I had to stop by the store before heading to the marina.

I had to ask myself why I was doing this. I also wondered just what his motivation was.

I'll admit I'm somewhat of a reserved person. I kept very little friends. I liked everyone I worked with at the club, especially the "girls".

But none were close that I really confided in them.

I walked down the pier looking for his boat. He called it a sailboat, but it was quite impressive. It looked more like a mini-yacht.

"There you are, welcome aboard!" he said as helped me into the boat.

"Well this is really nice," I said.

"Well, you do look different," he said when he took a seat at the table at the coffee shop.

"Told you I would," I said. "No wig, no makeup, not skirt, just me."

"Did you have a late night last night?" he asked.

It was pretty late. It was my night to perform in addition to waiting on tables.

"Of course," I said. "You missed my Gloria Estefan routine."

It brought a laugh from him.

"Wished I could have been there to see it," he said.

"No you don't, just be glad you're not a member of our regular clientele," I said. "Be glad you have a life."

Chapter One

He really stuck out like a sore thumb.

We usually say that all types come clubbing at Grande Illusions. Crossdressers, transgender, gay men, women out for a good time and occasionally a couple looking for a night on the town.

He looked like a lonely businessman in his 50s seated in the area of the club where I served as a waiter...or waitress...depending on your perspective. On nights that I didn't perform, which was most nights, I spent the evening serving the clientele drinks and food.

Air Force Sweetheart TacPzlSolGp Chapter 24/34 by T. D. Aldoennetti

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Karen leans close and quietly says, “I’ve been thinking about that story you told me just before we brought Whizz into the group. I’m glad you found your way to teach us.”

I look at her and wonder if she means that she understands. She looks at me and her eyes say, ‘Welcome to the club.’ I start crying again. Not a lot, but enough that tears roll down my face. I take her hand and give it a gentle squeeze of thanks.

Air Force Sweetheart TacPzlSolGp Chapter 21/34 by T. D. Aldoennetti

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I walk to the door and out with my thoughts swirling around me. I don’t remember finding the car, nor riding back to the BOQ, but somehow I realize that I’m back in my room searching for those few tampons I tucked away from when Mom, Sis and I went out to supper and dancing. That’s it, they’re in that purse….

Finally, I have one in my hand and, after some trial and error, manage to insert it. I clean up and go back to bed to sleep for the two hours remaining to me.

Dreams assail me in the form of tiny kicks against my tummy from within. When I wake up during the night, I find that my hand is cradling my tummy, as if feeling for something which I wish were there even now. I go back to sleep with a smile on my face.

Air Force Sweetheart TacPzlSolGp Chapter 20/34 by T. D. Aldoennetti

previously:

“To keep everyone interested and awake, I’ll offer them two short breaks of ten minutes during the lecture period. During normal days, the labs will be about three hours each following the intro hour in the lecture hall.” I was designing my class on the fly now.

“Remember, the first lab period is really two separate labs with half the students in each, as is the second lab period. Can the school arrange this for me?”

Air Force Sweetheart TacPzlSolGp Chapter 19/34 by T. D. Aldoennetti

previous:

This time, there’s a serving of cake for dessert on the tray with another note tucked under the plate: ‘Try this one. It should tickle your palate.’ That’s a puzzling comment. I have slices of lean roast beef with gravy, peas, a small amount of mashed potatoes, two pats of butter, one slice of bread, a fruit salad, and a cup of coffee. Plus the cake. The whole supper smells good and tastes divine. I am savoring my meal as the nurse comes in to check on me. I tell her, “I’m enjoying my feast.”

Air Force Sweetheart TacPzlSolGp Chapter 16/34 by T. D. Aldoennetti

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The General saves me the trouble of asking, “We’ve had a number of reports in the last few days that lead us to believe there is about to be some sort of offensive in the North, but the information you just gave me neatly pinpoints it. We may be able to head this off before a lot of damage is done. It would seem, Miss Jackson, that you have already begun your new assignment. Congratulations.” He paused for a moment, then added, “Oh, and my condolences.”

“For what, Sir?”

“For your devotion to duty, which is causing you to lose your chances of having children. I’m very sorry.”

Allowing my face to reflect sorrow, I say nothing to contradict him, nor do I mention Mom’s or Janet’s potential support of my possible future family.

Air Force Sweetheart TacPzlSolGp Chapter 15/34 by T. D. Aldoennetti

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My first class ticket and extra luggage are probably their only profit on this flight. I don’t know how a small airline can stay in business with gas as expensive as it is. It cost $4.90 to fill Mom’s station wagon and it was about a third full to start with.

She’s thinking about trying the ninety-one octane regular in it, to save money. Regular is almost eight cents a gallon less than high test. She said there are rumors gas is going to go up to about thirty-nine cents a gallon by the middle of next year. That’s outrageous.

Air Force Sweetheart TacPzlSolGp Chapter 14/34 by T. D. Aldoennetti

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“Whoa, Mom. She can’t have kids before I do,” Sis complains.

“Why can’t I? Just because you were born first?”

“Because you can’t.”

“Can too.”

We get into a good-natured argument, with Mom playing the part of the referee.

Air Force Sweetheart TacPzlSolGp Chapter 13/34 by T. D. Aldoennetti

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The Mâitre d’ holds the chair for Mom, Tony for Janet, and Jack for me. I sit the way I have been practicing, noting a number of others, men and women, in the room watching our procession and seating. Our waiter comes to the table about a minute later and asks if we would like any refreshments before the meal. Mom and Janet each take a glass of red wine.

I thank him, but say I will be just fine with water until the meal. Tony asks for a beer and Janet’s eyes look at Mom and myself then go toward the ceiling. Jack declines also saying water is fine. The waiter scurries off between the tables reminding me of a mouse navigating a maze. Jack leans over and whispers,” I hope you don’t mind but I don’t want anything to drink tonight.”

I lean over to his ear and whisper back, “Not at all. I seldom do myself. Thank you for being so considerate.”

Air Force Sweetheart TacPzlSolGp Chapter 12/34 by T. D. Aldoennetti

previous material:

Mom grabs the book from my hands and puts it on her own head. She gets up and walks to the doorway, does a complete spin before returning to the chair and sitting once more. She takes the book off her head and hands it to me.

“When you can get up, walk to the door and back, and then sit again without dislodging the book, call me to watch.”

“Okay…, I mean…, yes, Mom. I wish you had started teaching me this stuff ten years ago.”

“Don’t be silly. Boys don’t flow. Girls do.” Mom gets up and leaves the room as I watch her ‘flow’ from the chair and out into the entryway, listening to her ‘flow’ up the stairs. I can even hear it in her footsteps. I’m in more trouble than I could ever have imagined.

Air Force Sweetheart TacPzlSolGp Chapter 09/34 by T. D. Aldoennetti

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Upstairs, we tell them we have two gowns selected downstairs and are up to look at furs. They call down and receive the tentative ticket number and total value of the gowns then we begin.

“Have you owned a good fur before?”

“No. These will be my first. I need them, as I will be attending a large number of social functions during the next year.”

“I see. Perhaps we should look at the various furs and learn the differences in texture and care before you make a decision as to those you would like. We should also go into the styles in which they are available, such as capes, jackets and coats, short or long.”