Arriving in the kitchen at the table she waswelcomed by Ichiro and Sachiko. Kumiko felt awkward and said, "I'm sorryfor falling asleep like that."Ichi...o smiled back at her. "That's OK Kumiko. We know that you had a lotof new impressions and a lot to get used to after your change. Now let'seat."Kumiko sat down at her appointed seat and waited patiently for the food.Ichiro gave thanks silently before Amaya put food on the plates and gavea plate filled with white rice and some fish and meat parts. It was first time that I was baffled so much by one freaking question. Singing competitions and periodic extempore on stage had made me bold, at least at talking! I swallowed my nervousness and gestured a ‘no’ with exclamation. Then she made a pun by saying,” Oh Good! You are still a virgin? “, after anticipating a blank look on my face. She couldn’t hold down her laughter and busted, Realizing that I was still not joking she added, No! Are you kidding me? I mean you look so handsome. You must. Hewas never totally convincing as a woman, but that never worried us and weused to laugh at some of the looks and reactions he got from passers-byand shop assistants." Now that I have shared with you, it is your turn to tell me about'Sheena'," Maggie said, leaning forward in her chair with a gleam ofexpectation on her face. "Well there isn't that much to tell......." Istarted and then proceeded to tell Maggie all about my deciding to visitWhitby, only to discover it was a 'Gothic Weekend'; how. Others began staring and some turned to see if I needed aide. One man even stepped toward us and Etienne snapped a glance at him, as if to warn him to stay out of the matter, and then Etienne immediately retracted his visual threat by looking down in submission and stepping back apologetically. I looked at the unknown man, a bit surprised to remember that anyone else was even around us, and Etienne stood there helpless, looking down at his own hands. Damn Etienne… He was so… beautiful and I.