(aka Bike) Part 2055 by Angharad Copyright © 2013 Angharad
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It was several days later that I’d had to go into town for something for one of the children and I realised I was going to miss out on my lunch so I dashed into a small cafe–I ran because it was tipping down–we were back to a typical British summer.
I surveyed the dining area and pretty well everywhere was full, I was just about to leave and try to cope with my gurgling tummy when a waitress approached me.
“Is it just you?”
“Yes.”
“If you don’t mind sharing, there’s one in the corner.”
“I don’t mind.”
“This way,” and she led me over to the table which was occupied by an elderly lady who was eating some sandwiches and had a pot of tea in front of her. To save time I gave the waitress my order as we walked over to the table, double egg and chips with a pot of tea.
I nodded at the old lady and she nodded back. “Horrible day,” she commented before sipping her tea.
“Isn’t it, looks like we might have had our summer.”
“I hope not.”
I took the book out of its bag and began to examine it. It was one of those Japanese anime things that Trish had asked me to collect from Waterstones, in which the hero is transformed into a heroine–yeah like such things happen–and certainly not wearing the soft porn costumes they always have in these things.
I caught sight of the old lady reading the synopsis from the back cover. “For my daughter,” I said.
“It’s about sex changers is it?” she asked.
“I wasn’t aware it was until just now; just harmless fiction, I guess.”
“It’s not fiction though, is it?”
Wondering if I’d been exposed or had she seen something about me somewhere and was about to tell the world? I wasn’t sure what to do. The waitress interrupted us by delivering my pot of tea, some milk and a cup and saucer.
Undeterred by the interruption she looked me in the eye and I felt sure the coup de grace was coming. “My granddaughter is one of those sex changers.”
“I beg your pardon?” I said almost sighing with relief.
“My granddaughter–she was born my grandson, they had nothing but trouble with her, then in desperation the doctor sent her to a special psychiatrist and he confirmed it, she should have been born a girl.”
“Oh, well I suppose they can sort that these days,” said one who knew it for a fact.
“I worry about her every time she goes out on her own; that some bloke or other doesn’t grab her and discover that she isn’t a proper girl.”
“Only in one place,” I defended this granddaughter I’d never met.
“Yes, I suppose you’re right, she’s quite a pretty girl and so clever.”
“How old is she?”
“Thirteen, they had to send her to that posh convent place–the only place that would take her–thank goodness the council pays for it.”
“St Claires?”
“Yes, that’s the one.”
“It’s supposed to be a good school.” I ventured not daring to inform her that I had three there.
“They’re very generous to Cindy–her name’s Cynthia–was Colin originally. They have a fund, a scholarship thing–apparently some famous actors did a play there last year and earned thousands for the school.”
“Macbeth.”
“Who?”
“The play, it’s Shakespeare.”
“Yes I know, I might be old but I’m not completely daft you know?”
“I’m sure that Cindy is very proud of you for supporting her.”
“It was a bit of a shock, but she’s settled down quite a bit since–still not sure what I think about it–a grandson with breasts and long hair.”
“I’ll bet you still love her though, don’t you?”
“Of course, she’s my flesh and blood.”
“Which is what matters, that you love her whether she’s a boy or a girl, she’s still your grandchild and needs your love and support.”
My food arrived and as I sprinkled salt and vinegar on it she looked at me with some concentration. “Would you say that if it was one of your family?”
I paused, having just dipped a chip in the yolk of the egg. “I can say categorically, yes.”
“That sounds as if you have some experience.”
“I know someone close to me who is transgendered, yes. I don’t have the slightest problem with it or them.”
“And this is a young person?”
“Yes.”
“The one you bought the book for?”
She may have been elderly but there were no flies on her. “Yes.”
“I feel better now.”
I looked at her in astonishment. “Why?” I blurted out before shoving in an eggy chip.
“I know there are a few of these kids about, you read things in the paper or see them on the television, but it’s different to meet someone real who’s met the situation as well. Makes it all seem more real.”
“These children don’t choose to be in this situation, it’s probably congenital, so they should be supported in the same way we would any child with a problem–except it isn’t a problem–save in the way some people react to it, and usually they have no direct contact anyway–but bigots like to make a fuss all the same.”
She looked hard at me again and I found it a little unnerving. “I know you from somewhere.”
“You’ve possibly seen me about the place.” I tried to dismiss her suggestion and gobble down my lunch and get back to the office.
“I’ll think of it eventually.”
I said nothing but shoved in another chip and then a lump of egg, almost swallowing it without chewing–I was going to get indigestion anyway–what I didn’t need was for her to identify Trish through me.
I finished my lunch and drank the remains of the cup of tea. “Nice to have met you, I have to dash back to my office.” I wasn’t telling lies–well, I did have an office–okay, a broom cupboard which I called my office and I did have to get back.
“I know I’ve seen you somewhere.”
“Goodbye, I hope your granddaughter does well at her school.” I dashed off before she could say anything else and hoped she forgot who I was if ever she worked it out in the first place–well, I knew what I meant.
Back at work I did all I had to do–mainly sorting out the animals which took me exactly an hour, then it was off to school to collect the animals–the three mouseketeers. While waiting I bumped into Sister Maria.
“Could I have a quick word?” I asked the headmistress.
“Of course.” I followed her back to the office and she closed the door. “Is there a problem?”
“No, I don’t think so...” I related my conversation with the old lady. “Now I’m well aware you can’t tell me anything about this girl, but could you confirm it is this school that accepted her?”
“I can’t tell you that, Lady Cameron.”
“Could I put a hypothetical situation to you?”
“I’m not sure where you’re going, but okay.”
“If, and only if, this girl attends this school and is assisted by the scholarship, if there ever became a problem in finding the fees she needs to continue here–that you’d let me know because I suspect the bank could be imposed upon to help. If not then one or two of its directors could.”
“You mean you and Simon?”
“It’s a hypothetical case and I couldn’t possibly say in order to protect identities.”
“But of course,” she said then snorted.
Comments
unexpectedly interesting
lunchtime conversation
A chance meeting that spurs
Cathy to help out must be Billie and the Shekinah Glory influencing her.
May Your Light Forever Shine
No, it's real life
I nearly fell off my seat when an old lady patient told me her granddaughter used to be her grandson.
Angharad
Real life is stranger then fiction they say
I have once in a while blurted out what I am to people whom I barely know and for some reason or another have never been an issue.
Kim
Reality is strange
Not long ago I got booted off a Facebook page set up to support and assist trans people. Owner of the page informed me I was totally ignorant of transgender issues, making bad mistakes in the things I said. I'm not out over there so I just asked how long since she'd come out, done her RLT, and all that. She told me she wasn't transgendered but she "had friends who were" so she knew what she was talking about, then booted me.
Sometimes it really is a small world, other times it's too small.
"Life is not measured by the breaths you take, but by the moments that take your breath away.”
George Carlin
It's a small world...
And getting smaller and smaller by the year.
It's surprising how many trans-folk are coming out of the woodwork. The only conclusion I can draw is that there are a hell of a lot more tee-people than we think.
I seem to meet new ones every time we go out and there are so many of them just coming out.
Good story Ang, it perfectly reflects how people affected by this reality can end up becoming known to each other by a million different circumstances.
Still lovin' it.
Bevs.
xxx
Meetings such as
the one experienced by Cathy today do make you wonder if there is not some big unseen power controlling every aspect of our lives, Was it just a coincidence that Cathy's tummy was telling her that she needed food asap and was it just mere luck that Cindy's grandmother was at a table by herself, Throw into that mix Cathy deciding to have a look at the Japanese anime book she had bought for Trish and you have all the ingredients for a little unseen help if needed by the fairy godmother that Cindy does not know she has.... Truly the world does indeed work in strange ways!
Kirri