Chapter 5

The next morning, Krista got ready for school but supplied Jenny with fresh undies, a pair of pink jeans and a sweater. Jenny felt so calm and natural to be dressed as a girl... her true self. The lie her life had been was forever over... she’d either be the girl she truly was or be dead. There were no other options. Even her swollen tender purple face could not conceal her happiness. The terrible hurts of her past life seemed to fade as she immersed herself in her newfound girlishness. Even though she was still a novice girl, she knew girlhood was her destiny.

As the family gathered for breakfast each greeted Jenny warmly. Soon they were divided into vehicles and on their way to work or school. Pat took Krista and Jenny, stopping to pick up Tony, Jimmy, and Jaz. Fifteen minutes later, Krista escorted Jenny into Dr. Sykes’ office at the clinic. The staff knew she was coming and welcomed Jenny with hugs. After a hug and kiss from Krista, she was left to face her inquisition. While apprehensive about the testing and upcoming discussions, she fully understood it was the primary step in legally proving that mentally she was a girl. Strangely, the unease and fear Justin had always felt when beginning a new activity was not nearly as intense and paralyzing as it had every time in the past.

The office employee lounge, located just off the reception area was where they set Jenny up. This kept her away from the curious eyes of other patients but near to the staff. The tests were bizarre and confusing. They didn’t ask for correct answers like the tests she took in school. They asked opinions and about feelings. Dr. Sykes continued to see her scheduled patients but made time to keep an eye on and talk to Jenny. Linda Roberts, the young receptionist, made sure Jenny had snacks and Cokes and took frequent breaks to simply move about and stretch. No one on the staff was other than smiling and supportive. Between the testing sessions, Dr. Sykes made sure to spend at least twenty minutes just talking to Jenny. In the late morning Linda stepped out and brought back sandwiches and Cokes for lunch. Jenny, Dr. Sykes, and Linda ate together and just talked. They obviously cared which made Jenny feel comfortable and relaxed.

It had been agreed by the teens to say nothing about Justin to their classmates. Barney, Freddy, and Jamie were welcomed by nearly everyone as the trio returned to school. No one hassled Jamie. While she was without doubt a large girl, she was not overweight. In fact, most were stunned by her femininity. The classes at the Charm School Academy had paid off. For the most part Dwayne and Phil were warmly greeted by their classmates. They too marveled at the open acceptance of their relationship.

When the school day ended, Pat picked a weary Jennifer Sue from Dr. Sykes’ office. The welcome hugs from Krista and Jaz were so warm and caring she had difficulty believing she wasn’t dreaming. The fact no one involved with the Clan Wells Point or Dr. Syke’s office seemed to be bent out of shape by her sudden appearance simply amazed her. Everyone not only accepted her, they encouraged her to simply be herself. The friendship of the teens, obviously with diverse backgrounds yet so in tune, boggled her mind. Suddenly she’d gone from a lonely, friendless outcast to being accepted into a caring group. Her biggest fear was that she’d be forced to go back to Pennsylvania and her grandparents. She was already feeling the Clan Wells Point was her home.

That evening, Jamie and Ruth Ewell and Kevin Stewart dined with the Scotts and Jane. The younger kids headed off to their games and homework while the adults, Jamie, Krista, and Jenny remained at the table. The three girls sat side by side with Jenny in the middle.

“I’ve been in contact with the authorities in Pennsylvania,” Kevin began. “They’re sending a detective down tomorrow to talk to you, Jenny. As I said before, you have nothing to fear. Their investigation has confirmed your story of what happened. But they still need to hear it directly from you. At this point, they have no intention of trying to take you back.”

Jenny breathed a sigh of relief. “Will they try to get me back sometime?”

“At this point,” Kevin replied. “If we can come up with someone here who will take you in on a permanent basis, the Berks County authorities seem inclined to let you stay here. The only fly in the ointment is your grandparents. If they press for custody, they’d most likely win.”

“I’ll kill myself before I go back to them,” Jenny stated coldly.

Krista immediately reached over and took Jenny’s hand in a comforting manner.

“From what the police investigator told me,” Kevin said. “When they were told what you said happened, they said they were glad to be rid of you. Only their language was a lot more, shall we say, colorful.”

“I have no trouble believing that,” Jenny sighed as she blinked back tears. “They were as bad as my parents about insisting I ‘man up’. If they know telling my parents I’m transgendered is what caused the fight... the only reason they’d want me is to punish me for being a sinner.”

“Jennifer Sue, you are NOT a sinner,” Ruth declared. “I’m ashamed to admit I allowed my husband to browbeat Jamie in a manner similar to what you endured. I tried to deny that brutal truth for years and suffered in silence. By doing so I was unwittingly allowing Jamie to be abused. It wasn’t until Jamie confronted us that I finally understood how horrible I had been treating Jamie by allowing his father to abuse him. Perhaps your mother finally realized that... in her own way, just like me, she thought she was a loving mother helping her son to grow into a man, guided by a man, since as a woman she had no idea what it took to be a man. It was only during that final confrontation that she understood how wrong she’d been. Jennifer, if Jamie had confronted us at home with being transgendered, I have no doubt his father would have went into such a rage he’d have killed him. I would have done everything I could to save Jamie. Sweetie, I really think your mother sacrificed her life to save you.”

Tears filled Jenny’s eyes as she now realized that was exactly what her mother had done. Even though it may not have been a conscious intentional self sacrifice, it still happened. After all the years of letting her father beat and torment her, mom had stepped in when she realized it had become life threatening. Krista hugged Jenny as everyone patiently waited.

“After you’re interviewed tomorrow, I’ll draw up a writ of release,” Kevin declared. “I’ve already contacted a local lawyer in Pennsylvania who is friendly to your interests. I’ll take the writ to Pennsylvania and, with that lawyer, have your grandparents sign off on all custodial rights to you. This will in no way effect your rights to your parents’ estate and the local lawyer will see to it your interests are protected.”

“You’ll be staying with us until they sign the release,” Pat declared. “It shouldn’t take more than week.”

Jenny grew concerned. “What will happen to me then?”

“I’d like to have a little sister,” Jamie smiled as she placed a hand on Jenny shoulder.

“I’d like to have another daughter,” Ruth added. “After all, I now have experience.”

Jenny’s eyes lit up. With a squeal of delight she turned to hug Jamie. “It’ll be fantastic having a queen as a big sister!”

Everyone smiled, knowing the future looked bright for Jennifer Sue.

*****

For Kylie, the day was one of anxiety and near panic. She double and triple checked her luggage. Quadruple checked her passport and papers from Dr. Sykes approving of her upcoming surgery. Finally, at 7:00pm EST, Larry, Robert and Sheila set out to drive Kylie and Evelyn Masters to Dulles International Airport outs Washington, DC. The one hundred twenty mile trip took them two and three quarters hours. Robert dropped Larry and the three ladies and the luggage off and went to park the Escape, then he’d join Larry and Sheila at the visitors area to watch the flight take off.

The goodbyes were tough and Kylie was so sadly happy to see Larry wiping tears from his eyes as it confirmed their mutual love. It would be the first time they were separated for more than sixteen hours since her suicide attempt. Even as they went through the metal detectors, Kylie’s eyes kept flickering back to Larry. It wasn’t until Kylie and her mother had disappeared into the flight departure area that Larry sagged against his mother. He’d done his best to remain strong for Kylie.

The flight to Tokyo boarded at 11:30pm EST. Robert and Sheila stood on either said of their son to give their support. Although the young couple had discussed the SRS surgery, they had carefully avoided the fact the surgery was quite involved and occasionally involved fatal complications. Now that they were separated and she was off on her SRS Odyssey, the fear of the possible negative consequences seemed to rear it’s ugly head.

Larry’s love for his best friend was so deep he would have accepted and married Kylie as she was, a pre-op transsexual. But he understood she couldn’t mentally handle living as an incomplete woman. Their loving relationship, even sleeping together for the last six weeks, had been chaste. Kylie absolutely refused to be touched between her thighs although the rest of her body was available. Out of respect for Kylie, Larry had honored her feelings and went so far as to tell her that until she was ready to let him touch her there, it was not fair for her to touch him in the same area. When she protested saying that guys needed release, he adamantly insisted they were best friends and equals first and lovers second. That made her love him even more.

Kylie missed Larry and wished he’d been able to accompany her. It wasn’t that she didn’t want her mother with her, but Larry was her life. Complicating matters was the fact that she’d never before flown. At Steven and Cynthia Campbell’s insistence they’d booked first class passage on all flights. The flight from DC to Tokyo took off at 12:30am EST, January 3.

Larry stood watching the lights of the plane disappear into the dark night sky. It mirrored the emptiness he felt in his heart. The trip home was silent as Larry brooded in the back seat.

*****

January third started out rough for Kylie and Larry as they were now parted. The teens of the Clan Wells Point gathered at the B&B well before their normal rising time. Tony, Dwayne, and Phil crept into Jimmy’s bedroom where he still slumbered. Standing at the foot of the bed Tony suddenly yanked the covers from the bed as Dwayne and Phil, standing on either side, opened up with super soakers. Taken by surprise, a drenched Jimmy yelped and jumped as the others stood in the door watching for a few seconds before they chorused HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

It took Jimmy another fifteen minutes before he joined the others in the kitchen for breakfast. Even eighteen month old DJ had thought the birthday awakening had been funny. Jimmy, being a good sport, was able to laugh at the prank but every one now wondered what would happen for the next birthday. Dwayne, who had the next birthday, vowed he’d not be caught unawares!

Jenny, once more wearing comfortable girl’s jeans and a sweater, marveled at the open comradery and felt she’d finally truly found a home.

Soon after breakfast, everyone piled into vehicles for the trip to St. Michaels and school. Jenny was again dropped off at the clinic to spend most of the morning with Dr. Sykes as they talked, reviewed the tests she’d taken the day before and took a few more tests. The results so far seemed to confirm that Jenny was indeed a transsexual.

The detective from Pennsylvania arrived just before noon and with Kevin, Leroy and Dr. Sykes, they took Jenny to the Inn at Perry Cabin for lunch. The seafood was delicious and the environment open and warm. After the meal, they sat in front of the crackling fireplace as Jenny told her version of what had happened and answered his questions. The interview wasn’t nearly as hard on the girl as she’d feared.

“Well, when I read your Facebook comment where you declared yourself to be transsexual, I must admit I thought this was going to be some sort of sideshow or a move to show you’re too mentally unbalanced to be responsible,” the detective confessed. “You have proved my misconceptions to be quite wrong. What I see is not a boy dressing as a girl as a joke or as a way of indicating mental instability. I see a scared young girl who understands what she did and feels guilty. You’ve accepted responsibility for your actions and are in obvious distress about the tragedy. What you’ve told me matches with the conclusions of the crime scene investigators. It had already been determined that if your version matched what was discovered, no charges would be filed against you.”

“Thank you,” Jenny sighed with obvious relief. “Will I have to go back to Pennsylvania?”

“Jenny, you can stay here and we’ll be doing everything we can to keep you here,” Leroy told her before turning to the detective. “As a Talbot County Deputy Sheriff, I’ve been authorized by Judge Watkins to represent the county’s interest in Justin/Jennifer Sue. Here is a copy of the judge’s written directive that Jennifer Sue be placed in the protective custody of Talbot County until such time that an adoption could be arranged.”

“As her councilor, I’m giving you a preliminary report that indicates Justin is indeed a transsexual,” Dr. Sykes stated as she handed the detective a report. “Although fleeing the crime scene was not wise, Justin did so out of fear but even then called 911 before seeking refuge in a place he felt would be safe. Removing Jennifer Sue from her present environment could prove quite detrimental to her health.”

The detective accepted her professional opinions and would hand the paperwork over to Berks County Children’s Services.

“As a man,” Leroy declared. “My wife and I have assumed temporary custody of Jennifer Sue and she is currently living with our family.”

“So Jennifer,” the detective stated. “How do feel about staying here with these people?”

“I love it,” Jenny declared without hesitation. “I want to stay here.”

“Well, I have everything I need,” the detective stated. “I’m satisfied the incident was a matter of self defense as the evidence disclosed. With these reports, I don’t see anyone in the legal system who would demand you come back to Pennsylvania. The only thing that might interfere is if your grandparents file a claim to become your guardians.”

“God no,” Jenny gasped as she turned white. “They hated me for not being a macho guy before this happened. If they want me back, it would only be to torture me. I’ll kill myself before I go to live with them!”

The fierceness of her words and the determination she showed convinced everyone she was quite prepared to end her life if she were forced to live with them.

The detective headed back pondering the relationship between Justin and his grandparents. The situation would be investigated and children’s services notified of the enmity.

The afternoon session with Dr. Sykes concentrated more on Jenny’s handling of the tragic night.

*****

For Kylie’s flight, the direct route took them over Canada and northern Alaska. The Six thousand eight hundred twenty two mile flight lasted fourteen and a quarter ours. About two hours into the flight Kylie and Evelyn sent silent thanks to the Campbells for their insistence on flying first class. Once the novelty of flying passed, the pair followed the example of their fellow passengers and napped. They landed in Tokyo at local time 4:45am January 4. It was 2:45pm EST January 3 back home, they’d flown over the international date line.

Once they disembarked waiting for the transfer flight to Bangkok, Kylie called home. Larry answered his cell phone on the second ring. Due to the expense of the call they managed to keep it down to five minutes. The layover was an hour and a half. Kylie and her mom never left the secured section of the airport although they still had to be checked by Japanese security.

They left Tokyo for Bangkok at 4:15pm EST, 6:15am Tokyo time. The two thousand eight hundred sixty mile flight took six hours. They landed in Bangkok at 10:15pm EST, 10:15am TT (Thailand time). The time zones were exactly twelve hours apart, with Thailand being ahead of St. Michaels. The time changes were quite disorienting for the nouveau world travelers. As they were lined up to pass through customs, Kylie again called Larry.

Despite the late hour, 11:00pm EST when the five minute call ended, Larry called his parents and Krista to let them know Kylie was safely in Bangkok.

As Thursday turned into Friday back in Wells Point, Kylie and Evelyn passed through customs at the Bangkok Airport. As promised, they were met by a representative of the Suporn Clinic Staff. They were transported in the Clinic's luxury air-conditioned coach to the Mercure Hotel in Chonburi, about sixty miles away from the airport and forty miles southeast of Bangkok. They arrived at the hotel 1:00pm TT and were settled into their suite by one. At 2:30pm they were again picked up by a clinic representative to be transported to the clinic even though the luxury hotel was just a bit over two hundred yards from the clinic since all transportation to and from the hospital was provided by the clinic. Kylie was nervous as she underwent a clinical assessment followed by a consultation and discussion with Dr Suporn. The SRS surgery was scheduled for 8:00am TT the next day, January 5. Kylie and Evelyn returned to the hotel to relax and take it easy in order to overcome jet lag.

*****

About 7:00am Kevin set out for the trip to Reading, Pennsylvania to meet the local lawyer who would be handling the Pennsylvania legal issues for Jennifer Sue. The trip went smoothly and he met Jason Lieberman in his office in West Reading along Penn Avenue at 10:30. The men greeted each other before settling down to business. Jason had contacted the Berks County DA earlier about the investigation. The DA stated he had received the preliminary report from the State Police that morning. A meeting was set up for 11:45 in the Berks County Courthouse. Steve rode with Jason into Reading to the County Courthouse located at Sixth and Court Streets. The nineteen story building was dedicated in 1932. The art deco/art moderene structure dominated the city skyline. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6wr6Mm6i-U

After parking in the adjacent multi story parking garage on the other side of Court Street. They made their into the Berks County Services Center which was a more recent addition to the 1932 Courthouse. After passing through the metal detectors, they ascended to the sixth floor DA’s office. DA Mark Baldwin personally met with them and quickly read the documents Steve gave him.

“The case will be wrapped up in a few days,” DA Baldwin declared. “The state police and my office have determined Charles Raven strangled Lorraine and that Justin killed his father while he was strangling his mother. The coroner has ruled Lorraine Raven’s death to be a homicide committed by Charles Raven. Charles Raven’s death has been ruled a justifiable homicide since he was in the process of strangling the woman when he was struck. Justin had been cleared of any possible legal charges because the incident met two of the standards used to determine justifiable homicide. The first standard was one person killing another for the purpose of self defense. The laws state if a person reasonably believes that he is in imminent danger of losing their life or suffering great bodily injury at the hands of another person, any self defense that results in death may be considered justifiable homicide. The second standard is a killing that was committed to protect someone else, particularly one's family members. In this case, Justin’s mom who was being strangled. Based on the reports given to the detective who interviewed Justin yesterday and his own report, Berks County is content to allow the boy to stay in Talbot County. We’ve already faxed a copy of our release to Judge Watkins. This is the official signed copy to give her.” With that he handed the form to Steve.

“If Justin decides he’d like to come back for the funerals,” Kevin asked. “Will he be allowed to return to Talbot?”

“Yes,” DA Baldwin assured him as he handed a business card to Steve. “I’ve also seen the reports about the paternal grandparents. They will not get custody of the boy. If Justin decides to return, call the Berks County Sheriff. I think it would be advisable to have a uniformed deputy present to prevent any issues from developing.”

“Thank you,” Kevin said. “We’re going to see the grandparents when we leave here. I’m going to try to get them to sign off on all custody rights to Jason.”

“If they do so, have it filed in the Register of Wills Office,” DA Baldwin advised. “That will keep them from changing their minds later.”

“Thank you,” Kevin said as they shook hands.

As they rode down the elevator, Kevin looked at Jason. “I don’t mean to be cynical, but is it normal for the DA to personally handle things like we did?”

“No,” Jason chuckled. “The double murder, the missing boy, and his web posting created quite a stir. The DA’s office has been taking heat for delays in other cases and since this is an open and shut case, he’ll be able to hold a press conference to tout how efficient his office is. It’s an election year and it won’t be pretty.”

“Now that I can believe,” Steve smiled.

An hour later the two men stood on the porch of a rural home that had seen better days. The home was one of many in Berks County that had been carved out of the roadside areas of family farms in the twenty years after WWII as the children of the farmers wanted a place of their own. This home had been one of the first.

Richard Raven answered the door. Clearly a proud dour bald man, he was prepared for a fight. “Come in,” he brusquely stated as he turned and led the way into the dining room. “Virginia, they’re here.”

In a moment a weary grey haired woman joined them from the kitchen. Curt introductions were made as they all took a seat.

“So you’re the vulture from Maryland defending that little faggot murderer,” Richard sneered as he glared at Kevin before turning to Jason. “And you’re the Jewish bastard helping him.”

Both men instantly understood Justin’s fear of these two.

“We just left the DA,” Jason calmly stated. “The DA has decided there is no case against Justin. The investigation has shown Charles was beating Justin, quite severely, even throwing him through a wall. Lorraine tried to stop him from killing Justin. Charles turned on Lorraine and strangled her. Justin tried to stop him by beaning him with an empty beer bottle. The DA has ruled it was a case of justifiable homicide.”

“So the little freak will go free! Fuck,” Richard snapped. “What the hell is this country coming to?”

“That just isn’t right,” Virginia sniffed. “He killed my son and gets away with it!”

“Those freaking liberals are ruining this country,” Richard responded. “Well, we sure as hell ain’t going to pay your fees for helping the sissy bastard. So, what the hell do you want from us?”

“We’re not asking you to pay for anything,” Kevin answered. “All the fees involved in this case are being paid by the people Justin fled to that night. They are quite willing to take him in. It’s obvious you want nothing to do with Justin. All we’d like from you is to sign a release relinquishing your custodial rights for Justin. Once you do that, you’ll never have any obligations towards Justin.”

“So the brat will be out of our hair,” Virginia huffed. “Where do I sign?”

“This won’t cost us a penny,” Richard stated as he looked hard at Steve. “I find that hard to believe.”

“I’m the corporate lawyer for the Clan Wells Point,” Kevin stated. “I have a notarized declaration signed by the officers of the Clan that they will pay all costs involved in raising Justin if you sign the custodial rights release. Mr. Liebermann will file this and your signed custodial release with the county Register of Wills.”

“This Clan Wells Point,” Richard squinted. “Are they the perverts with that Krista freak that Justin idolized?”

“Yes and no,” Kevin replied as he struggled to remain calm. “It was Krista who suggested we form the Clan Wells Point. Let’s just leave it at we’ll agree to disagree. I won’t try to convince you they are not perverts or that Krista is not a freak. Sign the release and we’ll be out of your hair.”

“Give me the damn thing,” Richard growled.

After the couple had signed the paper, the lawyers left as quickly as possible. As they drove away Jason shook his head. “I thought people like that didn’t exist anymore.”

Both men sighed that such bigotry still existed. After lunching together, Kevin called Dr. Sykes, Judge Watkins and Leroy with the news that Jenny was now free to join the Clan Wells Point before heading back to St Michaels.

Kevin made it back to Wells Point a bit after 7:00pm. Worn out from the round trip and the ‘meeting’ with Justin’s grandparents, Steve went home, showered, and crashed for the night.

*****

Jennifer Sue once more spent the day with Dr. Sykes. The day had been spent in a morning and an afternoon on-line video conference meetings, each with a different gender dysphoria specialist. Dr. Sykes had e-mailed the results of the Cogiati tests (Combined Gender Identity and Transsexual Inventory) to the doctors. They agreed to the video conferences to verify Dr. Syke’s conclusions that Jenny was a transsexual, with the rush for verification being the issues surrounding Jenny’s flight to the Clan Wells Point. They confirmed Dr. Syke’s initial diagnosis that Jennifer was indeed transsexual.

Ruth and Leroy waited outside Dr. Syke’s offices until Pat, Jamie and Krista arrived after school let out. Jane made sure the other Wells Point teens had a way home. Once they had all arrived, they entered. Up to that point no one had told Jenny what had been going on back in Pennsylvania. She tried to do her best not to think about possible negative outcomes.

When Jenny saw them enter them conference room fear gripped her until she saw they were all smiling. “I hope you have good news for me for me,” she smiled nervously.

“Only if you think becoming the newest member of the Clan Wells Point is good news.” Krista smiled as she hugged her new friend.

Jenny couldn’t help but squeal with delight as she learned the news.

Dr. Sykes then explained the conferencing doctors had approved her diagnosis of Jenny’s transsexuality. “What this means is that we can file court papers to have your name and gender legally changed to show that you are a girl named Jennifer Sue. It also means we can promptly start you on a course of testosterone blockers. This will stop your male puberty in its tracks. You’ll have to continue under my care living as a girl in a real-life test for several months before we could begin HRT. If you take to being a girl as well as you have so far I may be able to recommend you begin HRT by the end of the school year. Understand that is not a promise but a possibility.”

Hugs were shared by everyone. At her insistence Jamie, Ruth and Krista accompanied Jenny as she received her first injection of testosterone blockers. As the group headed home Krista asked if they could have a girls shopping trip on Saturday to get Jennifer outfitted for school. Ruth and Jamie were delighted with the idea and thought a shopping excursion was in order. It was quickly decided to ask Jaz as well as Gretchen Reese to accompany them. Ruth knew Gretchen could be of use in keeping the girls focused on appropriate attire and her pregnancy would keep the girls from going bananas in the stores.

*****