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Stray

By: magmaman



I had just parked my truck, which sometimes can be not exactly an easy thing to do. It took me at least a half dozen trips around the parking lot looking for a space large enough.

That is because it is a huge Dodge crew cab, oversize duallies on the back that sort of stick out.

Yep, she needs a bit of room.

I opened the door and had just put my foot on the running board to step down, being careful to not let the door scrape the top of the little thing parked in the next lane.

If it had been a couple of inches shorter my door would have cleared the top of it, I swear.

It was at that moment that I heard a scream.

Looking over, about four rows down I could see a fairly large dude standing there, his body language told me instantly that he was in some kind of a rage.

Scruffy short beard, stringy hair, I saw he had on a Levi vest over a dirty T-shirt, and he had one balled up fist drawn back.

Then he swung, that was when I realized he had his out stretched arm holding someone and was hitting the person with the other.

The next realization was that it was a small woman.

I am Dan, I am 62 years old so I don't go around getting into scuffles, but every once in a long time a scuffle comes my way.

"Hey!" I yelled, just as the guy drew back to belt her again. She was screaming loudly, a tangle of noises that were not any words I could understand. All I could see of her was the long dark hair as she was bent over, her arms flailing in a vain attempt to protect herself.

The guy didn't even look my way.

"HEY! Knock that shit off!" I yelled even louder.

He hit her again and it was not gentle at all. That pissed me off, the jerk was at least twice the woman's size.

I reached back into the cab, grabbed my little .22 caliber 9 shot Hi-standard pistol I carry everywhere I go. It is strapped to the front of my seat within easy reach, I have a permit for it in my wallet.

In all the years I carried that with me in my vehicles, not one time had I ever taken it out except out in the woods shooting at cans, or down at the gun range down the coast a few miles.

Cans don't stand a chance with me, I can pop one at 30 feet from the hip about 90% of the time.

That sounds easy, try it sometime. I buy ammo by the thousand round case, and probably have run 5-6 cases through the tool just practicing.

By the time my feet hit the ground the guy was flailing at the woman who by now had torn loose somehow and was trying to get away. But he had grabbed her by her blouse and was swinging at the back of her head as she tried to cover up. I saw he was missing her more than managing to connect, she was moving back and forth pretty good, and trying her best to swing back.

He didn't appear to notice me when I came around the rear of the parked car they were beside.

"I said knock that shit off!" I yelled again.

"Mind your own fucking business, pops!" He snarled, connecting that time and putting the woman on the ground.

I pointed the pistol at him.

He looked down, when that registered on him he came to a stop.

"What the fuck are you going to do, dickhead? Shoot me?" He snarled but his expression was changing.

"Yes." I said, cocking the pistol.

I don't have to cock the pistol to fire it since the tool has a double action, but there is a certain emphasis to a hammer coming back with a click that lends pause to people.

Now I never had actually pointed a gun at anyone before, but from what I hear that click makes most folks a bit more polite.

We looked at each other for a few seconds, I could see what he was thinking but I was a good six to eight feet away and I was going to get at least two hollow point rounds into him before he got to me.

Plus I might be 62 years old but I am a big man and in shape, and while I might not be able to handle any long dragged out fight, by God I was going to do one hell of a lot of damage in the perhaps sixty seconds I could manage.

"Fuck it! The bitch ain't worth it." He snarled, regaining some of his composure. I could tell that I had rattled him.

"Walk away." I said flatly.

He glared at me, trying for a bit of bravado, but he turned and walked to a nearby dirty green van and got in. I watched him all the way, he spun the tires as he left.

I uncocked the little pistol and stuck it in my belt, then turned to the woman. She was sitting on the pavement, her face in her hands. 

"Are you OK?" I asked her. She tipped her head up and looked at me. Her face was red and puffy, her lip swollen and I could tell she was going to have one hell of a black eye.

Her blouse was ripped open, she had on a simple white bra. Looking down, she saw that and pulled the torn material back together.

"Come on, I have a first aid kit in my truck." I told her, reaching for her hand. She looked at my hand for a moment, then took it and I helped her to her feet.

Back at my truck, I used the alcohol swabs on the abrasions, she winced a bit but didn't protest. I didn't see any real cuts anywhere but the guy had landed several pretty hard blows from the looks of things.

"I better get you to a hospital, get you checked out, miss." I said.

"No! The last time Duke did this we both ended up in jail." She wailed.

"Maybe you had best stay away from that guy?" I offered.

"I was trying to, but he just keeps coming after me. I don't know what to do!" She wailed, then the tears came.

Suddenly she grabbed me and hugged me so tightly I almost couldn't breathe. That I didn't expect, finally she let go.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean...I just..." Her face flushed.

I opened the door to my truck, pulled the pistol out of my belt, flipped out the chamber and spun the cylinder around so the hammer rested on an empty one. I dropped it back into my holster by the front seat.

"Can I take you somewhere?" I asked her.

"I don't have any place to go, I was staying with my sister but she got fed up with Duke coming by all the time and she has kids so I guess it was a hassle and besides she was afraid of him so I had to leave and then as I was coming here to maybe get something to eat Duke showed up and...."

That poured out of her in a jumble of words.

"Whoa! Slow down!" I managed barely to not laugh, she was beginning to relax.

"Parents, friends, maybe a relative here I could take you to?"

"Just my sister. I have an aunt but she lives in Chicago. Mom passed away last year and I don't have a dad."

"Do you have any money? Maybe get a motel room or something?" I asked her.

"I have six dollars. My brother Joe lives in Chicago too."

Chicago was one hell of a long ways from the Oregon coast.

Then I made a decision.

"Come on, I will take you to my place, you can clean up and I have some clothes there that I think will fit you OK."

"Oh, thank you. Can I maybe stop and get some food? I haven't had anything since last night." She asked.

"Sure, no problem. I have food at home, I can whip up something." I opened the door on the passenger side. She looked at the running boards and up at the seat with hesitation, then climbed up and into my rig.

"Wow, this is big!" She said, looking around.

"Yea, if anybody ever runs into me I still get to go home." I made the wisecrack I had perhaps made several dozen times to others that commented on my truck.

"Dang, Dan, yer supporting Soudy Araby all by yerself!" I bet I have heard that or similar a hundred times down at the tavern I go to.

That's a great bunch of guys down there, most of them old coots getting long in the tooth like me.

They tease me about my tires, too. I have 18" split rims with 8 ply tires on her, I hate flats.

And sure, it uses a lot of Diesel but I only drive it maybe 150 miles a month and it's paid for, what the hell. I never was able to get comfortable in any normal vehicle, not with my 6'2" and 240 pound frame.

I had some lunch meat and bread at the house, so I made a sandwich for her. She ate it in about 5 bites, I could tell she was very hungry. I found my last can of Pepsi and handed it to her, she drank half of it without stopping.

"Thank you sir, I really appreciate this. You saved me, you are a hero." She actually smiled for the first time.

"I am no hero. By the way, my name is Dan."

"You are to me! My name is Melinda but everyone calls me Billie." She stuck out her hand.

"Well, pleased to meet you, I wish it was under better circumstances." I told her.

Then I went in and got some wash cloths, and a small bandage and ointment, she had one scrape on the side of her neck I hadn't noticed.

She sat there in a chair holding her torn blouse together as I quickly tended to the wound. As I finished, I glanced at her and her eyes were closing, then she had dozed off.

I went and got a blanket, slipped it over her as she lay back in my easy chair and slept.

I took the moment to look her over. Billie was on the skinny side, I had noticed that. Her dark hair was long and straight, she had a rather pretty face. I would guess her to be perhaps in her mid to late twenties, no more than that.

I figured I would just let her rest. I went into the kitchen and put away the cake batter I had been making when I ran out of eggs. That was why I was at the store in the first place, I just wanted a dozen eggs. Maybe some milk and I was thinking of getting one of those five quart tubs of ice cream. With the fuss, I didn't even get the eggs.

Then I went out to my truck, unlocked it and retrieved my pistol, took it inside and locked it up in my gun case with my old model 1894 Winchester and my nice LC Smith 16 gauge hammer less shotgun. I also keep my Marlin and my little .22 caliber auto loader in there, it has a hundred round canister on it, wicked looking thing.

I am always very careful with firearms, I like them but never leave them laying around. Even leaving my pistol in my truck for about a half hour is way out of character for me.

In my bedroom, I found a plain white blouse that my wife Marie had. I came back out with it just as Billie opened her eyes.

"Oh, thank you!" She took the blouse and looked at me. I understood that, so I turned my back. There was a rustle of clothing.

Turning around, I could see my guess was right, Billie was about the same size are Marie was.

"So where is your wife?" She asked me.

"Gone. I lost her about 4 years ago."

"Oh, I am sorry." She looked slightly uncomfortable.

"Me, too. Marie was a fine woman."

The uncomfortable moment passed quickly and I was wondering what I was going to do with this woman. Sure, I had lots of room, my house has three bedrooms but Billie was a total stranger to me.

"May I take a shower?" She asked me, breaking my thoughts.

"Sure, go ahead." I told her. Billie went into the bathroom, I went into my living room and clicked on the TV. It wasn't five minutes and I heard the door crack open.

"Sir?" She asked.

"Something I can get you?"

"I have a bruise. It's on my leg. Can you please take a look?" The expression on her face told me instantly that something had her upset.

"Sure." I got up and went in, she had one of my big bath towels wrapped around herself. She reached down and lifted the bottom of the towel, I looked down.

She had a bruise that was the size of a football, it was so swollen and filled with blood that it was actually frightening.

"Good lord!" I said.

"I didn't even notice it until I got undressed, now it tingles and hurts."

The swollen mass hung down almost like a sack.

"No choice now Billie, we need to get you to a hospital." I told her.

I stepped out as she got dressed, then I helped her to my truck. She now had an obvious limp.

The wait at the emergency room was about an hour, I was fuming by the time they took her inside. I am not sure why, concerned for her I guess.

Finally a man came out and told me what they had found, and he explained that she would need full bed rest for several days. He mentioned some bruises on her back also, I didn't know about those.

"We gave her some medication to help prevent any blood clots, that injury is very bad. It might be best if we keep her here overnight." Then he handed me some paperwork.

"I only met the lady today, I am just trying to help her, we aren't related." I told him, handing the forms back. I could see the exasperated expression on his face and understood as he retrieved the paperwork.

No way did Billie have insurance, which meant they probably were not going to get paid.

He left, in a few minutes he came back and told me they were going to release her to me.

Great. Now I not only had a stranger to deal with, but an injured one at that.

They wheeled her out, I helped her to the truck, reaching down to actually lift her up and in.

I was back to the driver's side when I sensed something and leaned sideways just as a fist went by my head.

It was Duke.

My pistol was safely locked up in the gun case at home, in my haste to get Billie checked out I had left it there.

Then he was on me. The guy was strong, I have to give him that, but he must have thought he was going to mess up an old man with ease.

It didn't work out quite that way, I jammed my fingers into his face, catching both eyes and his nose with the flat of my palm. That tipped his head right back, just as it came forward again my elbow hit him in the throat. At the same time I brought up a knee, got him dead square.

I still remembered a few things I had learned in my Navy days.

I don't think he even knew what had happened, he went down like a stone.

Mad as hell now, I reached down and dragged him across the parking lot by his hair, up the short handicap ramp and inside the doors, dropping him in a heap on the floor. 

A nurse looked at me in surprise.

"Here is another one for you." I told her, then I turned and walked back to my truck.

Billie's eyes were as big as silver dollars, I didn't say a single word all the way to my house and she didn't either.

For the next several days I cared for her, telling her she had to stay in bed. I had no real idea how I ended up with what was basically like a stray puppy dog showing up on my doorstep but that is what had happened.

The good part was that she healed very quickly, since she did have youth on her side. The huge blood bruise got smaller, her leg turned to a dark purple color, then that faded to pink.

Checking that was mildly intimate, I noticed the underwear she had on was getting a little bit over used and she had absolutely nothing else.

One of my T-shirts made a pretty good sack dress and I gave her a few more of Marie's tops which fit her nicely. 

At one point I went down to a clothing store after carefully locking my door and taking my pistol with me. 

I had to ask the saleslady for some simple white panties, she smiled as she selected and sold me a half dozen pair of them.

That was the first time in my life I ever purchased any woman's undergarments and I hope I never have to again.

Billie got used to me, so seeing her in her panties while I checked her injury was nothing. She could walk so at least I didn't need to help her in and out of the shower.

By the end of the second week she was up and around. One thing I did notice, she began to clean things, and let's face it. I am a male, and normally live alone. This means everything has it's place, which is where it happens to be at the moment.

After 43 years of living with one woman a man gets used to them doing what they do while we do what we do.

Suddenly I had a maid, and also a cook. We had some great fun cooking together though.

I came in from the garage one day to find her sorting out clothes, the washing machine running.

I guess I got used to having Billie there.

The other good part was there was no sign of that Duke guy at all, and I had no idea what happened to him. I really didn't care, plus I figured he had no idea of where I lived anyway.

Maybe he just got the message? I never did figure out how he found us in the hospital parking lot unless he just realized I might take her there.

Yea. I found I got used to Billie living there, and I guess I have to admit I liked it.

So it came as a shock when she told me she was all healed up and it was time for her to go. I was at the point where I didn't really want her to leave.

What was I supposed to say? Hell, 62 years old, what does an old man have to offer a 26 year old on the pretty side young woman, anyway?

The truth?

Nothing. Nothing at all, it's just the way of life.

Money, comfort perhaps? Yea, I had a dab of capital, enough but I was far from rich. Sex, maybe? The other truth is that never once crossed my mind, Billie became a friend if that makes sense.

I still had an interest, but the females I saw that might be someone I would enjoy all looked at me like I was grandpa. That is just the way things are, most men like young women, women seem to like young virile men.

So there were no naked breasts, Billie always had a bra on. I did see her in her white cotton panties but that was just to check her leg, the Doctor had explained what to watch for. There was never any sign of any problems, though, she healed up normally and very quickly.

There was one thing that happened, I picked up my razor to shave and realized she had borrowed it. Now I am not completely sure just what she shaved with it but I rinsed it out and changed the blade.

Yea, I got a bit of a laugh to myself about that one but I never mentioned it.

Another time I heard some quiet noises in the bathroom, and I knew what she was doing. I just went into the living room and turned on the TV.

"Well. I understand, but I have to say I do enjoy having you around." I answered when she told me she was ready to move on.

"Really? I figured I was just in the way, I really do appreciate you helping me and being so nice to me." She smiled. I had come to like that smile, a pretty and happy face sure can light up an old man's life.

"So where will you go?" I asked her.

"My brother in Chicago, he said I could live there with him until I get a job and get back on my feet. We get along good, and I can help him with the expenses once I find something."

"OK. That sounds like it might work OK."

"I have never been to Chicago, it seems so far away." Billie got a sad expression on her face.

"As soon as I make some money I will pay you back, too." She said.

"Billie, you don't owe me anything, you have been fun to have around."

She hugged me, her eyes got damp so she turned her face away.

I had a spare suitcase, and lots of Marie's clothes. No point in keeping them around, I had had plans on gathering them up and taking them to Goodwill anyway.

Down at the bus station, I sat with her until it arrived. 

Billie turned to me and hugged me again, then she tipped her head up for a kiss. I leaned down and gave her one, that was nice. It had been a long time since I had kissed a woman, she felt pretty good in my arms.

"You should have done that earlier." She grinned at me, then there was a hiss of air as the driver impatiently worked the brakes, so she got on. I watched until she was gone out of sight.

My house seemed empty, by late afternoon I couldn't stand it so I walked down to the tavern. I hadn't been there the entire time Billie had stayed with me.

Several of my friends were there like always, they were asking where I had been. One of them popped up with the idea I had probably been shacked up with some broad, plus the usual wisecracks about my truck.

I shot some pool, had a few drinks, flirted mercilessly with Jenny, the barmaid who of course could give as good as she got.  I had actually given her a couple of my best shots but she was all bluff and tease. She showed a lot of cleavage to the guys but never did anything with any of them, me included. It all felt rather normal and later I went home and went to bed.


Stray Cats Pt. 01



-1-

Alex Wells walked out of his bathroom wearing a well-worn t-shirt and boxers. It was a chilly and rainy night outside. He glanced out the window at the street in front of the house as he brushed his teeth silently. It was slick with rain and a mist hung in the air from all the traffic that whizzed by the house.

Even though it was chilly outside it was rather cozy inside his tiny apartment. Living on the third floor in this ancient Victorian mansion meant that heat in the wintertime was never an issue. He even had to open his window on days when his neighbors on the floors below decided to really crank up the thermostat. The creaky old relic that housed his apartment and a dozen more had been cut up into mostly small efficiency apartments during Wilmington's urban expansion period in the nineteen-seventies. The décor was much simpler on the third floor where Alex had his apartment but it still displayed the wealth and opulence of the family who owned the place when the house was built.

At one time the street this house sat on was located in the most elegant part of town. His apartment probably belonged to a maid or butler who served the family that originally owned the home. The beautiful oak woodwork and linen fold paneling on the first and second floors of the house was spectacular. Many of the windows that lined the lower staircase and in the foyer were stained glass. The sidelights that surrounded the front doors were filled with beveled and leaded glass. Unfortunately, some of them were replaced with plain glass panels because vandals had damaged them. The neighborhood had gone through a lot over the last hundred years or so. It was just now coming back to its earlier glory. It was getting a little moderate gentrification to push it in the right direction.

Alex sat down at a desk he bought at a thrift store last month and looked at his computer screen. The cursor flashed near the end of an article he was assigned to write for a seminar course. It was due this coming Saturday. He sighed and hit the save key. Maybe he would have time to finish it tomorrow. He was tired and it was late. His brain had stopped functioning hours ago. Besides, he had to go to work and if he didn't hurry he was going to be late...again. He couldn't afford to loose this job. He needed the money for tuition.

Alex walked back into his bathroom and spit into the sink. He looked up into the mirror and felt his beard. He hadn't shaved today but from the looks of things he wouldn't have to. He noticed that his beard was getting thinner and a little finer. It seemed to gradually coincide with the rest of the changes that have been slowly happening to his body starting about three years ago.

Alex studied his face a moment. He wasn't rugged or what the magazines typically portrayed as handsome. His features were softer and actually a bit androgynous. His hips were noticeably wider and his soft skin more feminine. He stood nearly six feet tall and his lanky frame used to make his mother worry that he didn't eat enough when he was away from home. But he just chalked it up to high metabolism and enjoyed his good fortune.

Alex pushed back his light brown curly hair, "a gift from mom," he thought with a smile. His hair was getting finer and softer lately. Alex brushed the tangles out of his damp hair. He pulled the long strands into a wavy ponytail and wrapped it with an elastic hair tie. Then he dropped his brush onto the shelf and turned off the light. 

Five minutes later Alex closed his apartment door and glanced both ways down the hall. There were three other apartments on this floor and he knew from the landlord that two of them had been filled recently. Yet in the three months that he had lived there, he rarely saw any of them and never the person who lived across from him. Alex considered that a moment then he shrugged his shoulders and wandered down the stairs at the end of the hallway.

On the way out of the front door Tom Reilly, the landlord, poked his head out of his apartment door. A towel partially covered a head full of auburn hair, still dripping wet from a recent shower. It looked like he hadn't shaved in a couple of days but that didn't seem to matter. Reilly changed his facial hair the way women changed their nail color. It helped that he had a thick beard to match his unruly hair.

Tom was shorter than Alex. But what he lacked in height he made up for it in personality. 

"Hey Wells," he shouted, "I got a little pot-luck thingy happening this weekend on the back porch. You coming?" Tom winked a watery blue eye at Alex.

"That depends, what time is it?"

"It starts at six so you should be able to make it for a while before you have to work."

"What should I bring," asked Alex as he opened the front door to the building?

"Beer would be nice and maybe some chips." Reilly's words became garbled as he shoved a toothbrush in his mouth and began to scrub.

"Okay, I'll see what I can do."

Tom nodded his head and walked back into his apartment.

Alex closed the front door and walked down the flight of steps that led off the porch to the street below.

Tom Reilly liked to party. That became apparent when Alex attended his first 'full house back yard bash' as Reilly liked to call them. Only the tenants were invited, and one or two of their friends perhaps. Inviting a few friends was okay but the party was really intended to be a mixer among the tenants more than anything else. It wasn't hard to see the value of it all. It gave everyone a chance to meet most everyone else who lived in the house.

Oddly enough, the one person who didn't attend these little backyard gatherings was the person who lived in the apartment directly across from Alex. Reilly told him it was a girl. Her name was Rachel Thompson.

Reilly nudged Alex in the ribcage and winked at him when he told Alex that his neighbor was a real hottie. Alex grinned sheepishly and nodded. Alex decided to judge for himself. He was never quite sure of Reilly's taste or his intentions, however friendly.

Later, in a moment of sobriety, Reilly went on to say that Alex's neighbor often worked late hours, was quiet, and wasn't much of a party person.

"Which was too bad, if you know what I mean," Reilly said with a bleary-eyed wink. The alcohol was beginning to have an effect on Alex's landlord.

Alex shrugged his shoulders and chalked it up to fate. If they were going to meet it would happen regardless of any desire on his part. Not that desire had anything to do with it. Perhaps curiosity was more to the point. Rachel Thompson was the one person who lived in the apartment house that he hadn't met. It made him curious.

Alex turned around and nearly ran into Amanda Simpson, a girl who lives on the first floor near the back of the house. Her cute face was framed with silky dark brown hair that fell straight down to her waist. She had a cute nose and eyes that sparkled delightfully.

Alex glanced down at her hand as it braced against his arm. Her skin glowed with that soft creamy tan quality that so many girls envied. She laughed brightly as she tried to keep her balance.

"Hey Alex, you almost ran me over," she said with a laugh as Alex fell back against a tree to keep from knocking her down.

"Oh, sorry, I didn't see you behind me," Alex replied with a slight blush. "How are you? I haven't seen you in a while."

"Okay," she said still holding onto his arm, now more for the contact than the need for support. "The market has been going haywire lately so I've been tied up at work a lot. How about you?"

Amanda told Alex a week ago that she worked part-time as a stock analyst for a brokerage house downtown. She told him that she like the fast paced craziness of it all.

"Nothing much," he replied, "classes, work, sleep, and more classes."

Alex started his graduate studies in creative writing six months ago when he arrived in Wilmington from Colorado. Most of his teachers told him that his work showed promise but Alex was skeptical about their praise. It sometimes was a way to keep students in school who might have talent but no creativity.

The small talked continued for a while. Alex always liked to talk to Amanda. She was bright and bubbly with a beautiful smile and dazzling eyes. It didn't hurt that she was down right gorgeous either. She obviously worked out from time to time which kept her slim and shapely.

A couple of other tenants stumbled across some tree roots as they walked by talking. They fell against Amanda and she leaned against Alex to keep from falling. Alex smiled sheepishly as he wrapped his arm around her waist and kept her balanced.

"She is so nice to be around," he thought idly as he realized how much he enjoyed her company. He remembered the first day he met her. She was standing in the front yard of the apartment house staring at a large pile of boxes and furniture that were unceremoniously dumped on Reilly's front lawn. He was walking up the front steps of the apartment house as she stood there with a perplexed look on her face.

"Hi, you look a little troubled," Alex said with a wry grin.

"They just dumped my stuff on the lawn without even as much as a sorry, or an offer to help me carry it inside," Amanda growled contemptuously.

He offered to lend her a hand and she's been thanking him ever since.

The partygoers lingered in Reilly's back yard for the rest of the evening. By nine o'clock, when Alex had to go to work, things had finally quieted down. He said good night to Amanda and headed off to work.

As for his neighbor across the hall, fate finally dealt Alex the right cards two nights later. Rachel Thompson, the mysterious reclusive neighbor from across the hall, was climbing the stairs ahead of Alex. He was coming home from his part-time gig at a nearby convenience store. It was nearly two in the morning and he was exhausted. He had spent most of the night restocking the back room.

Rachel Thompson was tall, maybe five-foot ten in stocking feet. As Alex gazed up at her the first thing he noticed about her were her beautiful legs. They were slender, nicely shaped, and they finished in a cute round butt that sashayed nicely in a tiny skirt as she climbed the stairs ahead of him. He was slowly trudging up the stairs when he turned a corner on the landing and noticed her. He stopped a moment to admire her beauty. Half way up the last flight of steps she paused and glanced back at Alex. Her long hair had amber streaks running through it as it fell in gentle curls down her back.

From where he stood it looked to Alex like she had a runner's body, tall and graceful without being skinny or awkward. But even taking in all those other features the part of her that captivated Alex's attention the most was her beautiful green eyes. They shimmered in the soft light that illuminated the hallway. There was a sparkle in them that was totally mesmerizing.

She turned to finish the last steps on the flight of stairs when she suddenly broke a heel. Alex climbed the stairs quickly and caught her as she started to fall. They both managed to stay upright and when she took a step towards her apartment it became apparent that she had twisted her ankle. 

He wrapped her arm around his shoulder and helped her into her apartment. Then he walked across the hall and retrieved some ice in a bag for her ankle. It was bit swollen but fortunately it didn't look too bad.

Once he got her settled in on her couch he decided that it was late and he really needed to get some sleep so he offered her his cell number if she needed anything. She smiled shyly and thanked him before he closed her apartment door.

The next day after classes, Amanda saw Alex walking up the front steps holding a bag of Chinese carry out as she was coming out of the front door with a shopping bag in her hand.

"Hey, your turn to cook tonight," she asked with an impish grin?

"Sort of," said Alex sheepishly. "My hallway neighbor sprained her ankle last night when she was climbing the stairs in heels that are dangerous enough on level ground. I thought I'd help her out with a 'meals on wheels' for the night."

"That's really sweet of you Alex," Amanda said as she touched his arm and smiled. "I'll be sure to ring your delivery service when I get sick too," she said adding a couple of fake coughs and a big grin for good measure. Then she skipped down the front steps, waved and was off down the sidewalk with a, "See you," and a smile.

What started out that evening to be a bit awkward between Alex and Rachel eventually turned into a lovely dinner. They ended up talking and laughing clear past midnight. She had a marvelous smile and a delightful laugh.

Alex didn't see her again for several weeks after that. He remembered that she mentioned once that she worked part time at a bar downtown. Tuesday was one of his nights off so he thought he'd check it out.

Moulin Rouge is a bar on the east side of the downtown, and he realized, after he got there, that it was mostly a gay bar. That didn't bother him but still, it did come as a surprise.

Rachel spotted him the moment he sat down at the bar and suggested that he sit at a table near the back. He followed her to the table, which as it turned out, was part of her section. They flirted a bit for the better part of the evening. It wasn't too busy that night so they spent a lot of time talking.

Just after one in the morning she told him that she was going to get off work soon and she wondered if Alex could give her a lift back to the apartment house. She told him the other day that riding the bus home late at night can sometimes be dangerous and waiting for a cab can take hours once all the bars close.

They got back to the house a half hour later and he walked her to her door. She turned and looked at him a moment. Alex didn't know if she expected him to try something or not so he just stood there, blushing a bit and feeling awkward.

"Good night," he said eventually after neither of them spoke for several moments. He turned to walk across the hall.

"Hey," said Rachel, "I just want you to know that I'm not exactly what I seem to be."

"Okay," Alex replied looking at her with a puzzled expression.

"I wanted you to know that before anything might happen between us, that's all," she said quietly.

"That's cool," said Alex calmly. "I wasn't expecting anything. Except perhaps that it would be nice if we could get together over coffee sometime."

Rachel tilted her head slightly and smiled.

"I'd like that," Rachel said softly. Then she opened her apartment door. She stood silently watching as he opened his door and went inside. Then she closed her door and the third floor hallway fell silent once again.

The following Saturday afternoon Alex walked into the house laden with plastic bags filled with groceries. They hung off of him like an over-eager delivery boy. As he closed the front door he saw Amanda walk quickly from her apartment towards the back door of the building. It looked like she was crying.

Alex dashed quickly upstairs and dropped of his groceries in his apartment. He grabbed a couple of sodas from the fridge and bounded down the stairs quickly heading for the back yard. He walked out onto the back porch and saw her sitting alone near the large oak tree that shaded most of the backyard. She sat in one of the old swings that Reilly had put up two parties ago and her back was to him. It was clear from her posture that she was upset.

Alex stood quietly a moment and watched her shift back and forth in the swing. She held her cellphone in one hand and wiped her eyes with the palm of her other hand. He came off the back porch and walked across the yard to lean against the tree.

Amanda looked up after a moment and smiled meekly. Alex waited silently.

"Hi," she said softly looking back down at the ground.

"You okay?" He asked as he handed Amanda a soda.

"Thanks," she replied. "My mom just called. My cousin Susan is getting married next month."

Alex walked over and sat in the chair near the firepit. Amanda continued to sway in the swing. Her eyes glistened and her cheeks were still moist.

"That's a good thing isn't it?" Alex asked a bit puzzled.

"It is," she said wiping her eyes. "She was the one bright spot in my otherwise fucked up childhood in Vancouver," Amanda said quietly. "These are happy tears. Well, maybe happy mixed with a little melancholy."

"Why?"

"Because my life continues to be fucked up," she said looking up at Alex for the first time since he sat down. "Part of me is incredibly happy for her but the other part of me is a little sad that my life has turned out the way it has. Kicked out of town with a one-way ticket to no-where."

Alex sat silent for a moment and watched her sway gently in the swing. He knew that something or someone was behind the rough way she was treated, landing like she did on Reilly's doorstep. But Alex didn't believe in chance or coincidence. Everything happens for a reason, he believed. The interesting part is discovering the secret to the puzzle.

He smiled and leaned forward to look her in the eyes.

"I think you live a very charmed life, Amanda Simpson," he said with a big grin as he stood up and opened his arms wide.

She looked at him skeptically.

"You got a 'do-over'," he announced broadly.

"A what?"

"A 'do-over'," he said dropping his hands to his hips. "It's what happens when the universe deals you a hand that is so terribly wrong that in one fell swoop things are reset and you get to start again fresh. You are very blessed Amanda Simpson. And that is nothing to be sad about." He finished his announcement with a flourish and a bow. Then he looked up to see her reaction.

Amanda paused a moment and considered his words. Suddenly a smile began to grow on her face. She looked up at him and grinned. Then she rushed over and kissed him on the cheek.

"Alex, you're wonderful! Thank you so much! Of course I'm blessed. I just needed you to point that out to me!" She squealed with delight as she wrapped her arms around him and gave him a big hug.

"No problem Amanda," Alex said returning her hug. "Tell your cousin 'best of luck' from me. Call me if you need anything."

She gave him one more squeeze and kissed him on the cheek again then she released him. "I will, thanks," she said wearing a big grin.

Alex walked over and stood on the porch a moment. He watched her flip open her cellphone. Her cousin must have answered because it seemed like she was quickly back to her bubbly self. Alex smiled and walked back into the house.

The next day Alex saw Rachel coming out of her apartment. They chatted for a moment in the hallway. It wasn't much, just small talk. The sort of 'how's your day' sort of stuff that often passes between two people who live in the same apartment house.

Then, out of the blue, Rachel leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. Alex blinked a moment and stood motionless, looking a bit stunned. "I must have a 'kiss me' button on my shirt," he thought.

When Rachel opened her eyes she blushed.

"I'm so sorry."

"What for," asked Alex. "That was very nice, unexpected, but nice."

"I don't know what came over me," she said. "I just had this sudden urge to kiss you. Maybe it was a thank you for the time when you helped me after I turned my ankle."

"You're welcome," he grinned, "anytime."

Alex turned towards his apartment and pulled out his keys.

"Hey," she said softly glancing down the hallway from side to side, "can we talk?"

Alex looked at her quizzically.

"I mean in private. I have something I want to tell you but I don't want others to," she shrugged her shoulders, "you know."

"Of course."

Rachel opened her door and led him into her apartment. It was much bigger than his, perhaps twice the size. She had a small kitchen off to one side and a living room area and then a separate bathroom with a small bedroom attached.




Stray Cats Pt. 01



Alex walked over to the two windows that looked out onto the back yard of the house. He could see the firepit and the old swings that Reilly built for the last 'back yard bash' down below. Then he turned to survey her apartment.

"Wow, this is really nice," he said looking around the place. There were pictures on the dresser and a couple of nice paintings on the wall.

"Who's this in the photo?" Alex asked pointing at a man and a woman. They looked like husband and wife, maybe her parents.

"That's my uncle Fred and his wife Abby. They let me stay with them one summer after my father kicked me out of his house when I was seventeen."

"Shit, why?"

"Because of who I was at the time and what I was becoming."

"Huh?"

Rachel walked over to the couch and sat down.

"Sit here Alex," she said softly, "Please. I want to tell you a little about me. But first you have to promise that you'll not share this with anyone."

"Of course. If you ask me I'll keep whatever you tell me a secret forever."

"Thank you."

She paused a moment, as if gathering the courage to start with her story.

"When I was little I was always frail as a child. I didn't develop physically like other kids my age. I always felt that there was something different about me, like I was not normal. At least not normal according to what I saw around me, the way normal boys and girls were growing up. When I was ten I had this crush on a boy. His name was Johnny. He was one of the kids in the neighborhood. We went to school together, we were in different classrooms but we saw each other a lot. We often played together when all of the kids in the neighborhood gathered outside to play a game or something."

"One night we were playing hide and seek. It was getting dark and Johnny and I were hiding in a bunch of bushes near my house. It was old man Spangler's house. He was widowed and lived alone. I think he worked at the car plant or something because he left early each day and didn't come home sometimes until after dark."

"Anyway, we were hiding in some bushes in his front yard. I guess I couldn't resist my urges any longer and I reached over and kissed Johnny hard on the lips. Johnny pulled away in shock but that wasn't the worst of it. Old man Spangler was standing right behind us and he shouted, 'Get the hell out of my yard you little faggots!'."

Rachel lowered her eyes and glanced away for a moment. She turned back and looked Alex in the eyes.

"You see, Alex, I was born a boy."

"Huh? You're so beautiful," whispered Alex. "I never would have guessed." Alex's voice trailed off as he watched her reaction.

Rachel looked down at her hands folded in her lap. Her eyes began to tear up. She drew a big breath and shuddered as she let her breath out slowly. She dabbed her eyes gently then continued.

"I hid the fact that I was different from my parents for a long time, but eventually my mother found out. She caught me going through her underwear drawer one day when I pretended to be sick from school."

"I skipped school a lot after that night with Johnny in front of old man Spangler's house. The boys at school were merciless, especially Johnny. That made the whole thing so much harder to take. They would punch me or trip me or push me against a wall and try to choke me. I tried my best to stay away from them but middle school is a difficult place to hide."

"After my mother found out about me she tried her best to 'cure me' as she put it. I went to a bunch of child psychologists who poked and prodded and scratched their heads. They were all a bunch of pill pushing quacks."

"Finally my mother took me to this one family physician and he and I had a long chat. Apparently he had a niece who was born the same way as me so he understood the struggle I was dealing with. He told me that there was really nothing wrong with me. I was shocked that someone actually said that.

He said that there are people who are born genetically with one gender and psychologically identify with another gender. He talked to my mother and told her that he thought she should support my situation any way she could. After that I started hormone therapy. I began it on my twelfth birthday."

"After I started to identify with being a girl things went from bad to worse at school. It wasn't the boys that were the worst. It was the girls. Boys can be mean but girls are vicious. They saw me as competition because I dressed nice and looked pretty. Even though I continued to dress like a boy. I guess they saw it as a challenge and took it the wrong way. I was just trying to figure out who I was at the time. I barely had time to think about chasing boys."

"And not all the boys rejected me. There was this one boy who transferred in during the tenth grade. His family had just moved to the city and he was new to the area. He was also very cute and all the girls set their sights on him. It wasn't my fault that he liked me but there was no explaining that to the girls. I can't begin to explain the wicked things they did to me."

"Finally, after the fifth time I came home from high school with bruises and a black eye, my mother pulled me out of the school. I was too ashamed to admit that I had been beaten by a bunch of girls. She home-schooled me until I was seventeen. I got my GED and went on to community college to study accounting."

"When I was still going to high school I always dressed as a boy. When I was at home I loved to dress up in girls clothes, I bought all sorts of frilly things. The softer the better. I had to be careful how I dressed with my dad around. He wouldn't stand for any of it. One day he caught me dressed in a frilly dress and an apron. I was baking some cookies for my mom and he came home early from work. I had to think fast. I explained to him that I was practicing for a school play. He bought it that time but when he caught me dressed in a nightgown and panties one night it was everything my mother could do to keeping him from beating me and throwing me out of the house that very moment. I left the next day and never looked back. I was seventeen and homeless."

"My father was a brute of a man. I never understood what my mother saw in him. She told me one day that the only gift she was ever grateful for from my dad was me. That made me cry."

"I guess she finally got fed up with the bastard because a year after he kicked me out of his house she left him. She lives in Springfield now and I see her from time to time. She's much happier. She has a new boyfriend and he's really nice."

"I see why you like to keep to yourself," said Alex softly.

"It's not that I want to hide from anybody, Alex. I'm no longer ashamed of who or what I am. I just find it difficult to open up to people I live around because of everything that's happened in my past. I've had a lot of experience with people judging me and I prefer not to put myself in those kinds of situations again if I can help it. Besides, most people don't understand who I am and prefer not to get involved."

Alex sat for a moment and looked at Rachel. His eyes began to tear up.

"Hey, what's wrong? I said that I'm okay with who I am. When I think back on all of it I like to believe that it made me a better person. They say whatever doesn't kill you will make you stronger," she said with a cheery smile as she touched Alex on his shoulder.

"I want to show you something," Alex almost whispered. He slowly began to unbutton his shirt. Rachel watched him intently. She had no idea what could be so upsetting to cause such a reaction in Alex.

As the last button was undone, Alex pulled his shirttails from his pants and revealed an Ace elastic bandage wrapped around his chest. Beneath the bandage it was clear to Rachel that two sizable bumps were evident. "Breasts?" Rachel thought as she looked up into Alex's eyes. "He has breasts? Is he a girl trying to be a boy?"

"I don't understand," Rachel said with a tremble in her voice. She reached forward and gently touched the bandage. Beneath it she could feel the firmness of a full breast.

"The term is 'intersex'," he said softly. "You can look it up on the internet. It's apparently a medical condition. It doesn't always manifest early in life. They began to develop when I was twenty."

"At first they were very sensitive and then they began to swell and grow. I went from a flat chest to a "C" cup in eighteen months. They haven't grown much since then. I suppose if I went on hormone therapy like you did my body would grow even more feminine. I'm still a fully functioning male," he said sheepishly, "everything still seems to work. But I have no idea who I am up here anymore," he said pointing to his forehead.

Rachel pulled Alex into a tight hug. She took a big breath and squeezed him tightly.

"Oh my god, thank you," she said with tears in her eyes. "You can not imagine how scared I was to tell you all of this. Somehow deep inside I knew that you would understand me. I had no idea that you were like me!"

"I'm nowhere near as brave as you are Rachel," Alex replied as Rachel continued to hold him tightly. "This all came on much later in my life. I never had to endure the kind of crap that you did when you were in school. I don't think I could have done it. Your so much stronger than I am."

"Maybe," she said releasing him and gently rubbing his back. "But I'm so glad I said something today."

"Why?"

"Because not only do I have a new friend," she said leaning back with a huge grin, "I have a new girl friend!" She hugged him again and Alex groaned as she held him tightly.

"Does anybody else know about you?" Rachel asked leaning back again and smiling sweetly.

"Nobody," said Alex.

"Not even Amanda?"

"No, why would Amanda know anything?"

"I'm sorry," Rachel said suddenly changing the tone of the conversation. She moved to sit beside Alex and looked down and away from him. "I just thought." Her voice trailed off.

Alex smiled at her and said, "we're friends, Rachel, that's all. I only just met her a month ago. I helped her bring some of her boxes into her apartment when she moved in. We talk in the hallway from time to time but that's about it."

"I saw you both yesterday in the backyard," said Rachel embarrassed to admit that she saw them out her window. "You looked like you were very close so I guess I assumed."

"I saw her go out to the backyard yesterday when I came home from school. She looked a little upset," said Alex gently. "Her cousin is getting married next month, apparently they are very close. She was feeling a little homesick, that's all."

"I'm sorry," repeated Rachel, "I guess I misread everything. I was a little jealous. You two always seemed so happy together. It made me want to open up to you because I wanted you as a friend too."

"Well, I'm flattered," said Alex, "and I'm glad you were a little jealous because if you weren't we would never have made this connection. You can imagine how much of a burden this has been for me," said Alex placing his hands on his chest. "Hey, don't cry," he said as he wiped away her tears.

"Thanks," Rachel said sweetly, "they're happy tears not sad ones."

"Good. But you really should get to know Amanda," he said as he turned and settled back on her couch. "She's bright and cheery and I think she's really smart too. I think you might really like her."

"Alex, girls frighten the hell out of me. I know on the outside they appear all soft and frilly but inside they can be monsters."

"Those high school girls really did a number on you didn't they," asked Alex?

"I guess," she said with a sigh. " I still have the jitters when I'm around a bunch of them at my day job."

They both sat in silence on the couch for a few minutes, lost in their own thoughts. Rachel glanced sideways at Alex then she closed her eyes and willed her mouth to open.

"Alex?"

"Huh?"

"Are you sure you're okay with who I am? You're not freaked out or anything?"

"After what I just showed you I should ask you the same thing," he replied.

"Would you, ah, would you show them to me?"

"You mean without the bandage," he asked?

"Yeah."

"Oh, okay," he whispered softly. Then he sat up and took off his shirt. He pulled off the hooks that bound the bandages in place and slowly unwrapped the elastic bands. A moment later his breasts were released and they swelled to their true form. There were red marks where the bandages pulled tightly across his chest and a few stray hairs that interrupted his otherwise smooth and creamy chest. His aureolas were modest in size and his nipples stood out prominently from each breast. He started to cover himself with his hands but Rachel placed her hands on his wrists and gently moved them away from his body.

"Oh," she said as she looked at them enchanted, "they look lovely."

Alex watched in amazement as Rachel lowered her mouth to one of his breasts and, using her tongue, she lightly touched his nipple. He closed his eyes and relished the velvet touch of her tongue on his breast. It sent chills down his spine.

Rachel closed her mouth over his breast and began to suckle. She drew in a breath and savored his smell as she sucked and nibbled at his breast. Then she moved to the other breast and did the same thing while she brought up her hand and pinched the first nipple, pulling it out between her thumb and forefinger.

"Oh," he moaned.

It shocked her a moment and she pulled away abruptly.

"God, I'm so sorry," she said, her face flushed with crimson. "I don't know what's come over me." Rachel's heart was pounding as she buried her face in her hands.

"Hey," Alex murmured as he took her hands from her face and kissed her on the forehead, "it felt lovely." He reached up and put his hand behind her head and drew her face down between his breasts.

She kissed Alex there lightly as she nuzzled his breasts then she moved up his body trailing kisses up his neck until she kissed him on the lips.

"Thank you," she said as she wrapped her arms around his neck and gazed into his eyes. 

Alex smiled shyly as Rachel released him then moved over and leaned back against the couch. She reached across and took his hand then kissed it and gave it a gentle squeeze.

"They really are beautiful, Alex. I wish mine were that soft." Her heart was still racing but it was beginning to slow down a little.

Alex sighed a little and looked over at Rachel.

"You have no reason to be envious Rachel," he said softly. "You are simply stunning. If I wasn't so awkward around women I would have been stalking you a long time ago," he grinned sheepishly and then blushed bright crimson.

"Wouldn't that have been a surprise," she said with a chuckle.

"All the way around," Alex replied as he touched her arm lightly.

They both laughed a bit then settled back into the couch with a smile and a sigh.

Rachel looked at the bulge that was growing in the front of Alex's pants. She reached over and with a tender touch she placed her hand on Alex. 

Rachel rubbed her hand against his jeans and looked over to watch his reaction as he paused to savor her touch. Then she got bolder and opened up the zipper on his jeans. Alex simply closed his eyes and sighed.

Rachel pulled out his cock, leaned across, and began to lick it. Alex moaned in response to the velvet touch of her tongue. His pants were tight so he reached down and unbuckled his belt to remove them. Rachel helped him slide them down and out of the way. She paused a moment to admire him lying there while she stroked him gently. His beautiful breasts heaved with each breath he took. His cock became rigid in her hand and pre-cum was forming at the tip. Alex looked up at her with a blissful smile then he closed his eyes again. Rachel brought her face towards his cock and began to draw him into her mouth.

"My god you're amazing," he whispered to her as his body arched off the sofa. She slipped her hand beneath him and let her fingers play with his ass. A moment later her thumb began to press against his rosebud. He moaned again and she brought her thumb up to her face. She released his cock a moment and licked her thumb. Then she took him back into her mouth and brought her thumb back to his ass. She pressed again, still with gentle pressure and her thumb slipped inside.

"Oh," he cried as she entered him.

"Did I hurt you?"

"No, I guess it was more of a surprise than anything else," Alex said softly. "Your mouth is amazing. I've never had this happen before."

"This can happen as often as you want from now on," she said with a wicked grin then she took him back inside her mouth and continued to swirl her tongue around his shaft. Her thumb continued to move in and out of his ass slowly loosening his muscle.

"My god you're tight," she said in a whisper.

"You're entering virgin territory," he said with a wry grin.

Alex's breathing became more erratic and he started to buck and grind his pelvis into her face. Rachel knew he was close. She started to suck harder as she rammed her thumb into his rectum several more times. She was reaching for his prostate. Her movements were massaging him there. Suddenly he sucked in his breath and the first shot of cum hit the back of her mouth. It was followed by several more. She continued to suck and swirl her tongue around the head as he shot another stream of his cum into her eager mouth.

As the waves of his orgasm subsided he relaxed against the sofa and Rachel pulled her thumb from his ass. She moved up his body towards his face planting kisses along the way until she found his mouth. Her tongue dove into his mouth exploring ever part of him passionately.

He could taste his seed on her lips.

Finally, Rachel relaxed and resting her head on his chest she nuzzled his breast and kissed him there again.

"Wow, thank you," Alex said softly.

"You're welcome, believe me when I tell you that I enjoyed that as much as you did."

They stayed there a moment holding each other in a lover's embrace. Alex closed his eyes and hugged her tightly.

"That was truly amazing," he thought. "I wonder what she looks like?" He thought. "How will I react when I see her naked? Will I be able to take her into my mouth and suck her like she just sucked me? I have no idea what to do. Will I do it wrong?" 

"Rachel, I'm completely out of my depth here. I don't know how to act and I don't want to hurt you but."

"Shush," she said placing a finger across his lips. "Don't worry about it. Just follow your instincts and you'll be fine."

"Okay."

"Hey," she said looking at her watch, "you want to go out for dinner before work? It'll be my treat," she asked.

"Sure but we can go 'Dutch' if you want, I just got paid."

"I'm asking you out, okay? I just got paid too so don't argue with me," Rachel leaned over again and kissed Alex on the lips. "You can buy next time."

"Okay," Alex replied with a sheepish grin. Then he pulled up his pants and began to buttoned up his shirt.

"I need to change before I go to work," she said as she picked up her coat and walked towards her bedroom. She turned at her bedroom door and watched him dress.

Alex picked up his bandage and rolled it into a tiny bundle.

"What about your bandage," she asked.

"I just don't have the will to put it back on right now. And I breathe so much better without it. Besides it's cold out so my coat will cover me up until I get to work. I'll put it on when I get there."

"Okay," she said as she poked her head out from the bedroom and grinned. "I'll be out in a couple of minutes."

"No problem. I 'm going across the hall to use my bathroom so I'll wait for you by the stairs."

"I'll be there in just a sec," she said from behind her bedroom door.

Alex took a moment longer to finish buttoning his shirt then he opened Rachel's apartment door and crossed the hallway to his place. As he was opening his door Amanda appeared on the stair landing below.




Stray Cats Pt. 01



"Hey Alex, there you are. You want to go eat somewhere before you have to work," she asked?

"I'd love too but I already promised to go with Rachel," Alex replied quickly covering up his chest with his coat.

"Oh. Ah. Er, can I go too?"

At that moment Rachel opened her apartment door and stepped out into the hallway. Alex turned to her and smiled.

"Amanda wants to know if she can join us. Is that okay with you?"

"Huh?" Rachel asked as she glanced at Alex and then at Amanda. Rachel studied her face a moment then she smiled meekly and nodded. "Oh, okay, sure." She looked down a moment and blushed slightly.

"I just need to grab my wallet and I'll be ready," Amanda said grinning broadly. "I'll meet you in the foyer." She dashed down the stairs towards her apartment.

Alex ducked into his place quickly, went to the bathroom, and then grabbed his coat, stuffed the elastic bandage in his pocket and joined Rachel at the top of the stairs.

"She's not a monster, Rachel," Alex said holding her hand with a gentle squeeze.

"If you say so," she said with a wary frown. "But old wounds heal slowly."

They meet Amanda in the foyer and headed out the front door of the house. Down the street, a couple of blocks away, were several small mom and pop restaurants that catered to the locals in this part of town. They settled on a little Chinese place near 20th street.

"Oh, that hit the spot," said Amanda. "Good pick Rachel." She grinned broadly and downed the rest of her wine in one gulp. "So when do you have to go to work, Alex?"

"I'm on at nine tonight," said Alex.

"Me too," said Rachel.

"I thought Alex mentioned that you worked at an accounting firm downtown Rachel," said Amanda.

"It's only part-time so I need to supplement it. I wait tables at Moulin Rouge a couple of nights a week," said Rachel softly.

"Oh, that's cool," replied Amanda. "I've been in there a couple of times, that place is fantastic."

"You do know about their clientele don't you," asked Alex?

"What? You mean it's a gay bar? Sure," Amanda said with a smirk, "I got that the first night I was there. It's sort of hard to miss. But that doesn't matter. It's just a fun place and I like the atmosphere."

"Are you," asked Alex softly? Rachel darted a quick glance at Alex.

"What? Into girls," asked Amanda? "Nah, I'm just into people. I'm not hung up on labels. If they're cool, I'm cool."

Rachel smiled at her and glanced sideways at Alex.

"Where are you from Amanda," asked Alex?

"Uh-oh, life story time, huh?" She quipped with a sarcastic grin. Then she raised her hands and replied. "Okay, okay. I'll go first then it'll be your turn." Alex filled her glass up half full from the bottle of wine and then replaced the cork.

"Thanks," said Amanda with a wry smile. "I'm originally from Seattle by way of Vancouver. Then I got sidetracked in Salt Lake City and eventually I landed here. My ex-boyfriend/lover/husband dumped me on a bus in Salt Lake with a one-way ticket for the east coast. He told me that I'd find more like-minded people out here than I would out west and he was probably right. I met you guys after the first month I was here. Life is already much better here than it ever was in Utah."

"Husband," asked Alex? "Are you still married?"

"Nope. After a month of playing the role of the blushing bride he decided that the liberal side of me in the bedroom was too much for him to handle and he had the whole thing annulled. He was a dyed in the wool Mormon and his ideas about bedroom behavior didn't coincide with mine."

"Long johns in the summer and all, huh," asked Alex?

"Yup, you got it," she said with an ironic smile.

"So how do you pay the bills," asked Rachel?

"Mostly with a trust fund that my grandmother left me," said Amanda. "But I do like to keep busy so I work downtown as a stock analyst in a brokerage house part time. I'm pretty good at it and it keeps me out of trouble. What about you Alex?"

Amanda looked back over to Alex and in doing so she gestured with her wine glass a little too quickly and spilled several drops on his jacket.

"Oh shit, I'm sorry," she said dipping a cloth napkin in her water glass and dabbing his chest where the wine was soaking in. "Here let me. If you don't do it quickly the stain will set." Her voice trailed off as she continued to dab the wine spots and felt something she hadn't expected.

Alex sat there stunned, unable to move as he glanced across to Rachel with a frightened look on his face. He quickly tried to brush Amanda's hands away but it was too late. From the blank expression on her face it was clear that his secret was out.

Amanda blushed brightly and turned away briefly. Then she turned back with a meek smile on her face.

"I'm sorry, that was way too forward of me," Amanda said softly. "I should have asked first."

"It's okay," said Alex, "It's an old jacket anyway. I got it months ago at the Salvation Army. Between the pasta sauce and several ketchup stains, a few wine spots will never be noticed." He grinned sheepishly and moved his hand to touch her arm gently.

"We should probably be going," said Rachel trying to recover a sense of balance between everyone. "I have to take the bus across town and it takes forever."

"Yeah, my shift starts in less than an hour so I need to head out too."

"Rachel," said Amanda sweetly, "thank you so much for taking me out for dinner. I know I sort of barged in on you guys."

"Don't worry about it," replied Rachel. "Life's too short to be hung up on formalities."

"Hey, don't forget your fortune cookie," said Alex grinning at both of them. He handed each of them a cookie and took one for himself. He cracked the cookie and pulled the slip of paper out.

It read: 'Sudden love takes the longest time to be cured.' Alex looked off with an awkward smile.

Rachel pulled her fortune slip out and read it out loud.

"Your future is found in your past," she said with a chuckle. "Sounds appropriate."

"Mine is 'Of the three things that last: faith, hope, and love. Love is the strongest.' I like that," Amanda replied.

They got up from the table and Amanda followed Rachel and Alex out of the restaurant. Once outside Rachel parted from them with a wave. She walked down the block towards the bus stop and Alex walked with Amanda back towards their apartment house.

"I'm so sorry Alex," said Amanda blushing. She avoided his eyes as they walked along the sidewalk.

"Don't be," said Alex gently, "you were probably going to find out sooner or later anyway. It's hard to hide things from your friends."

Amanda looked up and beamed at Alex. "Thanks, that means a lot."

"You're welcome."

"Care to explain?" She gestured towards his chest.

"I can't now, I've got to go to work," he said as he walked up to his car parked on the street. "Maybe tomorrow if you're not freaked out about it."

Amanda stood a moment and looked at Alex. A huge smile grew on her face. She ran over, wrapped her arms around him and gave him a big hug.

"Actually I'm a little jealous," she whispered in his ear. "I think they're bigger than mine." Then she kissed him on the cheek and let him go. She ran towards the apartment house and turned back towards him once she reached the steps. She smiled impishly and gave him a little wave.

Alex smiled and waved back then walked around his car, got in and drove off.

Later that night, or actually early the following morning, Alex trudged slowly up the stairs towards his apartment. He was exhausted and although he faced a mountain of homework due later that day, he was clearly uncertain if he was ever going to get through it the way he felt right now.

At the top of the stairs he met Rachel standing outside of her apartment, waiting.

"Hey, did you just get back," Alex asked? He leaned against the wall for support.

"Yeah."

"This climb is bad enough in the daytime let alone at two in the morning."

"And in heels," Rachel replied with a big grin on her face.

"I haven't tried that yet," Alex shot back with a quirky smile.

"Don't," she said, "it's not for the faint of heart."

Alex paused a moment and stood by his door. He shook his head gently and smiled at Rachel. She stood there in a tight mini skirt and sequined blouse under her long coat. Her spiked heels made her considerably taller than Alex at the moment. "My god she's beautiful," he thought. 

"So, what happened after I left," asked Rachel? "Did she figure it out?"

"Pretty much," said Alex. "I mean come on, they're sort of hard to miss when I'm not wrapped up like a package." Rachel broke into a broad grin. Her eyes began to sparkle. But before she could open her mouth Alex gave her 'the look.'

"Don't even go there, girlfriend, I know what you're thinking."

Rachel covered her mouth in a feeble attempt to fight back a snicker. "Okay, sorry. Did she ask you how it happened?"

"Sort of, yes," he said turning his key in the lock on his door. "I had to go to work so I told her I would tell her tomorrow. I mean today if I see her."

"What are you going to say?"

"What else, I'll tell her the truth. If you can't be honest with your friends what can you be?"

"Cool," said Rachel with a wry smile as she turned back to open her door.

"I think she'll be okay with it Rachel," he said quietly. "I know you have big issues with women but really, they're not all monsters. Some of them are as beautiful on the inside as they are on the outside."

"I hope you right," she said softly. "Maybe I'll find that out someday. Good night."

"G'Night," said Alex as he shut his door softly.

Amanda heard Alex come in the front door from work. She rubbed the sleep out of her eyes and looked at her alarm clock. It was two-fifteen in the morning. She must have dozed off waiting for him to return. She grabbed her robe and threw it over her shoulders as she dashed for her door.

She was anxious to talk to him even if it was late. She ran out of her apartment pulling on her robe and slippers. If she hurried she might be able to catch him before he went into his apartment. She padded softly up the stairs but stopped suddenly when she heard voices.

It was Alex and Rachel. She didn't want to eavesdrop but she couldn't help but listen. When they left she waited until she heard Alex's door click shut. Tears began to run down her cheeks and across a gentle smile as she turned and tiptoed softly back down the stairs.

As she soon as she stood in front of her apartment door she paused a moment and wiped her eyes. Then she turned the key to open her door. She took in a big breath and let it out slowly. 

"Today is going to be a really great day," she whispered softly to herself. She smiled sweetly as she walked into her apartment and quietly closed her door.

-2-

It was the middle of the afternoon before Alex walked back into the apartment house. He had just finished his last class for the day and he was truly beat. Between working at the convenience store and trying to carry a full graduate load things were beginning to pile up.

At least the weekend is coming up so maybe I can get caught up, he thought as he started to ascend the stairs. As he looked up he saw Amanda sitting alone on the top step.

"Hi," she said meekly. "You look tired."

"I am," he replied. "Between work and school it seems that there's little time for sleep."

Alex continued to climb the stairs until he reached Amanda. He turned and joined her on the top step.

"What have you been up to?"

"Work, mostly," she replied. "I just got back a half hour ago. The markets still have the jitters. It makes everybody downtown act like they just gulped down fifteen pots of coffee."

She leaned over and nudged his shoulder.

"I just got home a few minutes ago. I thought I'd look and see if you're around."

Alex stood up and offered her his hand. "Come on," he said, "I'll put the kettle on for tea. But you have to climb all these stairs to get some."

"It's like daily aerobics isn't it," she asked?

"Definitely. Can you imagine what life was like during the summers for the house servants when this house was built? Up and down these stairs a hundred times a day and if you don't know by now, mid-Atlantic summers can be brutal. Thank god for air conditioners."

Amanda followed him up the stairs and into his apartment. She flopped down on an old battered couch across from his desk and looked around his room. It was Spartan by comparison to hers even though she only moved in a month ago.

"You live like a monk up here don't you," she said with a grin.

"I suppose so," he said as he plunked down two cups of tea on the table in front of her. "All my money goes to paying for classes at the university. I'm sort of living from hand to mouth and that doesn't offer a lot of wiggle room."

"I might have an old 'Grateful Dead' poster laying around. If you want you can use it to cover up some of these cracks."

"Ha! I'll think about it," he said with a wide smile.

"Where's your bed," Amanda asked?

"Your sitting on it."

"Oh," she said meekly, blushing.

Amanda sipped her tea a moment and they both sat in silence. She glanced sideways at Alex a couple of times and looked up once when he cleared his throat but otherwise the atmosphere was rather awkward. Finally Alex decided to break the ice.

"So, here I am sitting in my apartment with a beautiful girl and all we can think about is what I've got under my shirt. Weird isn't it?"

"Not so much weird as it is awkward Alex," she said softly. "I mean the last thing I want to do is ruin a friendship by saying something stupid. But I have to admit, it was a bit of a shock yesterday."

Alex pulled out an iPad from his brief case and opened it up. He opened his browser and typed in the word 'intersex' in the search window. Then he clicked on the first link and the browser opened up a Wikipedia page.

"Here," he said handing Amanda his iPad, "maybe this will help."

Alex sat back and sipped his tea while Amanda quickly scanned the page.

"So, this is what you have," she asked?

"It's not so much what I have as what I am," he said correcting her.

"Sorry."

"Don't be," he said gently, "there's a lot of misunderstanding in general about things like this. Everybody likes to lump us all into one category and then call us all deviants and perverts. It's ignorant and convenient for them but horribly wrong for the rest of us."

Alex went on to tell Amanda most of what he told Rachel the day before. He added in the fact that up until three years ago he always thought of himself as an average guy. He wasn't too into sports but he didn't dislike it either. He's dated women before and he would again if he could find a woman whose head wasn't filled with a twisted sense of morality or she wasn't hung up on gender identity issues.

"But those girls can be hard to find," he said glancing out the window with a sigh.

"Are you and Rachel dating," she asked softly?

"Not yet, but maybe," he said as he turned back from the window to look at her.

"Oh," she almost whispered.

Alex watched a wave of emotions pay across her face and she began to tear up. He walked over and sat down next to her then reached out and took her hand.

He leaned in and kissed her on her cheek.

"Amanda, you're my friend. Nothing will ever change that." Tears continued to well up in her eyes. She wrapped her arms around him and buried her face on his shoulder.

"I know she hates girls and I'm afraid that once you two start dating that you'll stop talking to me and everything," she sniffled. "I don't know if I can take that right now."

Alex wrapped his arms around her and rubbed her back then he leaned down and kissed her on the top of her head.

"Not going to happen," he said gently, "I like you too much. Besides, who else is going to spill wine on me on a regular basis?"

Amanda choked back a laugh and hugged him tighter. She tilted her head up and kissed him on the cheek. "By the way, most people think "I'm a bit twisted and I certainly don't have any gender hang ups," she said with an impish smile.

"I already figured that out from yesterday. But hanging with me and Rachel could be a challenge for you."

"I'm up for it," she said leaning back and grinning at him. Her eyes twinkled with mischief.

"I figured you would be," he said with a grin, "but I had to say it."

"Can I use your bathroom," she asked?

"Sure," he said pointing, "it's over there." Amanda got up and walked towards the bathroom as they heard a knock on the apartment door. Alex walked over and opened the door and Rachel walked in with a large pizza box.

"Breakfast," she sang as she struck a pose with a twinkle in her eye. But once she spotted Amanda she quickly changed her posture. "What?! Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't know. I - I." Rachel started to back out of the apartment.

"Rachel, wait," they both said simultaneously. Rachel stopped then glanced back and forth between them. She looked confused.

"Rachel, don't leave. I'm not trying to come between you and Alex," Amanda said looking downcast. "I'm just his friend, that's all."

"I know, I'm sorry," said Rachel softly, "I was just surprised and I didn't think before." Her voice trailed off. "I should have asked."

They all stood a moment in an awkward silence.

"Rachel, I get the impression that you don't like me and I'm sorry if that's true. I know you're close to Alex but I really want to be your friend too if you have room for one more in your life."

"I - I," Rachel stammered a moment then she stood motionless for several minutes studying Amanda's face. The room was silent, even the clock seemed to stop ticking.

"She's not a monster," Rachel heard Alex's words continued to repeat inside her head as she stood watching Amanda closely. "I suppose there's only one way to find out," she thought.

Rachel set the pizza box on the table in front of the couch and walked towards Amanda with a determined look on her face. Amanda stood near the bathroom looking a bit like a deer caught in the headlights as Rachel bore down on her.

Rachel took Amanda's face in her hands then she planted a passionate almost rough kiss on her lips. Then she took Amanda's hand and lowered it down to her crotch and pressed it between her legs. Amanda's eyes began to expand as she felt something she hadn't expected. Rachel nodded to her slowly then released her hand.

"Still want to be my friend," Rachel asked staring at her intently?

Now over the initial shock of Rachel's sudden revelation, Amanda's lips curled into a broad sweet smile and her eyes began to sparkle. She looked up into Rachel's face.

"Yes, I do," she whispered back to Rachel and then she glanced at Alex beaming.

"Hey, the pizza is getting cold," Alex said with a grin. "Looks like the rich girl bought again. You know one of these days you are going to have to let me buy."

Rachel paused a moment and considered Amanda's response then she turned towards Alex with a grin and wrapped her arm around Amanda's shoulders. Amanda stood blinking at the sudden turn of events.

"Oh I'll let you buy all right. But you're not going to get off easy. I've got my eye on a nice little French restaurant downtown. You're going to take us both on a date tomorrow night."

"I am," asked Alex? "Both of you?"

"Yup, it'll be just us girls. We're celebrating the fact that I have a new friend," she said hugging Amanda. "So wear something nice because we are," Rachel said giving Amanda another hug. Amanda wrapped her arms around Rachel and squeezed.

"Careful Rachel, that one will squeeze the stuffing out of you," said Alex chuckling.

"That's okay," Rachel said sweetly, "I've come up short on hugs in my life. So I'll take all I can get." Amanda closed her eyes and hugged her again. Alex beamed and Rachel sighed and returned Amanda's hug.




Stray Cats Pt. 02



Author's Note: This is a continuation of the story that began with Stray Cats part one. For those of you new to this series it would be best if you began with that part before you continued here but the choice is yours.

-1-

It was Thursday and Alex drove home from his afternoon class.

He walked up to the apartment house and paused before the bottom step. He smiled briefly as he looked up to his third floor window and squinted into the afternoon sun reflecting off the glass. He tried to imagine what was going to happen once he crossed the threshold into the apartment house. He knew that two beautiful women were about to change his life forever.

"Hell, they have already changed my life!" He thought with a smile. "It's what comes next that makes me anxious."

Alex drew in a big breath then let it out slowly. He walked up the front porch stairs and opened the door.

"It is going to be an interesting day," he thought, "with those two around there is no telling where we'll end up."

Alex started up the stairs towards his third floor apartment when Tom Reilly poked his head out of the manager's apartment.

"Hey Wells," Reilly mumbled his mouth still stuffed with a chicken leg from a late lunch. "You got some time this weekend to help me with the firepit? The city building inspector has a wild hair up his ass and I need to move it further away from the tree."

"Sure, no need to burn the neighborhood down," Alex replied watching Tom pick a piece of chicken meat from a crevice in his teeth. "I should be around Saturday morning before I need to go to work."

"Saturday's no good, do you have time on Friday?"

"I'll look and see," Alex replied as he started to climb the stairs. "I have a paper due online on Saturday. I'll let you know, okay?"

"Sure thing, thanks," said Tom as he ducked back inside and closed his door. You could hear the ball game blaring on the television in the background.

As Alex turned the corner on the third floor landing he looked up to see Amanda and Rachel sitting together at the top of the stairs.

"Uh-Oh, you're both waiting for me aren't you? This can't be good," he said grinning and shaking his head. "So, what's up?" He said trying to look innocent.

"You know full well what's up, babe," replied Rachel. "Get your little tushy up here now and take a quick shower. We have work to do before we go shopping."

"Aw, do I have too?" He asked in a mock whine as he slowly ascended the last flight of stairs.

Amanda stood up as he passed by her and she swatted his butt with a big grin. She shouted, "scoot!"

Alex opened his apartment door and dropped his book bag near his desk. Then he pulled off his coat and shoes and started undressing as he moved towards the bathroom.

"And don't forget to shave babe," Rachel shouted through the bathroom door. "Real close too!"

A couple of minutes later Rachel entered his bathroom and set a robe on the hook on the bathroom door. Alex was lathering up his hair as Rachel peeked behind the shower curtain.

"Hey babe," she said, "I hung your robe on the door. Don't put on anything else, okay?"

"Okay, thanks," Alex said as he leaned forward and kissed Rachel on the cheek. "I'll be out in a minute." Alex paused a moment and thought about what she just said.

"Wait a minute! Why?"

Alex squinted again as he peered around the shower curtain with soap dripping into his eyes. Rachel was already out the door.

"Humph? Now what?" He thought with a bit of aprehension.

-2-

When Alex stepped out of his shower Amanda stood waiting with another towel to wrap around his hair. Alex has had long hair since high school when he tried his hand at playing in a rock and roll band.

"What teenager doesn't?" He pleaded with his mom who eventually relented.

It was a short-lived moment; it was mostly because the girl he was infatuated with at the time played the keyboards in a local garage band. But his talent and interest in rock and roll faded along with his interest in the keyboardist.

He did like the long hair though; it made him feel like a rebel, even if he really wasn't one. After that he just sort of stuck with the look.

After Amanda wrapped the towel around his hair she wrapped her arms around his neck and planted a deep kiss on his lips.

"That's because I've been missing you all day today," she said with an impish smile. "Now come on, we're going over to Rachel's. That girl has more makeup than Walgreens!"

Amanda took his hand and led him across the hallway into Rachel's apartment. She brought him over to a small stool placed in front of a dressing table and he sat down.

"Here you go sis, he's all clean and dry," said Amanda. She turned around and started to rummage around in a makeup kit on Rachel's dressing table looking for a foundation that might work on his skin.

Rachel stood behind Alex with a hair dryer combing his hair. Once most of the dampness was gone, she began to pin it back so that it wouldn't get in the way of the makeup Amanda was going to apply. She looked at him in the mirror.

"Before we go we have to get you ready, babe," said Rachel. Her eyes were twinkling mischievously.

"What do you mean," asked Alex?

"Do you want to go shopping for girl stuff dressed like a girl or like a guy?" Rachel leaned down and kissed him on the cheek with a wicked grin.

"Oh, I see. A girl, I guess. But won't everyone know?"

"Not when we are through with you they won't," Amanda replied. "Now pay attention because there will be a test at the end of the lesson."

Alex blinked a bit shocked.

Amanda had a huge grin on her face and Rachel laughed. Amanda leaned in and kissed him on the cheek.

"Just kidding sweetie," she said. "But you should pay attention so you'll know how it's done and you can eventually do it yourself."

Rachel reached down and pushed Alex's knees together.

"And don't forget to keep your knees together when you're wearing a skirt."

"Rachel, I don't have a bra that will fit him, do you," asked Amanda?

"I'll look in my dresser but I know the cups will all be too big," Rachel replied. "Maybe I can find a push-up." Rachel's size 'D' plus chest was considerably larger than Alex's 'C' cup but she looked anyway.

"Perhaps a demi cup would offer just enough support," Rachel thought as she searched through her drawers. "I think I have an old one in here somewhere that just might fit."

While Rachel dug through her dresser, Amanda started on Alex's makeup. A few minutes later, and at the bottom of her bottom drawer, Rachel found a matching set that looked like they might fit him.

Rachel slipped Alex's arms through the straps while Amanda finished with the mascara and eyeliner. After she closed the clasp on the bra Rachel leaned forward and kissed Amanda on the cheek.

"You guys make a good team," Alex remarked watching the two of them working together so closely.

"Yeah, we do," replied Rachel as Amanda smiled sweetly.

While Rachel adjusted the bra Amanda started with the foundation and blush. The bra seemed to fit nicely. Then Rachel walked into her bathroom and returned shortly with a long piece of adhesive tape. She had cut a hole in one end and she split the other end up a little more than halfway.

"Here, stand up a second," she said to Alex. "Sorry Amanda, this will only take a second."

Rachel reached around Alex and tried to slip the head of his cock into the hole on one end of the tape. But he was beginning to grow hard with all this attention and it didn't help that Rachel's mouth was only inches from his crotch.

"I'd love to help you with that babe, but if I do, the rest of the afternoon will be shot," grinned Rachel.

Alex sat down trying to control his heart and his cock from overheating. Amanda stood back and giggled at his predicament.

Eventually, trying to do a series of math problems in his head, things began to calm down. He nodded to Rachel that he was doing better.

"Okay, stand up babe, and let me slip this over the head." Rachel pushed his cock head into the hole she created on the end of the tape.

"Now reach under and push your balls into the hollow in your crotch," she said watching him closely. "Good, now pull the tape underneath and lay your cock against your perineum. Not too tightly, just enough to flatten your front."

As Alex's cock pushed against his balls to hold them in place, Rachel pulled the two pieces of tape snuggly against his ass cheeks, on either side of his crack.

"This will keep you from standing up in the ladies room but it will still allow you to pee. Neat huh?" Rachel grinned as she admired her handiwork as Alex stood there blushing. She got up and walked over to her dresser.

"Here babe," said Rachel tossing Alex a pair of her high rise lace panties that matched the bra, "put these on."

Alex stepped into the panties and looked down at his crotch. The bulge that had been there since he was old enough to notice, was gone. It was a bit unnerving at first. He looked up at the girls and smiled awkwardly.

"Now those panties fit you better," she said with a grin and Amanda stood admiring Rachel's handiwork with a smirk.

Alex turned bright crimson as he sat back down. He wiggled a bit to test how well the tape held.

"So this is how she does it," he thought a bit amazed. "Cool."

He was glad, for once, that the girls had taken so much care to remove all the hair from his body. Otherwise removing that tape would have been brutal. He looked up and turned his attention back to Amanda with a sheepish grin.

"Okay sweetie, the trick here is to just put on enough to enhance not embarrass," said Amanda concentrating on her brushwork. "You're not doing a drag show."

Alex glanced over at the mirror and to watch what she was doing.

"You already have beautiful features so all I'm doing is giving them a little highlight."

Alex tried to keep an eye on what Amanda was doing with his makeup but it was hard to watch every step, especially when the makeup was being applied to his own face.

Rachel pulled some of the hairpins out of his hair and, using a hairdryer again, she began to finish drying and straightening his hair. Once that was done she walked back over to her dresser.

"Where are the shoes that you bought," asked Rachel? She was busy rifling through another drawer looking for clothes that might fit him.

"They're in my closet across the hall," said Alex.

"I'll go get them, I'm through with his makeup now anyway," said Amanda setting down a tube of foundation and walking towards Rachel's front door.

"They're in the back on the left behind a box of papers," said Alex.

"Okay, I'll find them," shouted Amanda as she opened Alex's apartment door across the hall.

Rachel pulled a brightly striped scooped-neck tank top out from another drawer and handed it to Alex.

"Here, put this on," she said as she turned back to her dresser.

"Doesn't this reveal too much," he asked nervously?

"Nope, it'll be just right. Those girls are lovely, babe, you shouldn't hide them. You just want to tease, not advertise. If you know what I mean."

"Do all girls think like this?"

"Not all, but a lot of them do. You've heard the phrase 'if you got them, flaunt them' haven't you?"

Alex nodded as Rachel turned to find him a pair of pants.

"I've got a pair of capris that you can probable fit into but we'll have to use a belt because your waist is narrower than mine, which makes me totally jealous." She opened up her bottom drawer again and dug to the back. "Found them," she said as she pulled out a pair of peach colored capris and handed them to Alex.

By the time Amanda returned with Alex's new heels Rachel was back to Alex's hair. She combed it carefully then pulled it back and up into a high ponytail. She used a curling iron to give the ends a bit of a curl and twist.

"It looks more feminine this way," she said as she brushed his hair and shaped the curl.

Amanda set his new three-inch heels by his feet and dropped a pair of knee-high sheer stockings next to them. Alex reached down and pulled on the knee-high stockings then he stood up to pull on the Capri pants. Next he stepped into his new shoes.

Amanda and Rachel both stood back and watched as Alex slowly turned towards them. He was a bit wobbly at first. But he had a good sense of balance and within minutes he was standing tall in his new heels.

"Whoa," said Amanda, gawking at Alex. "I can't believe it's you, sweetie. Rachel those clothes look great on him.

Amanda turned to Rachel and asked, "Do you think the heels are too much for shopping?"

"Nah," she replied shaking her head. "Besides, they make his butt even cuter."

Alex blushed brightly and rolled his eyes, which made both women giggle.

"You look good enough to eat, babe," grinned Rachel with a gleam in her eyes. "Your makeup is perfect, nice job, Amanda."

"Thanks, Rachel," she replied. "Now lets go shopping!"

-3-

They all piled into Alex's car and headed out to the local discount strip. Amanda drove, as it was too much to expect Alex to drive in heels for the first time.

"I think Alex needs a new name," said Rachel looking across the front seat. "What do you think Amanda?"

"I agree," she replied. "Hmmm," she paused a moment in thought. "How about April? It's the month she was born," Amanda replied with a sweet smile.

"I like that, very springy," Rachel nodded her approval as she looked at Alex in the back seat.

"April, we're going to Target first to get all the basic stuff and then we'll head for the mall," said Amanda looking at Alex in the rearview mirror. "This is going to be so much fun!"

"Girls, are you sure about this?" Alex's voice had a bit of a quaver to it.

Rachel and Amanda could hear the tension in his voice.

"This isn't some sort of hazing to get into the 'all girls club' is it?"

Alex's anxiety levels were continuing to climb.

"April, you'll do fine sweetheart, the only thing anyone will notice is how beautiful you are," cooed Amanda.

"She's right, babe. Come on, we're here," said Rachel, "I call dibs on dressing room assistant."

"Not fair!" Amanda shouted as they scampered arm in arm into the store laughing and giggling all the way to the women's section. Alex followed behind them walking a little less sure of himself with every step.

He blushed slightly as he looked at everyone he passed fully expecting each one of them to point and laugh. But no one seemed to notice. Still, his heart was racing.

As he walked down the main aisle he passed the women's accessory section on the right. Alex glanced over and noticed a woman behind the counter watching him. He smiled at her coyly and she smiled back. Not knowing what else to do, Alex raised his hand and meekly waved at her then he nodded at her at the same time.

Amanda came back over to Alex and grabbed his hand then she leaned up and whispered in his ear.

"What are you doing?"

"Nothing. The woman smiled at me and I smiled back. I think she knows!"

"Knows what?"

"That I'm not a woman!" he whispered through his teeth.

"Oh my god," Amanda replied in a forced whisper. "The way you were looking at her she probably thinks you're a lesbian!"

Alex blanched at the thought.

"Just act like you would if you were wearing jeans and a t-shirt," murmured Amanda. "Now stop being all weird and come on, sweetie."

A moment later they caught up with Rachel in the women's section. She was browsing through the clearance rack and Amanda joined her while Alex stood awkwardly fingering the texture of a blouse.

"Here," said Amanda handing Alex a couple of Capri pants and some camisole tops, "put these into the cart. You can try them on in a minute."

Rachel found a nice cotton sundress and one made out of a jersey knit and dropped them into the cart as well.

"You won't need to try these on because I already know that they'll fit from what you are wearing," Rachel said, already digging through another rack. She found a long black knit dress that dropped daringly low in the back and had a simple scooped neck front. She held it up against Alex to check the fit. Then she tossed it and a similar one in red into the cart.

While the girls continued to rummage through the racks Alex wandered over to the underwear section. He began to sort through the demi-cups for something that might fit.

"Hey sweetie," whispered Amanda, "we're going to Victoria's Secret after this, you don't need anything here."

"I know but this would be for everyday wear," replied Alex. "Besides, they have cute matched sets."

Amanda's eyes began to sparkle. "That's the spirit!" She helped him pick out a few more sets. Then she tossed his choices into the basket.

"Come on," Amanda said tugging him away from the bra sets, "let's go to the fitting room."

"April, I've already got you set up in room three," said Rachel with a wink towards Amanda.

"You can have Victoria's Secret," she whispered to Amanda as Alex entered the fitting room area. Amanda's eyes began to gleam with anticipation.

Alex glanced at the fitting room employee who stood near the front counter rehanging clothes on a restock rack. He wondered if the girl noticed anything odd about the woman who just walked past her. If she did, she didn't show it. Alex walked quickly back to fitting room three and ducked behind the door.

As Alex slipped off his pants and began to pull on the new ones. Rachel, wearing a wicked grin, couldn't resist the temptation. She reached inside his panties and touched him. Alex squirmed beneath her fingers.

"Oh god Rachel, you're killing me," Alex whispered hoarsely. "That strap is a torture device. It works all too well."

"I'll be happy to take care of it once we get home, babe," she replied with a grin as she continued to massage his crotch. "I'm just checking to see if everything is still nice an snug. And it is," she giggled.

"You are a terrible tease!" His whisper was stressed by the tension in his panties.

"Of course," replied Rachel coyly. "But that doesn't mean you can't help me with my problem."

"What problem?"

Alex looked down and saw her cock begin to emerge from beneath her skirt. It tented her skirt as it continued to rise.

"How did you..." Alex whispered frantically.

"I brought the tape."

"But in a dressing room?" Alex listened frantically for any sounds that might suggest that the dressing room attendant was nearby.

"Don't worry babe, it happens all the time in here," Rachel replied nonchalantly.

"It does?"

Rachel kissed him hard on the lips then smirked as she pushed down on Alex's shoulders, lowering him towards her 'problem'.

Alex peeled Rachel's panties down and looked at the cock that was pointed towards his mouth. He parted his lips and kissed the head softly. It was amazing to him that in such a short time the very thought of sucking Rachel's cock has become so natural for him. It seemed to be an act that now felt so completely normal, at least with Rachel. He could never imagine doing this with anyone else. He wasn't gay. He wasn't even bisexual. He just wanted to be with Rachel and Amanda, to please them as much as he could.

Alex began to run his tongue along the underside of Rachel's rigid cock, licking and sucking her slowly. Then he moved his lips to let her begin to fuck his mouth. She moved her hands behind his head and guided him to take more of her and deeper. She was moving rhythmically in and out of his mouth, feeling him suck and lick her length.

"Ohh, you learn fast, babe," she sighed more a moan than a whisper. "Oh god I'm close."

Rachel began to pick up the pace, moving quickly in and out of Alex's mouth. Alex brought his hand up to stroke her base as he concentrated on her cock head.

Suddenly she erupted in his mouth, plunging deeper into him as she squirted her cum down his throat. She held him gently as he hugged her waist tightly feeling her slowly soften in his mouth.




Stray Cats Pt. 02



"I'm so glad I met you April," she murmured as her heart rate slowed down. "You and Amanda are simply the best thing that has ever happened to me."

Alex let her fall out of his mouth and he leaned up to kiss her on the small patch of hair above her cock.

"The feeling is mutual Rachel," he said with a sweet smile as he kissed her again. "Now pull your panties up and help me with these bras."

Rachel adjusted herself quickly and helped Alex try on several bras. Then Alex put on one of the dresses that Amanda picked out and looked in the mirror. It was a nice floral print that clung to him in all the right places.

"What do you think?" He asked twisting from side to side to glimpse the back.

"I think it looks great but you'd better show Amanda. She picked it out."

Alex padded softly out of the dressing room and stood in the entryway looking for Amanda. She waved from the shoe section and walked briskly back to the dressing room area.

"Oooh, very nice. Turn around sweetie," she cooed. "Perfect for brunch on Sunday."

"Brunch? Where?"

"At my office downtown. Didn't I mention it too you?" Amanda asked coyly. "It's an annual thing apparently, something to do with when the firm was established. It's business casual. This will be perfect."

"But..."

"Don't worry, Rachel will be there too," Amanda cooed. "Now hurry up and finish we have one more place to go to before we're done."

Alex turned slowly looking a bit overwhelmed. He padded in bare feet back to the dressing room and closed the door softly.

"Did you know about a brunch on Sunday," he asked looking shocked?

"Amanda did mention something to me about it this afternoon before you came back from class. Why?"

"She..."

"Oh don't worry, you'll do fine," Rachel assured him as she held up a pair of pants to try on. "Here, try these on."

"Rachel," said Alex pointing at the bulge in Rachel's skirt and smirking, "where's your tape?"

Rachel blushed crimson and smiled sheepishly.

"Math problems worked for me," he said with a chuckle.

"I don't know how you do it, Alex Wells, but in only a couple of weeks you've managed to turn me into a blushing school girl." Rachel reached under her crotch and secured her penis with the tape.

Alex smiled and helped her adjust her skirt.

"Thanks," Rachel grinned and blushed again. "Here," she said handing Alex several pair of pants, "try these on next."

Rachel helped Alex try on a few more dresses, blouses and skirts. Some of them fit and a few were discarded. By the time they were finished Alex was beginning to amass quite a wardrobe.

"Amanda," he said walking back to his car, "what if I don't want to wear anything like this ever again?"

"The way you went through the bra section sweetheart, I'm not worried," said Amanda with a big grin, "it's money well spent. Besides, I want you to look good this Sunday."

"Amanda, about this Sunday..."

"I'm sorry April, I should have mentioned it earlier. I guess in the rush to get you ready it just slipped my mind. Would you please join Rachel and me at my office this Sunday? I've told everyone about you and they really want to meet you." Amanda stood in the middle of the Target parking lot with a girlish pout on her face.

"How am I supposed to say no when you ask me like that?"

Amanda squealed and hugged Alex then she kissed him on the cheek.

"Come on, Victoria's Secret is calling your name," Amanda murmured.

Victoria's Secret was truly a different experience altogether. The prices were outrageous and Alex found it difficult to accept Amanda's generosity but she would have none of it. She found three delicious looking nightgowns and an absolutely stunning teddy for Alex to try on plus three different types of bra and panty sets.

"This black lace one is uber-sexy," murmured Amanda as she watched Rachel feel the fine soft lace. "I'm going to enjoy peeling this one off of you," she whispered to Alex and he blushed a deep crimson.

Amanda found two more bras that were totally decadent and tossed them in a pile near the register.

"My turn to be dressing room assistant," said Amanda melodically. And she wiggled her butt suggestively as she waltzed into the farthest dressing room with Alex in tow.

Once inside Amanda quickly helped Alex pull off his tank top and bra. Then she buried her face between his breasts and inhaled.

"God you smell good," she murmured. She moved her lips over and took a nipple into her mouth. She bit and sucked on the nipple pulling it out and making it swell up. While she worked one breast with her mouth she lifted her hand to the other breast and began to massage it gently then she trailed kissed across his chest and up his neck.

"I am so going to fuck your brains out tonight. God you make me horny," she whispered wantonly into his ear as she continued to fondle his breasts.

All in all Alex was aghast when the final bill was added up.

"Amanda," he whispered, "this is way too much. Please let me pay you back for all of this."

"April darling, you've got it all wrong," replied Amanda as she swiped her credit card in the machine. "I'm paying you back for all you've done for me. Besides," she whispered in his ear, "tonight we get to play dress up and that will more than compensate."

Alex looked up at the store clerk ringing up their sale and blushed as he saw a knowing smirk on the young girl's face.

"Come on. We have one more stop," said Rachel. "The Discount Shoe Warehouse. I'm going to buy you at least one more pair of heels and a pair of flats."

They piled all the bags in the trunk of Alex's car and drove across town to the shoe store.

"I'm glad the shoes I have on aren't that high or I wouldn't have made it this far," said Alex softly as he followed Amanda and Rachel into the store.

A pimpled-faced clerk stood at the register and watched the girls walk past him towards the back of the store.

"I think he knows," whispered Alex to Rachel.

"Who cares," replied Rachel. "You'll make his day if he ever finds out, but he won't."

"Hey, let's have some fun," Amanda whispered to Rachel.

"What kind of fun?"

"Just follow my lead when we get to checkouts," quipped Amanda with a wicked gleam in her eye.

They wandered down several aisles before Amanda stopped suddenly.

"April, look at these," she gasped. "They're just naughty." And they were; all five inches of those black stiletto heels with a black lace vamp and high ankle straps looked totally dangerous.

"They simply scream 'fuck me'," murmured Amanda with a twinkle in her eye.

"You got the dresses and the bras, Amanda," said Rachel flourishing her wallet, "I get to buy the shoes and those are definitely on the list. Plus he wears the same size as I do so we can share!"

Once they finished roaming the aisles the girls headed back to the front of the store. Amanda asked the store clerk to help April with her shoes.

"She's having such a hard time with the strap," Amanda said coyly.

The clerk walked around the counter towards April. His face was flushed as he knelt down next to April's shoes. He lifted her right leg and checked the fit of the shoe. As she lowered her leg the clerk bent further down and adjusted the ankle straps on each of the shoes.

"I just need to make sure the fit is correct," he muttered as he placed his hands on her ankles. But his movement was less like he was checking the fit and more like he was fondling her ankles. Alex, who now stood two inches taller in the five-inch heels, blushed crimson red. The clerk smiled as he made an attempt at a final adjustment then slowly stood up in front of Alex.

"How's the fit?" The clerk asked softly with a squeak and a catch in his throat.

"They feel fine," Alex said shyly.

"She'll wear them out," said Rachel with a smirk.

The clerk nodded and returned to his register to check them out.

As they walked out of the store Alex leaned close to Amanda.

"You are simply too dangerous to shop with," Alex whispered through clenched teeth. "I was so incredibly embarrassed when that clerk fondled my ankles."

"Oh pooh," Amanda replied with a smirk. "Tell me you didn't enjoy all that attention. You probably made that poor boy's week."

-4-

Alex, Amanda, and Rachel walked back to his car for the drive home. They dropped the shoeboxes along side of the clothing bags in Alex's trunk then Alex pulled the new set of ballet flats out of one of the boxes and brought them with him as he slipped into the backseat. He handed Amanda the keys to the car and grinned sheepishly.

"My feet are killing me," he replied.

"You've gotten a lot better at doing that without flashing the world," Rachel said watching Alex sit into the backseat. "But it's tougher to do with a short skirt so keep practicing."

They drove out of the parking lot and headed towards their home as Alex took off the new pair of high heels and slipped on a pair of flats.

"Thank you, both of you," Alex said as he leaned forward and wrapped his arms around both girls' shoulders. "You made me feel very special today and I can't tell you both how much this has meant to me."

"You're welcome, April," replied Rachel.

"The same from me," said Amanda.

"Hey, I don't know about you two but I'm starving," said Alex. "There's a place on the corner that's good, let's stop there. And no argument, I'm buying."

The three girls walked into the restaurant and a hostess led them towards a booth by the windows. The hostess continued to glance at Alex as they walked back to their booth. She had a coy smile on her face and after she placed the menus on the table she brushed against Alex's arm and glanced back at him as she left.

"Did you see that Rachel," asked Amanda?

Rachel nodded and smirked at Alex.

"That hostess totally stroked April as she left. I think we've created a monster," Amanda said with a wicked grin.

"Hush, both of you," Alex whispered blushing bright pink.

A few minutes later their food was ordered and they sat sipping on a glass of wine while they waited.

"This has been quite a day," said Alex with a sigh.

"Hey," whispered Rachel, "don't look yet but those guys over there are totally checking us out."

"Where," asked Amanda looking up at Rachel?

"Don't look," said Rachel quickly. "Three booths down on the opposite side, the redhead is mine I could totally do him," she murmured softly. "Okay, now look."

Amanda and Alex slowly turned around and glanced back several booths to see three guys sitting in a booth all leaning forward and whispering to one another.

"You think they'll come over," asked Amanda?

"God, I hope not," replied Alex quickly turning back to look at Rachel.

About then all three of the young men got up and walked towards the girls. They stopped in the aisle in front of their booth.

"Hey," said the older looking of the three. He was tall and lanky with a shock of unkempt red hair that fell across blue eyes. His eyes sparkled with a mischievous twinkle.

"My name is Ted, this is Bryan, and Taylor," he said pointing to the other two as he named them. "You girls want some company?"

"We'd love to but not tonight, Ted," replied Rachel. "I'm Rachel, and this is April and Amanda. We've just spent the day shopping and we're exhausted. Perhaps some other time?"

"Sure," said Ted holding out a business card to Rachel, "our numbers are on the back. Call us, okay?" The three boys walked back to the table, turned and waved as they sat in their booth.

"You are one cool chic," murmured Amanda as she waved back to the boys. "You handled that so well. You brushed them off and still gave them hope. You are a goddess."

"You have much to learn, grasshopper," Rachel replied with a grin then she turned to Alex. "Taylor was totally checking you out, April, I think you could have wrapped him around your little finger if you wanted to."

"Shush," whispered Alex blushing again. "He's not my type."

"Oh, and who is your type?" Asked Amanda with a wicked grin.

"You two," said Alex softly.

After dinner they drove home and walked back in the rear door of the apartment house. As they crossed the foyer and began to climb the stairs Tom Reilly, the landlord, popped his head out of his apartment.

"Hey you guys," he said with a grin, "have you seen Wells?"

Alex began to edge behind Rachel hoping that Reilly wouldn't make any connection. Amanda bit her lip to keep from giggling.

"He promised me that he'd help me this weekend with the firepit in the backyard," Reilly continued. "Something came up and I need to see if he can help me Sunday instead of tomorrow."

"Sorry, Tom," replied Amanda. "But if we see him we'll tell him you're looking for him."

"Thanks," replied Reilly. He stood a moment and surveyed the three lovely ladies standing before him. "You girls are sure looking foxy today," he growled suggestively with a foolish grin and a thumbs-up gesture.

"Foxy?" Rachel grinned broadly. "Thanks Tom," she said shaking her head as she continued to climb the stairs. Amanda and Alex followed her as Tom shrugged his shoulders and closed his apartment door. Alex could hear Tom's television blaring in the background.

"If Nancy ever heard that she'd skin him alive," muttered Alex looking back at the foyer.

"Whose Nancy," Amanda asked?

"Tom's wife," Alex replied with a grin.

-5-

Alex collapsed on his couch and the bags he and the girls were carrying were piled around him.

"Damn, I simply don't know how you girls do it," he sighed. "I'm exhausted."

Amanda and Rachel pushed the bags out of the way and flopped down on either side of him.

"That was fun," sighed Amanda. "Thank you for being such a good sport about it. I haven't had a day out shopping like that in ages."

"I have to agree with April," murmured Rachel, "it was exhausting but I loved every minute of it." Rachel stood up and began to empty the contents of all the bags they carried onto Alex. In a matter of moments he was buried in bras, panties and dresses.

"How about we freshen up and meet back up at Rachel's in a half hour?" Suggested Amanda. "I'll bring the wine," she said standing up slowly.

"Sounds great," Rachel replied. "I need a shower anyway. April, put on something cute from your new wardrobe when you come over, okay babe?"

"Humm, I can't wait to see what she picks out first," said Amanda with a broad grin.

Amanda and Rachel walked out of Alex's door and left him sitting alone buried in a pile of new clothes with a silly grin on his face.

After a shower and touch up of his makeup, Alex decided to go for the black dress that Rachel picked out at Target. He added the black lace bra and matching panties plus the black five-inch stilettos and black stay up hose to complete the look.

He opened his door, paused a moment, then took a breath and slowly let it out. When he was ready he walked out into the hallway. The click of his heels against the aging wood floors echoed along the corridor. It was as if he had discovered a whole new part of himself and that part had now become complete. For the first time in his life he felt...beautiful. It wasn't so much dressing as a woman, but dressing for himself that transformed him. And it felt good. It wasn't going to change who he was, but he was finally going to be true to himself.

Alex knocked softly on Rachel's door and waited. A moment later the door opened. Rachel and Amanda stood beaming with grins from ear to ear as they looked at Alex standing in the doorway.

"Oh my god, April," squealed Amanda. "You look gorgeous!"

"Come in, come in," repeated Rachel.

As Alex, walked into the center of the room he stopped and turned towards the two girls. He tilted his head in a coquettish manner and smiled coyly.

"You're right Amanda, she looks delicious. Would you like a glass of wine, babe?" Asked Rachel with a sly grin.

"I would love one," replied Alex who then turned to Amanda. "Won't you join me?" Alex asked extending his hand towards Amanda as they both followed Rachel into her kitchen.

The three of them stood a moment holding their wine glasses aloft.

"I propose a toast," said Alex looking at the two beautiful women standing before him with glistening eyes. "To family."

They clinked their glasses and downed the wine in one gulp then set them on the counter. Alex opened his arms and everyone came together in one big hug.

"Okay babe, I want to see you strut your stuff in that outfit," Rachel growled provocatively.

Alex walked around the counter and paused a moment. He looked back at the two girls and winked. Then he slowly strutted across the living room floor, paused, and then turned to walk back to the center of the room.

"What do you think," he asked?

"I think I want to peel that dress off of you and make love to the gorgeous woman underneath," growled Amanda. "Want to help, Rachel?"

"Let's take this to the bedroom," murmured Rachel as she took Alex's hand and pulled him to the bedroom door.

Rachel and Amanda quickly let their dresses crumple on the floor around their feet as they stepped towards Alex to help him with his dress.

A moment later they all fell into Rachel's bed, kissing and giggling. Alex leaned over and kissed Amanda's nipples while he reached over to touch Rachel's cock.

Then Alex moved over to draw Rachel's cock into his mouth while Rachel reached over to finger his ass. While pulling more of Rachel's cock into his mouth Alex began to rub Amanda's pussy.

"Oh yesss," hissed Amanda as she writhed under the touch of Alex's fingers.

Alex maneuvered around to lick Amanda's pussy while Rachel continued to open Alex up for her to take his cherry. A moment or two later Amanda moved to sit on Alex's face while she began to lower her mouth onto his swelling cock.

Once Rachel felt he was opened up enough to take her girth, Rachel opened a condom wrapper and slipped it over the head of her cock. She maneuvered around between Alex's legs while she reached over to finger Amanda's butt she whispered to Alex. "Are you ready for me babe?"

Alex was pulling gently on Amanda's clit sending her into orbit and could only moan while he felt her slowly push her cock into him. Although she managed to open him up quite a bit, he had heard that the first time was always the most intense. And this was certainly intense. Rachel paused so that Alex could adjust to the fullness of her inside him then she slowly began move in and out of his ass.

"Holy mother of god I feel so full with you inside me," Alex moaned as Rachel began to thrust harder.

Alex moved his fingers up to massage Amanda's g-spot while Amanda leaned forward and sucked on Rachel's nipples while stroking Alex's cock. All of this while Rachel continued to pound Alex's ass.

Alex drew his fingers across Amanda's g-spot once again and she started to soar as Rachel felt her orgasm build and begin to travel up her cock. She reached down and joined her hand with Amanda's to stroke Alex as the three of them climaxed as one.

Later that night Alex walked out of Rachel's bedroom donning one of her silk bathrobes as he crossed the living room floor. He opened the front door and walked across the hallway softly. Inside his apartment he pulled together what he needed to make a pot of coffee and walked back to Rachel's apartment.

Several minutes later, lured by the aroma of freshly brewed coffee, Amanda emerged from the bedroom and joined Alex on Rachel's couch. Alex got up and poured Amanda a cup then returned to sit next to her as Amanda snuggled up against him.

"Do you think we're going too fast?" Asked Amanda softly looking up into his face serenely.

"Maybe, sometimes yes, and sometimes no," Alex replied in a whisper. "I've waited a long time for love to come into life that could make me feel as complete as you two do."

Rachel, wearing a soft and flowing nightgown, walked softly across the living room floor and knelt down in front of Amanda and Alex. She leaned forward and laid her head into Amanda's lap as Amanda gently brushed Rachel's hair out of her eyes.




Stray Cats Pt. 02



"I wish it could always be like this moment," murmured Rachel sweetly.

"So do I love," Amanda whispered, "so do I."



Stray Cats Pt. 03



Chapter 03

The Office Party and a trip to Seattle  

A Note to the Reader:

This is the third part of a series entitled Stray Cats. If you haven't read the first two episodes you might consider doing so before you venture on from here. It might clear up some confusion that may occur not understanding where and why things happen the way they do. But of course, as always, it's your choice. I hope you enjoy the story.

=ONE=

Sunday arrived quietly with the sun peeking through the trees in the front of Tom Reilly's apartment house. Alex opened his eyes and blinked at the sun rudely streaming through his window. It was waking him much earlier than he wanted. He didn't get in from his night shift at the convenience store until after two in the morning and sunrise at six was rude, no matter how anyone looked at it.

Sunrise was coming earlier and earlier as the world drifted towards summer in Wilmington. It also meant that Alex's spring semester was nearly finished and he was facing another round of finals in a couple of weeks. The thought made him sink lower into his pillow. But today he had no time for studying, he promised to devote it all to Amanda.

Today was the day he was going to Amanda's office party with Rachel. It wasn't that he didn't want to go; he did actually. He just wasn't all that confident about going as April, his female counterpart. He'd only been dressing as April for a couple of days now, and he wasn't at all convinced that others would accept him. Besides that, the possibility that he would embarrass Amanda and Rachel at a big corporate office party was not his idea of a pleasant Sunday afternoon.

Amanda, wearing fluffy pajamas, opened his front door as quietly as she could and slipped inside with a quirky grin. She almost glided across the floor, tiptoeing on bare feet. She slipped under the covers and cuddled up next to Alex.

"Morning, sweetie," she said as she leaned over and kissed his forehead. "You got in way too late last night."

"The night truck was late again and we had to wait until they unloaded to restock the shelves," he groaned.

"Have you decided who's going with me to the party this afternoon?" she asked sweetly.

"I think it has to be Alex," he murmured. "I'm not confident enough to go out as April. Besides, you've already told them about me as Alex so me showing up as April would be totally awkward."

"That's true, but I so wanted to see you in that new dress," she replied with a pout.

Alex pulled her across his chest and wrapped his arms around her tightly.

"I'll wear it next weekend when I take you and Rachel out to dinner," he replied kissing her neck and nibbling at her earlobe.

"It will just be me, babe," said Rachel softly as she turned to close Alex's door. "We have to take Amanda to the airport on Friday, remember?" She walked across the floor in her nightgown and bare feet to join them on his bed.

"Oh crap, I forgot," he muttered. "What time do you need to be there Amanda?"

"By 6:00 in the morning."

"Ugh, too early." Alex rolled off of the couch that served as his bed and sat at his makeshift desk. He jotted down a reminder so he wouldn't forget again.

"I tell you what, I'll take us to breakfast instead, just us girls," he said with a wry grin.

"Where?" Amanda asked, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

"There's this quaint little Parisian restaurant on Elm Street, Madeline's I think it's called. I stopped in there the other day to check it out. Come on, scoot, I need all the time I can get to not look like a gorilla in drag," he said with a broad grin.

"I'll be back up in a flash to help," Amanda offered.

"Me too," Rachel added.

"Okay, hurry, I want to beat the church crowd," he replied.

Both girls scrambled for the door as Alex walked towards his bathroom.

Thirty minutes later they were both back in his room helping him put on the sundress that Amanda bought. Rachel, wearing flats for a change, quickly blow-dried his hair while Amanda, in sandals and capris, finished up his makeup. She pulled a pair of false lashes from her purse and started to apply them.

"These go on quick, look great, and they're easy to remove," she said as she lightly placed the second lash on his eye. "No mascara to scrub off either."

Meanwhile Alex dabbed a small bit of nail glue on a fingernail then he pressed a false nail in place.

Twenty minutes later he stood up and spun around in his three inch heeled sandals.

"How do I look? Passable?" he asked.

"Heavens yes! Let's go before I mess up your makeup devouring you right there on the spot," Rachel replied with a devilish grin.

"I can't believe I have such beautiful sisters!" Amanda exclaimed.

As the three of them walked down the last flight of stairs and into the front foyer, Tom Reilly poked his head out of his apartment.

"Hey Rachel," he asked squinting and looking a bit haggard in the morning light. "You haven't seen Wells have you?" Tom took a moment and glanced again at Alex standing slightly behind Amanda in a pretty sundress.

Alex looked away hoping that Tom wouldn't make any connections to the missing tenant from the third floor.

"No Tom, he got in really early this morning. He's probably still in bed," Rachel replied with as much sincerity as she could muster given the urge to snicker. 

"Thanks." Tom ducked back inside his apartment and closed his door. Alex could hear him muttering to himself even with the door closed. 

They turned and walked quickly down the back hallway and out the door towards Alex's car. A French bakery was calling their name.

Madeline's was a quaint little French bakery that served Parisian cuisine for breakfast and lunch. It had an old world charm about it that spoke volumes about taking life at a more leisurely pace. It was always overcrowded by ten in the morning, especially on Sundays. Alex and the girls just managed to make it there before the mid-morning rush so they found a little table in a secluded alcove and sat down to enjoy their brunch.

"We have to do this again real soon," murmured Amanda taking the last bite of her quiche.

"As soon as you get back from Seattle," Rachel replied, "and this time it'll be my treat."

"April, I think you're getting better with being April," Amanda said with an impish smile.

"What do you mean?" asked Alex.

"The way you walk. How you sit. Even the way you eat, it's all becoming a lot more feminine."

"It is kind of fun to watch her bloom," added Rachel. "You're a fast learner, babe."

"Thanks, that's high praise coming from you two, you guys are like drill sergeants you know."

"We have plans," Rachel said with a wicked smile and twisting an invisible moustache.

Amanda laughed and playfully swatted Rachel's shoulder.

"How far do you want to go?" she asked. "Would you like to live as a woman full time?"

"I don't think so. Don't misunderstand me, I love moments like this where the three of us can sit here casually and have a conversation, just us girls. These moments are really special to me. But remember that there is still a masculine side to me and that side wants to be here too."

"Are we pushing you too far?" Amanda asked looking a bit worried.

"No, I don't think so because it's all coming from love."

Alex looked up to see Amanda's eyes twinkle and Rachel's smile.

"I just think I need time to find out who I am, that's all. I think I belong somewhere between April and Alex. I'll get there eventually. I could never have done this without your help, you know. You two have been such wonderful sisters to me.

They giggled and all three held hands.

"Hey, what time is it?" Rachel asked.

"Nearly eleven, crap, we have to go, the party starts at one," Amanda replied.

An hour later Alex walked across the hallway and knocked on Rachel's door. He was wearing a nice pair of men's trousers and a light blue dress shirt and tie. 

"Can you help me with these?" he asked as Rachel opened her door. He handed her two diamond stud earrings. "I'm still new to this and I can't seem to get them to stay."

"Sure babe, come over to the mirror and watch," she replied taking his hand in hers.

Rachel pushed the earrings in place and fastened the backs to them. Then she looked at him with a smirk and bit her lower lip.

"What?" he asked looking into the mirror a second time. "Oh, yeah, I suppose those should probably go," he added carefully taking the false eyelashes off his eyelids.

Amanda knocked softly and opened Rachel's door. She stepped into the living room as Rachel and Alex emerged from her bathroom.

"What should I do with these?" Alex asked handing the eyelashes to Amanda.

"Keep them, sweetie, they look good on you," she replied. "Oh, and I like the earrings too. Is that a compromise?"

"A little," he replied. "Nobody at your office really knows me there so I suppose if I go as 'me' then they'll see that these earrings are part of 'me'.

"I like that," Amanda replied with a huge grin.

"So do I," Rachel added. "What else is a 'part of you'?" she asked with a twinkle in her eye.

"That's a secret waiting for you both to find out later when we get home," Alex replied with an impish grin.

The elevator chime announced their arrival at the ninth floor of the Ackerman building. As the doors slid open Alex could see a wall of mahogany paneling lining the vestibule. The words 'Dresher, Cummings, and Sanford -- Investments and Securities' in bold gold letters were mounted in the middle of the wall opposite the elevators. It was part of the richly appointed hallway that led to Amanda's office.

"Wow, nice place!" exclaimed Alex in a low whisper.

"Yeah, don't let it get to you," Amanda replied. "This is how they like to impress or intimidate their clients, it depends on how you look at it. Don't worry, it's all for show."

"Remember babe, they all put their pants on one leg at a time just like the rest of us," Rachel added in a whisper as they walked towards the reception desk.

"I'll keep that in mind," he responded as they walked past the reception desk and into the commons area of the office. In the commons area a large banquet table was centered in the room. It was filled with all sorts of finger food and fancy delights. The table held a sparkling set of coffee urns, several bottles of champagne and wine, and numerous types of imported beers. It all looked rather festive.

There were about twenty people milling about as they entered. Amanda grabbed Alex and Rachel's arm and began to introduce them to everyone as her boyfriend and her sister.

"I didn't know you had a sister, Amanda," said Margaret Cummings, the firm's chief legal counsel and a senior partner. "Hello, I'm glad to meet you," she said to Alex and Rachel.

"Yes," replied Amanda, "she's the best sister in the whole wide world." Amanda gushed and Rachel blushed.

Leaving Margaret and finishing their rounds of greeting most of the people in the room, the three of them walked casually over to the refreshments table. There was quite a spread of canapés and desserts.

"Do you know what all this stuff is?" Alex asked in a whisper to Amanda.

"Not a clue," she replied, "but it looks scrumptious. Let's find out," she added grabbing a plate.

They filled their plates and then found a seat near a window that overlooked a park that hugged a meandering river near the center of downtown.

"Look at that," Rachel said with a chuckle. "You can see Moulin Rouge from here."

"Hmm, yeah," Amanda replied then she turned with a quizzical look on her face. "You don't have to work tonight, do you?"

"Yeah," she replied with a sigh. "I'm on at nine and off at one."

"Me too," Alex added with a frown. "But I'm on at seven. At least I give you a lift home after work if you want, Rachel?"

"That would be lovely," she replied. "Text me when you're on your way."

"No problem," he replied with a smile.

"Well crap, that means I'm alone again tonight. This sucks," Amanda slumped in her seat with a pout.

"Hello Amanda, nice to see you this afternoon," said a tall thin man with beady eyes.

"Hello Mr. Simmons," Amanda replied looking a bit nervous. "This is my boyfriend Alex and my sister Rachel."

"Well so nice to meet you both," Simmons shook their hands without actually looking either of them in the eye. The handshake bothered Alex. It was cold and clammy, like shaking the tail of a dead fish.

Rachel watched Simmons the whole time. He never seemed to take his eyes off of Amanda. And he looked at her as if he was thinking of things to do with her that would be illegal in all fifty states.

"I've seen this slime ball before," she thought trying to remember where she'd seen him. It wasn't on the tip of her tongue but she'd remember soon enough.

"So Amanda," Simmons continued. He pushed his way in to sit between her and Rachel. "I see that Ballenger account has really taken off with your guidance, nice work, kiddo." Simmons patted her knee as he talked to her.

Amanda began to slide further away from Simmons and up against Alex.

"Thanks," Amanda replied. "I was just telling my boyfriend Alex about that account." Amanda placed an extra emphasis on the word boyfriend. Simmons managed to notice the implication. He glanced over at Alex a moment and watched as Alex glanced down at his hand on Amanda's knee. Then Alex stared coldly at Simmons. Simmons removed his hand from her knee with a smirk.

"Well, I'm looking forward to working a lot closer with you on a couple of new accounts that the firm just acquired. They are very important and the boss doesn't want us to screw them up," Simmons said with a leering grin.

"No problem," Amanda replied, "I'll see you bright and early Monday morning."

Simmons nodded then stood up and turned to saunter off towards one of the clients who just emerged from the elevator.

"That guy gives me the creeps," Alex muttered below his breath as he watched Simmons walk away.

Rachel glanced at Alex briefly then noticed Amanda shivering a little.

"Hey sis, want to go to the restroom with me?" Rachel asked gently.

"Yeah, I need to wash my hands," Amanda replied a bit shaky and looking to Rachel and Alex for reassurance.

"Go ahead sweetie, I'll wait right here and watch our stuff," Alex said with a warm smile.

Amanda and Rachel turned and walked towards the restroom as Alex sat back down on the bench and gazed out the window.

"Where's the ladies restroom?" asked Rachel.

"We don't have separate restrooms," Amanda replied as they walked through the restroom door. "It's a new trend I guess. Besides, management likes to keep the costs down and if they only have to create one restroom to accommodate the staff then they can make the place nicer. At least that's what I've been told. It's all stalls anyway so I guess it doesn't really matter."

"I think I saw this on 'Allie McBeal'," said Rachel as she looked around the room.

Amanda walked over to the sinks and started washing her hands while Rachel stepped into one of the stalls.

Outside, Alex sat quietly munching on another cracker while gazing out the window. He turned briefly to set his plate down on the bench when he noticed Simmons skulking towards the restroom area. Alex's brow began to knit; it did that when something in the back of his mind told him that things were out of place.

Amanda stood at the sink counter and pulled several paper towels from the dispenser to dry her hands. Rachel was still in her stall when Simmons walked into the restroom.

"Well, Amanda, fancy meeting you here," he said with a leer. The expression on his face was one of expectation rather than surprise.

"Oh god, is that the best pick up line you've got, Simmons?" Amanda wondered as she turned to confront him. She was shocked to see that he was fast approaching her.

Simmons reached around each side of her and placed his hands on the sink counter, trapping her against it. Then he slowly began to move his lips towards Amanda's face.

"What do you think you're doing Mr. Simmons?" Amanda shouted as she pushed back against him.

"Just getting to know you better," he replied sarcastically. "After all, we are going to be working a lot closer together in the future aren't we?"

"Stop it! Get off me!" Amanda shouted as she struggled to push Simmons off.

A moment later a stall door slammed open and Rachel strode across the restroom floor. She planted one foot on the floor and swung her other foot up to firmly place the point of her shoe directly into Simmons' crotch. As he crumpled to the floor in pain as Alex burst through the restroom door.

Rachel reached down and pulled Simmons around to face her, her fist was cocking back to slam into Simmons' face as Amanda cowered against the sink counter crying.

"Rachel! What's going on?" Alex demanded as he caught her arm before she could slam it down.

"I finally remembered where I saw this pervert," Rachel spat into Simmons' face. "You used to troll 2nd avenue looking for young boys until you nearly got busted for pedophilia, didn't you scum? I suppose campaign contributions got you off the hook. Well not this time! Let go Alex, I'm going to smash his face in!" 

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean anything by it, I was just joking around, okay Amanda?" Simmons squeaked out an apology.

"Rachel, don't," Alex spoke softly as he held her tightly. "He's Amanda's boss. As much as you'd like to punch his face in you can't. She could loose her job. It's not right, it never is."

Then he bent down and put his nose inches from Simmons's face.

"But believe me you little fuck, if you touch her I'll find you and fucking kill you," he whispered vehemently, barely audible but loud enough for Rachel and Amanda to hear.

Simmonds opened his mouth as if to protest then he looked again at Rachel then glanced back at Alex. True terror crept into his eyes as he cowered on the floor under their unwavering stares.

Alex stood up and lifted Rachel off of Simmons then he stepped over him to help Amanda stand up. The tears in her eyes were trailing down her face as she shuddered in Alex's embrace. She struggled desperately to fix her dress. Alex looked down and saw that Simmons must have pulled at Amanda's new dress when he fell because one of the straps had torn off. Her bra was exposed in the front and she was trying frantically to hold her dress up while sobbing at the same time.

"Come on sweetheart, let's get you home," he said softly lifting Amanda away from the counter. He held out an arm as they stepped over Simmons and gathered up Rachel on the way out. He kissed her on the cheek as they walked out the door.

"I'm glad I'm on your side beautiful," he said hugging Rachel again.

He picked up his coat and draped it over Amanda's shoulders as they turned and walked towards the elevators.

"We'll get this fixed next week and it will be as good as new," Rachel said to her as softly as she could. "Or that SOB will pay for a new one," she growled under her breath as they stood near the elevator.

"Rachel, I love you dearly, but that's not how the corporate world works," he said sadly. "No matter how good it would feel to kick his ass right now, in the end she would have to pay for it with her job."

"Not today," announced Margaret boldly as she walked from the reception area with determination. She closed quickly on the three of them standing near the elevator doors. "Amanda, I am so very sorry for what happened in the restroom just now. I promise you that it will never happen again. I was in one of the other stalls and I overheard what happened. Your friends handled everything before I could even open the stall door."

Margaret turned to Alex and shook his hand.

"Thank you young man for keeping your head about you. In the long run it will make what I'm going to do on Monday a whole lot easier."




Stray Cats Pt. 03



Margaret turned back to Amanda and smiled warmly.

"Amanda, you're one of our best and brightest analysts and we don't want to loose you or your talents. From now on you'll work directly for me. There are going to be some changes around here come Monday morning, but trust me, you being forced to leave this firm is not going to be one of them."

Margaret extended her hand. She took Amanda's and firmly shook it. A chime sounded and the elevator door opened. Alex, Rachel, and Amanda stepped into the elevator with a look of shock on their faces. As the elevator door began to close Margaret nodded and turned towards the main office.

Amanda, still a bit thunderstruck by what had just happened turned to Rachel and hugged her tightly.

"You truly are my big sister, Rachel," she smiled and hugged her again.

"I just did it because I knew that if Alex saw what he was doing he would have killed the bastard. I hate visiting people in prison," she said with an awkward grin.

Amanda leaned up and kissed Rachel on the cheek. "Thank you, sis."

Alex wrapped his arms around the both of them and kissed Rachel on the other cheek.

"Thank you love," he added, "for watching over both of us."

Rachel grinned and sighed. "Your welcome, babe."

As they walked towards Alex's car Amanda began to reflect on what had just happened in the restroom on the ninth floor.

Deep down inside she realized that she still hadn't come to grips with the attempted rape that her stepfather tried on her years ago. The trauma of watching someone, especially your father, well, stepfather, try to force themselves on you has left her scarred emotionally. When Simmons tried it she froze rather than trying to defend herself, her self-confidence dissolved. 

I can't let assholes like Simmons or my stepfather rule my life, she thought with determination. I've got to find a way to defend myself!

Amanda continued to think about it as Alex drove them back to the apartment house. Along the way she noticed a recreation center with a sign out front announcing upcoming classes in Tae Kwon Do. It was as if karma turned on a light.

"I've decided that I'm going to start taking self-defense classes," Amanda announced to Rachel and Alex. "As soon as I get back from Seattle. I'm sick of being pushed around by assholes like Simmons. And you guys won't always be around to help me out. So I need to do this for myself.

"Sign me up," Rachel agreed. "I'll take them with you."

"Me too," said Alex. "Although Rachel should probably be teaching them!" 

Everyone laughed at that remark and the atmosphere in Alex's car became a lot lighter.

"Besides," said Alex, "I could use the exercise, I'm getting flabby."

"Nonsense, you have such a cute tushy," said Rachel coquettishly.

They got back home just in time for Reilly to catch Alex as they walked in the back door.

"Wells!" he shouted. "Finally. I need help with that fire ring, remember?"

"Sure Tom, let me change and I'll be right down."

Amanda opened her apartment door and pulled Rachel in behind her. As she closed her door she glanced up the stairway and caught Alex's eye. He nodded and smiled then disappeared up the next flight of stairs.

Amanda's apartment was larger than Alex's small efficiency but not as large as Rachel's. It was a small three-room apartment with the central room serving as kitchen and living space. There was a bedroom off to the left and through there a small full bath adjoining it.

There was a lovely bay window seat that looked out on a side yard. The window included a lovely view of a huge old maple tree that offered ample shade to that side of the house in the summer. In the short amount of time since Amanda moved into her apartment she managed to make the place seem homey and comfortable. There were a few photographs on the dresser, mostly of her mom and her cousin in Seattle. There were several prints and a few art posters covering the walls. What little furniture she brought with her from Salt Lake City was soon discarded for a much nicer living room set she found at a second-hand store a couple of weeks after she moved in.

"I need a drink, how about you?" Amanda asked opening a bottle of wine and taking out two glasses.

"I'd love one," Rachel replied. She walked over to the couch and flopped down near the window. "What about Alex?"

"He saw us come in here. He'll be in as soon as he's finished playing with Reilly."

She poured two glasses and waked over to sit next to Rachel.

"I wish I didn't have to work tonight," Rachel lamented wrapping an arm around Amanda's shoulders.

"Me too, I really miss you guys when you both have to work late." Amanda paused a moment and smiled at Rachel sweetly. "Rachel..."

"Shush," Rachel interrupted. "We're family, we watch out for each other. That's what families do."

"I was so scared," she murmured softly.

"I know, I was too," Rachel replied softly stroking Amanda's hair.

"All I could think about was my sicko step-dad sneaking onto my bed when I was thirteen. I just froze," she said as she sat closer.

Rachel continued to stoke her hair gently as Amanda leaned against her shoulder and sighed.

"Would you hold me?" she asked meekly.

"Forever," she said setting down her glass of wine. She held out her arms for Amanda to curl into. In a matter of moments she was sound asleep.

It was nearly five o'clock before Alex was able to finish all the chores that Reilly had on his list. He dusted himself off on the back porch then walked down the hallway towards Amanda's apartment. He opened the door quietly and peeked his head in to see Rachel and Amanda asleep on the couch. As he started to back out of the apartment he saw Rachel open her eyes and motion him over to her.

"She's exhausted," she whispered. "Help me get her to bed, love."

Together they carried Amanda into her bedroom, removed her shoes and her torn dress then laid her gently in her bed. Rachel and Alex both leaned over and kissed Amanda lightly on the cheeks and she snuggled further down into her pillow with a sweet smile on her face.

They tiptoed out the door and closed her apartment door gently. Then they slowly ascended the three flights of stairs to their apartments. When they arrived on the third floor Alex turned to Rachel and hugged her tightly.

"You are one beautiful woman," he whispered into her ear and she hugged him back. "I've been very remiss in not telling you that often enough."

"Thank you," she whispered her reply, "I love you too."

As they parted to go into each apartment Alex turned and asked, "Do you have you're driver's license?"

"Sure, why?"

"Why don't you take the car tonight? You could drop me off and pick me up when you get done. We both get off about the same time don't we? Unless..."

"Oh god, that would be perfect, thank you Alex," she said interrupting. "You have no idea how much I hate the bus. What time do you need to leave?" Rachel asked.

"In an hour."

"Come over when you're dressed and I'll fix something light for dinner," she said with a huge smile.

Alex blew her a kiss and smiled as she closed her apartment door.

Ten minutes later Alex opened Rachel's door and peeked his head in.

"Hey there, can I come in?"

"Of course," Rachel replied. She was standing in the kitchen dicing vegetables for a salad. Alex wandered over and sat on a stool at the island counter.

"I like the idea of learning some self-defense," he said. "Amanda's right, we can't be with her all the time and I've heard that martial arts can build your confidence levels too."

"I know I've always wanted to learn. Everything I know is what I've learned off the street."

"It certainly was effective today," he said with a smirk.

"I hope it hurts that bastard to pee for the next six months," Rachel hissed vehemently.

"It probably will considering the way the point of you shoe connected with his balls," said Alex shaking his head. "I'm surprised you didn't make him a eunuch," he added with a chuckle.

Rachel blushed slightly and gave him a wry grin.

"I like the little crystal flowers," she said coyly. She was referring to the small earring studs that Alex added. "Where did you get them?"

"I saw them in a little shop on 9th avenue. I just wanted to add a little accent, nothing flashy," he replied. "Baby steps, you know."

"Of course. They're cute."

"Thanks. Here's the keys to the car," he said pulling a ring of keys from his pocket and tossed them onto the counter. "I hope you're okay with a stick-shift."

"No problem, babe," Rachel replied. "My uncle owns a farm. I learned to drive a tractor when I was ten."

"The image of you on a tractor boggles the mind," he said with a devilish grin.

"I'll boggle your mind," she said swatting his head playfully with a hand towel.

"That'll have to wait till I get back," he replied swinging at her butt and missing.

"Hey, let me see your driver's license," he said with an impish grin.

"Why? Don't you trust that I have one?" she asked digging through her purse and handing him her wallet.

"Of course I do, I just want to see your picture."

"Wait a minute," she wrapped her arms around him and playfully tried to wrestle her wallet out of his hands.

"Oh wow," he said a bit amazed, "even without makeup you look sexy."

"I do not, I look hideous," she said blushing crimson.

"No, you do, especially your eyes. Hmm, your gender is listed as male," he said thoughtfully handing back her wallet.

"Yeah, I know," she said stuffing her wallet back into her purse. "In most states you have to be anatomically female to be listed as a female. It's one of the reasons why I'm extremely careful when I drive. Cops can be pigs sometimes, not all of them, but some."

"Good to know," he replied pulling her close to him and kissing her on the lips.

Rachel giggled a little then her face became more thoughtful.

"What do you think about the three of us getting a house?" she asked suddenly. She tried to act nonchalant about it but it was obvious that she had been thinking about it for quite some time.

Alex paused a moment and considered her question.

"Well, I would love it but I don't see how I could possibly contribute equally to the rent," he replied. "Every dime I have goes to pay my tuition. I guess I could look for another job."

"We don't see one another enough as it is without you getting another job, babe."

A soft knock and Amanda poked her head in. "Hi, what's cooking?"

"Burgers and salad," Rachel replied. "I thought you were asleep."

"I was but I missed you two so I came up here before you left for work to kiss you both goodbye," she said with a cute smile. She walked over to Alex and rubbed her hand across his shoulders gently.

"Join us, we were just talking about the possibility of getting a house together. Just the three of us," Rachel said turning back to her salad.

"I absolutely adore that idea!" Amanda exclaimed. "I'll start looking tomorrow."

"Wait, wait," Alex said putting up his hands. "I just told Rachel before you came in that I don't see how I could possibly share the rent equally."

"Don't worry about it, I'm not looking for a 'McMansion'," Amanda replied hugging Alex.

"Exactly, I'm not either," Rachel added.

"We'll find a place that we can all afford," Amanda continued.

"I was looking online the other day," Rachel said pulling a bottle of salad dressing from her refrigerator. "There are several neighborhoods nearby where if we look hard enough we can find a place that we can afford. If we combine what we're paying to Reilly we could easily swing the rent on a nice little bungalow."

"With a bedroom large enough for a king-sized bed?" Alex asked with a grin.

Rachel's eyes gleamed.

"You read my mind sweetheart," Amanda giggled.

That night, at nearly one in the morning, Alex stood at the back of the convenience store stocking one of the shelves when several young men dressed like 'gangster-wannabes' walked in the door. From the looks of them they were barely over sixteen but they puffed themselves up and sauntered along trying to look tough.

They wandered up and down the aisles looking more to relieve their boredom than to actually buy something. They pushed past Alex and knocked over a cookie and cracker display in the process.

"Hey, a simple 'excuse me' would be nice," grumbled Alex.

The boys turned around and smirked.

"Fuck you sissy boy," spat the tallest of the three boys. His face was scarred with acne and his lips and nose were pierced with several rings.

"Yeah faggot, shut the fuck up," said another of the boys. His lack of height was quickly compensated by his girth.

"Is there a problem back there?" shouted Inez, Alex's coworker from the front counter.

"Nothing I can't handle, Inez," Alex replied. Then he picked up the packages of cookies and crackers that spilled across the aisle and began to replace them on the display. The three boys snickered maliciously and sauntered away. They stopped at the coolers and looked at the racks of beer on display.

Alex finished cleaning up the mess on the floor. He moved down another aisle and walked into the backroom to pull out another container of product for display. When he came out of the backroom he noticed that the boys were still debating over their choices of beer. He motioned Inez over.

"Look really close at their IDs when they get up front," he whispered. "They're probably fake."

Inez nodded and returned to the register.

Alex smiled at her and glanced at the clock on the wall. It was almost time for his shift to end and he was happy to see it nearly finished. His feet were tired. He went to another display and began to replenish the stock with new product.

A moment later the three boys walked up to the checkout counter. They plunked down a twenty-dollar bill and a six-pack of cheap beer.

"ID please," Inez asked flatly and the boys nervously pulled out their wallets.

The glass doors opened and Rachel walked into the store with a wry smile on her face. The three boys turned slack-jawed and stared at her. Under her coat was a shimmery gown that clung to her breasts and hips provocatively. Her hair was done up in curls and standing in five-inch heels, she towered over the punks at the front counter.

The tallest of the boys looked over at Alex and scoffed.

"What are you gawking at sissy boy? She's hardly interested in a puke like you," he said with a smirk.

"Yeah faggot," said blubber boy, "what are you looking at?"

The third boy started to open his mouth but stopped suddenly. He watched, in shock, as Rachel slapped the chubby boy across the face. The sound of the slap echoed across the store and the force of it sent him flying against the other two boys. They all fell against the counter and nearly collapsed on the floor.

"These IDs are fakes," said Inez flatly. "I'll be confiscating them. If you don't leave this store immediately I'll be calling the cops right now."

The boys slowly stood up and turned to watch in shock as Rachel planted a wet kiss on Alex's lips.

"Evening love," she said with a grin. Rachel turned back to the three boys who stood gaping at her.

"You heard what she said," she snapped. "Get your little dicks out of here and never come back or I'll take a box cutter and cut them off."

The three boys scrambled over each other as they raced for the door. Alex and Rachel laughed as the door hit the third boy in the ass on his way out.

"You have got to find a better way to pay for your tuition, babe," she said with a sigh.

"Inez, this is Rachel. Rachel, Inez," Alex said with a sheepish grin. "One of these days you're going to get into trouble slapping little fat kids like that."

"What? He was trying to molest me," she said with an indignant look and brushing an errant lock of hair behind her ear.

"I saw it too," Inez chirped cheerfully. "It was definitely sexual harassment," she added nodding enthusiastically. "I know what it looks like because I watched a training video on it just last week. So I know for certain."

Alex shook his head and chuckled

"Thank you Inez," she said with a wink in her direction. "Are you about done?" Rachel asked looking at Alex as she dangled the car keys on her finger.

"I just have to clock out," he replied. "Back in a moment."

=TWO=

Monday morning came too soon for Amanda. In spite of what Margaret said at the party, she dreaded having to face Simmons and the rest of the office staff this morning. Even if she would be working for Margaret, she would still have to be in the same building with the weasel. Plus, she knew there would be gossip. In an office there is always gossip.

But dammit, she thought with her fists clenched tight. She was the victim here not that creep Simmons, and the rest of them can just go to hell for all I care.

She set her jaw and waited for the elevator to reach the ninth floor. The chime announced her arrival in the hallway vestibule and she turned to see a crowd of her co-workers standing near the reception desk. A second glance proved that most of them were women. One of them turned and started to clap. Soon the rest of them joined in and once again Amanda was dumbfounded.

As she walked into the reception area one of her co-workers, Anna, a receptionist in Acquisitions, leaned over and said, "Thank you so much for standing up to that sleaze ball, Simmons."

"Today is your day Amanda," shouted another of one of the women.

"And lunch is on us!" shouted a third girl from Accounting.

Amanda walked past them with a dazed look on her face. She walked over to her desk and saw a note from Margaret Cummings, CEO of Dresher, Cummings, and Sanford. It asked that she come to her office as soon as she checked in this morning.

Still a bit gun-shy she walked across the commons area towards Margaret's office. A chorus of 'good mornings' and bright smiles greeted her as she passed by. She was not used to this much attention and she was a bit unnerved by it all. She knocked softly on Margaret's office door.

"Come in," came the familiar voice from across the room. "Oh, good, you're here, come in, come in. Would you like a cup of coffee?"

"Mrs. Cummings, this is all a bit overwhelming. No wait, I can get the coffee. You sit down, I'll bring it right in. Cream and sugar?"

"Just cream, thank you," Margaret replied returning to her seat.

Amanda glanced around outside of Margaret's office looking for Simmons. No one seemed to be around so she dashed into the copy room and poured two cups of coffee and added cream to both. Then she carried the coffee back into Margaret's office.

"If you're looking for Simmons, he's cooling his heels in the Milwaukee airport right about now. I decided that he needed a little vacation from the fast pace of Wilmington and Milwaukee is just the place for him. Besides, there are only two other employees up there and they're both men over fifty. So Simmons should feel right at home," Margaret said with a grin like the cat that just caught the canary.

"I've been looking for a good excuse to get that asshole out of this office for years. Although I'm sorry it had to happen to you, you provided me with the perfect opportunity. Thank you."

"You're welcome," Amanda replied still in shock.

"And thank you're boyfriend again for being so level headed," Margaret added.

"I will," said Amanda meekly.

"Now then," Margaret continued. "Let's get to it." She spread her arms wide across the top of her desk and grinned at Amanda.

"You should be promoted to senior analyst, which is what you deserved, but I can't, at least not yet. I can't have the rest of the staff thinking that I've grown soft. But what I can do is assign you to focus more on several of our senior accounts. And you'll be adequately compensated, of course. The commissions are rather substantial."




Stray Cats Pt. 03



Amanda listened a bit wide-eyed as Margaret laid out a detailed plan of what she hoped would be accomplished in the next six months. It was all very complex and a bit overwhelming. Amanda nodded and smiled then pulled a notebook out of her purse and took a battery of notes trying to keep up with her new boss's plans. She was to form a new international section. Margaret wanted her to find people she could trust. And she wanted Amanda to begin implementing her plans as soon as she could orient her team.

"I want you to move out of the commons area and into Simmons' office. Use the empty one next to it for your staff. Have Radcliff..."

Suddenly her phone began to ring and Margaret stopped to answer it.

My god, three months ago I was standing on a bus platform in Salt Lake City thinking I had just been pushed off the edge of the world, she thought as Margaret answered her phone call. Oh shit, Susan's wedding is this weekend!

Margaret replaced the phone receiver and smiled at Amanda. "That was Donaldson in the Milwaukee office," she said with a chuckle. "Apparently they didn't want Simmons up there either. Now, where were we."

"Um, I know that this change is important, and I hope this doesn't ruin things but I've got tickets to fly to Seattle this weekend. My cousin is getting married and I know it's probably coming at a bad time and all..."

"Perfect!" Margaret shouted slapping her desk with enthusiasm. "While you're out there you can check in with the Seattle office. Several of the accounts I want you to pick up crossover between the coasts and I want you to make sure that they're doing all they can to keep those clients happy. Add a couple of days to your flight itinerary and ask Carol to book a hotel for you."

"That's okay, I was planning on staying with at my cousins," murmured Amanda.

"Okay, no problem. In that case, add me to the guest register and pick out a nice gift for the bride from me," Margaret replied shuffling through a stack of papers on her desk.

"Oh, and bring me back some cake. I'm a sucker for wedding cake," she added as she waved Amanda out the door.

She closed the door gently and turned to lean against it. She felt like a tsunami just washed over her in the name of Margaret Cummings. It was all a bit too much to take in one gulp. She straightened her suit jacket and smoothed the front of her skirt then walked with purpose across the office floor. She was trying think about whom she could put on her team but her head was filled with fluff. Her mind was still reeling from her meeting with Margaret Cummings. All of a sudden she went from part-time lackey to the assistant to the CEO for international accounts. She reached across to pinch herself. She wanted to make sure she wasn't dreaming.

She knew she had to pull herself together. But first, before she could do anything else, she had to call Alex, because inside she was nearly bursting at the seams.

Amanda dashed over to her desk and dropped her coat then turned and walked briskly to an empty conference room. She closed the door and nearly screamed, she was so excited. She pulled out her cellphone and quickly dialed Alex.

"Hey, it's me. I'm sorry to wake you but I have fantastic news. If you have to work tonight cancel it or call in sick or whatever. That goes for Rachel too. We're going out tonight to celebrate, just us girls. So wear something nice because we're going someplace special," she said.

"What's the news?" he asked still a bit groggy. He glanced at the alarm clock and groaned.

"I'll tell you when I get home and we're all together. Ohh, I'm nearly bursting at the seams!" she exclaimed. "Okay, I've got to call Rachel. I love you sweetheart. You are the best! Bye."

Amanda quickly punched more buttons and waited while the connection rang through.

"Tamsen, Willis, and James, this is accounting, Rachel speaking..." Amanda could barely wait through Rachel's greeting before she interrupted.

"Rachel, my lovely sister, I've got great news. If you have plans for this evening, cancel them, we're going out to celebrate, just us girls!"

"What is it?"

"I'll tell you when I get home and we can all be together. I can say that I'm flying first class to Seattle on Friday courtesy of Margaret Cummings." She heard Rachel catch her breath on the other end of the line.

"Yes! Oh god, I'm giggling like a schoolgirl. Okay, I have to pull myself together here." Amanda drew in a big breath and tried to center herself but it was no use, she was flying high.

"I just called Alex and woke him up, poor thing, but I couldn't help it," she added.

"So when do you get home?" asked Rachel.

"Around four, how about you?"

"I'll be there around then too."

"Great, I'll meet you in your apartment at four. Will Alex be there too?" Amanda asked.

"I'm not sure, I know he has a class this afternoon but I'm not sure when it's over," she replied.

They finalized their plans. Amanda said she'd text Alex to make sure he'd be there at the same time as everyone else. Then she sat down in the leather bound chair at the head of the conference table and spun it around to face the world outside a huge wall of windows.

I'm the luckiest girl in the world, she thought with a smile and outstretched arms. "Yes!"

"Where do you girls want to go?" Amanda asked nearly bouncing with joy. She had just spent the last fifteen minutes recounted everything that had happened in her office this morning.

"I'll take you to the swankiest restaurant in town, totally my treat!"

Alex walked out of the bathroom and turned off the light. He was dressed in women's slacks and a blouse with dress pumps. He had on the diamond stud earrings that Amanda gave him and the silver necklace from Rachel. He pulled on a women's dress suit jacket and fixed his collar.

"Honestly I'm never impressed by service but always impressed by the quality of the food," Alex said. "I vote we go back to that French restaurant."

"I saw this Indian place on Dexter that looked interesting," Rachel said her eyes gleaming with hope.

"Really? Not some fancy place that charges fifty bucks a plate?" asked Amanda slightly bewildered.

"Alex love, let me fix your hair," Rachel said. She pulled him by the arm back into her bathroom. Amanda followed right behind them.

"Sweetheart, wherever I go with you is fine by me. But don't waste your hard earned money on a pedestrian palate like mine." Alex added kissing her on the cheek.

"Indian, Indian, Indian," chanted Rachel as she brushed Alex's hair.

"Okay, my sweet sister, we're going to the Taj Mahal on Dexter," Amanda replied with a big smile as she touched up Alex's makeup.

Amanda spent most of the dinner outlining Margaret's plans for expansion and reorganization of the firm. She could barely contain her enthusiasm.

The rest of the week flew by in a flash. Before anyone knew it, Amanda's bags were packed for her trip to Seattle and she stood waiting by her door for Alex and Rachel to come down the stairs. Her nerves were all jitters as she checked her makeup in her compact one more time. She could hardly believe it. She was flying first class to Seattle. A trip she made by bus just three months earlier.

Her cousin was getting married and she was a bridesmaid. And she was Margaret Cummings' new assistant for international accounts. She reached over and pinched herself again just to make sure she still wasn't dreaming.

At 7:30 in the morning Amanda's plane roared down the runway and lifted off bound for Seattle by way of Chicago's O'Hare Airport.

Tonight is the rehearsal dinner and tomorrow is Susan's wedding, she thought as she glanced out the window to watch Wilmington quickly receded in the distance. She thought about Susan's wedding for a moment.

She remembered crying in Reilly's backyard when she heard the news that Susan, her cousin and really her only childhood friend, was getting married to her boyfriend of six years. At the time she felt like she wanted to die. A failed marriage and a one-way ticket to 'nowheresville' had her thinking that her life was just one big train wreck.

Then along came Alex with his big goofy grin and magical charm. In a dazzling twirl, he spun her around to see how wonderful her life was. She will never forget that moment and how, with just a thought and a smile, he transformed her life.

She tilted her seat back and closed her eyes. She would miss having Alex and Rachel next to her in bed but she smiled blissfully knowing that they were there waiting for her to come home next Sunday.

That night, after Alex's shift ended at the convenience store, Rachel arrived to picked him up. Rachel was dressed in blue jeans and a sweatshirt. She wore her hair up in a ponytail that she pulled through the back strap on a tattered old Boston Red Sox cap. Even with ballet flats she looked totally sexy to Alex. He grinned at her when he saw her standing in the doorway to the backroom of the store. She stood there with a sexy smirk on her face.

"You know, even if you try hard not to, you still look sexy as hell," he said with a wry grin.

They drove to a little park next to the river that meandered through the center of the city. It was the same park that Rachel noticed when she looked out of the window of Amanda's office last Sunday.

"I thought you had to work tonight," Alex said looking a bit confused.

"They cancelled my shift at the last minute, it was a slow night anyway."

Rachel parked the car near a set of swings. They got out and walked slowly down along the river's edge.

"I miss her already," she murmured as she picked up a stone and skimmed it along the water until it fell below the surface with a plunk.

"With the wedding and the parties, she's probably having the time of her life tonight."

"Maybe," Alex said with a shrug. "But if she was here I bet she'd argue that the real time of her life is right here, with us."

Rachel sat down on a bench next to Alex.

"It is for me." She smiled and leaned her head on Alex's shoulder. The wooden bench they sat on beneath a canopy of trees overlooked the river. She sighed a little and snuggled closer to Alex.

"I never thought I'd be so lucky," Rachel said softly, almost in a whisper. She took Alex's hand in hers and gave it a little squeeze then wrapped his arm around her shoulders.

"I figured that because of who I am, that the world would only allowed so much for one person. I thought that love and acceptance was just not in the cards for me. Then I met you two, and this cat isn't a stray anymore.

"It's getting chilly out," he said wrapping his coat around her shoulders and pulling her closer to him.

"Another reason to snuggle," she said softly, leaning up to kiss him on the lips.

"Get a room," growled a gravely voice from beneath a tattered old blanket and padded coat that had seen much better days. "I'm trying to sleep here, assholes."

Alex looked over at the vagrant huddled under the pile of old clothes on the next bench and nodded.

"Come on love, let's go home."

They walked slowly back towards the car arm in arm, Rachel's head nestled against his shoulder. The ride back to the apartment house was quiet and serene.

"Stay with me tonight," she asked softly with a kiss.

"Of course," he replied returning her kiss.

"Hey look," Rachel said with a giggle. She came bounding out of the bathroom and bounced across the bed towards Alex. She was clad in her panties and nothing else. She sat next to Alex while she pulled lightly on her right nipple and squeezed her breast. A moment later a small drop of white liquid appeared on her nipple.

"Wow," Alex said amazed, "is that milk?" He sat up and looked closely at her breast.

"Taste it," she said lifting her breast towards his mouth.

Alex leaned forward and stuck his tongue out to capture the drop as it formed on her nipple.

"It is milk," he said surprised. "It tastes sweet."

Rachel glowed with a radiance that looked like she was as happy as she could ever be.

"I can give milk," she whispered.

"I see that! That's wonderful!"

"Yes, it is."

"How is this possible?" he asked.

"Well, since my shift was cancelled, I was doing a little research online this evening looking for more details about reassignment surgeries. And I came across this site that talked about male lactation. At first I didn't believe it but look," she said with a huge grin pressing her left breast and squeezing out a little dribble of milk. "I can give milk. I mean it's not like I can nurse a baby or anything but, my god, I can give milk," she squealed giddy with joy. She hugged Alex and covered his face with kisses.

"Make love to me Rachel," Alex whispered between her kisses. "I really want to feel you inside me tonight."

Rachel stopped a moment and looked into his eyes. Without a single word she kissed him slowly and delicately on the lips. She leaned back and smiled sweetly while she took off his t-shirt. He undid the clip on his bra and his breasts fell free as he pulled the bra straps off his shoulders. She reached out gently and cupped his breast then leaned forward and kissed them tenderly.

She pushed him gently back against the pillows, slid her hands down his narrow waist and took off his panties. His cock was semi-erect and growing with the anticipation of what was happening.

She stood up and removed her panties. Her cock sprung free, aroused by the thought of being inside of him, it stood hard and proud against her stomach. She reached over and pulled out a bottle of lube from the top drawer of her nightstand. She slipped on a condom and lubed her cock slowly, seductively, watching him watch her. She moved her lithe body onto the bed. Her long hair was flowing around her head and shoulders; it shimmered in the moonlight that flooded through her bedroom window.

He moved down the bed and placed a pillow beneath his butt then he opened his legs to her. She coated his rosebud with lube and slipped one and then another finger inside of him. He clenched momentarily, reacting more to the chill of the lube than her invading fingers. Then he relaxed to her gentle touch.

Alex thought to say something, to tell her how much he loved her, how much he wanted her to make love to him, but the moment had slipped beyond words. He could see in her eyes that she knew everything. He didn't need the stumble of words to break the blissful silence of lovemaking.

She entered him slowly and gently. He could feel every part of her as she moved past his outer ring, every ridge of her cock pulsing and throbbing in tune with her heartbeat. She pushed gently forward until her body pressed against his butt. She rested a moment and then she began to move in and out of him. Gently at first, then her pace began to build as her passion soared.

Suddenly she erupted in him filling the condom inside of him with her seed. He wrapped his legs around her tightly, pulling her deeper inside, forcing her to thrust deeper, to love him deeper. Then they felt something warm and wet spread between their bodies as Alex came. He held her tightly against him, their bodies intertwined in passion and joy.

Alex woke up Saturday morning and stretched. He noticed that Rachel was sitting up in bed and gazing out of the window. Her elbows rested on the windowsill, her chin was cupped in her hands. Alex watched her for a while before he spoke.

"You look lost in thought, love," he said reaching over to trace little circles across her back.

"I was remembering the first time I saw you and Amanda together from this window. I sat here watching you two talk during one of Reilly's little backyard parties. You two looked like you were having so much fun. I remember thinking to myself, why can't I do that? Why can't I be as open and carefree as you two were that day in Reilly's backyard?"

"You are now love, you're beautiful," Alex said softly. "I remember the first time we met too. You were so nervous, so cautious. You told me you thought that every girl was a monster."

"Yeah, I did," she said with a chuckle. "I'm glad you changed my mind."

"I didn't do that," he replied nuzzling her hair and kissing her neck. "It was Amanda who showed you that not all girls are monsters."

"Yes, I suppose she did." She reached back and caressed his face as he kissed the nape of her neck.

"Mmm, that feels nice," he murmured.

She leaned back against him then took a big breath and let it out slowly. He wrapped his arms around her and kissed the top of her head.

"You two mean so much to me. I really mean that babe," she said earnestly. "I can't imagine my life without you two."

"So then what's troubling you?" he asked holding her close.

Rachel paused a moment. She knew that she needed to talk to Alex about the thoughts that have been weighing so heavily on her mind. But it was still hard to say the words out loud.

"I...I was thinking about the surgery."

"The reassignment surgery?" he asked.

"Yeah."

"Did you schedule it?"

"Not yet. It scares me."

"Because of the pain?" he asked gently.

"That, yes, but there's more to it than that," she replied turning around to face him. "It's the whole mental thing. I thought it was what I wanted, to be a complete woman. But now," she shrugged her shoulders. "I just don't know anymore."

"It's a huge step," he murmured leaning forward to kiss her forehead softly.

"It's not like I can just change my mind and get a refund if things don't work out," she said as she reached up to caress his face. "This is all very scary."

She turned around again and settled against his chest. She pulled his arms around her and held him tightly.

"I love my body," she continued softly, "the way it is, now. I love that I can make love to you and Amanda with my body, the way it is right now. I love that you and Amanda can make love to me the way my body is right now. If I have the surgery will that change everything? I'm scared that I might loose you. I'm not sure I could bare that. "

"Rachel, Amanda and I love you very much. That will never change no matter what you decide. But you have to decide that you want this for yourself and no one else. I wish I could make this easier on you but I can't."

"I know," she said softly as she sat on the edge of the bed a moment before she stood up and padded barefoot to the bathroom.

Alex sighed. He knew she was going through a lot right now. But there was nothing he could say or do but wait and be supportive no matter what she decided. Deep down inside he knew that last night was a watershed moment for Rachel. What they did together, as innocent and loving as it was, changed everything for her. Perhaps she doesn't know it yet, he thought, but my sweet Rachel has become more a woman than she ever thought she could be.

The week spun by quickly. Alex and Rachel fell comfortably into a routine with Alex in classes and working at the convenience store at night, and Rachel in her day job and working as a hostess at night. They spent their nights together snuggling in Rachel's bed. When the weather had turned cold outside they spent their free nights lying in bed under a ton of blankets and watching old movies on the television.

The days flew by but the joy and excitement was missing and they both felt it. They were missing Amanda. Neither of them had to say it, but they both knew it. It was like she was the third leg of a stool. Without her, they were not complete.

Finally, it was Sunday afternoon and the sun was dancing along the treetops and teasing with the horizon. Alex and Rachel woke up from a dreamy nap curled around each other in a lover's embrace. He opened a drowsy eye and looked at Rachel's alarm clock.

"Come on honey, we need to get dressed, we have to pick Amanda up at the airport in a couple of hours."




Stray Cats Pt. 04



Thanks for taking the time to read my stories. If you're new to this series it would be best if you went back to the first chapter in order to understand some of the dynamics in this unique family. However, as I've said before, it's your choice. In this chapter I was looking to introduce a new character to the series and a friend of mine suggested that I tell Wendy's story. I hope you enjoy this latest chapter of Stray Cats. 

Dreamweaver594 

***** 

=ONE= 

"You stupid fucking bitch! How dare you lead me on like this?" Standing in the street in front of a large condominium complex, a man grabbed the arm of a woman and shook her violently. 

Coming around the corner, Rachel who was out for a morning bike ride, looked down the street at a couple arguing in the middle of the street. 

"A boy?! Now you tell me! What the fuck were you thinking? That it wouldn't matter? Of course it matters you stupid bitch!" 

"Ted, you're hurting me!" 

The guy continued to scream obscenities at her. Rachel stopped her bike several yards away then got off and dropped it to the ground. Something wasn't quite right, she thought. 

"Why didn't you tell me this before? Now everything is fucked!" 

"Please Ted, I wanted to tell you before but you always told me how much you loved me and how nothing else really mattered." 

"Well, this matters! You're a guy, for Christ's sake, a fucking guy. And you think that doesn't matter? I'm not a homo, maybe you are, but I'm not, you fucking SON of a bitch!" Ted pulled his right hand back and punched the woman in the face. She went reeling across the sidewalk and landed against some bushes then slumped to the ground. He walked over, stood above her, and slapped her. 

Rachel began to stride purposefully towards Ted. 

"We are through Wendy, do you hear me? The wedding is over; it's not going to happen, not with you, never with you! I don't marry dicks!" 

"But I don't have a penis, Ted, you know that." Wendy reached up from the ground and tried to touch is arm. "I had an operation before we even met. I'm a woman now, completely. I wanted to tell you when we first met but you were so caustic about 'chicks with dicks' as you called them that I was scared to tell you." 

"So now you tell me about this? What if we wanted to have kids? Did they give you a uterus too? Your no woman, you're a fucking freak!" Ted pulled his arm back to hit Wendy again but Rachel stepped between them and pushed Ted back. 

"Leave her alone asshole," Rachel spat menacingly. 

"Who, the fuck, are you?" Ted asked glaring at Rachel. 

"Someone who's going to kick your bigoted ass if you don't get the fuck out of here now," Rachel growled threateningly. 

Ted looked at her, looked at her fist ready to strike him, looked at Wendy lying on the ground with this strange woman between them, then spat at them both. 

Rachel swung an upper cut and landed it beneath his jawline. She knocked him to the ground. "That's for that filthy habit, now get the fuck out of here slime ball," Rachel growled taking another step towards Ted. 

Ted scrambled to his feet and beat a hasty retreat down the sidewalk. He opened his car door and then turned to look back at Wendy a moment. He shook his head, got into his car, and drove off down the street. 

Wendy started crying the moment Ted ran off. The tears began to run down her cheeks like tiny rivers lined with mascara. 

"Are you okay?" Rachel asked bending down to look at the scrapes and cuts on Wendy's face. "Hey, he's gone now, everything is okay. You're safe now." 

"It's not okay, you don't understand. We were getting married next month. This condo was going to be our new home. Now it's all ruined, ruined, ruined! I've ruined everything! 

"Come on, my place is just around the corner," Rachel said as she held out a hand for Wendy to stand up. "Let's get you cleaned up." 

As Wendy walked into Rachel's apartment, she found two people standing around an island counter grousing about the real estate market. 

"That house on Reynolds was sold right out from underneath us, damn it," Amanda sputtered as she slammed her fist down on the counter. "It was perfect, the lawn, the bedrooms, the driveway, perfect." 

"I'm sorry Amanda, we'll start looking again tomorrow," Alex said trying to calm her down. 

"What happened?" Rachel asked as she helped Wendy towards the kitchen counter. 

"Oh that dumbass, Janet Wheeler, our so-called real estate agent dropped the ball on our offer and someone else got the house, and it was perfect too," Amanda grumbled. Then as if finally realizing that Rachel wasn't alone, "Who's this?" 

Rachel steered Wendy to a stool by the sink and sat her down. "This is Wendy. I broke up a fight between her and her boyfriend a little while ago." She pulled out a bottle of hydrogen peroxide and some cotton balls from beneath the sink and began to dab the cuts and scrapes on Wendy's face and arms. "The son of a bitch was going to kill her if I didn't step in." 

Alex pulled out his cellphone and began to dial 911. "Where is he now, I'm calling the cops." 

"No don't, please. I don't want any more trouble. He's gone now, out of my life for good I hope." 

Alex closed his phone and walked around the counter to help Rachel with bandages. 

"What happened?" Amanda asked holding Wendy's hand. 

"I..." 

"They broke up," Rachel interrupted. "It was getting ugly so I stopped it." Rachel finished cleaning her wounds and with Alex's help they added antibiotic and some bandages to all but a few of the scrapes and cuts. "Here," Rachel gestured, "Why don't you rest here on the couch, okay?" 

"I'll make some tea," Amanda added as she walked back towards the kitchen. 

"Do you live with him? Is there going to be trouble getting your stuff back?" Rachel asked. 

"No, I have my own place, we were suppose to move in together once we got married but that's all over now." She began to cry again. 

Alex handed her a tissue as Rachel wrapped her arm around her shoulders and gave her a hug. 

"I never thought he would have acted like this, he was so open and carefree," Wendy said between sniffles. 

"Except for the 'chicks with a dick' comment," Rachel said with a grimace. 

Alex and Amanda glanced at one another then at Rachel. She dismissed their unspoken questions with a slight shake of her head. 

"I had my surgery two years before we met, he would have never known if I'd kept my big mouth shut but I just couldn't lie to him, I loved him." Wendy quickly glanced up at Alex and then Amanda, she was suddenly frightened about what she just revealed. 

"No worries, Wendy, you're among friends," said Alex with a warm smile. 

She glanced at Rachel, the old fear still creeping across her face. 

"I'm a pre-op transsexual," Rachel replied, "Amanda is a genetic girl, and..." 

"I'm a little of both," Alex interrupted, "so you're safe here." 

"Welcome to my family," Rachel said with a huge grin. 

Wendy let the tension and anxiety drop from her body. She was safe at last. 

There's a knock at the front door and Kim peeked her head around the door. "Hi, anybody home?" 

"Hi Kim, come on in," Amanda said getting up to open the door further. 

"Ray's here too, we brought pizza," Kim replied as she shoved a large pie into Amanda's arms. "Oh, you have company, I'm sorry." 

"No don't worry about it, Wendy's a new friend. She might as well meet the whole gang," Rachel said getting up to retrieve some plates from the kitchen cupboard. "I'll get some plates, set the pizzas on the counter. Wendy, this is Kim and Ray." 

"They came over a couple of weeks ago and we haven't been able to get rid of them since," Amanda quipped. 

"Ha, ha, very funny, I love you too," Kim replied hugging Amanda. 

"Fair warning Wendy, Amanda likes to tease," Ray chimed in with a grin. 

Amanda grinned impishly and shrugged at Wendy. 

Wendy was surprised at how open and carefree everyone was. Kim and Ray were obviously a straight couple and yet they seemed perfectly at home here with everyone else. "Why can't I have friends like this?" Wendy murmured softly to herself. 

Amanda set a plate with a slice of pizza on the coffee table in front of Wendy. "You already do," she whispered back with a gentle smile. 

*><*><* 

An hour and a couple of empty pizza boxes later everyone sat around laughing at the latest exploits of their favorite landlord Tom Reilly. 

"Apparently he got into trouble with his next-door neighbor yesterday when he decided to rent a bobcat and use it in the backyard," Amanda said grinning. 

"He was trying to put in a new patio area and he backed the bobcat into the fence," Alex added pulling another slice out of the pizza box. 

"Totally shredded the fence," Amanda said laughing. "The neighbor was livid." 

"Gotta love Tom, he's always good for entertainment," said Rachel. 

"And then, to top it all off, he rolled it on it's side and the rental company had to bring in a forklift to sit it up again." By now Amanda was laying in Alex's lap with tears running down her face. 

Wendy watched the three of them banter back and forth with a look of wonder. They hugged and kissed then swatted each other playfully while Kim and Ray just sat back and laughed at their antics. The joy was infectious, in no time at all Wendy was feeling like life wasn't as black as it looked just a couple of hours ago. 

"Hey, who's on the schedule to work today?" asked Amanda sitting up and wiping her eyes. 

"I'm on at five today," Alex muttered, "but at least I'm off tomorrow." He looked at Kim and Ray. "We have three chapters in the Meyer anthology to read by Monday for Dixon and our final draft of that short story is due in Ferguson's class on Wednesday, yuck." 

"Damn, I haven't even started," grumbled Ray. Ray and Alex looked at Kim. 

"Don't look at me," she giggled, "I didn't take Ferguson this semester for that very reason." 

Ray grabbed her and smothered her in kisses while Alex picked up the plates and carried them into the kitchen. Amanda walked into the kitchen and gave Alex a big hug and a kiss. 

"That's for being you," Amanda said with a wry grin. 

Rachel wandered back over to sit on the couch with Wendy. "My shift starts at eight again and I'll be late because I have to close." 

"Want to take the car?" Alex asked? 

"If you don't mind. Can I drop you off and pick you up at the usual time?" 

"Sure, thanks," added Alex with a kiss on her cheek. 

Wendy was beginning to put people together but for her the math wasn't working out quite right. Obviously Kim and Ray were dating but what about Rachel and Alex, or Amanda and Alex? There were matching rings on their left hands and all but it was still very confusing. Then there were the earrings and the necklace Alex was wearing, was he a boy or a girl? 

"You look a bit troubled, Wendy, what's up?" asked Rachel as she laid a pillow under her feet on the coffee table. 

"Not troubled, just confused," Wendy replied softly. 

"About what?" 

"About your relationship with Alex and Amanda." 

"We're a family, the three of us," Rachel replied. 

"Yes, but who's married to who?" she said looking at the wedding rings on their fingers. 

"We all are, the three of us," Alex replied. "Not legally because society doesn't recognize our type of relationship so we just say we're a family and leave it at that." 

Wendy looked at everybody with a blank look on her face. 

"I was totally confused just like you when I first met Alex's sisters," Kim added with a smile. "In my head I wanted their relationship to conform to some sort of 'social norm'. I wanted it to fit neatly into a pigeonhole like everybody else's. But that wasn't going to happen," she said with a laugh. "Once I understood who they were it was clear that the love they have for each other means that society has to catch up with them not the other way around." 

"What about the legal stuff?" 

"We're working on it," said Amanda from the kitchen. "A friend of mine from work thought it might be good to try to officially create a family but I think, given the legal climate in this country, that a corporation might be a better bet." 

"A what?" asked Wendy. 

"A corporation where we all have equal shares. The corporation owns all the assets so the whole issue of beneficiaries is solved. Legally, we'd be recognized without the hassle of busy-bodies sticking their noses into the bedroom." 

"In our eyes, and the eyes of our friends, we're married," said Alex drawing Amanda with him from the kitchen as Rachel stood up to join them. "The corporation idea would be our non-conformist way of conforming. Eventually I want us all to have the same family name, for medical reasons, but there's no rush on that." 

"I think it's brilliant," Wendy exclaimed. "But...I guess I'm still a little confused about you, Alex. I hope this doesn't offend you but, are you a boy or a girl?" 

"Time for the iPad," Kim and Amanda said in unison and everyone else laughed. 

"Huh?" Wendy looked from Kim to Amanda and back to Alex. 

Alex blushed a bit then reached for his backpack and pulled out his iPad. "It's becoming the family jest actually. Here, I've Googled it for you. The term is intersex. It's what I am." 

Wendy quickly scanned the page and looked up at Alex in wonder. 

"Yup, that's me, about halfway down the page," Alex said still blushing slightly and taking his iPad as Wendy handed it back to him. "I'm still trying to get used to this bumpy ride called my life," he pulled Amanda and Rachel into a big hug, "but with these two around the road has gotten a lot smoother." 

"Where were you guys two years ago?" asked Wendy. 

"Waiting for you to show up today," answered Amanda with a gentle smile as she gathered up empty plates and walked to the kitchen. 

Wendy opened her mouth then she closed it, unable to form into words the warmth that surrounded her heart. 

"It's called Kismet," Rachel said. "I learned it from Alex." 

"Who taught everyone else sitting in here," added Ray. 

"Nothing in life is a coincidence Wendy, everything is meant to be," Amanda continued walking back from the kitchen drying her hands on a dishtowel. "We are here for you because you needed us to be. It's that simple." 

Wendy began to tear up again and Rachel grabbed another tissue. 

"Oh crap, sorry, we didn't mean to make you cry Wendy," Alex said. 

"No, no, these are happy tears. It's been a tough day." 

Concerned, Kim looked at Rachel and she whispered, "I'll tell you later." 

Kim shrugged her shoulders. "Hey, we got an apartment!" She shouted with glee. 

"What?" Alex asked collapsing into a chair near the couch. 

"Yup, we signed the lease this afternoon. The pizza was a celebration," Ray added hugging Kim. 

"When do you move in?" Amanda asked. 

"The first of the month," Ray replied. "My lease was running out this month and Kim's was nearly over so we talked and, well..." 

"It was Kismet!" Kim interrupted and everybody laughed again. 

"Did I hear you say you're looking for a house Amanda?" Wendy asked between sniffles. 

"Yeah, any ideas?" asked Amanda. 

"Well, I just happen to be a real estate broker so I think I might have a few," she said with a big grin. "Ouch, it's hard to smile when you're still broken." 

"A smile is the best medicine," said Kim. "We do a lot of that around here. She glanced at her watch. "Hey, we have to go." 

Ray nodded and grinned as well. "Yeah, I have to pack up all my junk, then throw out half because it's just that, junk." 

"See you guys," Alex said hugging them both. "Thanks for the pizza and congratulations." 

Once they left everyone turned to focus on Wendy. 

"Okay, so when can we see our dream house?" Amanda flopped down on the pillow in front of the couch and leaned her elbows on the coffee table. Her eyes sparkled with excitement. 

"Here's my card, how about we meet Monday afternoon and go over what you're looking for." 

"Perfect, no wait, we have Tae Kwando Monday afternoon. How about we talk over dinner here?" 

"That works for me," Wendy said jotting down a note and slipping it into her purse. "Tae Kwando?" 

"Yes, Amanda got us all signed up," Alex replied. "A couple of months ago she had a run in with a former supervisor at her work. Rachel managed to make him a eunuch right before he fled to Milwaukee..." 

"Courtesy of my boss," Amanda interrupted with a grin. 

"So then we all realized that self-defense classes would be a good investment," finished Alex. 

"The name of the school is called 'Karma'. Go figure," Amanda added and everyone laughed. 

"Sign me up! I need something like that after the beating I took today," Wendy said pulling out her blackberry and jotting down another note. "If it wasn't for Rachel I might be in the hospital right now." 

"Our class starts at three tomorrow afternoon, it's the studio on 28th street near the warehouse district." Amanda scooted over to look at Wendy's cellphone. "I'm sure there's room for at least one more in that session. Yeah, that's the one," she said pointing to the marker on Wendy's GPS. "Master Kwon is cool too, he can be cranky at times..." 

"Especially when you don't remember your routines," Alex interrupted. 

"But he's got his heart in the right place," Amanda finished. 

"The more the merrier," chirped Rachel. "Pick me up at work tomorrow and I'll guide you there." 

"Where do you work?" 

"Tamsen, Willis, and James, I'm in the accounting department." 

"I know exactly where you are, my office is in the building across the street." Wendy pulled the three of them into a big hug. "I'm so glad I met you guys. Oh, ouch...still sore." 

*><*><* 

The following Monday after Alex's classes, he picked up Amanda from her work and drove to the Tae Kwando studio. They were walking to the front entrance as a white BMW Z4 Roadster rolled into the parking lot. Behind the wheel was Wendy and in the passenger seat was a very wind blown Rachel wearing a smile that seemed to hang off her ears. She hopped out and nearly bounced across the parking lot, she was so giddy. "That, girls, is one cool car." 

"You're hair is a total mess," Amanda said trying to untangle a few curls. 

"That's why I always wear a ball cap when I drive with the top down," Wendy giggled. "I warned her but she was not having any of it." 

"Ball caps cramp my style," she replied with a grin and then pointing to Wendy's car. "Someday I will drive one of those." 

"Wendy picked me up from work, you should have seen the shocked look on the faces of some of those guys from the office. I wish I had my camera." 

"It is a pretty car," Amanda said laughing at Rachel's boisterous charm. 

"Come on, let's go, you know how much Master Kwon likes it when we're late," Alex said as he looked Amanda in the eye. 

"Pushups are no fun," she muttered. 

=TWO= 

Kyle Upton sat on his balcony and sipped his morning cup of coffee. He was stumbling through his email on his iPad without much interest in anything offered until he opened a spam message linking to a new chat space for singles on a site he'd never visited before. He'd lurked on chat room sites, browsed the personals on craigslist, and looked at a few webcam sites but mostly he was too shy to actually open a conversation let alone meet someone offline. 

He decided, what the hell, and clicked on the link. The iPad snapped out of his email server and quickly opened up a browser window. In seconds he was asked to register and login to a site that listed itself as 'open minded'. A few minutes later he was browsing through the thumbnail images of women and men looking to connect with someone. He was about to give up when a new page opened and an image nearly jumped off the screen. It was his neighbor, a woman he'd seen countless times in the lobby of the condominium complex. She was stunning. Her dark brown hair shimmered in the light as it cascaded like a waterfall around a beautiful face near perfect in symmetry. 




Stray Cats Pt. 04



He looked at the name below the image, Wendy Bingham, hmmm. He scanned her biography below her name. Now he was certain that she was his neighbor. Not only did she live in the same condominium complex but she lived on the same floor and her balcony sat directly across the open space from his. He'd seen her countless times taking her coffee on her balcony on sunny mornings before work. 

He smiled subtly and decided to send her a note. 'Hey, I'm sitting outside looking over at your balcony hoping you'd come out so we could chat. Call me.' He left his number and pressed 'send'. 

It would be too much like a corny Hollywood movie to expect her to immediately respond but what the heck, it was nice to fantasize a bit anyway. He smiled again, closed his iPad cover, picked up his cup of coffee and walked back inside his house.  

*><*><* 

Across the way, looking through the sheer drapes that covered her balcony doors, Wendy glanced across to the other wing of the condominiums that faced her side of the building. It was another Saturday, almost like the other Saturdays that have stretched back as far as she could remember except that this Saturday was supposed to have been her wedding day. Her eyes glistened as she thought about what it would have looked like. Her standing in a beautiful white gown, her hair done up in a cascade of curls, and in her hands a beautiful bouquet of flowers. Then the image of Ted's snarling face invaded her dream world. The vision shattered into a million tiny pieces leaving only white sheer drapes to billow in the gentle breeze. 

She looked across to the balcony that faced hers. A young man sat sipping coffee and looking at an iPad. He was busy tapping away, oblivious to the fact that across the way a girl's dreams lay shattered at her feet. She sighed and turned towards her bedroom then the phone rang. Without looking at the caller id she opened her phone. "Hello?" 

"Hi Wendy, it's me Rachel. What are you doing?" 

"Nothing. I was thinking of going back to bed. I'm not much for anything today." 

"Come on, we're going to the beach. We'll be over in twenty minutes to pick you up." 

"I don't know, Rachel. I'm feeling kind of lousy today. I don't think I'd be very good company." 

"Nonsense girl," it was Amanda's voice now. She must have grabbed the phone from Rachel. "We all know what today is and that's exactly why you need to come with us. We'll be there in twenty minutes to drag you out if we have to!" she shouted giggling as Rachel's voice came back on the phone. 

"I know my wife, there's no arguing with her. See you in twenty, wear something sexy." 

The phone beeped when Rachel disconnected and Wendy sighed. She knew Rachel was right, Amanda is a whirlwind and there is no arguing with her once she has her sails up. 

Wendy tossed the phone onto her purse and headed to her bedroom to find a swimsuit. 

*><*><* 

An hour later they stood on the beach holding beach towels and sunscreen lotion. Alex was dragging a cooler loaded with drinks and snacks from his car to the beach while Rachel was struggling with a large umbrella. 

"Wow, Alex looks good in that one piece," Wendy said softly to Amanda standing nearby. 

"You have no idea how hard it was to get her into that let alone convince her to go to the beach today." 

"Why? She looks lovely." 

"Please tell her that," Amanda replied. "Her confidence is at an all-time low. She's still self-conscious about her body. We can get her to go to the club but anywhere else and she's as nervous as a chased cat." Amanda sighed then hung her arms off Wendy's shoulder. "She wears me out sometimes but she's getting better. Oh, and call her April. That's her name when she's dressed like that." 

"That's a pretty name." Wendy watched April and Rachel setup the umbrella as Amanda spread out the towels. This was the first time she had a chance to really look at Alex, er, April's body. She was tall and slender but not skinny. Her breasts were surprisingly full given her slender frame. She filled out the swimming suit nicely. Her golden brown hair fell in gentle curves across her shoulders and it framed a remarkably feminine face with barely a hint of masculinity. She was lucky; some men had to work very hard to achieve any sort of femininity when they went through the 'transition'. Wendy reflected back on her own journey. She thought of the excruciating surgeries, the countless pills, and then the most painful thing of all, the rejection by all of her so-called friends and family. That thought made her wince. 

She was still lost in thought as April ran back up the beach towards the umbrella. Amanda and Rachel had been tossing a large ball and playing 'keep-away' with her. April finally gave up and crawled back under the shelter of the umbrella to retrieve a drink from the cooler. 

"Those two are too much for me today," she grunted, collapsing on a towel. "I'm still exhausted from work last night. I swear that delivery truck arrives later and later each week." 

"Where do you work?" Wendy asked pulled out of her somber reverie. 

"The convenience store on Elm near 39th." 

"I know it, I stop in there from time to time. But I've never seen you in there." 

"I usually work night shifts so unless you come in after seven you probably won't see me. I have to work again tonight, yuck." 

"Have you looked for other work?" 

"Not a lot of opportunities for an English major trying to put himself through school. I hope the convenience store is only temporary until I finish." 

"When's that?" 

"Next spring, I hope." April settled back down and closed her eyes. 

Wendy could see that the girls had moved into the ocean with the beach ball. She suddenly felt a bit of jealousy for Rachel. 

"Penny for your thoughts," murmured April lying with her arm over her eyes. 

"They're actually a little embarrassing." 

"What are?" 

"My thoughts." 

April sat up and looked at Wendy. "Okay, a nickel for your thoughts then." She wore a devilish grin. 

Wendy sighed a bit and glanced at April with a subtle smile. "I was just thinking about how jealous I am of Rachel." 

April's eyebrows rose as she cocked his head with a curious smile. "She is a beautiful woman." 

"I agree but that isn't why I'm jealous." She glanced over at Alex again and saw the quizzical look on his face. "I'm jealous because of you and Amanda. You guys love her and each other so much it makes me jealous. There, I admit it." She hung her head with a girlish pout. 

April wrapped his arms around Wendy and gave her a big hug. "Don't be, your turn is coming, I can feel it. Besides you're with us now, part of our extended family." 

"Speaking of which, where are Kim and Ray?" Wendy asked. 

"Ray had to work and Kim is with her uncle helping him get ready for a party he's throwing for her cousin's birthday. They'll probably stop into the club tonight if you want to see them again." 

"Which club is that?" 

"Moulin Rouge, Rachel works there part time. She's on tonight until midnight, I think. Have you ever been there?" 

"I've only heard about it but I've never been there." 

"It's kind of a cool place, their policy is open and accepting so a lot of gay and transgendered folks drop by. It can get pretty outlandish some nights but usually it's just a nice place to hang out and unwind." 

"I'll check it out." Wendy paused again and watched Rachel and Amanda playing in the surf, riding the waves as they crashed endlessly onto the shore. "Wait a minute, what do you mean my turn is coming?" 

"What I mean is that it's just nature's way." She said brushing off the sand from her suit. "You just got out of a really nasty relationship, thankfully; so now Prince Charming is standing in the wings waiting for his cue. It's nature's way of finding balance in the world." 

April took Wendy's hands in hers. "The universe wants to work for you Wendy, it has to, but you have to let it happen and not sabotage it in the process. And don't think that you don't deserve it because you do, we all do. It's simple, really. So simple that people sabotage it all the time with negative thoughts. So don't do that. Think of what you need, not what you want. Tell the universe out loud what it is that you need and let it work to make it happen. Oh, and don't attached strings, it slows the process down. So be patient girl, he will be here before you know it." 

Wendy looked at April, speechless. Then she grinned and threw her arms around her and pulled her close. She could feel her breasts press against her chest. They were soft and full. "Thank you April, you're the best." 

"What's up?" Amanda asked as she dropped down on a blanket next to April flicking water all over her as she sat. 

"Hey, you're getting me all wet," April groaned. 

"Well, get in the water lazy butt, it's great out there, the temperature is perfect." 

"What about you?" April asked up on her knees. 

"I can't, I'm pooped," Amanda replied. "Rachel wore me out." 

About then Rachel dropped down on the sand and pulled out a towel to dry her hair. "God, I love days like today. No tourists, peaceful, and the beach isn't too crowded. Who's up for beach volleyball? 

"No way, I'm worn out." Amanda collapsed on a towel and groaned. 

April got up, kissed Amanda and Rachel, adjusted her suit, and waved to Wendy as she headed towards the surf. 

Wendy, waving back, watched her long legs stride gracefully towards the surf. "She's really a lovely girl isn't she?" 

Rachel followed her glance towards April. "Yes she is, and I love her dearly." Then she leaned over and tickled Amanda's feet. "Just as much as I love my little munchkin." 

Amanda squealed and pulled her feet away. "You have to sleep sometime you Amazonian goddess," Amanda muttered into her towel. "And then I will have my way with you." She leaped up and surrounded Rachel with tiny pokes. Rachel shrieked shouting, "Uncle, uncle." They both fell into each other's arms laughing. 

"So, how did you two meet April?" Wendy asked trying her best to stay out of the middle of the horseplay. 

"He lives in the same apartment building." Amanda replied. 

"Right across the hall from me," added Rachel. "I first met him when I was climbing those god awful stairs at two in the morning wearing heels that were, as Alex called them, dangerous on level ground. I have no idea why I bought them. My heel broke and I twisted my ankle. Alex caught me and helped me into my apartment. He was so sweet, he brought me dinner the following night." 

"I remember that," Amanda added. "I met him running up the front steps with a large bag of Chinese carry out. He called it 'meals on wheels'." 

Rachel pulled a beer from the cooler and opened it. "So we talked and a couple of days later I decided to open up to him. I don't know why but I felt like he was going to be somebody very special, and he did. From there we became friends, then lovers, and now wives." 

Wendy glanced over at Amanda who grinned impishly. 

"I had just moved into town and all my stuff was just dumped on the front lawn by the movers. Alex was walking up the front steps when he saw me standing there. I probably had the longest face on he'd ever seen. I was miserable. Alex offered to help and within the hour we had all of it neatly stacked in the middle of my new apartment." 

Amanda reached over and grabbed a beer out of the cooler. "After that we'd talk occasionally in the hallway or at one of Reilly's backyard parties, then one day he saw me run out of my apartment crying. I went out to the old tree swing in the backyard. It reminded me of the one I had when I was little living in Vancouver. My Mom had just called to tell me that my cousin Susan was getting married in a month. I was devastated. I thought my life was a total screw-up. Then Alex looked at me with those beautiful blue eyes and told me that I was the luckiest girl in the whole world. He said that I got a do-over." 

"A what?" asked Wendy. 

"That's what I said. A what?" she laughed. "He said, "It's what happens when the universe deals you a hand that is so terribly wrong that in one fell swoop things are reset and you get to start again fresh." And then he told me "you are truly blessed Amanda Simpson, and that is nothing to be sad about." 

"I was dumbfounded. I looked at him for a moment and then I knew he was completely right. In that same moment I realized that I had fallen in love with him," she paused a moment and leaned up to kiss Rachel on the cheek, "and then I met this sweet, beautiful girl and I knew that I'd found my place in the world. Between them and with them." 

Wendy's cheeks were wet and her eyes were glistening as she listened to their stories. She took a big breath and let it out slowly. She settled back against her towel to think about where her own life had been and where it might be going. April's words kept repeating in her mind. "Your turns coming; just be patient." 

=THREE= 

That afternoon after the girls dropped her off at her condo, Wendy flopped down on her couch and picked up her iPad. Work was the last thing she wanted to think about but she knew that she had to check into her email at least once a day to keep up with everything. 

Then she saw it. It was the third message down. 

'Hey, I'm sitting outside looking over at your balcony hoping you'd come out so we could chat. Call me.' He left his phone number after the note. 

Her face flushed scarlet. Oh my God! He lives in the same complex! Do I know him? How does he know my balcony is...? "Oh Shit." She scrambled off the couch and dashed to the sheer curtains that covered the balcony doors. Directly across from her balcony was an identical one facing it. And sitting on a chair was someone she had only noticed once or twice as she came into the building lobby. 

She peeked through the drapes again, and then she grabbed up her iPad and looked at his note again. He must have seen me sitting on the balcony but I never noticed him sitting there. Does he know about me? Maybe. He has to suspect something if he was looking at that particular website. It's called 'open-minded' for a reason. 

What if he's some dumb jock who cruises websites looking for a quick poke? Or maybe he's a stalker, or a rapist? Oh get a grip girl. If my mind keeps going like this I'll end up crazy, old, and alone. I just have to ask. It's that simple. And if he tries to hurt me... 

She spun her foot up in a classic roundhouse kick then she settled down and repeated several more forms. "Then I'll just kick his butt," she muttered with a sheepish grin knowing that she'd only been to two lessons so far. 

*><*><* 

It was late in the afternoon, nearly five o'clock when Kyle heard his cellphone beep. He had stepped inside to freshen up his drink and he got a text message to come out onto his terrace. He stood looking around and then he noticed a girl waving at him from across the way. It was her, the girl he'd seen countless times in the lobby. The girl he saw on that website. His cellphone began to ring. 

"Hi" Wendy said waving again timidly. 

"Hi back at you." 

They stood looking at one another across the open space that separated the two wings of the condominium complex. 

"So, do you want to meet someplace where we're not standing so far apart?" 

She glanced at the setting sun. "How about dinner?" 

"Perfect. Burgers at Rudy's? It's just down the street from here." 

"I'll meet you in the lobby in thirty minutes." 

"I'll be waiting." 

*><*><* 

Rudy's was a quaint little 'Ma & Pa' operation that specialized in gourmet burgers and seafood hoagies. The price was reasonable for this side of town and the atmosphere was always warm and welcoming. 

Kyle led the way to a seat outside on the terrace away from several others crowded around the television blaring sports news. "Is this okay?" 

"It's fine thanks." 

"Actually, I've never been here before. I've driven by it enough times to tell myself that I should try it but..." He shrugged and grinned. 

Wendy glanced up from the menu and returned his awkward smile. She could see he was nervous. She was nervous too. She took a big breath to settle the butterflies fluttering in her stomach. "I know I'm the same way. But now we're here." She gazed into his twinkling eyes and she could see that Kyle was beginning to relax a bit. "So, you sent me a message." 

"And you texted me back." 

"Yeah." 

They sat looking at one another forgetting that the rest of the world existed, including the waiter who arrived at their table several minutes ago. 

"Ahem, can I get you something to drink?" 

"Ah, yes, just water for me," Kyle responded. 

"Me too." 

Wendy watched Kyle take a big breath and let it out with a soft whistle as if he was trying to release some of the tension that was building up inside. She felt the same way only she didn't want to whistle. 

"Wendy, I've never been very good at this, meeting beautiful girls and talking to them." 

"Well I feel just as awkward as you do so we're even. I tell you what, tell me your most embarrassing moment this week and I'll tell you mine. After that we can't be any more embarrassed than we were then so everything will be just fine." He smiled sweetly and her heart just melted. 

"Okay, hmm, oh I know. I was walking out of my office two days ago when I ran into Henderson from accounting. We were both late to a meeting. I was juggling a stack of folders and a glass of water. The water tumbled and I managed to save the folders but not my pants. It went right down the front, splashing all over my crotch. About then the general manager walked out of the conference room. I must have turned fifteen shades of red." He chuckled as he shook his head and Wendy smiled. "Okay, your turn." He leaned forward and rested his chin on the palms of his hands. 

"I'm a real estate broker. I was showing a house to some close friends the other day when we all walked into the main bathroom to see an elderly man standing buck-naked with everything at half mast. I guess he didn't hear us come into the house. I had phoned earlier and left a message but sometimes, try as you might, you manage to see a cock or two when you least expect it." 

Kyle laughed out loud. He had such a beautiful smile. His eyes lit up with a sparkle and his cheeks had such cute dimples in them. 

"Okay, you win, a cock at half mast always beats a wet crotch in any poker game I've played." He shook his head and chuckled again. The waiter brought their water and they ordered the house special. 

"So, tell me about yourself. You're a real estate broker? That must be interesting." 

Wendy sat there a moment and studied Kyle's face then she smiled meekly and sighed. What do I tell him? I will never get into another relationship, even a casual one, without the truth. Wendy hated what happened that day in front of those condos, even more than she feared telling Ted her secret. From now on it's the truth. She took a big breath again and let it out slowly. 

Kyle's smile began to fade as she wrestled with what she needed to tell him. 

"Today was supposed to be my wedding day." 

All of the color dropped out of Kyle's face. "What? What happened?" 

"We got into a huge fight a month ago. It was so terrible my friend Rachel had to step in and break it up. If she hadn't, my ex-fiancé Ted would have put me in the hospital. I vowed then that I would never allow myself to be in that sort of situation again. So if what I'm about to say bothers you please just leave and we'll never have to speak about it again." 

Kyle sat motionless across the table from Wendy. She sat looking for any hint of resentment or fear. But there was none, his expression was compassionate and sincere. 




Stray Cats Pt. 04



"I was born James Wendell Bingham the third, into a wealthy family who lived most of their privileged lives in seclusion from the real world. When I was eight I began to have feelings about who I was and although I didn't understand exactly what I was feeling I did know that I was different from the other boys who I would hang out with or who went to school with me. When I was twelve and starting puberty I found that I liked to do things that my father found distasteful, like playing with dolls and having make-believe tea parties. I can't begin to count the times he locked me in my room as punishment for misbehaving like a girl. And there were times he decided that a belt or hairbrush was a better tool of discipline to teach me about manhood than any stern talking too. But where he was persistent I was equally stubborn. I knew what I liked and it wasn't what he considered appropriate boy behavior." 

"When I was fourteen, unbeknownst to my father, my mother started me on a hormone therapy. She was struggling to understand what I was going through but she knew that what my father was doing was wrong. She talked to a couple of specialists who referred her to a child psychologist and he told her that her son had issues with gender identity, as he called it." 

"The drugs began to reshape my boyish body making it more feminine. In some respects they helped me here as well," she said pointing to her forehead. "The conflicts inside my brain began to diminish and I was starting to see the world from a feminine perspective." 

Kyle fiddled with his napkin as he listened earnestly to Wendy's story. When the waiter returned with their meal Wendy paused briefly so that they could finish in silence. Once they were nearly done Wendy continued. 

"When I went off to Dartmouth I went dressed as a boy to placate my father but once I left the dorms after my freshman year I got my own apartment. From then on I began to dress completely as a woman. At first I was the subject of ridicule, then it became more sinister. Not from the boys, they were mostly childish and stupid. It was the girls who where sinister. You cannot imagine the ugly pranks they would play on me. Some of it bordered on torture. To this day the thought of being bound to something, anything, by ropes or electrical ties makes me hysterical. I couldn't get through the first half of 'Fifty Shades' without throwing it in the trash." Her cheeks were damp as tears filled her eyes. She lifted a tissue from her purse and dried her eyes. 

"The one thing those women kept over my head was the thought that I could never be a woman if I had a penis." Her voice was now barely a whisper. "I yelled back at them in rage. I am a woman in my heart and that's all that matters. They laughed at me. They spat in my face and kicked me in the balls. I screamed at them. "How could a woman still be a woman if cancer has taken her uterus or breasts?" Then someone knocked me unconscious. I was found the next morning by one of the grounds keepers at the college. I decided at that moment that whatever it took I was going to be a woman physically to match who I was here," she pointed to her heart." 

"I finished college, I wasn't going to let them beat me. I stood defiantly on the dais, graduating cum laude and told them all, that today was the happiest day of my life because I was leaving them all behind. I smiled graciously, turned and never looked back. Three years later I had my operation." Her face was filled with a ferocity that matched the passion in her heart as she sat back and waited for Kyle's response. 

Kyle paused for a moment. His face was almost blank. Wendy couldn't tell what he was thinking and that worried her most of all. Did I go too far, too fast? Does he think I'm some sort of lesbian man-hater and that I detest him because of who he is? 

Then Kyle leaned forward with a gentle smile. "You are the most courageous person I have ever met." 

"What I just said doesn't bother you?" 

"I'm having dinner with you, not part of you. I'm sorry about your wedding. Your ex-fiancé is an ass and the rest of your dinner is getting cold." His eyes twinkled with delight as her face lit up. 

Hold on girl; let's not jump from the frying pan into the fire. You still don't know anything about him. He could be a serial rapist or something...but I doubt it. 

Wendy settled herself into her chair and picked up her burger then paused. "Okay, I guess it's your turn. What do you do when you're not cruising the Internet?" 

"I'm a lawyer, yeah I know, here come the lawyer jokes." 

"Not from me, I'm in real estate, remember?" 

"I work for the Securities and Exchange Commission doing research in the International Trade Division. I spend my day pouring over shipping invoices, bills of lading, goods received and shipped. God, it's boring stuff." 

"Are you looking for drugs?" 

"No that's I.C.E. and the DEA. More dangerous, less boring." 

"Is it your first job out of school?" 

"No, I spent some time clerking for a Circuit Court Judge in Colorado before I came here. It was okay but the pay was lousy and I am still swimming in debt from law school. The SEC job gave me a shot at seeing the light at the end of the tunnel so to speak." 

"Student loans can be brutal, you can never default on them either." 

"They sort of have you by the proverbial short hairs." 

"Yeah, they do." 

"So why did you pick the name Wendy? Is it because of Peter Pan and Neverland?" 

"No, but that's a good guess. I heard from a friend that a lot of girls named Wendy come from that reference. My middle name is Wendell and my Mother's name is Dee." 

"Got it, Wen Dee, just different spelling." 

She tilted her head slightly and smiled at Kyle warmly. He seemed kind and caring. Also honest and open about who he is and where he's been. "So, my turn for a question. Any girlfriends?" 

"Not since six months ago and even then Diane was an on again off again kind of girl. Eventually it became apparent to me that she was looking for someone who could keep her in the lap of luxury that she imagined and I just wasn't that kind of guy." 

"Trolling for a big wallet?" 

"Yup." Kyle picked up his napkin and wiped his face. 

"Why were you on the open-minded website?" 

"I don't know, a coincidence maybe? I've been on sites like that one before but that was the first time I visited that particular site. There was a link to it in my email inbox and I absent-mindedly clicked on it. And now I'm glad I did." 

"I have a friend who doesn't believe in coincidence. I'm beginning to believe him," she added taking another bite of her salad. 

"Why were you on there?" He asked resting his chin on his palms again. His eyes twinkled mischievously. 

"I don't know either, coincidence?" 

Kyle laughed out loud again. It was a hearty laugh, open and joyful, she liked that. She liked Kyle too, but in the back of her mind there was still doubt. Ted placed that shadow on her heart. It would take more than a burger and salad with a cute guy to remove it. 

A rowdy group of locals came out to the terrace from the restaurant and sat at a table nearby. They were loud and boisterous. The place was starting to get crowded. 

"It's Saturday night and it looks like things are starting to pick up," Kyle said trying to talk over the crowd at the next table. "Do you want to go somewhere else?" 

"What time is it?" 

"A little after nine o'clock." 

"Yes, but I'll drive. Have you ever been to Moulin Rouge?" 

"I think I've heard of it but I've never been there." 

"Neither have I but tonight seems to be an evening of firsts. Let's go." Wendy scooted her chair back and followed Kyle out of the restaurant. 

Outside they walked together down the sidewalk towards the condominium complex. When they came to an intersection Kyle reached over and took her hand in his. Wendy looked up in surprise, blushing slightly, then they crossed the street and continued to hold hands until they reached the garage where Wendy parked her car. 

"Wow, cool car." Kyle stopped for a moment and admired the sleek lines of the Z4. 

"Come on, get in. Should I put the top up?" 

"Are you kidding? This is why you buy a convertible!" 

She grinned sheepishly and started the car. It roared to life and rumbled softly as she backed the car out of her private parking spot. 

"I actually bought it because I like the way it handles." Wendy pulled out of the driveway and the car raced off down the street. "I hope you don't mind, I sort of have a lead foot." The car squealed around a corner and dashed off down the street towards downtown. 

Kyle's eyes got rather large but the smile on his face told Wendy he wasn't going to complain. 

*><*><* 

As Wendy and Kyle walked up to the club entrance it was closer to ten o'clock and there was a sizeable cue lined up on the sidewalk. Wendy looked around for a moment. "Geez, maybe we won't get into the club after all." 

"Wendy?" Some one shouted from behind the gated entrance to the club. Wendy turned and walked back towards the head of the line. "Hi Ray." 

Ray was standing besides the bouncer who was busy checking IDs. "I just came out for a smoke. Have you been out here for very long?" 

"No, we just got here. The line looks pretty long." 

"Wait right here, I'll go get Rachel." Ray dashed back into the club and disappeared behind a beaded curtain. 

Wendy turned and motioned to Kyle and he walked up to stand by her. She grabbed his hand and smiled. A moment later Rachel appeared at the doorway. Her hair was up in large curls that cascaded down her back and she wore a rather provocative silver dress that, while barely covering her thighs, it hugged her ample breasts like a well-fitted glove. As she stepped towards them Wendy noticed she was wearing another pair of heels that clearly were in the 'dangerous even on level ground' category. 

"Wow, you look amazing!" Wendy shouted over the thump of bass reverberating from the building. 

"Thanks. So you decided to check out the club?" Rachel looked down and noticed that Wendy was holding Kyle's hand. 

"Yeah, we just finished dinner. It was sort of impromptu. Oh, this is Kyle Upton. He's a friend. I hope we can get in." 

"There's a birthday party going on in a private room and that always backs things up. Come on." Rachel nodded to the bouncer and opened the gate for them. "Follow me." 

Wendy and Kyle followed Rachel through the doorway and into the club. The music was throbbing and lights were flashing around the room. In the center was a large dance floor that was crowded with people moving to the beat. Wendy looked up to see Rachel glancing sideways at Kyle like an overprotective mother hen. 

She was beginning to wonder if she was throwing Kyle to the wolves here. She looked back to see that he appeared to be as dazzled by the place as she was. They followed Rachel back to a table in the corner of the club. As they came closer, Wendy saw some familiar faces. Amanda was talking to Kim and Ray and Alex, apparently now dressed as April from the spectacular gown she was wearing was getting up to greet them. 

"Wendy! Great to see you," she leaned forward and gave her a hug. "Who's this?" 

"Hi everyone, this is Kyle Upton. We just finished dinner a while ago so we decided to take you up on your offer and check out Moulin Rouge." 

"Hello Kyle," everyone shouted back. April stepped around Wendy and offered her hand. "Nice to meet you. How do you know Wendy?" 

Kyle took April's hand and returned her firm handshake. "We just met today actually, it was quite by accident," he said with a shrug. "We live in the same condominium complex." 

Wendy curled her arm around Rachel's and steered her away from the table. "Can I speak to you for a moment?" 

"Sure, what's up?" Rachel glanced over Wendy's shoulder and watched Kyle and April talk. 

"That." 

"What?" 

"That helicopter hovering you're doing." 

Rachel glanced back at Wendy and blushed. 

"Rachel, I'm a big girl. I'm never going to repeat what happened with Ted, never ever. I know you want to protect me like a big sister and I love you for it. But go easy on Kyle. He's kind and considerate and we really hit it off tonight. If you come on too strong you might scare him off and I kind of want to see where this goes." 

"Are you sure? Does he know about you?" 

"Yes, and yes. We had a long talk, well, mostly I talked and he listened, which is so rare in guys, right? So don't rough him up, okay? Be gentle. I think he's a keeper." She leaned up and kissed Rachel on the cheek and gave her a little hug then she turned and walked back to sit next to Kyle. 

After Wendy sat down April leaned over and whispered into her ear. "Prince Charming?" 

Wendy face was flush with crimson. She lowered her eyes and smiled demurely then she glanced sideways at April then looked up at Kyle who was busy talking to Amanda. She nodded and whispered back. "I hope so." 

"Good." April stood up and leaned over to Wendy and Kyle. "Can I get you anything? I'm heading for the bar." 

"A coke for me," Kyle replied. 

"Same here," added Wendy. April nodded and started the long weave towards the bar. 

Kim and Ray moved over to sit next to Wendy. 

"Thanks for helping us Ray," Wendy said reaching over to give his hand a squeeze. "We'd probably still be out there if you hadn't seen us." 

"You're more than welcome Wendy," Ray said sipping on his rum and coke. 

"How long have you guys know April and her sisters?" 

"For me," Ray replied, "I've known Alex for at least two years, we started college together." 

"Me too, I met Alex two years ago in the Short Story Composition class. I think it was his first year at the university too," Kim added. 

"So how did you guys react when they told you everything?" Wendy asked. 

"Oh God, that was crazy that night," Ray replied. 

"It was?" 

"Yeah, everything changed so quickly." 

"Being with those three is like living in a whirlwind," Kim added. "When I first met him, Alex wore mostly faded flannel shirts and worn out jeans." 

"He still had long hair but he smashed down under this ragged stocking cap," Ray chimed in. 

Kim nodded and continued. "But lately at school, I noticed that he was beginning to wear more feminine things. I was concerned because boys can be terrible teases so I spoke to him about it. You know sometimes that sort of stuff leads to something more violent." 

"Sweetie, boys are nothing compared to girls, but go on," Wendy said emphatically and touching Kim's hand for emphasis. 

"Anyway, we got to talking and the next thing I knew he had invited me over to his house to meet his sisters, Rachel and Amanda. They began to explain a little bit about who they were. They did a complete makeover on me. I walked out of Rachel's bedroom a completely different person. When I turned around Alex was walking into the room wearing this stunning black dress and heels. One thing led to another and we were headed here to Moulin Rouge." 

"I barely recognize Kim when I saw her that night, she was beautiful," Ray added hugging Kim. "I was here with some friends when I saw her on the dance floor dancing with another girl. When I finally worked up the courage, I walked across the dance floor to talk to her. But not in my wildest dreams did I imagine what would happen next. I sat down to talk to Kim and did a double take when I realized that it was Alex sitting next to me..." 

"But now she was April..." Kim added. 

"Uh-huh, and we got to talking. Then I met Amanda and this amazing Amazon goddess Rachel. In those five-inch heels she just towered over me. I felt like the woman could squash me." 

"She is tall," Wendy mused with a chuckle. "And I've seen her knock a six-foot man to the ground with one punch." 

"So you know what I mean? Anyway we all ended up back at Rachel's apartment. It must have been around two in the morning. We'd had a few drinks at the club and a few more at Rachel's place so once again my courage was fueled by alcohol and I had to ask..." 

"Ray's a sweetheart but he can be a knuckle head sometimes." 

Ray blushed a bit and shrugged his shoulders. "April got out her iPad and showed me the infamous webpage. Then Rachel told me that she was a pre-op transsexual and Amanda said she was a genetic goddess. The more I know Amanda the more I believe that's true." 

"That girl is at the center of the vortex. When she gets going on something she is unstoppable." Kim added. 

"Yeah, I found that out," chuckled Wendy. "So are you guys okay with all of this? 

"Yeah," Ray responded quickly. "They're beautiful and besides, if it wasn't for Alex I would never have worked up the nerve to be with this beautiful woman right here," he added hugging Kim tightly and kissing her on the cheek. 

"And if it wasn't for all three of them I wouldn't have had the nerve to be with Ray. They're our best friends, I don't know what I would do without them." She kissed Ray lightly on the lips. 

Wendy smiled and reached across to squeeze Kim's hand. "Thank you." 

"Hey." Kyle rubbed Wendy's shoulders lightly. "You want to dance? It looks like fun." 

"I'd love to Kyle but I'm just beat, it's been a long day. Can I take a rain check?" 

"Hmmm. A rain check means we'll come back here again doesn't it?" 

Wendy nodded and smiled demurely. 

"Good, a rain check it is. Do you want to leave?" 

"Can we?" 

"Of course, you're driving." 

"Okay, let me say good night to Rachel, I'll be right back." Wendy stood up and wove her way across the dance floor. She spotted Rachel at a table near the bar. 

"Hey, we're going to take off." 

"Call me tomorrow, okay?" Rachel shouted over the throbbing music. 

"Okay." Wendy turned to make her way back across the floor. 

"Wait, I'll walk with you." 

They both crossed the floor and made their way to the table in the back. Wendy grabbed her jacket and Rachel reached over to touch Kyle on his shoulder. "Can we have coffee sometime? I'd like to get to know you better." 

"Sure, Wendy has your number doesn't she?" Kyle replied while pulling on his coat. 

"Yes. Text me when you have some free time." Rachel smiled and glanced behind Kyle to see a warning look from Wendy. Rachel leaned forward and gave Kyle a little hug while mouthing the words "don't worry, I'll be kind" to Wendy. 

Wendy pulled her into a hug and whispered in her ear. "I love you Rachel but you'd better behave." Then she kissed her on the cheek. 

*><*><*><* 

The elevator door chimed and the doors opened. Kyle and Wendy walked down the long corridor to her condo holding hands in silence. They both wore a subtle smile. Kyle turned when he arrived at her door. "Thanks, it's been a really special evening." 

"Yes it has, very special indeed. Thank you for putting up with my whim." 

"Whim?" Kyle looked at her with a curious smile. 

"Moulin Rouge, I sort of blindsided you a bit on that one." 

"You mean introducing me to your friends? Nah, wait until you meet my family, now that will be a crazy time." 

"Your family?" 

"No expectations, but if it happens you'll have to study up on crazy. I just wanted to warn you in advance." 

"Oh, thanks. Well, good night Kyle." 

Kyle leaned in and kissed her gently on the lips. It was their first kiss. It was sweet and it set her heart racing. "Good night," he said as he let go of her hands and turned to walk away. 

She watched him walk down the corridor with his cellphone in his hand. A moment later her phone beeped. She flipped it open and read the text message. 

'How about dinner and a movie next Saturday night? My treat.' 

She smiled and opened her door texting 'yes'. 

***** 

A NOTE TO THE READER: 





Stray Cats Pt. 05



Thanks for taking the time to read this story. If you're new to this series it would be best if you went back to the first chapter in order to understand some of the dynamics in this unique family. However, as I've said before, it's your choice. This chapter finds a lot of changes in the lives of this unique family, the challenges they face are huge but the love they share will always see them through. I hope you enjoy this latest chapter of Stray Cats.

Dreamweaver594

*****

Alex walked into Kim and Ray's new apartment. "Hey, where do you want me to put this box? It's marked K-Bdm. Maybe Kim's bedroom?"

Kim poked her head out of the bathroom door. "That's my stuff. It belongs in the back bedroom. Can you put it along the far wall? Thanks Alex."

Alex carried the box down the hall followed by Rachel and Amanda each carrying boxes and totes. The morning started when everyone showed up at Kim's old apartment. Ray and Kyle picked up the rental truck early in the morning and had already loaded what little he had into it before they arrived at Kim's.

The rest of the morning was filled with packing the last minute items in Kim's apartment, loading the rest of her stuff in the rental truck, and unloading it in the new place. By mid-day the bulk of the move was finished and Ray drove off with the rental truck and to pick up lunch.

Wendy finished folding and setting the linens into the hall closet. She walked into the kitchen to find Kim and Amanda filling the cabinets with dishes and bowls. "This is a nice little apartment you two found. And the neighborhood is nice too; it's not to far from the condo complex where Kyle and I live. I've sold several condos around here and the people tell me that everyone is friendly and they watch out for one another."

"Thanks Wendy, I know we're going to love it once the dust settles."

Alex and Rachel joined them in the kitchen. "The bed is assembled."

"If you want we'd be happy to put on the sheets and duvet on the bed for you," Rachel added.

"Thanks guys, the linens are in the hall closet."

Wendy walked out into the hallway. "I'll show you." She opened the closet door and pulled out a set of sheets and pillowcases. "I think these all match." Then she giggled and passed them both to walk into the living room. Kyle was busy stuffing Ray's bookshelf with books and magazines. He was surrounded by empty boxes.

"Whew, moving students is almost as bad as moving lawyers." He chuckled as he stuffed another stack of folders in one of the shelves.

Wendy knelt down and wrapped her arms around his neck giving him a big hug and kiss. "Thank you for doing this sweetheart, I know you're busy with work and all, but you've been such a big help."

Kim leaned around the corner into the living room and grinned. "You both have been wonderful, thank you. Everyone, this move has been so easy with all of you."

About then the apartment door flew open and Ray walked in with a stack of pizza boxes. "Lunch break, everyone! Well, maybe a late lunch, there was a line at the check-in counter. Lord they move slow at rental companies."

Amanda walked back into the living room. "I think it's part of their training."

Rachel followed Alex into the living room. She was holding an extra set of pillows. "Kim, do you want me to use these two for the pillow shams?"

Ray dropped the pizza boxes on the coffee table. "What are pillow shams?"

Kyle chuckled still stuffing Ray's bookshelves. "Oh, you have so much to learn, grasshopper." Ray grinned and Kim giggled.

The rest of the afternoon went by quickly, with everyone's help Ray and Kim's move went flawlessly. 

Ray walked into the living room to find everyone drinking sodas and laughing about Tom Reilly's latest antics. "Do you guys want to go out for dinner? I'm buying."

Rachel groaned. "Thanks Ray but I can't, I have a late shift tonight at the club."

Alex got up and picked up a few soda cans to take them to the recycling bin in the kitchen. "Me too, I have an early shift at the convenience store otherwise I'd be happy to join you. Can I get a rain check?" He tossed his keys to Rachel with a grin. "You driving as usual?"

"Love to, thanks."

Ray was beginning to look a bit disappointed. "It's okay, rain checks are no problem. Wendy? Kyle? Amanda?"

Amanda chirped up with a grin. "I'm in, but somebody will have to give me a ride home."

"That sounds great, Ray. There's a little burger joint on the corner we've been to before, not too expensive either, just the thing for a student's budget. Kyle and I will meet you there."

"Great."

=TWO=

The emergency room at St. Mary's Regional Hospital was strangely quiet. Triage was working efficiently to move the small amount of waiting patients through the screening process and there didn't seem to be many serious cases to deal with for a change. ~Some minor scrapes and bruises, a broken arm and a few cuts. It looked like it was going to be a quiet night.

Suddenly, the radio dispatch crackled and hissed. Paramedics from engine house four were bringing in a stabbing victim. They shouted his vitals over the radio as the ambulance wove through traffic towards the hospital. Moments later a gurney burst through the outer doors of the emergency room as three paramedics shouted for help from the ER staff.

In a flash Alex Wells was moved through a maze of corridors, up an elevator, and into operating room number three. Standing alone downstairs in the emergency room reception area a frightened Rachel Thompson stood shaking and sobbing. An ER nurse ushered her to the couch in the waiting room.

Several minutes later Amanda rushed through the outer doors. She found Rachel curled up and sobbing on a couch in the waiting room. "Is he all right? Where is he?"

"He's in an operating room right now I think, I don't know anything yet."

"What happened?"

"We were at Moulin Rouge. I was working my usual shift. Alex got off earlier than I did so he took a cab over to meet me. We were just hanging out when a fight broke out across from the bar. I don't know who or what started it but it was getting ugly quick. A guy had one of the waitresses, Susan I think, by the neck and was threatening her with a knife. I shouted at him and he pushed Susan away and lunged at me. But before I could move Alex was between us. The bastard stabbed him three times before he ran off. Girls were screaming, people were scrambling out of the bar, there was blood everywhere. Sydney, the manager, called 911 then Susan and I did what we could to stop the bleeding. Oh God, Amanda, it was like I was watching him die and there was nothing I could do to stop it!"

"Okay sis, okay." She hugged Rachel and held her tight while Rachel sobbed into her shoulder. 

Eventually Rachel's tears began to slow and she lifted her head up to kiss Amanda on the cheek. "Thank you, sis."

"Let me go get some tissues, I'll be right back." Amanda left Rachel sitting on the couch and wiping her eyes as she walked briskly towards the triage desk. She grabbed a box of tissues then glanced at the nurse behind the counter. "Hi, Alex Wells was brought in a while ago; he was stabbed in a club tonight. Can you tell me what's happening with him?"

A triage nurse looked up from her computer screen. "He's in the operating room right now, ma'am. Are you in his family?"

"Yes, I'm his sister."

"Here, I need you to fill out some consent forms. You can bring them back to me when you've finished."

Amanda looked at the clipboard stuffed with medical release forms and sighed. She added the clipboard with the stack of consent forms to the box of tissues and walked back over to Rachel. She handed the tissue box to Rachel and sat down next to her. "He's in the operating room, that's all she could tell me and then she handed me all this stupid paperwork." Amanda sighed again as she began to fill out the forms. 

Rachel wiped her eyes and rested her head on Amanda's shoulder. She mumbled softly. "He asked me to stop working there."

"What sweetie?"

"Alex, he asked me to stop working at Moulin Rouge. On the way over in the ambulance, he held my hand and asked me to stop working at the club. He said it was too dangerous. Oh God, Amanda, it's all my fault."

"Now stop that right now, Rachel. If it's anybody's fault, it's that bastard who stabbed Alex.". She leaned over and kissed Rachel on the forehead. "But sweetheart, you really need to stop working there. It's getting way too dangerous."

"I was working there so that I could afford nice clothes and to help pay for all the HRT drugs I need daily to keep my body in check. My part-time job isn't enough.

"I'll buy you nice clothes sweetheart, and all the drugs you need. Just stop working there. I worry every night you go off to work...so does Alex. Why do you think he spends so much time there?" 

"I never realized..."

"Rachel, my sweet lovely Rachel, you and Alex are the loves of my life, I don't ever want to lose either of you, ever."

A moment later Wendy arrived with Kyle, followed closely by Kim and Ray, they all rushed through the waiting room doors. Wendy looked around frantically until she spotted Amanda and Rachel sitting at the far end of the waiting room. "We just heard! How's he doing?"

"He's still in surgery and they haven't told us anything else yet."

Wendy moved to sit beside Rachel and Amanda. "I'm so very sorry, is there anything we can do?"

Amanda hugged her and kissed her cheek. "Just pray it's not serious."

The rest of the family sat close and waited for the emergency team to do there work. An hour or so later, a doctor came through the emergency room doors. His name tag read Dr. Fred Willis. "Amanda Simpson, Rachel Thompson?"

Everyone stood up and clustered around the doctor. "I'm Amanda and this is Rachel."

"He's out of danger and recovering in the ICU. We can't let anyone see him until the anesthesia wears off and he regains consciousness. There was a large loss of blood and several knife wounds but only one was severe. It punctured his kidney on the left side. We'll have to do some tests to determine if the damage will be long term. He's young and strong so that will improve his chances."

Rachel smiled bleakly. "How long before we can we see him?"

"Not for a while yet, I'll send one of the IC nurses out once he's regained consciousness and moved to a room." The doctor looked at all the concerned faces then recognized a familiar one. "Wendy, what are you doing here?"

"Hi Fred, my good friend Alex is here, we're kind of family. How bad was it?"

"Well, fortunately, the blade didn't do too much serious damage. He'll have a few scars to brag about I suppose. He's in stable condition but like I said, he'll be out of it for a while. After that, I would guess several weeks for full recovery. Wendy, I know you said you're family but do you know about him?"

"What do you mean?"

"About his physical condition, it looks like he's in the middle of a gender change. These scars may disfigure him if he wants to continue with that change."

"Thanks Fred, could you keep his physical condition private please, even with the medical staff. He's very sensitive about it."

"I understand. I'll speak to the duty nurse; she'll keep it under her thumb."

Rachel reached forward and shook the doctor's hand. "Thank you Doctor Willis." Amanda and the rest of the family thanked him as well while Wendy walked over to the far side of the waiting area and made a phone call.

"Don? Hi, it's Wendy Bingham. Yes, thanks, sorry for calling so late. Look, I need to ask a favor. A friend of mine was just in a pretty severe accident and Fred Willis told me that the scars will be rather disfiguring. Is there anyway you can come in and have a look? He's here at Saint Mary's Regional. Oh, thank you, I appreciate it. I'll call you tomorrow morning when we know more and I'll give you the rest of the details. There are a few things I will need to explain. Yes, the attending is Fred Willis. Okay, I'll ask him to call you. Thanks Don, I'll talk to you tomorrow morning. Say hello to Margaret for me, okay, good night."

For the next half hour Wendy was on her cell phone calling in favors, organizing a surgical team to handle Alex's situation. Amanda and Rachel were amazed at her connections. 

Meanwhile Kim was on her phone calling her father, a state's attorney. She told him that Alex's attacker was still at large and she wanted to make sure the cops didn't give it a low priority. All in all, the family was doing what they could to help Alex pull through.

An hour later the ER duty nurse came out into the waiting room and told them that they could see Alex now. "He's on the fourth floor in room 4005. But only for a minute, he's still under the effects of the anesthesia and he'll be rather groggy."

They quietly filed into the elevator, each one holding the other's hands firmly, all with anxious looks on their faces. The elevator chime announced their arrival on the fourth floor. Alex's room was down the corridor and in a cluster of rooms that centered on a nurse's station. The family nodded to the nurses as they filed by to room 4005.

In the room, a variety of tubes and wires were strung from IV bags and monitors and attached all over Alex's body. A nurse was re-checking his IV to make sure it was secure. When she saw the family arrive she smiled and politely ducked out of the way and back to the nurse's station.

"Hey babe, how are you doing?" Rachel gently touched his arm; her eyes were brimming with tears.

Amanda moved to the other side and leaned forward to place a kiss on his cheek. "Hey there sweetheart."

The rest of the family gathered around close and touched him gently as Alex's eyes fluttered open. "Hi." His voice was raspy and soft. "From the looks on your faces it looks like you're here for a funeral."

Rachel kissed his other cheek. "That's not even funny, babe. You're going to be okay, the doctor said you'll be up and around in no time. But for now, no jokes, okay?" He nodded as she kissed him again, her eyes filled with tears.

A few minutes later Dr. Willis reappeared and suggested that they all go home and get a good night sleep. "We're going to give him a sedative to help him sleep so it'll be easier if he doesn't have any distractions."

After Kim and Ray drove off, Wendy told Amanda and Rachel that a Dr. Donald Greeley was going to visit the day after tomorrow. She told them that he was going to do a preliminary examination on Alex.

"Why?"

"He's a plastic surgeon, one of the best in the region. I asked him to take a look at Alex's wounds. Dr. Willis said that they would probably be disfiguring."

Amanda looked a bit shocked. "But our insurance only covers the basics."

"I'll handle it Amanda, it's what families do, right?"

Rachel wrapped her arms around her and kissed her cheek. "Thank you Wendy, you're wonderful."

Amanda's eyes began to tear up again. "Wendy, I-I don't know what to say."

"Amanda, sweetheart, you're welcome. Now let's go home and get some rest, things start early at St. Mary's and I know you want to be there when he wakes up."

Kyle and Wendy got into her car and drove off leaving Amanda and Rachel by Alex's car.

Rachel opened the passenger door and got in. "How did his car get here?"

"After you called, I called Kim and Ray then I called Wendy. I asked Ray to go to the club and bring his car here after he stopped by the apartment house and picked up the spare set of keys."

Amanda slipped in behind the wheel and started the car. 

"Can I stay with you tonight?"

Amanda looked at Rachel and smiled sweetly. "I was going to ask you if you didn't ask me."

Rachel watched the blur of streetlights whiz by the passenger window as Amanda drove them back to the apartment house. Even though she was exhausted her mind continued to replay the events that led up to the stabbing. The blood, Alex's blood, was everywhere, the screaming, chairs and tables flying around the room. It was all like a horrible movie that continued to play over and over in her mind. Why didn't she realize that Alex was always there because he was worried about her? 

"I'm so stupid," Rachel muttered. "I thought he was there because he liked hanging out at the club."

"You are not stupid my love, you're simply in love like the rest of us. I blame myself for not saying something earlier, and I bet Alex blames himself for not being more direct about his feelings. We love you Rachel, dearly. The club was fun and we loved being there with you but lately it seems a different kind of group has started hanging out there. And the vibe from them is kind of scary. I know you tried to dismiss it but you felt it too, didn't you?"

Rachel nodded, her eyes glistening.

"So it's settled? You're quitting the club?"

"Yes, I'll call Sydney tomorrow."

"And I'm calling our insurance agent tomorrow. I'm going to change our policy to include long-term maintenance meds. That should handle your needs and whatever Alex needs to help him recover."

"Thank you Amanda, you're such a wonderful wife, I don't know what I would do without you."

"I feel the same way sweetheart."

=THREE= ~

It was nearly six in the morning when Alex woke up and the first thing he saw were two beautiful faces smiling down on him.

"I must be in heaven for all I see are angels." He laughed and winced a little. "That was corny wasn't it?"

Rachel leaned forward and kissed him on his forehead. "Total corn ball my love."

Amanda followed Rachel, "yep totally sweetheart."

Rachel scooted a chair closer and took his hand. "They almost refused to let us in here this morning because we're not your legal family."

Amanda grumbled as she sat next to him on the bed. "We're going to change that starting today. I'm going to ask Kyle to give me a reference for a good family lawyer." 

Alex smiled and took their hands. "What name are you guys going to pick for us?"

"You know, I haven't thought about that, what do you think Rachel?"

They watched Rachel consider Amanda's question for a moment. She paused then a broad smile broke out. "I've always been a traditional girl at heart and I've always dreamt of taking my husband's name."

"Me too!" Amanda squealed, her eyes glistening. "When I was a kid I would lay in bed at night and dream about it."

Rachel stood up and leaned over to kiss Alex and Amanda on the lips then she whispered to them both. "Wells."

A half hour later Dr. Willis knocked softly and entered to find all three of them laughing and giggling together. "I didn't know there was a party going on or I'd have dropped in sooner." Dr. Willis was followed into the room by someone unfamiliar. Alex, immediately cautious, grabbed his sheets around him in an attempt to hide his body.

Amanda and Rachel smiled brightly. "Good Morning, Dr. Willis."

"Good Morning. This is Dr. Donald Greeley; he's a plastic surgeon and one of Wendy's friends. Alex, Dr. Greeley would like to examine your wounds if that would be okay?"

Alex looked from Dr. Greeley to Dr. Willis as Dr. Greeley stepped around Dr. Willis and offered to shake Alex's hand. "Don't worry Alex, Wendy Bingham already filled me in. You have a very important friend there; she's been pulling in favors all night. Let's see what kind of damage has been done."

Throughout the rest of the day Alex reacted very privately when anyone came into his room. It was obvious to Rachel that he was getting rather annoyed with the parade of nurses and aides coming and going for a variety of what appeared to be insignificant reasons; sometimes checking the same IV drip several times in a row.

Rachel noticed that the female nurses all acted a bit coquettish around Alex. She also noticed how they all seemed to be interested in his chest. It was obvious that Alex's unique condition was a curiosity. They should act like professionals not like a bunch of school girls, Rachel fumed as she stormed out of his room in search of the doctor. Eventually she found Doctor Willis and spoke to him about it. He placed Alex's room on restricted access.




Stray Cats Pt. 05



As a result, there was a bit of a stink at the nurses station. Rachel overheard the commotion outside Alex's door. But it settled down quickly when she walked out in the middle of all the tension to ask the duty nurse if she could have an extra pillow for her "husband." 

"You could hear a pin drop after I said that," she told him.

"Thank you."

A minute later one of the night shift nurses, Tiffany, knocked softly and poked her head into the room. "I'm sorry to bother you but I wanted to apologize for my staff's behavior. We weren't acting very professional. I'm sorry. I'm Tiffany Porter and I'm the duty nurse tonight. I wanted to let you know that we heard from Doctor Willis and we understand and will respect your privacy from now on. Again, I'm very sorry."

"Thank you Nurse Porter..."

"Tiffany, please."

"Thank you, Tiffany."

"Can I ask you something?" She came further into his room and softly closed the door.

"Sure."

"Your body, is it natural?"

Alex blushed slightly and pulled his sheets tighter around his neck. "Yes, why?"

"Because, I...I think I'm a little like you."

Alex relaxed a bit as he looked at Tiffany with renewed interest. "Really?"

"Yeah, I heard some of the other nurses hint that there was something different about you and then Doctor Willis told us the room was on restricted access. I was curious so I asked him and he told me that you're intersexed and bothered by all the unnecessary attention. You see, I'm intersexed too, only a little bit different from you, I think. It's called AIS."

"Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome, I know of it."

"Well, I was wondering if we could talk. I don't know anyone else like us."

"Sure, ah, Tiffany, this is my wife Rachel. Would it be alright with you if Rachel stayed?"

"Oh, yes, that would be fine. Are you intersexed too?"

"No Tiffany, I'm a pre-op transsexual."

"You are? I had no idea."

Rachel blushed slightly and nodded to Tiffany. "Thank you."

Tiffany sat down on a chair near Alex's bed and took a big breath. "Have you ever heard of Dr. Leonard Brunner?"

Alex shook his head. "No."

"He came to St. Mary's about five years ago, fresh out of a residency in Trenton, New Jersey. He's young but he's got a good head on his shoulders. Anyway, his research is focused on the intersex phenomenon. I'm one of his case studies." She blushed slightly then continued. "The rest of his research is from all over the country. He wants to start an institute for the study of intersexed people here in Wilmington. Would you like to meet him?"

Alex glanced to Rachel, looking for some sort of a response but her expression was blank. He turned back to Tiffany and smiled. "I don't know Tiffany, maybe, but not now. I need to think about it. I've been hiding this from the world for a very long time and it's going to take me some time to open up to a stranger. And the parade of curiosity seekers that has been in and out of my room today isn't any help."

"I truly am sorry about that."

"I know, and I understand why you can relate to my situation. So the best I can say is I'll think about it."

"Okay." Tiffany got up and walked over to the door then she turned and returned to Alex's bedside. She handed him a business card. "Here's Dr. Brunner's contact information. Please give him a call when you think you're ready to meet him. I'm sure you'd like him. Thanks Alex. And if you ever just want to talk about stuff, you know 'stuff'?" She glanced up at Rachel and smiled meekly. "My number is on the back, please call."

Tiffany extended her hand to Rachel. "It's nice to have met you; I hope I see you both in the future under better circumstances."

Rachel shook her hand. "Thank you Tiffany, I hope so too."

*>

Three days later, Alex went back into surgery with Dr. Greeley. It was finally time to address some of the scaring where the knife cut into him. After another two more days of convalescing, Alex was released into Amanda and Rachel's care. They wheeled a rather stiff Alex Wells out of the hospital and into a waiting cab to bring him home.

Following another week or so of bed rest, Alex was up and about. He was becoming restless and was half way through getting dressed when Amanda and Rachel walked into his room.

Rachel stamped her foot and Amanda barred the door. "Where do you think you're going?"

"To work, where else?"

Both girls looked at him sternly. "No you're not. You're not going anywhere."

"But, I've got to go to work. If I don't I'm going to go crazy cooped up here all day. Besides, they need me there."

Amanda pushed him gently to his bed. "No they don't. Inez is covering your shifts and your manager said you have a one week paid vacation coming to you anyway."

"I'm part-time, how do I qualify for a vacation?"

Rachel leaned over and kissed him on the lips with a mischievous grin. "I called him and persuaded him to offer it to you."

"How did I ever get by without you two?"

"I don't know." Rachel turned to Amanda with a mischievous grin. "Well Amanda, isn't it time for our patient's daily sponge bath?"

"I do believe you're right." Both girls began to strip him.

"Wait! No fair tickling!"

=FOUR=

"Knock, knock. Reception told me I might find Kyle Upton in here."

Kyle bumped his head under his desk. "Ouch." He peeked over the top of his desk with a big grin. "Hi beautiful, what brings you here?" He ducked back under his desk.

Wendy giggled and sat down in one of Kyle's client chairs. "I was in the neighborhood and thought I'd check out your office. Are you hiding from me?"

"Huh? Oh, no, my keyboard cable came lose and I was trying to reattach it when you came in." He grinned as he stood up and walked around his desk planting a kiss on her head as he walked by her to close his office door.

She stood up and fell into his arms as he turned towards her. His kiss was tender and passionate. He wrapped his arms around her and hugged her tightly then leaned back. "Hey, it's nearly lunch, you want to join me somewhere?"

"Hmm, sounds like a great way to start the afternoon." She looked over his shoulder at a group of pictures on one of his bookshelves. "Who are those people in the photographs?"

He released her and followed her as she walked over to his bookshelf to get a closer look. Then he waved his hand across the photograph. "Welcome to my family." He pointed to each person as he named them off. "That's Grandma, Mom and Dad, Uncle Willie, his sons Willie junior, and Hank. That's my sister Annie, and her husband Tom, they live on a dairy farm near Lancaster. Over there is my brother Tommy and, in a rare appearance, my twin sister Candace. 

"Rare appearance?"

Yeah, she's the one in the family with a severe case of wanderlust, every family has one I've been told and Candace is our world traveler. That's why it's so rare to catch a glimpse of her standing still, she's always moving. Right now she's up in New York City, at the New School studying filmmaking. She's pretty good at it too. Her last film was a documentary on gender dysphoria. It won a couple of awards on the festival circuit." He laughed out loud. "If you ever meet Grandma be prepared to sit through it at least once, with commentary."

"Gender issues?"

"Yes, something close to her heart. She transitioned when we were twelve, she's my twin. We were identical, now were fraternal." He shrugged sheepishly and Wendy wrapped her arms around him and crushed him in a big hug.

"What was that for?"

"Just for being you."

Kyle leaned in and kissed her. "Then I should be 'me' more often." His stomach rumbled a little and Wendy giggled. "Sorry, I guess it's lunch time."

"Come on, I'll drive. Rachel told me about this cute little Parisian restaurant on Elm Street, Madeline's I think she called it."

Twenty minutes later Wendy pulled into the parking lot at Madeline's, and ten minutes later they were sitting at a table with a view of a small park nearby.

Kyle peeked over his menu. "How's business? Is the real estate market going strong?"

"Not bad, I think I've found a house for Rachel, Amanda, and Alex. It's not too far from here, we can swing by and take a look after lunch if you have time."

Kyle pulled out his cellphone and dialed his office. "Hi Alice. Can you call Henderson and let him know I'll be a little late for my two o'clock? Thanks." He snapped his phone shut and slipped it back in his pocket. "Sounds like I have time and I'd like to see it." He tapped his menu. "Anything recommended?"

"Alex said everything is great here. I'm going for the salad, a girl has to watch her figure, you know."

Kyle grinned and shook his head. "Wendy Bingham, you must be doing a great job because your figure is stunning and I could watch it for you all day long."

Blushing crimson, Wendy smiled demurely, then buried her head in the menu.

"Rachel called me yesterday, she was wondering if I had some time tomorrow to meet her for coffee."

Her nose still buried behind her menu, Wendy tried to sound nonchalant. "Where are you going to meet?"

"I told her I had more time than she did so she suggested a coffee shop on 5th near where she works."

"I know that shop, the cappuccino is really good." She paused a moment and glanced at Kyle over the top of her menu. "What time did she want to meet you?"

"Around ten, why?"

"No reason, I was hoping you would join me for lunch tomorrow, that's all. Maybe we can meet for dinner instead."

"I'd like that."

About then a waitress arrived at their table with two glasses of water and they ordered lunch. 

"Are you worried?"

"About what?"

"My meeting with Rachel. I know she's being a bit of a mother hen but with that run-in you had with your former boyfriend I can understand why she's being a little over-protective."

"I know, and I love her for it, but honestly, you're not like any man I've ever met."

Now it was Kyle's turn to blush. "Thank you."

"Tell me about your sister Candace. You told me the other day that your family was just scrapping by. How can they afford to send your sister to The New School, it's expensive isn't it?"

"Very. Mostly she's there on scholarships, some they offered and some she found on her own. Plus I help her out whenever I can. I've always tried to look out for her when I could. She had a rough time of it after she decided to transition; the girls in high school were especially cruel. There for a while it seemed like I was in a fight every other day pushing off her bullies."

"I know, I lived through it too, but I wish I'd had a twin brother to help me."

"There was a boy she fell in love with in the twelfth grade. He was a jock and popular with all the girls. I told her not to try but she was totally gaga for him."

"What happened?"

Kyle poured some cream in his coffee and stirred it idly with his spoon. "She decided to ask him out. She'd been working up the nerve for a couple of weeks. I snuck along without her knowing. If she had seen me before she asked him she would have beat me up for certain. But I stayed back far enough to not be seen but close enough to hear. The boy's name was Kurt Treadway, he was a real dick but she refused to see it."

"I can see where this is going."

"Yeah, well anyway, Kurt was hanging out with a couple of his buddies from the football team when Candace showed up. She was wearing one of her best dresses and some cute high heels. I mean, if she wasn't my sister I would have totally dated her, she was hot."

Wendy smirked and Kyle blushed a bit then continued. "I couldn't hear everything in the conversation but I got the gist of it. Candace asked him out and he laughed at her.

I heard him shout at her, "I don't do chicks with dicks, freak."

They said a couple more things and then his friends were laughing. She snapped back, "What? You're worried that mine might be bigger than yours?"

"That's when he hit her. He knocked her on the ground and spat on her and I was on him in a flash. Kurt and his buddies proceeded to kick the shit out of me but I got in a few good punches before I blacked out. They must have left shortly after that because when I came to I was lying on a stretcher and being hauled into an ambulance. She stayed with me for the rest of that night telling me how sorry she was. I couldn't say a thing because my jaw was wired shut."

Wendy's eyes glistened as she turned to look out the window at some children playing in a park across the street. What was the big deal anyway? Why couldn't he have just said no? Why is it so hard to treat another human being with respect and kindness even if you're not interested in them? Would he have treated a genetic girl that way? Are they so afraid that being with a transsexual is contagious? Like it's some sort of deadly disease?

She sighed and used her napkin to dry her eyes.

"Hey, it's a beautiful day; let's talk about happy things okay? What about the house you found?"

"It's a cute little bungalow. It has all the amenities they were looking for."

Kyle laughed. "Even a bedroom large enough for a king-sized bed?"

Wendy blushed and nodded. "That too."

The waitress arrived with their lunch. Then half way through his sandwich, Kyle's office called. "Hello? Oh, hi Richard. Uh-huh, I asked Henderson to meet me at two. As soon as I have the final figures from him I can get those estimates to you. Yes, okay, I'll be back shortly. Right, right, okay. Bye." Kyle rolled his eyes. "Sorry, my boss is a poster child for ADHD."

"Do you need to go now?"

"Ha, no. He'll be onto three other things as soon as he hangs up the phone. I'll get the numbers he needs by four when I promised him. He drives Alice the division secretary nuts but at least he's thoughtful and remembers her birthday, his only saving grace."

They finished their lunch and, holding hands, they walked out of the restaurant towards Wendy's car. He nudged her shoulder. "I guess next time it will be my turn to visit your office."

"I can't wait." She was beginning to understand the depth of her feelings for him. That she was in love with Kyle not just in love with the idea of love like she was with her ex-boyfriend, Ted.

"We still have time, do you want to swing by that house you found for the family? At least we can see it from the curb."

"Sure." Then she smiled sweetly and kissed him on the lips. "But you can't tell them anything, I want it to be a surprise."

"I promise."

=FIVE=

Kyle walked into Robbie's coffee house on Fifth Street a few minutes after ten in the morning. He glanced around a moment looking for Rachel. The place was filled with customers, laughter and coffee. The hiss from the espresso machine filled the air with the rich aroma of a dark roasted Parisian blend. It smelled heavenly.

Rachel saw Kyle first and waved him back towards a booth near the back. "Hi, thanks for choosing this place so close to my work."

"Well, like I said, you have less time than I do and anyway, I like this place, Rob makes his own blend of coffee, it's not bitter like the name brand stuff."

"You know the owner?"

"Sort of, we went to undergraduate school together. I left for law school and he went to South America in search of the perfect coffee bean." Kyle lifted his cup to his lips. "I think he found it."

Rachel glanced at Kyle. "Yes, he did. I suppose you know why I asked you to meet me?"

"Hmmm. You want to know if I'm a rogue and a scoundrel and only after Wendy's vast fortune, is that it?"

Rachel opened and closed her mouth then frowned and looked away. It was clear to anyone watching the couple interact that she was upset. Apparently Kyle's attempt at levity wasn't scoring him any points.

"Okay, ask me your questions, no more flippant responses, I promise." He crossed his heart and held up his right hand.

"You're a bit of a smart-ass aren't you?"

"Only when I'm nervous, which is why I never was any good as a litigator, I couldn't deal with the nerves." Kyle glanced at Rachel's cup. "Would you like some more coffee?"

"No, I'm fine. Kyle, Wendy didn't want me to meet with you, she's afraid that I'll scare you off. But somehow, I don't think that's going to happen. Not just from that last remark you made but from the way you two are together. Still, I want you to understand that I really respect her and care for her. And I don't want anything to happen to her that would make her cry."

"Neither do I, although she came pretty close when Alex got stabbed."

"Yeah, that was a rough night for everybody." Rachel paused a moment and sipped her coffee. She glanced over at a couple sitting nearby and holding hands. "Have you ever known a girl like Wendy before?"

Kyle took a big breath and let it out slowly. "I've mostly dated regular girls in the past, albeit not many of them because I've always been a bit awkward around them, sort of like I am around you now. And because my family is a bit eccentric for lack of a better description, that sort of put off my chances for dates in the past too. They still live with grandma outside of Philadelphia, except for my sister Candace. She's studying filmmaking in New York at the New School."

"Do you come from a big family?"

"Not really, a brother, a sister, and a twin. The rest are uncles, aunts, and cousins."

"You have a twin?"

"Yeah, Candace, we used to be identical, now were fraternal."

"Huh?"

"She was born a boy and she transitioned when we were twelve. My family has always been supportive, God bless them, but her school life sucked. She's tough though, we're all really proud of her."

Rachel paused a moment, Kyle continued to amaze her. "I've heard of the New School, it's private isn't it?"

"Yeah, and expensive too. My family has always been trying to make ends meet but they also wanted to help her with her dreams. When the scholarship came through, she worked doubly hard to find more financial aide. She pieced it all together and I help her out whenever I can but she's stubborn about it. She knows I have huge student loans to pay off as well."

The back of the booth that Rachel and Kyle sat in had rather high backs which made it feel private but at the same time difficult to see the front of the store. It also made it difficult for Rachel to notice a cute brunette in sunglasses and a big floppy hat sit down in the booth next to them. The woman leaned back and quietly listened to the conversation going on in the next booth.

Kyle stirred the cream in his coffee slowly. "It's been a blessing to know Wendy. There aren't a lot of people I know who would understand my twin sister like she does. Hopefully, she'll get to meet her sometime."

Rachel sighed and gazed out the window at people passing by the coffee shop on the sidewalk outside. "Wendy is a lucky girl."

"So are you. The rest of us should be so lucky to find the deep love you have for Alex and Amanda."

"Is it that obvious?"

"It only takes a glance, Rachel. I've only known you for what, a couple of weeks? And yet the first day I met you I knew. Everybody knows if they take the time to look. And you also have this mother hen thing going but it's cool, I can tell you really care for Wendy and I'm fine with that."

Rachel blushed and looked away. Then she glanced sideways at him. "Who are you Kyle Upton?"

"Just a guy who has blissfully stumbled upon a group of friends who are kind to one another, and who care for and love one another. I think I'm the luckiest guy in the world. Oh, what time is it? I was supposed to text Wendy about this." He pulled out his cell phone and began to punch buttons.

"About what?"

"About this meeting between you and me, she wanted to know how it's going."

Rachel looked askance at him. "And, how do you think it's going?"

Kyle grinned at her. "And send. I think we had a bumpy start but right now I'd say we're doing great."




Stray Cats Pt. 05



In the next booth the woman in the floppy hat and sunglasses frantically scrambled to find her cell phone before it beeped and gave her away. Too late, the distinctive chime rang out loud and clear.

Kyle looked at Rachel then smiled a knowing smile. He stood up and peered around the booth to find his new girlfriend dumping the contents of her purse on the table. "Hi there."

Wendy looked up and grinned sheepishly. "Hi."

"Do you want to join us? We were just talking about you."

"I know." She looked around the edge of the booth to see a frown on Rachel's face.

Wendy shoveled the pile of stuff on the table back into her purse and scooted out of the booth. As soon as she stood she saw Rachel giving her 'the look'. She quickly mouthed the word 'sorry' to her and then took a seat next to Kyle. 

Rachel twisted her mouth into a wry grin. "Hello Wendy."

"Hi."

"Excuse me ladies, I need to get a refill." Wendy stood up for Kyle and then she sat down next to Rachel.

Kyle slipped back out of the booth and disappeared around the corner. He suspected that they wanted to talk in private and getting a refill of coffee was a convenient reason to give them some privacy.

Rachel wore a stern expression. "Wendy Bingham, I'm hurt that you don't trust me."

"I'm sorry Rachel, but I really like him, and..."

Rachel pulled her into a hug. "Oh, forget about it. I'd have done the same thing or worse if it was Alex."

"Speaking of Alex, how's he doing?"

"Better, thank you. He went back to work last night and his last semester of classes start next week. But don't think changing the subject will get you off the hook."

"I did apologize."

"I know, so maybe buying us all dinner this weekend will set things right."

Wendy grinned and hugged Rachel as Kyle rounded the corner to slip back into the booth.

"What did I miss?"

Wendy let go of Rachel and smiled sweetly at Kyle. "An apology, and a promise to never doubt her again."

"Rachel, Wendy and I have a date tonight, you're more than welcome to chaperone."

"We do?"

Rachel blushed brightly and swatted Kyle on the arm. "And what would you say if I said yes?"

"I'd say you'd get to drive because we'd be in the back seat."

Rachel laughed. "No thanks, I'm hanging up my mother hen wings, my little girl is all grown up and she's found a wonderful guy to be with."

"Thank you Rachel." Wendy turned to Kyle with a huge smile. "Where are we going?"

"The symphony, Brahms and Schubert tonight."

"Ooo." Wendy's eyes sparkled with delight.

"On second thought, maybe I do need to chaperone you two." Rachel winked at Kyle with a smirk.

Wendy turned surprised. "Don't you have to work tonight?"

"Nope, I'm through with Moulin Rouge, I promised Alex and Amanda." 

"Good," Kyle and Wendy said in unison.

=SIX=

Kyle and Wendy found their seats the third row back on the Mezzanine level of Orchestra Hall. After a moment Wendy leaned over and whispered in his ear. "How did you know I love the symphony?"

He smirked. "Lucky guess?"

"Fat chance, spill it."

"Okay, I called your secretary and she told me you had season tickets last year."

"I'm going to have to speak to Rebecca about divulging all my secrets."

"Good luck, I paid her off in chocolates."

The concert master walked out on the stage to applause. He bowed to the audience, turned to the orchestra, and raised his violin for the final tuning.

An hour and a half later Wendy entwined her arm around Kyle's as they walked to his car in the parking lot. "I simply love Brahms, especially his first symphony, it has such a sweet melody."

After the symphony, Kyle drove them back to their condominiums. Wendy snuggled next to him and rested her head on his shoulder.

As he parked his car she leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. "Would you like to come up to my place for a glass of wine?"

Kyle's eyes shone with excitement. "Yes, I'd like that very much."

Kyle followed Wendy down the corridor to her apartment. He waited while she opened her door and flipped on a few lights. She walked into the kitchen and pulled a bottle of pinot noir from the wine chiller under her counter and proceeded to open it up. Kyle walked up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist then nuzzled his nose against the back of her neck.

"You should know that drives me wild sweetheart."

Kyle continued to kiss her neck and nibble at her earlobe. "Good, after the tranquility of Brahms I think a wild night might be fun."

Wendy left the half opened bottle of wine and turned to pull him into a passionate kiss. "You like playing with fire do you?"

Kyle trailed kisses down her neck to the cleavage between her beautiful breasts. "Yes, fireworks are always exciting."

"Oh my God Kyle." Wendy grabbed his hand and pulled him out of the kitchen and down the hallway.

Near her bedroom she squealed with delight as he swept her up into his arms and carried her into her bedroom. She wrapped her arms around his neck as he released her. Her feet barely touched the ground as she covered his face with kisses.

He reached behind her and lowered the zipper on her dress as she struggled to unbutton his shirt. She giggled as they tried to undress each other at the same time. "I think we need to do this one at a time."

Kyle leaned forward and kissed her. "I agree my love, ladies first." He finished with her zipper and her dress crumpled to the floor around her feet. Now she stood there in bra and panties with stay-up hose and heels. 

She reached behind her back and undid her bra, allowing it to slowly reveal her ample breasts. They were full and pouty with dark brown areolas and nipples that stood out proudly, begging to be sucked. Kyle leaned forward to lick them and she wagged her finger in his face. 

"Uh, uh, uh, not yet my sweet, next my hose and heels then it's my turn to undress you." She sat on the edge of the bed as Kyle grinned sheepishly then knelt to roll down her hose and remove her heels. He lifted each foot and kissed a dozen kisses up each leg as she moaned softly running her fingers through his hair.

He stood up slowly, his shirt hung off his slender frame half unbuttoned. She sat up from the sensuous assault on her legs and pulled open the buckle on his pants, slipping them off his hips to fall like her dress and crumple on the floor by his feet. His shirt quickly followed. She reached down to remove his socks and delicately moved her hands up his legs trailing her fingernails along his thighs. He shivered with excitement.

She hooked her fingers into the waistband of his boxers and, looking up into his seductive eyes, she slowly lowered them to fall like his pants at his feet. His cock sprung free from the confines of his boxers and stood rigid against his stomach. She leaned forward and nuzzled against it. Reaching out with her tongue she licked the underside of his shaft. She moved up to the mushroom head and planted a kiss on the tip. He moaned softly feeling the velvet touch of her tongue.

He looked down at her with a lusty smile. "My turn," he whispered and he pushed her gently onto her back on the bed. He fell beside her and his mouth quickly sought her breasts, sucking and nibbling, he sent her soaring. Then he moved to her collarbone, then to the small of her elbow and then he moved to finish sucking gently on each fingertip.

She was writhing in pleasure as his tongue assaulted all the pleasure points on her body. He moved back to her shoulders while his fingers began to move gently over the soft wet folds of her pussy. He found her clitoris, swollen from passion, and began to gently rub it as he trailed kisses from her neck to her waist and below. He grabbed a bottle of lube on her nightstand and coated his fingers liberally.

Soon his tongue found her clitoris. He nibbled and sucked the swollen nub as she her body undulated in submission to his tongue. His lubricated fingers slipped gently into her vagina. He moved them around searching for her g-spot. Suddenly he touched it and she was rocketing off into outer space screaming his name and wrapping her legs around him.

"NOW! God, oh God, NOW! I need you now!"

Kyle opened the bottle of lube again and squirted some in her hands. She coated his cock with the lube and pulled him down to her vagina, urging him to enter. He slipped inside her, feeling every little muscle contract around his penis as he pushed deeper.

She spread her fingers across the cheeks of his ass and turned her nails to bite into his flesh, urging him to go deeper, to thrust harder, and faster. 

She was soaring now, higher than she had ever flown before. He was like a magician; his touch was like an elixir for her soul. Each thrust brought her closer to the edge; each lunge brought her closer to oblivion. She felt him swell inside her, she knew he was close. His thrusts became stronger, more demanding. She wrapped her legs around him and locked her ankles as if she would never let him go.

Suddenly he tensed and she could feel his seed coat her vagina. There was so much it began to spill back out and trail down her perineum to drip onto her ass. 

She was in ecstasy. She hugged him tightly and held her breath, as if breathing now, or ever again, would break the spell of pure bliss.

Eventually she came back to earth. She rubbed and caressed his body, holding him tight as she covered his face with kisses. "My God, I thought I knew what sex was like for a woman. You are amazing. Where did you learn to make love like that?"

Kyle just beamed. "It helps when you have such a beautiful and receptive partner."

She pulled him into another hug. "Oooo, you make me feel wonderful!"

He shifted his position so that she could feel that he was still rock hard against her stomach. "Want to go again?"

This time they went slower. But with the slower pace she was able to soar even higher. She knew what sex was, she had slept many times with Ted her ex-fiance. But this wasn't just sex, this was making love. This was pure, unadulterated joy."

Later, in the afterglow, Kyle asked Wendy about her transition. "What was it like going from a male to a female completely?"

Wendy sighed a bit then gently stroked his hair as he nuzzled her breasts. "The operation felt like it lasted for weeks but that was the easy part."

"How do you mean?"

She pointed to her head and her heart. "It's what happens here and here that is the toughest part."

He looked at her earnestly, his eyes urging her to continue, to tell him everything. His fingers traced tiny circles around her breasts as he listened to her.

"It's funny, now as I look back on it, what I thought was going to be the toughest part was the easiest. I remember standing in line at the DMV. It was six weeks after my final operation and I held a doctor's certificate that finally identified me as female. I was mortified thinking that all the clerks behind the counter would laugh and point but they didn't. They just stamped the form and issued me a driver's license with the letter 'F' under gender. You can't imagine how much joy that gave me. Finally, my body was correct; I was a woman, a complete woman. No one would ever take that from me again."

"And the hardest part?"

"Telling my family. I expected that they wouldn't accept me, and they didn't. But I had to try to make them understand anyway. My father wouldn't even acknowledge my presence in the room. All my mother did was cry and the rest of them snickered and walked out. But then, I didn't expect that it would be any different than it was. I just hoped it would be less humiliating and it wasn't."

Kyle shifted his attention from her breasts to brushing back a lock of her hair behind her ears. "So what other changes did you experience?"

"Oh, changes still seem to be happening to me. Little things happened to my body over time."

He looked out the bedroom window as if he was lost in thought. Then he glanced back at her.

She could see that he was working through something. Even though she was afraid to ask, she knew she must. "What are you thinking about my love?"

He leaned up and kissed her lightly on the lips. Then he took a big breath and slowly let it out. "Have you ever thought about adoption? My Aunt Susan was adopted and I always thought it was like offering a child a gift of a lifetime."

Wendy squealed and threw her arms around Kyle's neck and hugged him tightly. "Yes," she whispered, "yes."

=SEVEN=

"Knock, knock, anybody home?" Wendy opened Rachel's apartment door and peeked her head in. Sitting around the kitchen counter, Alex, Rachel, and Amanda huddled over a fresh brewed cup of coffee. They responded with a groan. "Well, I can see you three aren't morning people."

Amanda pointed to Rachel and grinned. "We're not, but this one over here just got in this morning after he finished his two a.m. night shift at the convenience store."

Wendy gathered them into a big hug. "Hmm, I love you guys!"

Rachel looked sideways at Wendy. "Okay, what happened?"

"Nothing, I just had the most wonderful night of my life last night with Kyle."

Amanda squealed glee. "Oooo, details, details."

"Nope, not a word, but I will tell you that he knows exactly how to make a girl feel loved, over and over and over again.". They all laughed and clapped for joy. "But that's not why I'm here. Come on, get dressed, I have a surprise for you."

Alex sat down his coffee cup. "You've found us a house."

"Yes! It's a beautiful little bungalow in a quiet neighborhood. It's just perfect. Now come on, I can't wait to show you." Wendy was almost dancing, she was so excited.

Alex and Amanda raced out of Rachel's apartment to get showers and get dressed as Rachel set a cup of coffee in front of Wendy and did the same. A half hour later they were all dressed and dancing with excitement in the apartment house foyer.

Wendy opened the front door with a flourish. "Alex, you're going to have to drive, my car is a bit small to fit all of us."

They all crammed into Alex's car and twenty minutes later they were standing in front of a cute little home built in the craftsman style that looked out on a quiet street just a few blocks from where Kim and Ray got their apartment.

"It's a little on the high side of your price range but with some creative financing I think you can swing the mortgage."

Alex snapped his head around. "What? This isn't a rental?"

Amanda and Rachel's eyes sparkled with anticipation.

"No, I thought you told him Amanda." Wendy arched her eyebrow as she glanced at Amanda.

"I was going to, then the whole incident at the club and well..." She walked over to hug Alex. "I forgot sweetie, please forgive me but Rachel and I talked it over and we both thought if we could find a house we could afford we should just buy it rather than pay off somebody else's mortgage."

Alex looked at her and then he turned to Rachel. Both girls smiled hopefully. Then he turned to Wendy. "Well, let's at least take a look inside."

Amanda and Rachel squealed and gave Alex a big hug. The three of them followed Wendy through every room and peeked into every closet and cupboard. Before the hour was up they were back standing on the front porch and looking out on the neighborhood.

Wendy put the key back into the lockbox then she turned to join them. "Well, what do you think?"

"The numbers you quoted, are they accurate?"

"I think the market rates are falling Amanda, so my quote may be a bit higher than reality once you lock in your rates. But I think they're pretty close."

Amanda looked at Rachel and Alex. "What do you guys think?"

Alex wrapped his arms around both girls' shoulders. "You two are better with numbers than I am but if you want my opinion, and if we can afford it, then I think we should hug our little sister Wendy for finding us such a great place to call home."

*****

A NOTE TO THE READER:

This story is a work of fiction. All of the characters, their names and the places that they visit, are purely from the imagination of the author. Any resemblance to persons, places, or things is not intentional and purely coincidental.

If you believe in coincidence I'm happy for you. However, if you've read my other works you know that I do not, but the lawyers like to see that word in there anyway.

Thank you again for reading my work, I hope you enjoyed it. If this is the first time you've read one of my stories, welcome. I hope you take a look at the rest of the work that I've published here on Literotica.com. If you are a returning reader, welcome back, it's nice to see old friends.



Stray Cats Pt. 06



Thanks for taking the time to read this story. If you're new to this series it would be best if you went back to the first chapter in order to understand some of the dynamics in this unique family. However, as I've said before, it's your choice. I hope you enjoy this latest chapter of Stray Cats.

Dreamweaver594

=ONE=

"I feel like I've finally found my home." Wendy lifted her glass to meet Amanda's and the rest of the table followed.

"To family!" They shouted in unison and others around the restaurant applauded.

April downed the last of his wine and set his glass on the table. Her eyes sparkled as he smiled at Wendy. "Thank you, for finding us such a beautiful home, little sister." Then she gestured to everyone at the table. "There will always be a place for all of you at our table."

Wendy smiled serenely, her eyes were glistening, and Kyle wrapped his arm around her shoulders and gave her a big hug. She mouthed the words "thank you" and kissed Kyle on the cheek.

Ray leaned forward towards Rachel and Amanda. "So when do you guys close on the house?"

Amanda jabbed her thumb towards Wendy. "I don't know, she's the expert."

Wendy laughed and playfully swatted Amanda on her arm. "Hopefully next month, if we're lucky. The offer was made and accepted, the paperwork signed and delivered. Now all that's left is to wait on the bank approval. Residential loans move at a snail's pace and commercial ones take even longer. This one's tricky because a corporation is buying the property and we have a few more hoops to jump through. It'll be fine. I know the loan officer, he assured me that the loan would pass with flying colors."

Several waiters arrived with the main course and the table was quickly filled with laughter and idle conversation while everyone enjoyed the meal.

Amanda dabbed her mouth with her napkin. "Wendy, what are you and Kyle up to next week?"

"Kyle promised me a trip to the Poconos. He has Friday off so we're leaving Thursday afternoon and driving up."

"Where?"

Kyle set his fork down and took a sip from a glass of water. "The Pocono mountains, they're in upstate Pennsylvania. It's where my folks live."

Amanda giggled. "Oooh, going to meet the parents. Things are getting serious." Her voice had a lyrical quality to add to her teasing.

Wendy and Kyle both blushed. Kim nudged Amanda's shoulder. "Oh don't tease them, it's a big step, Amanda. I haven't met Ray's folks yet but we're supposed to go to their place for Thanksgiving. I'm a nervous wreck."

"Don't be sweetheart," Ray whispered softly. "They are going to love you."

Kyle nodded knowingly. "I just hope Wendy isn't disappointed, my family can be a lot to handle sometimes. Eccentric is a word that comes to mind often."

Amanda giggled. "Eccentric is a good thing, it keeps life interesting."

April leaned over and kissed Amanda on the cheek. "That it does!" She blushed and kissed her back then the waiters arrived with dessert.

*><*><*

Later that evening Rachel and April, stood at the foot of the stairs that led to their apartments three flights up. April sighed. "God I hate having to climb these stairs in heels."

Rachel wrapped her arm around her shoulders and gave her a hug. "No more than me, babe."

Amanda turned from unlocking her apartment door. "You know, I think it's my turn to host the late night party. Why don't you girls stay with me tonight."

Rachel smiled. "That sounds interesting, a slumber party?"

April nodded. "Can we bring anything?"

Amanda stood in her doorway and wore a mischievous grin. She walked over to the two girls standing near the stairs and whispered. "Just your luscious bodies cause I'm all worked up and I want to play."

April slipped off her heels and started up the stairs. She glanced back at Rachel with a grin. "Race ya."

They scampered up the three flights trying not to giggle. A minute or two later, and slightly winded, they opened their apartments and dashed in to change.

Ten minutes after that they both emerged onto the third floor landing wrapped in warm fuzzy robes and wearing slippers. Rachel pulled April into a hug. "God I love you, babe. Meeting you was the luckiest day of my life." She pressed her lips against April's and she tasted cherry-flavored lipstick as she slipped her tongue between her lips. "Mmm, you taste good."

"So do you." April leaned back from her embrace. "But we had better head back down before Amanda accuses us of starting without her." April could feel Rachel's cock press against her thigh through the thickness of her terrycloth robe.

Rachel pulled her close and moaned into her ear. "I'm so going to have my way with you tonight, my love. All I thought about during dinner tonight was how much I wanted to be in bed with you and my little munchkin."

April giggled. "Me too, and Amanda kept squeezing my thigh. There must have been something in the water."

Rachel stepped away and offered her hand to April. They both walked back down the three flights of stairs silently in slippers. A couple of minutes later they knocked softly on Amanda's door then slowly opened it.

Inside, the room was mostly dark, except for a dozen or so flickering candles sending dancing shadows across the room. Standing near her bedroom door with her hands covering her crotch, Amanda posed coquettishly wearing a sheer pink baby doll negligée. Her feet were adorned with five-inch pink stilettos heels fastened with a tiny ankle strap. Her hair was pulled up and curls cascaded around her face. She'd added sultry false eyelashes and some dark, sexy makeup. The total ensemble made her look dangerous.

April's mouth dropped open. "My God girl, you look hot."

Rachel stared into her eyes as she shut Amanda's door. "Totally. I don't ever remember seeing you look this hot, Amanda."

"That's because tonight I have a special surprise for both of you." Amanda removed her hands from her crotch and a large pink strap-on dildo dropped into view. "Tonight is my turn to top and I'm going to have my way with both of you." She leaned against her bedroom door and it opened behind her as she stepped back.

Inside, her bedroom was filled with more candlelight. The window shades were drawn closed and the bed covers were pulled off. Amanda sashayed across the room; her long pink phallus bobbed and weaved with every step. She turned and looked at both girls standing in the doorway. Then she lifted her hands and gestured for both of them to join her.

Amanda knelt down on her bed as Rachel and April removed their robes and slippers. They held each other's hands as they walked towards Amanda and stood at the foot of her bed, now wearing only their negligées. Their eyes were gleaming with passion.

Amanda pulled gently on the string that held her skimpy nightgown in place. It quickly released and the sheer fabric floated off her body. With a simple gesture, the silky fabric floated across her arm then spilled off the bed and onto the floor. She raised her arms and both girls fell into her embrace. "I love you two so much," was all she could say before she was smothered in their kisses.

Rachel sat up and pulled on the drawstring of her negligee. She leaned over the edge of the bed and let it fall on top of Amanda's. She reached over to the nightstand and opened a drawer. She pulled out a bottle of lubricant and a condom as April pushed Amanda down on her back and began to lick and suck on her nipples.

Amanda cooed under the delicate touch of April's tongue and she squirmed beneath April's caress of her clitoris while she watched Rachel open the bottle of lubricant and slip the condom over her silicone cock.

Rachel rubbed a thick coat of lube on Amanda's strap-on cock with a devilish gleam in her eyes. She lifted her leg and straddled the dildo, slowly impaling her body as April reached over to switch on the vibrating phallus.

Watching Rachel slowly engulf Amanda's cock, April untied her negligée and let it fall off the bed as well. Then she pulled her stiff cock out of the confines of her panties. As she did so, Amanda's hand quickly began to stroke her penis, gripping it tightly while Rachel continued to move slowly up and down Amanda's silicone shaft.

The vibrations sent shivers up and down Rachel's spine as she felt the dildo fill her. She leaned forward and Amanda's hungry mouth sought her nipples. Rachel murmured her delight. "My God you fill me up my sweet sister, I could do this all night."

"Mmm, that was my plan, Sis, all night long." Amanda replied between kisses. "I've been waiting to do this forever."

April looked down at Amanda with a gleam in her eyes. "When did you buy that?"

"About a month ago." Amanda bit down on one of Rachel's nipples making her moan in ecstasy. "I was just waiting for the right moment to show it to you both." Amanda lunged upward and sent her silicone phallus deep inside of Rachel.

"Oh my God, this feels amazing. Deeper, Amanda, deeper."

April moved around behind Rachel and reached between the two girls to stroke Rachel's rigid cock while she used her other hand to push two fingers between Amanda's harness straps and into her dripping wet pussy.

As April stroked Rachel's beautiful cock she twisted her fingers around in search of Amanda's g-spot. The moment Amanda arched her back April knew she'd found what she was looking for. She pressed harder against the sensitive patch and Amanda screamed as she pushed her dildo deeper into Rachel.

Rachel was beginning to pant as her ass was reamed by Amanda's dildo and her own throbbing cock was swelling beneath April's tight grip. A moment later they both climaxed as Rachel sent her cum streaming across Amanda's chest to fall on her chin while Amanda squeezed and pushed April's fingers out of her pulsating pussy as her body rocked to a magnificent orgasm. They both collapsed on the bed, panting.

After a few minutes to catch their breath, they recovered enough to pull April down on her back. While Rachel shoved a pillow beneath April's butt Amanda pulled open a condom wrapper and slipped it on her silicone cock. Rachel picked up the bottle of lube and dribbled the slippery liquid onto Amanda's dildo and then on her own growing cock.

Amanda slipped between April's legs and slowly pushed the dildo into her ass as Rachel waited a moment until Amanda was settled before pushing her cock into Amanda's pussy.

They writhed in passion, Amanda's vibrating cock made April nipples tingle as Rachel pushed harder into Amanda. In a moment, Amanda could feel Rachel's cock swell then she felt her seed gush deep inside Amanda's vagina.

As Rachel softened she fell out of Amanda's pussy. She slipped off her and watched Amanda continue to thrust into April's ass.

Suddenly, Rachel watched a thought play across Amanda's face as she pulled her dildo out of April and unclipped the strap-on harness. She straddled April then she reached down to lift April's rigid cock and impaled herself on the rigid shaft. Her muscles tightened around April's cock and she began to milk her, coaxing her seed from her balls.

April's cock began to swell. She arched her back as she sent rope after rope of her come deep inside of Amanda's vagina. Amanda, totally spent, collapsed between April and Rachel. She crossed her legs and clamped her pussy lips together tightly not wanting to loose a drop of the precious seed trapped deep within her vagina.

Rachel glanced across to the exhausted April trying to catch her breath. She leaned up on an elbow and gazed at Amanda's blissful expression. Then a curious thought occurred to her. "You're off the pill aren't you?"

Amanda blushed as she smiled sweetly and nodded. "I want your babies. I want a part of both of you to grow inside of me."

Rachel glanced across to April. The shocked expression on April's face grew into a wondrous smile as tears began to fall across her cheeks.

Huge tears began to fill Amanda's eyes as well. "I want to have your children, is that okay?"

Rachel looked down at Amanda and then to April whose face was glowing, her eyes glistened in the candlelight. She looked back to Amanda and nodded whispering, "Yes, thank you."

They kissed. They hugged. And they all fell asleep, blissfully entwined in love.

=TWO=

Kim walked into Rachel's apartment the following Saturday to see all three of her friends standing around the island counter pulling on their coats. "Hi, I just got off work. Where's everybody going?"

Amanda dashed into the bathroom as Alex slipped on a pair of women's flats. "Shopping, want to join us?"

"Sure, what are you looking for?"

Amanda poked her head out of the bathroom with a toothbrush sticking out of her mouth. She pulled the toothbrush out and grinned. "For a new bed, one big enough for the three of us to romp and play. Ours just won't do anymore, its too small."

Kim's face flushed crimson and she shook her head with a grin. She was getting more accustomed to Amanda's teasing ways but the girl still shocked her sometimes. The thought of the three of them lying in a king-sized bed entwined together in passion was quite the mental image.

Rachel chuckled as she wrapped a scarf around Alex's neck. "Where are we going to store this mattress, Amanda? We haven't closed on the house yet and it will be too big to make into one of our apartments."

"I called the mattress store and they said they could store it for us until we close on the house. I told them it'd probably be a couple of weeks and they said okay. Come on, let's go." Amanda wrapped a scarf around Rachel's neck. "Bundle up sweetie, it's cold outside." Then she gave her a peck on the cheek.

Kim pulled her coat back on. "Those earrings are cute Alex, where'd you get them?"

Alex pulled on a smartly tailored camel hair women's coat he found at the Salvation Army Thrift Store. "I saw them at a little shop on Forest Avenue. It's a quaint little place and I love going there. They have a nice selection and I don't get weird stares from other women like I do at the big box stores."

"They look cute on you, take me there sometime. I like supporting small stores if I can.

Alex smiled and opened the door for them all. "Thanks Kim, maybe we can go there after class on Wednesday."

"Great."

They all filed out of Rachel's apartment and headed down the stairs to the foyer. As they reached the last step Tom Reilly poked his head out of his apartment door. "Hey girls, what's up?"

Alex managed to partially duck behind Rachel as they walked across the foyer towards the back door and the apartment parking lot.

Rachel turned and grinned at Tom. "Not much Tom. How's Nancy?"

"She's fine. Hey, can I talk to everyone for a minute?"

They all stopped and turned towards Tom as Kim stepped aside. "Sure."

"I know you three are planning on moving out soon and I know you're all on month to month now. So, could you give me at least a month's notice on when you plan on vacating? I need to get an ad in Craigslist. There aren't too many students looking for something this time of year, and I want to be at the top of the list of those who are."

Alex buttoned up his coat and pulled the scarf up around his ears. "Sure Tom, we'll be happy to give you as much notice as we get from the bank."

"Thanks." Tom offered an awkward grin and closed his door softly as everyone else turned towards the back door and the apartment house parking lot.

The mattress store was on 21st street along with a collection of restaurants, antique shops and a few boutique stores. It was a trendy shopping area away from downtown without looking too suburban.

Twenty minutes after entering the store Amanda and Rachel fell onto a king-sized bed with a soft pillow top and sighed.

Kim glanced over to Alex and grinned. "I think they have found the one you're going to buy."

Amanda sat up and gestured towards him. "Come on sweetie, join us. Let's see if we all fit."

Alex climbed onto the bed and settled in between Amanda and Rachel.

Rachel reached over and pulled Amanda towards her squishing Alex between them. "Kim take a picture."

Kim snapped a few photos on her cellphone then Amanda got up and ran around to grab her. Kim squealed with laughter as Amanda pushed her onto the bed between Alex and Rachel announcing, "see girls, there's plenty of room," as she flounced down beside them.

Kim sat up, her cheeks flushed with crimson. "Amanda my dear, Ray is already too much for me to handle so..."

Rachel leaned up on one elbow and swatted Amanda's shoulder playfully. "Stop teasing the poor girl Sis, she's turning three shades of red. One of these days Kim is going to totally shock you Amanda and I only hope I'm around when it happens."

Alex laughed as he wrapped her arms around his sisters. "Me too, I'm sure it'll be spectacular."

A salesman walked over the stand near the foot of the bed and watch the girls with a smirk as he held out his hand. "Which card shall I put this on?"

=THREE=

There was a light dusting of snow on the foothills that led up to the Pocono Mountains in western Pennsylvania. The roads were clear, as it wasn't quite cold enough for snow to stick for very long.

Wendy snuggled up to Kyle as he navigated his way along familiar roads. "It's so pretty up here sweetheart, I want to come back in the spring when everything is new."

Kyle flipped on his turn signal as he slowed to turn off the main road and onto a state highway. "It's really beautiful in May when the azaleas and dogwood are in bloom."

"Next time we'll take the roadster. Country roads are made for convertibles."

Kyle smiled blissfully as he glanced over to watch this beautiful woman take in the beauty of the country. He was glad Wendy liked the outdoors. A lot of city girls are just not cut out for a life beyond condos and upscale restaurants. Wendy seemed so at peace in this world. She seemed to relax the moment they left the freeway.

"I suppose I should brief you a little about what you can expect after we arrive. My family is probably one of the reasons I never had too many girlfriends from my hometown. They are a bit, well, for lack of a better word, eccentric as I said before. They can be a handful sometimes."

"Norma is my mother. She lives with my uncle, Willie, along with his two sons, Henry, we call him Hank and he's a cop, and Willie Jr., who works as a mechanic at a body shop in town.

My mom had four children. Twins, me and Candace, who was born Kenny, Annie who married Tom Andrews, a dairy farmer, they live near Lancaster, and finally Tommy who's just finishing high school this year and plans to go into the Army this coming July."

"Everybody sort of just gets along, no great aspirations, just a desire to live happy and healthy I suppose. My uncle Willie is a handy-man-carpenter, odd jobs sort of guy. There probably isn't a home for fifty miles that he hasn't fixed something in it one time or another."

"Norma, my mom, is a nurse at the community hospital in Mount Pocono. She's been there for nearly twenty years. I keep asking when she's going to retire but since Dad died three years ago she just shrugs her shoulders and smiles. I think she likes it too much."

Wendy gazed out the passenger window watching the world whiz by. "So just you and Candace were the ones with the wanderlust?"

"I suppose so, although from the sounds of it, some of it rubbed off on Tommy."

Wendy leaned over and kissed him on the cheek then she rested her head on his shoulder as he drove up the twisted little highway further into the mountains. She fell blissfully asleep.

A half hour later Kyle pulled into a gravel driveway that led up to a simple two-story home that had a country farmhouse appeal to it. He nudged Wendy and she sat up wiping the sleep from her eyes.

"Hey sleepyhead, we're here."




Stray Cats Pt. 06



As they approached the house they could hear arguing inside. They climbed the porch stairs and stood outside the screen door. Kyle whispered to Wendy as he pointed to the two standing in the center of the living room. "That's my uncle Willie and his niece Martha Johnson.

Martha stood in the middle of the room with her hands on her hips, a defiant scowl on her face. "What do you mean that's not crazy? Who teaches their boys to pee on trees in public? In the school yard no less?!"

A pleasant faced woman with wisps of grey hair swirling around her face turned to see two people walk in through her front door. "That's all right Martha, we won't say anything more about it. Hello Kyle, is this your girl friend Wendy?"

Kyle ushered Wendy through the foyer and into the living room. "Yes, Wendy, Mom, Mom, Wendy."

Wendy shook the hand that was extended and smiled sweetly. "Hello Mrs. Upton, I glad to meet you."

Norma patted her hand. "No ceremony here dearie, call me Norma."

Kyle dropped their bags near the hallway stairs. "Hi Martha, Uncle Willie." He turned and whispered to his mother. "What did Uncle Willie do now?"

Willie turned to Kyle; his voice was filled with bluff and bluster. "I only told her boy Rodney, that no matter where you are in this world, you have to have a whizzing tree, what's wrong with that?"

"My son is not a bear in the woods, Willie, my side of the family does not condone public urination in Philadelphia."

"This isn't Philadelphia Martha, it's Swiftwater, and it is in the woods."

"Aargh! Stay away from my Rodney, Willie, or next time I am calling the cops."

"All right Martha." He pulled out a small notepad and scribbled a note. "Here's Henry's number if you need to call him." Willie turned to Wendy and winked. "My boy's the duty sergeant tonight and he could use an excuse to visit. It gets pretty boring most nights down at the police station."

Martha flipped the note over her shoulder and stormed off slamming the screen door on her way out. Kyle could hear her muttering about old coots with no sense of decency.

Uncle Willie turned to Wendy. "Don't worry, Martha's my sister's girl. She gets a bee in her bum about something and you just have to wait it out until the ride is over." He stepped closer and leaned in to take a closer look. "So you're Wendy. It's nice to meet you."

At that moment a woman strode out from the back bedrooms dressed in a bra, pajama bottoms, and snow boots. She was carrying an axe as she walked through the living room towards the kitchen. Everyone paused as the woman strode across the room. "Denise, this is Wendy, Kyle's new girlfriend."

Denise waved the axe over her head as a welcome without breaking her stride. Wendy watched her go through the kitchen and out the back door. The screen door slammed shut with a whack. "Where's she going?"

"To chop wood. Winter is nearly around the corner." Willie chuckled as he sat back down in a recliner and picked up the remote.

"She's on a mission. Denise is sort of my wife, although it's not official. We've been together now for nearly twenty years. I promised her a couple of year's back that we'd go to Las Vegas and make it official. She said we should dress up like Elvis and Priscilla and ride in the back of a limousine. I thought that sounded like fun."

He scooted around in the recliner and craned his head up towards Wendy. "Have you ever been to Vegas?"

"No, I never have been there."

"I think I've got enough saved up now so plan on it. They say you have to bring your own witnesses. Kyle, you up for a trip to Vegas?"

Kyle walked back out of the kitchen. "When would that be Uncle Willie?"

"Christmas."

"I'll check my calendar, but maybe."

The television started blaring the roaring sound of racing cars. "Oh good, NASCAR's back on. One of these days we'll get our own cable so I don't have to keep borrowing it from my neighbor."

*><*><*

That night Wendy was in the guest bathroom while Kyle was downstairs talking to his mom. He walked into their bedroom to hear her whimpering in the bathroom as if she was in pain. Suddenly, "Shit, fuck, oh shit that hurts." This was followed by another whimper.

Kyle knocked softly on the bathroom door. "Wendy? What's going on? Are you in pain?"

"Don't come in here Kyle."

"Okay, I won't, but are you all right?"

"Yes, I'm just doing something that I hate to do and it hurts like a bitch sometimes. I'll be okay, just stay out please."

Kyle walked over to sit on the bed.

A moment later Wendy walked out of the bathroom carrying a small cloth bag. She blushed as she glanced into Kyle's eyes then she sat next to him on the bed. "I'm okay sweetie, it's just something I have to do everyday and sometimes it can be painful."

"Can you tell me what it is?"

"It's so embarrassing." She opened the small bag. Inside were several long cylinders that were shaped like dildos of various sizes. Only the cylinders were smooth and without the all the details that are common on silicone dildos. "I have to use these twice a day to keep me open and the larger ones really hurt sometimes. I've had to do this since my surgery."

Kyle looked at the small bag and then up into her eyes. "Why?"

"The doctor told me that if I don't my vagina will collapse. I know of a girl who had to have reconstructive surgery because she didn't do it and her vagina collapsed down to a little less than two inches. She couldn't have vaginal sex."

"Holy shit, is there something I can do to help?"

"No sweetie, just love me."

"That's easy, I already do." Kyle leaned over and kissed her lips gently. "So is this a permanent thing? Do you have to do this for the rest of your life?"

"Maybe, at least for a couple more years until everything settles down there." She stood up and put her small dilation bag back into her suitcase. "I've been doing some research and I discovered a procedure that allows for a permanent solution to my problem."

"You should do it then, I don't like to hear my girl in pain."

She curled her fingers and tickled his ears. "It'll mean a couple of months without sex, even masturbation."

He grinned sheepishly. "There's other things we can do while we wait."

She nudged his shoulder and pushed him back into the bed then she climbed on top and straddled his chest. "Hmmm, I'm willing to explore if you are."

*><*><*

The next morning sunlight filtered through the curtains in the guest bedroom and Wendy stretched as she woke up. That was undoubtedly the best night's sleep she had had in years. It was so peaceful up here in the woods. She looked around the room. The bathroom door was standing open so Kyle was probably downstairs.

She grabbed her robe and busied herself in the bathroom. She fixed her hair and dabbed on a little bit of makeup. As she got closer to the top of the stairs she could hear laughter and the clatter of dishes coming from the kitchen below.

Kyle appeared at the bottom of the stairs. "Good morning beautiful, I was just about to come up and give you a wake up kiss."

Wendy began to step down the stairs towards Kyle. "How about I meet you half way?"

They met in the middle and Kyle wrapped his arms around her. "Good morning beautiful. Sleep well?"

"Like a baby, it's so peaceful here. I love it."

Kyle kissed her cheek again. "Then you wouldn't mind coming back for Tommy's graduation?"

"I wouldn't miss it." They turned and walked arm in arm down the rest of the stairs.

"Great! How about breakfast?"

"I'd love some, I'm famished."

*><*><*

In a quiet moment, while doing the breakfast dishes, Wendy managed to ask Norma what she thought about her daughter Candace?

"Oh she's terrific. She's working for a production company up in Albany right now. I heard they're working on one of those vampire TV shows. I forget which one. They're all the same to me. She's having the time of her life."

"I meant, what did you think when she told you she wanted to become a woman?"

"Oh, well, I was worried at first, we all were. People can be so cruel you know. But she has so many good friends here and in New York that we didn't worry too much, beyond what any mother worries for a daughter in the big city. So Kyle told you about her?"

"Yes he did." Wendy turned and leaned against the counter. "You see I've gone through a similar transition myself."

"You have? Goodness, I wouldn't have known if you hadn't told me. You're quite lovely my dear."

"Thank you, Norma." Wendy dried a large platter and set it on the counter near a stack of plates. "And the family? Did they accept her decision?"

"Of course, once they understood it. We all did. But we kind of saw it coming so it wasn't a big surprise. Kenny, that was her name before she became Candace, was always awkward as a boy. And Kyle was always there to protect him. School children can be so cruel sometimes."

Wendy nodded sadly as Norma handed her another skillet to dry. "But when she transitioned she just blossomed. It was wonderful to watch her grow. Of course she had a few hard knocks in high school."

"I know, Kyle told me about one of them."

"You mean the one with that football player Kurt and his buddies?"

Wendy nodded.

"That was one of the worst that happened. Kyle was her protector in high school, he took a lot of abuse because of his twin sister but through it all he never uttered a word of complaint."

Norma lifted a large pot out of the soapy water. "You know, in a way, a change like that really tells a person who their true friends are, doesn't it? People who will stick with you because they like you for who you are not what you are, they are the ones you can count on."

Wendy nodded. "Yes, I think you're right." She glanced out of the kitchen window and watched Kyle help his Aunt Denise chop and stack wood.

*><*><*

Kyle's car wove down the narrow country highway, heading away from the Upton family home. Wendy leaned her seat back and gazed languidly out the passenger window at the forest as it whisked by. On the radio, Aaron Copeland's "Appalachian Spring" filled the car with melodic tones that made the ride through the forest seem magical.

She glanced over and looked at Kyle as he maneuvered through a narrow country one-lane bridge. What an amazing man he was. Since she met him and her sisters Rachel, Amanda and April, her life had taken a complete turnaround.

April was right, my turn was coming and my Prince Charming was indeed waiting in the wings. She took a big breath and let it out slowly, closing her eyes to relish the sensation of just being with someone who really, truly loved her. Her eyes began to glisten. She dabbed the tears away and tried to settle her emotions.

"Do you think there might be a cabin up here we could rent for a week or two sometime in the spring or summer?"

"Of course, my cousin has a few cabins she rents out every summer to people. I could ask her."

Wendy smiled serenely as she returned her gaze to the passenger window. "Thank you, I'd like that."

"You know we have a standing offer to come back to my mom's place anytime we want."

"I know, but this would be just the two of us."

Kyle smiled and blushed slightly. "I'd like that," he whispered. He stopped at a stop sign and waited for a logging truck to rumble by.

Wendy reached over and squeezed his hand gently as he looked down the road for other traffic. Once the road was clear he turned onto the highway heading south and back to Wilmington.

She snuggled under a blanket she found in the backseat and smiled sweetly. Life was good. She finally understood that slogan.

A NOTE TO THE READER:

© 2015

The author copyrights this chapter, as well as all the chapters of this series. The reproduction of any chapter or part of any chapter of the Stray Cats series without the written permission of the author is expressly prohibited.

This story is a work of fiction. All of the characters, their names and the places that they visit, are purely from the imagination of the author. Any resemblance to persons, places, or things is not intentional and purely coincidental.

If you believe in coincidence I'm happy for you. However, if you've read my other works you know that I do not, but the lawyers like to see that word in there anyway.

Thank you again for reading my work, I hope you enjoyed it. If this is the first time you've read one of my stories, welcome. I hope you take a look at the rest of the work that I've published here on Literotica.com. If you are a returning reader, welcome back, it's nice to see old friends.