Solomon’s test part 4

Chapter 7: Talia’s transformation and Renee’s renaissance

Talia’s changes were both subtle and dramatic.

She was still wearing her EMT uniform, but she filled it out in a much more feminine manner. But to Lorraine, the biggest change was to her stance and demeanor. When Lorraine had seen her at the support group, the girl had seemed shrunk, drawn into herself as if permanently waiting for some blow to strike, or as if the psychological burden of being trans was physically crushing her.

But now, she was standing tall, both literally and figuratively.

Talia gasped, and said, “I see ... my whole life, but this time I was seen as a girl at birth.”

Melody giggled, and said, “That’s part of the gift. As of this moment, only we three remember you having any other life.”

“And what price do I owe for this gift?” Asked Talia.

“Nothing. How could I charge you for something which cost me nothing?” replied Melody.

The two hugged, and then Melody said, “This is gonna seem hard to understand, but I think there is a ... time limit on me being to help the next person. So Lorraine and I are gonna have to leave right away. Will you be okay picking up your new life, Talia?”

“Me? I’ll be fine. Go help as many as you can.” Talia replied firmly.

She hugged Melody, whispered “Thank you”, and then Lorraine and Melody vanished ...

****

There was a soft “pop”, and then Lorraine had a moment of confusion, thinking they had gone back in time based on how the people around her were dressed. Then she saw a sign that read, “Renaissance Faire” and she relaxed.

Melody took her hand, and said, “Come on, we don’t have a lot of time. She’s right at the edge.”

Lorraine looked at the serious expression on Melody’s face, stifled her curiosity, and followed Melody as quickly as possible.

As they went, Melody said, “We’re looking for a girl named Renee, although she’s had to work in male mode. She’s just been told she’s being laid off, and will therefore she wont have enough money for rent. She is right on the edge of life or death. So we have to hurry.”

“How do you know this?” Lorraine asked.

“I don’t know, I just ... wait!”

Then Lorraine heard the sounds of a person crying.

They turned a corner, and found Renee huddled in a corner, tears streaming down her face.

Melody squatted down in front of the girl and said, “Hi Renee. I’m Melody. And I think I can help you.”

“How did you know that name? I’ve never told anybody” Renee asked.

“Take my hand, and I’ll show you.” Melody replied.

Renee reached up, and linked hands with Melody.

And just like what Lorraine had witnessed with Talia, Melody began to glow, and then Renee began to glow as well.

“You can make me a girl, can’t you?” Renee asked.

“Yes, Renee, I can fix your past, so you can have a future. Are you willing?”

“Yes, yes, a thousand times yes!” cried Renee.

And when Lorraine could see again, Renee had been transformed.

Her physical transformation was greater than Talia’s had been, but less than the change Melody herself had undergone. Her clothes also had been changed to a long red dress with fur lining.

But it was their location that changed the most, as they were no longer at the fairgrounds, but by the steps of an elementary school.

Melody said “You became a teacher, instead of working the fair?”

Renee giggled, and said, “My mom was a teacher, my grandma too. Just following family tradition. And look!” Then she held up her right hand, showing she had an engagement ring, “And I won’t be spending the holidays alone, either!”

Lorraine added, “Well, that’s wonderful!”

Renee turned to Melody, and asked, “And how can I possibly thank you, miss angel, or fairy godmother, or whatever you are?”

“Just knowing I helped is thanks enough. But now, just like St. Nick, Lorraine and I have to dash away to give more presents!”

“Okay” Renee replied

And in a wink, Lorraine and Melody were gone ...

***
Interlude:

“Bah, she’s not even accepting gratitude, what a disappointment. But the test isn't over yet!”

****

Chapter 8: Gifts

For Lorraine, The next couple of hours did in fact resemble what she imagined being a helper for Santa would be like, as she and Melody whizzed around the world, giving their very special present to some good little girls - and boys too, as it turned out.

After a while, it became a blur for Lorraine, and she found herself struggling to keep all the people they had helped straight.

There was Melanie, who didn’t change all that much except her books were now on bestseller lists, and then there was Amanda, the girl who went from being a sailor in the Navy to computer programmer for NASA, then there had been Jeffrey Felix, the first trans guy on their list, and many more besides.

The ones that stuck in Lorraine’s memory were the ones who actually turned down the offer, like Dorothy, an older trans lady who refused on the grounds that such a change would erase her daughter from existence.

But the saddest one of all might have been a girl named Jaci who was still too raw from the grief of losing her dad to think about herself, and eventually Melody had been forced to move on.

But most accepted, were transformed, and rejoiced in their new lives.

And then they were done.

They had returned to their starting point, just outside of Melody’s house, and suddenly, Lorraine realised they were not alone.

Standing on the porch of the house was a man.

He seemed to Lorraine to be in his middle-thirties, with dark brown skin and jet black hair that was almost down to his shoulders, and was wearing a business suit and tie.

He smiled, and said, “Well done.”

Melody looked at the man in shock, and then said, “You ... you were the one telling me where to go, who I could help. Weren’t you?”

“I was your guide. But now I can perform a different function. I will be your advocate.”

“My .. advocate?” Asked Melody.

“For your trial. And It begins ... now.”

And suddenly, they were ... somewhere else ...

End of Part 4