Chapter 4

Revelations

Rachel blushed a deep red. “Sorry, Mom, I just completely forgot about telling my grandparents”
“Well, young lady, one of the first things you need to know is that in this house, ladies watch their language. What you said is not that bad, but if you don’t watch it now, soon you are saying a lot worse, and nothing is more offensive to me than a foul-mouthed woman. Leave that kind of talk to the less refined. Trust me, a man you want to marry is going to be attracted to a lady more than just a girl.”

Rachel blushed even harder. “Mother! I can’t even think about dating a boy yet, let alone getting married!”

Gina had to laugh at her daughter’s reaction. “I know, honey, but you have to prepare yourself. you have 12 years of catching up to do, and you don’t hear me talking like that. And if you ever do, feel free to light into me too, ok?”

“You mean I get to correct you?”

“Yes, but within reason” laughed Gina. “You don’t get to ground me”

“Rats!”

“That’s better”

Garrett shambled down the stairs, grumbling. “What is all the racket! I can’t get any sleep!”

“Good afternoon, sleepyhead!” squealed Rachel as she ran over to give her brother a huge hug.

“Afternoon? It’s only 11:49” Garrett growled. His voice had dropped an octave over the last year. At 14 he was maturing early. Garrett was already 6’ 1” and weighed 170 pounds. The doctor said he would probably top out at around 6’6” or 6’7” and be very large.

Garrett worked out for 2 hours every day even now and ran every day. He had very little patience for his peers who he said had no “push” to excel. The varsity football coach was already looking at Garrett as a future star with potential for major college and the NFL . He was also a straight A student, and he had no shortage of female admirers. Rachel loved her brother very much, respected him more, and would do anything to make him happy.

“That’s my son, up at the crack of noon” joked Gina. How late or should I say early were you up?”

“Oh, about two, I guess. I was on Xbox live and got a little too involved in a Halo game.”

“Garrett! You shouldn’t be up that late!”

“Awww, Mom, It’s only once a week”

“Ohhhh, I know. I still don’t have to like it” replied Gina.

“Here’s your OJ, Garrett” said Rachel. “Can I make you something to eat?”

Garrett was shocked. “Juice, for me?”

“Yes, silly, I already had my breakfast. I’ve been up since about 7:30.”

“Uhhhhh, thanks?” replied Garrett. “Mom, don’t be alarmed, but there’s a pod person here.” The reference was not lost on Rachel, who loved the original version of Invasion of the Body Snatchers.

“All right, smart aleck” pouted Rachel. “Can’t I do something nice for my brother?”

“Yes, Garrett. Have you also outgrown your manners, caveman?” added Gina.

“No, ma’am. Thank you Rachel, I would love something to eat” Garret added, a bit embarrassed.

“That’s much better, son”

“What would you like, eggs, eggs, or eggs. That’s all I know how to cook right now, but they are delicious”

“You know, I think I’ll have the eggs, over easy, with toast, sweetheart” he added a slap on Rachel’s bottom for good measure, playing the short order customer to the hilt.

Rachel squealed and laughed. “Scrambled eggs and toast it is, then”

“Hey, I said over easy!”

“Sorry, I only know how to make scrambled, loser” She then stuck her tongue out at him.

“Garrett! Who taught you to behave like that! It better have not been your father!” Gina said with a barely disguised smile.

“Well, not exactly, but we did go to the diner a time or two.”

“Rachel, see what I mean about the right kind of man? Avoid large, grinning idiots like this fellow at all costs!” then she burst out laughing, followed by her children.

After Garrett finished mauling the half dozen eggs, 4 slices of toast and another large glass of juice, he said, “Wow. I could get used to this, thanks, sis. I owe you one.”

“Ohhh, it was fun. I’m glad you enjoyed it. I know I did”

Garrett marveled at his sister. It seemed weird to him that just three days ago, she was just another boy, small, a bit girly, but a boy. He could see no trace of that boy now. Rachel was graceful beyond her years, and had the sweetest personality. He decided to ask. “Hey Rachel, what’s up? You seem to have taken to this change rather well. I can’t believe that you were a normal boy just three days ago”

“You know, Garrett I guess I’ve thought about it too. I feel so much more comfortable with myself now. Like this is the way I’ve always been. I guess I was really play acting before, and now I’m who I really am. Does that make sense?”

“Actually, it does. I take it you are happy now?”

“This is the happiest I’ve been my whole life, Garrett.”

“I’m really glad for you sis, I really am. you deserve it.” Garrett said as he brought her into a hug.

Tears started down Rachel’s face. “Thank you so much, Garrett. I love you sooo much. You’ve always been there for me.”

“Hey, no mushy stuff, kid!” Garrett joked. “But I love you too, little sis” he added almost at a whisper.

Rachel laughed and backed away. “Now I’ve messed up my eyes!”

Gina had been watching from the hallway, her eyes moist. “Let’s go fix you up, dear”

As they were upstairs repairing the damage to their makeup, Gina told Rachel that Pastor Adams and his wife would be by at one o’clock. they had 10 minutes to get ready.

“Do I look ok, mom?”

“You look wonderful, and I’m very proud of you”

At one o’clock, there was a knock at the door. It was Pastor Jim Adams, the Senior Pastor at Martinsburg Baptist Church, where the Harris family started going after Randy died. Pastor Adams was 47, a tall, balding man, with a dignified air and an easy wit. He was descended from John Adams, the second President of the United States, through John Quincy Adams, who also held that office. With him was his wife Amy, a short, stocky woman of 45 with a smile that put everyone at ease. Gina greeted them at the door.

“Come in, Pastor, Amy. Thank you for coming to see us today, I know you are very busy on Saturdays.

“It’s quite all right, Gina. When one of my flock is in need, I wouldn’t be doing God’s work if I ignored them. You said it was important, and that you needed me to see one of your children. Is Garrett or Randall in trouble?

“Not exactly. You heard about Randall being assaulted at school this week?”

“Yes, I’ve been praying for him. Is he well?”

“Yes, bruised but otherwise unhurt.”

“Then what is the problem, does he need counseling?”

“Well yes, and no. As a result of the exam after the attack, I was forced to face some things that I had ignored since Randall was born. Randy, my husband was in denial about some things, as was I.”

“But....”

“Please, let me explain. Randall was born with a condition called CAIS, or complete androgen insensitivity syndrome.”

“I haven’t heard of this. Is it serious?”

“It’s not life threatening, but it is serious. It means that Randall is totally unable to respond to male hormones. This wasn’t a problem until puberty began to arrive. Randall will never be able to fully mature as a male.”

“I had no idea, Gina”

“It gets worse, and it gets better. 99% of people who are born with this syndrome are raised as girls. They are genetically XY, but for all intents and purposes are girls, as they cannot function as males, and do not respond as males. Do you follow me so far?”

“Yes” said both Pastor Adams and Amy simultaneously as they were leaning forward in their seats.

“As a result of what we discovered, and on the medical advice of several doctors, Randall has decided to begin living as a female.”

Pastor Adams and his wife gasped. “Dear Lord.....Gina, please, continue”

“Her name now is Rachel, which is what I would have named her if she had been allowed to be a girl at birth. I brought you here to meet Rachel, and to get to know her. We want to continue going you your church, but I want you to know that we realize there are narrow-minded people in every congregation, and you can expect a backlash from those people. I respect you, Pastor, and I do not want to cause trouble in the congregation. This is why I have asked you to come today.”

Pastor Adams was quiet. He was a wise man, and wise men think before they speak. After a minute, he said, “I’d like to meet Rachel. How about you, dear”

“Yes Jim, I would like that very much.”

“Rachel, You can come down now.”

Rachel came slowly down the stairs, head down. She walked over to where her mother was. She spoke softly and in a shaky voice, “P-pastor Adams, Mrs. Adams.”

“Come here child, let me see you” he said gently.

Rachel walked over to Pastor Adams. She looked up at him, as he was nearly a foot taller.

“How are you doing, Rachel?” he asked.

“I’m fine, sir.”

“How do you feel about this whole thing, Rachel?”

“Nervous, but I feel like this is who I am. I don’t want to make anyone mad, but I can’t be the boy my dad wanted me to be, emotionally or physically. I am I going to hell?”

“No, child, I think you’re just being who God meant for you to be. Looking at you, anyone who could call you a boy is either blind or stupid.”

“Really, Pastor?”

“Really. What do you think, Amy?”

“What a stunning young lady” she smiled with that big smile. “who can argue with the way you look”

Gina was weeping now. This was big for her. She loved going to church, and didn’t want to lose that. But she would have, for Rachel’s sake.

“Gina, I have no problem with you or anyone coming to church. The church is a place for healing and fellowship. I’ll need to pray about this. This isn’t something I have ever run across, but these issues are coming up in our churches whether we want to deal with them or not. In Rachel’s case, it is clearly in her best interest to remain as the girl she is. She should have been that from the start. If anyone has a problem with her, well, I guess they can either leave or get over it. There are issues here that go beyond just Rachel’s situation. Gay, lesbian, or other transgender issues are sticky problems that I don’t quite know how to deal with. There are issues involved in those lifestyles that go against scripture as I understand it. I can’t condone the lifestyle. Gay or lesbian, I feel that the lifestyle is wrong. However, I can’t bring it to myself to hate people based on a lifestyle choice. Jesus was not about that. He prayed for the people that killed him. I am commanded to love my fellow man, or woman. If I want to reach people, I can’t do that by beating them over the head with the Bible, but I can reach them by loving them as I love myself. Transgender issues are another story for me, maybe even sadder. I feel a great swell of sadness for someone who feels they were born in the wrong body. It must be terrible. In my faith, I believe that God creates all life, and we are born the sex we are supposed to be. I believe God doesn’t make mistakes. But I also know that our bodies aren’t the perfect creation that emerged from the garden of Eden. Are we sometimes victims of chemical imbalances that cloud our thinking? Is it possible that some mishap in the womb causes someone to have the thought process of a female and the body of a male? I don’t know. I just know that while I may not agree with people’s choices, I’m bound to love those people, just like I love myself, and let God do his work, whatever that may be... No, Rachel, Gina. You won’t find any judgement from me. In fact, you have my support that you made the right decision. I may need to do some additions to my sermon, though” he added with a smile, “Sorry, I didn’t mean to preach. It’s just what I do.”

“Thank you so much, Pastor” said Gina. “You have no idea what your support means”

Pastor Adams smiled. “We live in complicated times, Gina. Rachel, you are going to live a complicated life until this transitional period passes” he paused “And it will pass. Be strong, be true to your faith and yourself, and you will be fine”

“I will, Pastor Adams”

“I believe you will, Rachel”

“Well, Amy and I need to get going, I have a lot to pray and think about. Whatever happens in the future, ladies, good or bad, you have our love and support.”

“Rachel,” Amy added. You come see us in the teen life group if you want to. You are welcome anytime”

“Thank you, Mrs. Adams, I just might, if you think the girls will be nice”

“I can’t guarantee that, Rachel, but people aren’t always nice, and you’ll be dealing a lot with intolerance in the next few years. It may help you to deal with other people. You might be surprised how you are treated. Just think about it. Maybe not tomorrow, but do come soon.”

“I will”

Pastor and Mrs. Adams left, leaving Rachel a lot to think about. Gina realized that it was almost three o’clock, and that she had arranged for Becca and Angela to come over. Garrett had gone to the gym to work out, so she didn’t have to deal with Angela mooning over him. It was a well known fact that Angela had a serious crush on Garrett. She need Angela to focus on Rachel for the moment.

At that time, the doorbell rang, and Gina looked out to see Angela and Becca on the front porch.

“Rachel, get upstairs!” Gina hissed.

“I’m already up, mom” came the reply.

“Hi girls!” greeted Gina “Come on in.”

Becca had some flowers for her friend, and Angela had a gift in a box. they had no clue what was about to happen.

“How’s Randall,” Becca asked “ I heard he was pretty badly beaten up by that pig Wayne.

“Well, not too good, I’m afraid”

“Oh no! Can we see him?”

“Well, I guess so, but he’s changed quite a bit. You might be shocked at his appearance” it was all Gina could do to keep from laughing.

Gina and Rachel had set this up this morning. “Randall, Please come down, Becca and Angela are here! Do you feel up to visitors?”

“I guess so, came the weak, moaning reply”

Gina glanced over at Becca and Angela, who had concern etched on their faces. Rachel was terrible.

A blanket covered figure came slowly down the steps, moaning with each step. “What a ham” thought Gina.

“Randall, are you ok? Asked Becca, who was close to tears.

“Well now that you mention it, Wayne beat me sooo hard, soooo hard...” The blanket came off.

“He beat the boy right out of me!”

Angela screamed. Becca fainted on the spot.

Gina and Rachel looked at each other and screamed.