"A boy injured in a fall from a trail bike...”

Only two minutes away from the scene, I soon realized it was the address of a family I knew. As I approached the scene I saw the boy lying on the ground with one of his friends stuffing a shirt into the boy's groin and blood everywhere.

I pulled in as close as possible and observed whatever I could as I got the oxygen and first aid box out. Seeing that there was obviously a quite serious injury to the lad's groin area I was preparing myself for the worst.

The teenager giving first aid was well in control of himself.

"I think he has a damaged artery because if I let the pressure off it spurts every where.”

"You’re doing a great job. Keep it up until I get sorted here." I said in a calm but commanding manner.

I had high flow oxygen on him and got a cannula into his arm and started an I V of a blood expander through a pump set so the expander could be forced into the boys system. Before I started to pump I had to manage the bleeding and found that I had to use an arterial clamp on his femoral artery, which did the trick and reduced the blood flow.

The damage done to his groin area was appalling and I called my Control on the portable radio asking for immediate backup. None was available so I requested assistance from the Highway Patrol. Two cars were there within minutes.

So with one HP officer driving and the other car providing escort we took off for the hospital. It was only then that I realized that the boy was Peter Robinson, son of John and Jenny, whom I knew well. John was a Police Sergeant in town and his wife worked at the local Court House so I called Control and asked them to advise the boy’s parents.

After I contacted the Hospital A and E Department, I explained the situation as briefly as I could and the Doctor in charge came on line. He told me that a visiting vascular surgeon was at the hospital and would be on hand when we arrived.

We got there within minutes and rushed the boy straight in to Emergency .The surgeon asked how long the clamp had been on the artery and advised the nursing staff that he would operate immediately on the spot.

"There not time to go up Theatre.” He said with urgency. "How the hell did this mess occur?"

I explained that he had come off the trail bike and landed on a barbed wire fence; an unforgiving obstacle.

"You’ve done a great job until now. But don't go away. This boy is going to have to go to one of the major hospitals in the city and it will have to be a fast ride. Organize yourself a police escort and I'll come with you. Where are the parents? They have a major decision to make."

John and Jenny were waiting outside Emergency. When I had the escort lined up I went out to see them. I told them briefly what had happened and advised them the doctors would see them shortly. I informed them I would be taking him through to the city. Just then a HP car turned up. I called out to him and when he came over to tell me he was the escort, I exploded!

"You have to be joking! We have 56 miles to go through Sunday traffic on the Expressway and a major highway! Once we get to the highway we need three cars to block the intersections!"

John spoke to the officer in charge and went to the HP car and called on his radio. Two more cars turned up within minutes.

The doctors came out and, after the introductions, they laid it on the line. Poor Peter’s testicles were non-existent as well as half of his penis. Peter could be repaired as is in which case he would be a neuter or he could be given GRS and at least have a life as a girl.

The doctors explained that the psychological consequences would out weigh the physical problems but the decision was with the parents and it would have to be made quickly. It was not a decision I would have liked to have faced. I admired John and Jenny for the way they handled it; no tears, no histrionics, just quietly with each other. Finally they embraced and then John spoke to the doctors.

"Go ahead with the GRS. We have lost a son but we will love our daughter just as much.”

So with lights aglow and sirens blazing, the surgeon and an ICU nurse looking after the patient headed South through the Sunday afternoon traffic to St. Stanislaus Hospital. A team of surgeons and theatre staff were waiting and ready for our arrival. As we pulled up in the Ambulance Bay, two wards men lifted the back hatch and Peter was rushed off for immediate surgery.

I was emotionally and physically drained; the adrenaline wearing off rapidly. When John and Jenny arrived in another Police car I took them down to the cafeteria for refreshment and a talk. John said it had been quite a day as they had sold their farmlet that morning.

This was a big plus for them as Peter would not have to return to their old area. They hadn't thought of this but they would need a new house quickly so I suggested to John that I should talk to his boss, Jack McDermott. I was having dinner with Jack and his wife Dorothy that night.
I told them of a house next door to the McDermott’s. It was an old house but had been well refurbished having four bedrooms and glorious water views.

"I'll talk to Jack about it at work tomorrow".

"Jack, you will not be at work tomorrow. I'll look after that tonight. You’re not leaving here until Peter is awake. You’ll need all your tact and experience when Pete finds out what has happened. I can tell you now that he will blame you and Jenny. He will blame the doctors and I myself and no doubt the nurses will get a mention.

“He is going to hate everybody unless a miracle happens and he decides to quietly accept it. But I don't think that will happen if I know Peter. By the way, there will be legal problems as far as a new name is concerned."

John looked at Jenny soulfully.

"If Peter had been born a girl...weren't we going to call her Penelope Jane?"

I called in to visit after one such episode and found John and Jenny in tears. I marched straight into the room and closed the door behind me.

"How are you going, little one?" I asked.

I had always called her that when she visited the Ambulance Station and she responded positively with a big grin.

"I'm getting there Al, but I'm still very confused and angry about what they have done to me.”

"Little one…we have to talk" I said and sat on the edge of the bed. "My little friend, listen to what I say and don't interrupt me…okay?"

I got a grin and an ‘okay’.

"Firstly…nobody did anything to you that didn't have to be done to keep you alive. Your mate probably saved your life initially when he tore his shirt off and stuffed it onto your femoral artery. Then I came along and with the help of the Highway Patrol we got you to the regional hospital.

“Your mother and father had to make an instant decision as to your future and your immediate life threatening situation. Don't blame them little one and just hope that the same situation doesn't arise in your life."

Penny's eyes were wide open and misty.

"The trip down to here was one of the worst emergency runs I have ever made and doubly so for the three HP cars.”

"Three HP cars…? Wow…!" said Penny.

I put my hand up to shush her and continued.

“The surgeons operated on you for nearly 9 hours, and it was touch and go for a week before they knew that you would survive. Now the important part…nobody...nobody is to blame for your present situation and you are going to have to make the best of it my little friend.

“You had an accident and that was not your fault. The front tire blew out. The whole thing was an accident and a whole lot of people who care for you busted their guts to keep you alive. I can assure you that not too many people get that chance at a second life.

“So, my little one, make peace with your mum and dad because they love you dearly and you are going to need their support. What they did was done for you because they love you. You should talk to them."

Penny had tears streaming down her face and I wasn't much better. She held her arms out to me and I hugged her and asked if she wanted to see her Mum and Dad. She smiled through her tears.

"Penny…this is the first time I have called you Penny…I want to tell your Mum and Dad that their daughter wants to talk to them. Is that okay with you?"

A nod of the head and the smile said it all. I put my head out the door and John and Jenny gave me an inquiring look.

"Mister and Missus Robinson…your daughter would like a few words with you".

And so Penny made peace with her parents and they finally brought her home to her new bedroom. It was very spacious with French windows opening on to a wide verandah with broad water views.

Penny was still confined to bed and resisted Jenny's attempts to get her into something feminine. I went to a Lingerie shop and told the assistant that I wanted a set of night attire for a teenage girl convalescing after a hospital stay.

She came with a glorious pink creation which she even gift wrapped for me and I duly presented it to Penny. She agreed to wear it, much to her mum’s surprise, and for the first time she looked really girly and pretty and I told her as much.

John came home and we didn't say anything. When he saw Penny sitting up in bed in her finery he went and hugged her.

"My beautiful little girl..." Was all he could manage to say.

Penny hugged him with tears of joy. John went back to work and two hours later I got a phone call from Jenny and she was incoherent. I rushed straight to their home and was met at the door by the Robinson's next door neighbour Jack McDermot, the Chief of Police. he informed me that John had had a heart attack at work and had not survived.

In my job, I have seen death in all of its guises and you never get used to it and when it strikes so close to home. One feel’s it as much as anybody. I found Jenny and Penny consoling each other and I joined them in their grief.

My one consolation was that Penny had reconciled with her Father before his passing. But worse was to come. Penny could not go to her fathers funeral because of her condition and the fact that a lot of people from her old home town would be there. They would be looking for ‘Peter’.

Penny didn't mind that. She understood but she was deeply distraught at the loss of her Dad and became seriously depressed and morose.
Jenny had bought more nightdresses but Penny once again refused to wear anything feminine. She began to abuse her mother and the District Nurse.

Penny would have nothing to do with the next door neighbour’s two girls; Janet and Barbara. Their father had explained the situation to them and they genuinely wanted to help and to share Penny's secret. Janet was the same age as Penny and Barbara a year younger and they looked forward to going to High School in the summer with Penny.

It was then I got a phone call from Dr. John Carlson who told me that Penny was now up and about but had ‘torn strips’ of him for saying that she was a fine young lady. Penny replied that she was a boy and should be treated like one.

I said to John that this was a defensive charade on Penny's part and told him about how pretty she looked in the nightgown and how happy she seemed to be wearing it and he agreed that that may be the case.

"Al…you and I need to talk. My wife is down at her Mothers so how about you and I meet for dinner at the Country Club? If we don't do anything, Jenny is going to end up dead or in the Psych Ward at the hospital.”

“Right… Don't say anything but I want you to put a set of underwear, stockings and shoes. Pick a nice frock and some makeup and tell Penny that Dr. John and I will be there at 2pm to give her a full medical.”

Then I had another thought.

"Tell her that she will have to have another shower and be just wearing a bathrobe for the Doctor. While she is in the shower put the makeup in the vanity drawer with a hair brush and a nice ribbon to match the dress. I want you, Jenny, to stay downstairs no matter what. Okay…?”

"Al, I have complete confidence in you and Dr. John. I’m at my wits end! Whatever you have in mind, let's do it".

So that afternoon the Doc and I arrived. Jenny told us that the white strappy sandals that she had put out with the clothes had been worn as had the stockings.

"We are in with a chance here Al."

We went up to Penny's room and knocked on the door. We got a grumbling 'come in'. As we entered the room we said in unison 'Good afternoon Penny’.

She jumped off the bed and started a torrent of abuse aimed at us. I let her go for about 30 seconds and then really roared at her.

"SHUT UP, and get back on the bed! If you ever talk to me or Dr. John again like that young lady, I will put you across my knee and spank your bare bottom and if you think I'm joking…try me out!"

There was a deathly silence for a while and I looked at her.

"Do you understand Penny?"

We looked into each others eyes for a moment.

"I'm sorry. I'm really sorry." And she burst into tears.

I sat her up and hugged her and let the tears flow freely. John went to the bathroom and brought back a damp face towel and wiped her face as she composed herself. Then she grabbed both Doc and myself and hugged us both.

"Penny…with that blonde hair and pretty face you remind me of Alice in Wonderland. So the time has come the Walrus said…"

She gave a little grin.

"Well…? What do you two Walruses want to do?" She giggled.

"It's not what we want to do. It's what we’re going to do. Doc will give you a pedicure and I will give you a manicure and then we will paint your toenails and finger nails. When we have done that I will give you your clothes that you are going to get dressed in for your Mum."

The tears flowed again.

"I can't, Al. I'm still a boy."

As arranged, Doc took one arm and I the other and marched her to the full length mirror.

"Now…!" Said the Doc. "Where is this boy you keep on about? Look in the mirror Penny. If you can see a boy there we will go straight to the optometrist as you must have a serious eye problem. All I can see is a pretty, blue eyed blonde girl. Do you want to open your robe to see the pert ‘B’ cup breasts you have? Or the hour glass figure you have or the legs and petite feet that most girls would die for?

“Do you see all that Penny? As a Doctor and your friend, I have to tell you that you are 100% female .Welcome to womanhood my darling."

That was too much for Penny and she broke up again and as I consoled her John went to get the face washer again. I got Penny back to the bed and she didn't say a word as Doc and I went to work on her nails and within a short time she was actually admiring her bright pink nails which would match the lipstick which Jenny had secreted in the vanity.

When the polish was dry I went and retrieved the suitcase Jenny had placed outside the bedroom door. I took the frock out first and hung it on the wardrobe door .It was a yellow sun frock in chiffon with a silk underlay.

I couldn't help but think that if this was to be the first dress that Penny wore, it couldn't be more girly. With a deep neckline and little puffy sleeves at the shoulders it was all ‘girl’. John and I said we would go out to the verandah. She got dressed but she implored us to stay and help her.

We agreed but told her that she could put the stockings and shoes on herself. I knew she had some practice which brought a wry smile from our Penny. We had to show her how to put the bra on and then assisted her with the dress and zipped her up. While she put her shoes on I went to the phone and rang Janet and Barbara and asked them to come over and wait with Jenny. All I had to do was tell them it was a secret and they were on their way.

Sitting Penny down at the vanity I told her I was going to do her hair and put a bit of makeup on her.

"Don't you make me look like a clown Al. Please…” Penny pled anxiously.

Telling her my ex wife had a sight difficulty and I had done a makeup course with one of the leading cosmetic companies and that I also helped wit makeup for the local Musical Society. This settled her fears and she sat there happily while I brushed her hair out and put it in a high ponytail fastened off with a ‘scrunchy’.

Turning her back to the vanity mirror, I got a 2inch yellow ribbon and tied a flat floppy bow on her ponytail which looked just perfect. With the amount of hormones she had received her skin was near perfect and all she needed was lipstick, mascara and a little blush on her high cheek bones.

I explained to her that her eyebrows were a disaster area and all I could do was trim them.

"But that will all be fixed tomorrow. You are booked into the salon at 10 tomorrow morning to have your hair trimmed and styled, your eyebrows shaped and your ears pierced.

“There won't be any questions asked as they know that you have had long spell in hospital. They will also do your makeup and you should watch carefully what the girls do. Okay…?”

She smiled at me like the cat coming out of the dairy and took my hand, kissed it.

"Thank you.” She whispered.

I stood her up and walked her across to face the full length mirror'. John pulled the sheet off and Penny gasped when she saw herself.

"Oh Al…! I never thought I'd look like this."

"You are even prettier than my two daughters." Doctor John said and took her hand.

Penny just kept looking at herself and I put my hands on her shoulders and our eyes met in the mirror.

"Penny…? You are going to enjoy being a girl. You owe that to your Mum, yourself and the memory of your Dad." I said softly into her ear.

Her big blue eyes misted up and she clutched my hands and nodded. I told her to stay with John while I went down to her Mum and the girls. I told the girls that Penny was coming down in a moment but that her Mum was to talk with her first. I would tell them when to go to Penny.

The girls were shaking with excitement and had no idea what was happening. I called out to Doc to send Penny down.

“Mrs. Robinson…” I announced. “Meet your daughter Penelope Jane.”

Penny looked an absolute picture of femininity as she very shyly and demurely descended the stairs. Jenny looked on in amazement and shook her head in disbelief.

"Oh my God…! Penny…you are so pretty!”

Jenny rushed to embrace her daughter and the tears flowed again. I pushed the girls forward squealing and crying with delight. Strangely enough, she welcomed them as sisters and they cried on each others shoulders as Jenny came to embrace myself and Doctor John.

Janet and Barbara were making plans for a shopping trip with Penny but Jenny jumped on that one saying that her daughter wasn't going shopping without her mother. The girls laughed with delighted. Penny then came to me and put her arms around my neck as she reached up on tip toe and kissed me on the cheek.

"Al…you were right. I do enjoy being a girl and I've already got two sisters and the best Mum in the world .I just didn't know how to tell people that I really wanted to be a girl.”

Tears of joy were beginning to gather.

“You used to call me little one and I loved that but I was never happy trying to be a boy. When I had the accident…the boy part of me wouldn't let me tell anyone. But today you and Doc made it easier for me and I love you both for it."

Jenny rushed over and hugged her daughter again with tears falling from her eyes.

"When I'm old enough to get married, I want you to take me down the aisle Al."

And so I did. But that's another story.