“Cami. Each of us is going to need to do what we can when we have the strength to do it. I was useless earlier and you wore yourself out. So it was my turn. Now sit here a minute.” He got up, invaded my ear with the thermometer, and said “100.7. Okay, Cami. Time for Tylenol, then go lie down.”

I took the pills, smiled and said, “Aye, aye, Cap’n.”

He chuckled and said, “wrong service branch, Cadet. Fifty demerits!” I went to go lie down.

awyers can usually find trouble to get into. COVID’s a disaster, and disasters breed lawsuits like prize bitch spaniels breed puppies. I doubt I’ll see the inside of a courtroom anytime soon though. So, I decided.”

She said, “Decided what?”

I opened my hands and showed her the bottle.

“I think you just said you like to eat Germans!” she giggled.

“Who doesn’t?” I replied.

"Assuming the tests come back clear, you will need to make a choice. Do you want hormone therapy that will make you appear more masculine or more feminine?”

I would cross that bridge when I came to it, I decided. In heels.

Part 1 of An Aria for Cami is now available exclusively on Amazon Kindle, published as The Holly and the Ivy. The first few chapters remain posted here as a sampler. All proceeds from sales of this book on Amazon will benefit BCTS.