Copyright 2010 by Wren Phoenix

“Hi Lees, what’s new?” As usual, he handed her his PDA so that she could confirm his appointments.

She handed it back with a smile. “I see you’re going to Fort Street Brewery for lunch? Good choice! I love the Scotch Eggs, and the Beef and Cheddar Wrap is excellent.”

“I’m a little nervous,” He confessed. “I’m meeting someone new, and I want to make a good impression.”

“A new girlfriend? Is this a blind date? Who set you up?” She asked. He could see that her protective instincts were in full defensive mode.

“It’s someone I was talking to yesterday. We’re actually meeting for the first time at lunch, so this should be an anxious morning. Fortunately, I don’t have much scheduled this morning, so I’m hoping to be at least nearly human for our date.”

“That would probably be helpful. How did you meet?”

Oh geez, she was going to be nosey. “Leave it alone, Lisa. I’m a big boy, I can handle this.”

“No! Not another personals ad, please? You’re one of the city’s most eligible bachelors; you don’t need to do that!”

“I asked you to leave it alone. I don’t want to deal with someone who already knows my credit rating and what my tax status is. I want someone for me, my wallet has had far too many dates already.”

“I’m just not…”

“Leave it alone, please.”

He turned and went to his office. He knew that she would pursue this further. They were far more than merely friends. Michael knew that he could have very few secrets with her around. She had originally been hired to be an internet “shadow” for Michael while he was on the computer. She could be unobtrusive, but she’d had the ability to monitor all of Michael’s actions on the web.

He’d always known she was there, and she knew that he was aware of her. It made him feel safe, and because of it, they had become friends. She’d given him pointers and suggestions, and he’d helped her to become more of an assistant than a spy. They were a team, and after the loss of his parents, she had been there to help him take the reins of the company. They had flirted, but it was clear she was not his type, though they did “love” each other, in a way.

Michael’s mother, Kathy, always said they were “cute”.

How will she react when she reads the ad? Michael wondered. It’s a bit strange, even to me.

Deep in thought, he sat at his desk, staring at his computer.

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Michael arrived a bit early at the restaurant. He checked himself over before he went in, straightening his tie, regretting he had even worn one, but, well, it was too late now. He brushed of his slacks and his coat. Geez, I feel overdressed. Oh, well!

He spoke with the hostess, and found that his date had arrived just minutes before him. The server showed him to the table, which he saw was in a quiet corner with no one near them. Good, we can talk freely there.

She wore a simple yellow dress, and her long dark brown hair was partially put up in a ponytail. Her simple dress was the perfect thing to show off her long, attractive legs and her breasts. She wore a light perfume, which Michael liked. He almost became aroused when she stood to greet him. She shook his hand and he was surprised at how soft and delicate her hand was, and how lovely she looked as she smiled.

“Hello, I’m Jennifer Louise Carter, but everyone calls me Jenny. I’m happy to meet you.”

How could she be a man! She is so naturally female, and she moves with a fluid grace that no man could have had. Her voice is pleasantly smooth, and very sexy. Michael realized that she probably felt just as nervous as he did, and he really wanted to put her at ease.

“I, uh, find myself a bit nervous,” He admitted, as they sat.

She smiled, shyly.

“I thought your ad was very intriguing, and for some reason I felt almost compelled to answer it.
I will admit that I find you most attractive. Please forgive me if I say or do anything that you find offensive. I assure you I don’t mean to do that.”

“You can relax, Michael. I’m not terribly sensitive about my transition, and after all, that is the reason we’re here, isn’t it?”

“Well, to put it bluntly, you’re right. However, Jenny, I wanted to meet you, to know if we could be compatible with each other. This is no small matter to me.”

“I agree with you, Michael. This must be considered very carefully. I don’t wish to be a Mistress; I‘d like to find a husband who could love me, and a partner to share my life.”

“These are my feelings, also. This is a major commitment, not something I’d step into lightly, and I‘m quite happy that you feel the same. I have to say that you are very beautiful. How long have you been in transition?”

She blushed,

She is so very cute. Those blue eyes are amazing!

“Thank you, Michael. I started dressing when I was ten, but as far back as I can remember, I’ve known there was something different about me. I decided to make a full transition two years ago. My emotions have been a real trial,” She put her hands in front of her dress, to indicate her breasts, “along with all of these, ah, small changes. “

They talked about many things, important things that let them get to know one another. Michael found that he loved her voice, and he was amazed at how “cohesive” she was. Everything seemed to fit; there was nothing to show that she was anything but an attractive, sexy woman. As they continued to talk, he discovered that they had many common interests, and just as many things where they disagreed, but were willing to think about. He was amazed at how quickly he had relaxed around her, and he realized that he thought of her only as a woman.

“My mother died in childbirth, delivering my little sister when I was still little. My father passed away before I started college,” she told him, “He’d been fishing, and fell down a slope trying to hike into a stream near Kalkaska. He broke both legs, and unfortunately, he did not have anyone with him.”

“I’m sorry, Jenny” Michael said. “No one should have to go through that alone.”

“He enjoyed the solitude of “working” a stream, and trying to outwit a creature with a brain so much smaller than his. He said it was humbling,” She sniffed, the tears flowing freely. “They said that he died from exposure after an early snowstorm hit, and he had no shelter.”

As she paused to regain her composure, Michael held her hand to show his sympathy, which she seemed to appreciate.

“So you’ve had no one to teach you about…personal, um, female things?” He looked into her eyes.

She shook her head. “A year ago I received my bachelor’s degree in elementary education, and I currently work as a substitute teacher in Wayne County. I’ve been trying to save money to complete my transition, but, as you know, teaching is not the most lucrative profession. Janet and I put in the ad, almost as a joke, but I’m very serious about what I am doing.”

“You probably heard about my parents on the news. My mother and father flew his private plane to New York to see the Macy’s Parade, which Mother had always wanted to see. The last time I spoke to them, she said…she said she had finally found the perfect Christmas gift for me.” He choked back his emotions, determined to keep his self control, but it was hard. “They disappeared from Radar somewhere over Lake Erie. The winter weather has prevented a full search and recovery of their remains, but the wreckage that has been found confirms their deaths.”

“Yeah, I had heard about that. How awful, to lose them both so suddenly. They always seemed so happy when I saw them on the news. They did a great deal of good for the city.”

“ Yeah, I think we really were a happy bunch. Dad loved his family, and he spent many hours with me, working on his cars.”

The waitress arrived with water, and they both ordered sodas. The menus remained, so far, untouched.

“I’m sorry; I’m not familiar with anything about a car collection.”

“Oh, that’s not surprising; he never actually bothered to show anyone. They’re not really classics or anything, at least not yet. He bought cars and trucks that just caught his eye. Some of them have only been driven a few times, but most of them were his toys, and he drove whichever one struck his fancy that day.”

“Oh, so it’s not like something that a museum would appreciate.”

“No, although there are collectors who would probably enjoy a walk through my dad’s stuff. Dad was too plain and kind of a square. Museums usually collect sports cars and classics. My dad collected Station Wagons and Jeep Cherokees. I’m driving his last purchase, my mother’s Porsche Cayenne Turbo. I like the all wheel drive, and I prefer Porsches. My personal car is a Porsche 911, and it isn’t very practical for Michigan winters.”

“Your dad would have liked my car, I think. I drive an ‘86 AMC Eagle Wagon, with all wheel drive. It needs a little help, but it is very reliable.”

Michael laughed. “Yeah, it sounds like a Bob Tallon special, all right. There may even be one in the collection!”

“Maybe we could look someday?” She had a concerned look, as she decided to get down to business. “Michael, I think you are a very handsome and very pleasant person. I have to ask though, why would you be interested in someone like me? I just want to be sure this isn’t some kind of joke for you. I sincerely want to transition, but more important to me is that I want to find someone I can love, and who will love me.” She looked at her lap, and shyly continued. “I think you’re wonderful, and I have a hard time believing someone like you would want someone like me.”

Michael thought about it for a minute, looking for the right words. He felt tingles go up his spine when she said she thought he was wonderful.

“Jenny, I’ve had many women come into my life. Most of them would have never even looked at me except for my money. Several of my relationships became very public and embarrassing disasters. I became a cynical person, and have not dated recently. I saw your ad, and something in it reached out to me. It doesn’t matter to me that you have an unusual history. I have to tell you that I am infertile, thanks to a childhood disease. I can never have kids, except through adoption. After your surgery, you’d be as much a woman as I could ever need. This is just one of the reasons I am comfortable with the possibility of a relationship.”

He looked at her, hoping that she could understand how he felt.

“I guess that it was hard for you to answer when I called to respond, right?”

“I‘ll admit to having…second thoughts,” she blushed.

”But, in the end you did talk to me. You have courage, which is important to me. You’re willing to make sacrifices to achieve a goal that is important to you. This is also important to me, as I sometimes make tough choices in my business life. Finally, you’re modest, polite, and a pleasure to speak with. I need to be able to work with many different people, and this requires a level of personal grace, something you’ve already demonstrated.

She laughed. “I’m really not all that amazing, Michael!”

“But you are, Jenny!” He sat back into his chair. “If nothing else, I agree to fund your transition.”

He saw her catch her breath.

“We can work on trying to build a relationship as you progress. Perhaps we’ll find that we are not as compatible as I believe we are, and that is as it may be. Regardless, I’m not “buying” you with my help. No matter how our relationship goes, the surgeries will be paid in full.”

“We’ve only just met, I …”She shook her head in amazement, struggling to find words.

He blushed.“It sounds terribly rude, but honestly, Jenny, I’ve got the money. I wanted to know that you were serious, and committed to this. I see you are, and you need help. I’m very comfortable doing this much. Right now, I know that I’m attracted to you, primarily because you are so lovely. I believe, though, that we could mean much more to each other, and I just want to know for sure. I’d like to spend more time with you, getting to know you better, and letting you get to know me.”

She nodded in agreement.

“Now the first step, for me, is to perform a background investigation, which, to be honest, is probably in process right now. My friends and relations will not be happy with this relationship, I can guarantee you. I’m sure that they will have found out about the ad by now. They’re very competent, and devoted to protecting me. It will take time, but they will eventually be just as devoted to you, believe me. In the meantime, I apologize in advance for anything they say or do that will be offensive. Don’t worry, they won’t bully or harass you.”

Jenny’s eyes were wide. “I ‘m surprised at your honesty. This is almost too much to believe!”

Michael smiled, took her hands, and looked into her beautiful blue eyes. “Jenny, you should probably know that I can be a bit impulsive, and extremely stubborn, as it will enter into our relationship at some point. I am not unreasonable, though, and I promise, I will always listen to you. Please, I want you to be honest with me, and never be afraid of me. If you think something is wrong, say so, without fear. We’re a team, now, and I‘ll do my best to work with you.”

Her eyes shone with unshed tears, and she smiled that wonderful smile. “Michael, I promise you, I will be honest and upfront with you. I’ll assist your investigation where ever I can, and I have faith that you will not be disappointed. I’ll do my best to never give you cause to regret this. What else do you think we need to do?”

They spent the rest of the afternoon, planning and brainstorming on what issues would most likely arise, and what steps they could take to minimize their problems before they began. They discussed the transition, and what needed to be done, and who would need to be contacted. By the time the afternoon was over, they were each infatuated with the other, but not in love.

Or so they believed.