Sarah sat beside him and Ellie sat on the chair to his right. “How are you feeling?” he asked her. “Okay, I guess. Lindsey said you wanted to ta...k to me.” He nodded. “Are you sure that you are not prepared for parenthood?” “Yes. I can't handle it.” “Well, I am prepared to adopt the baby. You would be able to come visit her if you ever decided that you wanted to. But Lindsey and I think it sounds like a good idea.” Ellie smiled. It looked as if he had taken the weight of the world off her. Nicole laughed at the memory. The beer had tasted awful and she knewBilly didn't like it either, since his face puckered with every sip,but he pressed on, acting like he had done it many times andexplaining, "You get a taste for it."Nicole never had. Her tastes had shifted in other ways. In a lot ofways, she could blame that night. Or thank it, she still was out tolunch on whether she liked or hated this whole transgendered scenario.Still, while they watched the classics of modern film. I know it. Because..." Her eyes stared down at thefloor, unable to meet mine. She struggled to get the end of her sentenceout, and once she said it, I knew why:"I used to be a man."Chapter 3I stared at her, my mouth agape. She looked up at me. All I could do wasshake my head. It didn't make any sense. I'd known her most of my life.We had history. I could remember it all. For her to say that she used tobe a he...No, I couldn't buy it. But she looked so sincere about it... I couldn'tbelieve. While this situation was indeed quite different, she was still just as alluring and just as beautiful. As the water dripped from her body, I could well have been looking at a fabled siren, and my body began to react accordingly. With great care and love, I dried her, then set the towel on the counter, but before I could pick her up, Tina was kneeling before me, fondling me, enticing me, looking up at me with great devotion and respect and love. ‘Go ahead,’ I whispered to her, thoughtfully.