Now it was my turn.There were two older boys about 18 or so who helped put and seteverything up on stage. Once they had my stuff on stage and set up, ...walked out to center stage. Before I started I looked out into thecrowd, which had to be over 200 hundred adults & kids. I spotted four ofthe girls from my party with their families. I also saw Miss Rose, MissKay, Miss Molly and Mr. Tom standing at the back of the crowd. Therewere also two of the nurses I work with and their kids. Plus, one of. I’d be your sponsor.”Since I wasn’t married, I wasn’t sure I could swing that last part, but if I explained Lizbet’s circumstances to Matra Glandira, I’m pretty sure she wouldn’t be turned away. The worst that would happen was that she’d be barred from the village; I was pretty sure they wouldn’t kill her.“Thank you,” Lizbet sniffled. “I’d like that.”We both took swigs of my water then I refilled my pack. Checking the position of the sun, I reckoned we wouldn’t make it back to the village by. You see, she had transitioned shortly after wegraduated from High School. God, I wish I had known. Maybe we could havehelped each other. Maybe I wouldn't be where I was now. But, she wasdead. Victim of an 'accidental' overdose. About as accidental as I wasplanning."You know. You're one of the lucky ones who got to spend at least partof their lives as a woman. Look at me...I'm nearly sixty, I've been wearingdresses as long as I can remember and I will NEVER look like a woman!Christ. I. Ill wash your clothes ready for tomorrow, and you can borrow a top of mine” she said smiling. “I don’t want you to leave” she said, frowning. I laughed and took her hand in both of mine, and sat next to her. We stared at each over for a long time, around 15 minutes before I broke the silence. “It’s getting late; I should go and get my own clothes. There already packed in my bag, but I didn’t bring them, in case you changed your mind, ill be back in 5 mins. I promise” I said smiling. I stood and.