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This story is a continuation of A Question of Balance. Thus far: Three women, centuries old and practitioners of Draihoidel, the old arts, had come along side a girl in desperate need of understanding and encouragement. Each had taken the form of mortals to influence three souls close to the girl. The fourth member of the group, the girl’s brother had been a practitioner of the old arts for only a few days. The women have returned to help the family once again, along with others that need the healing that only love can provide...

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Previously…at the McCarthy home…

"Aunt Breena...please...may I come in?" Even as she asked, she had entered and stepped closer to the bed where
Breena lay crying.

"I don't want to talk...please, Patty." It was surprising. At one time, Breena would have been abrupt and dismissive, but the last few months had proved that she was not an angry woman, but a scared woman whose defenses had been shredded as she moved closer and closer to the truth about herself; her discovery was painful but necessary. Her guard was still up but about to topple.

"I'm not here to talk, Bree..." A bit familiar for a girl to call her aunt, but it felt right, and it was what she needed to hear as her niece sat on the bed.

"I'm here to cry." The girl lay on top of her prostrate aunt and began to weep.

"I love you, Mom...." She kept saying it over and over, and nearly every time, it was answered by,

"No...no me...I don't deserve this...no." Breena cried harder than she ever had as her niece's tears were cleansing and healing. The girl kissed her over and over like a little child kisses her mother, for Breena was truly her mother, if not in name, certainly in reality.

"I love you." The girl sobbed, nearly matching the intensity of her aunt's weeping, but the intensity was not in the shadow of sadness that the two shared in common, but in the light of healing that both were bringing about in each other. And at the doorway, it was Michael's turn to weep in witness to the miracle that was taking place in his own family; not with magic, but with real live love and acceptance and healing.

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Paul Giambrone's home...that night...

He sat in the dimly lit living room. The sound of Dervish playing in the background softly..."My Bride." In his hands he held a picture; the last picture taken of Kate and him together. She looked playful with his old Phillie's cap covering her hairless scalp. Even though she was near the end, the life in her eyes shown out almost like a beacon in the darkened room. He put his hand to his face and wept; mostly from lingering grief, but some from a feeling of guilt. As he wept, two figures stood close by, both crying softly in unison with the man before them. Fiona held the other woman's hand and nodded in encouragement. The woman stepped next to Paul and leaned over, whispering softly in his ear,

"I love you...don't feel bad...she's nice...just like I hoped she'd be. And it's time." As the tears rolled off of his face, he felt something; almost like a kiss, brush his cheek. He looked once again at Kate's face and nodded as he thought he heard the words in the back of his mind,

"It's time...."

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At school…the next day…

“Mike? You got a minute?” Even Paul had to laugh a bit to himself. Petey (or rather, Calleigh in her mortal coil) convince Mike to wear a knit knee-length gray dress with a maoon shawl over black leggings and black ballet slippers, leaving him looking like an art student.

“Hey, McCarthy…you busy Saturday night?” Vinnie Crocetti yelled from down the hall, leaving Mike blushing. Paul shook his head and motioned for Mike to come into the temporary haven of his office.

“Hey, Mr. G…” Mike put his head down in embarrassment. He wanted to do the right thing, whatever that called for, and between what he had witnessed the night before with his aunt and the knowledge of Ms. Lambert’s need for support, a little teasing was worth going through.

“First, what happened? I understand we don’t have a meeting with Ms. Jenkins after all?”

“She called up Aunt Breena last evening and said she wasn’t going to be opposing our wearing these clothes. When my aunt asked her what had happened to change her mind, she just said she couldn’t talk. What’s going on, Mr. G?”

“I don’t know, but I’m glad of it. Diane is dealing with a whole world of opposition from the school board as it is, and your support is going to mean something…I’m sure of it.”

“She means a lot to you, doesn’t she?” Mike asked, quickly adding, “Sorry, I didn’t mean to get so personal.”

“That’s okay, Mike. We stood up for each other at our weddings. My wife Kate and she went to grad school…She and Trudy were there for me when Kate passed.” Paul sighed. At any other time in his life, he would have remained guarded enough to just nod at Mike’s question, but now, with things changing inside?

“Mr. G? What was it you wanted? I’ve got to get to class.” Mike looked at Paul, who seemed lost in thought. He turned away for a moment before answering.

“Mike…I…Would you….” He hesitated.

“Whatever it is, Mr. G. I’m sure it’s okay.”

“No…I’m sorry, Mike, but I have to do this. You’re the man of the house, right?” It was oddly amusing since Mike was dressed more like the woman of the house. Mike nodded in embarrassment.

“Listen, Mike…what you’re doing for Ms. Lambert? It takes a real man to be considerate enough to put himself out there for her…and your sister, of course.”

Mike looked away and bit his lip. It was for another, but he didn’t have to know that, did he?

“I wanted to ask your permission to call on your aunt.” Mike’s face went pale, which was a stark contrast with his previous complexion.

“I’m sorry, Mike…I shouldn’t have..I presumed too much.” Paul shook his head in disappointment.

“No…Mr. G. no…it’s okay…you just took me by surprise. I think….I’ll ask her if it’s okay. If she says yes, it’s absolutely great with me and Patty…I’m sure!”

“Oh…okay. That’s the right thing to do. I…I’m really…” Paul stopped in mid-sentence. It was awkward having the conversation, since Mike was not only Breena’s nephew, but he was a student, and it might be considered inappropriate.

“She’s the best, Mr. G.” Mike smiled awkwardly before shaking Paul’s hand. He wasn’t about to say anything about his aunt without her permission; better yet; he’d leave it to her to tell him about herself. It did worry him, however. Having a transsexual for a friend or student was one thing. How would Mr. G. handle courting one?

“Hi, Mike.” A soft voice called from behind. He turned to find his ex-girlfriend standing in the hallway across from where he stood.

“Oh…hi Doreen.” He smiled nervously and put his head down.

“I think what you’re doing for Ms. Lambert is sweet.” She stepped closer and touched his arm.

“I think you look great in maroon, too.” With that she brushed his cheek with her hand and was off down the hall, leaving him dazed.

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Phyllis Jenkins’ office….that afternoon…

“Ms. Jenkins? Do you have a moment?” Phyllis looked up to see Dave Ackerman standing in her doorway.

“Yes?” She sounded cold.

“I wanted to thank you for yesterday.” He smiled; warmer than usual and not with a silly comment or joke.

“What do you mean?” She looked at him blankly.

“I’m sorry?”

“I don’t know what you’re referring to?” She said curtly.

“You were very candid about yourself; I needed to talk to someone about my brother.”

“Oh…you’re welcome, of course.” She put her head down and shuffled some papers on her desk. Dave looked at her in confusion. She raised her head slightly.

“I’m sorry, but I have work to do here; if there’s nothing else?” She looked at him, but there was no focus in her eyes.”

“Phyllis..what’s going on?”

“I don’t know what you mean, and I’d rather you referred to me as Ms. Jenkins, please.” She put her head down and shuffled the papers once more.

“Sure…whatever you say…” Dave shook his head and walked away. A moment later Connie Van Zyle knocked on the door.

“Ms. Jenkins? I’ve off to my dental appointment. Is there anything I can do before I leave?”

“If you wouldn’t mind. Please close the outer door and turn off the lights?” Phyllis managed a smile.

“Sure thing.” Connie nodded and turned off the lights as she left. Phyllis waited until she heard the door close before setting aside the paperwork. She grabbed the picture frame from her desk and stared at the photo; recently
repaired and placed in the new frame. Two girls….nearly identical save for the short hair of the younger….the baby sister by seventeen minutes. She placed the photo in front of her on the desk before placing her head on her arms and weeping.

Rain comes over the gray hills,
And on the air, a soft goodbye.
Hear the song that I sing to you,
When the time has come to fly.

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That evening…at the McCarthy home…

“Patty….you got a second?” Mike sat on his bed. Patty stepped inside and smiled.

“I see you took my advice about the eye shadow.” She laughed. “We girls have to stick together.”

“Funny!” He actually enjoyed the very rare foray into his feminine side; he had tested out at ‘only’ fifty-four percent masculine in one of those on-line gender exams. But he really had learned to understand a bit more about himself when he had been transformed into a Woman of Draehoidel months ago when called upon to help his then ‘brother’ Paddy with ‘his’ transition.

“I’m really glad you’re hanging in there. It really…it touches me that you’d do this to support Ms. Lambert.” Patty sighed and blinked out some tears.

“It’s not just for her, you know?” He turned his head away.

“I know…and I love you for that. Can I ask a question?” She smiled.

“Sure….what?”

“You ever wonder…you know…after last year and all? I know you still like girls.”

“Yes….I do.” He breathed out a heavy sigh.

“But what about this?” He was still wearing his outfit from the afternoon and she pointed to his clothing.

“What about it?” He said defensively.

“Do you wonder what it would be like…to be like me or Aunt Breena?” She laughed softly, which only served to make him
feel more uncomfortable.

“No!” He practically yelled. She looked at him and sighed. Sitting down on his bed, she pulled his face around gently and spoke.

“It’s okay if you don’t want to, Mike…I understand.”

“It’s not that…If I could just be and do what I want whenever? I like who I am…I really do, but this part of me?” He pointed to himself with his hand.

“It’s a lot more a part of me than I knew…and I didn’t need some online exam to tell me that. It’s just…” He put his head down and started to cry.

“What, Michael? What’s wrong?” She lifted his head gently and held his face with both her hands.

“You don’t have to be like me to be kind and gentle….you’re the best brother any girl could ever hope for, and it that means being a brother most of the time? You don’t have to change on my account.”

“It’s like…I wondered..is this who we are…what I’m destined to be? It scares me, Patty, it really does.”

“Just like being a boy scared me, Mike…I understand. You are who you are, and you’ll do what’s best for you. It really breaks my heart to see you struggle when you’ve been such a blessing to me. You’ll be just who you need to be; a strength for me and Aunt Breena. And maybe someone I can confide in about my fears…you know? I’m still so scared about all this; how people look at me and treat me. You make it all better at the end of the day, okay?”

“Okay….” He put his head down again, prompting her to lift it softly one last time.

“And we can go shopping for gowns for the prom, okay?” She teased.

“Now…what was it you wanted to talk about?” She rubbed his back.

“Mr. Giambrone wants to….” He breathed out a heavy sigh and shook his head.

“No…really?” Her eyes grew wide with acknowledgment. After her talk with Breena the night before, she knew something was up.

“He wants permission to ask her out.” Michael looked down at himself once again and began to laugh.

“What’s so funny?”

“I don’t know…Is this a suitable outfit, or should I change into something more formal if I’m going to be entertaining suitors for my Aunt?”

“I guess we’d better talk to Aunt Breena, aye?” She said in a pretend brogue.

“Aye, that we should, dear sister, that we should,” he said before they both started laughing. Mike looked up and saw Breena standing in the doorway with some mail. She shook her head once before walking away in tears.
Mike sat there for a moment, expecting Patty to take care of things, but she turned to him and said,

”I think this needs a man’s touch, Mike.” She sighed and then looked at him again. Despite the awkward seriousness of the moment, they couldn’t help themselves and burst into laughter. They quickly calmed down before Patty finished,

“You know, Mike…it was silly, but I think you being dressed this way…I don’t think you should change…just go talk to her. I think it might help…I don’t know, but she needs you, but she also needs you to understand, and I think this will help, okay?”

“Okay…wish me luck…”

“Aunt Breena?”

“Go away, Michael…”

“I can’t…you’re hurting, and I made that happen. I am so sorry. We weren’t laughing about you…please.”

“I know that, Michael…it’s the other part…I….tell your teacher I can’t see him.

“No, Aunt Breena…at least until you hear me out, okay?” He leaned his head against the door in frustration.

“I can’t imagine you saying anything that will change my mind, but go ahead…make it quick.”

“Will you at least open the door.” He said softly as he rapped on the door frame. A moment later she opened the door.

“Please be kind to yourself. I don’t know why I’m saying this other than that it’s very selfish and the only reason I can come up with.” She looked at him and his face was red and he had begun to cry.

“Mikey…what’s wrong?”

“I want you to be happy….just as much if not more than you’ve made our lives happy, Aunt Breena. If anyone deserves to be happy, it’s you! And….”

“I know what you’re gonna say, Mike, and I appreciate all that he’s doing for his friend and how he’s supported Patty all along, but datin’ a girl like me is something else entirely.”

“I know that…but if you never try…you’ll never know…and you’ll be kickin’ yourself, like you always say…in the wonderin’ ifs.” His tears had abated somewhat, but he still cried as he stepped closer. It was indeed an odd moment, but at that instant, Michael had truly become the man of the house as he pulled her in and hugged her, kissing her on the cheek.

“Please, Aunt Breena…please…for me…for Patty…for yourself…okay?” Maybe it was the odd mixture of her nephew standing there in the knit dress…the one he had borrowed from her; but he was truly the man of character the family had hope for him to be; even as part of his other side was coming to the fore as they say. She looked at him with pride and her resolve melted away as she burst into tears.

“It’s okay, shu shu shu,” He said, holding her tight as she wept harder than she ever had in her life. The boy who was almost a girl became a man (and perhaps a woman as well?) stroked her hair and cried along with her. A moment later they were joined by Patty as Michael grabbed her hand and placed it in Breena’s.

“I think it’s going to be okay!”

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Paul’s home…

“Well, sweetie…I don’t know…she’s awfully nice…I really need your help on this…” Paul stared at the photo of Katy and him on their honeymoon; all wool and corduroy bundled up and warm on a walk in the hills.

“I don’t want to let go…you know? It feels like I’m betraying you, but this was your idea, remember.” He put his head in his hand and began to weep. Once more, like a soft breeze, a presence entered the room…two in fact. Fiona held Kate’s hand as she visited one last time. She stepped close and kissed his cheek and touched his heart.

“I love you, Paul…and I love her…for being here. Dia duit, my fair love…Di duit.”

There's a dream that will not sleep,
A burning hope that will not die.
So I must go now with the wind,
And leave you waiting on the tide.

Time to fly, time to touch the sky.
One voice alone - a haunting cry.
One song, one star burning bright,
Let it carry me through darkest night.

When I leave and take the wing,
And find the land that fate will bring,
The brightest star in the evening sky,
(Is your love far from me)
Is your love waiting far for me.

(oh) Is your love waiting far from me..

Next: Hope Has a Place!

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The Soft Goodbye
Words and Music by
David Downes
As Performed by
Celtic Woman
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=36P0LEVe_2U