Chapter 2: From Ostracized to Earning Respect

Heart ofthe Beholden.

Karl and Kathan maintained an age appropriate relationship. When off the homestead they kept their best buddy image intact being cautious so they would not risk anyone seeing something that might reinforce the rumors they were gay. It was only on the homestead that they held hands and sometimes cuddled. Neither felt comfortable enough with their situation to even try a kiss.

However even their cautiousness could not hide the change in their relationship from Dinky. “Boys, I’ve seen a lot during my life. A lot of it hasn’t been pretty. I know there are rumors that you’re gay.”

Karl and Kathan stiffened and exchanged fearful glances. They already knew gays were not welcome in their section of West Virginia and feared their mentoring relationship with Dinky was about to come crashing down.

Gr8 Green

By Jennifer Sue

Heart ofthe Beholden.

“That brings up another issue,” Brenda continued. “Kathan, you are well into puberty as a boy. It will be difficult to reverse so I’m afraid you won’t make a convincing girl.”

“That’s why I need to get on testosterone blockers ASAP,” Kathan vehemently declared. “I know I can’t just start being a girl but I can stop being a boy. I’ll go androgynous for now.”

“Androgynous...” Brenda stated the word slowly. “So how do you think your classmates will respond to that?”

“I don’t care how they respond,” Kathan affirmed. “They don’t like us now. They already assume we’re gay. My being androgynous will not significantly change their perceptions. Look, I’m not stupid. I’m not going to suddenly go all girly. All I’m going to do for now is to completely stop pretending to be a boy. I’ll be like a die-hard tomboy... a girl dressed in boy’s clothes. I’d like to see a doctor to get the blockers but I doubt if there is any doctor nearby who would cooperate. Somehow, I need to get blockers.”

T-Girl’s dream (With apologies to Katy Perry)

Based on "Teenage Dream" by Katy Perry

Wish I was pretty
I’d put some make-up on

 
"Who am I?" she asked. "Who am I?"

"You're Diane," I replied. "You're a nurse. You're a person who loves Seattle and has good friends and good values. You're a nice person and a good listener."

"I know all that," she said, "And thanks. But where did I come from? I could have dropped here from outer space for all I know. I could be the Princess of Bratislava. I could be anybody."

Am I Dangerous?

I asked my friends to describe me, and most of the adjectives they used were positive ones.

Former superhero Francisca Verdugo recalls how she was captured and transformed from a young man to a sexy woman, and how to the world the hero Condor disappeared and is presumed K.I.A.

The life of a physicist can be troubling, at times, as the universe doesn't always play well with others.

But even the universe can't break a true promise.