This hug was firmer and more finite, rougher. It felt hungry and sad but amazingly alive. She could feel the moment he was about to pull away, and she...grabbed his left hand with her right. So nervous she trembled slightly, she pulled his arm toward the hem of her soft grey skirt where it met with her right thigh. She looked into his eyes while she slowly pressed his fingers against the silky material of her stocking and pushed them up her leg until they met with the lace at the top, further. I listened to the eulogy. I cried for the loss of a friend. The picture placed on an easel was that of a middle-aged man, in a conservative suit. The service was for one Leonard Andrew Samuel. It was a sad irony that it was not who they buried.To me, she was Laura. I met her sixteen months ago, over the internet. We frequented the same chat rooms, both standing on the threshold of gender transition. After a few months of correspondence, we met for lunch. It's funny how well you can get to know. Soonthe man was a duplicate of the dead Nelly. He snatched the medallionfrom the transformed man and ran back into the shop. He heard a scream.The man had discovered his change. Tom grinned with new lips."I wonder if the man will end up in the stew's company." he said withhis aristocratic voice.The owner of the shop came in the next morning and yelled for Tom andwas furious when he couldn't find him. Lady Cynthia arrived and wasshown into the best dressing room. When no one was looking Tom. Tina went first and then Gloria, and I had to admire both women in their chosen swimwear. The contrast between Tina's tall, mahogany-skinned frame in a dazzling pure white one piece swim suit and Gloria's tiny, blonde haired, barely tanned skin in an emerald green halter topped swimsuit was incredible. I went next, but didn't put my wet suit pieces on, instead going for the board shorts and one of my PT shirts – a gold one with the round eagle, globe and anchor of the Marine Corp seal on the.