"My folks are going to be out of town."That got my complete attention."What about Kathy?" I think she's going to be around. She just broke up with tha... idiot she's been seeing."Jim laughed."Even my folks thought he was an idiot, but they didn't want to say anything. It took her a while to realize it herself, but when she did, she dumped him flat out."I heard her talking to MaryAnne. She said he wouldn't take "No" for an answer to anything. That should have tipped her off, but I guess she was. My bangs matched the mannequin?s. The color matchedthe mannequin?s. Irreversible."I am sure your mom is going to cut your hair and get it dyed back again.You?ll get to look like a boy again. I am going to have to go through allthat, and then go to school. Everyday." She paused. "It still does notmake it right though; I know."I could not tell her that I was afraid my mom would make me keep it. Icould not admit to her that my mom would probably be happy. Strangely,after all that happened, I too. Still, this is happening awfully fast. Lets just take it easy and see what happens."Lee understood her logic, but that didn't make it any easier. He gave her a smile and agreed to let things happen. They rode the rest of the way to her apartment in silence, each lost in their own thoughts.Once there, Lee grabbed the bags while Charlie got the door open. They set her purchases into the spare bedroom, and then went to have a beer. They talked about work and trivial things, carefully avoiding the. ”“Okay.”She got high and I kept painting, chasing her away when she tried to look over my shoulder.“Not until it’s finished.”“Fine. I’m going to take a walk then.”She was gone for about an hour. When she returned, I was ready to go. It had been a good day. I was happy with my progress and my feet were getting tired. I packed up everything but, before we left, I sat at the edge of the spring and soaked my feet in the soothing water while Summer sat on the swing and twisted the rope so that she.