A Summer of Changes - Book 5 Chapter 4

Denise

Denise has an interview with her therapist
which gives rise to a second trip
to see her mother

A Summer of Changes
by Louise Anne Smithson

Book 5 Chapter 4

Two important discussions

‘Well Denise, I get the impression that we have made some good progress today,’ said Dr Collett, at the end of their interview on Wednesday morning. ‘You seem to me to be more open and willing to discuss your feelings than you have been before. Why do you think that should be so?’

Denise had certainly felt herself to be more relaxed and less on edge on this occasion than she’d done at previous meetings.

‘I suppose it is because I am now resigned to the fact that this process may take a long time, but it maybe because I decided to finish a relationship that I had been having with a guy on Sunday,’ she answered.

‘Was it a sexual relationship?’ he asked.

‘Yes it was, but I came to the conclusion that it was not a good idea, for the time being at least. We have agreed to remain as friends only.’

‘I think it is probably a wise decision at least whilst you are undergoing transition, as you will need to concentrate on other issues. Sex and gender are two entirely different things and should not be confused with one another. Gender is in the mind, sex is between the legs. At this stage we are here to try and address your gender identity disorder, the roots of which are in your mind. Any alteration to your body must come later.’

‘I know’, answered Denise, sighing a little. ‘I am sorry if I have appeared impatient to move forward, it is as if my life is now on ‘hold’, but I will try and take things more calmly in the future.

‘It is not unusual for patients, such as yourself, to be anxious to proceed with hormones and surgery, but you have to be ready and I have to be sure that it is in your best interests. I am, however, conscious that you have been living successfully as a woman for some time already and if we continue to make such good progress next week, we can soon begin to talk about moving on to the next stage in the process and consulting an endocrinologist to examine your body. Yet there is one thing that is still worrying me a little, which you might be willing to address.’

‘What is that?’ asked Denise.

‘I accept that you are an adult and do not need the permission of your parents, but you are also still relatively young to be embarking on such an irrevocable course of action. You seem to be clear in your own mind, but I would be happier knowing that you had also discussed your plans with your mother at least.’

‘I have spent a weekend with my mother as Denise and we had a long talk. She was a little unhappy at first, but in the end, she was supportive.’

‘Did you discuss with her your intention of taking female hormones and ultimately having sex reassignment surgery?’

‘No, not exactly, I was waiting to know when it would start and how long it would take first. I have however discussed it with my sister and she understands how important it is to me.’

‘I think it would be useful to you to know that you have the support of all your family before you go any further down this road.’

‘In that case I will go and see her this weekend.’

‘Good!’ he said smiling. ‘We can meet again at the same time next week and you can let me know how you got on.’


That evening Denise telephoned her sister in Norwich.

‘Hi Jules, can I come and stay with you on Friday night?’

‘You can if you wish, I have an inflatable mattress and a sleeping bag which you are welcome to use, but I warn you that I have begun to pack some of my belongings in boxes ready for the move to London. Wouldn’t you be more comfortable staying with mum?’

‘No. I need some advice from you before I go to see mum on Saturday.’

‘What sort of advice can I give to my little sister?’ she asked.

‘I want to know how I can begin to explain to mum that I am not satisfied with the body that she gave me?’ said Denise.

Julia drew breath.

‘I suppose it does sound a little awkward, not to say ungrateful on your part, when you put it like that, but all you can do is to be honest and straightforward with her about your plans. Does your therapist support you?’

‘Yes, he has suggested that I should now discuss them with mum. How do you think she will react?’ asked Denise.

‘I am not sure. Whenever she speaks about you these days she never refers to you as Denis or as he. She is not a fool and I think that perhaps she already suspects the outcome.’

‘It would be helpful if it does not come as too much of a shock. So how should I play it?’

‘I suggest you telephone her and now and say that you would like to come to lunch on Saturday, because you have something important to discuss with her. That way she will at least have the opportunity to prepare herself.’

‘Will you be there to support me?’

‘Yes, if you want me to be. Ever since I came to stay with you for my interview, I have felt that you would probably be better off as a woman. If you are really sure that this is the right course of action for you to take then I will support you, and ultimately I think mum will do so as well.’

‘Thank you Julia. Elder sisters do have their uses at times.’

‘I am sure you would do as much for me. But what about Prince Charming?’ asked Julia.

‘John and I have agreed to cool it and in future only be friends. But don’t worry he has promised to help with your move. At the end of the month’

‘Good, it would be a shame to let a good man go to waste.’


Denise arrived as promised at her sister’s flat on Friday night, and they spent several hours talking together before going to bed. The next morning she dressed carefully, wishing to look pretty and yet demure for the coming interview with her mother. As she did so she received a text message from Samantha.

Told Dad last nite — tears b4 bedtime! — but as Ma Julian says ‘all will be well’. Gr8 w8 off my shoulders, luv Sam xx

She texted back

Well done! Now keep yr fingers +ed 4 me, luv D.

The two sisters arrived at their mother’s house at 1.00pm to find that Ellen had prepared them a cold meal

‘Well I must say it is nice to have the two of you to lunch again,’ she said. ‘It will not be the same when you are both working in London. So how is the job going Denise?’

‘Fine thanks mum, the firm is doing really well. Helen wants me to take on some new responsibilities once I have finished the modelling in the autumn.’

‘New responsibilities … as Denise?’

Denise nodded.

‘Yes — long-term responsibilities.’

‘I see.’

‘I have also started to consult a therapist specialising in gender identity issues. He has advised me to discuss with you the course of action I am intending to take.’

Ellen did not look surprised.

‘In that case you had better tell me exactly what you have in mind.’

‘As far as I am concerned Denis is now dead and the rest of my life will be spent as Denise. I am far happier living as a woman than ever I was as a man, and believe I can continue to do so successfully. I therefore intend to begin taking female hormones as soon as I am able, which will irreversibly change the shape of my body. I will also formally change my name and begin to create a new official identity for myself as a woman. In time, when I can afford to pay for it, I intend to have corrective plastic surgery, to enhance my breasts if necessary, to remove my penis and create a vagina.’

Ellen flinched momentarily as she said the final sentence, but otherwise stayed quite calm.

‘How long will it all take?’ she asked.

‘About two years to judge the effects of the hormones and to get a Gender Recognition Certificate, where I will be recognised as a woman, for all official purposes. After that it will rather depend upon the state of my finances to finish the job. I will have to save as much as possible’

‘You are certain that it is the right thing for you to do.’

‘Mum, I have never been so certain of anything in my life. It is something that I need to do.’

‘So what do you want from me?’ asked Ellen.

‘I don’t have to have your permission, but I would be grateful to continue to receive both your support and your love, and for you to be proud of your younger daughter,’ she replied, as a tear began to slowly make its way down her cheek.

Ellen turned to Denise with a look of great tenderness.

‘Of course I will always love and support you, and be proud of you as well. You are, after all, my … daughter,’ said Ellen, with only the slightest hesitation between the last two words, as if she was just getting used to saying them.

‘So you won’t mind what your neighbours or our relations think of me.’

‘No, not at all! In fact, it will be quite something to be able to boast about “my daughter the transsexual” to my friends, I am not aware that anyone else that I know has one.’

Denise laughed at the idea, and then got up from the table to hug her mother. Julia, who had been looking on silently, joined in as well.

‘The main thing is that we are a family and love one another,’ said Ellen.

‘Nobody could ask for a better mum, responded Denise.

‘I agree,’ said Julia.

‘There is one way that I can help you Denise,’ said Ellen after they had sat down again..

‘What is that?’

‘As part of the divorce settlement, your father invested  £5,000 for each of you, to help pay for your higher education, before he left the country. Julia has spent her money whilst she was at university, but your money is still available, and has almost doubled in value since it was invested. As it now looks as if you are not going to choose to go on to university, I don’t see why it should not be used to fund any surgery you may require.’

‘Mum, that will be marvellous, it will mean that I will be able to live a more normal life over the next two years and not have to scrimp and save every penny I earn.’

‘It is still gathering interest and will be available when you need it. When will it all start?’

‘I already have enough money saved to pay for my hormones. I hope I will receive my letter of recommendation soon.’


They continued talking for some time before moving on to discuss the details of Denise’s life in London and Julia’s new job and flat. After lunch Ellen made a surprising suggestion.

‘Why don’t you girls come up to my bedroom. There are some evening dresses and shoes that I used to wear as a young woman, but which would still look today. I can no longer get into them, but you two may be able no wear them.’

She was right, the dresses and shoes fitted the two girls quite well, so they each chose one outfit to try on.

‘I will get my digital camera, as I would like to have a nice photograph of my two daughters to put on the sideboard.’

‘In that case I had better refresh my makeup and do my hair,’ said Denise.

‘You can tell which one of us has been working as a model,’ commented Julia.

Ellen loaned them some of her remaining jewellery and Denise explained to her sister how to use makeup to look her best in front of the camera. As soon as they were ready Ellen proceeded to take some photographs of them both individually and together, and finished with a timed shot of herself and her two daughters.

‘You both look so nice in those dresses that you are welcome to keep them if you wish,’ said Ellen.

‘Thanks mum I could do with a long dress,’ said Denise.


Hanging in the back of their mother’s wardrobe they also came across her beautiful silk wedding dress, and another which she had once worn as a bridesmaid.

‘Mum you once promised to let me try on your wedding dress, may I do it now?” said Julia, “Denise can be my bridesmaid.’

‘Alright then, as long as you let me take a photograph of you both together.’

The two dresses fitted well and Ellen provided suitable shoes and accessories. She also picked some flowers from her garden to provide two poesies. For the next hour or so they had a lot of fun posing for the camera. When they had finished Julia turned to Denise and asked whether she would like to take a turn as the bride.

‘Yes please, as long as mum does not mind.’

Julia and her mother helped her to put on the long dress and the veil. It felt wonderful to be dressed as a bride and, as she admired herself in the mirror, she wondered what it would be like to be a real bride one day.

‘I think that wedding dress suits you better than it did me,’ said Julia, ‘I'm quite envious of you.’

‘Please don’t be, you will get to choose and wear your own wedding dress one day, whereas I'll only ever be an onlooker,’ said Denise, a little sadly.

Julia affectionately squeezed her sister’s hand in an attempt to cheer her up.

‘If and when I do get married I'll want to have you as my chief bridesmaid,’ she said.

‘I shall be happy to do so,’ responded Denise smiling.


It was early evening when Denise and her sister reverted to their original clothes. Julia decided to return to her own flat and continue with her packing but Denise stayed the night with her mother. They downloaded the pictures on to Ellen’s computer and made copies of the files on to disks. Denise then showed her mother how to select the three best of them and to edit them using Photoshop. Eventually they printed three copies of each on to photographic paper.

‘Both my daughters look beautiful in these pictures, but Denise you are the same age as I was when I got married, and with that long fair hair you remind me of how I looked at the time.’

‘In that case you must have looked beautiful on your wedding day,’ said Denise, laughing.


Before going to bed she sent a text to Samantha.

Julian was right! All now well, details later. D.

Her friend replied.

‘Good! Parents can be such a worry!


The next morning Ellen insisted on writing a letter to Dr Collett, although Denise told her it was not necessary. In it she assured him that after much consideration and discussion, Denise had her mother’s and her sister’s full support in her intention of living the rest of her life as a woman, and that she hoped he could help her to achieve her aim. She handed it to her daughter to pass on to the therapist.

Denise took the train back to London on Sunday afternoon feeling that one more item had been ticked off her checklist, and she was one step closer to her ultimate aim.

(Next time Denise has her first appointment with an endocrinologist.)



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