Zapped! - Chapter 2

By Bob Arnold

Chapter 2 — Coming Out and Going Home

Please note that this chapter contains a mild sex scene. If this type of thing upsets you then DON’T READ THIS STORY!

Copyright 2001 by Bob Arnold

A note to readers: This chapter developed much faster than I ever thought it could. It is also much longer than I thought it would be. Once I started I just couldn’t stop. In my many years of writing this is the only time where the story seemed to take on a mind of its own and came flowing out of my fingertips into the computer. Thanks to your words of encouragement I found time to work on this chapter and still make some advancements on other projects. Please keep those emails coming they mean a lot to me!

Also please don’t take me to task for my poor understanding of hospital procedures. This is after all a work of fiction and the hospital in my story works like this! I wish they all could.

This is entirely a work of fiction with a few life experiences added in. All of the characters in this story are fictional and any resemblance to anyone else living or dead is probably a coincidence. This story and the following chapters may be archived on any web site provided no fees are charged for access to the story. If you intend to publish this story in magazine or book (paper or electronic) format please contact me for arrangements.

Zapped — Chapter 2 — Coming Out and Going Home
By Bob Arnold — Copyright 2001 — All Rights Reserved

Dear Journal (for lack of something better to call this),

Note to self - this was written the next morning after it all happened. Some of my details might be fuzzy. It was a very long day…

I am finally certain that at least one urban legend is a fact. I had just gotten to sleep around 11 PM in my hospital room. I was roused from my sleep by a loud crash outside my door. A glance at the clock showed just after midnight. So it IS true! Hospitals DO have a nightly tradition of waking patients up at odd hours of the morning. Seems it’s easier to give medication or for the resident vampire to take blood samples when everyone has just been blasted awake. They can’t use new bedpans any more since they’re now made of plastic. I think they keep some of the old stainless steel bedpans around just for this tradition. The steel ones make such a lovely racket when dropped from a height of about 4 feet onto a tile floor. The sound is really irritating if you can get some forward motion into the drop so the bedpan skips over the floor like a stone on water. I think they have a special area in the basement where the nurses go to practice during the day.

Since they weren’t likely to visit me I rolled over from my back onto my front. I was reminded that this position wasn’t comfortable any more by my breasts squishing under me. When I was a guy this was probably my favorite sleeping position. I’ll have to get used to sleeping on my side. I shifted onto my left side so I faced away from the door and tried to get back to sleep.

That was a problem. Thoughts of what had happened in the last few weeks and what was going to happen in a few hours just wouldn’t go away. Getting zapped by a lightning bolt and changing from a man to a woman in less then 3 weeks was extremely disturbing. It had driven me over the edge at least twice so far as the reality of the situation sunk in. There was no going back. I would be a woman for the rest of my life. Modern medicine couldn’t totally figure out how the lightning strike changed me this way let alone how to turn me back to my old male self. Thoughts of seeing my friends and family and the press conference where I would re-introduce myself to the world filled my dreams as I drifted back to sleep. I must have drifted off to sleep again because the next thing I remember is sunshine streaming in the open curtains on the windows.

I didn’t really want to wake up since it felt so good to be all comfy and warm in bed. I slowly opened one eye and looked around the room. Blonde hair in my eye, the extra weight on my chest and the style of the room reminded me again of where I was and what had happened. I opened the other eye and blinked a few times as my eyes adjusted. How strange to be seeing perfectly without the glasses I had needed over the last 40 years. At least that was one positive aspect to the change. I’m sure there were others but my brain wasn’t fully working yet. Oh hell, the clock says 6 AM. My internal alarm clock was still keeping perfect time. I could wake up within a couple of minutes of the alarm going off and reach over to shut it off before the alarm started.

I wasn’t a morning person as a man and I guess that carried over to this body too. I moved around a little in the bed taking in all of the feelings my new body was sending. I did one of those whole body stretches. You know the kind where nearly every muscle gets activated. Absolutely amazing. No muscle cramps, no creaking knee joints, no aches or pains. I like this already! I finally had to give in to pressure from my bladder and get up. Peggy had brought in a walker, a few clothes and some supplies just before bedtime. Carefully I stood up holding onto the walker. Unlike yesterday I felt quite steady on my feet. Confident that I would be OK I worked my way over to the bathroom. I found the light switch and closed the door behind me for some privacy. The gentle swaying motion of my chest served as a reminder that standing up to pee was no longer an option. I made sure the seat was down and got comfortable then let loose. As I’ve said before empty feels good whatever sex you are.

I looked over at the sink and discovered that Peggy had found some shampoo and conditioner for my hair. Unlike most hospital rooms that only had a toilet this one had a shower stall too. I decided a shower was required and cleaned off enough to get up. Feeling much more stable on my feet I stepped into the shower after adjusting the water to a nice warm spray. I had my back towards the spray and the warm massage by the stream felt great. I turned around to let the water hit my front and received quite a shock as the stream hit my nipples. I never knew that they could feel like that. I backed away from the showerhead and aimed it lower. As the stream hit my pubic area I got another wave of pleasure shooting through me. I let the stream hit the critical area for at least a minute then decided that a little self-exploration was required. After all this was my body and I’d be in it for the rest of my life. My hand dropped down and teased the soft folds surrounding my vagina. A little further up my hand brushed against my clitoris shooting another jolt of delight through me. I moaned softly and continued to rub it as the pleasure built up to an incredible level. Minutes later every muscle in my body tensed as I had my first female orgasm. My knees almost collapsed under me and I had to grab the railing in the shower to keep from falling.

In a few more minutes I had recovered enough to want to try it again. This time I wiggled a finger in my warm and wet vagina while using my thumb to rub my clit. I really enjoyed the feelings I was having. I moaned again as the orgasm hit much stronger than the first and had to bite my lip to stay quiet. This time my knees did collapse and I slid slowly down the wall of the shower to the floor completely drained of energy. If sex was like this as a woman I briefly daydreamed what it would be like to have sex with a man. I shivered from head to toes at the thought. I don’t think I’m anywhere near ready for that! I was a man myself only 20 days ago. How could I even be interested in having sex with a man yet?

I must have been on the floor of the shower for at least 5 minutes as I recovered. Finally control of my legs returned enough to let me work my way back to standing. I cleaned up using the soap the hospital provided being very careful around my pleasure centers. I didn’t want to start anything again today! I reached over and got the shampoo and conditioner and used them after reading the instructions. After turning the water off I paused in the shower to drip off a little. I got out and grabbed one of the towels and started to wipe myself dry. Wow did that towel ever feel like sandpaper against my skin! I experimented and found that using the towel like a blotter was better than scraping my skin off. I finished up drying off using that method. (Note to self here — use all of the old towels at home as rags and get some new SOFT ONES!)
My hair was another matter entirely. I decided that I needed to wrap my head in a towel to let the hair dry. I think I got it right since it looked sort of like a turban when I was done. I forgot and left the clothes Peggy brought on one of the chairs out in the room. I wrapped a towel around me covering my breasts and hanging down to provide some coverage if someone came in. (Corrected note to self — the towels need to be soft and BIG!) I made a quick dash to grab the clothes and headed back for the bathroom.

There was a bra, panties, socks, a shirt and blue jeans. I grabbed the panties and pulled them on. They fit snugly around my hips and crotch. Tight enough that any movement caressed the sensitive areas down there sending little shivers through me. I hoped that I’d get used to it otherwise it would drive me to distraction in a very short time. Next came the bra. I wondered how to put it on then remembered my mom telling my sister how to put on her training bra years ago. “Put it on backwards around your waist then hook it up. Turn it around the right way and slide it up putting your arms through the straps.” It was quite useful growing up in a house with tissue paper thin walls after all. After a couple of tries I did eventually get everything in the right place and adjusted. Like the panties the bra sent little shivers through me every time I moved as it rubbed my nipples. I must admit that the support for my breasts did help make me feel more comfortable. I’ll have to ask Peggy if she thinks it fits properly but it will do for now.

The shirt looked like a yellow polo or golf type made to fit a woman. The top was larger tapering down to a smaller waist. The shirt could be opened at the neck with a row of buttons about 8 inches long. I’ll have to get used to the buttons being on the wrong side from now on. I pulled it over my head after pulling off the towel on my hair. It fit quite well hugging all of my curves. I left the top two buttons undone and grabbed the jeans.
I tried putting them on standing up but I just couldn’t keep my balance. I wound up setting on the toilet with the cover closed pulling the jeans on one leg at a time. I got up again and pulled them up over my hips. I was barely able to zip them up and get the button on top done. The zipper was on the wrong side too. They felt a little tight in the hips and crotch but when I looked at myself in the mirror I was pleased with the result. The clothes didn’t reveal too much and gave the impression that the body under them was 100 percent woman. I grabbed the socks and headed back out to sit on the bed.

Peggy had found me a pair of tennis shoes with flat heels. I probably would have broken my neck if I tried high heels. I put on the socks and shoes and took a few steps when I realized that I had left the walker in the bathroom. I decided that I didn’t need it since I had fairly good control of my body. My balance felt more natural too. I stuck out in different places. The set of bumps in front seemed to compensate for the set of bumps in back when I stood straight up.

I found a comb on the stand next to the bed and spent the next 10 minutes working the tangles out of my hair. Even if I had hair that long as a guy I could have never bent my arms around like that to take care of it. I was surprised how flexible I was. I found a couple of rubber bands and started to do a ponytail. Many years ago I had watched my sister do it all the time when she got ready for school so I had some idea of how it was done. On the fourth attempt it looked right and I was rather pleased that I had done so well on my own. The ponytail came out high on the back of my head almost at the top. The hair went up a little then arched over backwards and flared out at least half as wide as my back. My hair was long enough that it ended almost 6 inches past my shoulders. I left some shorter hair loose at the front and combed it into bangs that ended just above my eyebrows. Some longer hair on each side of my head dropped down just in front of my ears and had a small natural curl that turned toward the front. I really liked the look and decided this or some variation of it might be my normal style. It did work out well to keep my hair out of the way when I was working on computers or other stuff too. Maybe I could manage this after all.

Peggy had brought in some simple makeup supplies. I looked at them for a moment and decided to leave them alone for now. As a guy I didn’t care anything about makeup. I had learned from watching my sister that using it was more of an art form. You needed to learn at the hands of a master to use it properly. Too much and you looked like a circus clown, too little and there wasn’t any point in using it at all. I’ll have to ask Peggy about that. No makeup for the press conference today though. Just plain old me.

The clock now read about 7 AM so it took me almost an hour to get ready. I decided to head towards the nursing station and find Peggy if she was on duty this early. I opened the door to my room a little and looked out both ways. True to their word the hospital had cleared all of the press out of the floor or possibly they just weren’t lurking around yet. I walked out of the room and turned toward the station at the far end of the hall.

Two nurses were standing with their backs toward me talking about what was scheduled that morning. I recognized one as Peggy and gently tapped her on the shoulder. She jumped about 6 inches causing me to jump too. She whirled around then a big smile broke out on her face as she recognized me.

“Feeling better this morning? WOW Look at you! You did your own hair?”

I gave a little twirl to show off. “Yes, I watched my sister do it hundreds of times when we were kids. I never tried it myself until today. How do you like it? Is it too much?”

“On you it looks fantastic. Are you going to keep it like that for the press conference?”

“I think so. Maybe just trim it a little so it isn’t as ragged as it is now. I think this is my signature look. I really like it and it should be easy to work in when I get back to the College.”

“We’ll take care of that later this morning. All ready for the day?”

“Yes. I hope that I can escape to the cafeteria and get some breakfast. It may be one of the very few times when I may be able to be unknown in a crowd. After the press conference later today my face will be all over the local news and probably the national news too. Do you want to come with me and keep me out of trouble?”

“Let me tell the folks here where I’m going.” Peggy turned around and spoke softly to one of the other nurses.

“Are you sure it won’t be a problem? I think I can handle it by myself.”

“No problem Jennifer. I’m assigned to keep an eye on you. Follow me!”

“Peggy can you just call me Jen or Jennie? You don’t need to be so formal!”

“OK Jen it is. Let’s get going!”

We left that floor and headed down in the elevator to the first floor. We headed towards two doors. One read “STAFF ONLY” and the other was marked “PUBLIC”. Peggy explained that the hospital has two serving areas. A smaller one for the staff and one anyone could use. She asked me which one I wanted to use.

“Peggy I want to find out how well I can handle myself. I guess there’s only one real way to know.” I moved towards the door marked “PUBLIC” and opened it. “After you!”

We walked over to the serving line. Peggy whispered something to the line person and she nodded back and smiled. I looked at Peggy for a moment wondering what she said. I didn’t want to ask in the line so I just shrugged and picked up a tray. For a hospital cafeteria most of the food on the line looked very good. I shuddered in disgust when I saw the waffles and sausage. I don’t know why. They used to be one of my favorites. I used to love them with lots of butter and real maple syrup. For some reason they didn’t even appeal to me any more. Very weird! I went instead for a cinnamon and raisin bagel, a small cup of creamed cheese, some grape jelly, orange juice and a cup of tea. I can’t explain why I picked up the tea. I used to like coffee. Peggy made her selections and we moved off towards a table in the corner. Male heads followed our movements to the table. I got nervous with all of the attention I was getting.

“Alright Peggy, Spill it! What was that all about back there?”

“I had to let the line person know you were a patient in my care. That way the bill for the food goes against your room number. The bean counters want it that way.”

“Oh Peggy, I’m sorry. I guess I’m more than a little paranoid. I noticed lots of the men looking at me, well more at my breasts or butt than actually at my face. It upset me some.”

“That’s one thing you should get used to and quickly. Very few men look at the whole woman, even fewer look at her face first.”

“I know. When I look at someone I look at the whole person rather than treat that person as just a collection of body parts. Looking the way I used to taught me that there was a person inside the package that had to be considered.”

“The ‘typical American Male’ stereotype really didn’t fit you did it?”

“I guess not. I think I would rather have this talk later when we can be a little more private though. I do have lots of questions that I need answers for and I hope that you can supply some of them.”

“I’ll be glad to help however I can. Do you mind if I arrange with Doctor Abrams for a short visit for you with the hospital psychologist? I think she may be able to answer some of your questions better than I can. At least the ones you’re likely to have about what you are feeling and why.”

“I think that would be a great idea. Any idea what’s on my schedule for today?”

“Not yet. I haven’t seen Doctor Abrams…….. Oh there he is. Let me get him over here. Looks like he’s been searching for us anyway!”

Peggy left the table and walked over to the Doctor. They stood there talking. I noticed a young man probably in his late 20’s sitting at another table watching me. He must have seen me looking back at him since he decided to come over to my table.

“Hi, my name is Tom. Are you a nurse here or are you visiting?”

The way he was looking at me and the bulge in his pants left me with the feeling that he wanted something that I just wasn’t ready to give. I’ve always been a quick thinker and saw a way to get out of the situation. I had been good with doing impressions of other people and various accents before the change and just hoped now that those voice skills hadn’t left me. I decided to try something and hoped this set of vocal cords worked the same as my old ones. I did what usually worked to make my voice sound a bit nasal and jumped into a New York City accent as I spoke, “I’m just here getting a paternity test. My slimeball ex-husband won’t pay child support on the baby I had by him a couple of weeks ago. If it turns out that it’s his I’m gonna sue his ass so bad that he’ll have to sell everything he’s got including his dick to pay the fines and what he owes. And that includes the fancy new car and fur coat that he gave to his new slut of the week!” Then I stared at the guy.

The guy got this shocked look on his face, started mumbling something about just visiting a friend and then excused himself. I didn’t think it was possible that someone could turn that shade of green and still hold down breakfast! I started to giggle. Peggy and the doctor had been watching from across the room. As soon as they saw the guy leave they came back to the table.

They both sat down at the table. “OK, now it’s MY turn girl! What was THAT all about”, Peggy demanded.

“The guy was going to hit on me. I could see it coming a mile away by his expression and the bulge in his pants.” I went on to explain and repeated the performance exactly. Doctor Abrams and Peggy both broke out in the loudest laughter I’ve ever heard coming from just two people. The whole room was looking at us. I was smiling as their laughter ended. “He left so fast. I didn’t know that tennis shoes could smoke like that” I added then looked for imaginary burn-out marks on the floor where was standing.

“Well Peggy it looks like your job of teaching her what she needs to know as a woman just got a whole lot easier if her HIT detector is working that well. Jen I’m pleased with the way you handled that situation. I think you’ll do just fine!” Doctor Abrams commented.

“Jen I have to ask you to do that for the other nurses on the floor when we get back. Do you mind?”

“Not at all Peggy. One of my greatest pleasures before the change was doing a little stand-up comedy now and then. It’s good to know I’ve still ‘got it’!”

“Really? Where did you perform?”

“Before the change I did sound work for a small garage band called Pleasant Valley Sunday. Yes they named themselves after that old Monkees tune. I used to be the roadie and owned and operated the sound system. During their breaks they sometimes introduce me to do 20 minutes or so. I don’t know if they still want me back after all of this.”

“Jen I think they still want you. A few of the guys in the band stopped in several times to try to get in to see you. After word leaked out what was happening to you they told me to tell you to get well real quick and that they would see you when you got out. They also said to tell you things just aren’t the same without you. Sounds like they want you back to me!”

“Thanks Peggy. I was wondering if that was one of the letdowns I know will come as I try to get my life back together.”

“Jen I have to ask a question here.”

“Go ahead Doctor.”

“Did the band ever play the Brookside?”

“Yup, we played there frequently. I’ve done a lot of my stand-up stuff there too.”

“So YOU’RE the one I saw! Nice work Jen. I was rolling on the floor. And a great job on the sound system too!”

“EWW! Do you know what’s on that floor? On second thought maybe its better you don’t know. I just pray you’ve had all of your shots and they’re up to date. Doc you surprise me! What’s a decent guy like you doing in a place like the Brookside?”

“I know it’s a hole in the wall but it DOES have some of the best oldies music in town. PVS, your band, sounds pretty good too. I guess I just like the old stuff better than the new rap and rock that’s popular these days. I’m into the old girl groups and single artists of the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s.”

“When the band gets things back together I’ll have to let you know where we’re playing and give you an invitation. I’ll have some unique material out of this experience for my act. I was going to branch out and try singing next. Some of the old comedy tunes that you just don’t hear any more. I had a good voice for it as a guy. I’m not certain that it’ll work out. Now that I have the voice for it maybe I’ll try some of the old ‘girl tunes’ the guys can’t do all by themselves.”

“I talked to the hospital and they said Peggy here can help you for about two weeks. After that if you need her you’ll have to make other arrangements. The lawyers from the insurance company will be here at 9 am. The press conference is scheduled for about 2 PM. And here’s the best news — after the press conference we’re going to send you home! There isn’t anything more we can directly do for you so we’ll get you out of here and get you back home where I’m sure you’ll feel more relaxed. Peggy, we’ve freed you up for the rest of the day to help Jen here get ready and learn some more about the body she’s in now. And I will have our resident shrink pay you a visit later this morning Jen. I think it’s great idea since you’ve probably noticed different feelings and emotions than you’re used to. And please don’t tell her I called her our resident shrink. She HATES that and besides she’s my wife! I’ll be sleeping on the couch for a week! By the way she was with me when I saw you at the Brookside. She got a hoot out of your act and the band too.”

“OK you’re secret is safe with me. I have some questions for you too. Will there be any pictures released of me at the press conference?”

“Yes, I wanted to come up with some of the pictures to get your approval after the lawyers visit this morning. We’ll only release what you approve. The rest are private because they are a part of your medical record and will never be released without your direct approval even to other doctors for medical purposes.”

“Thanks Doctor Abrams. I was thinking that a sequence of photos showing the change in my face would be OK. Then the people that knew me would at least be able to believe that it was possible for this to happen. I’d like to get a copy of that myself in case someone doesn’t believe me. Oh wow! Look at the time! I wanted to do something better about my hair. It looks ok but it is a little ragged. Peggy said she would help me with it before the lawyers get here. I at least want to look presentable for that and the press conference this afternoon.”

“I’ll let you and Peggy get back to the room and take care of that. I’ll see you again after the visit at 9 AM ok?”

“See you then.” Doctor Abrams stood up and went back to the serving line to grab some breakfast.

“Well Peggy, shall we go?”

“Let me finish this coffee while you take care of the rest of that bagel and we’ll get moving.”

We sat quietly for a few more minutes as we both finished our breakfasts then headed back to the room. On the way there we stopped at the nursing station and Peggy made me do the bit with the guy again. I had to do it at least twice more since some of the patients were wondering what all of the ruckus was about. As the laughter faded away I got back to the room. To my surprise I found a huge bouquet of flowers with a card that read “To my new daughter and my new sister. Signed Dad and Sis. See you at your house tonight!” I had always liked flowers but kept it a secret. It just wasn’t a guy thing. Right now I didn’t care about that. Tears started pouring down my face and I sniffled at the thought that I would soon see my father and sister and that they had accepted me after the accident.

Peggy came in a couple of minutes later as the tears and sniffles subsided. “WOW. Looks like you have an admirer.”

“Two of them actually. My dad and sister sent these.”

“I thought they would send them. They’ve been here every day since the accident. We just asked them to give you a little time alone after you woke up or they would have been in here yesterday too. They must have called to talk to the Doctor about how you were doing and found out you’re headed home later today. Your dad even arranged to get your truck from the College and move it to your house. By the way we’ll take my car when you’re released. I need to know exactly where you live since we’ll be working out of your home for the next two weeks.”

“That’s a relief. I’m not ready to face the folks on the staff there right now. I think I need a couple of weeks before I can deal with that.”

“Don’t worry about that we’ll cover you with the paperwork you’ll need to go back to work. The doctor should also be bringing up your modified ID and paperwork to get your signature. It looks like everyone accepted what has happened to you and most of your records were changed or re-created with only a few minor glitches. It isn’t every day this type of thing happens and a few of the places didn’t believe it at first. Once we explained that they would see proof LIVE on TV today they agreed to co-operate. Some things will take longer than others to process but we have enough ready so that you shouldn’t have many problems with the rest.”

“That sounds great. I know they’ve already done a lot of work on this and I’d like to thank them myself. Is there any way to get everyone together for a small party a few weeks from now?”

“I’m sure there is!”

“Now about this hair……..”

For the next 30 minutes we went over how to care for my hair after I washed it and exactly what was the best way to wash it. We lacked some stuff but I think I got the hang of it enough for now. Peggy found a brush and used it to work out more tangles in my hair and to remove the ragged look on my bangs. “I think I like how this looks. What do you think Peggy?”

“It looks great to me. Neat and feminine looking, just what you need for the press conference. By the way, what are you going to do about the woman that was in here last night if she shows up today?”

“ I shouldn’t have lost it like that last night with her. I remember her from when I was doing one of those talk radio help shows on a local AM station a few years ago. She was on the news staff at the station. I know her very well and I don’t remember her being like that back then. I’ll have to talk to her away from the cameras and see if we can patch things up. She just hit me the wrong way at the wrong time and wouldn’t let it go when I told her no interviews.”

“Are all news folks like that?”

“NO! Most are very hard working people who care about keeping the community informed in the best and most accurate manner possible. They usually work long hours for very little pay when compared to other jobs. Only the top people at each station or publication ever earn the big bucks. The rest just get paid a standard salary like all of the other staffers. A very few like her fight to claw their way to the top by any means possible. Usually after a while the rules of the news business kick in and they cross the boundaries of the journalist’s code of ethics. When that happens they will never get another job in the business anywhere ever again.”

“WOW. You really did have some experiences didn’t you?”

“Yes, more than I ever want to admit. Maybe one day I’ll tell you more when I’m in the mood. If we are finished I’d like to have some quiet time to myself. I need to work on a little writing project before I forget some things. Just come get me when the legal folks arrive. Is that ok Peggy?”

“It sure is. I’ll let you know when they get here.”

==

There. All caught up with my writing. WOW is my hand cramped. If I keep doing this I’m gonna have to use one of my computers. OOPS. There’s the knock on the door I’ve been expecting. Be back soon……

What a meeting! Legally I can’t put much of the details down in my journal but I’ll never have to worry about money. Turns out my dad got my lawyer involved and he and the insurance folks worked out quite a deal. Lets just say the settlement is in the low seven figure range (that’s MILLIONS) and let it go at that. I have a certified check that I can get into my bank tomorrow to get me started buying new clothes and the things I’ll need to adapt. I’m amazed at how fast this mess got sorted out. Roy really hit them hard on this one. I would have expected it to drag out for months instead of just a few weeks. It will take a month for the balance of the settlement to be transferred to my bank. I’ll have to talk with the bank about it and set up something with them to handle it.

I have to thank to Roy (that’s my lawyer friend). He’s one of the toughest little bastards (that’s what he calls himself I swear!) on the face of the earth when it comes to getting settlements especially in a clearly defined case. There was no doubt about what happened to me since the hospital documented everything. The insurance company wants to keep the settlement quiet and so do I. If the news got out I’d have lots of long lost relatives and friends real fast. It will be tough enough just getting the people I know to accept me as I have become without adding a fortune to the mix.

I think I need a nap. Peggy is going to wake me in about an hour to meet with Doctor Abrams one last time before the conference.

===

My eyes popped open moments after the knock on the door. I sat up and rubbed my eyes after brushing my hair out of the way. “Come in!… Oh hi Doc!”

“Hello yourself. I have the picture sequence we want to release with me. Can you look at it now and let me know if we can use it this afternoon?”

“Let me take a look….” I took the folder and opened it to the first picture. It was head and shoulders shot of me as a man, probably from one of the awards I had won at work. The next showed me in the hospital bed with no hair looking much the same as I did in the first picture. The next 18 pictures showed the changes in my face and hair taken one picture a day. The last picture was taken on the morning of the day I woke up. Looking at the pictures was upsetting as it clearly showed how much my face had changed at each step. There was absolutely no trace of the old me left in my new face. You couldn’t see it in the change sequence because they were closed but even my eye color had changed. I sat there a few minutes just looking them over as a few small tears ran down my face. I finally snapped out of it and grabbed a tissue from the box next to the bed.

“I don’t think I want to be in the room when you show these. Can I come in afterwards?” I dried my face. “I don’t think I could control myself if I saw them again today.” I closed the folder and handed it back to him.

“I’ll arrange to have you introduced after we show them. Are you sure you’re ready to do this?”

“No. But I have to do it anyway. I’m not willing to give up everything I had in my old life. I know that there will be changes but I would miss my friends and family terribly if I just disappeared.”

“Do you want to take any questions from the press this afternoon?”

“All I really want to do is make a statement and then let the medical staff handle the technical questions. All I ask is that we say that I’m a normal female now and not reveal too much about the exact details of the change. I’m sure the tabloids would love to get their hands on the pictures that show the rest of my body while it was changing.”

“We’ll be glad to do that although I’ll be telling a small lie that you’re a ‘normal” female.”

“What?”

“I just found out something from the last series of tests we did yesterday. We’re not entirely certain yet but it looks like you don’t age at the same rate as everybody else. I’ll keep this simple. The human body changes a little every day we’re alive. Some cells in the body live longer than others and are replaced on a more frequent basis. Your cells seem to be living longer before some of them need to be replaced by your body. We are estimating that for each year you live your body will age at about half of that rate. Most people have a life expectancy of between 75 and a little over 100 years. In your case though we feel that your life expectancy should be closer to 150 to 200 years.”

“I don’t know what to say. I never expected this Doctor!”

“Neither did we. I need to make sure you understand that there are limits on how much your body can repair itself. While it can take a lot of abuse and still repair the damage, a serious injury can still kill you. In other words there is no such thing as immortality for you. Eventually you will die just like the rest of us. Maybe long after we’re all gone but you CAN and WILL die. No jumping over the Grand Canyon on a motorcycle OK?”

“I get the picture. I can’t say I like it but I’ll have to get used to it.”

“I’m glad you took that as well as you did since I have more. There are still some small changes going on in your body. We have no way to know what more will happen. If you don’t feel well we need you back here as soon as possible.”

“Oh great. Now you’re telling me I might grow fur and a tail right? Wonderful.”

“Now don’t worry about that. We suspect that what’s still going on is just minor internal changes after your major transformation.”

I put my head in my hands and sighed. “Alright. I’ll have to live with it. There’s nothing else I can do. Thanks Doc. Have you had a chance to talk with the psychologist yet? I need to talk to her before the press conference. Some questions have to get answered before my ‘coming out’ party.”

“She’s waiting right outside the door. Shall I ask her to come in?”

I nodded yes. He opened the door and motioned for her to enter. “This is Doctor Sarah Brandt. Sarah, this is Jennifer Stevens. I’ll leave you two alone to talk.” He opened the door and disappeared into the hallway.

“Hi Jennifer. How are you feeling today?”

“Is that your standard line Doctor? I thought you’d do better than that.”

“Ok you caught me. I failed bedside manners! So come on and give me a break. Bill there tells me you’re handling this whole thing reasonably well.”

“That’s his name? He never told me and I never thought to ask….”

“He probably also told you that I was married to him and that I’d really be mad at him if I knew he called me the ‘resident shrink’ didn’t he?”

“OK. Now I’m even more confused and I didn’t think that was possible!”

“It’s just his little way of making a patient feel comfortable seeing me. Yes I am married to that nut and no I wouldn’t be angry with him either.”

“I think I understand at least that much. So since you’re married he’s probably been keeping you filled in on how I’ve been responding.”

“Yes he has. If you hadn’t requested to see me I would have turned up here this morning anyway. Bill said you had some questions you wanted to try to work out. We’ll get to those in just a few minutes. I really do need to ask you a couple of honest questions though. I’ve really got to know how you’re handling this whole transformation so well. Going through it would give me a case of the screaming purple heebie-jeebies.”

“Well Doctor…”

“Doctor won’t do. Just call me Sarah!”

“You see Sarah right after I got the news that I could never go back to what I was I realized I had two choices. I could fight the change and make myself miserable for the rest of my life or I could embrace it and get on with living. I chose to get on with living and make the most of my circumstances as I can. Now I have a question for you. Is the screaming purple heebie-jeebies anything like being in a big blue funk?”

“Not similar at all. The screaming purple heebie-jeebies are when you go running around yelling incoherently and banging your head against the wall. A big blue funk is quite different. That’s where you sit around and mope and don’t feel like doing a damned thing for a few weeks. A BBF can and often does follow treatment for the SPHJ’s though. We think a BBF is caused by the patient getting the bill from the psychiatrist for treating the SPHF’s.”

“Now I understand!” I said giggling.

“What did you want to ask?”

“Now wait a minute. You said you had two questions……”

“Seems like you’re the talk of the hospital staff today. I just heard what you did to that guy that tried to hit on you in the cafeteria. I was hoping that you’d do the bit for me when we’re finished.”

“Sure but we do need to get serious for a while.”

“That’s why I’m here. Bill said you had quite a sense of humor so I got you relax a bit by letting you use it. Feeling a little better now?”

“Yup. That worked out fine. Possibly the only trip to the analyst’s couch that should have had a microphone, a stage with footlights and a drummer for rimshots. Thanks!”

“OK so what’s REALLY bothering you?”

“I’m so confused about my sexual feelings. 20 days ago I was a heterosexual male. Then I started changing into a woman and when I wake up all external traces of the old me are gone. Everything right down to and including my eye color completely changed forever for God’s sake. The only thing I have left of the old me is some pictures and what’s inside and I’m not too certain that that is still intact any more. This morning in the shower I explored my new anatomy a little. Yeah it felt great and may it be one of the major compensations in this whole mess. Afterwards I spent a minute or so day dreaming about what it would be like to do it with a man. A MAN! Twenty days ago I WAS ONE! Sarah just what the hell is happening to me? I feel like parts of my mind are being ripped out and re-arranged somehow.”

“Let’s review some basic biology first. Keep in mind I’m a psychologist and NOT a bio major here ok? First, brain activity is an electro-chemical reaction. Nerves in the brain use very tiny electrical pulses to transmit their signals with the help of chemicals in the brain. Second, the chemicals in a male and female body are present in differing quantities. They’re called hormones and each sex has different levels for each one. Male hormones have a different effect on the body and brain than female hormones. We know this to be a fact since hormones are used as part of the process in sexual reassignment surgery. You’re not the first person to experience the effects you’ve described. You’re just the first to experience it without having to take artificially created hormones. What you feel is the female hormones making changes to your brain. It’s natural and it should only take another few weeks for everything to adjust. Until then you will feel confused and frustrated about sex. We could try to give you small doses of male hormones but that only prolongs the time it takes to make the changes instead of reversing or preventing them. How am I doing so far?”

“At least that explains what I’ve been feeling these past two days, more today than yesterday. How big are the mental changes likely to be?”

“Remember that a human being is a combination of their environment growing up and the effects of the body they occupy since birth. For the majority of people they never experience a change in attitude because of a change in sex. The people that have SRS experience changes as will you. What you learned when you were growing up is a major part of the human mindset It IS altered by the influences of the body on the mind. What you learned and became years ago will always be there. Remember that. The basic knowledge can’t be altered by the chemical reactions. Who you are and what you know will always be a part of you. What will change is the way your mind reacts to the body’s external stimulation including sex. Emotions can also become stronger too.”

“That sounds exactly like what I have felt. I think you’ve answered that question and I feel better knowing I’m not going crazy with the way I feel. Thanks Sarah. Can I call on you again if I need some help or advice?”

“You sure can. Peggy has my contact information. Just give me a call any time if you want to talk over the phone or schedule an appointment whenever you feel you need to. I would like to follow up on this in another two weeks or so if you don’t mind.”

“I think I’d like that. I need to watch myself over the next few weeks. I hope that all of my friends will accept what has happened and things will return quickly to normal. I suspect though that it won’t be that easy. I was hoping that I could keep my emotions under control like I used to but I may not be able to any more.”

“Is there anything else you want to chat about?”

I tried my best attempt at a valley girl voice “Yea, do you -like- know of any place that —like- has some good sales on clothes? I need -like- an ENTIRE new wardrobe. I have -like- NOTHING to wear!”

Sarah and I both dissolved into a giggling fit that lasted for a couple of minutes. Neither of us could look at the other without gales of laughter resulting. We both laughed so hard we were crying. Peggy came into the room after quietly knocking on the door. All she saw was the two of us hugging and crying.

I slipped back into the valley girl bit “We’re -like- ok you know? Just —like- two girlfriends having -like- a good cry! ‘kay?” Peggy just stood there with her mouth hanging open. The look on her face was priceless and Sarah and I both lost it again. We both rolled off our chairs onto the floor giggling with big tears running down our faces.

I came back to my senses before Sarah and as I tried to catch my breath I gave Peggy a little explanation of what happened. Slowly she caught on that neither of us had totally lost our minds especially when I did a little more of the valley girl bit.

“How do you DO that girl?” Peggy asked.

“I don’t know. I don’t even think too much about it, I just do it. I used to have lots of fun like that as a guy. I guess there’s even more possibilities this way.”

“You have a great ear for voices and accents. Can you teach me how to do that? It would be great to break the ice barrier between me and some of the patients.” Sarah said.

“I’ll try though not everyone can do it. Peggy, why did you come in before we get going too much on other things?”

“I wanted to tell you that it’s coming up to 12:30. If you wanted to get lunch we’ll go to the staff dining room. The press is starting to collect in the public dining room. The briefing room won’t be ready for them for almost another hour.”

“I did want to try to talk to the woman from last night again. We’ll go down in a few minutes. Let me finish up with Sarah first.”

“I’ll be right outside.”

I turned back to Sarah. “Sarah, thanks again for talking with me. I do understand now what’s happening to me and I think I can handle it. I will be sure to see you again in about two weeks. I’ll ask Peggy to make sure I get here. And I still owe you something!” I launched into the bit from the cafeteria this morning. When I got up to leave tears and giggles were what I saw and heard as she waved goodbye.

I caught up with Peggy and we set off for the staff cafeteria. “Peggy could you slip into the public cafeteria and see if you can find Dorene from last night? I’d like to talk to her before the press conference and see if I can patch things up. I didn’t handle it very well last night.”

Peggy hit the button for the elevator. “I’ll give you a few minutes to get something from the line and then I’ll go get her if she’s there. I assume no cameras, just her, and this is entirely off the record?”

The elevator arrived and we both got in. It was a little crowded with four other people in the back. “Yes just her and the conversation won’t be useable on the news.” As the elevator started down I felt a little pinch on my behind. I looked back and saw a woman on my left and a guy on my right. The pinch had been on the right side. The woman remained expressionless but the guy just smiled and blushed a little. The elevator stopped on the next floor and the woman behind me indicated she wanted to get out. Figuring that this was my chance I guesstimated where the guy’s foot would be and thought “Bombs away!”. I took a step as the woman squeezed past me to get out. A yelp of pain from my right told me that I had hit the target. I scooted back to the spot left empty by her leaving and looked back at the man. “Sorry about that!” The rest of the elevator ride was very quiet but Peggy was grinning from ear to ear. I had to fight off giggling myself at the pained look on the guy’s face.

The elevator finally stopped at the first floor and we all got off. The last I saw of the guy he was limping out the front door of the hospital. Peggy spoke first. “I think I figured out what that was all about. He pinched you didn’t he Jen?”

“He did. Like my response?”

“You did very well. Looks like I shouldn’t have to teach you too much about getting out of trouble with men, only about getting into it in the first place.”

“I think I finally found a reason to master high heels. Think a spike heel would have done a bit more damage there?” I grinned.

“Now you know our secret! A man should NEVER get a woman in high heels mad at him.”

We entered the staff dining room. Peggy told the line person to put the food on my room bill again. I got a few things mostly a small salad and a glass of iced tea and headed for a table in a quiet corner. Peggy left to find Dorene. I was picking at what was left of my salad when Peggy came back. Dorene was following with an angry scowl on her face. I motioned for Dorene to sit down. Peggy winked and went to get herself something to eat.

“Dorene I want to apologize. I wasn’t in a very good mood last night and I’d like to clear things up between us.”

“It’s a little too late for that.”

“Dorene you really don’t know who I am do you?” She gave me a blank look. “Do you remember the first job you had at that AM radio station years ago?” She nodded. “Remember a big heavyset guy that used to the help type talk show on computers? You talked quite a bit with him and found out you both had some things in common?”

Her eyes glazed over for a moment then her face changed from the angry scowl to a look of amazement. “Bob is that really you in there?”

“Yes Dorene it IS me in here. Like my new packaging?”

“I knew that a Robert Stevens was the guy that got hit but I never connected that it was the Bob Stevens I knew years ago! I must say you’ve changed considerably over the years.”

“You’ve changed too Dorene. You were never like that back at the radio station. What happened?”

“It’s the pressure of fighting to keep my job. Have you followed the broadcasting stuff over the years?” I nodded yes. ”Then you already know that the local stations are having a tough time of it financially. The forced change to digital broadcasting and the downturn in the economy has caused many stations to cut back to the bare minimum staff. Even though the station I’m with now is number one in our market they’re having money problems too. The management has been slowly whittling away at the news staff for the past year. The reporters that can deliver the big news stories still have jobs. I may be next on the chopping block. I was just trying last night to get the story before anyone else had the chance. You’re big news all of a sudden. Even the national networks are pressuring their local stations in the area for stories about you.”

I leaned forwards in my chair and lowered my voice. “Dorene I can promise you this. For at least the next 3 to 5 weeks I won’t be talking willingly to ANY member of the media either print or electronic. I’m just not ready to go under the microscope yet. I still have a lot of adjustments to make in my life and I need some private time to try and make them. When I do finally set down for an interview it will be with you and YOU ALONE. I’ll talk to your news director if he doesn’t believe you. I’ll gladly talk about almost anything except extremely personal topics. We’ll work out what’s off-limits before the interview. I’ll come to the station to do it since I want to keep my home a private place. You won’t have an exclusive deal on this but I will guarantee a week or more head start before I do similar interviews with other people. That’s only fair to everyone else isn’t it?” I folded my hands in my lap and leaned back in my chair.

“Jennifer it sounds fair to me. I’ll let my news director know when I get back to the station. Will you be taking questions at the press conference?”

“I doubt it. I’m not ready to deal with all of that yet but I will be making a short statement. You’ll have to wait for that at the conference.”

“Fair enough then and thanks! Sorry about last night too. Maybe now I won’t have to worry about loosing my job so much and get back to good old basic solid news reporting.”

“I want to make sure you understand that even if you get canned at the station the offer of the first interview goes with you and NOT the station. Wherever you land if you do get fired you’ll take the interview offer with you. Got it? And if ANY word of this deal leaks out it’s off. No excuses either. ANY WORD will terminate the deal. And nothing that was said during our little talk here is to ever turn up on the news either.”

“I’ll be sure to tell the news director about that too. As far as I’m concerned this conversation never took place. I’ve got to get back to the crew. They’ll be wondering what happened.”

“Just tell them that I apologized and I’m still not doing interviews for a while. It’s the truth isn’t it?”

“I think they’ll accept that. Gotta run.” We shook hands and she headed back for the public dining room. Peggy moved her tray to my table from a few yards away. “How did that go?”

“Could you or anyone else hear any of our conversation?””

“Not a word.”

“Good that’s the way I’m keeping it. All I can say is that we patched things up. She has changed a little over the years but she’s not the news bitch that I met last night.”

“I’m glad that went well. Its about 1:30. The briefing room is open so the press is moving in there to set up. What do you want to do now?”

“I think I’ll just go get another iced tea and wait right here. Is that ok?”

“It works for me. I’ll go tell them where we are. Be right back.”

I grabbed my glass and went back to the serving line for more iced tea. I still have to figure out why but my tastes in food had changed drastically. I can’t stand coffee now but tea tastes great to me. I didn’t even attempt to have waffles and sausages this morning yet they were probably my favorite breakfast before. I would have grabbed a roast beef sandwich for lunch but a small salad looked better to me. At least I wouldn’t have any problems in this body keeping this figure intact. My body chemistry was altering my taste in food. I refilled the glass and went back to the table. I got lost in thought and wasn’t paying attention. I heard a voice ask “A penny for your thoughts?” I looked up and saw Sarah Brandt holding her lunch tray. “Just having a late lunch. Could I sit here?”

“Yes please do. I was just thinking over what I’m going to say at the press conference in a little while.”

“And?”

“I’m going to thank everyone for their support and concern for my recovery. I’m also going to ask that I be given the time and space I need to adjust as much as I can to my new circumstances. Other than that I wasn’t going to say much.”

“Do you want to write anything down?”

“No. I was used to doing stuff like this ‘cold’. I actually get more nervous if I have to read from something prepared. If I can get through this without making a complete fool of myself I’ll be fine.”

“If I’ve ever met anyone that could handle something like this it would have to be you. I’m pleased with how well you’ve adjusted so far. If I had to undergo what you’ve been through I would very likely be a blubbering idiot right about now.”

“You doctors are always spouting those scientific terms that the rest of us can only wonder about. I don’t think its anything special. I just do it because I have no other reasonable choices. As my friend Lisa is so fond of saying, ‘If life gives you lemons then make lemonade.’ I’m just trying to make lemonade.”

“Jen I wish you lots of luck and success in moving on with your life. If there is ever anything you need please let me know. Oh, there’s Peggy. Looks like they are starting the press conference.”

“Thanks Sarah.” Peggy came up to the table. “Show time?”

“Yup. They just started. They should be done with the picture sequence in a few minutes. You ready?”

“No but that’s never stopped me before. It won’t stop me now. Let’s go.”

We left the lunch room and walked about 100 feet down the hallway to the door of the briefing room. Peggy cracked the door open a little so I could hear what was going on inside. There was almost complete silence. All I could hear was the click-clack of a slide projector as it cycled through the photo sequence. It must have reached the last slide in the sequence because I heard everyone in the room gasp. The door opened briefly as Doctor Abrams poked his head out. “All set?” I nodded yes as he ducked back inside.

I stepped back away from the door as it opened wide. Doctor Abrams began the introduction. “Ladies and gentlemen you’ve seen what happened. Our guest has requested that you not ask questions. She has indicated however that she wants to make a statement to the people and friends so concerned about her recovery over the past few weeks. I’d like to introduce Jennifer Stevens.” I waited in the hallway listening to the introduction, a great lump of fear rising from the bottom of by stomach into my throat. As I heard my name I felt a gentle hand on my back give me a firm push towards the door. It was Peggy. “You’re on.” I took a deep breath and stepped into the room. The avalanche of flash bulbs was blinding. I just stood there blinking for a few moments until Doctor Abrams guided me over to the microphone.

“I’m sorry but could you hold the flash photos for a little?” The flashing stopped. “Thanks. I want to thank everyone for their prayers for my complete recovery. As you can see it worked but not quite the way we all wanted. As the doctors may have already told you the change is permanent. There is no way to change me back. I have decided to accept the change as much as I can and to continue on with whatever the future brings. I ask that everyone, including the members of the media, allow me the time and space I need to make the adjustment to my new life. I won’t be giving interviews to anyone for at least the next few weeks. I also ask that you respect my home and place of employment as private areas where photos and videotaping are not allowed except by specific invitation.”

“I don’t intend to crawl under a rock or become invisible. I will be out in public as I need to be to live my life. For the members of the media video and photos are ok in public areas. Other than that I place no restrictions on your coverage of me. All I ask is that you be fair and honest in your reporting.”

“Again, thanks to everyone that sent cards and letters wishing my speedy recovery. There are simply too many to send each and every one of you a Thank You note so I’ll pass my thanks along to you all now. I’m looking forward to getting back to as normal a life as I can. Thanks for coming.”

I paused as the cameras exploded again and gave the photographers a good minute or so to get the photos and video they needed. I looked around the room and saw Dorene leaning against the wall at the back. She saw me looking her way and winked then gave me a thumbs up. I smiled and excused myself as a few of the denser reporters attempted to shout questions at me. I waved and went back out the same door I had entered. Peggy closed the door behind me. I slumped against the wall as Peggy caught me.

“Easy girl! Are you feeling all right?”

“Peggy, I have NEVER been so scared in my life. Did it show?”

“Not a bit. I couldn’t tell.”

“I think Sarah was right. My emotions are a LOT stronger than they used to be. I used to just laugh off stuff like that press conference before the transformation. I was so scared going in I thought I was going to pass out.”

“Let’s get you back to your room for a while. Doctor Abrams wanted to have you sign the final paperwork and give you as much of your new identification stuff as we have ready. I think he will be a little longer in there with some questions.”

Back in my room I decided that I needed a short nap. “Peggy can you come and wake me up in about 30 minutes? I’m going to lie down.” She nodded and left me alone sitting on the edge of the bed. I lifted both legs up onto the bed and leaned back. I think I was out before my head hit
the pillow.

I woke when I felt someone gently shaking my shoulder. It turned out to be Peggy. “How long?” I muttered.

“About 90 minutes. We decided the rest would help.”

“Thanks. It did. I guess my body is still recovering from the changes. That press conference took more out of me than I realized.”

“Now we need to get you signed out and on your way back home. There are sick people that need the space. You’re healthy and there’s not much more we can do for you. Let me get Doctor Abrams.” She went out into the hallway and came back moments later with the doctor.

“It’s time to boot you out of here Jennifer. I’ve got a few papers here for you to sign first.”

“Ok Doc. Let’s get this done. I want to go home.”

“Here’s the pile. Just sign the bottom of each one with your name. To make it official here’s your new drivers license.”

I reached out and took it from the doctor. The license showed my new face. “That’s the picture you took of me yesterday. Your folks sure do work fast!”

“We aim to please. I have a few more things but they can wait until after the paperwork.”

I opened the folder and grabbed a pen. I had to force myself to sign Jennifer Marie Stevens the first few times. It just didn’t feel right. I got to the bottom of the stack looking at each one as I signed. “Looks like standard hospital documents to me.”

“True. Our legal and billing folks wouldn’t be happy if each patient didn’t sign that stack. I think they have some type of deal with the paper company.” He winked when I looked at him.

“What’s next?” He handed me a bulging manila envelope. Inside was more identification paperwork and copies of the forms I had just signed.

“Someone will call you from our identity team tomorrow about the rest.”

“Is there anything else I should know?”

“Peggy has several changes of clothes for you. They should get you through until you and Peggy can arrange a shopping trip tomorrow. There’s paperwork in there to give to the bank in the morning so you can get that check the insurance company gave you cashed and have the funds to work with for whatever you need. I think that about takes care of it.”

“Thanks Doc and tell Sarah I’ll see her again soon. I think I’ll need someone to talk to. Is Peggy ready to go? She said she was driving.”

“She’s right outside with a wheelchair.” I started to protest and was told that it was hospital regulations.

“OK. Let’s get going.”

Peggy came in and I sat down in the chair. She pushed me out the door into the hallway. The applause sounded like thunder echoing off the hard floors and wall. Most of the staff of the hospital was there to say goodbye. I started crying as Peggy walked down the hall towards the elevator. I shook hands with as many people as I could and a few of the other nurses gave me big hugs. We paused as the elevator came to our floor.

“Thanks everyone for taking care of me when I couldn’t take care of myself. And thanks to those of you that have been working on the identity nightmare. I know how much trouble it must have been to get so much done in such a short time. I WILL be back to visit you in a few weeks!”

The elevator door dinged and opened. Peggy backed the chair into the elevator and the doors closed as everyone waved goodbye. I looked back at Peggy smiling. “I didn’t expect that. Thank you.”

“It would have been impossible to stop them. Ready to point me in the right direction?”

“As soon as we get to your car!”

Peggy’s car turned out to be a new style dark green Beetle. The back end was already full with what looked to be several bags and boxes with new clothes. Peggy started the car. “Where to?”

“Head towards the north side of the city. I live out in the country a few miles outside of the city limits.” Peggy got on the freeway and headed north. We talked about plans for tomorrow and decided a trip to the bank was first followed by trips for clothes and supplies. We got off the freeway at the exit I wanted and headed north again on the local streets.

As we passed one of the fast food places a news van from the station Dorene worked for pulled out directly behind us. “Shit. Jen we got a van from one of the TV stations following us. What do you want me to do?”

“Don’t do anything Peggy. The station has their studios a couple of miles up the road. I go by them every day on the way to work. They’re just headed back to the station.”

At an intersection we stopped for the light. Across from us sat a school bus loaded with kids. A banner on the bus read “State High School Band Champions” and the kids were having a grand time celebrating. The bus was signaling for a turn to their right away from us. The light in our lane stayed red but the bus got a green light and lumbered out into the intersection. We watched in horror as the car at the head of the line to our right lurched forward with its horn blaring and hit the bus broadside. The car dove under the bus and lifted it so the bus sat at a crazy angle braced up by the light pole on the corner. Smoke poured out from under the bus as flames appeared in the engine compartment of the car.

Peggy shut off the engine of her car and looked at me. I just said “Let’s move” and bailed out of the car. The people in the news van behind us were getting out too. I looked back and saw it was Dorene and the camera guy from the incident in my room.“ I yelled at Dorene. “Get on the phone and call 911. Tell them that a fully loaded school bus is involved and get the fire department here FAST!” Dorene already had her cell phone in her hand.

Peggy and I ran towards the bus. The smell of gasoline was extremely strong as we neared the open door at the front. Several students were already getting off the bus. Some were not injured and they were helping other students that had been hurt. “Peggy set up triage outside over there on the lawn and get everyone as far away as you can. This thing is gonna blow! The gas tank on the bus has ruptured!” She nodded and herded the walking wounded away from the bus towards the lawn on the corner.

By now several other drivers came to help. Peggy yelled at them to help the students that were injured move away from the bus. She also had someone look at the car. Anyone that could walk was now out of the bus and on the lawn. I looked at the bus driver. She had hit her head when the car hit and was out cold. I yelled for one of the guys to help me get her out then unbuckled her seat belt. Someone showed up and grabbed her under her arms lifting her out of the seat. I grabbed her legs and helped get her out of the bus through the front door. I passed her to a waiting helper and went back into the bus for a final search. About half way to the back I heard a loud “whump” and turned around to find the whole front of the bus in flames blocking the door. Dark acrid smoke filled the bus blocking my vision and choking my throat. I ran for the back of the bus looking in the seats for any stragglers. I was only going to get one chance at this.

Seeing that no one was left on the bus, I saw the emergency exit at the back blocked by a mountain of band instruments and costumes. Just as I turned towards the side of the bus to use one of the escape windows I heard a moan from under the mountain. I knew I only had seconds to dig in the pile or we would both be fried in the fire.

I threw bags and instrument cases aside until I found a small girl. I picked her up and kicked out one of the escape windows with my foot. I yelled to a helper to take the girl. He got her safely from my arms and backed away from the bus. The front of the bus dropped as two explosions indicated that the tires just blew out from the fire. I groped for the escape window and dropped out of the bus. I took about three steps and passed out.

I woke to the sound of fire engine sirens. I had an oxygen mask on my face and I was coughing from the smoke I inhaled. My head felt like it was going to explode and my vision was blurred. I blinked a few more times and it seemed to clear a bit. Peggy’s face formed out of the fog.

“Take it easy Jen. You inhaled quite a lot of that smoke when you got the girl out. Just stay there and take deep breaths to get some oxygen back into you. You’ve got some cuts and bruises and a little of your hair got singed too.”

I croaked out “Did we get everyone?”

“Yes. Everyone got out ok on the bus. No serious injuries on board thank God! The guy in the car wasn’t so lucky. Looks like he may have died from a heart attack before he hit the bus. The losses could have been much worse.”

“How did I get clear of the bus?”

“You got a few steps away from the bus then passed out. Two of the uninjured students ran over and pulled you away about three seconds before the whole bus exploded in flames."

“I’ll have to thank them.” I tried to sit up to look around. Big mistake. The world took a spin and faded to black.

I felt someone wiping my face with something cold and wet. It was Peggy again. I was still on the grass and the oxygen mask was gone. “There that’s more like it. Welcome back”

“How long was I out?”

“Oh about 20 minutes. You’ll be fine. That iron constitution of yours works wonders. The coughing stopped and your breathing cleared up a few minutes ago. The cuts and bruises show signs of healing. I think they’ll be gone by morning. The only thing that can’t be fixed by your body is your singed hair. The tips of the longer parts aren’t too good. We can trim them off when you get home and I’ll get you a hair appointment to get the rest of the gunk out of it. It smells terrible from the smoke.”

“I saw Dorene here. Is she still around?”

“No she said she had to get back to the station and edit the story for a special on the news. Seems you’re getting more publicity than you wanted. The kids on the bus are calling you a heroine for getting them all out in time. They got everything on video too.”

“Crap. All I want is to get back to something like my old life. Why me Peggy?”

“Honey if I knew that I wouldn’t be working as a nurse, I’d be selling tarot card readings on TV like Miss Cleo! Lets get you back in the car and head home.”

Peggy’s car had been moved to the driveway next to the lawn. She helped me up and I staggered over to the car. She opened the door and guided me into the seat. I handed her my driver’s license with my address on it and drifted off to sleep hoping she could find my house.

“Jen, Jen are you in there?” Someone was shaking my shoulder again. “Jen I think we’re here!”

I opened my eyes to see my old brown house and my red Dodge pickup in the front driveway. I was never so glad to see anything in my entire life. I started searching my pockets for my keys only to realize I didn’t have any pockets on these clothes. I was searching around for the keys when Peggy handed me a purse. “They’re in here now.” I grabbed the purse and hung it over my shoulder after fishing out the keys. I stumbled out of the car towards the front steps and opened the screen door. A couple of fumbles and I got the key in the lock. I must have mumbled something to Peggy about being sleepy.

Next thing I remember is waking up naked in my bed. The clock read about 10 at night and I needed to make a bathroom trip real bad. I grabbed one of my old T-shirts and slipped it on. It fit me like it was a tent now. I groped my way down the hall to the bathroom and relieved myself. My stomach rumbled so I headed for the kitchen. I found Peggy sitting in the living room watching TV. She looked up at me. “Hello sleepy head. I just managed to get you into bed before you conked out on me. I decided to stay until you showed some signs of coherent thought. That bus incident really wasted you didn’t it?”

“It did. I’m finally feeling better. My stomach was complaining so I decided to get something to eat. I don’t even know if I have any food that’s still good in the house.”

“Don’t worry about that. Your dad and sister stopped by and left you some supplies. They saw the news story Dorene did and rushed over to find out how you were. I let them into your room but you were so out of it we couldn’t get much more than a moan out of you when we shook you. I told them you’d call them in the morning and that you’re fine, just very tired.”

“Thanks again Peggy, I don’t know what I would have done without you today. Why don’t you go home. I’ll be fine overnight. I just want to get a quick bite to eat and get back to bed. Just give me a call after about 8 AM tomorrow morning and we’ll get things arranged for the day.”

“Thanks Jen. I’ll let myself out. Goodnight!”

===

That about does it from yesterday. Today I have to go shopping for new clothes and almost everything else to match my new body. And so dear journal that’s all for the moment.

----- To be continued in Chapter 3 -----