I Didn't Mean to Change the World                  by: Larry M

 

Part 3

We exchanged bodies. Again that all too familiar tingling, but I had been through it so often the last week that it didn’t bother me much. It was a body I had used before, but it was now different, and there was that urge to stop to explore it until it became completely familiar.

As expected, Sue was so tired she just fell asleep on the couch. I picked up the baby, explained the situation to him, put him on the bed and after making sure he couldn’t fall, walked out the door. It was really wonderful to be free of all the responsibility and the interpersonal relationship problems.

I drove over to Tom’s old apartment, still fighting that ubiquitous and inescapable need to examine the changes in this body. I looked around the apartment. It reminded me of the day I had first seen it, but now Tom’s belongings were gone. Now I was alone, alone for the first time in a month. I hurried into the bedroom. One annoying thing was back, long brunette hair that had to be brushed from my dark brown eyes. At least I could remove those rings on my fingers.

Quickly I undressed to look at my naked self in the mirror. The breasts, although considerably smaller than Sue’s or Renee’s, were definitely larger than before. What struck me first was the distance between the nipples and that reminded me of Lorraine. Then I noticed that the breasts were also well separated with more than a little fullness extending past the chest wall. No wonder they got in the way each time my arms moved forward. The left breast was a little larger and slightly lower placed than the right one, but that wasn’t unusual. Those large well defined aureoles seemed even larger and still covered more than half of each breast. The hips had definitely broadened, hips wide enough for easy childbirth. My waist was still quite small. With larger breasts Joy would have had quite a sexy hourglass figure. Between the gentle round curving of my abdomen and the triangular patch of dark thick hair covered pubic mound was a crease that ran from hip to hip.

Standing there I crossed my arms and gently caressed the tips of both nipples as I remembered how this body felt the last time I was Joy. Then I remembered Tom’s muscular body and watched as my nipples became turgid and those large aureoles pebbled. I soon felt that incredible congestive sensation in my crouch and realized that just viewing my new body was sexually exciting. I moved a hand over the flatness of my abdomen, ran my fingers down through the coarse pubic hair covering the pronounced mons venus, paused to feel that prominent hard pubic bone and then to that soft yielding divided flesh of the labia. I could feel the pressure of that flesh on my clitoris and I fantasized that the fingers touching me were Tom’s. Almost in a daze I lay down on the bed and rubbed that excruciatingly sensitive knob inside. I could feel the moisture inside and the heat of my swollen now parted labia. My pelvis rolled back and forth and then thrust upwards, pressing against my hand, seemingly independent of conscious volition. I moved a hand to my resilient breast and nipple but only for a moment as the breast and nipple were still sore. I realized as the tension heightened that I didn’t have to worry about semen staining the sheets and then all thought ceased as I climaxed in a glorious explosion of sensation. I lay there for a moment and realizing that I could, brought myself to one climax after the other.

Almost regretfully, I put on a robe and returned to more mundane matters. In the purse was $353. That wouldn’t last long, work was a necessity. The best course would be to use Fred’s education, knowledge and experience in accounting and bookkeeping. Some lucky company was going to hire what they thought was a nineteen year old beginning typist with twenty five years of accounting experience. That training and experience couldn’t be documented and the lack of a high school diploma would be a problem. I was going to have to tell so many lies, however, one more shouldn’t matter. I did, however, look too young to be an accountant and would probably have to start as a beginning accounts payable or accounts receivable clerk. For that I would need to brush up on typing.

Maybe it would be better to use Joy’s first name, Marla. Then I thought of the changes in her body since her last possession. If Joy was still in puberty it would be embarrassing to claim to be of age and then have to explain a still changing body.

If only I had not been too tired to ask about Joy’s activities! I considered calling Sue, but, considering Sue’s fatigue, it probably would be better to wait until she had some rest. But if I waited, which Sue would I get? Renee might be too impatient to wait until time to leave for college and may have already made the change.

I dressed in a light blouse and slacks and went to the kitchen. There wasn’t much in the kitchen so I drove to MacDonalds. It was a relief to discover as Joy I didn’t attract the attention as I had as Sue, but as I walked I became aware that although Joy’s breasts didn’t bounce there was enough of a jiggle to their movements that anyone could tell that I wasn’t wearing a bra. Immediately after returning to the apartment I called Sue. The change had already been made so I called Renee. Renee’s mother answered the phone and Renee went up to her room so we could talk privately.

"What job did you have when you were me?"

"Honey, I know only one skill." Renee replied.

"I hope you weren’t using this apartment. I’d hate to have someone call. Are any appointments scheduled?"

"No, I didn’t make appointments and only served only enough johns to survive, but I did take some of them to the apartment. I hope it doesn’t cause you too much of a problem."

"Quite obviously, I’m going to have to get another kind of work." I retorted. "But if this body is still developing there might be questions about my age."

"I don’t know." Renee admitted. "But those changes might have contributed to Elaine’s personality’s problem. I wouldn’t worry too much about it, women’s breasts often change a cup size and I don’t think those hips can get any wider.

After we were through talking I thought about Renee’s situation. She was going to have a few interesting days relating to parents and friends. I then called John.

"I’m going to use Joy’s first name, Marla. In order to get a job I need to brush up on my typing. I’ll need help so that I won’t starve in the mean time and I don’t intend to work as a prostitute."

"I’ll loan you a computer with a word processor, but there isn’t much we can do to help you financially. As you know, Tom took his half of the money and much of the rest went to Joy and Diane. Maybe you can get some temporary work. I’ll bring the word processor, I certainly don’t want you here to mess things up between Sue and I."

There wasn’t much I could say to his expressed concern and underlying hostility. I then remembered Sindi. Sue shouldn’t have to deal with Sindi’s anger.

"I wanted to let you know that there has been some changes and that Sue now has her sister Renee’s personality." I told Sindi by telephone. "I’m sorry it happened but just don’t take out what happened last night on her."

"Who are you?" Sindi ask obviously still upset.

"I was the Sue that stayed with you, but now am someone you haven’t met." I hung up the phone without identifying myself further.

By that time it was late and I went to bed. I quickly discovered that my breasts were too sensitive to lay on my stomach. As I lay there mulling over what I had to do and how to achieve those goal, I started thinking of the baby. Already I missed him and to my surprise was soon in tears.

When I woke up and went to the bathroom, it was so strange not to see Sue’s or even Sindi’s face staring back at me. I slipped off my nightgown and studied my face and body. It was going to take time to get used to seeing this face.

It was frustrating to have to search for everything in the apartment, especially as I wanted an early start. It was mid morning before I bought a paper and started looking for any job I could possibly get.

At the first of the week there was some cramping in my abdomen. Not knowing if it was normal and not having anyone to ask was a problem, a problem that worsened rather dramatically when I felt the warm damp stickiness in my panties. I was totally unprepared and had to put up with using toilet paper to sop up the blood until I could get to a store and get some tampons. By the middle of the week my period was in full flow complete with the blood and mess, tension and back aches.

The job turned out to be house cleaning. I soon learned that there was more to the job than Fred had realized. I liked the physical activity and was amazed at my stamina, another benefit of being young again. Still it irked me to have to do such menial work. Especially irksome was that what I was earning would not even be enough to pay for rent and food! That evening, I was so tired it was impossible to think of anything but going to bed and didn’t even shop for groceries.

The door bell rang as I was about to fall asleep. I was afraid to answer, afraid that

it might be a john wanting a prostitute, but the ringing was so insistent I finally put on a robe and answered the door. It was John with the computer. In view of his expressed hostility I was almost afraid to let him into the apartment.

"Here it is." He told me as he put it on the table. "Now you don’t have an excuse to come to the apartment." With that and to my relief, he left.

When I awoke the next morning I again studied my new face and body in the mirror and wondered how long it was going to take to become fully acquainted with this body. I turned on the radio. It was a pleasure to find that I unlike Sue, liked hearing classical music and soprano soloists. The make up I’d worn the previous day was gone and that lack was obvious. There was so much I was going to have to learn and learn fast. But more pressing were the financial problems. I considered finding a room with kitchen privileges, but the rent for the apartment wasn’t due and in a the room I’d find myself staring at the four walls. A better idea would be to sell the car.

After work I forced myself to shop and to make a simple meal. Then I practiced writing the name Marla J. Horne until I could copy the name on the driver’s license. While copying the name, I noted that Marla had a birthday the previous Sunday. Counting up the years I discovered that, according to the drivers license, I was now 20 years old. In actuality Marla had just passed her 16^th birthday.

The door bell rang and to my surprise it was Tom.

"I loaned my TV, VCR and Stereo to my mother." He said then continued. "Since you are not her, I want them back." Tom then proceeded to take them out of the apartment without another word.

Saturday, I couldn’t resist driving by Michelle’s home before taking the car to a used car dealer. I parked across the street but no one was visible and I couldn’t think of an excuse to knock on the door. While waiting I thought of the difficulties Fred had when he didn’t have a car. It would be difficult to find or get to work without a car. Although I did drive by the used car lot, I just couldn’t force myself to drive in.

Still when I returned to the apartment the conflict depressed me so much I just moped around. I needed someone to talk to, but there was no one available. John didn’t want to have anything to do with me and I couldn’t talk to Sue for fear of getting her in trouble. Renee, Diane and Tom were unavailable and I was afraid to call Rosa or Consuelo for fear of what I might learn. As Fred, I had a good income, work I liked, friends and even children. Now all I had was a young body!

In my depressed mood the length of my hair bothered me so much I made an appointment to have it cut. Finally that evening I could stand the loneliness no longer and called Rosa.

"Rosa, this is Joy, the young woman whom Antonia’s personality controlled when Consuelo’s last baby was born. I’m also the one whom you took home in Consuelo’s body to have the baby."

"Unfortunately that wasn’t me." Rosa replied. "I shouldn’t have ignored your warning about Antonia’s physical condition."

"But that was... you are Consuelo! Why? What happened?"

"Antonia had a heart attack. The stress of all those changes was just too much. Antonia wanted to change back but they wouldn’t let her get close enough, so it was Rosa’s personality, not Antonia’s that died."

"Before you happened on the scene, Rosa’s husband was killed. The man with her on that day was Manuel’s brother. Rosa had a job that required a knowledge of English. Antonia and I decided that since she didn’t know English I should become Rosa on workdays and change to my own body after work and on weekends."

"That is too many changes. Didn’t it cause you problems?" I ask.

"I’m sure we couldn’t have continued very long but after a couple of days Manuel got suspicious and started asking questions. He just wouldn’t quit pestering and finally I got fed up and told him everything, not only what Rosa and I were doing, but also about having sex in Joy’s body. He was so angry he started hitting me. As soon as possible I contacted Rosa and we decided to make the trade permanent. That way she could switch with him if he threatened her. Manuel actually seems happier having a wife who doesn’t speak English and I do see my son and the new baby."

"I really feel bad and want to apologize for the problems I caused. Rosa’s personality’s death, your problems and the death of Antonia make me feel even worse."

"The main loss is the loss of my friend. I’m actually happier being Rosa." Rosa admitted. "But how is it that you are Joy?"

"I now call myself by my first name, Marla." I told here even though it was still difficult to think of myself as Marla. I then told Rosa what had happened and gave her my telephone number and address.

Sunday wasn’t much better. As usual I got out of bed and immediately studied my nude figure and face in the mirror. The day was overcast and cool, too cool to go swimming on the beach and unlike Sue’s and John’s apartment, there was no swimming pool. I thought about just taking a walk on the beach, but the memory of Sue’s experience was enough to dissuade me.

As I wandered around the apartment I was surprised to see the sketch pad still there. Almost without thinking, I opened it, and took it to the table, sat down and started looking through it. The last few drawings in the pad were not bad, but not up to the standard set by the earlier ones. Perhaps they were done by Joy when she had Elaine’s consciousness. On a whim I sketched a picture of Michelle. To my surprise it went rather well, surprisingly well. Then I sat next to a mirror and drew my new face. As satisfying as that achievement was, it still didn’t substitute for the lack of company, especially male company. Finally I just went into the living room and watched TV.

The next week I was so tired after each day of work it was hard to drag myself to the word processor. It really bugged me to have to sit and practice, so much so that I could tolerate only a half hour, interspersing the typing with practicing the application of makeup to my face and then removing it. The initial results of the makeup attempts upset me even more, but as I continued there was an improvement. By Saturday so tired of typing, messing with the makeup and the apartment that I had to get out. The time spent in the beauty salon getting my hair cut and styled wasn’t much help. It was then I thought of the marina and sailing. The marina was closer than the beach and walked to Fred’s sailboat’s slip.

"Hey, little girl, do you want a ride?" Came a male voice. There were about three young males in the passing car. "I’ve got something for you. Let me show you a good time!"

I just kept on walking, ignoring them as much as possible. When they returned I was sorely tempted to teach them a lesson, but the odds were just too great.

Finally they gave up and I continued to the marina. I paused to watch a beach volleyball game. I, when Fred, had enjoyed playing the game in spite of poor coordination and it was some I wanted to do again once I had more control of this body.

There was a for sail sign on the boat. I had been very fond of the boat and that sign depressed me even more. I walked around the marina for a while, not really seeing anything, then found I was quite tired. I had overestimated my adjustment to Marla’s body. Fortunately I only had to wait fifteen minutes for a bus back to the apartment.

As I looked of the guys on the bus, I wondered what they would be like in bed. It was hard to keep from caressing myself right there. My need was so strong that I was tempted to pick up a john to satisfy both sexual and financial demands.

It was so lonely in the apartment! Then I remembered the Singles Sailing Club. I searched through Marla’s clothes, trying to find something suitable to wear. The major problem was the lack of suitable shoes. The next morning I got out of bed early, dressed, ate and drove to the Marina. I stopped at the grocery store and bought a cheap pair of tennis shoes, then walked to the park and Community center where the club held it’s meetings.

I was the youngest person there, with many of the men as old as Fred. It was difficult to keep from thinking of the younger men as being too young. I didn’t regret for an instant not wearing a bra and found it was a real charge when some of them gaped at my chest. There were a number of people I knew including a couple from the yacht club. It was great to see them even though I now couldn’t claim them as friends. Then I saw Steven, another of Fred’s sailing buddies. Now I was having to look up at him! It was really weird to be so much shorter and for a while that stopped me. Then I realized I could have some fun with Steven!

"Did you ever get that spinnaker halyard block fixed?" I ask Steven.

"Have we met? Who told you about that?" Steven ask.

"I’m Marla." I replied. It was hard to accept the fact that I was now some thirty years younger than he. "But you still haven’t answered my question."

"I’m afraid it still jams."

I changed the subject. "Did you ever get that port stanchion welded?"

"Yes, but who’s been telling you these things?" Steven ask, obviously intrigued.

"Oh, I know a lot about you." I teased, but then I realized that I really wanted his company, wanted to have an affair with him.

"Oh just someone I once knew." I replied truthfully. "It’s really not important."

"Maybe there’s still time to have you assigned to my boat and we can talk some more." Steven replied.

Before I could answer one of the younger fellows approached.

"You really surprised me coming here. I’ve been looking for you. Where have you been?" He ask as he moved too close for comfort.

"What do you mean?" I ask.

"Excuse me." He apologized to Steven. "But we have something to discuss." Then he almost pulled me to a place where we could be alone. Don’t try to play innocent with me. You’ve cut your hair and dress differently, but I still know you." He continued. "What if the people here knew about your profession?"

"That phase of my life is over." I told him icily. "I hope that relationship is something we can both keep secret." I retorted as I moved back into the protection of Fred’s buddies. To my disappointment Steven had left the group.

"I checked but they have already made the assignments." Steven told me when he returned. "We do have to get together so I can learn how you know so much about me. Perhaps next time."

It was an anxious wait, somewhat relieved by the attention paid to me, to see if there was enough boats to take all the guests as well as the members. I was in luck, my name was called.

"I know where the boat slip is." I told Arnold, the owner of the boat. "But I left the car near the market."

"You can ride with me." Offered Don, the guy I was trying to avoid. Unfortunately he was assigned to the same boat! There was no graceful way to refuse. Once in the car he put his hand on my thigh and I firmly but politely moved it away.

"It won’t do you any good. I’m through with going to bed for money."

Arnold’s boat was a Catalina 30. Quickly I helped get it rigged for sailing. I was dismayed to discover how much weaker my arms were than Fred’s and had problems reaching because of my shorter stature, but there were compensations of better coordination and balance.

On the way back to the marina, the wind picked up, making dangerous the lack attention the woman helmsman was paying to her job. Without thinking I took the wheel and it was evident I knew what I was doing.

"I sailed a lot when I was younger." I explained to Don, when he expressed surprise at my ability. I then turned to Arnold. "I would like to crew on a race." I told him. "I even know how to handle a spinnaker."

"You might ask Ed Smith." Arnold replied. "He races on Wednesday nights."

Arnold docked the boat at the site of the dock party. I looked for Steven, hoping that his presence would keep Don away, but couldn’t find him. Fortunately it wasn’t difficult to keep with others and although I couldn’t avoid Don, there wasn’t much he could do. I made sure that I didn’t drink too much wine. Then it was time to leave with the others who had sailed on Arnold’s boat and return the boat to its slip. Again, my help in putting the boat away demonstrated my knowledge and ability although I kept expecting to be able to reach further and higher than I could.

"Let me take you to your car." Don said. "Maybe you can tell me more about your boating experience."

"No thanks, I already have an offer." I lied.

"Do you two know each other?" Ann ask. It was apparent she had caught the coldness in my voice while we were together on the boat.

"We met some time ago." I replied quickly.

"Don, I hope you don’t mind but I have already offered to take Marla." Ann continued.

Don to my relief left without another word. As we walked to her car, I picked up a copy of the marina paper to check out the meetings for other groups.

"What have you against Don?" Ann ask once we were alone. "Or should I ask."

"We just had a relationship that I don’t want to continue, and Don doesn’t seem to accept that." I told her, grateful for her tact in not pushing the issue.

Once again alone in the apartment the loneliness returned. It was intensified by my earlier pleasure and I almost wished I hadn’t rebuffed Don. Quickly I undressed, looked at my naked body in the mirror and brought myself to an only partially satisfactory minimal climax. Only then was I able to contemplate my day and was amazed to realize how different I had felt and acted than would have Fred.

In view of my youthful body’s tenseness and the restless energy, it was apparent that I needed some exercise. I thought of running. Now that I had good control running was a possibility. Still I didn’t know what to expect. In spite of my restlessness I managed to wait until it was late in the day. I changed to shorts, a loose blouse and my new tennis shoes and drove to the beach. As hoped the beach was vacant. There was a good sea breeze blowing and it was cool. The surf was up and the smell of the sea was quite strong, much stronger than Fred had ever experienced.

I walked through the loose sand to the still wet hard sand and started to run. At first I was very awkward and could run only a few steps at a time. My efforts were complicated by the waves that kept washing up in front of me. It was difficult to run and keep my balance, but I kept alternating between running and walking and soon was doing much better. My breasts bounced vigorously instead of just jiggling. I hadn’t thought of wearing a bra, but as there was no one on the beach, didn’t think much about the lack until after 30 minutes when my breasts started aching from all the bouncing. Still in spite of the pain, I was surprised and pleased with my endurance.

It was dark when I returned to the apartment and I turned on the light in the living room and took off my blouse to examine my aching breasts. I hadn’t thought to close the blinds. Then I saw the man in the apartment across from me staring and realized that Fred’s male habits had tripped me up again. I didn’t bother closing the blinds but proceeded into the bathroom.

I couldn’t shake my depression at work the next day, then remembered the Tuesday and Thursday hikes. After my return to the apartment I called Fred’s best friend, Jim.

"Hi, I’m Marla. You don’t know me, but I know you. I was wondering if you were going on the Sierra Club beach hike Thursday."

"How did you get my number?" Jim ask.

"I can’t tell all my secrets." I replied. "If you and Betty are still going together, just forget I called."

"How is it that you know so much about me and don’t know that. I am still seeing her. We are thinking of going Thursday."

"Maybe I’ll see you there." I replied, disappointed. I needed someone to be with, to hold me and even to make love to me. But a temporary relationship with Jim wouldn’t be fair.

I took off from work early to go to the Yacht Club Wednesday afternoon. I hung around the Yacht club, wishing that Steven raced, until I found someone looking for crew.

The skipper took me to his boat, a Shock 35, a boat considerable larger than Fred’s. It was great being part of a racing crew although it appeared that I had been included for movable ballast and possibly because the skipper liked my looks. There was no chance to demonstrate my skills and no offer to include me in the weekend races.

After the race he took me to the Yacht Club where we had drinks and food. As I mingled I was surprised by the number of men who approached and talked to me. One of them was Ed Smith, a man in his mid 40’s.

"Arnold Holly told me you might need someone to crew." I told Ed. "I can even do some fore deck work with the spinnaker and am available for weekend races if you need someone."

"I’ve got a full crew now, but I’ll keep you in mind."

I gave him my address and telephone number in case someone might cancel. I then realized that asking people if they needed crew would have been out of character for Fred. Just how much of Fred’s patterns of behavior was I going to retain? Was I always going to be surprised at my actions?

It was great being with the group, many of whom I recognized, on the Thursday evening hike, but I didn’t see any male that seemed interesting and since I didn’t want to mess things up for Jim, I found another woman to talk with while we walked. It was different when I returned home I was so restless I couldn’t sleep. Even masturbating didn’t seem to help. Maybe I could talk Jim into having sex with me.

The next day after work I found myself still thinking about Jim. I didn’t know how to broach the subject, so decided to let Marla’s body do as much of the talking as possible. I thought of how Joy had been dressed the time Fred had first seen her and searched for those clothes. The blouse was much too small and the brief shorts that cut into my vulva were too uncomfortable. Finally I put on a T shirt that was thin enough to show my large dark aureoles and nipples, decided not to wear panties and wore a short skirt. Since I felt so vulnerable, I put a light jacket. Then I drove to the Marina and waited for Jim at the gate to the gangway to his boat. I almost left several times in the seeming eternity before he appeared.

"Hi, Jim, I’m Marla. I talked to you the other night and I know you better than you could ever possibly realize."

"Just who are you and what are you doing here?" Jim ask.

"I just need to talk, to be with someone." I replied. "Let’s go to your boat and I’ll answer your questions. I promise not to make trouble for you and Betty."

Jim hesitated, but I could see he was intrigued. Finally he opened the gate. I walked ahead of him and stopped at the cockpit of the boat. Jim opened the boat and I climbed down the ladder into the cabin.

"Now how about an explanation." Jim demanded.

"You’re not going to believe this, but I have all of Fred’s memories up here." I pointed to my head. "I know very little about the woman you see. I’m not going to explain how or why it happened but you can ask me anything that you and Fred would know." I said and removed the jacket. I was pleased to see that the exposure did have an effect.

It took about fifteen minutes of intense questioning before Jim finally stopped.

"Now do you believe me when I tell you that I was Fred?" I ask as I uncrossed my legs knowing that Jim had a good view of my labia.

"You seem to know everything about him, even things he wouldn’t tell anyone but me. But what you claim is just impossible. Just what is your game? What do you want?"

"I just can’t stand the isolation. I need to be with someone, someone who knows who and what I am! Somehow I also need someone to fuck and I don’t want to sell my body!" I replied as I stripped off the T shirt. "I don’t want a relationship and I won’t cause you problems with Betty."

"Look I believe you, but please just leave. If Betty ever learns you were here she would give me hell. She might even break up with me." Jim pleaded.

I looked at Jim and realized what he said was true.

"I guess you’re right. We’ve been too good friends for me to cause you problems. I won’t bother you again."

I was quite depressed and feeling even more isolated when I returned to my apartment.

In spite of my distaste for the practice my typing speed now far exceeded that of Fred’s. The problem was that although the speed was there, accuracy was not and I seemed unable to make any progress in eradicating those errors. By the time I was home Friday evening, I was really dragging. The thought of house cleaning for an indefinite period was quite upsetting and every time I was inactive I kept missing the baby. When the telephone rang I was delighted to find it was Sue.

"Sindi Wood called the other day. I didn’t want to talk to John about her. What happened between you and her?" She ask.

After I explained what had happened Sue continued. "So it wasn’t entirely your fault." Then she changed the subject. "Could you baby sit for us tomorrow? I know John told you to stay away, but I talked him out of it."

"I’d be glad to." I told her.

"We’ll drop the baby over tomorrow. What have you been doing?" She ask.

I talked to Sue about my recent activities, but left out the episode with Jim. It was great so see them. I at first was surprised that Sue was wearing one of her provocative blouses, but then realized that was inevitable. John held back and it was evident he had been convinced against his will, but I gave Sue a big hug.

"I’ve been so happy and it’s really great to see you." I said and it was evident that Sue was happy. "Since we have a baby we’ve been ask to move and we’re moving into Elaine’s house next Wednesday."

I took the baby from John. It was wonderful to be able to hold him again. It just emphasized how much I had missed him. Once he went to sleep, I found my drawing pad and drew a picture of him and put it carefully in the dresser.

The next evening, I was at the grocery store standing in the checkout line and talking with the clerk and the customer before me, when I realized how much easier it was to get strangers to talk with me than it had been for Fred. It had to be that as a woman I was much less threatening. Then I saw the front page of a sensational tabloid and our conversation stopped as I read the smaller print.

It said "Patient switches bodies with Doctor." I had to buy it and read the article, sure that the patient was Ken. Lorraine had the right idea, only had not been able to carry it out. How long it would be before someone came knocking at the door? If only I could vanish, just disappear, but the only way to vanish completely was to take over someone else’s body and then kill Marla J.

That would be suicide and although I had Fred’s consciousness, it was becoming even more evident that I never was and never had been anyone but Marla J. and that Marla J. had a tendency to go overboard. I wanted to talk to someone about this tendency and although I had agreed not to call Jim I dialed his number. Fortunately he wasn’t at home. After numerous attempts I finally gave up and went to bed.

I still continued to do the housekeeping work while searching the papers for an office job, but had no time to apply or even to get ready to apply for an office job. One evening, about a week after I had read the article the door bell rang. I opened the door and saw someone who looked vaguely familiar, but whom I couldn’t at first place. Then I recognized it was Rosa. With her was a nice looking pre-teen girl.

"I’m Rosa, We need to have a talk."

I let them in and they sat on the couch. "You’ve lost weight and changed quite a bit but I still recognize your face." I told Rosa.

"This is my daughter, Francine. Francine is Rosa’s daughter." Rosa said as she hugged Francine and then added. "My daughter! Francine this is Marla. Francine was at the house when they took Antonia to the hospital and so knows what happened."

"I saw that article about that doctor and man switching bodies in the paper and mother and I talked about it." Francine interrupted.

I told her about Ken, including the switch with the baby. "I’m afraid that means that someone may be after us soon. They would be afraid, rightfully, that if this spreads, everyone will be affected. I had hoped that you would not be involved." I concluded.

"But that’s not the reason I ask mother to visit!" Francine objected.

"We have a rapist and murderer in the neighborhood. Francine had an idea. I remembered how slightly built you were and thought you might pass for a young girl just about to enter puberty. I’m afraid that would be rather difficult now!"

"I had thought you might come to our neighborhood and walk around as a decoy. When he tried to assault you, you could switch with him, get his name and address and turn him in to the police!" Francine added.

"There is at least two problems to that idea. I don’t really fit in the neighborhood and you must remember that Joy was a prostitute. The police may ignore testimony from a former prostitute."

"I’ve got another idea!" Francine broke in. Why don’t you use my body? Mother and I have switched a couple of times. She has never let me use her body to sleep with anyone, but she knows I’ve had sex before and since I wouldn’t remember being raped, how could it hurt me?"

"Oh, can I use your bathroom?" Rosa ask interrupting Francine.

After Rosa left, Francine moved closer to I and whispered. "Mother doesn’t know that Consuelo and I switched bodies and I spent a couple of nights with Manuel making love to him."

I was so flabbergasted at the idea that I said nothing until Rosa returned.

"We’re not thinking." Rosa said. "We could at least identify him as a suspect and let the police investigate."

"None of us wanted to become Ken, because we would know that we were actually Ken and were afraid we wouldn’t do anything that would harm him. If I become this rapist, then how do I know that I won’t go ahead, rape and kill Francine or even just refuse to turn myself in?"

"You forgot one thing" Rosa said. "The matter of identity. You wouldn’t be him long enough to absorb his twisted way of thinking. I don’t think you used good judgment in dealing with Ken."

"But there would still be the legal processes to go through. That could be a real problem for Francine, or would you expect me to stay her that long? That could take months!"

"The way to really nail this bastard is for his semen to be found in Francine’s vagina. Then it wouldn’t be difficult to convict him."

"Then you’re asking that I let myself and your daughter’s body be physically and violently raped! I’ve been raped once and don’t want to go through that again."

"You could let that bastard feel what it feels like to be raped." Rosa suggested.

"Why don’t you do it?" I ask Rosa. "The two of you can transfer."

"I’m afraid I’d remember too much and Francine would pick up on my experience."

"Please." Francine chimed in. "At least I wouldn’t be afraid every time I go outside that I’d be raped and killed and that’s what’s happening now. All my friends are terrified and so am I. Please, it would be such a small price!"

"Then I’d be guilty of rape too!" I replied. " No thanks I’ve got enough guilt to live with now."

"To go back to our other problem. The only thing I can think of is to not expose ourselves and hope there won’t be an investigation. Do you have any ideas?"

"You know they will have to investigate!" Rosa replied emphatically. "The only defense I can think of is have so many people able to transfer, that they can’t go after anyone. That would cause chaos and I just can’t bring myself to do that."

"You can’t solve that, but at least you can help us with our problem!" Francine insisted.

"I’m afraid not." I replied. "There are other objections. One is the small chance that I, in your body, would be accosted, even if I went out every night. Then we would have to consider the lack of sleep. How would you be able to perform in school when you weren’t getting any sleep?"

"I’d just stay home in your body and do my studying there!" Franceine replied.

"I doubt that they would let you miss that much school, I would also be on the street, quite visible to the authorities. However that isn’t my major objection. We just can’t afford to do anything that will bring attention to what we can do. A rapist, if we were lucky enough to catch him, would certainly tell the authorities what happened. Then they would really be on us."

"I think you’re right about that." Rosa replied. "Well we’d better get back."

"Let’s do it now." Francine insisted addressing Rosa. "There won’t be a better place."

"I promised to change bodies with her before we returned." Rosa explained.

I watched as Rosa and Francine bodies went through the motions that betrayed they had indeed transferred.

"I hope we can keep in contact." Francine told me and with that Rosa and Francine left.

The conversation with Rosa and Francine reminded me that as a woman my movements were more restricted than what I was used to. Of course I had a defense other women didn’t have but it was one I didn’t wish to use. I was so depressed about those restrictions and trying to make ends meet. Now I had a special reason to resent that women were paid less for the some work. It got to the point where it was all I could do to force myself to go to work. Before the week was over I resented thoroughly being female, had quit the job and resolved to look full time for an office job.

That evening I went through my clothes. Nothing was suitable for a job interview. There wasn’t even a bra that would fit. I called Sue and ask for her to go shopping with me but she and John had plans for the evening. I called Rosa, but according to Francine, Rosa was visiting Consuelo.

The last time I had been to the women’s wear department, I had Sindi with me and even then I felt completely out of place. It was even more difficult to go alone, especially since I had to tell the saleslady I didn’t know which size bra I wore. The saleslady helped me pick out a size 36 c. Selecting other items proved very confusing but less embarrassing. Unfortunately I didn’t have enough money to get a decent outfit.

The next morning, after my usual study of my naked body and face in the mirror, I practiced dressing and grooming. The hair was not a problem, but I wasn’t sure the cosmetics left by Joy were suitable. It felt so unnatural to be applying makeup and the results were a complete disaster!

I wished I could have called Sindi, Diane or Renee for advice but they were unavailable and I doubted whether Sue or Rosa had sufficient knowledge to be of assistance. Finally I went through the ads in the paper and learned that a cosmetics company was advising customers at one of the major department stores. I mustered my courage enough to submit to the attention of the representative. When I returned home I was sure that I’d paid much too much for my purchases.

It was difficult to keep from calling Jim, but I managed to keep my hands off the telephone and was actually able to spend the morning inventing a background and rehearsing it. I could only hope I wouldn’t be too upset and nervous in an interview. Then I practiced applying lipstick. In spite of yesterday, it was again a disaster. I was so frustrated that I scrubbed my new face until all traces of them were gone and vowed to do without them in the future.

Still restless I dressed in shorts and a blouse, this time making sure to wear a bra. By now I was convinced that the invention of the bra had done as much to liberate women as had the pill. Still, they were uncomfortable and I wore one only when necessary. Originally I planed to do some more running on the beach, but again stopped to watch a volley ball game. There was one other person who was watching, a man who appeared to be in his middle twenties.

"Do you play?" He ask.

"I used to, but that was quite a while ago."

"Let’s take the winner on." He suggested.

To my surprise I agreed and then was on pins and needles until it was our turn. We of course lost, I was much too rusty at the game. At first I kept expecting to have the same reach and the same power that Fred had and was either missing the ball or not hitting it hard enough. Before the end of our game I found that my coordination was much better than Fred’s and I was adjusting rapidly to my reduced size and strength. Al looked at me after the game and it was evident he felt I was too young for him. Still smarting from the episode with Jim, I didn’t make any attempt to get acquainted.

I knew enough to go to the state employment office to take a typing test, but not to rely on employment office for all job leads. When I returned to my apartment building after my first day of job search I spotted Diane Farrow waiting for me. Even she was taller than I! I remembered how upset Elaine became whenever the outline of her nipples showed and she didn’t even seem concerned that the outline of her nipples showed through her blouse. Of course, hiding the outline of Diane’s huge constantly erect nipples would have required a padded bra.

"What are you doing here?" I ask so happy to see someone I knew, even Diane. "I didn’t think you would ever talk to me again, not after what I did to Elaine and John."

"Two months at the convent were more than enough and I left. I may be damned to hell, but I finally shook my fears. I found I just couldn’t go along with their dogma and rules. Maybe the fact that I am Diane and not Elaine has something to do with it. I did a lot of thinking while I was there. What you did was wrong, but I now understand why you did what you did."

"Evidently you don’t have Elaine’s anger." I observed.

"I’ve changed a lot since I was Elaine. This is just too weird. I remember who we were only a few months ago and all the changes. It seems like only yesterday that we were dating as Elaine and Fred. Don’t worry, I won’t switch bodies with you. I think Joy does much better with your personality than mine." Diane stammered then continued. "I called John and Sue, but no one was home. Could I stay here until I can see if I can stay with them?"

I was afraid Diane would leave. "Please stay with me. I need your help. We can share the apartment at least until we get jobs and have enough money for separate apartments. I don’t know if I dress correctly to look for a job, I’m sure I don’t always move and act like a woman and I’m afraid I’ll goof when I answer questions in a job interview." With Diane contributing to the expenses, I might be able to keep the car, but even more I needed the company.

I put my arm around Diane. "I’m so glad to see someone that I can talk with." I continued. "I don’t know what I’m going to do next and am always surprised by what I do! I really wonder how much of Fred I have left."

Diane picked up her suitcase, followed me into the apartment, then helped me fix dinner.

"I see that you have cut your hair! I don’t know if I like it." Diane exclaimed. "And you still don’t know how to cook. How about letting me do the cooking and you do the dishes?"

"You doing the cooking is fine with me." I replied. "But you shouldn’t be surprised that I cut my hair. Remember, I had Sue’s hair cut too."

"It is cut like a man’s and it could be a problem when you interview for a job."

As we ate I couldn’t help thinking about the time that Diane had made love to Joy, but had to keep reminding myself that this was a different Diane. "How are Tom and Ann doing?" I ask in an effort to change my train of thought.

"I don’t even know where they are." Diane replied. "Tom seems to prefer to think of Elaine as dead."

"I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have ask. I started looking for a new job today." I announced. "I had been doing house cleaning, but I want a job where I can use some of my knowledge in accounting."

"Then we’ll both be looking for a job." Diane said after we had risen from the table. Diane then moved over to me, took me in her arms and kissed me.

It felt so good to be held and kissed! I turned my head to meet her lips and could feel Diane respond as she kissed me back.

Diane looked at me as we broke apart. "You’ve developed quite a bit since I wore that body! Let’s take a look."

With that comment Diane’s hands moved to unbutton my blouse. "Oh, no bra." Diane opened my blouse pulling its tail out of my skirt. "They are a lovely pair. This body I’m wearing is really beautiful, but as you already know, a bra is essential."

"I’ve been so lonely!" I told her, then Diane’s hands were caressing my face, neck and back.

"While I was in that convent I just couldn’t stop thinking of you, Joy, not Fred. Elaine was so homophobic that the experiences I remember having as Joy with Diane really upset me. I’d like to make love to you." Diane continued in a husky voice and arm in arm we walked into the bedroom.

"It still feels strange being smaller than you, especially when I remember that you were Elaine." I told Diane as she took off her blouse.

"I’d really like to have these breasts. They’re so much firmer and higher than mine. There isn’t even a shadow around the sides or bottom, much less a crease or overlap!" Diane replied.

"I’m not so sure you’d want them, they are still sore."

As we touched and caressed each other, I was surprised to learn how much I responded to Diane’s touch.

Sexual intercourse was so much different with Diane than I had experienced before as a woman. Even with female minds controlling both John’s and Calvin’s bodies, the male testosterone and probably the fear of losing their erection urged both to hurry completion. With Diane there was all the time in the world to explore each other’s bodies, to touch and kiss and just talk.

Diane’s pubic hair although blond fine was now quite thick. The messy unevenness and protrusion of Diane’s inner vaginal lips was still a turnoff and that was about the only part of her body that I couldn’t get myself to orally touch. It was quite a bit after we started that my fingers move to find the opening between her labia and to find the small clitoris hidden inside. As I did I couldn’t help compare it with Renee’s large protruding clitoris. I still missed the feel of a penis plunging into a vagina, but the multiple orgasms and the extent of my involvement more than made up for the loss.

"Let me see what you have to wear." Diane ask after we relaxed in each other’s arms. "We’ve got to make you look more feminine."

I tried on various dresses.

"Those are all too big!" Diane exclaimed. "You look like you’re wearing a sack."

"You should know! After all you bought them when you were Joy. Do you want me to wear some of Joy’s old clothing?"

"Both of us know you can’t wear those. Besides they wouldn’t fit." Diane exclaimed. "But you’ve got to show off a little of that figure, just to show you’re human, not butch and not a prude."

Finally Diane let me stop changing my clothes. "I think I can make a few alterations on that outfit. That is unless you would rather us go shopping for something new. I only wish I had my sewing machine."

"I can’t afford to get something new, now until I have a job."

"How about shoes? You’re going to need to wear heels with that outfit."

"Oh god, not again." I moaned, but went into the closet, brought out a number of pairs of shoes.

"I was afraid we were going to have to go to a used clothing store!" Diane exclaimed after I found a pair that fit. "You’re going to have to practice wearing them."

I stood up, wobbling on my feet and tried to walk around the room.

"As I watch, you still have a number of male mannerisms, but they aren’t serious." Diane said. "Maybe I can help you with that later. A little makeup, jewelry, rings and ear rings should help. Let’s go over what you plan to say in a job interview."

"I’ll try wearing the rings and jewelry, but you can forget the makeup. Every time I’ve tried, the results have been horrible and I feel like such a fool!"

Diane didn’t answer. By that time I was more than ready to get off my feet. After about an hour we had ran out of time and we shared the same bed. Almost better than the earlier sex was the feel of Diane’s naked body pressed against my back and the feel of Diane’s arm and hand around my waist. In the morning Diane made breakfast. While we ate, I was embarrassed as I reached for the pancake syrup and found that my blouse over my left breast was stained with the butter I had just put on the pancake. Diane laughed, but said nothing as I left the table to change. After breakfast both of us went over the employment ads.

"Could you take me to town?" Diane ask me. "I sold my car when I went to the convent."

"OK, but before we go could you help me get ready?"

Diane then helped me dress and insisted that I wear a bra. It felt strange to have those small dangley things hanging from my ears and I couldn’t stop staring at those rings on my fingers.

"Now we’re going to do something with your face." Diane informed me.

"Forget that!" I replied.

"Do you want a job, or not!" Diane retorted. My lips were sore by the time she was satisfied with the results. I looked in the mirror. There was a definite improvement in my appearance, but it certainly felt unnatural to be wearing lipstick.

I didn’t accomplish much that first day. My feet hurt and I was so frustrated when I returned to the apartment. I had wanted to go running on the beach, but that was now out of the question. Quickly I removed the blouse and then the uncomfortable necessity of a bra. It was a couple of days before my feet and ankles adjusted to the high heels. Diane found a job in a medical office a couple of days later.

"How about going with me to the beach?" I ask. "I’d like to get a little exercise running."

"No, I’d rather not." Diane replied. "But you go ahead."

This time I made sure I wore a bra. It helped but wasn’t entirely adequate as the flesh on my chest still bounced. Still it felt good to run and I was in a much better mood when I returned even though we had to go for groceries. First, however Diane insisted we shop for a new outfit for me.

Sue called Thursday evening and ask if I would baby sit. When I told her that Diane was living with me, Sue was upset that Diane had not called. I called Diane to the telephone.

John came with Sue when she brought the baby. He didn’t seem to happy when he sat Elaine’s sewing machine down on the table.

"Karl understands almost anything that is said, but still can’t talk." Sue told us but the tone of her voice let us know that she wasn’t altogether pleased by that situation.

Diane was really excited when she saw the baby and it soon became almost a contest as to whether Diane or I got to hold the baby more. It was obvious that the baby recognized us and seemed almost as thrilled. We compared notes about our lives for a few minutes before John and Sue left.

"I wonder what it feels like to be a baby." Diane stated as she lifted Karl before her. "Would you like to change for an hour or two?" She ask him. Karl nodded his head yes and before I had a chance to object, Diane had laid him back on the couch.

From the awkwardness of Diane’s movements, I knew that a transfer had taken place. Diane stood up and it was obvious that she was having difficulties with her balance and she almost fell as she took a step.

"I didn’t expect this!" Diane exclaimed. "It’s been so long since I have been able to do anything that I just wanted to get out, to take a walk or even get a drink for myself. I certainly don’t want to forget how to walk."

"I’m sure it must be boring for you being so limited."

"It isn’t that bad." Diane replied as she sat back on the couch. "It’s fun to find myself able to do more each day and to anticipate what I’ll be able to do in the near future."

"Are you making a habit of becoming an adult?"

"This is the first time since you last were Sue. I don’t think my mother would accept it if I were to transfer at home."

"You really fucked me both literally and figuratively before and I hope you don’t plan to do that again."

"No, I just want to do what I said."

True to her word, Diane spent the hour practicing walking, drinking a coke and a beer, eating some solid food and taking care of the baby.

"That was an interesting experience." Diane said after transferring back. "The only trouble is that my stomach is too full."

I was still without a job at the end of the week.

During the weekend Diane altered more of my clothes, helped me work at eliminating more of my male mannerisms and refine my interviewing skills. Sunday evening Ed Smith called to ask if I wanted to crew on his boat the following Saturday.

"I’ve been invited to crew on a sailboat race Saturday. I told Diane. "I ask if I could bring someone, would you like to go?" I ask as we fixed dinner together.

"That doesn’t sound like fun to me." Diane replied. "You go right ahead."

Diane was constantly after me to use makeup and wear some jewelry, but the makeup and jewelry made me even more self conscious. I did, however let her choose the clothes I wore, even thought I felt much too exposed in them.

I was fortunate to find a job the next Tuesday. The job was in the typing pool of an accounting firm, a job that paid barely enough to live on even with Diane sharing expenses.

The first morning I met my fellow employees but was so afraid that the women in the office would learn too much about me that I didn’t feel comfortable socializing. Still I knew it was a necessity and although I went on coffee break with them, said as little about myself as possible. One of my coworkers showed off her new engagement ring.

Later as I sat at my computer a young very nice looking man walked out of one of the inner offices. He was quite attractive and I was surprised to find myself wondering how he would be in bed and even more surprised by an indescribable sensation between my thighs.

During the afternoon coffee break I felt a little more confident and ask. "Could you tell me a little about the guys in the office?"

"They are OK and let us do our work." Judy replied.

"You just have to watch out for Bob Young." Jill, the pretty girl who had just become engaged added.

"He thinks he is Don Juan." Judy continued.

"Which one is he?"

"The one who you were staring at this morning." Judy laughed. "He became a partner in the business about a month ago."

It was great making love to Diane, but as good a lover as Diane was, sex with her wasn’t totally satisfactory. Still I knew from Fred’s experience, that one shouldn’t get romantically involved with one’s boss.

"How does it feel to be back to work?" Diane ask when I returned home from work and had removed those too high heels, blouse and bra and changed in something more comfortable.

"It’s O.K.. It was a very tiring day and not sure office work interests me that much anymore. I’ve done accounting so long, maybe it’s time for a change, but I don’t know anything else. I just have to keep doing what I know, but I am thinking of enrolling in some classes in college, possibly taking some interest and aptitude tests. The housekeeping was hard work, but except for the pay, much more interesting."

"I don’t think tests will work for us." Diane responded. "You’d respond as if you were Fred and I as if I were still Elaine. I certainly found that there were certain limitations wearing Joy’s body. That is not to mention how far off the deep ends I went. You’re just going to have to expose yourself to a number of experiences. Taking a number of different courses might be the way to go. Just let me help you discover your likes and dislikes. I see you have already discovered the sketch pad. Perhaps something artistic is more in Marla Joy’s line."

"It’s so confusing. The main thing is that it feels so good to have you here, to feel you next to me and to have you touch me like you do."

"Lets go to bed." Diane suggested. "It’s too bad your breasts are so sore. I really get a charge when you touch mine and I think I could reach a climax, even if you didn’t touch me below the waist. Why don’t we switch, just for the night, and I’ll prove it to you? I’m sure we will learn ways to increase our pleasure."

"I’d like that very much, but I’m so tired, it might be better to wait."

"Let’s try anyway and see how it goes." Diane replied. When I nodded my head in assent we swapped bodies.

It took a few minutes to get used to the change. It was very gratifying to again be taller than the person I was with! We moved around the apartment getting used to our current bodies, then undressed. Diane’s long hair was the first thing that annoyed me, then I found Diane’s breasts were decidedly less firm. As I moved, their bouncing movements were especially disconcerting. Had I forgotten so soon how this body felt?

"Close your eyes." Marla said and when I did continued. "Now touch your nipples."

I wondered about her purpose, but did as she suggested only to find my hands were about two inches too high.

"That is why I would like to have breasts like yours." Marla added.

We lay on the bed, then caressed our unfamiliar bodies and watched the reaction of the other.

After a few minutes Marla bounded off the bed and brought in a couple of scarves. "Let me tie your hands so you can’t interfere."

I watched what still seemed to be my twin as Marla caressed only my breasts and nipples. Not only were they sensitive but under her expert touch waves of pleasure coursed through my body. I wanted so much to have more of my body touched, but true to her supposition, Marla confined her attention to above my waist. After a short time I couldn’t keep still, was moaning then was still as waves of pleasure coursed through me.

"That was really great!" I conceded. "Untie my hands and lets do it right."

"OK." Marla agreed.

I was very interested in exploring the parts of Marla that as Marla I couldn’t see, especially those soft prominent neither lips and the almost non existent inner lips. It reminded me so much of the time Joy, with Consuelo’s mind in control, had stripped and displayed herself before me when I was still Fred. Then it was Marla’s turn and I was surprised when she moved her head between my legs. Her finger folded back the inner labia on their respective sides of my cunt, gently forced the labia apart, Marla thrust her tongue inside me and then took my throbbing clitoris in her mouth. As she did I almost screamed with the flood of sensations.

"See, those messy labia aren’t such a problem, are they?" Marla reproved softly as her hands moved to my breasts and her lips to mine.

After we made love, Marla fell asleep and I decided to keep my current identity until the morning. Even just walking around caused Diane’s breasts to bounce almost as much as Marla’s did when running without a bra. I almost laughed as I speculated about their movements if I were to run without a bra in this body. They would surely fly all over my chest and I shuddered as I thought how much they would ache. That was probably one reason men thought women were so weak and had to be protected. It was just a matter of proper support.

I looked at Diane’s body in the mirror and traced the fine features of the beautiful face reflected there. Then I remembered her comments about the breasts. I turned Diane’s body sideways viewing their downward curve and overlap before they curved upwards to the nipples. Again I noticed the smaller size of the aureoles, large enough to surround those large erect nipple, yet oval in shape and slanting inward towards the navel.

After I went back to bed I touched and caressed my current body, and rediscovering how sensitive Diane’s large sensitive nipples were. But there were other exciting areas to touch, and my climax as I masturbated was just as powerful as those I had experienced as Marla. I regretted my decision not to change back later in the night when one breast got pinched between my chest and arm. As soon as we were awake in the morning we switched.

It didn’t take long to learn that Bob Young was still very interested in Jill in spite of her pending marriage. In spite of the warning about Bob, that was quite depressing. But even more depressing was the length of time it was taking me to learn the office procedures. They weren’t that complicated and I knew that Fred would have found them a snap.

Diane continued her alterations on my clothes and one morning a couple of days later I found that the skirt I had put on had been shortened and now only came to my mid thighs.

"It’s just another step to make you appear more feminine." Diane explained after I complained about its shortness. "It would probably be a good idea if you wear panty hose with it."

I had already tried wearing panty hose over the panties, but found that uncomfortable. The problem was that these panty hose were completely translucent and even my female slit was visible.

"That should give you an additional incentive to keep your legs together." Diane told me.

While typing a report that day I noticed that Bob Young had used the wrong depreciation schedule and attached a note to this effect when I returned the finished work. It wasn’t long before I was requested to go to his office. Bob motioned for me to take a seat.

"How do you know so much about accounting?" Bob ask. "I don’t understand how someone, who has so much difficulty learning our procedures and makes as many errors as you, knowing enough to spot that error of mine!"

"I had accounting in school." I told him.

"That must have been some school! Maybe we should talk more about your training. Maybe there is something we can do to improve your error rate."

I noticed that he was staring at me. I looked down at the short skirt Diane had suggested I wear in her attempt to feminize me and realized that with my legs spread apart, he probably could see all the way to my labia and wished I had worn panties. My face burned and I’m sure it turned red as I remembered that earlier episode when I was Sue. All too quickly I closed my legs.

"In the meantime we’ll give you some additional time to see if you can meet our standards."

"I’d appreciate that and I’ll do my best." I answered, rising to my feet."

I was minding the phones later in the day while the others were on a coffee break and was still embarrassed when Bob stopped at my desk.

"How about me taking you out to dinner, Friday?" Bob offered out of the blue.

"I’d love that." I stammered and immediately regretted agreeing to his offer. Dating a boss was not the thing to do and I was afraid I might betray my background, goof or make some dumb mistake.

I was in turmoil during the rest of the day. I was definitely physically attracted to Bob, but I had made a mistake in agreeing to go to dinner with him. I wanted to discuss my quandary with Diane, but what could I tell her and what excuse could I make about going out Friday evening without risking her love. I couldn’t tell her that our relationship was more important than a heterosexual relationship. Diane would see through me. I somehow managed to maintain my composure at work. The anxiety returned when it was time to leave.

This time it was Diane who suggested we switch, even before I had time to change clothing.

"No wonder you hate wearing a bra so much." Marla exclaimed after the exchange as she put a couple of fingers between the cleavage and the bra. "I bet this bra is at least one cup size too small. When did you have your last period?"

"I don’t know." I replied. "I thought I’d just worry about it when it happened."

"Well you need a larger cup size at times like these. "We are going shopping and I’ll stay you and get a couple of bras that fit. While we’re at it let’s get you a bathing suit. With this figure, you really should show it off."

As if this wasn’t enough Marla insisted on applying eye makeup before we left. It was a definite improvement, in her appearance. Now that Diane had made it possible to do so without arousing suspicion, I vowed to start wearing more make up to the office.

I still protested when Marla wanted to buy fancy lace bra’s. It was bad enough having to wear feminine items without going overboard. When it came to a bathing suit things even got more difficult and it was all I could do to keep Marla from buying a string bikini.

"The only way to wear that would be to have a bikini wax so that the pubic hair doesn’t show." I insisted and I don’t plan to put myself through that."

The next morning I found that the new bras did fit much better and were much more comfortable. I wasn’t as sure about the bathing suit, which, as I remembered my experiences as Sue, seemed much too revealing.

It was another anxious day for me, especially as I was experiencing my second menstrual period as Marla. When I realized that Marla probably had another 20 years of periods, I understood completely why Fred’s ex wife was so happy to have hers behind. Bob did manage to see me alone for a few minutes. "Let’s not wait until Friday. How about having dinner with me tonight? Afterwards we can go to my apartment and watch a movie on the VCR."

"I’d really like to.." I found myself saying and quickly added. "but, I can’t."

"You will keep that date, won’t you?" Bob said as he moved closer. He moved away as Judy came into view but not before adding. "I’ll call you."

"I promise, but please don’t call." I pleaded. "I really can’t go out before then." Telephone calls from him would be all I needed! How could I explain them to Diane.

My pleas were in vain as the phone rang as I was finishing dishes. It was Bob! It was all I could do to keep the conversation short, but I did manage to get him to agree to pick me up at the office.

"Who was that?" Diane ask after I hung up the phone.

"It was just someone I had met who ask if I wanted to play some beach volley ball tomorrow after work. I told him I would like to get the exercise." I replied, hating myself for the lie. "Would you like to go?" I ask and held my breath waiting for her answer, knowing that Diane preferred a more sedentary life.

Friday seemed to last forever. As Bob drove to the restaurant, I tried to keep as vague as possible about my training and experience.

"You look much prettier, now that you are using more makeup. With your masculine hair style, lack of makeup and jewelry and, at times, masculine mannerisms, I originally thought you were a lesbian. That is until you blushed so fetchingly in my office." Bob admitted during the meal, turning the conversation to a personal level. "Now you really intrigue me. How about taking you dancing Saturday?"

"I don’t think I’ll be back by then." I told him, ignoring his personal comments. "I’m crewing in a sailboat race."

"I’ve never been on a sailboat. It sounds like fun."

"Why don’t you come to the single sailors club in the Marina next Sunday." I suggested and immediately regretted my suggestion as I remembered Don.

"Will you take me?" Bob ask.

"I’ll pick you up at your apartment at nine thirty." I replied, certain that everything was going to end in disaster.

"Wouldn’t you rather I pick you up?" Bob ask, reminding me of my position as an inferior female.

"No, I’d rather pick you up." I dissented, afraid that Bob would meet Diane. It was just too early to jeopardize my relationship with her.

"If we do get back in time would you go dancing with me?" Bob ask.

I started to protest remembering my experience as Sue, dancing with John. But that wasn’t the same, I wasn’t Sue and I wasn’t pregnant. I would just have to try and see how it went.

"I’d like very much to go, but don’t expect too much." I cautioned.

"There’s something different about you, something I can’t put my finger on, but you really intrigue me." Bob said again as he parked the car in front of my apartment and kissed me. I could feel my body responding as we kissed, put my arm around his head and was puzzled when I felt his hand on my chest. His actions only had meaning when I remembered I now had breasts and that his action had a sexual connotation. It wasn’t long before I felt his hand under my skirt on my inner thighs. I wanted to go to bed with him, but then Fred’s caution and experience took over.

"Not here in the car." I told him as I pulled away, then continued. "I’d like to invite you in, but my roommate could be back at any moment." I almost added that I wasn’t ready for a relationship, but knew that was a lie.

"From the way you react when I touch you, I was definitely wrong!" Bob said.

Rather than reply, I kissed him again and almost changed my mind as I felt the pressure of his chest against my breasts. It felt so good! He walked me to the building entrance and we embraced again.

Once he was gone I became very anxious again knowing that if the relationship went sour I could lose my job. It was impossible to sleep and I found myself picking up the sketching pad and drawing Bob’s picture. Again and again I thought of having sex with him and as I remembered how weak Elaine’s sex muscles had been I went into the bathroom, pulled down my panties and inserted a finger into my vagina and squeezed. Those muscles were definitely stronger than Elaine’s, but I was going to do some exercises to make them even stronger. Then it struck me that since Joy had been a prostitute, I could have a number of sexual diseases, possibly even AIDS. During the next day I made an appointment for a medical examination, wishing I had made the appointment weeks earlier.

When I left to go to the marina, I could sense a change in my attitude towards Diana and wondered if she could sense the difference. While we waited for the rest of the crew I helped Ed Smith get the boat ready. The race was to Malibu and back and I was not too surprised and rather relieved to be assigned a rather minor role on the boat. We finished about the middle of the class and so I drove straight home rather than going first to the Yacht Club.

Diane was feeling better and had made a casserole much to my delight and relief. The day in the sun and open air had been tiring.

"How was the race?" Diane ask.

"It was really great. I hope I get ask again. The guys were OK, but didn’t let me do much." I paused and then continued. "When I think of how they treat me compared to how Fred was treated, it is really weird."

Diane came over and gave me a hug and a kiss. "Is this more familiar?"

I tilted up my head to kiss Diane back. "It sure is!" I would have liked to have remained close, but Diane moved away.

"I spent the day at the art museum." Diane volunteered. "I haven’t been there since, since I was Elaine."

"I’d like to go with you the next time. It’s been years since I have gone and I am sure that I will find much more of interest as Marla than Fred ever did." I replied. "What are you planning to do tomorrow?"

"I thought I’d go to church and see if I still feel the same way about religion." Diane replied.

"Let’s switch just for the night." I suggested, afraid that Diane might somehow divine my attraction to another.

The next morning I drove to the park in the marina. Bob arrived a few minutes later. At my request both of us were assigned to the same boat, a Cal 29. To my relief Don wasn’t there and Bob didn’t get seasick, but my sense of foreboding made the day less than it could have been. Bob was so intrigued by the new experience, he never noticed and after the race, ask me to go with him to his apartment. I ached to go but told him I was tired.

"How was your day?" Diane ask when I returned to the apartment.

"It was really great." I replied. "I enjoyed it so much, I decided to go on the club trip to Catalina next weekend."

"I think I would like to go. It would be better than what I did today!" Diane exclaimed.

I tried to think of a reason why Diane couldn’t go but couldn’t think of anything that would serve the purpose. Later in the evening Diane got a call from Tom.

"It’s so good to hear from him!" Diane exclaimed excitedly. Although we both wear different bodies, we still share memories of being mother and son. He and Ann are doing well and have invited me to their apartment tomorrow evening.

Monday was a bad day for me. Bob ask to take me out several times, but I, knowing Diane would be expecting me had to refuse. That evening the phone rang. It was Bob but luckily Diane had already left. He ask for details about the trip and then we just talked.

"I’ve never met anyone so secretive about themselves." Bob commented during the call.

"I had thought that my relationship with my, Elaine’s, son was finished!" Diane exclaimed as she embraced me upon her return. "I really enjoyed being with them. Tom and Ann really seem to be in love and have a much better relationship than John and Sue ever had. Tom did agree to let us have their extra TV and VCR. He’ll bring them tomorrow. I ask about the stereo, but it is the only one they have."

"How is Ann adjusting to everything?" I ask.

"I don’t think they have ever exchanged bodies, if that is what you mean. Of course she knows what happened and who I am mentally, otherwise I don’t think she could have accepted me so completely."

Later that evening the phone again rang and I was very anxious, afraid that it was Bob. Fortunately it was for Diane.

"That was John. They have invited me to have dinner with them tomorrow evening. I just never thought life could be so good!"

I wished life was so as good for me, but of course I seemed to be excluded from everyone else’s lives.

"Diane is going to see some other friends tonight." I told Bob the next day in the office. "Why don’t you come over?"

Tom was at the door with the TV and VCR shortly after I returned from work. It was obvious that he was there only on Diane’s behalf and was still angry with me. After I told him Diane was spending the evening with John and Sue, he just brought the TV and VCR inside and left.

Finally Bob was there at my apartment. I mixed us a couple of drinks and we sat on the couch and watched TV. It wasn’t long before we were in each other’s arms and I again felt his hand on my breasts and then under my skirt. I felt his hand move to the crotch of my panties and then caress me there. Our tongues mingled and my breathing became quite rapid. Then his finger pushed aside my panties and I felt his finger enter my body. It was difficult to fight my body’s desire to go to bed with him, but I managed to push him away.

"You’re important to me, but you are also my boss and I’m not going to go to bed with you until I am sure we have a chance at a meaningful relationship."

Bob seemed disappointed and as I hugged and kissed him, but refused to give in to his insistence that I go to bed with him. It was only the question of aids that kept me from giving in. It was even more difficult when I kissed him good-by. My body seemed to melt against his and it felt so good that I pressed my sex against his leg and raised my right leg so that the exciting sensations from the pressure and friction against my throbbing crotch was even greater.

The next day Bob seemed so busy, I didn’t get a chance to talk to him alone and I was afraid that the reason was my refusal to go to bed with him.

"I hope you like plants." Diane said when she arrived home from work with some plants. "This apartment is so drab and we need some pictures also. Why don’t we go shopping tomorrow and see what we can get? With your artistic sense we shouldn’t have much of a problem picking something suitable."

I really wasn’t in the mood, but there wouldn’t be a problem with a phone call from Bob if we were out. The next day dragged. Shopping with Diane wasn’t much better. All I could think of was the prospect of dealing with Diane and Bob together. I hoped that Diane would change her mind about going to Catalina, but was afraid to talk to her about the trip. We did get a few items to decorate the apartment, but they were more Diane’s choice than mine.

Bob seemed busy but did stop by my desk long enough to tell me he would call that evening. I thought about making up some reason for canceling, but then I would have to convince both of a reason for the cancellation and Bob seemed so enthused about the trip. I just couldn’t get interested in the work and was finding it impossible to reduce my errors. Bob called but I managed to keep most of the conversation to the trip to Catalina.

The next day I was able to see a doctor for a physical and for the venereal disease and AIDS test. Diane noticed how preoccupied I was but I just told her it was all about the trip. I managed to turn her mind to the trip by helping her select the clothing to take.

By Thursday evening I was so fidgety that I had to get out and get some exercise. I ask Diane if she would go with me on the Beach Hike. To my surprise she agreed to go. I managed to avoid talking or being with Jim and enjoyed the hike very much in spite of my apprehensions. Diane, however, had a hard time keeping up with the group and vowed that she wouldn’t go again.

Friday was a really bad day as all I could think of was trying to deal with Bob and Diane at the same time. I’m sure my performance at work was even worse than usual. Possibly, the only way I was going to keep the job was to sleep with Bob.

Bob and Diane and I were scheduled for Arnold’s Catalina 30. Already there was a breeze and it looked like it would be an excellent day for sailing. I introduced Bob and Diane and tried to participate in the sailing of the boat as much as possible and to act during the six hour trip as if both were just friends. It was difficult as Bob just couldn’t seem to keep his hands off and seemed miffed at my lack of affection. Bill Barnes tried to get friendly with Diane, but it was clear than Diane was not interested. To my relief Diane seemed to enjoy the sail and didn’t seem to notice my lack of attention.

I couldn’t withstand the fullness of my bladder, surrendered the wheel to Arnold and went below. Bob was waiting for me in the main cabin as I came out of the head. Before I could react to his presence, I was in his arms and being kissed. It was so tempting to just give in to my body’s need and lead him to the forward cabin.

"Arnold said we could share the forward cabin this weekend! Isn’t that great?" Bob whispered as our lips parted.

"You should have ask me first!" I protested. "Diane doesn’t know anyone here. I can’t just leave her alone and besides I don’t plan to be an office mistress."

"Now come off of that." Bob replied. "Diane is a big girl and can take care of herself."

I stepped back from his embrace as the boat lurched and Bob lost his balance, then fled to the safety of the cockpit and again took the wheel.

Bob, undaunted, joined me in the cockpit as if nothing had happened and after the boat had picked up it’s mooring, made sure he was right next to me on the shore boat. I was sure Diane had to sense Bob and my relationship. Fortunately there wasn’t much time to spend ashore before the evening meal on the boat and there wasn’t a further opportunity for Bob to be alone with me, especially when the people of the other boats joined us for a party. Rather than cause a fuss, Bob surrendered his claim to the forward cabin to Diane and I. Although Diane didn’t say anything, she seemed aloof and remote. I finally just took my sketch pad to the cockpit and did a quick sketch of the scene before me.

The next morning I showed Bob around the Isthmus. After our Thursday evening hike, I was sure that Diane wouldn’t go and I was right. Bob seemed resigned to my earlier rebuff and I was at ease with him. Later Diane and I put on our swim suits and went to the beach.

"I bet that terrific figure of yours is really wowing the guys, especially your friend Bob." Diane said as she spread her beach towel on the sand.

"No more than yours is affecting Bill." I retorted almost too vehemently. Although it was quite pleasant and warm, I wasn’t enjoying the unspoken friction between us and used excuse of the lack of a tan to return to the boat. Later that afternoon Diane, Linda and I prepared food for that evening’s potluck dinner on shore.

I was thoroughly enjoying Bob’s company at the dinner until I noticed that Don had been drinking too much. Although it was a further strain, I managed to keep Bob away from him.

"That music from the band stand really sounds great." Bob said to me when Diane and Bill were together with us. "Let’s listen and do some dancing."

"It’s been a long day and I’m rather tired. I’d rather not." I replied.

"You can’t be that tired." Diane said. "That music sounds just too great. It’s been a long time since I’ve danced and partied!"

With Diane, Bill and Bob all urging me to go I gave in. It soon became obvious that both Diane and Bob expected me to dance exclusively with them. It wasn’t as difficult as expected to follow Bob’s lead and as my body, hips and breasts pressed against his I felt as if I could melt into him and became aware of a dampness in my panties. Still I danced with Diane, trying to balance the attention I gave to each.

"What is going on with you two?" Bob ask when Bill actually got Diane to dance with him.

"Don’t be so possessive!" I replied. "We haven’t been going together long enough to jeopardize my friendship with Diane! I just can’t form a new relationship that fast." With that I got up from the table and started to the bar only to run into Don.

"Let’s go to my boat and have a party!" He suggested.

"Just stay away from me. All that is in the past!"

"If you want to keep that a secret, you’ll ditch that fucker you’re with and go with me." With that Don grabbed me and I was again all too aware of how much weaker I was as a female.

Bob was suddenly there and I broke free from Don’s grasp.

"You want to know something about that tart of yours?" Don ask. "Well I can tell you she’s quite a piece of ass. I’m sure all the other men she’s fucked will agree!"

Bob took a swing at Don and Don fell to the floor. Bill and two other members of the club pulled them apart.

"What happened?" Diane ask as Don and Bob were being restrained.

"Don claims he was a customer of Joy’s."

"That’s great! I wonder if anyone else recognizes either of us. I wonder if he recognizes me." Diane said. "But why is Bob so upset? What is going on between you two that I don’t know about?"

"I can’t lie to you." I replied. "I like to make love to you, but somehow I need more. I just can’t seem to help myself." I admitted. "But I love you! I’m so confused. I wanted to give Diane a big hug, but held back as I saw Bob approaching.

"I think you owe me an explanation." Bob ask interrupting the conversation.

"I can’t talk about it now." I replied. I was too upset and in too much conflict as to what to tell him.

"Well I want an answer!" Bob demanded.

"I can’t talk about it now!" I repeated. Bob was angry but there just wasn’t enough privacy on the boat to talk to him or even to Diane. As a result the trip back to the marina was tense.

"I hope you don’t mind if I take the car, I’m sure you’d rather be with Bob!" Diane exclaimed after the boat had been hosed down and everyone was ready to leave.

"Will you take me home?" I ask Bob. "That way we can talk about Don’s allegations."

"Well, I would like an explanation!" Bob replied.

"I’ll see you later at the apartment." I told Diane and gave her the keys.

"What is bugging her?" Bob ask after Diane had left and we in his car, "I’m afraid you’ve become too important to not tell you the truth." I told Bob, ignoring his last question. "I never had sex with anyone for pay, but this body has."

"So you’ve had sex with everyone but me! What kind of a chump are you playing me for."

"You’re not listening! I know this body was a prostitute, but that was before I had it. My memories go back 55 years. I remember the Eisenstadt assignation very well. I can even tell you what I was doing at the time, but I never saw I Marla until about four months ago."

"What kind of crap are you telling me?"

"Another person’s consciousness & memories have been transferred to my brain. Although I have always been Marla Joy, I don’t remember any of her life before four months ago!" I looked at his face in the dim light. "As I told you earlier, you’re my boss and I like you too much for a casual relationship." I said as I tried to kiss him.

"You expect me to believe that?"

"But I’m telling you the truth." I protested. Unlike with Jim, there were no common memories to persuade him of the truth of my statement. I hesitated and decided to tell him more. "I could prove it by exchanging bodies with you, but you’re just going to have to accept my word."

It was with trepidation that I told him the story. "It seems like a change of bodies, but it’s really not." I concluded. "However this body and brain is all female and I really wanted to go to bed with you".

"Really, this is just too fantastic to believe. Since you do not wish to prove it with me, perhaps you and Jill could switch."

"That wouldn’t do you any good." I retorted, angry that Bob would suggest such a thing. "I was hoping you wouldn’t make me prove it!"

"Oh my god, it is possible!" Marla exclaimed after the exchange. "You’ve proved your point now change me back!" She demanded.

"We have to wait about an hour." I replied using Bob’s voice. Already the male body was having an effect on my mind and visa verse. "I know you’re sexually aroused, just as I am. I told her. "It’s all right if you want to explore my body. You might even discover what turns me on. If you want, I’m willing to go to your, Bob’s, apartment. I know from my experience that you probably aren’t ready for heterosexual sex as a female. The problem is that you’re going to have a lot of pain from this erection if I don’t do something about it."

"Just leave my body alone! She retorted. Her reaction to being in a female body was so violent that I was reminded all too painfully of when Fred, controlled by Ken’s mind, had raped and tried to kill Diane. Still I wanted to make at least one more effort at accommodation. "Don’t you even want to explore the body you’re in?" I ask unable to keep my hands from exploring the radical changes from my previous physique.

"I just want my own body and you out of my life permanently." Marla replied as she sat motionless and just glared.

"If that is what you want, then I’m driving us to my, Marla’s, apartment." I asserted. It was so difficult to remember to use the name in the third person.

"Why there?" She ask, quite obvious alarmed at my suggestion. In spite of her earlier protestation her hands were exploring her breasts and crotch.

"Don’t worry, I’m not going to steal your body. I’ll transfer back. I just want to be at home when I do it."

"Don’t you trust me?" Marla ask.

"You need time to cool down and I’d rather be alone during that hour that I won’t be able to make an exchange of bodies. One of the things I didn’t tell you was that I was raped and almost killed after just such a transfer. I see I still haven’t answered your question as to why Diane was so upset. We are lovers and I violated her trust by having this affair with you. She is a lesbian, but I am, that is Marla is, bisexual."

Marla was quite subdued as I took her home. What seemed to bother her most was the fact I was originally a male. Bob had even seen some of the work Fred had done.

"Just what happened to Marla’s original memories?" She finally ask. "And just who’s idea was it?"

"She chose to be someone else and agreed that my consciousness be switched to her body."

"So it was just a game of musical chairs!"

At the apartment, I ask Marla go to the entrance of the apartment and unlock the door. She finally agreed and I winced as I watched her stagger to the doorway. I then stood about twenty feet from her until we could swap bodies. I discovered to my embarrassment that I had wet my pants during the transfer, was sure that I had blown my job and my relationship with Bob and dreaded having to face Diane.

"Well what happened?" Diane ask angrily when I entered the apartment.

"Please don’t be so angry. I had to tell him about us. What else could I do?" I answered knowing Diane’s reaction would be even stronger if I told her the full story.

"You’re just plain stupid!" Diane exploded. "Too many people already know. I might understand if he wasn’t such a snob. I’m sure he just wants to get into your panties! As Sue said, that was you, every person that knows puts us in more jeopardy. Maybe what I should do is find some man to switch with. Maybe if I had a prick you’d settle down!"

I knew Diane was right, but couldn’t talk about it so just went into the bedroom and closed the door. For the first time I admitted to myself that perhaps Marla had more than a learning problem. It was clear that I didn’t learn as fast as Fred or any of the others that I had been. That evening I slept on the couch instead of sharing the bed.

In spite of Diane’s disapproval and Bob’s reaction, I still couldn’t help thinking about Bob. "I’m sorry." I apologized during breakfast. "I love you but I also want to be with Bob. Please don’t get mad at me and please don’t leave. I still need your love and support."

The day at work was just as rough. I was now aware that I had violated my own vow by transferring with someone without their permission. Bob seemed afraid of me and avoided me whenever possible.

"I’m going to start looking for an apartment." Diane said when I returned from work.

"Please don’t. Bob and I are through. I think he is afraid of what I can do to him."

"It’s too late." Diane replied. "If it’s not with Bob it’ll be with someone else!"

I knew that there was nothing I could say to Diane. With my antipathy with the work and alienation from my coworkers and now the situation with Bob, it was only the need for an income that kept me from quitting the job. Before the end of the week I was so tense and upset that I wasn’t even doing acceptable work, so gave notice.

"I’m quitting my job." I told Diane when I got home from work. "A week from next Friday is my last day. I just can’t take any more. I’d really appreciate it if you’d stay a while longer."

"No, you’ve already made it clear where I stand!" Diane retorted as she ate the meal she had prepared for herself. "I’ve found an apartment and I’ll move out this weekend. Oh, I almost forgot to give you your mail."

The letter was from my doctor. It was a clean bill of health. I didn’t have AIDS.

The phone rang, Diane answered it. "It’s for you, it’s your lover!"

I excitedly ran to the phone.

"Since you’re leaving, I presume you’ll need some money." Bob told me. "I have a proposition, a little job I’d like you to do."

My heart sank, as I guessed what he wanted. As feared he wanted me to swap with Jill, break up with Jill’s fiancee by having sex with Bob in Jill’s body in the presence of Jill’s fiancee! He even had a plan to get Jill in my body out of town.

"There’s no way I’m going to do that!" I responded and slammed the phone down."

Friday was a hellish day and I was still so angry I almost walked out of the office. That evening when I returned to the apartment from work, a couple of men were waiting for me at the door.

"Are you Marla J. Horne?"

"Yes." I replied. Before I could recover from the surprise I was unconscious.

When I awoke, I was lying in a bed in a large room. Before moving I sent my mind around the room. To my consternation the other people were familiar. It made no sense to pretend to be asleep, so I opened my eyes and sat up. I was in a large narrow room, very much like an army barracks, complete with beds and wall and foot lockers. Sue was sitting on the bed holding the baby. I was very pleased to see Karl and from the look on his face, he was completely aware of what was occurring. Close by were Diane and Renee.

"How long have I been out?" I ask.

"It’s Saturday morning and we’re all here. Even Ken!" Diane replied. "However they put the men in another building."

"What happened? Who are they?" I ask as I sat on the side of the bed. Rosa and Consuelo joined us. Rosa had regained much of the weight she had lost.

"Ken switched bodies with a number of the staff in the hospital." Renee began. "At first he was a problem as they couldn’t stop him. They finally used conditioning techniques. Every time Ken traded bodies with another person painful electrical shocks were administered to his new body. Through their experiences, they learned the parameters of transferring. A few of them saw it’s potential for power and must have switched bodies so they could retain the ability to transfer and came up with the idea for this compound.

They thought, correctly, that there could be others with the same ability and started checking everyone who had been associated with Ken. Lorraine described Joy and Sindi was still angry enough to tell what she knew."

"How did Consuelo and Rosa get involved? How could they make that connection?"

"I’m afraid we did it to ourselves." Rosa said "Francine and I didn’t catch that rapist, but someone else who decided to take advantage of a girl who was all alone."

"Where are we and how can they keep us here?" I ask.

"We’re miles away from anywhere in a triple compound that keeps us out of range and they never let more than one of us go to the check house in the center. They talk to us on a one to one basis. All contacts are made there and supplies are delivered there. For identification they use passwords. I switched with one but couldn’t get past the guard." Renee continued.

"He wouldn’t tell me the password even when he found himself in my body. Evidently more is involved than a password. They ask me the year I went to school. When I couldn’t answer they just rendered me unconscious and brought me back." Sue said.

"They were so shook to find one of them had become a woman, even for an hour, that, except for their psychologist, we now have only contacts of the same sex." Rosa laughed as she recounted that event.

"They seem of two opinions. They don’t like having so many prisoners and are concerned that relatives will report us missing. There has been some talk about killing us, but the psychologist wants to study this phenomenon. To her we’re just guinea pigs."

"At present the her viewpoint is prevailing and they made us an offer." Renee continued. "Anyone who returns to their original bodies can leave provided they promise to keep silent and not talk about what is happening here. I’m sure anyone who leaves will be watched. That would leave the personalities of Elaine, Antonia, and you with the bodies of Ken, Tom and Rosa."

"How can they tell when a person is in their own body?" I ask.

"They have compiled a complete history on each of us." Renee replied. "That is one of the reasons it took them so long to act. Before they let anyone leave, they will do a through interrogation. I don’t see how we could fool them."

"Before you arrived we talked over their offer and most think we should accept." Diane said.

"I don’t agree. We’re all in this together." Sue objected.

"How much privacy do we have?" I ask.

"They have us under constant surveillance." Renee replied. "They can hear and see everything we do. They know that you started this when you became Diane and then Consuelo and that each of us transferred with others until all of us were involved."

I thought over what Renee had told me and realized that Renee was inferring that though they knew all of us could transfer, they hadn’t learned that I had that additional ability to become two persons at once. I was amazed that secret had been kept.

Sue left and soon returned with Tom and John. "Ken is in a special ward and we’ll have to get him later." John explained.

"You shouldn’t stay here if there is any chance of leaving." I suggested.

"Under the circumstances of two men and one woman living together, Antonia has decided she’d rather become a man." Rosa quickly chimed in. "I talked to both her and Diane. They think if they switch every two or three days they can prevent Ken’s paranoia from being a problem."

"Why did you decide on becoming Ken and not Rosa?" I ask Diane, quite astonished.

"The three of us will be living together and since I have been Diane so long, I seem much more interested in women than men. Maybe you’ll find Ken more attractive."

"You know that isn’t true!" I objected.

"Why don’t we change now?" Rosa ask me.

I looked at Rosa’ obese body, not looking forward to being her. Then I thought of Antonia and Elaine and the adjustments they were going to make, especially the transferring back and forth. I really felt sorry for them and vowed to do all I could to make their ordeal as short as possible.

"OK, lets do it, you go ahead."

Then there was that change of perspective, position and the uncomfortable tingling that went with a trade. I fought my need to become more acquainted with this body, thankful, that since I had been Rosa before, the need was not overwhelming. Still my hands roved over Rosa’s body, making me once again aware of that padded bra.

I’m Consuelo." Marla informed everyone as she ran her hands over her torso, then turned to me and continued in a lower voice. "If only I could remain in this body! To make things worse my own body is two months pregnant. Just what I needed! However I will be able to make sure Francine has proper care."

"Who is taking care of her now?" I ask using Rosa’s voice.

"They told me they took her to her uncle. I just hope everything is all right!"

In the background I could hear Tom declare that he was Sue and that John had his own body back. Almost everyone gave into the need to familiarize themselves with their new bodies.

"I’m Elaine." Renee announced and I could see her hands inside her slacks and I knew she was exploring her large clitoris.

"I’m back in my own body." Diane declared. "But I don’t want to leave until Joy is ready." She then approached me. "I really liked being Renee. Those weird boobs bothered me for a while, but sex was really great!"

John turned to Tom(Sue). "I will wait for you and the baby."

Sue(Renee)left for the building where Ken was being held carrying the baby (Marla). The baby was screaming when she returned with him. Renee(Elaine) joined Sue in an effort to comfort him.

"He’s afraid he’s going to get those electrical shocks." Renee (Elaine) explained when she joined me.

Ken looked very uncomfortable and was having some difficulty with his coordination when he came into the room. "Hi, everybody, I’m Joy." He announced. It appeared that Ken had lost some of his muscular build.

We sat together while I related my experiences as Marla, told him about the job, the relationship with Diane and warned him about Bob. Ken did not seem to be embarrassed at being in a male body although he had to have some discomfort from the bulge in his pants.

"For the next round I think those who haven’t transferred should have first choice." I suggested using Rosa’s voice. "To avoid confusion, those who are not in their own or assigned bodies go to the North side of the room. The rest of us will stay on the South side."

"I’d rather wait until the three who are remaining here have transferred." Marla (Consuelo) objected.

"Me too." Sue(Renee)agreed.

I wasn’t too happy about this development as the baby’s crying was getting on my nerves. Sue was trying to quiet him by nursing him, but without success. Then before I could object another round of transfers began.

"I’m Elaine." Ken announced and walked to the South side of the room.

"Well I’m female again." Renee proclaimed. "Oh incidentally I’m Joy."

"I’m Sue." Consuelo announced. "And Tom is Antonia."

Marla spoke to Tom in Spanish and he joined those on the South side of the room.

"Now you can experience sex as a man." I told Ken (Elaine). "But I don’t know what you would want with a fat woman like me." I continued, feeling the heat from the flush in Rosa’s face.

"You still have the equipment." Ken (Elaine) replied as he put his arms around me and gave me a big hug. "This reminds me of the time you switched me into John’s body! That really upset me, so much I managed to avoid even going to the bathroom although I had a terrific ache in the groin. This time I’m going to find the bathroom and take care of this problem before it gets too painful."

Embarrassed I joined Sue(Renee). "I don’t know what I am going to do when I get home. I’ve lost too much of the semester to continue college." Sue (Renee) complained.

I put Rosa’s short arm around Sue (Renee) and gave her a big hug. "I’m sure you can invent some reason for dropping out of school." I wished I could tell her to continue to school, that I was determined to reverse these forced changes, but dared not, for fear I would be overheard.

"I think it is time for you to return to your own body so we can leave!" John demanded, addressing Consuelo.

"I guess you’re right." Consuelo (Sue) agreed. "But what about Renee?"

"Go ahead, don’t worry about me." Sue(Renee) replied. "You should get the baby home so he can get some sleep."

"I’ll make sure Renee gets home." Marla (Consuelo) added. I watched as Marla (Consuelo) helped Tom (Antonia) walk to a bed at the other end of the room and mindless of the others in the room proceeded to undress and have sex. In about a half hour Marla returned.

"I hope you don’t mind me having sex with Tom. It should help Antonia adjust to being in a male body. I know that you’ll probably have sex with both of them. I did want you to know that, except for the loss of my friend Rosa, I haven’t regretted a moment. Her loss was as much my fault as yours and I don’t blame you."

"I’m Sue." Sue stated after the next round of transfers began.

"Now I get to see what it’s like to be Consuelo." Consuelo proclaimed. "Oh, I’m Renee."

"Well we’re going to see if our guards are going to keep their promise." John announced loudly, then picked up the phone.

"I’m Renee." Marla declared when the required hour had passed and answered the phone. "They are ready for another one. Who wants to go next?" No one answered.

"The rest of us want to leave together." Marla informed the caller and hung up the phone.

"Well, I’m me again." Consuelo confirmed simply. "It shouldn’t take Manuel long to find that I’m back and start beating me again! My main regret, other than having to deal again with Manuel, is that I, Rosa, just met someone that I think I could love."

Soon Marla and Renee transferred bodies and the four women left. It was hard to see them leave, knowing that the rest of us remained prisoners, but then leaving the compound were going to have difficulty in adjusting to the life others had led for them.

After the last one left, the phone rang and the female voice on the other end told me our dinner was ready. Since Rosa’s physique had changed the least, I agreed to go for the food. Ken gave me instructions and after a short walk I found the check house. The trays of food were on a cart and I pushed it to the dorm. In an envelope on the cart was a key.

As soon as they had finished eating the phone rang. Ken answered the phone and after he hung up the phone turned to me. "They said that we can move to the house in the compound and this is the key. It sure should beat living in this barn."

Ken led Ken and Rosa through the gate to the completely furnished house. In one bedroom there was a closet full of women’s clothes, which I assumed was Rosa’s size.

"They seem to have thought of everything." Ken told me when we found the other bedrooms had clothing suitable for the men. Downstairs was a completely furnished kitchen including cupboards and a refrigerator full of food.

"I guess I’ll fix breakfast tomorrow morning." Ken offered. "Tom is still having too many problems with his coordination."

I left them and went to the bathroom where I pulled off the blouse and skirt and assessed the body to which I had been assigned. The legs were slender and shapely, too slender and shapely to go with the protruding abdomen and thick waist. I looked down at the padded bra, quickly unhooked the straps and pulled it off. Except for the huge stiff prominent nipples which reminded me of Diane’s nipples, I could almost be looking at a man’s chest. Unlike Elaine’s body the breasts were not going to compensate for the size of Rosa’s abdomen. Some sex object I was going to be! It had been a hard day and after I took a shower I was soon asleep.

The next day after breakfast the phone rang and I was requested to go to the check house. There I was met by a slender well built middle aged woman.

"I’m Nadine and I am here to interrogate you. Have a seat." She requested and I complied. "We know that you have one ability the others don’t have, the ability to become two persons at the same time."

I was upset, it seemed our last chance of escape was gone. "I don’t know if that died with Fred. It was only used once, and that was once too many!"

Nadine picked up the phone. "Tamara, please come to the check house." She then turned to me. "Tamara is pregnant and due in about three weeks. I want you to see if you still have that ability."

"What if I don’t?"

"Then we have no further use for you. I’m sorry but we just couldn’t take the chance that you could be holding out. You would just be too much of a threat. We would still have the others with whom to carry out the experiments."

Now I was very upset. "Then you must not be representing the government."

"How astute of you! However with this ability it won’t take us long to control the government."

I was surprised to find that Tamara was very obviously pregnant, her pregnancy accentuated by her slenderness. She was young, quite pretty with a dark complexion, almost as dark as Sindi, but a little taller with long straight shiny black hair.

"How do you fit into all of this?" I quickly ask. "Are you going to be the mother of some dying leader?"

"How....?" That was all Tamara got out before being quieted by Nadine.

"That’s enough Tamara! Don’t say another word. Just have a seat in this chair." The chair she indicated was opposite mine. "This lady here is going to make it possible

for you to be your baby for about an hour."

"That sounds interesting!" Tamara said.

"Go ahead." Nadine told Rosa. "Let’s not waste time. Just don’t try to become me!" She warned. "As you have already been told we have taken adequate precautions."

I concentrated on becoming the baby and for the second time in my life felt the confusion of an unborn baby.

"I can still do it!" Tamara exclaimed and as I watched Tamara run her hands over the basket ball of her protruding abdomen, over her still small breasts and then to her face and arms.

"Who is she?" Nadine ask Tamara. "And who was she before she became this woman.

Tamara looked at Nadine. "I don’t really appreciate having to be pregnant again. To answer your questions, Rosa and Marla J." Tamara then moved her hands to her belly. "How long are you going to let those who know about the ability to transfer to live?"

"You have just added another person to your group. We are quite aware that Tamara can hear and understand what is being said, but we figured this would happen. The interview is over for the day. You can take Tamara back to your quarters." With that comment, Nadine walked out of the room.

I helped Tamara out of her chair.

"This feels all too familiar. My back hurts and that damn baby is kicking." Tamara told me as she waddled with my support to the house. "I wish I could hurry more, I’ve got to take a piss."

"Who is she?" Ken ask after Tamara had left for the bath room..

I explained, knowing full well our captors could hear.

Tamara returned before I had completed my story, brushed the long hair out of her eyes and moved her hands to her waist. "We’re just experimental animals to them." Tamara concluded, her hands clasp together under the curve of her belly.

"I certainly found that out." Ken added. "They wanted me to exchange bodies with a chimpanzee. If I start that there is no way to know where they will stop. You didn’t see Tom, did you? He hasn’t come back yet."

Tamara sat down on a straight chair, her legs apart to allow room for her belly. "The baby is really kicking. I don’t think Tamara is too comfortable in there."

"Why don’t you sleep with me tonight and give Tamara your room?" Ken ask me.

"OK." I agreed. I might as well get used to he idea of spending my nights with one or both of them.

The hour was finally up and the other part of my mind relinquished control of Tamara’s body. I remembered the examining of her body I had done while in the bathroom, her small, yet distended, breasts and her slender build that accentuated her pregnancy.

"That was wild!" Tamara exclaimed. "Can I change bodies with you or Ken sometime?"

"If you wish, but I’m afraid you’re now a prisoner along with the rest of us." I informed her.

"I should have known that they only wanted me for my baby." Her comment was interrupted by Ken’s return. It was obvious that he was very upset, but neither of us could understand him. It was Tamara who had Spanish in High School who finally figured out that they had been able to convince Tom to carry out the experiment that Ken had refused.

"We’ve got to learn to communicate with him." Ken told me.

"I’m really beat." Tamara exclaimed and turned to me. "Someone said I could have your room."

I showed Tamara the way. Tamara went inside and immediately lay on the bed, not even bothering to close the door.

"I don’t know how long we’ve got and I’d like to go to bed with you." Ken said when I returned to the living room. "I know I’m not Bob and I hope you don’t mind too much. Would it bother you if I used this body? I am aware that I will be rotating with Antonia, so that neither of us get too paranoid, but I won’t be able to face my son if I used the body he was wearing to have sex."

"OK, if you can put up with how I look. Right now I’m not Marla either. This body is certainly not a sex object!" I replied.

Ken then put his arm around me and escorted me to his room. "After I could accept being someone else, I got to like being younger except for the periods. I was really looking forward to being free of them, but being a younger female meant having to go through another 20 years. Now I seem to have the advantages of youth without those problems. I wouldn’t have thought so but even under these circumstances I’m enjoying being a man. I still am having problems having balls between my legs. It really hurt when I pinched them accidentally and it is embarrassing when I aim at the toilet and the stream misses."

"Well you know that having mobile breasts wasn’t too easy either. Being Diane helped you change your sexual orientation. From there it isn’t that big a step."

In spite of our conversation I felt very inadequate as I pulled off the blouse and exposed the padded bra. I could see the reflection of Rosa’s obes