The had decided that they would proceed to remove her testicles; anOrchiectomy was the phrase they used which is castration to you or I.They would be ...ble to preserve enough of her penis so that when Paula hadher final surgery it would be possible to construct a vagina. Theysuggested that they wake Paula up so that they could explain what theywanted to do and to let her give her consent or not as they case may be.I was by Paula's bed when she woke up. At first as you would expect shewas totally. ‘And yes I got the idea sitting there watching you in the hospital. And while talking to the others and their families.’ She looked back at the Cab Driver. ‘The VA and the military do a lot. But sometimes the Veterans or their families need something they can’t afford or something hard to find. Or help and they don’t know who to turn to. Or they maybe need some type of medical equipment. The foundation is there for that.’ ‘Big order,’ stated the Cab Driver. Sandy handed her card and the pen to. ..."***Quarter to eleven. Father McCormick knelt beside his hard wooden bed, saying his prayers before sleep. As little as three years ago, he laughed at himself for this habit, even as he continued to repeat it. Here was a sixty-year-old man of God, who guided others through the complexity of their beliefs. Here he was still doing something as simple as kneeling like a child, quoting the nursery rhyme recitation, "And now I lay me down to sleep, I pray to God my soul to keep, for if I die. She noted that Iwas clean shaven, and asked if I'd taken a shower. Stupidly, I repliedthat I'd actually had a bath."You stupid little bitch", she exclaimed. "Can't you do as you're told?"Oh shit. I'd fucked up again. I really had to be more alert if I wasgoing to make it out of here in a better state than last week. I was toldto sit. If I had to move around the room, I would do so on all fours. Icould not stand unless specifically told to. I was also not allowed tolook her directly in the eye.