The Women's Job - It's Confidential - Chapter Nine

OTHER CHAPTERS | ALL STORY LIST

Three days later Dana’s jet landed back in Oregon. Mr. Wade sent out a car to pick her up, and a short time later she was sitting across from him in his office.

“You did a wonderful job, Dana,” he said. “I’m very proud of you.”

“Thank you, Mr. Wade,” she replied. “I need to say something important; I’ve decided to stay as a woman.”

“I’m not totally surprised, Dana,” he replied.

“I’d also like some time off. I have plenty of vacation time on the books,” she continued.

“I understand,” he replied. “I suspect that you have some details that you need to work out.”

Dana nodded. “Thank you for being so understanding.”

“As you probably know, Dana, you’re not the first person who has worked for me who has come to this decision. Now, I have something I want to say; I don’t want to lose someone of your talents. While we don’t presently have any openings at the executive level, we will in six to eight months. In the meantime, I don’t see a problem with you staying in your present position here.”

“Um, is a new position here?” she asked.

“There will be two: one here, and the other in a new office we’ll be opening up in New Jersey.”

“I’d like to stay out here,” she said.

“I had a feeling you’d say that,” he replied. He leaned back in his chair and smiled. “Effective immediately, you’re on vacation. When you return, I expect the usual hard work.”

“Thank you, Mr. Wade,” she replied.

“Oh, one more thing,” he said as he sat up. He reached into his top desk drawer and pulled out an envelope. “Here’s your bonus for a job well done.” He handed her the envelope.

Dana took it and thanked him.

“You can open it now if you’d like,” said Mr. Wade with a grin on his face.

Dana nervously opened up the envelope and pulled out the check. She stared at it in disbelief. “Um, this must be a mistake.”

Mr. Wade shook his head. “No, you’ve earned it.”

“Thank you very much, Mr. Wade,” replied Dana.

“Have a good vacation, Dana. We’ll talk more when you get back; I have great plans for you.”

“So, where are we going to dinner tonight?” asked Dana. “I need to know, so I can dress appropriately.”

“Dress for the finest dinner you can imagine,” replied Pete.

“I promise that I’ll look stunning for you,” she replied.

“I know you will. I’ll be up to pick you up at seven,” he replied.

Dana hung up the phone and looked at her watch. She quickly called Maria.

“I know this is short notice, but can you squeeze me in this afternoon? I have a very special dinner date this evening, and I want to look extra special for him,” begged Dana.

“Can you be here in thirty minutes?” replied Maria.

“Yes,” replied Dana.

“Okay, come on in. And don’t worry honey; he’s going to love how you look,” she replied.

Dana was pleased with her hair as she looked in the mirror.

“I went with a slightly lighter color in the highlights this time,” said Maria.

“I love it,” replied Dana.

“You’re so lucky that you look so good in short hair; you look very feminine. Too many women come out looking too butch for my taste,” said Maria.

Dana ran her fingers through her hair. “Well, I owe a lot of it to your wonderful work.”

“So, I take it that you’ve graduated from Ms. Wellington’s Finishing School?” asked Maria.

Dana laughed. “I wouldn’t say that, but I would say that Dana is here to stay.”

“That’s wonderful to hear. Now, tell me everything as I do your nails,” she replied. “But first, the important question I need to know the answer to are you going to stay my client?”

Dana nodded vigorously. “Absolutely, Maria.”

Remembering Tess’s advice, Dana decided to wear her little black dress that night. She went with a garter belt and stockings along with a pair of black heels. To complete the outfit, she wore gold hoop earrings and a gold chain around her neck.

As she inspected herself in the mirror, she nodded in approval. She was happy to be Dana from now on. Hopefully, her family would understand and accept her, but she decided that when she went out to Chicago, she wouldn’t be asking for their permission.

As for Pete, she couldn’t wait until she was in his arms again. She glanced at the clock and saw that it was just a few minutes before seven. The last thing she did was apply a few drops of Chanel No. 5, again remembering Tess’s advice not to overdo it.

The doorbell rang a little after seven, and she walked over to the peephole and saw Pete standing in front of her door. He was dressed in a dark blue suit.

She opened the door, and he smiled as he greeted her.

“You look stunning,” he said as he walked in. He then pulled her close and gave her a gentle kiss on the lips.

Dana couldn’t help but smile. “I’m happy to see you too.”

“Well, we’d better get going; we don’t want to miss our reservations,” he said.

“I’ll get my coat,” replied Dana.

Pete shook his head. “You won’t need it, trust me.”

He led her downstairs and into his apartment. Dana could smell the aroma of salmon cooking in the oven.

“I hope you don’t mind, but the last thing I wanted to do tonight was share you with the rest of the city,” said Pete as he closed the door. “I hope you like salmon.”

“I love it, and it smells wonderful,” she replied.

“I usually go up to Alaska once a year for fishing, but this was provided by a friend,” said Pete as he took off his jacket. “Would you like some wine?”

Dana nodded.

“I hope you don’t mind not going out tonight,” he said as he opened the bottle of Riesling.

“I don’t mind,” said Dana as she sat down on a barstool that was by his kitchen nook. “I’m just happy to be with you. I really missed you.”

“I missed you too, Dana. So, is Dana here to stay?” he asked, as he poured the wine.

Dana nodded as she took the glass from him. “Yes, this is me from now on.”

Pete smiled and held out his glass and touched her glass. “Here’s to your new life.”

Dana nodded and then sipped the wine. “And here’s to us.”

“I’ll drink to that,” replied Pete as he clinked his glass off hers.

Over dinner, Dana brought him up-to-date on her life. They ate by candlelight with soft jazz playing in the background.

“So, when are you going out to Chicago?” he asked.

“I need to call my sister first, but I imagine that I’ll start out next week; I have a few things to take care of out here first,” she said. “Why?”

“Well, if you’re planning on driving out there, I’d like to go with you. I have a publisher out there who is interested in my latest book.”

“Really?” said Dana.

“Yes, and besides, I don’t like the idea of you driving out there by yourself,” he replied.

“Thank you,” said Dana, pleased that he cared about her well-being.

“You mean a lot to me, Dana, I’m not about to lose you,” he said, as he reached over and took her hands into his. “I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about us while you were away, and I know that you’re the person that I want to spend the rest of my life with. Look, I know this is going to be a little complicated, but so what? Who said that complicated is bad? I just know that I love you, Dana.”

“I love you too, Pete,” replied Dana.

He ran his hand gently through her hair as they cuddled in his bed. The only sound was the rain hitting the bedroom window. Pete smiled at the way that Dana was clinging close to him. He thought about their lovemaking and how feminine Dana’s reactions were. In many ways, she was more female than many of the women that he had loved.

She was the thing that had been missing from his life all these years, and in just the short period that he had known Dana, his creative juices had been renewed. The publisher in Chicago was just one of several his editor had sent the first draft of his book. What he hadn’t told Dana was that there was currently a bidding war for the book, which he had turned out in just a few weeks. Meeting Dana had broken the creative ice jam that had plagued him his whole life. Even his editor remarked that he seemed like a new writer. The contract that the Chicago publisher was talking about would be a six-book deal that would leave him financially set for life.

Until now, money hadn’t been important, and he had been happy being an underachiever, writing the occasional story and making enough to pay his bills, but now he wanted a home and a life with Dana. The fact that the woman he had been looking for his whole life was physically male made no difference to him.

Dana had told him over dinner how she would be seeing a therapist and soon an endocrinologist to start her hormone therapy.

He also wanted to be close to her when she told her family, even if he had to stay in the shadows. He imagined that it would be difficult for them to be told that their only son was now a woman, without throwing into the mix that she had a boyfriend. And if things worked out well, then he could be there to meet her family. Anyway, he wanted to be there for her.

He leaned down and gently kissed her as she slept and pulled the down comforter around them.

“You sure you’re going to be okay?” asked Dana as she sat next to Pete.

“Yes, as I’ve told you a dozen times, the question is, how do you feel?’ he asked.

Dana looked out of the car window at Peg’s house. “I don’t know.”

“You have my cell phone number, and I won’t be that far away,” he said. “You don’t have to do this alone.”

“No, I do. I love you Pete, but I need to face them alone, or at least with my sisters.”

Pete leaned over and kissed her. “I know things will work out fine.”

“I wish I had your confidence,” she replied.

She got out of the car and grabbed her bags out of the trunk. “I’ll see you soon,” she said.

Pete nodded. They had talked about this moment many times during the drive out to Chicago. Dana’s parents had been told that she was coming out for a visit, but they didn’t know the reason why.

He watched her walk up the sidewalk toward her sister’s house. Before she was halfway up the sidewalk, two women came out of the house and ran towards her. They were soon locked in a mass hug. Pete smiled and drove away. There would be time later for introductions. He definitely noticed the family resemblance in the three sisters, although he felt that Dana was the cutest, then again he was biased.

“My god, little sister, you’re beautiful!” said Peg as she grabbed one of the bags.

“I’m just glad that you waited until we got out of high school. Can you imagine how many boys would have been bugging her?” said Rachel to Peg.

“We should have known when she looked so cute in your cheerleading outfit,” said Peg.

Dana laughed. “Okay, okay, I get it; I’m due to get some crap from you two.”

“Oh, you have no idea, little sister,” said Rachel as they walked into the house.

“Where’s Kelly?” asked Dana, referring to Peg’s partner.

“She thought that this should be just between us; however, she’s dying to meet you,” said Peg.

Dana smiled back. “Cool. I’ve always liked her.”

A short time later they were sitting around the kitchen table drinking coffee.

“I suppose that you both have a ton of questions to ask,” said Dana.

“I only have one, Dana; are you happy?” asked Rachel.

Dana nodded. “For the first time in my life, I feel free and at ease. I guess I channeled this into my work.”

“That’s all that matters,” she replied. “Peg and I have worried about you for a while; we knew you were holding something in, but we didn’t want to press you.”

“What do you think Mom and Dad will say? asked Dana.

Rachel cast a glance at Peg.

“We don’t know. They’re both pretty liberal, but they always talk about how proud they are of you and your career. You are their only son,” said Peg.

“I don’t suppose you’d be willing to dress as a boy to go see them?” asked Rachel.

“I can’t do that, not even for them,” said Dana. “I know that sounds selfish, but this is who I am now. Does that make sense?”

Both women nodded.

“So, are you ready?” asked Peg.

Dana shook her head. “No, but let’s get it over with. I don’t want to hurt them, but I have a life to live.”

“I’ll drive,” said Peg.

They pulled into the driveway of their parent’s large home. It was the house that they’d all grown up in.

“I can’t believe they’ve kept this place,” said Dana, as she stared out of the window.

“Do you want us to go in first?” asked Rachel.

“No, let’s go in together,” said Dana.

They stepped out of the car and began to slowly walk towards the front door. Peg reached over and took Dana’s hand.

Dana looked over and smiled. “Thank you.”

“Regardless of what happens with Mom and Dad, you’re my sister,” said Peg.

“The same applies to me, Dana,” said Rachel.

They stopped by the front door and Peg pressed the doorbell. A moment later the door opened.

“Rachel, Peg, your early, and where is Dylan?” asked their mother.

Dana stepped forward and smiled nervously. “Hi, Mom.”

“Oh, my God!” exclaimed their mom.

The first few minutes were the most awkward for Dana. She always felt nervous in the living room, and it didn’t help that she was coming out to her parents. She almost asked if they could move into another room, but she decided to tough it out.

She sat on the large couch with Peg and Rachel flanking her. Her parents sat across from them.

Dana noticed that her dad hadn’t said a word since they walked into the house. She cleared her throat and then let out a long breath. Suddenly, she felt as if she was six years old again, and she was about to be punished.

“Okay, all I ask is that you hear me out first,” said Dana.

Her mom looked over at her dad and they nodded.

Not the sort of sign that gave Dana confidence, but she decided it was better than being asked to leave. She then told them about how her life had changed so drastically. It took her nearly an hour. She even told them about Pete.

“Well, that’s it. I’m not asking for permission, but I love both of you, and I want you to know that I’m happy, and none of this is your fault; it’s just the way I am,” said Dana.

“This will take some getting used to,” said her mom.

“I don’t know what to say,” said her dad.

“Look, you accepted the fact that I’m a lesbian; what’s the big deal with accepting that Dana’s now your daughter?” said Peg.

“It’s not that simple, sexuality is one thing, but gender is something that you just assume is something that’s permanent,” said Mom.

“She’s still your child; she’s our sister,” added Rachel.

“We didn’t say that we’re rejecting Dylan I mean Dana, it’s just a shock, it’s going to take some time for this to sink in,” said Dad. “Are you going to be in town for a while Dana?”

She nodded. “I’m staying with Peg and Kelly.”

“Okay, I think your mother and I need some time alone to talk about this; I hope you understand. Why don’t you come back tomorrow?”

Dana nodded. “If that’s what you want.”

“Trust me, Dana, it’s a good sign,” said Peg. “They did the same thing when I came out to them.”

They were back at Peg’s place at the kitchen table.

“I bet that they’re online right now, looking up sites on transgendered issues,” said Rachel.

“I hope they get the right sites,” said Dana. “Some of the ones that I looked at are pretty shocking.”

Rachel and Peg broke out laughing, and Dana joined them. It felt good to break the tension.

“Can you imagine what Mom will do if she logs onto some porn site?” asked Peg as she began to laugh uncontrollably. “I know she accidentally logged on a few after I told her I was a lesbian.”

Their laughter was interrupted by the phone ringing.

“Hey, Kelly, when do you think you’ll be home?” asked Peg.

“I’m on the way right now, are your sisters there?” she asked.

“Yes, we just got back from our parent's house,” said Peg.

“Well, you must be hungry; why don’t I stop and pick up some Chinese?” asked Kelly.

“That sounds great, just make sure you get a lot!” Peg replied.

“Okay, no problem, I’ll be home soon, love you,” said Kelly.

“I love you too,” replied Peg. “Drive carefully.”

“Don’t I always,” she said.

Peg hung up the phone. “Kelly’s on the way home, and she’s picking up some Chinese for dinner.”

“Hmm, that sounds great; I can’t believe how hungry I am,” said Dana.

Kelly was a tall woman with short spiky brunette hair. She also wore gold wire-framed glasses. She was also three months pregnant.

She came in caring several bags of takeout Chinese food, which she set down on the kitchen table. Peg introduced her to Dana, and Kelly immediately hugged her.

“It’s so good to meet you, Dana. Your sisters really think the world of you,” said Kelly.

“I’ve heard a lot about you,” said Dana. “I can’t believe that it’s taken this long for us to meet in person.”

“Hopefully, you’ll come around more now,” said Kelly. ‘Well, let’s not let this great food get cold, let’s eat.”

Over dinner, they talked about the meeting with the parents.

“So, I assume that we’re waiting for a plume of white smoke to be sighted,” said Kelly as she scooped out some Kung Pao chicken onto her plate.

“The problem with Mom and Dad is that they have to research everything before they make a decision. I guess spending your whole life in academia does that to you,”said Rachel.

“So when are you going to shock them, Rach? I mean you’re the only normal one now,” said Kelly with a wink.

“I guess I could tell them that I’ve become a Republican,” replied Rachel.

“Oh my god, don’t even joke about that!” said Peg.

“Yes, you don’t have to try and top us,” said Dana.

“Okay, but you know that the pressure will be on me now; I mean, you both have partners, and I’m the only single one left,” said Rachel as she reached for the steamed vegetables.

“That’s right, so where is he? I thought he was driving out here with you,” said Kelly.

“He’s meeting with a publisher in the city,” said Dana.

“What’s his name again?” she asked.

“Pete, Pete Lewis,” said Dana as she picked up a piece of chicken with her chopsticks.

“Did he write a book of short stories about growing up on Puget Sound?” asked Kelly.

Dana nodded as her mouth was full.

“Holy crap, I love his books! I can’t wait to meet him!” said Kelly excitedly. “That’s so cool that you’re dating a writer.”

“Pete will be glad to know that someone outside the Pacific Northwest has read his stuff,” said Dana.

“He’s a great writer; I was turned onto him by a friend back in college.”

“Great, Dana, thanks for raising the bar even higher!” exclaimed Rachel sarcastically.

“How’s it going, honey?” asked Pete.

It was after ten, and Dana was lying in her bed, about to go to sleep, exhausted mentally and physically from the day. She told him about her day.

“Well, it sounds pretty encouraging if you ask me,” said Pete.

“Everyone else thinks so too,” said Dana. She then told him about Kelly.

“Well, it will be fun to meet another of my tens of fans,” he said.

Dana laughed. “How did the meeting go?”

“They’re offering me a six-book deal,” he replied.

“That’s wonderful!” she replied.

“They really like my newest book,” he added.

“What book is this?” asked Dana.

He then told her about the book that he had written during her time in New Jersey.

“I want to read it as soon as possible,” she said. “I’ve never been the inspiration for a writer before.”

“You’d better get used to it; I’ve already started on my next book,” he said.

“Can you come here tomorrow?”

“Sure, the contract’s in the hands of the lawyers right now,” he said.

“I can’t wait to be in your arms again,” said Dana.

“Well, I love you too,” he replied. “You get some sleep, I have a feeling tomorrow is going to be a big day for you.”

“Good night, Pete, I love you,” she replied.

It wasn’t until late in the afternoon that Dana’s parents called and requested that Dana and the others come over.

“Who did you talk to?” asked Dana.

“Mom,” replied Peg as they walked out to her car.

“And? I mean, how did she sound?” asked Dana.

“Pretty normal for her,” replied Peg.

“I can’t believe how nervous I am,” said Dana. “Look at my hands, they’re trembling.”

“It’s going to be okay, Dana,” added Rachel. “Look, even if they’re upset right now, they always come around. I mean, Dad didn’t talk to me for a week after I put a scratch in his car.”

“It wasn’t exactly a scratch, Rach; you smashed in the entire front of his BMW,” said Peg.

“Whatever, the point is, he got over it. I mean, they’ve gotten over Peg being a lesbian, and they’re even happy about becoming grandparents, so I wouldn’t worry.”

“Would you be worried if you were in my shoes?” asked Dana.

“Worried? No. Terrified beyond reason, yes,” she replied.

“You’re not helping, Rach,” said Peg.

“It’s okay, at least it’s taking my mind off being excommunicated from the family,” said Dana.

“They can’t do that; we’re not Catholic. They can only disown you,” said Rachel.

“And you wonder why I haven’t visited in a while,” said Dana to Peg.

“At least you’re smiling at the moment. Look, if Mom and Dad get pissy, which I doubt, then Rach and I will work on them until they come around. We’re sisters now, Dana, and that means we stick together,” said Peg.

“Sisters,” replied Dana almost as if she was sighing.

They walked together up to their parents’ house. The door opened before they reached it, and their mom motioned them inside.

“Before we talk, can I make one request that we don’t do this in the living room?” asked Dana.

Mom smiled slightly. “I suppose the kitchen will do nicely.”

They walked into the large kitchen and sat down. Dana noticed that even after all these years; they all sat in the same seats. Dana’s Dad was sitting across from her, his eyes studying her.

“I want to ask one thing first; are you sure about this?” asked Dad.

Dana noticed that he didn’t call her Dana, but at least he didn’t call her Dylan.

“Yes, Dad, I’m sure. I’ve started seeing a therapist too if that makes you feel better, and yes, the therapist specializes in gender-related issues.”

“Are you happy?’ asked Mom.

“Yes, Mom, I’m very happy. I feel free and whole for the first time in my life. I pushed back these feelings for so long that I forgot what I was repressing. I focused my life on professional success, and my personal life was pretty much nonexistent. Now, I have balance, a great job, and wonderful friends who love and accept me, as Dana.”

“If I’m not prying too deep, are you implying that you now have someone in your life?” asked Mom.

Dana nodded and figured she might as well lay out all her cards on the table. “Yes, his name is Pete, and he’s an author. He came out here with me; he’s presently in the city working out a deal with his new publisher.”

Mom looked over at Dad. “Look, dear, we just want you to be happy and safe. If I said that I understood this, I’d be lying, and it may take time until we accept you completely as a woman, but you’re still our child.”

Dad nodded. “It’s your life, and if you’re happy, then who are we to argue? You’re an adult, Dana, and I guess you’re entitled to pick your own path.”

Dana didn’t wait for them to say another word as she sprang out of her chair and hugged both of them as the tears of joy ran down her face.

It was three weeks later, and Dana was taking Tess, Jackie, and Lisa out to dinner to thank them for all the help that they had provided.

Over appetizers, Dana updated them on her life.

“So, your parents accept you?” asked Tess.

“More or less, they’re supportive anyway. They still don’t really understand why I’m doing it. The good thing is that they both like Pete,” said Dana.

“That’s good to hear,” said Lisa.

“Well, at least I don’t have to lie to them about us,” said Dana as she extended her left hand.

“Ooh, when did Pete give you this?” asked Tess.

“On the way back from Chicago. We spent a few days in Yellowstone, and he proposed to me there,” said Dana. “We plan on getting married after my SRS and paperwork makes me legal.”

“It’s a lovely ring,” said Jackie. “I’m very happy for you.”

“This calls for a toast,” said Lisa as she motioned for a waiter. “We need a bottle of champagne here immediately; our friend is getting married.”

The waiter nodded and returned quickly with a bottle of champagne.

Tess made the first toast to Dana and Pete.

“So what’s the next toast?” asked Lisa.

Dana looked around and whispered. “I started hormones this week!”

“Looks like we’ll need another bottle,” said Tess. “I knew things would work out for you; I just didn’t know they would do so so quickly.”

“I’m sort of shocked by the way it’s worked out myself,” said Dana. “I just want you all to know that I couldn’t have done this without your help. The next toast will be to my wonderful friends.”

“So I take it you had a good time last night,” said Pete as he scrambled some eggs.

“It was wonderful. I needed to thank those three for helping me become … well, become me,” said Dana.

“I guess I’d better take them out some night then as if it hadn’t been for them, I never would have found you,” replied Pete.

Dana smiled back. “I guess that dreams really do come true sometimes.”

The End.