, at the boy’s bedroom door. Jack was sure he must be in there, sleeping. Jack needed to lie down. The aspirin needed time to work.

Patty got to the hospital almost an hour early. It was still dark out when she parked her car and checked in at the nurses station on 5B, the women’s wing for post op. She headed straight for the hospital library to do some research. She knew, from her years in medical school, about the drugs she sought information on. What their affect on males would be was what she need to learn more about.

They had been driving for about twenty minutes, in the opposite direction from his house. They were in the outskirts of Boston, an area he had never seen before.

It was beautiful out and Walter suggested opening the windows instead of driving with the air conditioning.

"Don’t be silly. Our hair would be a mess in two minutes." Then Linda realized. "Guys don’t worry about things like that Heather. You need to start thinking more like us, like a girl."

How was he supposed to do that, he asked himself?

The neighborhoods they passed were very expensive looking. Large, luxurious looking homes lined the wide streets. They came to a mall and Linda turned into the large parking lot. Judging by the number of cars in the lot, it was very busy on Sundays.

"Where are we going?" Walter asked. Yesterday’s excursion to the mall had taken it’s toll on him and he wasn’t anxious to repeat it.

"Jordan Marsh." Linda told him, pointing to the large building at the end of the mall.

At least he didn’t have to walk through the mall to get there. That was something of a relief.

Linda found a spot not too far from the entrance. She parked, shut off the car and pulled down her visor to check herself in the mirror. She looked over at Walter as he waited for her. "Heather, check your hair and makeup before we go in.

What for, he asked himself? Regardless, he pulled down the visor and did as she asked. His hair was fine as far as he was concerned and he pushed the visor back up.

"Check your lipstick." Linda told him with a smile. He obviously didn’t realize he had nervously licked it almost completely off on the ride to the mall. "You’ve got to learn to relax. Stop licking your lips."

Having pulled the visor down again, he saw what she was talking about. It was almost all gone.

The purse lay between his legs on the seat. He rummaged through it for the lipstick and carefully put on fresh.

"That’s better." Linda told him smiling. "Now run your brush through your hair." He might as well get used to caring how he looks, she felt.

He didn’t think it looked bad but did as he was told. "Ok now?" He asked, hoping for approval.

"That’s better." Linda told him and opened her door to get out. "Swing your legs out first." She coached him.

He did and was about to close the car door when Linda reminded him to get his purse. It was so odd to carry it that he had forgotten. He put the strap over his shoulder, just the way Linda carried hers.

He walked a step or so behind his friend. He was very nervous and unsure of himself as he continued to avoid the eyes of the people they passed.

Linda slowed to let him catch up. She saw his eyes darting about, nervously. "Relax Heather."

Inside the huge store, Linda walked directly to the shoe department. She was quite familiar with the store, having shopped there often.

Walter stayed glued to her side. He didn’t like this and didn’t want to be left behind.

Linda stopped in front of a display. "These are pretty." She turned to the boy, holding one of the white low pumps in her hand. "Do you like these?" She asked him.

There were people all around them, women. What could he say? "Sure." They were high heals. She expected him to wear heels? He’d either kill himself or make a complete fool of himself.

"They don’t excite you! Ok, we’ll keep looking." That was alright, they had lots more to pick from.

At the next display Linda saw a pair she really liked, they would go beautifully with the dress he wore. The peach colored shoes matched the color of the flowers in the pattern on the dress. The small bow at the toe added the perfect accent. "Here Heather," She said handing him the shoe. "ask the salesman to get you your size to try."

Linda had obviously decided these were the ones but how was he supposed to go up to a salesman and ask? How could he do that?

Linda saw him hesitating, "Don’t be such a scaredy cat. Just walk up to him and ask to see that shoe in your size." It didn’t occur to Linda that he might not know his size. She forgot that men’s sizes are different then women’s.

He couldn’t just stand there forever. Walter turned to find the nearest saleswoman. He thought it would be easier if a woman helped him. He didn’t want to get too close to a man.

Walter didn’t realize that the salesman was watching them. He was a little startled when the guy walked up behind him and asked, "Is there something I can show you miss?"

He looked right at him and the salesman didn’t flinch. Nothing, no sign of doubt on his face. Walter still couldn’t believe that people didn’t recognize him for what he really was. It was almost distressing.

Walter tried to smile back at the man but felt so strange doing it. "Yes, do you have these in a size eight?" That was the size he always bought.

He looked down at the girl’s foot. No, not an eight. "Certainly, I’ll be right back."

He returned a moment later with three of the same shoe. A size seven, seven and a half and a size eight as the girl had asked.

Walter sat where the man indicated. He allowed the man to slip off the scuffed white flats and, holding the back of Walter’s stockinged ankle, slip the peach pumps with the little white bow on his foot. He felt so strange.

"Try them, see if they feel comfortable." He had started with the seven and a half’s, confident that they’d fit the girl. He kept kneeling on the floor as she took a few steps in the new shoes.

They felt awkward to walk in but not as bad as he thought they’d be. They felt tight on his toes, pinching them a little but at least he could walk. He did have to concentrate as he put down first the heal then the toe of the low heels.

Walter remembered back when he was young, flopping around his mother’s bedroom in her high heels, playing. He remembered her always loving smile, her laughter. What would she think if she could see her little boy now.

Walter turned around and walked back to where the salesman and Linda waited, watching him as he paraded through the women’s shoe department.

"How do they feel?" The salesman asked.

He wanted to tell him but he couldn’t. "They’re fine." He told him as he sat back down in the seat.

Linda was so pleased with him, with the way he was cooperating. She just wished he’d relax a little more.

The salesman started to reach for the girl’s foot, to put the shoes in the box for her.

"Heather, didn’t you say you wanted to wear them today?" Linda prompted him.

The salesman looked up to the girl.

"Yes, I did." Walter went along with it.

"Fine, then I’ll just box your flats for you. If you’ll come to the desk, I’ll ring these up." He put the flats in the box and walked to the register.

There was no one close by. "Linda, I can’t wear these."

Linda gave him her reassuring smile. "Of course you can. They’ll just take a little getting used to." Linda stood and walked over to the salesman. She paid for the shoes with her credit card.

The shoes were fifty four dollars, Walter heard the salesman tell Linda. It bothered him that she spent all that money on something he didn’t even want and would never wear again.

He took the bag from the man and attempted a smile. As they walked out into the main isle, he turned to Linda. "Thank you for buying them for me." Whether they were high heels or not, she deserved a thanks.

His gratitude and the smile that went with it made it worth while to Linda. "You’re quite welcome Heather. I’m glad you like them." She hoped he was beginning to enjoy pretending to be a girl. He certainly was acting the part well today. That made her happier than anything.

Now was the time for a little more instruction, "Heather, take smaller strides and keep your feet straight when you walk. Try to put one foot in front of the other." He walked too much like a boy.

He tried. It wasn’t that it was difficult to do, only different. "Where now?" He asked. "Can we go?"

"Not yet. We need to find you a pair of earrings." Linda guided him to the jewelry department.

A simple silver knot was what they agreed on. It was more a matter of Linda selecting and his agreeing. Again, he wore them out of the department.

That was it, Walter thought, but Linda wasn’t quite done. "Come on Heather. There’s just one more thing you need." She walked quickly, even though it was difficult for him to keep up. They had managed to find the shoes and earrings quickly and they hadn’t lost too much time.

Walter followed her, walking as fast as he could. It was getting a little easier to walk in the heels but he couldn’t move as fast as she could.

He followed Linda to the lingerie department but was hesitant to follow her into the maze of racks. He finally decided he couldn’t just stand there alone in the isle so he made his way to where she stood, looking at bras.

"What are you doing?" He nervously whispered.

"You need a special kind of bra." Linda explained. She had one in her hand and was looking at another.

Walter looked around, sure that a salesgirl would swoop down on them any second. None appeared to notice them.

"Here," Linda finally decided. "I think this is the one you need." A push up bra would give him a more natural shape. He’d still need padding but at least he’d look more natural with the bra pushing up the loose skin on his boyish chest.

"Do I have to try it here? Now?" He asked, frightened.

"Don’t worry. I’ll come in the dressing room with you." Linda assured him.

It wasn’t much consolation. Linda escorted him into the back, into one of the stalls. He had to take the dress and slip off to try it on. It was much more snug than the other he’d worn. Not altogether uncomfortable but it felt funny, seeing his own skin over the top of the cup on the bra.

"I like that on you. You look much better." Linda was pleased. "Alright Heather, you go ahead and get dressed and I’ll meet you out at the register." She left him there alone.

His experiences yesterday should have made today easier, it didn’t. Walter got dressed in a hurry and got out of there. Linda was at the register, paying for the bra, when he joined her and they left the store.

"I’m so happy that it fits you so well." Linda told him, looking at his chest. "You look much better now."

Walter could see that he looked more like a girl in it, more natural. It didn’t make him feel any better.

Walking through the parking lot was a little more difficult than walking in the carpeted store. He felt clumsy.

Linda could see he was having a little difficulty but no more than any girl in her first pair of heels. The story she would tell her family would explain any awkward behavior they noticed in Heather.

Jack’s head still throbbed slightly as got out of his bed around two. The house was silent. He thought to himself that the boy must still be in his room, embarrassed to show his face. That was fine with Jack. He really didn’t care to see the kid, the little faggot that likes to dress up as a girl.

He did decide he wanted to check on him. To make sure he was obeying and hadn’t left the house. He walked down the hall to the boy’s room. He opened the door slowly, expecting to see the boy in his bed. Instead, he found the room empty. "Son of a bitch!"

The boy had taken off again. Jack looked around the room. The only clothes he saw were the boy’s normal things, strewn around the room where Jack had thrown them last night. He pulled open drawers. He looked through his closet. He even checked under the bed. Nothing. The girl’s clothes were gone. The only thing left was the purse he had left in the living room. Jack opened it out of curiosity. He found the makeup, the hair brush and he found the note from his friend with her phone number.

Jack had no sooner hung up the phone, after leaving his message on the girl’s answering machine, then his phone rang.

"Hello." He said gruffly. He was still pissed about the boy taking off.

"Is this Mr Hastings?" Renie asked.

"This is Jack Hastings." He didn’t recognize the voice. It was a woman and she sounded young.

He wasn’t the type of man she expected. He was crude and obviously annoyed about something. "Mr Hastings, I’m calling about your son, Walter."

"Whoa lady, he ain’t my kid. I’m just his uncle." That wasn’t even funny. He sure as hell wasn’t the father of the little pervert and he wanted the whole world to know it.

Renie was taken back for a second. She collected her thoughts and continued, "I need to talk to his parents." She explained. "Would you give me their number."

He thought that was funny. "Ha! You’d need a direct line to hell." He told her. "They’re dead."

Dead? Renie thought for a moment. "Are you Walter’s guardian?" She asked. Were her plans going to be ruined, she worried?

"I am." Walter was getting a little impatient with the woman. "Hey lady, what’s this all about?"

She decided she may as well go ahead. "Your nephew is in a lot of trouble."

He sure as hell was but what was this bitch talking about. "What kind of trouble lady?"

"I’ve just come from the police. I filed a report on your nephew for breaking and entering, felony mischief, and battery." There, Renie dumped it all on him at once.

"What the hell are you talking about?" Couldn’t be. Not the little candy ass.

"Your nephew broke into my house, destroyed my whole collection of antique goblets and tried to assault me Friday night." It came out just as she rehearsed it. Renie looked over at Carol. She got the thumbs up. She just prayed it came across as good as it sounded.

Jack was stunned. Was the kid really capable of that? "You sure it was Walter?" He had to ask. He couldn’t imagine the boy doing something like that.

"I’m quite sure Mr Hastings. He wouldn’t tell me his name when I overpowered him but I’ve got his wallet in my hand. When I wrestled with him it dropped on the floor.

"You’re sure it was Walter, Walter Hastings." He could hardly believe it.

She read his address off to him. "I’m sure."

It was Jack’s turn to sit in numbed silence.

Now it was time to drop the rest on the uncle. "The police say that I’m free to press charges against the boy if I choose."

Jack heard the ‘If I choose’ part. "What are you saying Miss...?"

"My name is Renie Winters, Mr Hastings." Renie made up the name. "What I’m saying is that the police suggested, since this is apparently the first trouble the boy has gotten into, perhaps it could be handled outside the courts." Renie kept her tone pleasant. She didn’t want to turn the uncle off. "Hasn’t he told you what happened?"

Jack admitted, "He didn’t say a word about it." As Jack thought about it, if it were him, he wouldn’t have been anxious to tell anyone either. He had gotten into enough trouble as a kid and as an adult. He wasn’t stupid.

Now he understood. "Exactly how much damage did he do Miss Winters?" What was the dollar figure that was going to keep him from spending money on lawyers and keep him from laying out bail?

"The insurance adjuster has just left and he tells me that my collection is covered except for approximately forty five hundred in deductibles."

God damn the little bastard! Figures went through Jack’s head. He had been counting on getting his hands on some of the kids inheritance money. This fiasco was going to make a dent in that sum. "You have a copy of that police report and the insurance claim?" He asked.

Renie wanted to jump up and down and clap but controlled her excitement. She still had the second part of the con to sell him on. "Mr Hastings, the police suggested that if I decided not to press charges that perhaps his parents and I, you and I in this case, should arrange some punishment for the boy. Something appropriate."

Jack had something ‘appropriate’ in mind. "What were you thinking of?"

"I was thinking there ought to be a way to punish him in a constructive way, to teach him a lesson." Renie prayed he’d go for it. If he didn’t, this was all for nothing and she was already sure she’d get the money they’d need from this guy.

"Did you have something in particular in mind." The bitch was persistent.

"Yes, I did." She crossed her fingers. She saw Carol cross hers. "I belong to a charitable organization and we maintain a youth camp, a place where troubled children get help and counseling. We’re going to be spending the next couple of weeks out there, fixing it up. I suggest that the boy go out there with me for a few weeks and work. There’s a great deal to be done."

He didn’t mind the idea of having the kid out from under foot for a few weeks. He felt trapped since the boy had arrived. It would also make it impossible for him to play his little dress up games. Jack liked the idea. "Yea, I suppose that would be alright." As long as they busted his ass, made him work really hard.

"I thought I would stop over by you this afternoon with the police report and insurance papers. I was planning on heading out to the camp in the morning. I could delay until late morning, giving you time to make the financial arrangements. I could pick up the boy then."

All he had to do was write a check on the boy’s account. He still hated the idea of loosing the money but he was really only giving away the money the boy would inherit. The money he drew was a monthly annuity that would continue anyway. "Yea, that’s ok."

Perfect. They’d done it. She gave Carol the high sign. Renie couldn’t wait to get him under her control.

Carol was almost as excited. It was going to be fun to feminize, both physically and mentally, the young boy.

Jack had a thought. "Miss Winters?"

Renie took a second to compose herself. "Yes?"

He had to ask, "What was Walter wearing when he broke into your house?"

Renie broke into a smile.

Carol wondered what the man had said to make Renie react that way. Renie’s response to the uncle answered her question.

"Gray pants, and a black silk shirt. Why?" She knew why. The boy had gotten caught by his uncle in Carol’s dress. How delightful.

"No reason. Forget it." It was a stupid question to ask her.

She had all she could do to keep from laughing. "I’ll see you this afternoon then? Around five alright?"

"Ok, I’ll be here." That might give him time to find Walter and beat the crap out of him.

Renie was about to say goodby when a thought occurred to her. "Mr Hastings?"

"What?" He responded impatiently.

"May I suggest that you don’t confront the boy until I arrive this afternoon." Renie suggested.

"Why?" Jack had planned to do just that.

"He may bolt and run away. I think it might be better if he was unaware that you know what has happened." With her there to refute anything the boy might say, the uncle had less chance of learning the truth from him.

She was probably right. Since he had disappeared twice already he didn’t want to give him another reason to run. Assuming he did get home before the woman arrived. "I see your point. Alright, I won’t say anything." He’d control his rage.

"I think that’s best."

"Yea." He agreed. Jack didn’t care for uppity women and this one certainly was sharp. Women like her made him feel uncomfortable.

It was going to serve the boy right to be under the woman’s thumb. A just punishment. The more he thought about it, the better he felt about her plan to take him away for a while.

"Goodbye." Renie said politely.

"Bye." Jack responded and dropped the receiver on the cradle. He stewed for a few minutes, about the money. He eventually sloughed if off. He was only giving her the kid’s money. He’d still get his. It didn’t matter.

Jack decided to have a beer while he waited for Walter. His headache was gone and he was thirsty.

"We’re set." Renie said, overjoyed, as she hung up the phone. "He didn’t even flinch at the money."

"Wonderful." Carol clapped her hands. "It’s too bad he can’t be here now." She was anxious to begin with him.

"I know but we still need to do some shopping to get ready for him." There were a number of things to do around the apartment too. The guest room lock had to be reversed to work from the outside. She wanted to replace the deadbolt so that it was keyed from both sides. At least she didn’t have to worry about the windows since they were all barred already.

Renie only took a minute to get ready to go out and the two were on their way.

Patty normally didn’t get much time to eat lunch. Today was no different. It had been a busy morning. When she finally got a break, she went right back to the library to continue her research. Since it was Sunday, there were few doctor’s using the hospital’s resources. No one was there to look over her shoulder.

She had been successful earlier that morning, satisfied with what she learned about hormone therapy’s affect on males. The result of a six month intake of female hormones would cause considerable changes in the male body. The boy would gain added sensitivity in parts of his body that would normally not be sensitive. His breasts and nipples would enlarge but probably not to the size of a girl’s his age.

His penis would shrink significantly and his testicles would get smaller. His body hair, which was unusually light for a boy his age, would not get heavier. It would undoubtedly prevent the growth of facial hair, since the boy hadn’t even started to grow a beard yet.

It was possible, in six months for his shape to soften, become more fleshy in all the places where young girls desire curves.

Aside from physical changes there were also the psychological side affects to consider. The therapy would make his emotions run to extremes. He’d become more sensitive, more likely to feel deeper emotion and express those emotions at the drop of a hat. Much like a girl or woman suffers in that sensitive time of the month.

All these things were possible, but there was a problem. The boy was at that age where his testosterone levels were their highest. The male hormones his body produced would combat the female hormones and weaken their effect.

What Patty sought at the library, during her lunch break, was a drug that would somehow temporally negate the male’s production of testosterone and allow the hormone therapy to flourish unhindered. Thereby allowing the hormones to accomplish much more rapid change, unchecked. Patty was aware that as soon as the time release capsule expended itself that the boy’s body would regress back to it’s normal state with almost no long term effects.

The half hour she allowed herself in the library was not enough. She was determined to find what she was looking for. Her shift was over at four and she would come back to library then.

Patty was a little nervous about what she was going to do. The hospital kept a pretty tight control on their drugs, and hormones were no exception. She had written the prescription this morning. She had been to the pharmacy several times since but had lost her nerve and turned away.

This time she was determined. It was a little unusual for an intern to fetch her own drugs. The nurses usually did that, but not always. Patty had written the prescription for a patient that was already on hormone therapy. This particular patient was on a daily dosage and the pharmacist shouldn’t question the change to the time release injection. They normally didn’t check against the patient records anyway.

Patty stood there, trying to appear calm, as the young man behind the glass filled her prescription. She breathed an audible sigh of relief as she walked away from his window with the syringe. Patty hurried to her locker and deposited it, in its protective wrapper, in her purse. Thank God! At least that part was over, she told herself.

Walter sat in the car’s seat, in nervous anticipation. Sitting in the heels tended to stretch the bridge of his foot and he was made all the more uncomfortable.

Linda turned off the main road. "We’re almost there." She announced, looking over at him with a smile on her face.

The neighborhood was definitely wealthy. Walter guessed that any one of the houses was worth half a million dollars or more. "Your parents live here?"

"Pretty, isn’t it." Linda had grown up here.

Tall maples lined the streets. The yards were immaculately landscaped. The flowers were in full bloom this time of year. She drove slowly through the winding streets.

"That’s the Mayor’s house." Linda told him, pointing out a huge brick home with a brick wall surrounding it.

Walter was impressed, not just with that one house but all of them. He had always thought his parents had been well off. He had grown up in a pretty nice house that he always had thought of as big, but these homes were enormous. The yards were four or five times as big as his had been.

"Here we are." She spun the car into a wide driveway, passing underneath the branches of two huge maples that stood guard on either side of the drive. A tall hedge blocked off any view of the house beyond. The same hedge lined the short drive. It wasn’t till the curving drive turned to the right that the house came into view.

Gray shutters hung on either side of huge windows on both the second and first floor. White columns supported the upstairs porch. Like the one on the ground floor, it spanned the entire front of the white house. Two huge double doors offered entrance to the mansion.

The grounds were immaculate. The grass was perfectly cut and trimmed. The gardens were full of flowering bushes and plants. Not one weed dared show itself.

They pulled around the circular drive, stopping in front of the wide stairway that led up to the porch. The drive also continued around the side of the house, to the garages, Walter assumed. The same hedge that hid the house from the street also created a wall blocking his view beyond the front of the house.

Walter was awed. "Your parents live here?"

"It’s nice, isn’t it?" Linda didn’t take it for granted.

Nice was the word, as far as Walter was concerned. "It’s beautiful!"

"Daddy owns all the Bentley’s Men’s Stores across the country." Linda bragged.

Walter had seen them in most of the malls he had been in, both here in Boston and back home in Ohio.

"Actually, Dad doesn’t own them. He has controlling interest and is the head of the company." Linda clarified. She liked to brag about her father.

"Well, come on Heather." Linda said as she unhooked her seat belt. "We’re already late."

Walter didn’t want to get out of the car. "I’m scared." He admitted.

She knew he was but he had to get over that. "I know you are but believe me, there’s nothing to worry about. You look lovely. Your hair is perfect, your makeup is just right and frankly Heather, you look much better as a girl than you did as a guy. You’re really very pretty." She knew that probably sounded like a left handed compliment but it was true.

"Besides, when I tell Mom the story we made up, they’ll easily understand any little mistakes you might make." She knew her mother well enough that her heart would go out to the girl who had been made to endure the life she would describe as Heather’s. Her Aunt Mary would also be heartbroken and sympathetic.

"Are you sure?" Walter doubted he could pull it off.

"Of course. Now let’s go." Linda opened her door and got out of the car.

Walter opened his and swung his legs out. He was a little shaky. Linda came around the car to him and took his hand. "You’ll be fine Heather."

He felt like Walter but he looked like Heather. The name didn’t bother him so much anymore.

Linda’s was not the only car in the driveway. They walked around the big Mersades that was parked in front of the steps.

"That’s Uncle Dick’s" She commented as they walk past the car.

Climbing the brick steps in the heels was a little awkward for Walter.

"On your toes." Linda told him when she saw he was having a little trouble.

That was easier. They walked across the porch to the huge doors. Walter’s heart was racing, his hands were wringing with perspiration and he had a queazy feeling in his stomach.

Linda opened the door and they both walked in. Walter was grateful to be hit with the full force of the air conditioning.

Directly ahead of him was a winding staircase. It was almost six feet wide and luxuriously carpeted, like the rest of the downstairs, in a cream colored plush carpet. The handrails were highly polished walnut.

The huge foyer was decorated with paintings hung on the papered walls. Antique tables and chairs were tastefully placed around the room.

"Every one’s probably in the living room." Linda still had his hand in hers when she led him through the wide doorway in the rear of the foyer.

Walter stopped in his tracks when they all turned to look at the late arrivals. All eyes were on them as they stepped into the bright living room. Oversized windows let in the warm afternoon sun.

Beyond the glass, in the side yard, was the same immaculately manicured lawn he had been awed by in the front of the house. The back windows opened onto gardens full of brightly colored flowers.

The furniture in this room, like the vestibule, was almost all antique. The dark woods and fine upholstery on the sofas and chairs made the room look very rich. Walter took all this in, in the blink of an eye.

He recognized Linda’s mother. She was standing next to a sofa with a tall wine glass in her hand. She was no longer wearing the outfit she had worn that morning. She now wore a lightweight summer dress, similar to the style that Linda had made him wear. The only difference was that Linda’s mother looked beautiful in hers.

Connie’s surprise at seeing the two of them walk in was replaced with a warm smile. Linda released his hand and went over to her mother, leaving him standing there alone and frightened.

Near where Linda’s mother stood, sitting near the end of the sofa, was a good looking, dark haired man in his fifties wearing a three piece suit. He looked like a banker, very suave and self assured.

On the sofa next to the man was a girl. She appeared to be about twenty with long straight blond hair. She was a pretty girl but a little chunky. Not fat by any means but just a little overweight. She smiled when she looked at him and he smiled back without thinking.

The girl was holding hands with the guy that sat next to her, on the far end of the sofa. The look the guy gave Walter bothered him. His eyes seemed to cover every inch of him. He was a good looking guy, as guys go, thought Walter. He was wearing black dress slacks and a sport coat. What Walter should have been wearing, he thought to himself. His look made Walter uncomfortable. Did he see him for what he really was? Did he wonder? Walter couldn’t be sure but he didn’t like the look.

Walter had no idea who the girl or guy was. He had anticipated meeting only the her mother, father, aunt and uncle.

Across from the sofa, sitting on a love seat, were another couple. It had to be her Aunt Mary and Uncle Dick. Linda’s aunt was a slender woman who looked like she was comfortable in elegant surroundings, like Linda’s mom. Even sitting, she gave off an air of elegance, of selfconfidence.

Unlike Linda’s mother, the woman had short brown hair. The short bob was very fashionable and made the woman look younger somehow. From what Linda had told her on the ride here, the woman was in her mid forties. This woman didn’t look that old.

Her clothes, the three piece suit she wore, was very expensive. If walter had learned nothing else yesterday, shopping in the mall, it was the price of clothes and this woman’s outfit was not cheap.

The man sitting next to her didn’t look as if he belonged with her. He was not in shape like the other man and he was older than the woman. It almost made him think of a dirty old man who had latched onto a younger woman. He paid little attention to Walter and that was fine with him.

"Hi Mom. I’m sorry we’re late. We had to stop at the store for a minute." Linda kissed her mother on the cheek.

"It’s alright sweetheart. Dinner is running a little late." Connie was just glad she was there. She looked over at Linda’s friend, Heather. She looked so uncomfortable.

Linda turned to her father, who was sitting on the couch. "Hi Daddy." She leaned over and hugged and kissed him.

Connie walked over to the girl. "Don’t be shy Heather. Come on and meet everyone." She took the girl’s hand and led her over to the others.

One by one, Linda’s mother introduced him to each of the others. "Everyone, this is Linda’s friend Heather...."

They all looked at him again, waiting. He couldn’t think of anything but, "Hastings." He added, his own last name. As soon as he said it he regretted it. He should have made up a last name.

Connie continued with the introductions. "Heather, this is Linda’s father."

Walter almost took a step back when the man stood up abruptly and with a pleasant smile said, "Hello Heather. It’s very nice to meet you." He extended his hand and Walter instinctively took it and shook as he normally would. "That’s quite a grip you have Heather."

He had forgotten himself. He smiled shyly at the man, "Hello Mr Bennett." He was afraid to say anything that might make matters worse.

The girl didn’t rise as he was led in front of her but the young guy did. He towered over Walter. He had to be six foot, Walter decided, looking up at him.

"Heather, this is Emilie, Linda’s cousin and her friend John." Walter was more careful this time and he shook the guy’s hand limply. "Hello." He said and only barely smiled at the two. He avoided the girl’s eyes. Somehow, he was sure his eyes would give him away.

Relieved, they turned to the other couple. "This is Linda’s Aunt Mary and Uncle Dick." The man stood and the woman sat there. He was a little taken by the woman’s smile. She was very pretty.

"It’s very nice to meet you Heather." Mary said smiling at the girl. Pretty little thing, she thought to herself, but so shy and jittery.

It was easier to address this woman for some reason. "We’ve only just met." He explained.

Connie was a little surprised. That was the first time the girl had said more than three words together. Now that she had performed the necessary introductions she had some questions for her daughter. Not the least of which was, why was this girl wearing her daughter’s clothes? Connie recognized the dress as one Linda had bought only a few weeks ago, on one of their shopping excursions together.

"Heather, please, sit down." Connie indicated the chair next to the love seat.

Walter wanted to sit. His legs felt weak. He tried to sit as gracefully as he could, straightening the skirt of the dress as he lowered himself into the chair. He wasn’t confident enough to cross his legs the way Linda had shown him. He sat with his feet and knees together, very rigidly.

"Would you like a glass of ice tea?" Connie offered.

His throat was so dry, "Yes Ma’am, please."

Connie was a little surprised by the ‘Yes Ma’am’ but she didn’t say anything. She turned to Linda, who was standing next to her father. "Linda, would you give me a hand in the kitchen?"

Linda didn’t want to leave the boy alone in the room full of strangers but there was no mistaking her mother’s command.

Connie poured a glass of tea from the pitcher on the counter. She was the type of person to get right to the point. "Honey, why is Heather wearing your clothes. She had on one of your nighties this morning and now she’s wearing one of your new dresses."

Linda hadn’t planned on getting right into an explanation and she didn’t want to leave him alone too long. "Heather’s had some problems and she didn’t have anything to wear."

Connie set the glass on the counter. She wanted to hear more. "What kind of problems?" Maybe this would explain why the girl was acting strangely.

She started it and she supposed that now she’d have to finish. She told her mother about how she was raised by her father with her four brothers. "Heather’s never even owned a dress and she’s always worn nothing but boy’s clothes. She doesn’t even know how to act like a girl."

Connie was shocked by the story her daughter was telling.

Linda went on to tell how Heather’s father and brothers were killed in an accident and she had been living with a drunken uncle.

"How did you meet her?" Connie asked. Her heart went out to the frail, frightened child in the living room.

"Actually, Patty met her first, at the hospital." Linda had searched for a plausible story to explain how they met. This was the only thing she could come up with on such short notice.

"At the hospital?" Connie didn’t understand.

"She walked into the emergency room when Patty was on duty. Patty said she was all bruised and complaining about her stomach."

"What happened?" Nothing short of an earthquake could have dragged Connie away from her daughter’s explanation.

"Her uncle had gotten drunk and there was some kind of ‘accident’. That was all she’d tell Patty." Linda was beginning to regret telling her mother this part. She was looking so concerned.

"Oh my goodness. He beat her?" Connie was appalled.

"She wouldn’t say, she still won’t. Heather just doesn’t want to talk about it." Linda wanted to get on with the story. "Patty felt sorry for her and she arranged that she spend the day with us on Saturday. After Patty told us, Carol and I, Heather’s story we just had to included her in our plans." Linda thought it better not to mention Renie. Her mother really didn’t care for her other friend.

Connie was very proud of her daughter. Linda had always had a good heart. She was so unselfish. "What did you all do?"

"Heather had to sneak away from the uncle’s house. She come over very early. It was terrible. She arrived wearing boy’s clothes, right down to her underwear, Jockeys."

Connie found it all too horrible. "The poor thing."

"We all played some tennis. Patty loaned her one of her tennis outfits. I bought her some of her own underwear. She had never even played before but we had a lot of fun."

Connie smiled warmly at her daughter.

Linda went on. "We came back to my house and we showered. Carol had brought over a few of her dresses for Heather to try on. I even offered to style her hair for her but she was afraid her uncle would get angry with her. I did the best I could with it. We showed her how to apply makeup too. She seemed so happy with the experience that we decided to take her shopping."

"So you bought her some new things?" Connie assumed.

Her mother made her feel bad. "No, we were all a little short this month. We had her try on dozens of outfits and she really enjoyed herself even though it was all very foreign to her."

"You didn’t by her anything?" Connie was disturbed. "Why didn’t you ask me for some money?"

"The three of us pooled what little we had and tried to buy her a few things but Heather said no." Linda explained, trying to get herself out of trouble.

"Well, she’ll come shopping with us on Wednesday night. We’ll get her some new outfits."

"Mom, the problem is, Heather says her uncle doesn’t want her to have girl’s clothes. He’s afraid that she’ll want more and more and he says he doesn’t have the money. She has to dress just the way she always has. He says that boy’s clothes are cheaper." That should get her off the hook.

"He’s a monster. Do you mean she’s expected to go on pretending to be a boy?" Connie wondered if there wasn’t some legal action that could be taken against the uncle.

"She doesn’t know any other way to behave. You saw how nervous she was this morning and just now. She’s terrified."

"She’s never had girlfriends, an aunt, no one to share he thoughts, her feelings with?." Connie couldn’t imagine. Her heart was breaking for the girl.

"No one Mom. Her father never even let her play with other girls."

"Oh, the poor dear." Connie was ready to go out and hug the girl. To tell her that it was alright to be the person she was inside.

"It gets worse but you have to promise not to let Heather know that I told you, promise!" Linda knew all along how her mother would react to their story. This last would be the clincher.

"What is it? What could be worse?" Connie couldn’t imagine.

"After we had dinner out Saturday night Heather went home to her uncle’s. She still wore the dress Connie had given her. That was a mistake."

"Why" Would the uncle get so upset about one dress?

"Apparently, the uncle was drunk. He had a couple of his buddies over. They were drunk too. The uncle passed out and the others both raped her when they discovered her coming home in the dress."

Connie’s hands went to her mouth. "Oh my God!"

"Heather came to my house in the middle of the night. She had walked miles to get there. She was a mess. She only told me what happened when I pressed her."

"Did you take her to the hospital?" Connie asked.

"She refused to go. She says she won’t tell anyone what she admitted to me. You promised you wouldn’t say anything Mom."

"But honey, she has to see a doctor. She has to tell the police what happened."

"She won’t go Mom. She refuses. If you tell her that I told you she’ll never speak to me again. She trusts me Mom. You Promised!" Linda was very convincing. She knew it was a big lie to tell her mother but she justified it by believing that the boy’s life really was a living hell. It was true, he had been raped and there was no reason to believe that it wouldn’t happen again. She had to do something to help him and, in a way, having him pretend to be Heather made him more of a person than the boy had been. This person, Heather, better suited his personality. Linda really liked the shy girl that was her new friend.

Connie understood. She would do the girl no good to tell her she knew and the girl’s friendship and trust was very important to her daughter. She wouldn’t betray that trust.

She would, on the other hand, do everything she could to make the girl more comfortable and show her the love and compassion she deserved. Connie couldn’t wait to get Mary alone and share the horror story with her. She knew how she’d react toward the poor thing.

Connie had another thought, "Couldn’t we buy her some things and keep them at your house for her? For when she comes to visit?"

Linda had never imagined that her mother would become so involved. "I suppose we could." Now that she thought about it, that would be wonderful.

Would she ever see him again after today? Probably not. But she had to go along with her mother, unless, "Mom, if the uncle finds out who gave her the dress he’ll probably never let her near me or the others again."

"But he has to." Connie couldn’t imagine the girl going through the rest of her life this way. "She can come live with your father and I." Connie said with certainty.

She had been too convincing. Linda never imagined her mother would react the way she did to Heather’s plight. "I don’t know Mom. I’ll suggest it to her, later. She’s so unsure of everything right now." That would have to satisfy her mother for now. This story of theirs was getting Linda in too deep.

"Alright, but you just make sure you tell her that she’s welcome here anytime and she can stay for as long as she likes." Connie started thinking. She could redecorate one of the spare bedrooms for her. Fix it up just the way a young girl’s room should be. Wallpaper patterns, bedspreads, lace curtains and a myriad of small details flashed through her mind. "No, never mind, I’ll tell her."

Where was Linda? Why was she gone so long? Walter had been forced to make pleasant conversation with these people for almost twenty minutes. Why did it take so long to pour a glass of tea?

"Where’s your family now Heather?" Mary asked. The girl had explained how she grew up with her four brothers. It must have been so awkward for her.

He remembered all the details they had discussed in the car and he was telling bits and pieces of the story. Walter wished Linda would come back to help him.

The woman’s question brought thoughts of his Mother to mind. How he missed her and his father. "They’re dead." He said flatly. As they did so often when he thought about his mother, how he’d never see her again, his eyes filled with tears.

Oh no! Thought Mary. "I’m so sorry dear." She took a tissue from her purse. "Here dear." She regretted being so nosy now.

He wiped his eyes with it and balled it up in his hand, in his lap. He didn’t want to make small talk any more. It was then that Linda and her mother returned.

"Here you are Heather." Carol couldn’t help but see the distraught look on her face.

In a barely audible whisper he said, "Thank you Mrs Bennett." as he took the glass.

She wanted to take her in her arms. "Heather, call me Mom. All Linda’s friends do. Are you alright?"

Mary explained, "I didn’t know she had lost her family. I’m afraid I upset her." Mary felt terrible.

"Heather, do you want to freshen up sweetheart?" Connie turned to Linda. "Honey, take Heather upstairs and let her wash her face."

Walter needed to get away. He was so embarrassed for crying in front of everyone. He let Linda take his hand and lead him upstairs.

Connie turned to Mary when they were gone. "She’s had some hard times lately, poor thing."

"I feel terrible for bringing up unpleasant memories." Mary told Connie.

"Come in the kitchen with me. I have to tell you what Linda just told me." Connie just had to tell her sister.

"Do you need my help Aunt Connie?" Emilie asked. She was curious about what her Aunt had learned about the girl. She had seemed strange somehow.

"No, thank you Dear. Your mother can help me. Why don’t you and John go for a walk. It’s so beautiful outside." She didn’t think it would be a good idea for Emilie to hear what she was going to tell her mother. The fewer who knew the whole story, the better.

"It’ll be about a half hour till we eat." Actually, dinner could be served right now but it could also wait a while, giving her and Mary time to talk.

John had never been to Aunt Connie’s before. A walk was a good idea. Emilie would give her new love the royal tour. "Ok. Call me if you need me." She would learn from her mother, later, what it was about the girl that couldn’t wait till after dinner.

Patty knew she could find the answer if she researched the problem enough. It was just by chance that Dr. Weiss walked in the library when she did.

What the hell, Patty thought to herself. "Dr Weiss. Could I ask you a question?"

"Certainly Dr Ives. What is it." The new interns were always full of questions. The only thing that bothered Jill was when they were too nervous to ask. She knew that she intimidated more than a few.

"I promised a friend of my mother’s that I’d look into a problem she’s been having. I’m having trouble finding the information I’m looking for." She couldn’t very well tell her the real reason she wanted to know.

"What’s the problem?" Jill asked, sitting down across from the young doctor.

"Mrs Walters is about 50 and she’s experiencing an unusual amount of facial and chest hair growth. I ran some tests on her and she has unusually high levels of testosterone." That approximated the problem.

"So what do you propose to do." Jill asked, testing the woman.

"I was sure I read an article about a new drug to reduce the level of testosterone in the system. I’m having an awful time locating the article."

Jill was familiar with the article. "It was published over two years ago by a doctor in California, a Dr Stein I believe."

"What was the name of the drug he recommended?" Patty asked, hopefully.

"Meliphine. The effect was very satisfactory in all of his test case. The effects of the testosterone were completely reversed in all 100 of the patients tested. The FDA approved Meliphine around the middle of last year." Jill had used it several times with very satisfactory results.

"I really appreciate the help Dr. Weiss." Patty pushed out her chair and gathered up the research material she had been reading. "Thank you." She said with a smile as she rushed out of the room.

Jill was about to tell her that she had great success with the drug and it appeared to have the desired, permanent effect on each of her patients. Young people are always in such a rush. She had been young once too.

Patty wanted to get home, to call Linda and tell her about what she’d learned and what she had brought home for the boy. Still quite nervous, she made one last trip to the pharmacy before leaving the hospital.

Mr Bennett sat at the head of the big table. Linda’s mother occupied the seat at the far end. They put him in the middle, between Linda and her Aunt Mary. Emilie’s boyfriend, John sat directly across from Walter with Emilie to his right and Linda’s Uncle Dick to his left. It made Walter feel selfconscious to look across the table at the guy. He kept his eyes down, on the table.

Walter’s hands rested on the napkin in his lap. In the few minutes they had alone upstairs, Linda had reminded him of the table manners he should try to remember.

While Mr Bennett said grace, Walter also said a silent prayer. He prayed he’d get through this without making a complete fool of himself.

He didn’t know how long the silence hung over the table but when he finally opened his eyes and lifted his head, everyone was looking at him. They weren’t staring curiously, but smiling warmly. Especially Mrs Bennett and Aunt Mary.

The women took particular care to see that he had everything he wanted on his plate. It had been hours since he had pecked at the breakfast Linda had set in front of him and he was hungry. The problem was, how much should a girl his age eat before she appeared to take too much?

No longer did conversation center on him. They talked about everything else but him and that helped him to relax a little. The food was delicious. Mrs Bennett set a beautiful table. They ate off fine china and sterling silver. Walter had more silverware than he knew what to do with. He wasn’t sure what to use first.

Walter wanted seconds of the roast and the little red potatoes but he thought he better not. He finished and wiped his face. Looking down at the napkin, he realized, to his embarrassment, that he had wiped off all his lipstick onto the fine linen napkin. He looked around to see if anyone noticed and when he saw no one had, he put the napkin back in his lap. Later, when it was washed, someone would see it but he’d be gone by then.

"Girls, would you clear the table for coffee?" Connie asked.

Emilie and Linda pushed their chairs back immediately. Walter didn’t catch on immediately.

"Heather, would you like to help the others?" Connie asked. Normally she wouldn’t have asked a guest to do that but she wanted Heather to feel more at home with them and this was one way to do that.

He felt like such a jerk as he pushed his chair back from the table and picked up his plate. Walter made four trips to the kitchen before the three had cleared the table.

Although she didn’t see her cousin often and despite the difference in their ages, Emilie and Linda were good friends. Linda’s friend was in the dining room, getting another load of dishes. "Heather’s really nice Lin but she seems a little strange."

Linda stopped loading the dishwasher for a second. "What do you mean?" She asked. What was Emilie getting at, she wondered.

"It’s just that she acts funny." Emilie didn’t mean to make Linda defensive.

She knew she only had a minute before the boy would return to the kitchen. "Heather’s family raised her as a boy and she’s not sure how to behave."

Emilie was shocked. "She was raised as.....!?" She heard the kitchen door swing open and stopped in the middle of her question. Emilie couldn’t believe what Linda had said. She had to know more, but not now.

Walter didn’t notice the hush as he entered the kitchen. He set the plates down on the counter and asked Linda, "Can I help?" Cleaning up the kitchen was definitely preferable to going back into the dining room with everyone.

Linda was about to tell him that he could when Emilie suggested, "Would you help me put away the leftovers?"

She wanted to get to know this girl better. Just the thought of being a girl, forced to live as a boy was unfathomable. Now everything made sense. The strange little mannerisms that she exhibited, the way she walked.

Walter would have preferred to help Linda with the dishes but how could he say no? "Ok" He answered without much enthusiasm.

Linda didn’t object. This was just what she felt he needed. The chance to interact with other girls, to learn all he could about how to be more like them.

Emilie emptied the serving bowls into container and told Heather where to put them in the refrigerator. "How old are you Heather?" She asked innocently.

"Seventeen." He told her.

She seemed younger, Emilie thought to herself. If what Linda had told her was true, that could explain why.

"Where do you live?" Most of the conversation with her before dinner, in the living room, had centered around family. Emilie wanted to know more about her. She wanted to discover if what Linda had said was true.

"With my uncle." Walter was uncomfortable, making idle conversation with this girl. Despite being a little overweight, she was pretty and very confident with who she was. She was everything Walter wasn’t.

She didn’t talk much, Emilie observed. "What school do you go to?" She tried to draw her out more.

He reverted back to their story. "My father taught us at home. I’ve never been to regular school."

Emilie couldn’t imagine what that would be like. "You never went to school?"

"We lived out in the sticks. My father didn’t want to go to the trouble to drives us every day."

Emilie heard the undertones of resentment. She let Heather continue.

"He was well educated but preferred living away from other people." That point was important because it explained a lot.

"But you must have had friends?" Emilie couldn’t imagine.

"The nearest house was a couple of miles away and the only people that came over were my brother’s friends and those occasions were rare."

"What about girlfriends?" Emilie asked.

"I didn’t have any." He explained.

"Ever?" She couldn’t believe what she was hearing.

"There were a few girls that lived near town but none of them seemed very friendly."

Emilie could understand why if he was raised as a boy. They would have thought he was some kind of freak. "You’re going to go to school here this year, aren’t you?"

What a terrible thought. Walter pictured himself starting school in two months, as Heather. "That’s what my uncle says." He intentionally sounded reluctant.

Emilie felt so sorry for her. She was afraid. The fear was evident in her voice. "I think you’ll really like it." She tried to assure her.

Linda had been listening and he was telling the story beautifully. He had obviously won Emilie over.

"Leave all that for later girls." Connie stuck her head in the kitchen. "I’m putting out coffee and desert."

"We’ll be right there Mom." Linda told her. She turned to the boy. "Why don’t you go ahead, we’ll be right there."

Walter didn’t mind. Emilie was nice enough but telling the lie made him nervous.

Emilie watched her as she walked away. When she was gone, Emilie turned to Linda. "It must have been horrible for her."

Linda was glad that Emilie was so sympathetic toward him. "She’s had it pretty hard." Linda agreed. "And now she has to live with an abusive uncle."

"Abusive?" Emilie asked.

"He’s beaten her twice that I know of and she’s only lived with him a couple weeks."

Emilie was shocked "Oh no!"

"Heather ran away from him last night. She stayed with me." Linda thought it better not to mention the rape just now and they had to get back with the others. "Please don’t let on that I told you. Heather’s very unstable right now."

"I can understand why. That poor girl." Emilie felt so sorry for her. She wondered what she could do to help her?

Mrs Bennett served the coffee when they were all seated. Walter declined, "I don’t drink coffee Mrs Bennett."

"Mom," Connie reminded him. "Please call me Mom, Heather."

It seemed so wrong, playing this trick on this nice woman. "No thank you Mom." Such a simple thing and she seemed so pleased by it. He couldn’t help but smile back at her.

"It’s nice to see you smile Heather. You have such a pretty smile." Connie remarked.

It sounded so strange to have his smile described as ‘pretty’.

The girls were excused from the rest of the clean up when they finished desert. Mr Bennett and Uncle Dick retreated to the living room, the women to the kitchen and the others went downstairs to the rec room.

Walter hesitated at the top of the stairs, letting Emilie and John precede them. To Linda, as he looked down at the carpeted steps, he whispered, "I’m scared."

Linda understood. "Just one step at a time. Hang onto the handrail, it’s easy."

Not for Walter. Not in heals it wasn’t.

The rec room was huge. To their left, from where they stood at the base of the steps, was an enormous fire place in middle of the oak paneled wall. Casual furniture, a sofa and chairs, formed a grouping in front of the fireplace.

Across from the steps was a big oak bar with mirrors and glass shelves behind, on the wall. At the far end of the room, to their right was a big wooden pool table and a ping pong table. This room was a big as his uncle’s whole house.

Linda and Walter followed the couple over to the couch. Naturally, Emilie and John sat there. Leaving the others to sit in the chairs.

Walter would have preferred to sit next to Linda but had no other choice but to take a chair. Again he remembered to straighten his dress as he sat. Both Linda and Emilie crossed their legs so he did the same, only more awkwardly. He wasn’t comfortable sitting that way. It seemed that the guy sitting across from him, John, could look up his dress. He couldn’t, of course but it was still very uncomfortable.

Emilie would have liked to continue her conversation with Heather but not with John there. She knew that would be too embarrassing for her. She could see that John made her feel uneasy.

Linda also knew better than to make Heather the topic of discussion. "So tell us about you two." Linda said to Emilie and John.

The next half hour was filled with stories about what Emilie had been doing since they had gotten together last and about the blossoming romance between the two of them.

Mary helped Connie clean up. "I couldn’t get over her at dinner."

"I know." Connie agreed. "She wolfs down her food just like a boy."

"And her elbows on the table. No one’s taught her anything."

Mary was appalled.

"Did you notice how awkwardly she walked in her heels?" Connie felt so sorry for her.

"I couldn’t miss it." Mary reflected. "Can you just imagine how a father could raise a darling little girl as a boy, Her own father. She had no one to confide in. No emotional release. It’s terrible."

"I was thinking," Actually, Heather was all she had thought about since hearing her story from Linda. "Heather’s going to need some professional help. I’m going to call Dr Williams and see what he has to say." He was an excellent psychiatrist and a friend of the family.

"I think that’s a very good idea." Mary agreed. "There must be something we can do to help her too?"

"The problem is the uncle." Connie reminded Mary. "He doesn’t want her to have help. He wants her to stay just as she is." Connie didn’t know him but she detested the man just the same.

"What kind of animal would treat his niece that way?" Mary felt a rage building inside her.

"I don’t know. Lin insists that it would make her life even worse if anyone stepped in on her behalf."

"Are you going to tell Ben?"

"Of course, but not until after the girls leave. He’ll be livid when he hears about her." Connie knew her husband well.

"There ought to be some kind of legal action we could take against the man." Mary wasn’t sure.

"I suppose there would be if Heather were willing to press charges. But she’s not, from what Linda says."

"Maybe Ben and Dick should have a talk with the uncle?" Mary knew how they would handle him.

"I thought of that too but it would probably only make matters worse for Heather."

Frustrated, Mary asked, "Well, we’ve got to do something for her."

"I talked to Lin about letting Heather stay with her for a while. I even thought about letting her live here. We’ve got so much room."

"That’s a wonderful idea. You’d have to let me help you decorate one of the spare bedrooms for her. I could just picture it."

"She deserved to have everything she’s been denied all these years. I thought a poster bed and lace curtains." Connie had been thinking about it.

"A lace bedspread and matching wallpaper." Mary added.

"I saw the most beautiful furniture at the store last week. There was the prettiest dresser and matching vanity. It was pink with white trim."

"She’d need her own phone and stereo."

"Of course." Connie agreed. "She could have the back bedroom, the one with it’s own bath."

"That would be perfect." Mary was excited.

"She’ll need lots of clothes and things. Lin says she even has to wear boy’s underwear."

"Oh no." Mary found it just to horrible to believe. "We should go shopping for her."

"I agree. I told Lin that we’d go out Wednesday night."

"Well I’m coming too." Wild horses couldn’t keep her away.

"This is all well and good but we can’t forget what Heather wants." Connie had to remember that there was the problem with the uncle. "I suggested to Lin that we could buy Heather clothes and the other things she should have and she could keep them for her at her house."

"That makes sense. At least she could be herself whenever she visits Lin." It wasn’t what Mary wanted for the poor thing but it was better than nothing, at least for now.

"What do you think of charm school or a modeling school?" Connie asked.

Mary thought it would probably help her. "Do you think she’d be able to do it?"

Connie didn’t understand. "What do you mean?"

"Well suppose we enroll Heather. She goes and learns how to act like a young woman. What happens when she goes home at night, to her uncle’s. How’s he going to react?"

"You’re right. I wasn’t thinking." Connie had forgotten for a moment in her desire to help the girl.

"No, it’s a wonderful idea. We just have to find a way to get her away from that animal."

"There has to be a way." Connie just knew they would find a way. They had to, for Heather’s sake.

Patty got home around four and got changed. It was while she was changing that she noticed the red light flashing on her machine.

"Call me as soon as you get in. Heather’s here with me."

It was Linda. What was the boy doing back with her, Patty wondered? She didn’t waste a second calling them only to be disappointed to find they weren’t there.

"Where could they be?" Patty asked herself out loud. She considered the possibilities for a second then picked up the phone again.

There was no answer at either Renie’s or Carol’s. Could they all be out together. No, Patty dismissed that idea. She knew that Linda didn’t like the way Renie treated the boy on Saturday. She wouldn’t have called Renie. Where could they be then?

Patty thought it unlikely but it was worth a try. "Hello Mom." She said to Mrs Bennett, affectionately.

Connie recognized the girl’s voice immediately. "Hi Patty, how are you?"

"I’m fine." Patty liked Linda’s mom, a lot, but she didn’t feel like making idle chatter just now. "Have you seen Linda today?"

"Yes dear. She had dinner with us. She brought your friend Heather with her." Patty was a dear. "I want you to know I think it’s wonderful how you and Linda have taken her under your wing. Linda told me how terrible her life’s been and I want to help you girls with her, any way I can."

They were there, at Linda’s mother’s? Linda had passed the boy off as Heather again. What was Mrs Bennett talking about? What terrible story? "May I speak to Lin?"

"Of course dear. She’s down in the rec room with Heather, Emilie and Emilie’s new boyfriend. I’ll get her for you." Connie put the call on hold and dialed the rec room.

Patty couldn’t believe Linda had taken him there, as Heather. Why would she do that?

"Hello, Patty?" Linda had taken the call on the phone behind the bar. It was as far from the others as she could get at the moment.

"Lin? What’s going on? You’ve got Heather there with you?"

"It’s a long story. I’ll fill you in later but she’s doing beautifully." Linda whispered as loud as she dared.

"You can’t talk?" Patty assumed.

"Right."

"When will you be home?" Patty was anxious to learn what had happened.

Linda looked at her watch. It was a quarter of four. "We’ll be back at my house around six, if I can get away from Mom and Aunt Mary."

"Call me just as you leave. I’ll be waiting."

"Promise. Bye." Linda had so much to tell Patty. Right now she wanted to get back to the boy.

Patty hung up the phone and just stood there, lost in thought. She picked up her purse and removed the syringe and small bottle of pills. Tonight, she told herself. She would administer the medication tonight. Now there was even more reason to help him change, to become what he really should be, both inside and out.

Renie was thrilled with everything they’d found. They’d been to a dozen shops and found almost everything she wanted. They still had almost an hour before she was expected at the boy’s house. She was prepared to face the boy while telling the uncle the elaborate story she and Carol had concocted.

"What’s left on our list?" Carol asked as they walked out of Frederick’s, her hands full of packages.

"Just one more stop." Renie answered. "The Wig Emporium." Renie did a mental calculation on the money they’d spent that afternoon. It had been more than she’d planned to lay out but she was thrilled with everything they found for the boy. She was confident she’d recoup their expenses from the uncle.

"I still think his hair is fine the way it is. Do you really want to buy him a wig?"

She hadn’t explained to Carol yet, what she had in mind. "It’s not for his head." Renie told her, smiling.

Now Carol was really lost.

Linda missed John’s serve when she glanced away for a second. The ping pong ball went right by her. She just wanted to be sure he was alright.

"You’ve never even had a date?" Emilie asked in disbelief.

"No." Walter told her. In honesty, as Walter, he’d never had a date either. He was always too afraid to let a girl know that he liked her.

"Well, we’ll just have to fix you up with some one nice." Emilie thought about all the boys she knew and which of them would be interested in a girl like Heather. It wouldn’t be hard to match her up.

"No, please don’t!" Just the thought of pretending to be Heather on a date, terrified him.

That was stupid of her, Emilie realized. She shouldn’t have even suggested it to Heather. This was the sort of thing that had to be arranged without her knowing about it. She was so timid. "It’s alright Heather. I won’t. It was just a thought."

He breathed a sigh of relief. "I just couldn’t." And he couldn’t really explain. Emilie meant well, he knew that. In the short time they had spent that afternoon he had grown to like her. She was sweet.

Emilie ran out of things to ask. It was terrible, but they had nothing in common to talk about. "Would you like to play a game of pool?" She suggested.

"Alright." He wouldn’t mind that. It would be a lot easier than trying to continue the conversation. Especially the way it was going.

It was six thirty when they finally stood at the front door, saying good by to Linda’s mother, her Aunt and Emilie. They had already said their goodbyes to Mr Bennett and her uncle. John left them after saying good night and joined the father and uncle in the living room.

Connie couldn’t resist her need to take Heather in her arms and hug her. She kissed the girl on her cheek. "Now I want you to come and visit anytime you want. You’re more than welcome in this house." She didn’t want her to leave but she was going home with Lin and that was alright. "If you need anything, anything at all, you have our phone number." She had handed it to Heather and she had put it in her purse.

"If you want to get away from things and need a place to stay, Linda’s father and I have plenty of room. You could stay as long as you wanted." Connie had to stop herself before she went too far and Heather realized how much she knew.

Walter was really touched by Linda’s mother’s warmth. It had been so very long since he felt the way her show of affection made him feel now. His mother had hugged him just that way and she reminded him of how much he missed the love.

"Thank you Mom. I really enjoyed coming over." He had, at least most of it.

Mary wasn’t going to let him get away without an embrace. "It was very nice meeting you Heather." She also kissed her on the cheek. "We’ll see you again, soon."

What had he done to deserve such a show of affection? He should have been bothered by it, but he wasn’t. Walter enjoyed it.

Emilie had also given Heather her number. "Now don’t forget. You better call me."

The smile that crossed his face wasn’t forced or faked. He genuinely liked these people. "I promise." He wasn’t surprised when Emilie also hugged him goodbye.

Aside, to Linda, Connie said, "Now you call me if you or Heather needs anything. I want to hear from you tomorrow."

"I promise Mom." It had all gone so well.

Walter could feel his eyes filling with tears. He had to get out of there. He waved, saying, "Goodbye." as he and Linda walked to her car.

"You did beautifully Heather." Linda told him as she settled in behind the steering wheel and looked over at him.

"Did I?" He asked. There was a lump in his throat big enough to choke on and he couldn’t hold back the tears any longer.

"What’s wrong Heather." Linda asked, concerned.

"Noth....nothing." He couldn’t talk.

Linda leaned over the console and put an arm around his narrow shoulders. "There, there."

"It’s just.... Everyone was so....." He couldn’t say it.

"Hush, it’s ok. Don’t talk." Linda took a tissue from the glove compartment and dabbed at the tears than ran down his cheeks. She understood what he was trying to say. He had been so long with out someone, anyone, to show him their love and concern that he was overwhelmed. Linda adored the boy and wanted so much for him. As Heather, he could have the love he so desperately wanted and needed. He wasn’t the boy now, he was the frail young woman she saw him to be.

Carol waited in the car. Their plan was, if Renie wasn’t out in fifteen minutes Carol would come to her rescue or go get help if necessary. Neither of them trusted the uncle.

She look at the front of the house with its pealing paint and broken shutters. All the other houses on the street looked well kept except this one.

Carol wondered how Renie was doing inside. She hoped she’d be out in the prescribed time because she certainly didn’t want to go in there.

"So he hasn’t been home all day?" Renie was surprised.

"He’ll be back tonight. He’s visiting a friend." Jack was lying through his teeth. He had no idea where Walter was. He had tried the number he had found in the purse, several times. He continued to get only the girl’s machine.

"I certainly hope he’ll be ready in the morning. Eight o:clock." She couldn’t imagine his letting the boy go off somewhere. Then she considered the type of man this was.

He sat across from her, in his chair, in a pair of old shorts and a sleeveless tee shirt. He hand a can of beer in his hand, taking swigs from it every few minutes.

She made him feel uncomfortable. This flashy broad with her polite manners. She probably thought she was better than him. His first impression of the woman, on the phone, had been pretty accurate. The only thing was he didn’t expect her to be so good looking.

"He’ll be ready." Jack vowed. He swore at her under his breath.

Renie wasted no time in getting out of the place. It was filthy inside. The boy and his uncle lived in squalor.

She waved the check in front of her as she came down the walk from the house. She was careful that the uncle couldn’t see her elation if he was watching out the window.

She slipped into the passenger seat and Carol drove away.

"Did Heather or the uncle give you any trouble?" Carol asked.

"The boy wasn’t there and the uncle was half loaded. He’s a drunk." Renie’s flesh crawled just picturing him in her mind.

"Will he have the boy ready in the morning?" Carol was anxious.

"He says so." Renie was more than anxious. "Drive me home now. I need to get some dinner and get going."

That was fine with Carol. She needed to get ready for Ray. He was picking her up in an hour.

It took Renie three trips down to the car to bring up all the packages. she unpacked everything into the dresser and closet she had emptied in the spare bedroom. She stood back and looked at everything that hung there. She was thrilled and couldn’t wait to see him in the clothes.

She had taken care of the locks that morning, while she waited for Carol to arrive. The extra bedroom had its lock reversed so that she could lock him in when she needed to. The front door lock she had replaced with a deadbolt that required a key from the inside as well as the outside. She had taken the trouble to reverse her bedroom lock too, so he couldn’t get in unless she wanted him to.

The front door was the only way out of the condo. All the windows already had security bars on them.

The kitchen was her last problem. She removed all the sharp knives and anything that he might try to use as a weapon against her. Finally, she was satisfied she was ready. She went from room to room, giving it all one last look.

The phone. She forgot the phones. It was going to be inconvenient but it had to be done. Down came the kitchen phone. She unplugged the one in the living room. Both found a temporary home in the back of her bedroom closet. Now she was ready!

It was seven thirty. She still had a little time before she wanted to leave. Renie was quite familiar with the bar scene. She knew that people didn’t start gathering at bars until around nine, even on a Sunday night.

Giving herself a half hour to get ready and forty five minutes to find Sammy’s, she decided to have something to eat.

Patty was waiting when they pulled into the driveway of Linda’s little house. Linda had Heather fix his makeup on the way back to the house and he was finally composed again.

"Hi" Linda said to Patty as she stepped from the car.

"Hi yourself. Did you to have a nice day?" The boy had gotten out too.

"We had a wonderful day." Linda said, smiling as she looked over at the boy.

Walter smiled back at his friend. "Yes, we did."

Patty was a little surprised at his good humor but she was more surprised at the way he looked in the dress, with his hair done that way. "Well don’t you look pretty."

Nothing could spoil the way he felt at that moment. Patty had not been like Renie and Carol the previous day. She had been almost as much a friend as Linda. "Thank you."

His response took her by surprise. He actually seemed quite comfortable to be Heather at the moment.

They went inside. The first thing Linda did was to kick off her shoes. Walter did the same, with relish. He sat down on the sofa and rubbed his feet. "How do you wear these all the time?" He asked Linda.

She had settled into a chair. Chuckling at how adorable he looked, she told him, "You get used to them."

Patty couldn’t believe what she was seeing and hearing. They talked as if they were best friends and he was smiling. She hadn’t seen him smile. It looked good on him.

"What happened today?" Patty asked Linda.

"Nothing." Linda looked at the boy, grinning. "We visited with Mom and Dad. Aunt Mary, Uncle Dick and Emilie were there. We had a wonderful dinner and talked. That’s all."

Walter smiled back at her. "We just visited."

"And you’re alright?" Patty asked him.

"I’m fine." He leaned back, spreading his arms across the top of the cushions on the back of the sofa.

Patty dropped onto the sofa. "I don’t get it."

Linda laughed. "I’ll tell you all about it in a few minutes."

"Heather, do you want to get a shower and wash your hair?" They had talked in the car.

"Yes, I would like to." He knew it would take a little work to get his hair back to normal.

"When you’re done we’ll get those nails off you. I’ll tell Patty about our day while you shower. Use my bathroom. There’s a robe behind the door."

"Thanks." He was anxious to get undressed. It hadn’t been so bad once he had gotten used to the clothes but now he wanted to get back to being himself.

When he was gone and Patty heard the bedroom door close she jumped on Linda. "What’s happened to him?"

Linda started at the beginning. From the moment he arrived early Sunday morning. She told Patty everything. The rape. How her mother surprised them this morning. The story they concocted that was so well accepted. Her mother’s and Aunt’s reaction. How he got along so well with Emilie. Everything.

Patty was furious about what happened at his uncle’s but was delighted about the rest.

Now it was her turn to give Linda the good news. "I found what I was looking for at the hospital." She patted her purse that still hung on her shoulder. She had been so enthralled with Linda’s story, she forgot to put it down.

"You got the hormones for him? Wonderful. Can we start him on them right away?" Linda felt they would perform the miracle that he so desperately needed.

"They’re not pills." She thought Linda would know that but how could she? "It’s an injection."

Linda didn’t like that. "You mean we have to give him a shot every day?"

"No, no. It’s not like that." She was surprised that Linda was so disturbed. Patty decided not to tell her about the other item she brought. "It’s just one shot. It lasts for six months."

Linda breathed a sigh of relief. "You had me worried for a moment." Then she thought. "How are we going to get him to willing take it?"

"I don’t think he will, willingly." Patty explained her idea, "I have some sleeping pills. We give him a couple to knock him out and then I give him the injection. If I’m careful, he won’t even realize he’s had a shot."

That was a good idea. Linda didn’t want him angry with her. Later, he’d thank them but better to be careful now. "That should work. He’s going to stay here, with me, tonight. We’ll decide what to do about his going home to his uncle tomorrow." Linda was going to take the day off from work.

A voice called from the bedroom. "Linda, do you have something I could wear?"

Linda called back, "Just come out in the robe. It’s just us here. It’s alright."

Walter tied the belt tight across himself. He had taken his time in the shower. Enough time to allow him to slowly peel off the tape that had restrained him for two days now. It was a relief to have it off, even thought it was painful.

"Are you hungry Heather?" Linda asked.

Walter didn’t give the name she called him a thought. He was so used to hearing it that so many times today that it didn’t phase him.

It was probably nerves that had stimulated his appetite. "I could eat something if it’s not too much trouble."

His thoughtfulness was so sweet. Linda loved his manners. "It’s no trouble at all." She told him. "Have you eaten Patty?"

She was going to when she got home but after hearing Linda’s message and learning where they were, she forgot all about food. "No, I haven’t."

"I’ll give you a hand." Patty offered, following Linda to the kitchen.

"I’d like to help too." Walter asked.

Patty couldn’t get over how pleasant he was.

"I was going to make us a big salad. Patty, why don’t you tear up the lettuce." She handed her the big Tupperware container from the fridge. "Heather, there’s a sharp knife in that drawer," She pointed to the one next to the stove. "You could cut up the tomatoes.

Walter found the knife and took the tomatoes Linda handed him. He enjoyed telling his version of how the day went. He was actually able to laugh now, about some of the more awkward moments.

Patty designated herself as the one to pour them all a large glass of milk. Standing between them and the glasses on the counter, she crushed the two pills with a spoon and drop the powder into one of the glasses. The sedatives had been an afterthought. She had them at home. She very carefully placed the glasses on the table as they all sat down.

She almost felt guilty for the underhanded way she was tricking him.

The light conversation continued over dinner. By the time they were all cleaned up, a half hour later, Walter was yawning.

"It’s the stress Heather. You’re tired. Why don’t you go inside and lay down." Patty suggested. In a few minutes he wasn’t going to be able to stand up.

"He was just a little embarrassed to ask, "Can I borrow some clean....." He formed a V with his hands, in front of his crotch.

"Oh, how stupid of me. I’m sorry Heather. Why didn’t you say something earlier?"

"I felt kind of funny asking." He explained as he followed her down the hall to her room. Linda didn’t notice the red light on her machine flashing. The answering machine was over by the window, on the desk and she had a good deal of clutter piled there.

She quickly found him a pair of very plain cotton panties. They were french cut but they had no lace on them. "Are these ok?"

He could see that she was trying to make him feel as comfortable as she could. He took them. "They’re fine, thanks."

"Your nightshirt is still on the bed. Do you want me to look for something else for you to wear than that?"

She was really sweet. "It’ll be alright." It was no worse than the dress he had worn all day. He looked at it as it lay across Linda’s bed. The underwear lay neatly beside it and the shoes standing next to each other on the floor.

It hadn’t been so terrible today, he thought to himself as he yawned again. Linda’s mother, ‘Mom’, was a wonderful lady. Her Aunt Mary, as he was later told to call her, was also very nice. The way they accepted him, accepted Heather, made him long for the love that he missed so terribly. He had realized just how much he missed it today.

"Your eyes are glazing over. Go change and brush." Linda told him. "Don’t forget to say good night to Patty."

"What am I, the maiden aunt." Came the voice from the doorway.

Neither of them realized she had been standing there. They both laughed.

How wonderful to see him like this, so relaxed and happy, Patty thought.

Linda gave him a hug. "Did you moisturize like I showed you this morning?"

"I forgot." He admitted. Did he really have to? He was getting so tired.

"Well go ahead in my bathroom and get the lotion. Take it in the other bath and do it." She mock scolded him.

"I will." He said with a smile.

Patty desperately wanted a hug too. When he came out of Linda’s bathroom with the bottle of Oil of Olay she took him in her arms.

Her show of affection surprised him a little. But he didn’t mind. They had talked and laughed together. He felt closer to these two than he had to anyone in a long time.

"I’m glad you had a nice day." Patty told him when she held him against her.

He wasn’t quite sure what to say to her. "I really appreciate having you and Linda as friends." It was the first thing that came to mind and he just said it. When he thought about it a little bit later, as he lay in bed falling asleep, it was true.

Renie knew the general location from the address in the phone book. The place wasn’t hard to find, it just wasn’t in the nicest part of town.

Her first impulse was to sit outside in her car and watch the people who went in. She knew she was just stalling, finding excuses not to go in.

She had intentionally worn her tight black jeans and her white cotton blouse that tied in front, just above her waist. The last thing she wanted was to be mistaken for being butch.

She pushed the door to the bar open and stepped into the dark interior. It took her eyes only a few seconds to adjust. The bar was less crowded than she had hoped to find it. Scanning the large room she saw a dozen people across from her, at the round bar. Along two walls, to her right, were tables. A few were occupied by small groups.

At first glance it was like any other bar. Renie walked nervously around the bar and took a stool on the far side, facing the door.

"What’ll it be?" Asked the middle aged woman behind the bar.

She looked to be about thirty five or forty. Her brown hair was shoulder length and straight. Her bartender’s, if it was a uniform, consisted of jeans, a purple, long sleeved top and a red vest. She looked like any woman you might see on the street to Renie.

"I’ll have a glass of white wine." Renie answered. The last thing she wanted was to get tipsy.

The woman turned away. A quarter of the way around the bar she opened a cooler and removed a large bottle of white wine to pour Renie’s drink.

Renie’s eyes casually wander about the bar. Sitting to her left, near the bartender, were two people, both women. One, an attractive young woman that appeared to be about Renie’s age and another that seemed a little older than her friend. The younger of the two, with long blond hair, had on a snug fitting tank top, showing off large breasts. There was nothing about her that looked butch.

The other was a different story. She wore her hair short and had on an unflattering white cotton blouse, or was it a man’s shirt? Renie wasn’t sure. She was standing. From where Renie sat she could see had on a pair of baggy jeans that fit her poorly.

She didn’t want to appear to be staring. The bartender returned with the wine. Renie laid a ten on the counter and the woman took it without saying a word. She made change from the register and put it on the bar in front of Renie.

"Thank you." Renie told her.

The woman almost seemed surprised by Renie’s pleasantry. "You’re welcome." She retreated to the far side of the bar.

Renie’s gaze followed her. She took up a position by an older man seated with a nondescript young woman. She was talking to them casually. Renie couldn’t hear their conversation from where she sat.

It seemed odd to Renie that a man, even an older one, would patronize a lesbian establishment. Then she had to wonder? Was he really a man? Renie was still very aware of her surroundings and looked away before it became obvious that she was staring at the couple.

Across the room, in the booth farthest from the door, were what appeared to be a man and two women. Renie knew she couldn’t trust that she was correct about appearances. They were talking and laughing, having a good time. The women both wore shorts and modest tops. There was absolutely nothing unusual about their appearances. The man too, in blue jeans and black short sleeved shirt, appeared to be just that, a young man.

Two other booths were occupied but there was nothing unusual looking about the young people that occupied them. They were all women but none looked particularly unique. None were butch like the one at the bar.

Renie began to wonder if she had made a mistake. She worried that Sunday night was not the right night. Their didn’t appear to be anyone here that might be a transsexual. She sipped her wine slowly. She’d have to be patient. It was only nine thirty, too early to give up.

A few people came in over the next half hour. A couple of single women that didn’t look the least unusual. A guy, or at least he looked just like a guy, came in with a girl. The couple took stools at the bar to Renie’s right. The bartender knew them and they talked. She could make out most of their conversation and there was nothing unusual about it. They talked of jobs, weather and other things.

Renie learned the bartender’s name from eavesdropping, Karen. The young girl with the guy was Patty. Funny, thought Renie, as her friend came to mind. The guy was Paul.

Renie heard Karen compliment Patty on her outfit. It wasn’t anything special to Renie. She wore black dress slacks and a purple blouse. Renie gave the girl closer scrutiny. She was attractive, with shoulder length brown hair. Her face was pretty, not too made up.

Renie didn’t understand what a girl like her, with a boyfriend, would be doing in this place.

She had finished her wine and ordered another. This time, when Karen returned with her drink, Renie thought the woman looked at her a little oddly. It made her a little uncomfortable but she said ‘thank you’, casually, and the woman left her alone.

An hour passed agonizingly slowly. The threesome in the corner left, a few others came in. There was nothing noteworthy about any of them.

Two guys came in. They sat at the bar, had one drink, and hurried out. She had watched them and saw that they realized what kind of bar they were in and left. Renie thought it was comical.

Renie wasn’t the only one in the bar who took notice of everything. She was sipping her wine when the butch looking woman left her friend and approached Renie. She saw her coming but there was nothing she could do.

"I’ve never seen you here before." She said casually. "I’m Kate. Can I buy you a drink?"

Renie hadn’t expected this. That wasn’t altogether true. In the back of her mind she knew it might happen. She just hadn’t planned on how to deal with it. "Thanks, no. I’m waiting for someone."

Kate smiled at her. "I don’t think she’s coming. Why don’t you let me buy you another glass of wine? You look so lonely sitting here all by yourself."

"Thanks anyway." Renie had never felt so awkward, so out of control.

Kate didn’t give up easily. "Come on over and join Beth and I. We’ll keep you company while you wait for your friend."

Renie looked over at the young woman. She was smiling at her. Renie just barely smiled back. She turned back to the one named Kate. "Thanks, but no. I’ll just wait here."

She shrugged her shoulders and gave up, returning to her friend.

Renie thought she heard her whisper under her breath, "Bitch". She wasn’t sure but she let it pass.

Renie was on her third glass and was almost sure she had made a mistake. It was a quarter of eleven and not a single likely prospect had come in. Just as she was about to give up, they came through the door.

Their makeup was terribly overdone. Their hair was outrageous. One certainly had on a wig, a bad one at that. The one in tight jeans had on a bright print blouse that seemed totally inappropriate. The other wore a see through pink blouse with a bustier underneath and a black leather mini skirt. Their outfits were too outrageous for them to be anything but transvestites.

Now Renie had a real problem. How would she approach them. Just the thought of going up to them made her flesh crawl. She watched them slide into a booth.

Renie hadn’t noticed Karen watching her. She was startled when she stepped in front of her and asked, "What do you want here?" She challenged Renie.

"I’m looking for someone." She tried to sound self assured.

"Who." Karen asked. Her tone was belligerent.

It was time to be honest with the woman. She had to take a chance. Renie knew now that she never get up the nerve to approach the two that just walked in. Now how to explain what she sought to this person?

"I’m looking for information." Renie told her.

"You a reporter or what.?" Karen questioned.

"No!"

"What then? Just curious?"

"I just wanted to try to get some information to help my little brother." This was the ploy she originally planned on using.

"You want help for your little brother? What kind of help did you think you’ll find here?" Karen was getting annoyed at the girl.

Renie rooted through her purse and pulled out a picture and showed it to the woman. She had gotten Linda’s pictures developed today. It was the picture of the boy in Carol’s dress.

Karen took the picture from her and looked.

"What’s this supposed to be." She asked.

"My little brother." Renie told her.

Karen took a second, longer look at the picture. "This is your little brother?"

"Yes." Renie said. She had a solemn look on her face and in her tone.

Karen was a little more compassionate when she asked. "What kind of help are you looking for?" She looked back down at the picture on the bar. This girl’s little brother certainly didn’t look like a boy.

"He’s on the verge of a nervous breakdown. He wants desperately to be a girl and I don’t know how to help him."

"You want to help him be a girl?" Karen was a little surprised that she would accept her brother so readily.

"I love him. I want him to be happy." Renie went on with her story. "Heather’s been miserable since he was eight or nine years old. He ran away from our parents over two years ago and he’s been living with me ever since."

"Heather?" Karen asked.

"That’s his name now. I don’t presume to judge him. Heather’s been more like a girl than a boy all his life but just living like one isn’t enough any more. He wants to ‘be’ a girl and I want to help him."

"Do you mind if I show this to someone?" Karen asked.

"Not if it’ll help. No, go ahead." Thank God, Renie said to herself. She was sure the woman would take it over to the pair in the corner but when she walked only a few steps and laid it on the bar in front of the young couple, she was surprised.

Renie couldn’t hear what was being said, they whispered. The picture was passed back and forth between the three of them. The girl in the purple blouse, Patty, was the most curious about the photo. She stared at it longer than the other two.

She saw the girl nod to the bartender and Karen called to her, "Why don’t you come over here."

Renie picked up the cash from the bar and brought her wine with her. She sat on the stool next to the girl.

"I don’t know your name?" The bartender asked.

"Renie." She offered.

"Renie, this is Patty and Paul. They might be able to help you." Karen stayed to listen in.

"Hi." Renie said to the pair, smiling.

"This is your little brother?" Patty asked, holding up the photo.

"Heather. It used to be Heath." Renie offered.

"He’s very pretty." Patty said looking at him again.

Was she making fun? Renie wasn’t sure. "He’s also very despondent."

"Why?" Paul asked.

"She wants nothing more than to be a normal girl."

"She?" Patty said looking at Renie.

"It’s hard to think of him as a boy anymore. He’s been living with me for almost two years, as Heather. I’ve done everything I can to help him but I’m at my wits end. I’ve got to find him a doctor to help him. He hasn’t matured yet but he will and I just know he’s going to go through hell when he does."

Patty could understand. She’d been through it. "I know what he’s feeling, what he’s going through."

Paul nodded agreement. He and Patty had been together a long time. He went through it with her.

"You know?" Renie was amazed. She would never have guessed. She looked so natural, so pretty. She had a slender, shapely figure and a pretty face. Even her mannerisms, her expressions were completely natural for a girl. Nothing about Patty would have betrayed her secret.

Renie’s picture of a transsexual had been more like the pair in the corner. Flashy, overdone, outrageous.

She didn’t tell many people. Few had the need to know. "I’ve been through it." Patty admitted.

"Can you help her?" Renie pleaded. "Can you help me to find her a doctor?"

"How old is she." Patty was comfortable now to address him as a girl, now that she knew the story.

"She’s seventeen, almost eighteen."

"And she hasn’t gone through puberty." Patty was amazed.

"I took Heather to a doctor when she first came to live with me. She had a blood test and her testosterone levels were very low and to the doctor’s amazement, and ours, she had an unusually high level of estrogen in her system."

"Lucky girl." Patty had heard of others with a similar condition.

"Not lucky enough." Renie said sadly. "She suffers terrible ridicule in school, from the other girls."

"They don’t know!" Patty hoped, for her sake.

"No, they don’t know. Heather’s learned to hide herself very well but she’s not developing like the other girls and that’s killing her."

Patty had heard all she needed to hear. "I can give you the name of a doctor who’ll help. You’ll have to lie about Heather’s age. It’s against the law to perform the surgery on a minor."

Renie had known that. "Is it very expensive?"

"My operation was seven thousand last year." She explained.

"For everything?" It was a lot more than she anticipated. Then Renie realized that Patty meant more than just breasts.

"I don’t have that kind of money." She tried to look distraught.

Patty felt sorry for her sister. "She doesn’t have to have it all at once. She could start with her breasts. Does she already have them." If her estrogen level were high, as her sister said, she might.

"No, she’s flat chested. She wears falsies." Renie played it out.

"You should start there. Implants aren’t that expensive. Dr Owens helped a friend of mine a few months ago. It only cost her twenty five hundred."

That was more like it. "I can afford that!" She said excitedly.

"The ones they have now are so natural you can’t tell them from the real thing." Patty loved hers, so did Paul.

"Is there a long recovery time from the surgery?" Renie asked.

"It’s not bad at all. It used to be weeks but not anymore. They use a drug that helps accelerated the healing. Two or three days of bed rest and you’re fine. No more strapping your arms for weeks." Patty had to endure that when she had hers done and it was awful.

"Do you think this ‘Dr Owens’ will see me. Heather’s such a nervous wreck and so self conscious."

Patty turned to Karen. "You have a piece of paper and a pencil?"

"Sure." She got it from behind her.

Patty scribbled the doctor’s name and address. She also wrote down her name and number. "When you go see him, tell him that you’re a friend of mine. He’ll help you. He’s very good and he doesn’t ask too many questions."

"I can’t tell you how much I appreciate this. I can’t wait to tell Heather." Renie was thrilled. "Can I buy you a drink? Something? Anything?"

Patty was glad to be able to help another sister. "No, thanks. Why don’t you drop in again and bring Heather with you. I’d like to meet her. Maybe I could help put her mind at ease." Sometimes it helped to talk to someone who’s been through it.

"I will." Renie lied. Hell would freeze over before she’d come back here again. "Thanks so much."

She didn’t finish her wine. She did remember to leave a generous tip. "Thanks." She told Karen and she was out of there.

They waited for over an hour to be sure he was out completely. It was longer than necessary. Patty knew the sedative would knock him out but she had to be sure.

Linda shook his shoulder. He didn’t react at all.

Patty gave him a little pinch on his arm, still nothing. "He’s ready."

Linda turned on the light while Patty went to get her purse. She unbuttoned the cuff of the nightshirt and rolled up the sleeve.

"That’s fine." Patty told her. "Give him one of these in the morning. Just crush it and put it in his milk or on his cereal." She handed her one of the three pills from the small red plastic bottle.

"What is it?" Linda asked, looking at the pill in her hand.

Patty still didn’t want to tell her the truth. "It’s just something to make the hormones work better and faster." That was, of course, partially true. That’s all Linda needed to know.

"Ok." She put it in the pocket of her dress.

"Just hold his arm still. If I do this just right he won’t even know he’s had an injection in the morning. When you’re relaxed like this it always works so much better."

The needle was bigger than most but he hardly flinched when it went in. Patty was quite expert at this and found the spot she sought in the soft flesh of the underside of his upper arm. He hardly bled at all when she removed the needle. She applied pressure for a minute and it was over.

"That’s it?" Linda asked. It seemed so simple.

"That’s it. He shouldn’t even feel it in the morning." Patty was pleased.

Linda rolled down the sleeve, rebuttoned the cuff and pulled his covers back up.

Linda wrapped up the syringe and put it back in her purse. It would go back to the hospital with her in the morning and she would return it to the pharmacy, explaining that it was defective. That would cover her tracks when she destroyed the record of her taking it.

They both looked down at him sleeping so peacefully. Even though his hair was straight now and tosseled, he looked adorable. "Come on, let’s let him sleep." Linda suggested.

She turned out the light and closed the door.

"I wish I could be here in the morning." Patty confessed. "I have to be at the hospital by six."

"So early?" Linda thought she worked too hard.

"I know. Now don’t forget to give him that in the morning." She reminded Linda.

She patted her pocket, "I won’t."

It was nearly nine and Patty still had things to do at home before she could go to bed. "I’ll call you in the morning."

It had been a long day for Linda too, full of stress. As soon as Patty left she started getting ready for bed. She showered and set her hair for the morning. She retrieved the lotion from the other bathroom and followed her normal nightly regime of moisturizing.

It was almost ten when she sat on the edge of the bed. The flashing red light on the desk finally caught her eye. Linda wondered who had called. She walked over and pushed the button to play back her messages.

"Hi Hon. It’s Mom. I guess you and your friend are on your way. Bye."

The beep sounded and another message began, "This is Jack Hastings. If my nephew’s there tell him to get his ass home right now. If this is the pervert that helped him dress up, you better stay away from him." The message ended abruptly.

Oh no, Linda thought. The uncle had her number. She remembered the note she had slipped the boy after dinner the other night. He must have found it.

There was a third message, "I’m getting pissed lady. If the kid’s there you better send him home."

He sound very angry. Was this how he got when he drank, Linda wondered? What would he do to the boy?

The last message was even more adamant, "You tell that little shit that if he’s not back here by eight in the morning his ass is going to be in jail, or worse. And yours too, you bitch." He added.

Linda was worried for him. Why did the uncle threaten him with jail. He was as bad as the boy said he was. Linda weighed his options. He had to go home in the morning, before the uncle’s deadline. Linda didn’t want him in any more trouble than he was. In the morning, at least, the man would be sober. Maybe he would be calmer, more reasonable.

Linda called Patty and played her the messages.

"You’re right. Get him up early and take him home. You better not confront the uncle though. He doesn’t sound very stable."

Patty was right. "Alright, I won’t."

Linda hardly slept. She was up and dressed before six. Before she woke up the boy she rummaged through her closet to see what she could possibly find him to wear. She had planned on going shopping with him to buy him clothes to wear home. She wasn’t about to send him home dressed as a girl. Not again. Now she had no time to go out shopping.

She came up with an old pair of jeans. The were too big for her now and they wouldn’t be too tight on him either. She could only find one top that would look like a guys. It was a blue cotton blouse. It was long sleeved but it had no pleats to indicate it was a girl’s. It would do.

Socks were no problem. She had plenty of plain white socks. Something for him to wear on his feet was a minor dilemma. She had several pairs of old sneakers. She rarely threw out her old shoes. The problem was almost everything looked like girl’s sneakers, naturally. Her only option was a pair of plain white Peds. They were a staple for every girl but guys normally didn’t wear them. They wouldn’t fit him very well but they’d have to do until he got home.

With that settled, Linda went in and woke him up.

"Heather, wake up." She shook his shoulder.

He came out of sleep hesitantly. "What..." He said, mumbling.

"Time to get up Honey." She shook him again.

Consciousness came slowly. "Linda?"

"It’s me sweetheart. You have to wake up now."

"What time is it?" He asked squinting from the light coming in through the window.

"It six thirty." She told him.

"So early?" He had been sleeping soundly.

"Yes Heather. You have to get up now. We have to get you home. Your uncle called."

Those words brought him fully awake. "My uncle called!?"

"He was really upset. We have to get you home."

"What did he say?"

"He called while we were gone yesterday. He was looking for you. I don’t think he knew you were here. He didn’t sound like he was sure."

Walter sat up on the edge of the bed. If he was upset then, he was going to be really angry now. "I’m scared." He admitted to Linda.

"It’ll be alright. Here, put these on." She handed him the clothes she had found.

He looked at the jeans and shirt. They looked fine, if they fit. "Thanks."

"I’m going to fix us a quick breakfast while you get dressed."

Walter didn’t argue. He was hungry.

The pants fit ok and the shirt looked fine. His uncle wouldn’t guess they were a girl’s. He was squeezing his feet into the shoes when he realized he was still wearing the underwear Linda gave him last night. He quickly pulled off the jeans and took them off, leaving them on the bed. Better to wear nothing than to be caught in the panties.

He pulled the jeans back on and stuffed his feet into the sneakers. They were tight but not so tight that he couldn’t get away with it.

He checked his hair in the bathroom. It was fine. Using the same brush he had styled it with yesterday, he brushed it back straight. Even dressed this way, he saw Heather looking back at him from the mirror. How strange, he thought.

Linda had milk and cereal on the table. "No, sit there." She told him. "I already sugared my cereal." He was about to sit in her spot. The other setting had the medication in the milk.

They ate quickly and were out of the house by seven twenty. Linda figured they’d beat the uncle’s eight o:clock deadline by at least twenty minutes.

"Drop me at the corner." Walter told her as they got close to the house." His uncle was going to be angry enough at him. He didn’t want Linda to confront him.

"Are you sure? I don’t like leaving you like that."

"I’ll be fine." He tried to sound brave. "I think it will be better if he doesn’t see you."

Linda pulled up to the curb at seven forty on the button. "Now you remember what I said," Linda told him. "If he gives you any trouble, if he hits you again, you call me and I’ll come get you. There’s no way you’re going to live with him if he keeps that up."

"I promise." Walter leaned over and put his arm around her. He kissed her on the cheek. "Thanks."

The show of affection was touching. "Thanks for what?"

"Thanks for being my friend." He said opening the door.

"You call me!" Linda told him, insisting.

"I will. I promise. As soon as he lets me use the phone again." Walter knew he was going to be severely grounded.

She watched him walk to the corner. He smiled and waved to her before he turned and walked out of sight, beyond the bushes.

She didn’t want him to go. No one should have to live with a man like his uncle. Especially someone as sweet, as special as Heather.

Jack was waiting, hoping the boy would show up. He had been up for only a little while. He had drunk himself unconscious last night, falling asleep on the couch. His head was pounding.

He had called the number again, only a few minutes ago and still got no answer. It was his only lead to the boy’s whereabouts and it had been useless.

He was sitting on the couch, holding his head in his hands when he heard the back door close. "Walter? God Damn it kid, is that you?"

He stood in the doorway to the living room. In a small, frightened voice he answered, "It’s me."

Jack looked up. "Where the hell have you been?" He looked the boy up and down. At least he looked normal, no dress, no hairdo.

"I was at Nick’s." He lied.

"Who the hell is Nick!"

"He’s a friend of mine."