He Didn't Seem To Care - Part 1
by Barbara Lynn Terry
Prologue: This story may seem to some to be far fetched, outrageous, or downright false even for fiction. But I bet that there are M2F TS in real life that have actually gone, or are actually going, through this. If this story seems unreal to you because you haven't had this experience, then at least consider it an entertaining fantasy. I know better, but, this is a free country.
Chapter 1 - The meeting.
I will tell you my name as I go along. Anyway, I am twenty three years old, five foot, five inches, chestnut brown hair with natural highlights. My teeth are even and white, and I have sapphire blue eyes. My eye lashes are long and full, and my eye brows I kept tweezed, but not in an obvious feminine arch.
I work as a sales clerk in a sporting goods store, and my boss thinks I'm gay. Well, he actually thinks anyone but him, is gay. The store where I work carries everything from hard and soft baseballs, footballs, basketballs, medicine balls, tennis balls and racquets, golf balls and clubs, as well as one hundred pre cent cowhide golf bags. Everything we sell is from one end of the sports field to the other.
It was almost lunch time and I had just finished selling three boxes of golf balls, golf clubs and a golf bag. I was just about to tell my boss that I was going to take my lunch break when this young woman came in the store, wearing a white tennis dress with red piping on the edge of the sleeves and around the hem. Her blonde pony tail just moved back and forth, as she walked over to the tennis equipment.
"Excuse me, ma'am, may I help you?"
"Yes, I need a tube of tennis balls, and I need another racquet."
"Right over here, ma'am. I love your tennis dress, especially with the red piping. It makes the dress look pretty."
"Thank you. I don't usually get those kinds of compliments from guys."
"I believe in giving compliments where they are deserved. You are very pretty, but it is more than that. You have a genuine smile that radiates. It isn't forced, and you seem very comfortable whereever you are and whatever you're doing."
"Well, I am on my way to play tennis with my aunt. She is older than I am, but she looks just as young. She really takes care of herself."
"Where do you play?"
"Jenkins Park courts. It's right near my home, and I can walk there."
"Maybe someday we can play a game. I live about a mile from Jenkins Park."
"That would be great. What time do you get off here?"
"I work until five, then I go home and have my dinner and maybe watch a little tv."
"It is still light out late, maybe we can play a game or two tonight."
"Do, do you, think, maybe, that, that's a, a good i-i-id-idea."
She craned her head to her right, and looked at me from the side of her eyes. She placed her left index finger against her mouth, as it looked like she was thinking. She walked around me, and still had that left index finger at the corner of her mouth.
"I'm going to call my aunt and see if we can get another player, then we can play teams." She took out her cell phone, and talked to someone named Joyce. After she was assured that Joyce could get another player, she hung up. "My aunt says she can get a friend of hers to play with us. I will pick you up at five, and we can get something to eat, then go to the park. How does that sound?"
"I need to stop at my apartment and get changed for the court and grab my tennis equipment."
"No need, erm, what did you say your name is?"
"I didn't, but my friends just call me "J".
"Alright Jay, I will pick you up at five, and we have tennis clothes at the house and equipment you can use."
"Well, I don't know. I'm really superstitious about using my own equipment, and having my own tennis clothes, especially my tennis shoes."
"How long will it take you to get changed?"
"Not long, about maybe fifteen minutes."
"And men say we take too long getting dressed." She giggled.
"Not me, I understand why women take so long."
"I bet you do, yes, I bet you really do." She had that sly smile on her face. "Anyway, I will pick you up, then we can go to your place and let you change, and then we can get take out for everybody, then we can play a few games."
"That sounds good to me."
She left with her purchases, and I finished the work day. Hal, my boss, told me to get my butt out and get on the tennis court with that beautiful gal who has fallen in love with me at first sight. Hal is in his forties, an ex baseball player, and medium height. His beer belly kind of inflated like a bicycle tire, but he had a wonderdful sense of humor. He also believed in love at first sight because he met his wife at a game, and they were married three days later. They have been together ever since.
As I had just walked out in the store after punching out, she was standing there by the counter.
"Well, are you ready?"
"Ready."
Chapter 2 - The game.
She took me to my apartment complex, and I took her up to my apartment. I told her to make herself at home, and offered her a cup of mint julip tea. I went in my bedroom and got undressed. I took a quick shower using my lilac scented perfumed soap. I protected my hair with a shower cap, and after I was done, I patted myself dry. I then went in a got out the gaff I use for when I wear bikini panties. I wiggled into it, and then got my panties on, then my tennis dress with roses on the front. I had specially ordered this dress. I put on my ankle socks, and then my red and white sneakers. I put my hair up in a twist with a pony tail, and then grabbed my racquet. I made sure I had everything, and then went out in the living room.
As I stepped in to her view, she gave a wolf whistle.
"You, girlfriend, are absolutely gorgeous. I love your tennis dress too. Why are you working as a man, instead of as a woman?"
"I'm not sure. I mean, I'm not afraid to go out as a woman, and I am not afraid to show people I just met who I am. As soon as my bank account is big enough, I am having my surgeries to make me physically female."
"Well, Jay can be a man's or a woman's name."
"No, you didn't understand. "J" isn't my name, it is the first letter of my first name."
"What is your first name?"
"Joanne. My friends call me Jo so other's will think they are calling me a guy's name. After my surgeries, I will be using Joanne exclusively. By the way, I don't know your name."
"I'm Constance, or Connie. You know, when we were at the store this morning, I sensed there was someting about you. Your voice is naturally high, you are slim like a woman. I mean, you have a figure and wide hips, and those sapphire blue eyes. I have never seen such eyes on a guy in my life, until today. Let me tell you, girlfriend, your body is wasted in those dumb old men's clothes. They hide your natural beauty. You never should be ashamed of your body. Looking at you right now, I see a woman. The guy I met at the sporting goods store this morning may live here, but you aren't him. You are a beautiful woman.
"I told my aunt Joyce about you, and what I suspected. She is even more eager now, to meet you. I'm really trying to see a man in a dress here, and I swear, I just can't see him. Well, are we ready? We have to stop and get carry out for everybody. My aunt said she found another player, and you will like her. Her name is Jaime, and she lives a few houses away from us. Well, here we are. Do you eat tacos?"
"One or two, but no more than that. I have this figure because I work at keeping it."
"I work to keep mine too," she giggled. She ordered the taco family pack, with Sierra Mist for everybody. With food in the car, we headed to the park.
When we got to the park, Connie pointed out her aunt and Jaime. They were playing a singles game while waiting for us. She parked the car, and we went up to the court. There are five courts here, and all of them were being used. They stopped playing as we came close.
"Aunt Joyce, Jaime, this is Joanne, or just Jo.
"I thought you were bringing a young man. This is a young, beautiful woman."
"Thank you," I said, shyly.
"She blushes so cute too," Jaime observed.
Joyce was forty six, hourglass figure, and long, platinum blonde hair. Her complexion was flawless, and her hair was done up sort of like mine. She wore a soft, pink nail polish, and tennis racquet earrings. Jaime was the same height as the rest of us, and her light auburn hair was like a page boy, her complexion was flawless, and she was as energetic as the rest of us. The fact that my body was male, but my mind was female, never came up when we talked.
"Jo, I'm having a Tupperware party at my house on Saturday afternoon. Do you think you can come?"
"I will have to ask my boss. I'm sure Hal will let me have the day. I will call Connie tomorrow and let her know."
"That will be fine."
"So, are we ready to play?"
"In more ways than one, aunt Joyce." We all giggled.
"Good. Jo you partner with Jaime for the first set."
None of us were taller than the other, so it didn't make any difference which one played the net and which played the line. We tossed a dime for the first serve, and Connie and Joyce won the toss. They picked the side with the sun at their back.
Connie served first, and we volleyed back and forth for quite a while, and when we had won the first fifteen points, all the guys that were playing clapped. I thought to myself that if they want to take us out for drinks, I'm going home. I said as much to Connie, who said if they did, we would take what they had to offer, and then come up with an excuse to leave, before they could get us in bed. She asked me if I had any of those wiles, and I said I had a whole arsenal of them.
One of the men came over by me. He was tall, and with me in my sneakers, he had a very distinct advantage over me in height. He was muscular, and his short, brown hair, made him look very handsome. He had blue eyes, and he walked with the gait of a man who is sure of himself, but not in an egotistical way. He introduced himself as Gary, and said I was very beautiful.
"Gary," I said, motioning him over to where we could talk by ourselves. "I am not as I appear, well, not yet anyway."
He pointed his finger to my heart. "But, are you female in there?"
"Yes."
"Then that is all that counts. Let's go back by the others."
Connie asked me what that was all about, and I told here what I said, and what Gary told me.
"That's great, girlfriend," she whispered. "That means he is looking for companionship. If he asks to drive you home, you should let him, and see what exactly his intentions are."
"I agree."
"Hey! No fair, ladies. You're talking so we can't hear you."
"Yes, it's a girl thing, so get over it," Jaime said in mock sarcasm.
"Gary, now you know what we mean, when we say ... women!" The four of us just giggled, Gary smiled, and poor Don, who was talking to Gary, looked lost. Don seemed to be your average, male, egotistical, chauvenistic, women are sex toys, idiot.
"Yes, Don, I agree with the girls. By the way Don, I am going to be with Jo tonight. There won't be any cutting in, when we are dancing."
"Gary, I have more experience in these matters. Maybe I should show you how women are supposed to be treated." That was the wrong thing to say to Gary.
"Don, you treat women like they aren't even human. You assume because you are stronger than they are, that you can do whatever you want, and they have to submit to the indignities you inflict on them. Don, I'm a man too, never forget that. But, I treat women as equals in the decision making process, and if we are in the store shopping, we discuss what we buy. You, Don, think your strength is there to bully women."
"Well, women have to know who is in charge."
"Tell me Don, is that why you never married? Ladies, Jo and I will meet you at Granville's. You can bring Don if you want, but he has to behave himself."
"Why you. You would never have met these girls if I hadn't brought you along."
"Well, maybe someday I will return the favor."
Gary walked me to his car, which wasn't really all that spectacular, but it wasn't shabby either. He opened the door for me, and waited till I had sat down, and twisted myself to face the front. He closed the door, and then got in the driver's side. We both buckled up, and he drove us to Granville's.
Granville's is a nice nightclub where they allow dancing, and have live music by local bands. Sometimes they have famous people perform there, but tonight was a local group called the Midnighters. They played a combination of oldies rock and country music. We had gotten there before the rest, so we got a table where everybody could sit together. After the first dance was over, the others came in. I waved to Joyce and Connie, and they all came right over.
"Jo, don't you need to use the ladies room?" Connie motioned toward the restrooms with her head. I got up and went with Connie. "Alright, girlfriend, spill it. I want to know what he said to you in the car on the way over, and what you said to him."
"Well, we haven't given each other our phone numbers or addresses yet, and we didn't swap any saliva either. At least, not yet. He didn't even try putting his hand on my knee, or making sickening man talk you hear every other guy use. I'm not sure, Connie, but I think he is a real gentleman. Wait a second." I looked under all the stall doors, and I didn't see anybody in there. "He doesn't even care if I am transgendered."
"I think you found a winner. You know, even for genetic women, men like him are very hard to find, but every now and then, one of us stumbles over one. You go girl! Make sure that he understands that you intend on getting your surgeries completed."
"When I told him I wasn't as I appeared, he knew right away what I was saying. You're right, girlfriend, I have found a winner." Just as we were leaving, and elderly lady came in. She just smiled as she passed us.
"There you two are," Gary said mockingly. "I was ready to call missing persons." We all giggled and laughed. The band started playing "This Girl Is A Woman Now", by Gary Puckett and the Union Gap. "Come on beautiful, they're playing your song." I tittered and blushed.
He led me around the dance floor, while my head rested on his chest. I wasn't tall enough to rest my head on his shoulder. I looked up at him, and saw he was looking down at me. I smiled, and he lifted my head. Then he pressed his lips against mine. He continued kissing me, as he led me around the floor. While I was in my state of euphoria, I didn't notice that we were the only two on the dance floor.
When the song finished, and we broke the kiss, everybody, including our party, was clapping. Gary lifted my head and kissed me again. With his arm around my shoulder, holding me close to him, we went back to the table.
He waited until I was seated, before he sat down. "Now see Gary, that's the way you conquer women."
Poor Don, he had no idea what he was even saying. Gary and we girls found what Don had said was really funny, so we started giggling, while Gary laughed softly.
"Don, I hate to tell you this, buddy, but you have absolutely no idea what you just said. How do you know Jo didn't conquer me back at the tennis court?"
"A woman, conquer a man? No. You conquered her."
I could not resist, I just had to walk over to Don, and make him feel smaller than his pea sized brain. Both of them.
"Don, I don't suppose you realize that this is the twenty first century."
"Of course."
"I don't suppose you know that your kind of thinking is really dated to the pre-world war two era?" Don gave me a puzzled look. "No, I didn't think you did. Don, the only way that your way of thinking is acceptable, is on what is known as the lunatic fringe. A man only conquers me, if I feel the man is worthy, and Gary is more than worthy, he is a gentleman. Something you will never be, Don."
"Why I..." Gary stopped him from hitting me.
"If you so much as brush against her, I will take you outside and show you what the street looks like close up. You are a barbarous, hideous, egotist Don. You will never learn that women are here to be our partners, and we are here to be their partners. Jo is a lady, and she deserves to be treated like the lady she is."
"Ahhh I don't have to put up with this. I'm leaving."
We all watched as Don pushed his way out the door, and started walking down the street.
"Doesn't he have a car?"
"Yes he does, Jo, but he left it at the park. He rode here with us."
"Joyce, maybe someday we will figure out what makes a person like him do the things they do."
"Maybe."
"Well, they're playing Elvis. Shall we dance, m'lady?"
"Of course, sir knight."
I was becoming more and more enamored with Gary. I was in seventh heaven when he put his arms around me, and led me around the dance floor.
Chapter 3 - Gary and I become an item.
We danced three more dances, then everybody said it was getting late, and we needed to get home and get some sleep so we could actually go to work in the morning. I didn't drink that much, so I wasn't worried about a hangover. But Gary was drunk out of his mind. He was drunk with his love for me, and I was lapping it up like a little puppy. We talked, we joked, we laughed, we shared personal secrets, and we shared kisses, and kisses and more kisses. I knew that tomorrow, Connie and the girls were going to want to know details.
"Jo, we're here. Get some sleep tonight. Where do you work?"
"Hal's sporting goods from eight til five."
"Mind if I pick you up, and take you to work, and then pick you up and bring you home?"
"No, I don't mind at all." We kissed each other good night, and I went upstairs like I was a teenage girl with my first love. When I got inside my apartment, I flopped on the sofa, and just let out an audible "yessssssssssss." Just then the phone rang.
"Hello."
"Hello nothing, girlfriend. Come on, give, what did you two do on the way home. Details, girl, and don't leave anything out."
"All we did was talk while he was driving. We shared a few secrets, we talked about the night, and we shared kisses. He kissed me before I came in, and he is going to pick me up tomorrow and take me to work. Then he is going to pick me up, and take me whereever. He said home, but I think he has dinner in mind."
"That's great. Is he your first boyfriend?"
"Well, not really. The last guy I was interested in, decided he needed a natural girl, and I wasn't good enough for him. But, we didn't do the things that Gary and I did, though. With my last boyfriend, sort of, we just were seen with each other."
"Wow! That isn't a relationship, that's more like a platonic friendship."
"Oh! I know. But with Gary, I get this feeling inside I didn't get with the last guy. Gary seems to like me, and maybe he will want to do something later on, but he doesn't seem to be in that much of a hurry."
"Yes, well, take it from me, girlfriend, guys like Gary are one in a million, and worth keeping."
"Well, I am keeping him. Did you notice that he never asked me why I was transgendered? It's like he doesn't seem to care if I am or if I'm not. He said all he is interested in, is me."
"I noticed. There are some guys who feel that when a woman shows any sign of independence, we are stepping all over their masculinity. If Don had known you were transgendered, he would have thought maybe you were a threat to his masculinity. But I saw how Gary kissed you while you were dancing with him. All he seemed interested in was you."
"Oh my gosh, Connie, I didn't even know we were the only ones still dancing, and I don't think Gary did either. But the next dance he kissed me again, and in the car, and when he got me home. He didn't even ask to come up. All he said was that I was to get some rest."
"Now that is something. Guys feel that if they buy us drinks, or take us to dinner, that we owe them something in return, and for men, that something usually means sex."
"I know, and that is awful because there is so much more to life than just sex. But a lot of guys just don't seem to care. Men are so transparent though, because when they ask us if they can come up for a nightcap, we instantly know why they want to come up. If we say no, and use the excuse it's that time of the month, they don't seem to care, they want to come up anyway."
"Oh! I know. You know, Jo, you handled yourself like a true girl tonight, even when you tongue lashed Don."
"Oh I have had to handle guys like Don more than once. When I was little, my girl friends taught me the ways of being a girl, and they were good teachers. Mom wasn't all that interested. But, I did learn so that by the time I was on my own, I knew how to handle men. I had a few dates through high school, and that taught me how to handle men too. Don is a lightweight compared to some I had to handle."
"Well, let's keep the fact that you are transgendered a secret from Don. I really don't trust him."
"I don't either. His caveman ways of treating women are just, just not acceptable any more today. Anyway Connie, I need to take my shower and get in bed. I will talk to you tomorrow."
"Okay girlfriend, sweet dreams."
"You too, Girlfriend. Night."
"Night."
We hung up, and I went to take my shower and get in to my night gown and then in my bed. That night I dreamed that Gary had taken me to Coney Island, and he took me on the ferris wheel. When we got to the top, he embraced me, and kissed me. It seemed like we were at the top longer than we should have been, and when Gary was finished kissing me, he waved his hand, and the ferris wheel started again. I lightly punched him in the arm, and he acted like it hurt, then he kissed me again.
I woke up refreshed, and the sun was just coming over the horizon. I went in the bathroom and started my bubble bath. Lilac scent today. I was thinking while I was in the tub soaking, that maybe I should show up for work today as Joanne. I wonder what Hal would say? After I had patted myself dry, I went to the bedroom, and looked through my closet. I took out my white dress with an A-line skirt that had piping around the edges of the sleeves, and the hem, and down the seams of the arms and skirt. I got out a pair of stay up nylons, and my black and white shoes with two inch heels. My lingerie was just simple white with lace. After I put my panties, bra and slip on, I sat down and did my make up, and my hair. Then I stepped in to my dress, and put my shoes on. I was ready for work. My hair was done in a simple pony tail.
I decided to make sure I had at least a glass of orange juice. As I rinsed out my glass, Gary beeped his horn. I kind of trotted down the stairs, and when he saw me, he gave a wolf whistle and then howled. It reminded me of the song they played last night about little red riding hood. He got out of the car, and took me in his arms.
"Jo, I said it before and I will say it again, you are a very beautiful woman."
"Thank you, Gary. Did you know that you are a very handsome man?"
"Well, thank you m'lady."
"You are very welcome, sir knight," I had said as coy as possible.
He opened the car door, and I got in by sitting first, then swinging my legs in. I buckled up. When he was buckled up, he started the car toward the store. When we got to the store, he looked me in the eyes, and then kissed me.
"I love you, Jo. I have had many relationships, but there is something about you that gets right to my soul. Will you be my steady girlfriend?"
"Yes, sir knight, I will."
He could have asked me to marry him, and I would have said yes. He got out, and came around and opened my door. He held his hand out for me, and he helped me out of the car. Who said chivalry was dead? He gave me a light kiss, and told me to sell a lot of sporting goods. I smiled at him, and went in the store. As I was going to punch in, Hal came from the back room.
"Good morning, young lady. May I help you?"
"Hal, it's me, Jo."
"You're Jo? Wow! You are very pretty."
"Hal, I will be coming to work like this from now on. Besides, a girl can sell more sporting goods than a guy can. That's because guys are impressed when women know how much tension a combination bow needs to have to be used in deer hunting, or how heavy a bowling ball needs to be for a certain person. I think from now on, Hal, you will see a rise in sales from your new sales girl, Joanne."
"Alright. Now go punch in, and see what needs to be stocked. Since you are the girl, I will stock the heavy things."
I went to punch in, and I noticed an envelope by the time clock. It simply said 'for Jo'. I opened it up, and inside was a nice charm bracelet with tennis racquets and tennis balls. There was room for adding more charms. I went out in the store, but Hal was just going out the door. I called after him, and he just kept going. Did he leave the envelope with the charm bracelet, or was it left by someone else with instructions to give it to me? I didn't know.
Hal came back an hour later, and I had asked him. He said a man had dropped it off. I asked him what the man looked like, and I could have sworn he was describing Don. I said I needed to make a phone call. I called Gary and told him what Don had done. He said not to worry, he would take care of Don. Just before lunch, Don came in. He looked at my wrist but I didn't have the bracelet on, since it wasn't left by Gary.
"Hey sweets, you're not wearing my present."
"I never will, either."
"Why you little ingrate. We took you and your girl friends out, and this is how you repay me. Well, you won't get away with this. You owe me a one night stand."
"Don, you sorry excuse for a man, you touch me and Gary will make you sorry."
"Pffffft, Gary can't fight his way out of a wet paper bag. Now get out there in my car. We're going to have a little fun."
"I'm working, I can't just leave."
"I said get out there in my car."
I refused and he grabbed my arm and tried to take me out by force. One thing you never do in a place owned by a former baseball player, is start anything you can't finish. Hal came behind Don, and hit him in the shoulder with a bat. Don fell down, and I went to call the police.
When the police got there, they found out that the bracelet Don left was not asked for or accepted by me. When I told the police what he said I owed him because he bought the drinks, they said that was the usual thing men wanted. But when I said Don didn't buy my drinks, my boyfriend Gary did, they saw it differently. I told them Gary was a gentleman, and all he did was kiss me. I told them that Gary didn't even ask to come up to my apartment after he dropped me off. They said that was unusual. They asked me if I wanted to press charges, and I said yes. They arrested Don, and took him to jail. When the police left, Hal asked me for Gary's number and I gave it to him.
"Are you alright?" I heard Gary's voice behind me.
"I'm just shaken up a bit. I'm pressing charges against Don, because he actually tried to kidnap me."
"Good. He needs to be in jail, permanently."
"Joanne, you take the day. If the police come back, I will tell you went home."
"Thank you, Hal."
As Gary walked me to his car, he noticed I was still trembling. "Sweetie, you're still shaking. Are you sure that you're alright?"
"I am, now."
"Have you had lunch yet?"
"No."
"Let's go someplace nice and get some lunch."
I just smiled, and I put my head on his shoulder, but not so it would interfere with his driving. I was scared, but I was trying to play it off, and not doing a good job of it. Gary took me to IHOP about a block away from the mall.
The hostess led us to our booth, and gave us our menus. The waitress' name was Shelby, and she was still in high school, but today was an off day. She noticed something was wrong, because she saw I was trembling. Women can sense things like that. I didn't look at my menu, so Gary ordered for both of us. I looked at the table in front of me. Shelby came over, and asked me to go to the ladies room with her. She went in ahead of me and checked the stalls.
"What's wrong, honey? You look upset."
I explained what happened at the store, and told her the guy with me came as soon as my boss called him. I told her I was still shaken up, and I didn't know if I could stop trembling. I was five years older than this girl, but she made me feel safe. She said that it would take time for the memory to fade enough, so that it wouldn't bother me any more. After she made sure I was alright enough to go back in the restaurant, we went out together.
"Sir, she is still shaken up from her experience earlier. She's going to need a caring and understanding hand to help her cope."
"Thank you, Shelby. Would you do me a favor? Call this number, please."
"Yes, ma'am."
Twenty minutes later, Connie and Joyce came in, and sat at our booth. I told them what had happened, and I could see fire in Connie's eyes.
"That bastard doesn't need to be in jail, needs to be under the jail about six feet. Besides, Gary was the one buying your drinks last night. Where did Don ever get the idea he did?"
"I don't know, Connie, but I'm scared. Gary, I, I'm, not, very, I'm just, not, hun-gry."
"Sweetie, what did you have for breakfast?"
"A glass of juice."
"Jo, that isn't breakfast. You need to eat something."
"I, I, I just, can't, Gary."
"Connie, let's change places. I think she needs a strong arm to hold her."
Gary and Connie changed places, and Gary sat next to me. He put his right arm around me, and just told me to let it all out. I just buried my face in his side, and cried, and cried. I cried until I couldn't cry any more. Gary looked down at me, and just held me tighter. I felt just like I did when I was sick as a child, and my mother would hold me so that I felt safe. That is how I felt now. Gary was nice, and he was very concerned.
"Girlfriend, you should eat something. I know you may not feel hungry, but it will make you feel better."
"No, Connie, I can't. My tummy is too upset, and I don't think I could keep it down."
"Aunt Joyce, I think we should all be with her tonight. Just in case."
"You're right Connie, she needs someone to stay with her tonight. Gary, could you stay too? I think she will feel a lot safer with you there."
"Of course."
"But where will you all sleep? I only have a double bed and a couch."
"It's alright, sweetie. I can sleep on the floor. Connie can sleep with you, and Joyce can have the couch."
"Well, I do have a recliner. That's better than the floor."
"I'll take it."
Joyce and Connie giggled, while Gary laughed softly. I just thought it was common sense. What is the matter with me? I'm usually more fun than this. I have dealt with guys worse than Don. But that may not be true, since none of guys before, ever tried to force me to their cars, or even tried to force me to have sex with them. Did what Don do to me, unnerve me that badly? Just thinking about it, kept me shaking, until Shelby came to take our orders.
After they had all ordered, Gary ordered something for me. He said if I couldn't finish it, I could take it home. We sat there talking about Don and his narrow minded view of women. I asked them if they would testify in court against what Don said and did at Granville's. Everybody said they would be there to see that bastard get his. I asked Gary how long he had known Don, and he said only about a week before they met us. So what we say in court, about what Don said and did at Granville's, will be his undoing, and when Hal testifies what Don did at the store, he will go to prison for a very long time. I hope.
"Are you settled down enough now, to try and eat something?"
"Yes, sir knight, I will try."
I did eat a few bites of my salad, but I didn't touch the dinner plate.
"Sweetie, we will get a container and you can take the rest home. I think we should all go by your place, have you get some clothes, and then we should find some place other than your apartment to spend a couple of nights. What do you think, Connie and Joyce?"
"I agree," they said, in unison.
"Alright. At least I will be safe."
"Girlfriend, you would be anyway. Don is in jail."
"Yes but I would be alone, and I would wake up scared from nightmares. Nightmares that could seem so real."
"I agree. So let's do that then. Don doesn't know where we live, and you can spend as much time as you wish. Aunt Joyce, I had just had a brilliant idea. What if Jo moved in with us, and she could help with the bills, no rent, and maybe a little food now and then?"
"That sounds really good. What do you think, Jo? You wouldn't be alone, and if you got terrified in the night, we would be there to comfort you back to sleep."
"I, I, this, is, just, just, too, too, sud-den."
"Alright girlfriend, but we will be with you, until you calm down. Jo, I really like you as a friend, maybe even a kind of an adopted sister. But I like you and I don't want to see you upset or harmed."
"Thank you, Connie. I have never been this upset before. How could Don make me this scared?"
"Honey, he tried to kidnap you and he didn't care who saw him. He is so sure that every man in the world thinks the way he does. He isn't afraid to be seen abusing a woman, no matter what that abuse may be.
"I know, but I have had guys hit me before, and I was never this shook up over it."
"Did they try to kidnap you?"
"No, Joyce, they didn't."
"That is what has you upset. All those other guys just hit you. Don not only grabbed you, he tried to force you to go with him. That is an attempt to kidnap you. Anyway, let's forget about him. He's in jail, and he can't get out, because he doesn't have money for bail. So he will stay in jail until his trial. Being that he thinks all women are subservient to men, I hope he gets a woman judge. He will learn not to mess with the "fairer" sex." We all giggled and Gary laughed softly.
Gary's soft laugh was another thing that I loved about him. He was gentle and he didn't guffaw when he laughed. A true man never has to always proclaim loudly to the world that he is a man. A true man never has to prove that he is a man, by having sex with multiple women, or fighting, swearing, cussing, spitting or releasing gas. Gary was not only a true man, but a gentleman. That is what made me fall in love with him. Gary treated me like a lady, and when he took me out, he made sure he opened the doors for me, pull out my chair for me, held my hand getting out of the car. When he kissed me, he kissed softly, but passionately. But what else made me love him even more, now, was that when I became upset over what Don had done, Gary was there for me. He even agreed to spend the night, so he could make sure I was safe.
A woman can look all of her life, and still never find a man like Gary. But for those of us that have; or did he find me? But for those of us that have, we are the luckiest women on earth.
__________________________________________________________________________
To be continued.
He Didn't Seem To Care - Part 2
by Barbara Lynn Terry
Chapter 4 - Safe at home.
What Joyce had said, made me feel a little better, but I was still shaking. Gary suggested we leave and stop by my apartment and let me get some clothes. I was thinking also about what Connie had said to Joyce about my moving in with them. That would take care of a lot of things; such as, not coming home to an empty house, not having to spend evenings alone watching television. In fact, when you have a few girls living together, there is bound to be things to do, places to go and people to see.
Joyce and Connie helped me find clothes to wear for a few days, when Connie screamed.
"Girl, I just simply love this dress," she stated, as she held it up to her in front of the mirror.
The dress she was so enamored with, was my deep burgundy, off-the-shoulder, semi formal. It had two sets of crinolines sewn in that made the skirt part fan out. The bodice was very form fitting, and with my C cup breast forms, the dress fit perfectly.
"Thank you, I got that for a party I went to last year. One of the girls said I looked like Mary, Queen of Scots just before she was guillotined." We giggled.
"If we ever have a party, or go to a party, you simply have to wear this."
"Connie, I could actually try it on now for you."
"Would you, please?"
"I will be right back."
"Jo, you can change in front of us. I'm sure Gary won't saunter in."
"Well, alright, I guess." Gary stayed in the living room with Jaime.
I got out of my tennis things, and had Connie help me with the dress. She zipped it up and fastened the little hook. Then before I "modeled" it, she called for Gary and Jaime to come and see the beauitful dress I had on. When Gary came in my bedroom, he let out a wolf whistle.
"Now, that is what a lady looks like." I smiled, blushing deeply.
"Jo, I love that blood red color," Jaime remarked, looking me up and down. "Whereever did you find something like this?"
"At Stohl's. I was invited to this party, so I was looking for something that was not only beautiful, but made me look as feminine as I could." Right then, Gary knocked on the door, and we told him to come in.
"'As feminine as I could?' Let me tell you Jo, you are as feminine as you can ever be, even in your tennis dress. Jo, I didn't fall in love with clothes. I fell in love with the person in those clothes."
I gave him the biggest hug I could, then he kissed me. I just laid my head on his chest, as he held me.
"Gary, Have I ever told you that I love you?"
"Not in the last hour, Jo."
"Well I do you know, love you that is." He lifted my head and we kissed.
"Hey you two, get a room. Anyway, get changed out of that dress in to something more comfortable. and we will have you look to see if we forgot anything." We shooed Gary back to the living, then I changed out of my dress for a pair of yellow boy cut shorts, and a light green cami. With my C cup breast forms, I really didn't need a separate bra, because the cami had what is called a shelf bra sewn in. I looked at my suitcase, then at the box we had put my pictures in, and I said we didn't forget anything for now.
"We didn't forget anything, Joyce. But I have been thinking though. Connie said something about me moving in, and I do think that is a good idea. OMG!..."
"What?" Connie asked, a little surprised.
"I forgot to ask Hal if I could have Saturday off so I can come to your Tupperware party, Joyce."
"It's alright, Jo. You can ask him tomorrow after you have settled down a bit."
We took my suitcase and box out to the car, and made sure it was placed in the trunk so the box wouldn't tip over. You know, they say that a house is not a home, unless there is love. I could see that when we got everything I owned over to Connie and Joyce's, that there would be love. I didn't have to worry about furniture, except what was in my bedroom, because the living room and kitchen furniture came with the apartment.
Just before Gary got in the car, a man came up to us. He was tall, maybe six foot, clean shaven, and had a brief case with him.
"Excuse me folks. I'm looking for Jo, she's supposed to live in this building."
We all looked at each other, and then Gary asked the man who he was.
"Oh! I'm Matthew Connors, I am Don Sinclair's attorney."
"Does anyone here know who Jo is?" Gary asked winking at us, without Mr. Connors seeing it.
We all said we didn't. "I don't live here, I'm just helping a friend to the airport with her things so she can catch her flight."
"I see. May I have your names, please, so I can write down who I talked to?"
"Sir, we are in a hurry. Good day." Gary got in the car, and drove away. I looked in the vanity mirror on the passenger visor, and saw he was writing down the license number.
"Gary, he wrote down the license number."
"That's ok, because if he harrasses me, I will have him arrested. So Don's last name is Sinclair. I had only been around him for maybe a week, and he never said what his last name was. Mine is Buford."
"Do you have a middle name, sir knight?"
"No, my sweet princess, but there is something I need to know about you."
"Like what, sir knight?"
"What is your last name?"
"My name sir knight is Joanne Jenkins, and I am just a poor old country girl from the sticks."
I think if Gary wasn't driving, he would have taken me in his arms and kissed me. His soft kisses were passionate, and they made me melt in his arms.
"Sir knight, sweet princess?" Connie mused. "Girl, we are going to have to have a serious talk.
There was one thing, though. Gary never placed his hands below my hips, even when we were alone, like last night when he drove me home. There are men, and then there are men. Gary came in the last category, because he was a gentleman. So, I guess you could actually say that I am a female female, which for those who don't understand, means I am the ultimate woman, who enjoys being a woman. With Gary, I can even be that woman more so, because he accepts me as I am.
Of course, there may come a day when Gary will want to do something more than just kiss me, but I am ready for that. Whatever it would be, it really didn't bother me, because a woman does anything within reason for, and with, her partner. I sat back, knowing I was safe with friends, and when that attorney had the police check on Gary's license number, they would find his address, not mine.
When we got to Connie and Joyce's, they had a spot in the back of the house, away from the prying eyes of the street to park visitor's cars. It looked like you could park three cars there. The garage was for Connie's and Joyce's cars. We took my suitcase and box in the house, and I marveled at how well the house was kept. It had mock wood grain tile in the kitchen, hardwood floors in the living and dining rooms. There was also a sun porch too. Connie took me to my room, and it was beautiful.
It had a double canopy bed, white lace curtains, a six drawer dresser, and a vanity (dressing table for those not familiar with them).
"This is your room. We kept it as a guest room for our lady friends. Do you like it?"
"Oh, Connie, it's gorgeous."
"I'm glad you like it. Now, we need to talk."
"What about?"
"You know what about, girlfriend. The boy/girl thing; the birds and the bees; what is proper etiquette for a lady when she is with a man."
"But, I know all about that."
"Maybe so, but you need a refresher course. You have strong, romantic feelings for Gary...right?"
"Yes."
"And he has strong, romantic feelings for you...right?"
"Well, so far, yes."
"Jo, consider this for a moment. If Gary wanted to take you to bed and have sex with you, how would you react?"
"Like any other woman would, Connie. Whatever he wants to do, I am ready for."
"Are you sure?"
"Connie, if it were legal, right now, and he asked me to marry him, I would say yes."
"So then your feelings for him are that serious, then?"
"Yes."
"I just wanted to know. You know we have only known each other a day, and already you are my little sister. I don't want to see you hurt, either physically or emotionally. Let's go back down and join the others."
"Thank you, Connie," I said, smiling.
When we got back to the living room, Joyce was already setting up the Monopoly game. I got the thimble. We had a lot of fun for a few hours before it was time for all of us to go to bed. I had to work in the morning. I took a nice shower, and the got in my coral, satin nightgown, with the spaghetti straps, and got in bed. I was out like a light.
When I went to bed, my covers were perfect. They were tucked in on all sides, except the side I get in on. But when I woke up, I was rolled up in not only the blankets, but also my sheets. It was like I was trapped in a cocoon.
"I need a little help here, guys."
Gary came in, and after he saw my predicament, he laughed.
"Sweet princess, how did you manage to yourself all twisted up like that?"
"I have no idea sir knight, but I need to use the facilities." He unwrapped me, and I ran for the bathroom. I just made it. When I came back, he had already left. I got out my clothes for work, and decided on a nice, relaxing bubble bath. A soft lilac scent is what I was thinking, so I got my lilac bubble bath, and poured in a capful.
I sat in the tub, just thinking about Gary and what a wonderful, whirlwind time we have had, so far. I was thinking that maybe tonight after work, I might just spend a night at his place. I was thinking about it last night, but I ended up at Joyce and Connie's. That's not a bad thing, but a guy and a girl can't have any real privacy in a shared home. After I had soaked long enough, I made sure I was clean, and patted myself dry.
The clothes I had for today was a black, A-line skirt, a cream v-top with lace in the "V". My lingerie was lilac everything, with as much lace as I could find. My stockings were tan, stay up nylons, and my shoes were simple black pumps with two inch heels. I put my hair in a sort of silk spun look, with just a couple of tendrils loose that came close the the outer edge of my eyes. My makeup was simple, yet daring. I had taken a little lilac eye shadow and blended that with a soft cream color. The effect was stunning. It looked like my eyelids were floating. With my lilac eye liner and mascara finishing the makeup, I got completely dressed. When I stood and looked at my reflection in the mirror, even I was stunned. Who is that beautiful creature staring back at me?
I went in the living room, and as soon as I entered, Gary whistled that famous wolf whistle of his.
"You sweet princess, are an objets d'art. You are so beautiful they should create a statue of you and show it off in the Louvre." Connie and Joyce were just sitting there with their mouths agape. "This calls for a special occasion."
"It certainly does," Joyce added. "Let me get my camera. OMG girl! You are so beautiful."
Connie found her voice after the initial shock wore off. "Girlfriend, I am so jealous. How did you get your makeup like that?"
"Oh, I just experimented here and there. I wanted a certain man to notice my eyes, instead of my breasts, but I won't tell on Gary." Connie and I giggled, while Gary gave a soft laugh.
"Sweet princess, I have been noticing your eyes, your breasts, your figure, your smile, the way your hips sway, and the one foot in front of the other walk that you do. What I am trying to say is, wow, you are a knockout."
"Why thank you, sir knight, I'm sure." I went over to him, and we kissed for what seemed an eternity, until I heard the sound of a camera and saw the flash go off.
"Gotcha!" Joyce said, smiling like the cat who ate the canary. "Now, I need to get one of Jo Alone, and then one with her and Gary, then one with all of us."
She shot the whole roll of film, as she had us do different things in different parts of the house. When she had used up all of the film on that roll, she told us that we should go out tonight and have fun. Remember the last time I went out and had fun, I met this handsome guy who has given me no reason to doubt that his intentions are anything but honorable.
"That sounds good, Connie. But where should we go?"
Chapter 5 - Painting the town a bright ... color.
Gary gave me a ride to the store, and I had a fair morning. I took my lunch, and then in the afternoon, Mr. Connors decided to pay the store a visit. Something didn't seem right. Don did not know where I lived, or where I would be staying. Did Connie give Don her address? Not only that, but Don didn't know where I worked either. Or did he? I remember saying something to Gary about where I worked, maybe Don overheard me. Anyway, before I could go out in the store, Hal had intercepted him.
"Yes, sir, may I help you?"
"Yes, I'm Matthew Connors. I represent Donald Sinclair."
"I'm sorry, you're who and you represent who?"
"Donald Sinclair. I'm attorney Matthew Connors."
"I don't understand. What may I do for you?"
"Do you have a young woman working here by the name of Jo?"
"Jo? There is no one like that here."
"Don said she worked in a sporting goods store, but didn't say which one. Are you sure she doesn't work here? If you are not telling me, you could be in a lot of trouble."
"Get out of my store, before I have the police remove you."
"Good! I will stay right here."
Hal came in the back and saw me already on the phone to the police. I said we had a suspicious character hanging around the store, and refused to leave after being told by the owner to do so. Two officers showed up about an hour later. One officer was female, and the other was a sergeant who looked like he had been through world war three. He was tough and gnarled, but he spoke with a soft voice.
"What is going on?"
"Officer, this man comes in my store demanding to talk to one of my employees. He says he is an attorney and he represents a ... who did you say, again?"
"I represent Donald Sinclair. I'm attorney Matthew Connors."
"Yes, officer, then he tells me to call my employee out here or I could be in a lot of trouble."
"Mr. Matthews, you do not have that kind of authority. Were you told to leave this store?"
"Yes, but..."
"Then leave, or I will arrest you."
After Mr. Connors had left, Hal called me out from the back. The female officer asked me why I didn't want to talk to him, and I explained what Don had done when he came in the store. I told both officers that I will say what I have to say at Donald Sinclair's trial. They said to just stay away from Mr. Connors, and if he bothered me, just call and they will show him what harrassment really means. I giggled slightly, and then they left.
Gary showed up to take me home, but I was wary. I looked around as I left the store, and saw a strange car parked two spaces from the corner in the direction we were going to go. I told Gary to wait for the police, because a certain someone was parked down the block, waiting for us to pull out. I had given the police Mr. Connors license plate number, and they drove right up to the car. Gary and I walked over.
"Hello, officers. This man is harrassing me, and refuses to leave me alone. He says he is an attorney, and thinks that gives him a right to stalk me. Well Mr. Connors, you want a statement from me, and I will say what I have to say at Mr. Sinclair's trial. Now, either leave me alone, or I will have you in court defending a restraining order."
"You don't have to get nasty. I just wanted to ask you a few questions."
"You can ask me your questions in court. I am calling the district attorney's office and letting them know you use threats to try and talk to witnesses. But your client is a sleaze, and I wouldn't answer your questions, unless I am in court, and the district attorney already has me on his list. Now get away and stay away from me."
The officers gave him a ticket for stalking under color of authority, which means he used his office to try and threaten witnesses to talk to him, because he is an attorney. They advised me to take out a restraining order against Mr. Connors for stalking and harrassment anyway. Well, we all left, and Mr. Connors stayed parked at the curb. This was another crisis avoided. I will be very happy when Don is put in prison, where he belongs.
When Gary got me back to Connie and Joyce's house, I was a vervous wreck.
"OMG! Jo, why are you shaking? You look very pale."
"Connie, that lawyer came to the store, and he threatened Hal to let him talk to me. I was in the back, so I called the police, and they gave him a ticket and told him to leave. I need to call the district attorney's office and let them know this attorney is doing this."
"You go right ahead and call them. I will be right here beside you."
"Thank you, Connie.
When the lady answered the phone at the district attorney's office, I told her who I needed to speak to, but I was told he had already left for the day. I left a message that said what Mr. Connors was doing, and that I would be down at the courthouse signing a restraining order against him in the morning. I called Hal and told him I would be a little late and why. He said to take my time.
There aren't many bosses like Hal. He is a decent man, and he knows the value of treating the customer right, and his employees too. Of course, he and I were the only employees there, but he treated me well. With all that has gone on with Don, Hal said he can't wait to go to court and tell what this guy did, as well as his attorney.
Of course, if we hadn't met Don, I wouldn't have met Gary, maybe. Gary seemed to be respectful, and he had a really happy smile on his face, most of the time. He could be serious too, and he knew just how to make me calm. I had only known him now for two days, and it felt like I have known him all of my life. Connie was asking me if we should go out tonight and have a blast. I guess I wasn't paying too much attention to what she was saying, because she nudged me.
"Earth to Jo, come in Jo."
"What? Oh! I am so sorry Connie, I was far away."
"So I noticed. Would you like to go out tonight?"
"I don't know, Connie, I don't think I would be good company."
"Come on, girlfriend, you need to get out and forget about all this hassle. The reason people go out is to have fun, and laugh a bit. You need to let loose."
"Connie, I'm just too upset. I don't know if I would be good company."
"That is for us to decide. Tell you what we will do. We will get ourselves all dolled up and paint the town the brightest color we can. But definitely not blue."
"I..."
"No excuses, girlfriend."
"I guess I could go out for a bit. Connie, why do men like Don and Mr. Connors think they have to treat others like dirt?"
"Because girlfriend, if they don't they feel they aren't in control. See there are some men that have no respect for children, because they are too young. Some men have no respect for women, because we are weaker than they are. Don and Mr. Connors are some of those men."
"I guess. I still don't understand why they have to be that way, though."
"None of us do, girlfriend, but men will be men."
"Alright Connie, I will go out. Maybe I can have a little fun."
"Then let's get ready."
Connie decided to be the mother leading her charge to who-knows-where. She took me in the bathroom, and started running a rose scented bubble bath.
"Now, kiddo, get out of those clothes and in to the tub. Make yourself smell like a rose bush."
After the tub was filled, I did just that. I sat there letting the suds take me away to whatever fantasy land there is. What was nice and I didn't give it a second thought was, that I didn't once think about Don and that awful attorney of his.
After my bath, I got out, emptied the tub, and went back to my room to get dressed. On my bed was a light rose colored, knee length, wrap dress that was mostly chiffon with a surplice bodice. The lingerie that Connie laid out was just simply divine. It was the same color as the dress. After I had my bra, panties and slip on, I sat down to do my makeup. I was wearing a soft colored dress, so my makeup should be soft too. I put on a soft brown eye liner, followed by a blended eye shadow to give it a nice soft rose color, then put on my mascara, and brushed on a dual foundation face powder. I stepped in to my dress, and was just about to zip it up, when Connie snuck up behind me. I screamed as I jumped, and then we both giggled.
"Well girlfriend, feel better?"
"Yes, a little."
"Let's get your hair done. I have just the style that will knock Gary off his feet."
She proceeded to take my small barettes and clip them here and there, and then small comb clip to the body of the hair. She zipped my dress and fastened the hook, and then looked at me from the front, the back, and both sides.
"You look fabulous, girlfriend." When I looked at the back of my hair, it looked like I had a thick, sort of fanned out pony tail, and a butterfly clip above each ear at a back, upward angle. "Now, let's go and knock Gary's socks off."
We both went to the living room, and found Gary sitting there reading Woman's Day.
"Are you interested in makeup techniques, or ladies fashions, or how to sastisfy your husband in bed, Gary?" Poor Gary jumped, but when he saw me, he gave a long wolf whistle.
"I have to read something to keep up with you ladies. Sweet princess," he said, taking my hand and kissing it, "you look like a moonbeam shining down on me."
"Thank you, sir knight. Now, why don't you go and get in to something nice and then we can go and have dinner, and then go ... whereever."
He left to go and get changed, and was gone for about twenty minutes. When he came back, he was wearing a white, mock turtle neck sweater with a charcoal blazer, and charcoal grey dress pants. His shoes looked like they had just been polished, and his hair was immaculate. We hugged, kissed, hugged and kissed again. I was ready to go paint the town the brightest color I could.
"So, sweet princess, where do you think we should have dinner?"
"How about the Outback, sir knight. I hear they have very good food."
"The Outback it is, then. But, uhm, the Outback doesn't have a dance floor. Where should we go from there?"
"Where ever we can have fun, sir knight."
"Your wish is my command, sweet princess."
The evening started with the Outback. It is amazing how they can call the many dishes they have as being from Australia. Oh well, maybe if they had ever been there they would know the only true Australian food is Vegemite, made by Kraft, Australia. Oh well. Dinner was delicious. The roast beef was perfect, and the steamed veggies were mouth watering. By the time I was finished with the entrá¨e I was too full to have dessert.
Gary paid for all of us, and then we left to go to a quiet place and dance. Quiet was only as wish, because the next place we ended up at was really loud with music and dancing. We picked a table out of the way, and ordered our drinks. Then before our drinks came, Gary got me out on the dance floor. I wasn't familiar with the song the band was playing, but at least a person could dance to it.
We danced, until the band said they were going to play their final song for the night. They thanked us all for coming and wished us a safe drive home. There was a twenty four houro restaurant on the way home, so we stopped there for coffee.
"Well sweet princess, how did you enjoy being out and having fun?"
"I loved being out and having fun with my three best friends and my intended."
"Your in-what?"
"My intended." I moved in closer and put my head on his shoulder. "Gary, I know most men have a problem saying I love you, but let me start. I love you Gary Buford."
"I love you too, sweet princess, and I always will. I have only known you for a couple of days, but sometimes that is long enough if both hearts link together. I don't have a ring with me, but I hope you accept this until I can get you one tomorrow." He pulled the car over and parked. He tied a pink string around my ring finger. "There, that will remind me to get you the best ring I can." He kissed me and I swear I needed and oxygen tank just to breathe. When we came up for air, Gary started the car again, and drove us home.
When we got home, I felt really happy and relaxed, and the events of the day didn't seem all that bothersome anymore. I went straight to my room and got out my rose pengoir set, and went to take a nice, quick shower. Using my rose scent body wash, I washed quickly and then joined the others in the living room. I must have done something right, because Gary let out another wolf whistle.
"The more I see you sweet princess, the more in love with you I am."
"The more you say these sweet things to me, the more in love with you I am, sir knight."
I sat down next to Gary, and he wrapped me in his strong, masculine arms. I laid my head on his shoulder and just snuggled. I dreamed that Gary and I were dancing the night away along the river walk that was downtown. The river walk is a romantic place for lovers to enjoy the peace of the waves splashing against the flood wall. I heard a robin sing, and when I opened my eyes, I was in my own bed. OMG that man is such a dream.
He Didn't Seem To Care - Part 3
Chapter 6 - That night.
When I got in bed, I just laid there for a bit, thinking about all that has gone on in the last two days. I still couldn't find a reason for Don acting the way he did, and that attorney Connors threatening Hal if he didn't get to speak to me. Somewhere during my thinking I fell asleep. When I woke up to use the bathroom, I saw that Gary had slipped in to the bed with me. Very carefully I slid out from under the covers, and used the facilities. When I came back, I got in bed as carefully as I could. Poor Gary, he was knocked out. I laid there for a while just watching him sleep. I brushed an errant hair from his eye, and he grumbled and turned over, but he didn't wake up. I fell back asleep, and when my alarm went off, Gary hit the snooze button.
But, I had to get up, because I had to be to work by eight. So I ran my bubble bath, and decided on my rose scent again. Then I went in the bedroom, and got out my clothes, and laid them across my vanity bench, except for the dress, which I hung on one side of the mirror. I went in to lounge in the sweet scent of the rose bush. I used my oversized sponge to cascade the water all over me. I did a few dips up to my chin, and then washed. When I got out of the tub, I patted myself dry and went to get dressed. But remembering Gary was in my bed, I wrapped the towel around me, and went to get my under things, and put them on in the bathroom. When I came out, I put my makeup on, and then my nylons, and stepped in to the dress. I stepped in to my casual rose colored Mary Jane's. As I looked at myself in the mirror from all angels, I heard a whistle.
"Now that is a vision worth waking up to."
"Well, good morning, sir knight." I went over and kissed him, and he pulled me on to the bed. He smothered me with kiss after kiss. Just then Connie decided to come in.
"Girlfriend, could I ... oh! sorry, I will be back later."
It seems women can understand muffled, because I just went mpfmpft, which meant wait, and she did.
"Morning Connie," I said, my lipstick all a mess.
Connie laughed at the sight. "Girlfriend, repair your lipstick, and go down and have some breakfast. I came in to ask you if I could borrow your yellow sundress."
"Yes, it's in the closet, four from the right." Then she gave me that look that said I want details, girl, details.
One thing about girls, is we always want details from our best friends or our sisters. I was both to Connie and Joyce, and it felt really good. I remembered the last thing my dad said to me, when I left home to go west young lady, go west. But I ended up going east.
"Well boy, I guess the time has come, hasn't it. You behave yourself, and write us often so we know how you are doing."
How did that part go in the song Reverend Mr. Black by the Kingston Trio? Oh yes! "He was a mountain of a man and I want you to know, he could preach hot hell in freezin' snow..." That was my dad. He wasn't a preacher though, but he was awfully strong and worked as a longshoreman at the docks. But he was even tempered, and when he spoke, he spoke in a gruff voice, but it had a soft way about it. He was never mean to any of us, and I wrote my parents often. I called them a few times, and it was getting on time for me to go home for my birthday party. Mom and dad both insisted that I come.
My mother was tiny compared to my dad. She was five foot, four inches to his five foot, seven inches. But she was always telling me that no matter what I decided to do, or how I decided to live, I would always have a home with her and dad. Mom and I could always talk, but we had never talked about my wearing dresses or makeup or having a pony tail. Dad never noticed that my pony tail was feminine, but mom must have, even though she never said a word about it. Well, when I go to my birthday party, they are going to meet Gary, as well as their daugher, Joanne. I want Connie and Joyce to come too.
I went to the store, and told Hal about my plans that would be a month from now. He said to take as much time as I needed. I hugged him because he was a decent man, and he never had to be cross with me, nor did he ever tell me to increase my sales. He knew I worked hard, and even though he told me he would do the heavy lifting from now on, I did some of it too, when he wasn't looking. I'm not strong like a man, and my body mass is more female than male, but I can lift certain things that aren't real heavy. I guess it's in the genes and I take after my mother more than my dad.
The day was fairly quiet, just a few customers all day long. It was going on three o'clock when Gary came in the store. When Hal had seen Gary, he smiled, then told me I could punch out and leave.
"Slow day?"
"Yes, Gary. We only had a few customers since we opened. That happens sometimes. I mean we are pretty steady most of the time, but when stores like Dunham's has a sale, we get slow.
"Well, are you ready??"
"Ready, Freddie."
"No angel, my name is Gary."
I lightly nudged him in the tummy, and he feigned like he was hurt. Then we both laughed. He placed his arm around my waist, and we headed for his car. Hal just stood there with a smile, watching us.
Chapter 7 - At the district attorney's office.
That night was dull and boring. I had no dreams, and no Gary in my bed. When I woke up I took my bubble bath and decided to go Lavender. After getting dressed, I was stopped at the kitchen door.
"You, girlfriend, have been ducking out of here with nothing more than a glass of juice, and maybe, a slice of jelly toast. Today, you are having breakfast. Besides, I have already called Hal. He said take the day because I told him the district attorney's office called. Mr. Daniels wants to see you, after you file your restraining order against Mr. Connors."
"Did he say what he wanted, Connie?"
"No, just that he wants to see you. Gary called and he is on the way to take you."
"He is a dreamboat. Isn't he?"
"Yes, he is. You lucked out with him, girlfriend."
So, being trapped in to having breakfast, I went in the kitchen and had one egg, one slice of toast, two strips of bacon, and juice and milk. After I had rinsed my dishes, and set them in the automatic dishwasher, I repaired my makeup and went to get my purse. As I was making sure my makeup was perfect, Gary beeped his horn.
I went out, kind of trotting down the stairs. He got out of the car,and opened my door for me, then he kissed me. After we got in the car and I buckled my seat belt, I used the vanity mirror on my visor and fixed my lipstick. He just watched with a smile.
"I love watching you put makeup on. You do it so perfect, just like you were an artist painting a picture."
Then he kissed me again. OMG! This man is a dream. This is the third day that I have been with him, and he has acted like a gentleman all the time. Even when he was in my bed, all he did was have his hand around my waist. That is why I had to get out of the bed carefully so as not to wake him. I would love to meet his parents and see where he grew up. I would love to have a talk with his mother.
There was something about Gary, though. He never told me what he did for work. I needed to ask him, because it wouldn't do to find out he was career criminal. I giggled.
"What was that giggle for, precious?"
"Gary, you know where I work and what I do. Where do you work?"
"Do you really want to know?"
I nodded when I said, "yes, I do."
"I will let that be a surprise. Right now, you need to get that restraining order against Don and that Connors guy. Then you have an appointment to see Mark Daniels, the ADA in charge of the case against Don. After you are finished with all of that, I will take you to my office."
"Office? You work in an office?"
"Yes, but not just any ordinary office that you might think. I will show you when you are finished."
We went to the office of Family, Women and Children. That is where you file your restraining orders. I was given two forms, and each one was to made out against each man. I made them out, and it needed a witness to sign also. Gary signed the witness line, and he had the initials I-SD-3452 after his name."
"I-SD?"
"Yes, I will show you what that means when we are finished seeing Mr. Daniels."
I took the forms to the desk, and the lady told me to raise my hand and asked me if I swore under oath that the statements in the documents were true and correct. I said yes, and she notarized them, and gave me two copies. One for the police and one for me. The other two were for the court and district attorney. Then Gary went with me to the district attorney's office. We told the receptionist who I was and who I was to see. A little while later, a tall man, over six foot with sandy blonde hair called my name.
"Hello, Jo, I'm Mark Daniels and I will be prosecuting Donald Sinclair. He is charged with attempted kidnapping, endangering safety by conduct regardless of life, and felony stalking. Let's talk in my office. Hi Gary, you know this young lady?"
"Yes, Mark, this is my fiancée."
"Oh, this is the Jo you have been talking about. Well, young lady, it is a pleasure to know you."
"How do you know each other?"
"You haven't told her, Gary?"
"Not yet, Mark, but after we are through here, I am taking her to my office. I think she will see what kind of work I really do."
"Do you two mind not talking around me. I am right here." The both laughed lightly.
"Alright Jo, I have the complaint right here, charging Donald Sinclair with his outrageous behavior at the store where you work. I have talked to your boss Harold Denton, and he corroborated what the police told me. I need you to look at this complaint, and see if what I have wirtten here is true and correct. If it is, please sign under oath and affirmation, that the information contained therein is true and correct." I read the compaint, and it said there too that the defendant maybe arrested and dealt with according to law. I showed it to Mr. Daniels, and asked him what it meant, since Donald Sinclair was already arrested.
"It means that we can keep him in jail. Without this complaint, we would have to let him out after seventy two hours. Now we can take him for an arraignment, and get bail set. But don't worry, I will ask for high bail, and remand. That means he will be sent back to jail from the court." I signed the complaint. "Well Jo, that does it until tomorrow. You will not have to appear, but just so you know, he won't bother you again. So, good luck you two. You have a good man there, Jo, make sure he behaves himself." We all laughed lightly, and Gary and I left.
Chapter 8 - Gary and I become closer.
When we left the district attorney's office, we went to the elevators, and Gary pressed for the sixth floor.
"Gary, we're going up."
"Yes, I actually work here in this building."
"As what?"
When we got off of the elevator, there were two sliding doors that you needed a pass code to get through. Gary tapped a few numbers on the pad and there was a woosh. The doors opened. The logo on the door said Sheriff's Department, Office of the Inspector. I looked at Gary, and he just kept walking. There was a young woman at the desk, and she gave him a few pieces of paper that had messages on them. The she said, "good morning, inspector."
When we got in Gary's office, I saw that there were awards for bravery, from the various clubs in town, and one from the mayor.
"You're a cop, Gary?"
"Actually, what I do is more in the line of investigations. But yes, I am a deputy sheriff inspector."
"Do you uhm carry a uhm gun?"
"Yes princess, I do."
"You are a cop and yet you love me as I am?"
"Yes, angel, I do. You may have a male body, but there is no man living in it. You are a beautiful woman, and you have such an innocence that I rarely see these days. When I saw you at the tennis court, I knew you were the girl for me. When you told me you weren't as you appeared, I knew what that meant, because I have heard many transgendered say the same thing. But even telling me that, I still fell in love with you. I want you to be my wife, Jo, after your surgeries are complete. Until then, we can have a wonderful engagement.
"Gary, I love you, too. I would be honored to be your wife."
Gary called Connie to pick me up at the front doors of the courthouse. He went with me, and waited until Connie got here. When Connie pulled up just a little to the side of the front doors, Gary kissed me,and said he would see me tonight. I left him standing there, and watched him watch me until Connie turned the corner, and we were out of sight.
When we got back to the house, I decided that if Gary wanted me to be his wife, and wanted a wonderful engagement until my surgeries were complete, then I was going to give him a special night.
"Alright, girlfriend, I want to know details, and why didn't Gary come with us."
"He had to go to work."
"Where does he work."
"Connie, you wouldn't believe me even if I drew you a picture."
"Try me."
"You promise you won't tell anyone. This has got to be a secret."
"I promise, why, is he an axe muderer?"
"No, he puts axe murderers in jail. He's an inspector in the sheriff's department."
"Get out! Really?"
"Really."
"But, if he's a cop, then why does he love you."
"He said that when he saw me at the tennis court..." I explained it just as Gary said it to me.
"I knew he was a winner. Girlfriend, I am so happy for you." She hugged me, and said that we needed to have an engagement party. "Now, we have no time to lose. We have to get ready. Did he say what time he gets off of work?"
"No, but I think it is after four, maybe five."
"Alright, I need to call Joyce and tell her, and then I will call Jaime. We need to get supplies, but no alcohol. This is going to be a wonderful party. We have other friends that you two should meet too. I will invite them to the party too."
"There are four other people I want you to invite too. His parents and mine."
"But we don't know where his parents live."
"Let's look in the phone book. They may live here in town."
"Alright, Jo, you do that and I will make the calls."
I got the phone book out and looked for the last name of Buford. There were four of them in the book. I called one of them, and they gave me Gary's parents number. All of the Bufords in the book were related. I invited them to our engagement party. Then I called my parents and invited them. Mom probably won't be surprised, but dad, well, that may be a different story.
Joyce came in just as I hung up from inviting my parents.
"Jo, you and Connie get the supplies from the store, and while you are gone, I will make a banner. A large banner."
"What will you put on it?"
"Wait and see."
When Connie was done making about two dozen phone calls, we left for the store. We bought crab, shrimp, burger patties, bratwurst, Italian sausage, chips of different kinds, we bought spanish olives and a lot of soda. When we got to the checkout, the young lady ringing up our things asked if we were having a party. When we said yes and that it was an engagement party, she asked which one was getting engaged. When we said me, she congratulated me, and let us have the olives for free as a present.
When we got back to the house, Joyce had already put the banner up across the living room/dinng room door. It said in really humongous letters Congratulations Gary and Joanne. I decided it was time for me to get myself ready for my engagement party.
I went upstairs and looked though my closet. I took out my red party dress, my red slip on heels with the three inch heels, my red lengerie, and my tan stay up stockings. I decided to take a nice rose scented bubble bath, and I even washed my hair with the bubble bath soap. After soaking, washing and drying off, I went to my room to get dressed. I put my lingerie on and then my makeup. I blow dried my hair, and set it in a nice bun style with a pony tail and tendrils hanging near my eyes. I stepped into my dress, and then my heels. I looked at myself from all angels, and declared myself ready.
I stayed in my room, until I heard all the guests arriving. Then I heard Connie call me to come down. I walked slowly until I got to the top of the stairs. Joyce was at the bottom with a camera. As I descended each stair, I heard some gasps from the women and I heard "she's pretty" and "I love her gown". When I got to the bottom of the stairs, Gary let me take his arm, and we walked out to the middle of the floor.
Then my dad came over to me and kissed me on my cheek and wished me good luck. He even said I was pretty. Mom was just gushing. She came over and hugged me with happy tears in her eyes.
"Good luck, baby, you deserve it."
After being kissed and hugged by Gary's parents, my dad decided it was time to make a toast.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I wish to congratulate this young couple and wish them all the best as they take off on their journey through life as man and wife. It's too bad all we have is ginger ale to toast with." There was laughter.
After that, there was dancing,and Gary led me out to the middle of the dining room that was set aside for dancing and the buffet was along the wall. As Gary twirled me around, I could see my parents watching us closely. I just smiled at them, and they smiled back. I can't wait until I get them alone to find out what they think of their daughter, because quite frankly, this is the first time they have seen Joanne completely dressed and in her element.
Gary and I danced four more dances, and then we had to take a break. The table we were sitting at was where Connie, Joyce, Gary, Gary's parents, my parents and I were sitting. When we went back to sit down, Gary's dad started the conversation.
"Well young lady, you know you hooked quite the man here? He is well respected in his job and by some of the most influential people in this city. He has awards longer than the Eastern shorleline of the USA."
"Mr. Buford, as long as he is my husband that is all the award I want. He is a deputy sheriff inspector, and I have seen some of his awards in his office. He has manners, and he has respect. He treats me like a lady everytime we are together, and he has such a wonderful soft laugh. When he talks he never shouts, and he never cusses or swears. Yes, Mr. Buford, I know that my fiancé is quite the man. When he asked me to marry him, I told him it would be my honor to be his wife.
"Mr. Buford, Gary is a wonderful man, my knight in shining armor. We will have a good future."
"Well, all I can say is, may everything you set out to do be granted." He lifted his glass of ginger ale and everybody said, "to Gary and Joanne".
Someone put another song on, and Gary led me out to the middle of the floor. As soon as we were there, everybody joined us. This was a slow dance, so I laid my head against his chest, and we danced like we were in a dream. When the song had finished, he led me back to my seat, and held the chair for me and then pushed it under me as I sat down. Mom watched how I sat too.
While Gary's parents were dancing, mom talked to me and Gary.
"Honey, you are so beautiful. Is this what you want for the rest of your life?"
"Yes, mother. I love Gary and I want to be his wife. Gary said we will not get married until after I have my surgeries completed. You see how he treats me. He is a real gentleman."
"Yes, precious, I can see that. You have a good man there. Gary what do you do again?"
"I'm chief inspector in the sheriff's department. Our office does the investigating when the regular deputies get stuck and can't find anything. Then we go to work and see what we can find. The deputies and inspectors in our office are specially trained to know what to look for. The regular deputies just want to leave a crime scene as fast as they can. The evidence we collect we take to the crime lab on Lapham Boulevard."
"Well, I don't really know how my daughter caught you, but I can see she is going to have a wonderful life."
"Thank you, ma'am. She also won't have to worry about me when I am on duty, because I don't actively chase suspects. I just investigate and collect evidence for the crime lab."
"Oh you mean like on CSI."
"No ma'am. CSI if you have ever noticed whether it is CSI New York, CSI Miami or CSI Las Vegas, is filmed in the same building, with the same set up. We have two crime labs here. One in the state capitol, and the other here. The buildings are not only built differently, but they are not identical inside, although similar. What I mean by that is, they have offices and labs, but not in the same order as you see on television. I do like watching CSI though when I need a good laugh.
"Yes, I know that. They do tell us the following program is fiction. Do you arrest people that violate the law, outside of investigating?"
"Sometimes, my car is set up with what we call a "bubble" light. That is a portable red, revolving light that has a magnet to hold it to the car. I have a siren, and red and blue lights inside my front grills, as well as on the back by the tail lights. There are times I do need to stop someone to see why they are behaving like they are. Usually that is just stopping someone that has ran a red light or is driving erratically. But, I have to be prepared to defend myself because you never know what that person is thinking."
"I see. Aren't you kind of young to be a chief inspector?"
"I guess, but when the job became open when the other inspector had retired, nobody wanted the job. See, we put our names on a list for a specific job. I figured I would have had to pay my dues before I got a job like this. But they went down the list, and told me I was the fourteenth person they had called, and said that the office for chief inspector for investigations and criminal evidence just came open. I took the job. I got a five dollar per hour raise in pay, and a nice cushy office." He laughed lightly. "So, that is how I became the youngest deputy sheriff to hold that office. We're doing good though, because there is no lack of business."
"Well, it seems you will be able to support my daughter well enough. I wish you both the best of everything." Mom got up and gave us each a big hug.
"What have you been talking about, while I was otherwise indisposed?"
"About Gary being able to properly support Joanne."
"Well they will make it, I'm sure. I also have a present for my angel and her fiancé."
Daddy handed Gary a small gift wrapped box. When Gary unwrapped it, there was an angel in there, that had an inscription on the small base. "I bring you good tidings, that the Lord is with you." I gave daddy a hug, and he just held, and whispered in my ear. "You're my sweetest angel, and only child. Make sure you keep him in line." I kissed his cheek, and sat back down, with Gary holding my chair for me.
At about midnight, nobody seemed ready to leave. Gary took me by the arm and led me out to the middle of the dance floor. We danced one last dance, and then Gary made an announcement.
"Ladies and gentlemen, family members and dear friends. It is midnight, and Jo and I need to go to work in the morning. I want to take this time to thank you all for coming, and we will save opening all the presents everybody brought for this weekend, and we will open them then. If you wish to come back then after twelve noon, you are all welcome. Good night ladies and gentlemen, and drive safely on the way home." I stayed on Gary's right arm, as everybody gave me a peck on the cheek as they left. This was a glorious night, and one that has brought Gary and I closer together.