Looking toward Charlene, the judge asked, “You look like a girl to me, but you have a boy’s name. Do you wish to explain?”

“If you felt like a monkey, would that make you swing through the trees like a monkey? I am sorry, but that reasoning is not sufficient.”

“What do you think the judge will say?” asked Charlene, as she was getting ready for the hearing to determine if she could be placed with Jake and Lizzie Jane as a foster child.

“That is something we will not know until we see the judge,” replied Lizzie Jane as she worked with Charlene’s hair, trying to make her look more feminine.

Lizzie Jane and Charlene decided that she should wear the pants suit Lizzie Jane had purchased. The plans were for Charlene to appear before the judge as a girl, but not too dressy.

“I am on pins and needles. Suppose he sends me back to my daddy’s — or even place me in a children’s home?” asked Charlene.

“We will cross that bridge when we come to it,” answered Lizzie Jane as she watched Charlene working on her face.

“Okay, just a little makeup — like we did the first time in church,” said Lizzie Jane.

The small courtroom was adjacent to the town hall, so the drive did not take very long. Lizzie Jane had spent quite some time praying over the matter and tried to reconcile herself that whatever the judge ruled would be God’s will. Still, she could not keep her mind from worrying somewhat.

Since it was a hearing and not a trial, the courtroom was empty except for the presence of Jake, Lizzie Jane, Charlene and Doc Brown, who was already seated. He had promised to be present for support and as a witness to the character of Jake and Lizzie Jane.

Charlene looked around for her father. She had feared that he would be there and say or do something to cause problems. He was nowhere to be seen.

The judge entered from a side door wearing the usual black robe. One thing Lizzie Jane was thankful for was that he was a real judge, not some prejudiced redneck from the mountains as judges were selected just a few years prior. One of the two members of the town’s police force accompanied the judge as he came into the courtroom. Everyone was asked to rise as the judge strolled to his position behind a huge desk.

The judge spoke. “We have before this court a petition that Charles Reed, a.k.a. Charlene Reed, be placed with Jake and Elizabeth Wall in a foster home. Are these persons present?”

“Yes, your honor,” stated Jake.

“Where is the child’s father?”

The police officer spoke. “Sir, according to our information, a subpoena was served by the sheriff of the county in which he resides.”

“Yes,” said the judge, looking over some papers. “I seem to have that information here.”

Looking toward Charlene, the judge asked, “You look like a girl to me, but you have a boy’s name. Do you wish to explain?”

“Sir, I am a girl in a boy’s body,” answered Charlene.

“Mmm, very odd — and what makes you think that?” asked the judge.

“Well —ah — I just feel that way.”

“If you felt like a monkey, would that make you swing through the trees like a monkey? I am sorry, but that reasoning is not sufficient.”

Doc Brown stood and asked, “Your honor, May I approach the bench?”

“Yes, Doctor Brown. You may,” answered the judge, recognizing the physician.

“Charles here — or rather, Charlene — is under my care for therapy and treatment for a condition which Doctor Harry Benjamin, a noted psychiatrist, has recognized as a medical condition. He has termed the condition, ‘transsexual’. I took the liberty of obtaining a copy of his comments along with his Standards of Care which professional therapist and physicians are requested to consider in treating patients.”

The judge read over the Standards of Care, which Doc Brown furnished. “It says here that a patient is to be seen by someone holding a PhD. Are you qualified to treat this patient?”

“Yes sir. I have had training in psychology and a degree as a medical doctor and I am very well qualified to treat Charlene. My experience consists of assisting an intersexed person toward a full life as a female.”

Turning to Charlene, the judge stated, “Your legal name is Charles. Is it your desire that the name be changed to Charlene?”

“Yes,” answered Charlene.

“What middle name would you desire?” asked the judge.

Charlene had not given any thought to a question like that, so she said, “I don’t really know.”

“What is your middle name now?”

“Lee,” answered Charlene.

“A girl can have the name Lee. Would you consent to leaving that as is or do you want to change it to something else?” asked the judge.

Charlene looked a Lizzie Jane. She nodded her head that would be okay.

“Yes,” answered Charlene.

“First, I would like to know more about this couple.” Looking at his papers, the judge asked, “Jake and Elizabeth Wall. Is that correct?”

“Yes, your honor,” replied Jake.

“Doctor Brown, you seem to know this couple. Are they good people and able to take care of —ah — Charlene?”

“Yes, I know them very well. They come from good families and have a brand new house, complete with running water and a bathroom which, as you know, are a little difficult to find in some homes here in the mountains,” answered Doc Brown.

“Yes, I very well know,” said the judge. “Anything else?”

“Well, they are considered to be well thought of by the people in their community and go to church regularly,” replied Doc Brown. “I believe that Charlene will be raised right.”

“Since the father does not seem to be interested in this child and you say that they are good people, Doctor Brown, I will allow them to be temporarily placed in the home of Jake and Elizabeth Wall for the time being, subject to change if additional information indicate them to be of unsuitable character or if the father decides to object, in which case we will hold another hearing. I am placing them under your watch, Doctor Brown, and will expect monthly reports from you for awhile — that is, if you do not object.”

“I do not object,” said Doc Brown.

“I will also expect medical and mental reports on Charlene, also. As far a name change is concerned, I will allow the name Charlene to be used until such time as I am assured that it is suitable in every way and then, and only then, I will make it legal.”

“I will agree to the medical reports if it is okay with Charlene. There are matters of confidentiality concerning a patient under my care,” stated Doc Brown.

“I understand. However the continuality of Charlene continuing to live with Jake and Elizabeth Wall is granted on a conditional basis. It is just that sufficient reports from you might make it easier for me to make a judgment in the future.”

“Sir, I don’t mind any reports on me being sent you,” replied Charlene.

“Fine. Are there any other questions?” asked the judge. Waiting for a moment for someone to speak, he said, “So be it” and pounded on the desk with his gavel.

“All rise,” stated the police officer. Everyone stood as the judge made his exit.

“Well, everything is taken care of — temporarily, at least,” said Lizzie Jane.

“Why temporary?” asked Charlene.

“Well, the judge is trying to be careful. Things can change and the judge probably has not had a hearing like this before. If I had not been here to state that I would be your doctor and was able to furnish the information from Doctor Harry Benjamin, he would have probably refused everything,” said Doc Brown.

Lizzie Jane smiled and said, “Thank you Doc Brown.” Turning to Charlene, she said, ”Well girl, you go home with us for awhile. But keep in mind, you will be treated as our own daughter. That means you will behave,” and smiling, she continued, “and you will be taught how to be a proper young lady — sewing, cooking — the whole thing.”

To be Continued

Copyright 2008 by Billie Sue Pilgrim